Name: ________________________ Class: ___________________ Date: __________ ID: A

Alg 2 Mid Term Review

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

____ 1. Solve 4x 2  5x  2  0.
5 7 5 7
A x  C x 
8 8 8 8
5 7 5 7
B x  i D x  i
8 8 8 8

____ 2. Solve x 2  x  1.

1 3 1 3
A x  i C x  i
2 2 2 2
1 5 1 5
B x  i D x  i
2 2 2 2

____ 3. Solve 8x 2  135.

3 30
A x C x  8.4275
4
3 15
B x D x  16.875
2 2

____ 4. Find the number and type of solutions for x 2  5x  10 .

A The equation has two real solutions.
B Cannot determine without graphing.
C The equation has two nonreal complex solutions.
D The equation has one real solution.

____ 5. During the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, debris was ejected at a speed of over 440 feet per second
(300 miles per hour). The elevation in feet above sea level of a rock ejected at an angle of 75° above
horizontal is given by the function y t   16t 2  425t  8200 where t is the time in seconds after the
eruption. The rock’s horizontal distance in feet from the point of ejection is given by x t   113t . If the rock
landed at an elevation of 6000 feet, what is the horizontal distance from the point of ejection to where it
landed rounded to the nearest hundred feet?
A 7000 ft C 3500 ft
B 5000 ft D 3100 ft

____ 6. Solve 9x2 + 49 = 0.

A No real solution C ±3
7

B ±7 D ± 49
3 9

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 7. Which equation shows x 2  8x  9  0 after the method of completing the square has been applied?

A x  2   5
2

B x  4   7
2

C (x  8)  55
2

D x 2   8x  9

____ 8. When the quadratic formula is applied to 2x 2  3x  4  0, what is the numerator of the simplified answer?

A 3  41
B 3  41
C 3  38
D 3  23

____ 9. Which of the following quadratic equations has no real solutions?

A x 2  3x  5  0
B 4x 2  4x  1  0
C 2x 2  4x  3  0
D x 2  6x  2  0

____ 10. What is the simplified form of i 8 9?

A 3 C 3
B 3i D 3i

____ 11. What is the simplified form of i 32 169 ?

A 13i C 13
B 13i D 13

____ 12. Simplify i 45 .

A 3 5 B 3i 5

____ 13. Simplify i 19 396 .

A 19.9 C 2i 27
B 6 11 D 6 11

____ 14. What is the simplified form of i 20 196 ?

A 14i C 14
B 14i D 14

____ 15. What is the simplified form of i 17 400 ?

A 20i C 20
B 20i D 20

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 16. What is the simplified form of i 29 64 ?

A 8 C 8
B 8i D 8i
____ 17. What does the imaginary number i represent?

A 1
B 1
C 1
D  1
  
____ 18. Simplify  i 5  9   i 5  9 .
  
A 5i  81
2
C 86
B i 5  81 D 76

____ 19. Simplify 3  2i 2  3i .

A 5i C 7
B 12  5i D 6  9i
____ 20. Add. Write the result in the form a  bi.
(7 – 9i)  (–6 + 5i)
A 12 – 15i C –2 – i
B 1 – 4i D 13 – 14i

____ 21. Simplify (3  2i) 2 .

A 13  12i C 5  12i
B 13 D 9  4i

____ 22. Find the product (x  2i) 2 .

A x 2  4ix  4
B x 2  4ix  4
C x2  4
D x2  4

____ 23. Which of these expressions is equal to 4  7i?

A 6  i  2  8i
B 6  i  2  8i
C 6  i  2  8i
D 6  i  2  8i

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 24. What value should be added in the blanks to complete the square?

x 2  8x   y 2  10y  25  15 

A 4
B 8
C 16
D 64

____ 25. Which is a graph of an even function with a positive leading coefficient?

A C

B D

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 26. Graph f(x)  x 3  6x 2  9x . Identify the intercepts and give the domain and range.
A C

The x-intercepts are 3 and 0. The The x-intercepts are 1.5 and 0. The
y-intercept is 0. The domain and range y-intercept is 0. The domain is all real
are all real numbers. numbers. The range is approximately
y  3.25.
B D

The x-intercepts are 3 and 0. The The x- and y-intercepts are both zero.
y-intercept is 0. The domain and range The domain and range are all real
are all real numbers. numbers.

5
Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 27. If f(x) is an odd function with a negative leading coefficient, g(x) is an even function with a negative leading
coefficient, and h(x) is the product of f(x) and g(x), which of the following could be the graph of h(x)?

A C

B D

____ 28. Which is the graph of the polynomial function p x   x  1  x  1  x  4 ?

A C

B D

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 29. The graph of the polynomial function p x  is shown. What are the zeros of p x  ? (Assume that the zeros of
p x  are integers and that the graph of p x  does not cross the x -axis at places other than those shown.)

A x  3 and x  2
B x  3 , x  0 , and x  2
C x0
D x  2 , x  0 , and x  3

____ 30. Which of the following is a true statement about the graph of p(x)  x  4  x  2   3x 2  6x  ?
 

A The graph crosses the x-axis four times and is never tangent to the x-axis.
B The graph crosses the x-axis three times and is never tangent to the x-axis.
C The graph crosses the x-axis two times and is tangent to the x-axis once.
D The graph crosses the x-axis three times and is tangent to the x-axis once.

