Intermediate Algebra

Virtual Class

1
1. Give the domain and range of the function represented
by the given graph.
A. Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ 𝑅}; Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ∈ 𝑅}
B. Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ 𝑅}; Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ≥ 0}
C. Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ≤ −2 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥ 2}; Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ≥ 0}
D. Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ≤ −2 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥ 2}; Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ∈ 𝑅}

Answer: Choice C
 3
2. If 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 3 and 𝑔 𝑥 = , what is the value of
𝑥+2
𝑓 𝑔 −5 ?

1
A. -1 B. 1 C. 7 D.
3

Solution:
First, evaluate 𝑔(−5):
3 3
𝑔 −5 = = = −1
−5 + 2 −3
Then, evaluate 𝑓(𝑔 −5 ):
𝑓 𝑔 −5 = 𝑓 −1 = 2(−1) + 3 = 1

Choice B
3. Which of the following is the inverse function of 𝑓 𝑥 =
3
?
2𝑥−1
2𝑥−1 𝑥+3
A. 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = C. 𝑓 −1 𝑥 =
3 2𝑥
3 2𝑥
B. 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = D. 𝑓 −1 𝑥 =
2𝑥+1 𝑥+3

Solution:
3
Write the function as 𝑦=
2𝑥−1
Interchange x and y: 3
𝑥=
2𝑦 − 1
Solve for y: 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 = 3
Choice C
2xy = 𝑥 + 3
𝑥+3 𝑥+3
𝑦=  𝑓 −1 (𝑥) =
2𝑥 2𝑥
 Graphing Techniques: Transformations

Vertical Shifts:
 Assuming that c is a positive constant,
To graph Shift the graph of f(x)
𝑓 𝑥 +𝑐 c units upward
𝑓 𝑥 −𝑐 c units downward

Adding or subtracting a constant outside the function

corresponds to a vertical shift that goes with the sign.
 Graphing Techniques: Transformations

Horizontal Shifts:
 Assuming that c is a positive constant,
To graph Shift the graph of f(x)
𝑓 𝑥+𝑐 c units to the left
𝑓 𝑥−𝑐 c units to the right

Adding or subtracting a constant inside the function

corresponds to a horizontal shift that goes opposite
the sign.
4. Which of the following best describes how to sketch the
graph of 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)3 +3?
A. Shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 2 units to the left and 3
units up.
B. Shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 2 units to the right and 3
units up.
C. Shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 3 units to the right and 2
units down.
D. Shift the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 3 units to the left and 2
units down.
 𝑦 = 𝑥3

Choice B 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)3 +3
5. Which of the following functions is represented by the
given graph?
A. 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2 − 1 C. 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1 − 2
B. 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 2 − 1 D. 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1 + 2

Solution:
The given graph is the
graph of the square root
function 𝑦 = 𝑥 shifted 2
units to the left and 1 unit
down. Thus, the equation
is
𝒚 = 𝒙 + 𝟐 − 𝟏.
Choice B
 Quadratic Functions
 Definition:
Let 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 be real numbers with 𝑎 ≠ 0. The
function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
is called a quadratic function.
 Quadratic Functions
 Standard Form:
The quadratic function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 +𝑘
is in standard form.

The graph of 𝑓 is a parabola whose vertex is the

point (𝒉, 𝒌). The parabola is symmetric with
respect to the line 𝒙 = 𝒉. If 𝑎 > 0, the parabola
opens up. If 𝑎 < 0, the parabola opens down.
6. Write the equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 in standard form (vertex
form).
A. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 4)2 −7 C. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)2 −11
B. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)2 −7 D. 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)2 +11

Solution:
Apply the process of completing the squares:
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + ____ − 7 − ____
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝟒 − 7 − 𝟒
𝒚 = (𝒙 + 𝟐)𝟐 −𝟏𝟏
Choice C
7. What are the zeros of ℎ 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 46𝑥 + 252?

