PREPARATION GUIDE FOR ALGEBRA COMPETENCY TEST
One way you can fulfill the algebra competency component
of Franklin University’s
General Education Mathematics Requirement is to pass
the Algebra Competency Test.
The Algebra Competency Test consists of 22
multiple-choice questions. To pass the test,
you must answer at least 16 of the
questions correctly. You have two hours in which to
take the test, and you may
use a calculator.
• The questions on the test address topics generally taught in
high school Algebra 2. The
topics include:
• Applying the properties of real numbers (especially,
commutative, associative,
distributive, identity)
• Simplifying algebraic
expressions (including expressions with exponents, radicals, and
absolute
values)
• Solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities
• Solving formulas for specific variables
• Applying the rules of exponents (including rewriting
expressions with negative exponents
using positive exponents and applying
rational exponents)
• Simplifying polynomials (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing)
• Factoring polynomials
• Solving quadratic equations
• Simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational expressions
• Solving rational equations
• Solving application problems involving rational equations
• Applying the definition of function
• Identifying the domain and range of specific functions
• Evaluating functions at particular values
• Identifying the slope and y-intercept in linear equations
• Writing the equation of a line given a point and the slope or two points
• Solving systems of linear equations in two and three variables
• Solving absolute value equations and inequalities
• Solving systems of linear inequalities
• Solving radical equations
• Solving quadratic and rational inequalities
To aid you in your preparation, the following chart refers
to the relevant sections in the
textbook and a set of video lectures provided by
the textbook publisher.
Textbook: Bittinger, Marvin L., and Beecher, Judith A.
(2007). Introductory and
Intermediate Algebra: A Combined Approach. Boston, MA:
Addison-Wesley. ISBN:
0-321-31909-5.
Additional resources:
Bittinger, Marvin.
Student's Solutions Manual. Addison-Wesley. ISBN: 0-321-
30591-4.
Bittinger, Marvin L., and Beecher, Judith A. (2007). Digital Video Tutor with
Optional Captioning, 3rd Edition. Addison-Wesley. ISBN-10: 0-321-30593-0
| Topic | Study the following sections in the textbook | OR Watch this CD |
| Applying the properties of real numbers
(especially, commutative, associative, distributive, identity) |
Chapter 1, Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions, section 1.7, pages 53-65 |
CD 1 |
| Simplifying algebraic expressions (including
expressions with exponents, radicals, and absolute values) |
Chapter 1, Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions, section 1.8, pages 66-75 |
CD 1 |
| Solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities | Chapter 2, Solving Equations and Inequalities, sections 2.1- 2.8, pages 82-159 |
CD 2 |
| Solving formulas for specific variables | Chapter 2, Solving Equations and Inequalities, section 2.6, pages 106-113 |
CD 2 |
| Applying the rules of exponents (including
rewriting expressions with negative exponents using positive exponents and applying rational exponents) |
Chapter 4, Polynomials: Operations, sections 4.1 and 4.2, pages 222-244 |
CD 4 |
| Simplifying polynomials (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing; division by a monomial only) | Chapter 4, Polynomials: Operations, sections 4.3 through 4.8, pages 245-301 |
CD 4 |
| Factoring polynomials | Chapter 5, Polynomials: Factoring, sections 5.1 through 5.5 and 5.7, pages 308-351 and 357-365 |
CD 5 |
| Solving quadratic equations | Chapter 5, Polynomials: Factoring, section 5.8,
pages 366-374; Chapter 11, Quadratic Equations and Functions, section 11.2, pages 768-775 |
CDs 5 and 11 |
| Simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational expressions |
Chapter 6, Rational Expressions and Equations, sections 6.1 through 6.5, pages 394-429 | CD 6 |
| Solving rational equations | Chapter 6, Rational Expressions and Equations, section 6.7, pages 436-445 | CD 6 |
| Solving application problems involving rational equations |
Chapter 6, Rational Expressions and Equations, section 6.8, pages 446-461 | CD 6 |
| Applying the definition of function |
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.1, pages 482-496 | CD 7 |
| Identifying the domain and range of specific functions |
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, sections 7.1 and 7.2, pages 482-501 | CD 7 |
| Evaluating functions at particular values |
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.1, pages 482-496 | CD 7 |
| Identifying the slope and y- intercept in linear equations |
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.3, pages 502-512 | CD 7 |
| Writing the equation of a line given a point and the slope or two points |
Chapter 7, Graphs, Functions, and Applications, section 7.5, pages 526-539 | CD 7 |
| Solving systems of linear equations in two and three variables |
Chapter 8, Systems of Equations, sections 8.1 through 8.5, pages 548-593 | CD 8 |
| Solving absolute value equations and inequalities |
Chapter 9, More on Inequalities, section 9.3, pages 642-652 | CD 9 |
| Solving systems of linear inequalities |
Chapter 9, More on Inequalities, section 9.4, pages 653-661 | CD 9 |
| Solving radical equations | Chapter 10, Radical Expressions, Equations, and Functions, section 10.6, pages 717-728 | CD 10 |
| Solving quadratic and rational inequalities |
Chapter 11, Quadratic Equations and Functions, section 11.8, pages 832-839 | CD 11 |