____ 31. Multiply (2  x)(2  x).

A 4  x2 C 4  4x  x 2
B 4  2x D 4  4x  x 2

____ 32. Subtract.

 3   
 x  2x  5  –  2x 3  3x 2  4x  3 
   
A x  x  6x  8
3 2
C x 3  x 2  6x  8
B x 3  3x 2  6x  8 D x 3  x 2  6x  8

____ 33. Multiply.

5x  3(x 3  5x  2)
A 5x 4  3x 3  25x 2  5x  6 C 5x 3  22x 2  5x  6
B 5x 3  28x 2  25x  6 D 5x 4  3x 3  25x 2  25x  6

7
Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 34. Multiply.

(6r  4s ) 2
A 36r 2  16s 2 C 36r 2  24r s  16s 2
B 12r 2  8s 2 D 36r 2  48r s  16s 2

____ 35. Which polynomial represents the measure in degrees of angle PMQ?

A a 2  5a  34 C 4a 2  2a  34
B 3a 4  2a  34 D 6a 5  34

____ 36. Which expression represents the perimeter of the triangle below?

A 3  4m C 5  4m
B 3  6m D 5  6m

____ 37. Find the product 5x  3(x 3  5x  2).

A 5x 4  3x 3  25x 2  5x  6 C 5x 4  3x 3  25x 2  25x  6
B 5x 3  28x 2  25x  6 D 5x 3  22x 2  5x  6

____ 38. Find the product of 3x 2  x  1 and 4x  5.

A 3x 2  5x  4 C 12x 3  19x 2  x  5
B 12x 3  4x 2  4x D 12x 3  19x 2  9x  5
 
____ 39. Which is NOT a factor of  x 4  2x 3  7x 2  8x  12  ?
 
A x1 C x2
B x1 D x2

____ 40. Write an equivalent expression for a 2  2ab  b 2 .

A (a  b)(a  b) C (a  b) 2
B a2  b2 D a2  b2

8
Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 41. Write an equivalent expression for x 2  2xy  y 2 .

A (x  y) 2 C (x  y)(x  y)
B (x  y) 2 D x2  y2

____ 42. Write an equivalent expression for (x  y)(x  y).

A x 2  2xy  y 2 C (x  y) 2
B x 2  2xy  y 2 D x2  y2
 
____ 43. Write an equivalent expression for (a  b)  a 2  ab  b 2  .
 
A (a  b)(a  b) 2
C (a  b) 3
B a3  b3 D a3  b3

____ 44. Suppose ab  4 and (a  b) 2  18. What is a 2  b 2 ?

A 18 C 10
B 14 D 4

____ 45. Suppose pq  3 and (p  q) 2  20. What is p 2  q 2 ?

A 20 C 14
B 26 D 3

____ 46. Expand (3p  2q) 4 .

A 81p 4  216p 3 q  216p 2 q 2  96pq 3  16q 4
B 81p 4  16q 4
C 3p 4  2q 4
D 81p 4  54p 3 q  36p 2 q 2  24pq 3  16q 4

____ 47. What is the coefficient of the x 4 -term in the expanded form of 2x  7 ?
6

A 11,760
B 784
C 784
D 11,760

____ 48. Divide.

 x 3  x  6   x  2 
 
A x 3 2
C x2  x  3
B x 2  2x  3 D x  1  x  2 

x 2  8x  5
____ 49. Divide:
x
5
A x 8
2
C x5
x
5
B x 8 D x8
x

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 50. Divide: (5x  6x 3  8)  (x  2).

A 6x 2  12x  29  C 6x 2  12x  29 
64 50
(x  2) (x  2)

B 6x 2  12x  29 D 6x 2  5 
8
(x  2)

____ 51. Divide: (3x 2  11x  9)  x  2 

A 3x  10  C 6x  22 
4 9
x2 x2

B 3x  5  D 3x  17 
1 43
x2 x2

f(x)
____ 52. Given f x   3x 2  16x  12 and g x   3x  2 , find .
g(x)
A x6 C 3x 2  13x  10
16
B x6 D 3x 2  x6
3

6x 3  5x 2  2x  7
____ 53. When you divide to simplify the expression , what is the fractional part of the quotient?
2x  3

A 5
5
B 
2x  3
7
C
2x  3
D 3x 2  2x  4

____ 54. Completely factor 3x 4  15x 3  18x 2 .

 
A x 2  3x 2  2  1x  9 C 3x 2 x  1  x  6 
 
 2   2 
B 3  x  1   x  6  D cannot be factored
  

____ 55. What is the complete factorization of 10x 3  35x 2  20x?

A 2x  1 x  4  C 5x 2x  1 x  4 
 2 
B 5x  2x  7x  4  D x 2x  1 5x  20
 

____ 56. Factor 27x 2 z  36xz  12z completely.

A z 3x  12 C 3z 3x  2
2 2

B 12z(2x 2  3x  1) D 3z 3x  2 3x  2

____ 57. Factor 8x 3  125.

   
A 2x  5  4x 2  10x  25  C 2x  5  4x 2  10x  25 
   
 2   2 
B 2x  5  4x  10x  25  D 2x  5  4x  10x  25 
   

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 58. When x 3  125 is written as a product of a binomial and a trinomial, what is the trinomial factor?

