Algebra 2 CST Preparation: Discrimination

For the following subject-appropriate problems, perform the following on a separate sheet
of paper:
1. Identify if the question asks for a specific numerical answer or a setup
2. Identify the problem by one of the following topics:
a) Binomial Expansion / Pascal’s Triangle
b) Exponential Modeling
c) Logarithms
d) Polynomials / Rational Expressions / Factoring
e) Quadratics / Parabolas
f) Combinatorics / Probability / Statistics
g) Complex Numbers
h) Functions
i) Absolute Values
3. Rate the problem’s level of difficulty on a scale from (1 to 10; 1 being extremely
easy and 10 being extremely difficult)
4. Explain in words—without work or an actual answer—a procedure for solving
the problem (minimum two complete sentences; maximum six complete
sentences)

Items taken from released questions from the following sources:

North Carolina Testing Project
California Standards Test
American Diploma Project
Georgia EOC Test
New York State Regents
1. Solve for x: 63 x = 30 6. Which expression is equivalent to

A. x = 3 ln 5
x2 − 9
B. x = ln 30 − 3 ln 6 ?
2 x2 + 5x − 3
ln 10 x −3
C. x = A.
ln 6 2 x −1
ln 30 x +3
D. x = B.
3 ln 6 2 x +1
2. Simplify: ( 2 + 6i ) − ( 3 − 5i ) − ( 5 − 3i ) x −3
C.
A. − 6 − 2i 2 x −3

B. − 6 +14 i x +3
D.
2 x +3
C. − 4 − 4i
7. What are the values of x and y when
D. − 4 +16 i
( 3 − 2i ) − ( x + yi ) = ( 2 − 3i ) ?
3. Which binomial is a factor of
A. x = −1, y = −i
(9 x 2
)
−12 x + 4 ?
B. x =1, y =i
A. 3 x + 4
C. x =1, y =5
B. 3 x + 2
D. x =1, y =1
C. 3 x +1
8. Shirley is paid an annual salary plus a bonus
D. 3 x − 2
of 4% of her sales over $15,000. Let x
1 + 2i
4. Simplify:
2 −3i represent Shirley’s sales, f ( x ) = x −15 ,000

8 +i represents her sales over $15,000, and p ( x )

A.
7 represent the amount of her bonus. Which
− 4 + 7i function notation expresses the amount of
B.
13
her bonus?
8 + 7i
C.
7 A. f ( x ) + p ( x )

D. − 4 + 7i B. f ( x ) − p ( x )

5. Expand: ( x + y )
4 C. f ( p ( x ) )

A. x 4 + y 4 D. p ( f ( x ) )

B. x 4 + 4 xy + y 4
C. x 4 + 4 x 3 y + 4 x 2 y 2 + 4 xy 3 + y 4
D. x 4 + 4 x 3 y + 6 x 2 y 2 + 4 xy 3 + y 4

9. A car insurance company has a special plan

for safe drivers. For each year that a driver
 has no tickets or violations, the premium is 1990. If t represents the number of years
reduced by 10%, and a credit of $15.00 is since 1980, which equation models the
awarded. Which equation shows the amount growth of the population, P?
a driver with no tickets or violations owes in A. P = 51,112 ( 0.03 ) t
the ( n +1) th year as a function of the B. P = 51,112 ( 0.97 ) t
amount owed in the nth year?
C. P = 38 ,032 (1.34 ) t
A. f ( n +1) = f ( n ) − 0.10 f ( n ) −15
D. P = 38 ,032 (1.03 ) t
B. f ( n +1) = f ( n ) + 0.10 f ( n ) +15
13. Solve: x + 5 + x −3 = 4
C. f ( n +1) = f ( n ) + 0.10 f ( n ) −15
A. {4}
D. f ( n +1) = f ( n ) − 0.10 f ( n ) +15
 1 
10. Consider the function f ( x ) = ax 2 − 5 where B.  , 1
4 
a ≠ 0 . What is the effect on the graph of f C. {−1, 4}
as the absolute value of a decreases? D. No solution
A. The graph shifts left. 14. What are the solutions to the equation
B. The graph shifts right.
1 3
C. The graph narrows. 1+ 2
= ?
x x
D. The graph widens.
3 5 3 5
11. What is the nature of the roots of the A. x = + ; x= −
2 2 2 2
equation 5n 2 − 4n + 6 ? 5 5
B. x = 3 + ; x =3−
A. Two imaginary roots (complex 2 2

conjugates) 3 13 3 13
C. x = + ; x= −
2 2 2 2
B. One real repeated root (double)
13 13
C. Two real different roots D. x = 3 + ; x =3−
2 2
D. Not enough information

15. Jenny is solving the equation x 2 − 8 x = 9 by

completing the square. What number should
be added to both sides of the equation to
12. A town’s population has been increasing
complete the square?
exponentially since 1980. The population
A. 2
grew from 38,032 in 1980 to 51,112 in
B. 4
 C. 8 1
x

C. y =  
D. 16 3

16. Which of the statements is always true about D. y = 3 x

the statement x 2 = x ? 20. What is the solution set of x −1 =2 x +3 ?

A. The statement is always true. A. {− 4}

B. The statement is true when x is  2
B. − 
negative.  3

C. The statement is true when x = 0 .  2

C. − 4, − 
 3
D. The statement is never true.
D. Ø
17. On a certain day the chance of rain is 80% in
21. What are the solutions to the equation
San Francisco and 30% in Sydney. Assume
that the chance of rain in the two cities is 1 
2

289 =  x − 8  ?
independent. What is the probability that it 3 
will no rain in either city? A. x = −27
A. 7% B. x = 75
B. 14% C. x = −27 and x = 75
C. 24% D. x = −75 and x = 75
D. 50%
18. James found the mean and standard
deviation of the set of numbers 3, 6, 2, 1, 7,
5. If he adds 5 to each number, which of the
following will result?
A. The mean will be multiplied by 5.
B. The standard deviation will increase
by 5.
C. The mean will not change.
D. The standard deviation will not
change.
19. The graph of the equation y = 3 x is reflected
over the y-axis. What is the equation of the
image?
A. y = −3 x
x
1 
B. y = − 
3