Practice Problems in Algebra, Trigonometry, and Analytic Geometry
Practice Problems in Algebra, Trigonometry, and Analytic Geometry
Practice Problems in Algebra, Trigonometry, and Analytic Geometry
The accompanying problems from the subjects covered on the Mathematics Placement
Examination can be used by students to identify subject areas that need attention in
preparation for the examination. The examination covers the subjects of Algebra,
Trigonometry, and Analytic Geometry which students traditionally learn in high school.
It is not expected that all incoming students can work all of the following exercises. The
placement examination is used to determine what preparatory courses, if any, are needed
to be successful at NJIT. THE USE OF CALCULATORS IS NOT PERMITTED ON
THE PLACEMENT EXAM .
9. B È"#B #& œ $
In Problems 9,10, and 11, solve for x and check your answers in the original equation:
"!Þ B # ÈB œ %
""Þ B $ œ È#& "#B
" #
"2. Solve for y: C œ B &$ .
$ $ '
13. Combine into a single fraction + , -
In Problems 14,15, and 16, P91 will refer to P91 "! , that is Log to the base 10.
14. Solve for x: Ð Log BÑ œ #
"&Þ Solve for x: ÐP91BÑ# P91ÐB$ Ñ # œ !
"'Þ Evaluate numerically: Log 5 + Log 2
17. Express the solutions for x as Logarithms: "!#B &Ð"!BÑ ' œ !.
")+ÑÞ Simplify: (x$ Ñ# .
"),ÑÞ Write as a power of x: ÈÐB$ ÑB# .
In problems 19, 20, and 21, write the given expression in the form: +ÐB ,Ñ# - , giving
the values of a, b and c.
"*. B# %B &
20. 3x# &B #
#"Þ %B B# &
" "
25. Solve for x: B #Ð*BÑ œ !
" B
#'Þ Solve for x: B %B # œ !
For problems 34-37, sketch the graph of the function and find the coordinates of the
intercepts (if any) with the x and y axes:
34. C œ ÐB #Ñ# "
$&Þ C œ B# %B
$'Þ B œ %C # $C
$(Þ B# œ * C #
38. Evaluate -9=Ð2E<->+8Ð $% ÑÑ.
$*. Use the quadratic formula to find the roots of 5x# "$B ' œ ! and then write
the expression 5x# "$B ' in factored formÞ
%!Þ Given the fact that one root of the given polynomial is B œ #ß Completely factor it.
2x$ "" #
$ B B $
#
'*Þ Factor all denominators, find the common denominator,combine into a single
fraction and simplify leaving the denominator in factored form: BB" "
$ %B B# %B%
$È(
&
"!*Þ Express as an equivalent fraction with a rational denominator.
"
110. If x is a positive acute angle whose cosine is # and y is a positive acute angle whose
sine is "# . What is the value of =38(x+y)?
111. If x and y are angles (as in problem 110), what is the value -9=(x y)?
112a). If =38Ð BÑ is "$ , what is the value of =38ÐBÑ ?
112b). If -9=Ð BÑ is "$ , what is the value of -9=ÐBÑ?
>+8B
113. Simplify: =/-B .
""%Þ The surface area of a sphere varies directly as the square of its radius. If the area is
361 when the radius is 3, what is the area when the radius is 6 ?
115. The perimeter of a rectangle is #!". If a diagonal of the rectangle is #È"( ", find
the length and width of the rectangle.
116. Find all values of x from 0 to 21 which satisfy the equation -9=#B -9=B œ !.
angle B equals 45 degrees. If the length of side b equals È$ , find the area of the
""(. In right triangle ABC the measure of angle C equals 90 degrees and the measure of
triangle.
118. If the lengths of two sides of a triangle are 7 and 10 and the cosine of the included
angle is "( , what is the length of the third side?
119. Determine the solution set for #=38# B œ " =38B for ! Ÿ B Ÿ #1.
"#!Þ What is the period of the function C œ -9= "# B ?
121. What is the value of 2=38$! >+8# '! ?
122. What is the value of -9= "# 1 =38 1% ?
123. In a circle with its center at the origin, a central angle of 1 radian subtends an arc of
5 units. What is the equation of the circle?
124. Find the distance between the points (1,-2) and ( 6, 10).
125. Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line joining (1,-2) and ( 6, 10).
126. Find the center and vertices of the ellipse whose equation is
*B# ")B %C # "'C œ "".
B#
127. Find the equations of the asymptotes for the hyperbola with equation: % C # œ ".
128. Find the equation of the line which is the perpendicular bisector of the line joining
(1,-2) and ( 6, 10).
129. If two points on a circle are Ð$ß #Ñ +8. Ð'ß "Ñ , and an equation of a line that goes
through the center of this circle is C œ #B (ß find an equation for the circle.
130. Find the coordinates of the points at which the parabola C œ B# intersects the circle
with center at the origin and radius equal to 1.
"$"Þ An ellipse which is centered at the origin has vertices Ð%ß !Ñß Ð!ß #Ñß Ð %ß !Ñß
Ð!ß #Ñ. Find its equation.
Ð!ß #Ñ. A point on the hyperbola has coordinates Ð "# È& ß $Ñ. Find an equation
132. A hyperbola which is centered at the origin intersects the y axis at Ð !ß #Ñ and
"%". Sketch a triangle ABC with vertices EÐ!ß "Ñß FÐ!ß ' Ñ and GÐ%ß $ÑÞ Find the area
of this triangle.
142. If E and F are angles such that >+8E œ "$ and >+8F œ "% , find and simplify a
numerical value for >+8ÐE FÑ.
143. Solve for x: #B" œ #B ).
"%%Þ A circle with center at (2,3) goes through a point with coordinates (4,1). Find an
equation for the circle.
145. Find an equation for the axis of symmetry and the coordinates of the vertex point
for the parabola C œ #B# )B ".
"%'Þ The interior angles of a triangle are represented by Bß #B "!ß and "# B $! Þ
Find the angles of the triangle.
147. If a side of an equilateral triangle has a length of two units, find the area of this
triangle.
148. If the equal sides of an isosceles are each 4 units in length and the angles opposite
these sides are 30 degrees, find the length of the third side of the triangle.
149. Find an equation for the line which goes through the point Ð"ß $Ñ and is parallel
to the line $C %B œ ".
"&!. For ! B ", find the value of C if C œ E<-=38B E<--9=BÞ