A x 2  5x  25
B x 2  5x  25
C x 2  10x  25
D x 2  10x  25

____ 59. Which of the following is equal to x 6  64?

A 64x 6
B (x 3  8)(x 3  8)
C (x 3  8) 2
D (x 3  8) 2

____ 60. Write the simplest polynomial function with the zeros 2  i, 5 , and 2.
A P x   x 6  4x 5  4x 4  36x 3  25x 2  80x  100  0
B P x   x 5  2x 4  8x 3  20x 2  65x  50  0
C P x   x 5  2x 4  8x 3  20x 2  15x  50  0
D P x   x 5  2x 4  10x 3  16x 2  25x  30  0

____ 61. Which polynomial function has zeros 1, 1  i, and 1  i?

A P(x)  x 3  x 2  2x  1 C P(x)  x 3  3x 2  4x  2
B P(x)  x 3  4x 2  3x  1 D P(x)  x 3  2x 2  3x  3

____ 62. What polynomial function has zeros 1, 1  i, and 1  i?

A P(x)  x 3  x 2  2x  1 C P(x)  x 3  3x 2  4x  2
B P(x)  x 3  4x 2  3x  1 D P(x)  x 3  2x 2  3x  3

____ 63. Solve the polynomial equation 2x 5  14x 4  12x 3  0 by factoring.
A The roots are 0, –1, and –6. C The roots are 2 and 12.
B The roots are 0, 1, and 6. D The roots are –1 and –6.

____ 64. Which of the following lists all the roots of x 4  4?

A  2 C  2,  i 2
 
B  2i D 2  2,  2  2  i
 
 
____ 65. If 3 and  3  3  are two of the roots of a third degree polynomial with integer coefficients, which of the
 
following is the other root?
A 3 C 3 3
B 3 3 D There is no other real root.

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 66. Which is a list of all the roots of x 5  7x 4  18x 3 ?

A 0, 2 C 9, 0, 2
B 2, 0, 9 D 9, 2, 0, 2, 9

____ 67. Which is a third degree polynomial with 3 and 2 as its only zeros?
A f(x)  x 2  x  6 C f(x)  x 3  4x 2  3x  18
B f(x)  x 3  2x 2  5x  6 D f(x)  x 3  x 2  8x  12

____ 68. Which is a list of all the roots of x 3  x 2  4  4x ?

A 1, 2, 2 C 1, 2i, 2i
B 1, 2, 2 D 1, 2i, 2i

____ 69. Which lists all the roots of x 4  x 2  6?

A  2,  3 C  3,  2 i
B  2,  3i D  2i,  3 i

____ 70. What is the solution set of x 5  7x 4  18x 3 ?

A {0, 2} C {9, 0, 2}
B {2, 0, 9} D {9, 2, 0, 2, 9}

____ 71. What is the degree of the simplest polynomial with integer coefficients that has 5 and 5i as zeros?
A 3 C 5
B 4 D 6

____ 72. Which is a list of all the roots of x 3  x 2  4  4x ?

A 1, 2, 2 C 1, 2i, 2i
B 1, 2, 2 D 1, 2i, 2i

____ 73. What is the degree of the simplest polynomial with integer coefficients that has 2 , 2, and 2  2i as zeros?
A 3 C 5
B 4 D 6

____ 74. What is the degree of the simplest polynomial with integer coefficients that has 5 and 5i as zeros?
A 3 C 5
B 4 D 6

____ 75. What polynomial function has zeros 1, 1  i, and 1  i?

A P(x)  x 3  x 2  2x  1 C P(x)  x 3  3x 2  4x  2
B P(x)  x 3  4x 2  3x  1 D P(x)  x 3  2x 2  3x  3

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

Multiple Response
Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

____ 1. Which of the following equations, when rewritten in the form  x  p   q, have a value of q that is a perfect
2

square?

A x 2  2x  5  13
B x 2  8x  9  5
C 2x 2  12x  29  81
D 5x 2  20x  14  6
E 3x 2  36x  88  4
____ 2. Identify the quadratic equations below that have non-real solutions.

A x 2  3x  25  7
B x 2  7x  1  13
C x 2  2x  5
D 2x 2  x  13  0
E 2x 2  4x  9  11

____ 3. Which of the following sums, differences, and products can be simplified to 6  3i?

A 9  5i  3  2i
B 4  2i  2  5i
C 9  5i  3  2i
D 4  2i  2  5i
E 3i 1  2i
F 3i 1  2i

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 4. Choose all the statements that are true about the graph.

A The x-intercept is 9,
B The y -intercept is 2.
C f x  is increasing when x  1.
D f x  is decreasing when x  1.
E f x  has a local maximum at  1,  2  .
F f x  has a local minimum at  1,  2  .
G f x  is negative when x  9.
H f x  is positive when x  2.

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Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 5. Which of the following statements are true about the polynomial function p x  ? (The zeros of p x  are
integers, and the graph of p x  does not cross the x -axis at places other than those shown.)

A The degree of p x  is even.

