Plug c= 1 into the second equation and find b: 3 Now plug 6 = 3y5 into the first equation to find a: a =D = G5) = 3° x (5) = 27 x 55 = 301.87 ‘The answer is (E) Exponents—Key Operations You can't be adept at algebra unless you're completely at ease with exponents. Here's what you need to know: Multiplying powers with the same base: To multiply powers with the same base, keep the base and add the exponents: Px ataetoy Dividing powers with the same base: To divide powers with the same base, keep the base and subtract the exponents: ys yos yt ye Raising a power to an exponent: To raise a power to an exponent, keep the base and multiply the exponents: wy ‘Multiplying powers with the same exponent: To multiply powers with the same exponent, multiply the bases and keep the exponent: G4) Dividing powers with the same exponent: To divide powers with the same exponent, divide the bases and keep the exponent: Sy $ On Test Day, you might encounter an algebra question, like Example 2, that specifically tests your understanding of the rules of exponents DIAGNOSTIC TEST | ‘ANSWER KEY : | LE | | See "Evaluating Bxpresion." | 20 i | See “Exponents—Key | | | / i i | | i | | \ Operations.” 3.8 See "Dividing Polynomials.” ac See "Factoring." 5A See “The Golden Rule ‘of Equations.” 6B } See "Unknown ina I Denominator.” i 2d i ‘See “Unknown in an Exponent.“ BE ‘See “In Terms Of.” OB See "Simultaneous Equations." 10. See “Inequalities and Absolute i I i i Valu KAPLAN)38 Mathematics Level 2 Review Find Your Study Plan ‘The answer key on the next page shows where in this chapter to find explanations for ‘the questions you missed. Here's how you should proceed based on your Diagnostic Test score 9-10: Superb You really know your algebra. Unless you have lots of time and just love to read about algebra, you might consider skipping this chapter. You seem to know it all already. To make absolutely sure, you could look over the facts, formulas, and strategies in the margins of this chapter. And if you just want to do some more algebra problems, go to the Follow-Up Test at the end of this chapter. 7-8: You're quite good at algebra. Some of these are especialy difficult questions. If you're taking a “shortcut” or you're on the Panic Plan, you don't really have time to study this chapter, and you don't really need to. You might want to look at those pages that address the questions you didn’t get right. And if you just want to do some more algebra problems, go to the Follow-Up Test at the end of the chapter. 0-6: No matter which level test you're taking, or how pressed for time you are, you should continue to read this chapter and do the Follow-Up Test at the end, You need to brush up on your algebra before you can take full advantage of later chapters, ALGEBRA TEST TOPICS ‘The questions in the Algebra Diagnostic Test are typical of the Mathematics subject tests. They cover a wide range of algebra topics, from simple expressions to quadratic equations to inequalities with absolute value signs. In this chapter, we'll use these questions to review the algebra you need to know. We will also use these questions to demonstrate effective problem-solving techniques, alternative methods, and test-taking strategies that apply to algebra questions. Evaluating Expressions The simplest algebra questions on Math 2 are like Example 1: Example 1 Ifa =, and b= 25, what isthe value of when c= 3! € (A) 042 (B) 189 (©) 60.37 (D) 10062 (E) 301.87 Answering a question ike this is basically a matter of plugging in the numbers and cranking out the arithmetic. You are given an expression for a in terms of b, an expression of b in terms of ¢, and the value of c10, ®OOOO If 3s + 5¢= 10, and 2s 1 7, what is the value of 5s + 3? a) 0 ® 15 © 28 () 34 ® 35 ®®OLOO ‘Which of the following is the solution set of [Eu-s| >8? ®D®OOO Algebra DO YOUR FIGURING HERE a736 __ Mathematics Level 2 Review ? 9h. DO YOUR FIGURING HERE 4. Forall he a4, 2-9-2 _ 16h -3(h+)) (A) cy @) =3(h-+1) © © “hea o en 3d) 3h-)) ®2©Ooo _ 5. 5 7 what is the value of j? ®®©Oo 4 6. >, what is the value of m? 2m (@®) -1978 © -os18 (D) 1.978 (3.464 ®OOO® 7 169" = 27", then 2 10 (A) or) w 2 ®DOODOALGEBRA DIAGNOSTIC TEST 10 Questions (12 Minutes) Directions: Solve the following problems. Fill in the oval, corresponding to the best answer choice in the grid to the right of each question, (Answers are on page 39.) iB 1. Ifa=0and what is the value of a when c= (A) 0.42 189 © 6037 (D) 100.62 (BE) 301.87 DOOCOO foe Gade" fF 2. Forall def#0, (A) 2de (B) 2de* (de (D) de? ® # DOOOO 3. When 4g! ~ 3¢° + ¢ + kis divided by g ~ 2, the remainder is 27. What is the value of k? 3 ®) 5 © 8 ) 12 © 2 ®QOOOO Algebra 35 DO YOUR FIGURING HERE KAPLAN)