COMPASS Algebra Practice Test A

1
COMPASS AlgebraPractice Test A

• This practice test is 10 items long.
• Record your responses on a sheet of paper.
• The correct answers are on the slide after the
  last question.
• Complete solutions follow the answer slide.
• Click the mouse or use the spacebar to advance to
  the next question.

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A1. If x -2 and y 5, what is the value of the
expression 2x3 3xy ?

• A. 14
• B. 46
• C. 54
• D. -46
• E. -54

3
A2. What are the solutions to the quadratic
equation x2 2x 48?

• A. -12, -4
• B. -8, -6
• C. 6, 8
• D. -6, 8
• E. -8, 6

4
A3. Rationalize the denominator.

• D.
• E.

• A.
• B.
• C.

5
A4. What is the equation of the line that
contains the points (-1, 1) and (2 , 7)?

• D.
• E.

• A.
• B.
• C.

6
A5. For all x ¹ 3,
A. B. C.
D. E.
7
A6. Which is the complete factorization of

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.
• E.

(3, -15)
8
A7. What is the product ofand

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.
• E.

9
A8. If then
A. B. C.
D. E.
10
A9. If, what is the value of the
expression

• A. 12
• B. 14
• C. 17
• D. 22
• E. 36

11
A10. For all b ¹ 0,

• A. 18b
• B. 6b
• C. 32b2 48b
• D. 2b2 4b
• E. 2b 4

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Answers Algebra Practice Test A

• A
• D
• B
• E
• D

• A
• C
• C
• B
• E

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A1. If x -2 and y 5, what is the value of the
expression 2x3 3xy ?

• A. 14
• B. 46
• C. 54
• D. -46
• E. -54

• 2x3 3xy
• 2(-2)3 3(-2)(5)
• 2(-8) 3(-10)
• -16 -30
• -1630 14

14
A2. What are the solutions to the quadratic
equation x2 2x 48?

• A. -12, -4
• B. -8, -6
• C. 6, 8
• D. -6, 8
• E. -8, 6

• Set the equation equal to zero.
• x2 2x 48
• x2 2x 48 0
• Factor
• (x 6)(x 8) 0
• Write a solution set.
• x -6 , 8

15
A3. Rationalize the denominator.

• D.
• E.

• A.
• B.
• C.

16
A3. Rationalize the denominator.
Rationalize the denominator means to remove the
radical from the bottom of the fraction
This is a match for B
First simplify the expression.
Multiply the top and bottom by a number that will
make the denominator a perfect square.
Then simplify the denominator to get rid of the
radical.
17
A4. What is the equation of the line that
contains the points (-1, 1) and (2 , 7)?

• D.
• E.

• A.
• B.
• C.

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A4. What is the equation of the line that
contains the points (-1, 1) and (2 , 7)?
First calculate the slope m.
Use Slope Intercept
Now put m and b together to write the equation.
Now find b
This is a match for E
19
A5. For all x ¹ 3,
A. B. C.
D. E.
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A5. For all x ¹ 3,
Rational Expression
Factor
Cancel
This is a match for D
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A6. Which is the complete factorization of

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.
• E.

• 5y3 125y
• Factor out the common 5y
• 5y(y2 25)
• Difference of squares
• 5y(y 5)(y 5)

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A7. What is the product ofand

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.
• E.

23
A8. If then
A. B. C.
D. E.
24
A8. If then
Multiply by the reciprocal
First convert 3½ to an improper fraction
Convert 16/7 to a mixed number
This is a match for C
25
A9. If, what is the value of the
expression

• A. 12
• B. 14
• C. 17
• D. 22
• E. 36

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A10. For all b ¹ 0,
Rational Expression
Factor

• A. 18b
• B. 6b
• C. 32b2 48b
• D. 2b2 4b
• E. 2b 4

Cancel
2b 4