B The degree of p x  is 4.
C The leading coefficient of p x  is negative.
D The degree of p x  is at least 6.
E The graph of p x  has a y -intercept of 150.
F p x  has four distinct zeros.

____ 6. Which of the following statements present(s) valid reasoning?

x 6  81 can be rewritten as  x 2   3 and factored as a sum of two cubes.
3
A
3
 
B 49c 2  154c  121 can be rewritten as 7c  2 7c 11  11 2 and factored as a perfect
2

square trinomial.
36p 4  96p  64 can be rewritten as  6p 2   2  6p 2  8  8 2 and factored as a perfect
2
C
   
square trinomial.
x 4  16 can be rewritten as  x 2   4 and factored as a difference of squares.
2
D
2
 
x 18  8 can be rewritten as  x 6   2 3 and factored as a difference of cubes.
3
E
 
F x 9  64 cannot be factored as the sum of two cubes because x 9 is a perfect cube and 64 is
a perfect square.

15
Name: ________________________ ID: A

____ 7. Use the graphs of f x  and g x  to determine all of the solutions of the equation f x   g x  . Approximate
to the nearest integer.

A x  3
B x  2
C x0
D x3
E x5
F x  10
G x  12
H x  25

Short Answer

1. Find the value of c that makes the expression a perfect square trinomial.
x 2  15x  c

2. Rewrite 4x 2  16x  21  12 in the form  x  p   q by completing the square. Show your work.
2

3. How many real solutions does 3x 2  18x  77  2 have? Justify your answer by rewriting the equation in the
form  x  p   q .
2

4. Why is it imprecise to say that the equation 25x 2  27  0 has no solution? Find all solutions of the equation.

 1 
5. Simplify 5  4i   i  .
 10 

16
Name: ________________________ ID: A

6. a. Find the product 3  4i 3  4i .

b. Find the product 3  4i 3  4i .
c. Using your results from parts a and b as a guide, write a general form for the products a  bi a  bi
and a  bi a  bi , where a and b are real numbers.

7. Draw a graph of an odd function with exactly two real zeros and a positive leading coefficient.

8. P x    as x   and P x    as x   .
Q x    as x   and Q x    as x   .
If R x   P x   Q x  , describe the end behavior of R(x).

9. Identify the zeros of p x   x 3  x 2  16x  16, and describe the function’s end behavior. Then graph the
function using the zeros and the end behavior and plotting any additional points as needed.

17
Name: ________________________ ID: A

1
10. The function p t   t  2 t  1 t  7 t  9 models the annual profit, in tens of thousands of dollars,
63
for a small company from 2000 to 2010, where t is the number of years since 2000.

a. State the function’s domain, and then graph the function.

b. Identify and interpret the zeros of p t  .

11. Multiply (b  4)(b 2  3b  2).

 
12. What are all the values of a that make x  a  a factor of  x 3  5x 2  2x  24  ?
 

 
13. What are all the values of a that make x  a  a factor of  x 4  5x 3  21x 2  23x  8  ?
 

 
14. What are all the real values of a that make x  a  a factor of  x 4  3x 3  6x 2  28x  24  ?
 

1 4 9 2
15. Use synthetic division to factor f x   x  x  x  3.
4 4

16. Give three examples of sets of values for a and b so that ax 2  bx  4 is a perfect square trinomial. What is
the general relationship between a and b? Explain.

17. Expand  p  3r  .

5

 6
18. Expand  2x 2  3  .
 

 3
19. Use the binomial theorem to write the binomial expansion of  x 2  y  .
 

18
Name: ________________________ ID: A

20. Without expanding the power, what is the x 5 y 2 -term in the expanded form of  x  2y  ? Show your work.
7

21. Divide.
(15x 2  10x  5)  5x

2x 2  5x  1
22. Write as the sum of a quotient and a remainder where the degree of the remainder’s numerator
x2
is less than that of its denominator.

23. Factor 16x 3  54 completely.

24. What are all the roots of 2x 3  6x 2  36x?

25. What is the degree of the simplest polynomial with integer coefficients that has 3, 3, 3  3 , and 3  3i as
some of it zeros?

26. Let p(x)  x 3  2x 2  4x  8.

a. Identify the zeros of the function. List all zeros as many times as they occur.
b. Sketch a graph of the function.

27. x 3  x 2  x  1  0 is a polynomial equation.

Part A: Explain how you know, without factoring, the number of roots and the minimum number of real
roots.

Part B: Factor the polynomial to support your answer to Part A. Explain which factor(s), if any, indicate(s)
that there are complex roots.

19
Name: ________________________ ID: A

28. Sheila says that x 2  18x  81 has one real root, 9. She uses the corollary of the fundamental theorem of
algebra to conclude that the polynomial must have one non-real root. Is Sheila correct? Explain. Then state
all complex roots of the polynomial.

29. Factor x 4  9 into four linear factors.

Problem

1. The graph shows a function that models the value V , in millions of dollars, of a stock portfolio as a function
of time t , in months, over an 18-month period.

a. For what values of t is the function increasing? For what values of t is the function decreasing?
Approximate the endpoints of the intervals to the nearest 0.5 month.
b. Interpret the intervals found in part a in terms of the situation.
c. Identify the coordinates of any local maximums and local minimums. Approximate the t-values to the
nearest 0.5 month and the V-values to the nearest 0.25 million dollars.
d. Explain the significance of any local maximums and minimums found in part c.
e. What does the fact that the function is always positive indicate about the appropriateness of this model?