A. 18 and 28 C. 9 and 14
B. -9 and 14 D. -18 and 28

Solution:
Let ℎ 𝑥 = 0 and solve for x
2𝑥 2 − 46𝑥 + 252 = 0
2 𝑥 − 9 𝑥 − 14 = 0
𝑥 = 9 and 𝑥 = 14
Choice C
 Polynomial Functions
 Remainder Theorem
▪ If a polynomial 𝑃(𝑥) is divided by 𝑥 − 𝑎, then
the remainder is 𝑟 = 𝑃(𝑎).

 Factor Theorem
▪ If 𝑃(𝑎) = 0, then 𝑥 − 𝑎 is a factor of 𝑃(𝑥).
Conversely, if 𝑥 − 𝑎 is a factor of 𝑃(𝑥), then
𝑃(𝑎) = 0.
8. Write a polynomial function in standard form with zeros 2𝑖,−2𝑖,
and 3.
A. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 12
B. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 12
C. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 12
D. 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 12

Solution:
Since 2𝑖 and −2𝑖 are zeros, the product of the
conjugates 𝑥 + 2𝑖 and 𝑥 − 2𝑖 is a factor of the
polynomial. 𝑥 − 3 is a also a factor since 3 is a zero.
𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 + 2𝑖)(𝑥 − 2𝑖)(𝑥 − 3)
Multiplying the factors:
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 4 𝑥 − 3
= 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 12
Choice A
9. Divide: (4𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 − 5) ÷ (2𝑥 − 1)

A. 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 7 C. 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 5
B. 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4 D. 4𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 10

2𝑥 3+3𝑥 2 −𝑥 +5
2𝑥 − 1 4𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 − 5
Solution: 4𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 3
Use long division 6𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2
method: 6𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2
−2𝑥 2 + 11𝑥
Answer: Choice C −2𝑥 2 + 𝑥
10𝑥 − 5
10𝑥 − 5
0
10. Find 𝑓(−2) if 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 5 + 8𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 + 4.

A. 116 B. -84 C. 84 D. 24

Solution:
Using synthetic division:
-2 1 8 2 0 0 4
-2 -12 20 -40 80
1 6 -10 20 -40 84
Thus, 𝑓 −2 = 84
Choice C
10. Find 𝑓(−2) if 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 5 + 8𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 + 4.

A. 116 B. -84 C. 84 D. 24

Another Solution:
Evaluate the function at x = -2
𝑓 −2 = (−2)5 +8(−2)4 +2(−2)3 +4
= −32 + 128 − 16 + 4
= 84

Thus, 𝑓 −2 = 84
Choice C
 Rational Functions
A function 𝑓 𝑥 is a rational function if
𝑛(𝑥)
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑑(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑑(𝑥)
where the numerator, 𝑛(𝑥), and the denominator 𝑑(𝑥)
are polynomial functions.

The domain of 𝑓(𝑥) is the set of all real numbers x

such that 𝑑(𝑥) ≠ 0.
 Rational Functions
Vertical Asymptotes:
𝑛(𝑥)
▪ Let 𝑓 𝑥 = be a rational function in lowest terms, then
𝑑(𝑥)
the graph of 𝑓 has a vertical asymptote at any real zero of
the denominator 𝑑(𝑥). That is, if 𝑑(𝑎) = 0, then 𝑥 = 𝑎
corresponds to a vertical asymptote on the graph of 𝑓.
▪ If 𝑓 is a rational function that is not in lowest terms, then
divide out the common factors, resulting in a rational
function 𝑅 that is in lowest terms. Any common factor 𝑥 − 𝑎
of the function 𝑓 corresponds to a hole in the graph of 𝑓 at
𝑥 = 𝑎 provided the multiplicity of 𝑎 in the numerator is
greater than or equal to the multiplicity of 𝑎 in the
denominator.
 Rational Functions
Horizontal Asymptotes:
To determine horizontal or slant asymptotes, compare the
degrees of the numerator and denominator.
▪ If the degree of the numerator is less the degree of the
denominator, then horizontal asymptote is the x axis (y = 0).
▪ If the degree of the numerator is the same as the degree of
the denominator, then horizontal asymptote is y = leading
coefficient of numerator/leading coefficient of denominator.
▪ If the degree of the numerator is greater than the degree of
the denominator, then a slant asymptote is found by long
division.
11. Which of the following is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of
2𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 = ?
𝑥−5

2 1
A. 𝑦 = 0 B. 𝑦 = 2 C. 𝑦 = − D. 𝑦 =
5 2

Solution:
Compare the degrees of the numerator and the
denominator.