20
Name: ________________________ ID: A

2. a. Find the zeros of p x   x x  5  x  3  x  2  .

2

b. Describe the end behavior of p x  . Justify your answer algebraically.

c. Could the following graph represent p x  ? Explain. (The zeros of the graphed function are integers.)

3. The quartic function T t   0.04t 4  1.16t 3  9.93t 2  22.19t  50.32 models the average monthly high
temperature T , in degrees Fahrenheit, of a city t months after January 1.

a. Use a graphing utility to graph the function and then sketch the graph on the coordinate plane below.
Describe the function’s end behavior based on the graph.

b. Does the end behavior make sense in this context? Explain.

c. What is a reasonable domain for this function? Explain.

Essay

1. Is x  3 a factor of 2x 3  4x 2  x  4? How do you know?

21
Name: ________________________ ID: A

2. Suppose you know that 3 is a zero of the function g x   4x 3  x 2  27x  18 .

Part A: What must be a factor of the polynomial in g x  ?
Part B: Divide the polynomial by this factor. What type of polynomial results?
Part C: List the possible rational zeros of the resulting polynomial function from Part B. Are these also
possible zeros of g x  ? Explain.
Part D: Find all real zeros of g x  .

3. Explain how to use patterns to write a  b  in expanded form.

6

Other

1. Determine whether each given equation has equal values of p and q when written in the form  x  p   q .
2

a. x 2  6x  4  0 Yes No
b. x 2  8x  1  11 Yes No
c. 2x 2  12x  37  13 Yes No
d. 3x 2  42x  127  1 Yes No
e. 2x 2  8x  5  9 Yes No

22
 ID: A

Alg 2 Mid Term Review

Answer Section

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-REI.B.4b

STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b
2. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-REI.B.4b
STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b
3. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.B.4b
STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b
4. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1
OBJ: Analyzing Quadratic Equations by Using the Discriminant
NAT: A-REI.B.4b STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b
LOC: MTH.C.10.06.04.009 | MTH.C.10.06.04.010 TOP: The Quadratic Formula
KEY: quadratic formula
5. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 OBJ: Application
NAT: A-REI.B.4b STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b LOC: MTH.C.10.06.04.01.005
TOP: The Quadratic Formula KEY: quadratic formula
6. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1
OBJ: Using Square Roots to Solve Quadratic Equations NAT: A-REI.B.4b
STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b LOC: MTH.C.10.06.04.01.002
TOP: Solving Quadratic Equations by Using Square Roots KEY: quadratic

1
 ID: A

7. ANS: B
Complete the square.

x 2  8x  9  0
x 2  8x  9
x 2  8x  16  9  16
x  4   7
2

Feedback

b  b  2
 
A You added to both sides of the equation. When completing the square, add   to
2 2
 
both sides of the equation.
B That’s correct!
 b  2
 
C You added b to both sides of the equation. When completing the square, add   to
2
2
 
both sides of the equation.
D To complete the square of a trinomial ax 2  bx  c  0, where a  1, write the trinomial
 b  2  b  2
   
in the form x  bx     c    .
2
2 2
   

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.B.4a | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4a KEY: completing the square
8. ANS: B
2x 2  3x  4  0

3  3 2  42 4
x
2 2

3  9  32

4
3  41

4

Feedback
A Do not forget that the b-term in the numerator of the quadratic formula is negative.
B That’s correct!
C It seems you multiplied b by 2 instead of squaring it.
D It seems you forgot the negative sign in front of the c-value, 4, when multiplying
underneath the square root.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.B.4b STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b

KEY: quadratic equations | quadratic formula

2
 ID: A

9. ANS: C
If the discriminant of the quadratic formula is negative, the solutions of the quadratic equation are non-real
numbers. For the equation 2x 2  4x  3  0, the discriminant is as follows.

b 2  4ac  4  4  2  3
2

 16  24
 8

So, the solutions of the equation are non-real numbers.

Feedback
A The equation x 2  3x  5  0 has real solutions because the discriminant is positive.
B The equation 4x 2  4x  1  0 has real solutions because the discriminant is zero.
C That’s correct!
D The equation x 2  6x  2  0 has real solutions because the discriminant is positive.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.B.4b STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b

KEY: solving quadratic equations | using the discriminant of the quadratic formula
10. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1
11. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1
12. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1
13. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1
14. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1
15. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1
16. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1
17. ANS: C
The imaginary number i is defined to be 1 .

Feedback
A Recall that i 2  1. When you square 1, do you get 1?
B Recall that i 2  1. When you square 1 , do you get 1?
C That’s correct!
D  1 represents i, not i.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.1 STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1

KEY: the imaginary number i
18. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.2
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2

3
 ID: A

19. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.2

STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2
20. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1
OBJ: Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers NAT: N-CN.A.2
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2 LOC: MTH.C.10.03.01.002
TOP: Operations with Complex Numbers
21. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.2
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2 LOC: MTH.C.10.03.01.003
TOP: Operations with Complex Numbers
22. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.C.8
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.8
23. ANS: B
6  i  2  8i  6  2  i  8i
 4  7i
 4  7i
The other expressions produce different results:
(6  i)  (2  8i)  4  9i
(6  i)  (2  8i)  8  9i
(6  i)  (2  8i)  8  9i

Feedback
A To subtract two complex numbers, subtract the real parts and subtract the imaginary
parts.
B That’s correct!
C To add two complex numbers, add the real parts and add the imaginary parts.
D To add two complex numbers, add the real parts and add the imaginary parts.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.2 STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2

KEY: adding complex numbers | subtracting complex numbers
24. ANS: C
 8  2
 
The value to be added is    16. Then x 2  8x  16 is a perfect square because it equals x  4  .
2
2
 

Feedback
A Find the value that makes x 2  8x  a perfect square trinomial.
B Find the value that makes x  8x 
2
a perfect square trinomial.
C That’s correct!
D Find the value that makes x 2  8x  a perfect square trinomial.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: G-GPE.A.1 STA: MCC9-12.G.GPE.1

KEY: equation of a circle | completing the square
25. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: F-IF.B.4
STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.4

4
 ID: A

26. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 OBJ: Graphing Cubic Functions

NAT: F-IF.B.4 | F-IF.C.7c STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.4
LOC: MTH.C.10.07.07.008 | MTH.C.10.07.07.009 | MTH.C.10.07.07.03.002 | MTH.C.10.07.07.03.011
TOP: Cubic Functions and Equations KEY: cubic | domain and range | intercepts
27. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: F-BF.B.3 | F-IF.B.4
STA: MCC9-12.F.BF.3
28. ANS: B
The zeros of the function are x  1, x  1, and x  4, and these are the x-intercepts of the function’s graph.
The result of expanding x  1  x  1  x  4  is x 3  4x 2  x  4 . The leading term, x 3 , has a positive
coefficient and an odd exponent, so p x  approaches  as x approaches , and p x  approaches  as x
approaches . Of the four given graphs, only the one shown below has these characteristics.

Feedback
A Check the zeros of p x  .
B That’s correct!
C Check the end behavior of p x  .
D Check the zeros and end behavior of p x  .

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: F-IF.C.7c* STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.7c

KEY: graphs of polynomial functions | zeros | end behavior
29. ANS: B
The zeros of p x  are the x -intercepts of the function’s graph. The x -intercepts are x  3, x  0, and x  2 .

Feedback
A Identify the graph’s x -intercepts.
B That’s correct!
C Identify the graph’s x -intercepts.
D Identify the graph’s x -intercepts.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: F-IF.C.7c* STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.7c

KEY: graphs of polynomial functions | zeros

5
 ID: A

30. ANS: C
The number of unique real zeros that a polynomial function has is equal to the number of times the graph of
the function intersects the x-axis.

p(x)  x  4  x  2   3x 2  6x   3x x  4  x  2  x  2 

 

This function has 3 unique real zeros, 0, 4, and 2, so the graph intersects the x-axis three times. Since two of
those zeros, 0 and 4, each occur once, the graph crosses the x-axis at x  0 and x  4. Since one of those
zeros, 2, occurs twice, the graph is tangent to the x-axis at x  2.

Feedback
A Identify all of the zeros of the function and how many times each zero occurs.
B Identify all of the zeros of the function and how many times each zero occurs.
C That’s correct!
D Identify all of the zeros of the function and how many times each zero occurs.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.B.3 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3

KEY: zeros of polynomial functions | graphs of polynomial functions
31. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1
32. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1
33. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 OBJ: Multiplying Polynomials
NAT: A-APR.A.1 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1 LOC: MTH.C.10.05.08.03.02.002
TOP: Multiplying Polynomials
34. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1
OBJ: Finding Products in the Form (a + b)^2 NAT: A-APR.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1 LOC: MTH.C.10.05.08.03.01.003 | MTH.C.10.05.08.03.01.005
TOP: Special Products of Binomials
35. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1
36. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1
37. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 OBJ: Multiplying Polynomials
NAT: A-APR.A.1 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1 LOC: MTH.C.10.05.08.03.02.002
TOP: Multiplying Polynomials
38. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.A.1
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1
39. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2
40. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.4
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.4 KEY: polynomial identities
41. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.4
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.4 KEY: polynomial identities
42. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.4
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.4 KEY: polynomial identities

6
 ID: A

43. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.4

STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.4 KEY: polynomial identities
44. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.C.4
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.4 KEY: polynomial identities
45. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.C.4
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.4 KEY: polynomial identities
46. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.5
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.5 TOP: Use Combinations and the Binomial Theorem
KEY: binomial theorem | expand
47. ANS: D
Use the binomial theorem.

a  b   n C 0 a n b 0  n C 1 a n  1 b 1  n C 2 a n  2 b 2    n C n  1 a 1 b n  1  n C n a 0 b n
n

For 2x  7 , 2x corresponds to a , 7 corresponds to b , and 6 corresponds to n in the binomial theorem.