Degrees are equal. Horizontal asymptote: y = 2

Choice B
 𝑥 2 −𝑥−12
12. What are the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 ?
𝑥 +4𝑥−12

A. -3 and 4 C. -4 and 3
B. -6 and 2 D. -2 and 6

Solution:
To determine the x-intercepts, let 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12 2 − 𝑥 − 12 = 0
=0 𝑥
2
𝑥 + 4𝑥 − 12
𝑥+3 𝑥−4 =0
𝑥 = −3, 4

Choice A
 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

An exponential function with base 𝒃 is denoted by

𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒃𝒙
where 𝑏 and 𝑥 are real numbers such that 𝑏 > 0 and
𝑏 ≠ 1.

For 𝑥 > 0, 𝑏 > 0, and 𝑏 ≠ 1, the logarithmic function

with base b is denoted 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃 𝒙, where
𝒚 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒃 𝒙 if and only if 𝒙 = 𝒃𝒚
 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

One-to-One Properties
For all real numbers 𝒎, 𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃 where b > 0 and b 
1,

If 𝒃𝒎 = 𝒃𝒏 , then 𝒎 = 𝒏.
If log 𝒃 𝒎 = log 𝒃 𝒏, then 𝒎 = 𝒏.

• Equal bases, imply exponents are equal.

 7+3𝑥 1
13. Solve for x: 2 =
4

A. -3 B. 1 C. 3 D. 1/2

Solution:
Re-write the equation such that the bases are equal:
27+3𝑥 = 2−2
Then, apply the One-to-One Property:
7 + 3𝑥 = −2
Solve for x:
3𝑥 = −9
𝒙 = −𝟑
Choice A
 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

If b, M, and N are positive real numbers, where 𝑏 ≠ 1

and p is any real number, then the following are true:
• log 𝑏 𝑀𝑁 = log 𝑏 𝑀 + log 𝑏 𝑁 Product Rule
𝑀
• log 𝑏 = log 𝑏 𝑀 − log 𝑏 𝑁 Quotient Rule
𝑁

• log 𝑏 𝑀𝑝 = 𝑝 log 𝑏 𝑀 Power Rule

14. Solve for x: log 2 𝑥 + log 2 (𝑥 + 2) = 3

A. {2} B. {−4, 2} C. {3} D. {2, 3}

Solution:
Apply the Product Rule for Logarithm:
log 2 [𝑥 𝑥 + 2 ] = 3
Then, change to exponential form:
𝑥 𝑥 + 2 = 23
Solve for x: 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 = 0
𝑥+4 𝑥−2 =0
𝑥 = −4, 2
-4 is an extraneous solution.
Therefore, answer is x = 2. Choice A
15. Solve for x: 2𝑒 𝑥+2 = 7
7
A. 𝑥 = 1 C. 𝑥 = ln −2
2
7 ln 7−2
B. 𝑥 = ln D. 𝑥 =
2 2

Solution: 7
𝑥+2
Isolate the exponential expression: 𝑒 =
2
7
Change to logarithmic form: 𝑥 + 2 = ln
2
7
Then, solve for x: 𝑥 = ln −2
2
Choice C
16. Find the nth term of the sequence −1, 4, −9, 16, …

A. 𝑎𝑛 = −2𝑛 C. 𝑎𝑛 = (−1)𝑛 𝑛2
B. 𝑎𝑛 = (−2)𝑛 D. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛2

Solution:
All of the terms of the sequence are perfect squares
and the terms alternate signs.
So, the nth term of the sequence is
𝑎𝑛 = (−1)𝑛 𝑛2