6

Since the expression that corresponds to a contains the variable x , the x 4 -term in the expanded form
corresponds to the term in which a is raised to the fourth power. Since n  6, this occurs in the third term,
n C2 a b . Substitute 2x for a , 7 for b , and 6 for n in this term and simplify.
n 2 2

C 2 a n  2 b 2  6 C 2 2x 7
62 2
n

 6 C 2 2x 7
4 2

The value of 6 C 2 is the third number in the sixth row of Pascal’s triangle, 15. Substitute 15 for 6 C 2 and
simplify.

C 2 2x 7  15 2x 7

4 2 4 2
6

 15  16x 4  49

 
 11,760x 4

The coefficient of the x 4 -term in the expanded form of 2x  7 is 11,760.

6

Feedback
A The coefficient of the x 4 -term is not negative.
B Be sure to include a factor of 6 C 2 in the coefficient. Also, the coefficient of the x 4 -term
is not negative.
C Be sure to include a factor of 6 C 2 in the coefficient.
D That’s correct!

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.5(+)

STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.5 KEY: binomial theorem
48. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.D.6
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6

7
 ID: A

49. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.D.6

STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6 TOP: Divide Polynomials
KEY: monomial | polynomial | long division | remainder
50. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1
OBJ: Using Long Division to Divide Polynomials NAT: A-APR.D.6
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6 LOC: MTH.C.10.05.08.03.03.002
TOP: Dividing Polynomials
51. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1
OBJ: Using Synthetic Division to Divide by a Linear Binomial NAT: A-APR.D.6
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6 LOC: MTH.C.10.05.08.03.03.003
TOP: Dividing Polynomials
52. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.D.6
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6
53. ANS: B
3x 2  2x  4
2x  3 6x 3  5x 2  2x  7

  6x 3  9x 2 
 
4x 2  2x
  4x 2  6x 
 
8x  7
 8x  12
5

6x 3  5x 2  2x  7 5 5
 3x 2  2x  4  , so the fractional part of the quotient is  .
2x  3 2x  3 2x  3

Feedback
A This is the remainder. Use the remainder and the divisor to form the fractional part of
the quotient.
B That’s correct!
C The fractional part of the quotient is not the constant term in 6x 3  5x 2  2x  7 over the
divisor, 2x  3.
D This is the polynomial part of the quotient, not the fractional part of the quotient.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.D.6 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6

KEY: rational expressions | dividing polynomials
54. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-SSE.A.2
STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2
55. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-SSE.A.2
STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2

8
 ID: A

56. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1

OBJ: Factoring by GCF and Recognizing Patterns NAT: A-SSE.A.2
STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2 LOC: MTH.C.10.05.08.03.04.002 | MTH.C.10.05.08.03.04.012
TOP: Choosing a Factoring Method
57. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-SSE.A.2
STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2
58. ANS: B
Notice that x 3  125 is the difference of two cubes, x 3 and 53 . The general form for factoring the difference
of two cubes is a 3  b 3  a  b   a 2  ab  b 2  . Rewriting x 3  125 this way results in
 
3 3  2 
x  5  x  5   x  5x  25  . The trinomial factor is x 2  5x  25.
 

Feedback
A This is the trinomial factor from rewriting x 3  125 .
B That’s correct!
C The coefficient of x is incorrect.
D The coefficient of x is incorrect.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-SSE.A.2 | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2 KEY: rewriting expressions | difference of cubes | factoring
59. ANS: B
Notice that x 6   x 3  and 64  8 2 , so x 6  64   x 3   8 2 .
2 2

   
The given expression is a difference of two squares. The factors of a difference of two squares are the sum of
the roots and the difference of the roots, a 2  b 2  (a  b)(a  b).

x 6  64   x 3   8 2
2

 
  x 3  8   x 3  8 
  

Feedback
A Notice that the given expression is a difference of two squares.
B That’s correct!
C Notice that the given expression is a difference of two squares.
D Notice that the given expression is a difference of two squares.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-SSE.A.2 | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2 KEY: rewriting expressions | properties of exponents
60. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2
OBJ: Writing a Polynomial Function with Complex Zeros NAT: A-APR.B.2
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2 LOC: MTH.C.10.06.05.008
TOP: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
61. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2 LOC: MTH.C.10.06.05.007
TOP: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

9
 ID: A

62. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2

STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2 LOC: MTH.C.10.06.05.007
TOP: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
63. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1
OBJ: Using Factoring to Solve Polynomial Equations NAT: A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3 LOC: MTH.C.10.06.05.01.003
TOP: Finding Real Roots of Polynomial Equations
64. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3
65. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3
66. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-SSE.B.3 | A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.3
67. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3
68. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.C.8 | A-SSE.B.3 | A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.8
69. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3
70. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3
71. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.C.9 | A-SSE.B.3 | A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.9
72. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.C.9 | A-SSE.B.3 | A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.9
73. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.C.9 | A-SSE.B.3 | A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.9
74. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.C.9 | A-SSE.B.3 | A-APR.B.3
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.9
75. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.C.9 | A-APR.B.2
STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.9 LOC: MTH.C.10.06.05.007
TOP: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

10
 ID: A

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1. ANS: A, C, D
A: x 2  2x  5  13
x 2  2x  8
x 2  2x  1  9
(x  1 )  9
2

B: x 2  8x  9  5
x 2  8x  4
x 2  8x  16  12
(x  4)  12
2

C: 2x 2  12x  29  81
2x 2  12x  110
x 2  6x  55
x 2  6x  9  64
(x  3 )  64
2

D: 5x 2  20x  14  6
5x 2  20x  20
x 2  4x  4
x 2  4x  4  0
(x  2 )  0
2

E: 3x 2  36x  88  4
3x 2  36x  84
x 2  12x  28
x 2  12x  36  8
(x  6 )  8
2

Since 9, 64, and 0 are all perfect squares, A, C, and D meet the criteria. Since 12 and 8 are not perfect
squares, B and E do not meet the criteria.