Choice C
17. Find the sum of the arithmetic series
3 + 7 + 11 + ⋯ + 123

A. 1953 B. 3906 C. 7560 D. 13530

Solution:
Formula for the sum of the first n terms, 𝑆𝑛 , of an
arithmetic sequence:
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛
2
where: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑
Thus, we can also use: 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑]
2
17. Find the sum of the arithmetic series
3 + 7 + 11 + ⋯ + 123

A. 1953 B. 3906 C. 7560 D. 13530

Solution: (cont’d)
Given: 𝑎1 = 3; 𝑑 = 4; 𝑎𝑛 = 123; 𝑛 =?
First, solve for n using the formula for the nth term:
123 = 3 + 4(𝑛 − 1)  𝒏 = 𝟑𝟏
Solve for 𝑆31 using the formula for 𝑆𝑛 :
31 31
𝑆31 = 3 + 123 = 126 = 31 63 = 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟑
2 2
Choice A
18. The sum of an infinite geometric series is 60. If its first term is 80,
find the common ratio.

1 1 1 1
A. B. C. − D. −
3 4 2 3

Solution: 𝑎1
Formula for the infinite geometric series: 𝑆 =
1−𝑟
Using the formula: 80
Solve for r: 60 =
1−𝑟
60 − 60𝑟 = 80
𝟏
−60𝑟 = 20 𝒓=−
𝟑
Choice D
 Measures of Central Tendency
 Mean (arithmetic mean or average) – most popular
and well known measure of central tendency; sum of
all the values in the data set divided by the number of
values in the data set

 Median – the middle value for a set of data that has

been arranged in order of magnitude

 Mode – the most frequent score in a data set

https://statistics.laerd.com/statistical-guides/measures-central-tendency-mean-mode-median.php
19. The scores of 21 students in a mathematics test are given below.
What is the mode of the data?
90 95 95 94 90 85 84
83 85 81 92 93 82 78
79 81 80 82 85 76 85

A. 85 B. 95 C. 90 D. 81

Solution:
90 95 95 94 90 85 84
83 85 81 92 93 82 78
79 81 80 82 85 76 85

Choice A
 Measures of Variation
 Range – simplest measure of variability; highest score minus
the lowest score
 Interquartile range – range of the middle 50% of the scores
in a distribution; 75th percentile minus 25th percentile
 Variance – average squared difference of the scores from the
mean
σ(𝑋 − 𝜇) 2
𝜎2 =
𝑁
where 𝜎 2 is the variance, 𝜇 is the mean, and 𝑁 is the number
of scores
 Standard deviation – square root of the variance
20. The following are scores you got in five rounds of golf: 70, 80, 75,
75, 80. Calculate the variance.

A. 196 B. 70 C. 14 D. 3.74

Solution: 2
σ (𝑋 − 𝜇)
Formula for the variance: 𝜎 2 =
𝑁
Calculate the mean:
70 + 80 + 75 + 75 + 80 380
μ= = = 76
5 5
Calculate the sum of the squared difference of the
scores from the mean:
෍(𝑋 − 𝜇)2 = 36 + 16 + 1 + 1 + 16 = 70
20. The following are scores you got in five rounds of golf: 70, 80, 75,
75, 80. Calculate the variance.

A. 196 B. 70 C. 14 D. 3.74

Solution: (cont’d)
෍(𝑋 − 𝜇)2 = 70

Calculate the variance:

σ (𝑋 − 𝜇) 2 70
2
𝜎 = = = 𝟏𝟒
𝑁 5
Choice C
 Measures of Position
 Measures of position are techniques that divide a set of data
into equal groups
 Quartiles – the three values of the variable that divide an
ordered set of data into four equal parts
▪ 𝑄1 , 𝑄2 , and 𝑄3 determine the values for 25%, 50%, and
75%, respectively, of the data
 Deciles – the nine values of the variable that divide an
ordered set of data into ten equal parts
 Percentiles - the 99 values of the variable that divide an
ordered set of data into 100 equal parts
 𝑄2 , 𝐷5 , and 𝑃50 coincide with the median
 Measures of Position
How to find 𝑃𝑗 or the 𝑗𝑡ℎ percentile:
 Arrange data values in ascending order
𝑗
 Find the location of 𝑃𝑗 by computing 𝐿 = 𝑁
100
 If L is a whole number, then 𝑃𝑗 is the mean of the values in
the 𝐿𝑡ℎ and (𝐿 + 1)𝑡ℎ positions
 If L is not a whole number, then 𝑃𝑗 is the value of the next
higher position
21. The following values are the ages of fifteen students in a statistics
class: 18, 21, 25, 21, 28, 23, 21, 19, 24, 26, 21, 24, 18, 27, 23.
What is the value of the first quartile for this set of data?

A. 21 B. 22.5 C. 23 D. 25

Solution:
Arrange the data from lowest to highest:
18 18 19 21 21 21 21 23
23 24 24 25 26 27 28
The 1st quartile is equal to the 25th percentile, thus
𝑄1 = 𝑃25
Find the location of the 25th percentile:
𝑗 25
𝐿=𝑁 = 15 = 3.75
100 100
21. The following values are the ages of fifteen students in a statistics
class: 18, 21, 25, 21, 28, 23, 21, 19, 24, 26, 21, 24, 18, 27, 23.
What is the value of the first quartile for this set of data?

A. 21 B. 22.5 C. 23 D. 25

Solution: (cont’d)
𝑗 25
𝐿=𝑁 = 15 = 3.75 = 4
100 100
Since L is not a whole number, the value of the 25th
percentile is the next higher value which is the 4th
value.
18 18 19 21 21 21 21 23
23 24 24 25 26 27 28
Choice A
 Basic Counting Rules
 Basic Counting Principle: If there are 𝒎 ways of
doing one thing, and 𝒏 ways to do another, then
there are 𝒎 × 𝒏 ways of doing both.
 Permutation – number of possible arrangements
with consideration to the order of things in the
arrangement
▪ The number of permutations of n different
things taken n at a time is 𝒏!
▪ The number of permutations of n different
𝒏!
things taken r at a time is 𝒏𝑷𝒓 =
(𝒏−𝒓)!
 Basic Counting Rules
 Combination – number of possible arrangements
without consideration to the order of things in the
arrangement
▪ The number of combinations of n different
𝒏!
things taken r at a time is 𝒏𝑪𝒓 =
𝒓!(𝒏−𝒓)!
22. How many 3-digit odd numbers greater than 600 can be formed
using the digits 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 if repetition is allowed?

A. 20 B. 36 C. 120 D. 720

Solution:
Three-digit number: ____ ____ ____

Greater than 600: 2 choices for the first digit (6 and 7)

Odd digits: 3 choices for the last digit (3, 5, and 7)
Repetition allowed: all 6 choices for the second digit
_2_ _6_ _3_
Multiply: (2)(6)(3) = 36
Choice B
23. A committee of 5 people is to be formed from a selection pool of
12 people. If Karl must be in the committee, how many unique
committees can be formed?
A. 792 B. 462 C. 330 D. 60

Solution:
Since Karl must be in the committee, there will be 11
people to choose from to select the other 4 members.
11! 11 10 9 8 7!
11𝐶4 = =
4! 7! 4 3 2 1 7!
= 11 10 3 = 𝟑𝟑𝟎
Choice C
24. A bag contains 4 red, 5 green, and 3 blue balls. Two balls are
drawn at random. What is the probability that none of the balls
drawn is green?

7 7 7 7
A. B. C. D.
22 12 24 11

Solution:
7 6 𝟕
𝑃 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 = =
12 11 𝟐𝟐
Choice A
25. Three unbiased coins are tossed. What is the probability of
getting at least two heads?

3 1 3 1
A. B. C. D.
8 4 4 2

HHH
H
H
T HHT Solution:
H 4 𝟏
HTH
T
H 𝑃 𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 2 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 = =
T HTT 8 𝟐

H THH Choice D
H
T THT
T
H TTH
T
T TTT