Feedback
Correct That’s correct!
Incorrect Complete the square to rewrite each equation in the desired form.

11
 ID: A

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-REI.B.4a | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4a KEY: completing the square

12
 ID: A

2. ANS: C, D
After putting the equation in standard form, use the discriminant to determine whether each equation has real
solutions or non-real solutions.
A: x 2  3x  25  7
x 2  3x  18  0
b 2  4ac  3 2  4 1 18
 9  72
 81

Since the discriminant is not negative, the equation x 2  3x  25  7 has real solutions.

B: x 2  7x  1  13
x 2  7x  12  0
b 2  4ac  7 2  4 1 12
 49  48
 97

Since the discriminant is not negative, the equation x 2  7x  1  13 has real solutions.

C: x 2  2x  5
x 2  2x  5  0
b 2  4ac  2 2  4 1 5
 4  20
 16

Since the discriminant is negative, the equation x 2  2x  5 has non-real solutions.

D: 2x 2  x  13  0
b 2  4ac  1 2  4 2 13
 1  104
 103

Since the discriminant is negative, the equation 2x 2  x  13  0 has non-real solutions.

E: 2x 2  4x  9  11
2x 2  4x  2  0
b 2  4ac  4 2  4 2 2
 16  16
0

13
 ID: A

Since the discriminant is not negative, the equation 2x 2  4x  9  11 has real solutions.

Feedback
Correct That’s correct!
Incorrect Use the discriminant to determine if each equation has real solutions or non-real
solutions.

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.B.4b STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4b

KEY: solving quadratic equations | using the discriminant of the quadratic formula
3. ANS: B, C, F
A: 9  5i  3  2i  12  7i
B: 4  2i  2  5i  6  3i
C: 9  5i  3  2i  6  3i
D: 4  2i  2  5i  2  7i
E: 3i 1  2i  6  3i
F: 3i 1  2i  6  3i

So, 4  2i  2  5i , 9  5i  3  2i , and 3i 1  2i can be simplified to 6  3i.

Feedback
Correct That’s correct!
Incorrect Use the rules for adding, subtracting, and multiplying complex numbers to
simplify each expression.

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.2 STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2

KEY: adding complex numbers | subtracting complex numbers | multiplying complex numbers

14
 ID: A

4. ANS: A, C, G

A: As labeled on the graph, the x-intercept is 9.

B: The y -intercept is 3.
C: f x  is always increasing, so f x  is increasing when x  1.
D: f x  is always increasing, so f x  is not decreasing when x  1 .
E: f x  has no local maxima.
F: f x  has no local minima.
G: f x  is below the x -axis when x  9, so f x  is negative when x  9.
H: f 0  3 , so f x  is not positive when x  2.

Feedback
Correct That’s correct!
Incorrect Carefully examine the graph to determine its key features.

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: F-IF.B.4* STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.4

KEY: cube root function | graph | increasing | decreasing | intercepts | positive function | negative function
5. ANS: A, D, F
A, C: In the graph, notice that p x  approaches  as x approaches  and as x approaches . Since the
end behavior is the same as x approaches  and as x approaches , the degree of p x  is even.
Since p x  approaches  at both ends, the leading coefficient is positive.
B, D, F: In the graph, notice that p x  crosses the x -axis at x  2 and x  3 and is tangent to the x -axis at
x  1 and x  5. So, p x  has zeros of even multiplicity at x  1 and x  5 and zeros of odd
multiplicity at x  2 and x  3. Since p x  has two zeros of even multiplicity and two zeros of
odd multiplicity, its degree is at least 6.
E: In the graph, p x  passes through the point (0,  150). So, the graph of p x  has a y -intercept of
150.

Feedback
Correct That’s correct!
Incorrect Examine the key properties of the graph of p x  .

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: F-IF.C.7c* STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.7c

KEY: graphs of polynomial functions | intercepts | zeros | end behavior

15
 ID: A

6. ANS: B, E
A: x 6  81   x 2    3 1  because  3 1   3 3  27  81. Thus, the reasoning is invalid.
3 3 3

     
B: 49c 2  154c  121  7c  2 7c 11  11 2 because 7c  49c 2 , 2 7c 11  154c, and 11 2  121.
2 2

Thus, the reasoning is valid.

C: 36p 4  96p  64   6p 2   2  6p 2  8  8 2 because 2  6p 2  8  96p 2  96p . Thus, the reasoning is
2

     
invalid.
D:  x 2   4  x 4  16, which is not the original expression, so the reasoning is invalid.
2 2
 
E: x 18  8   x 6   2 3 because  x 6   x 18 and 2 3  8. Thus, the reasoning is valid.
3 3

   
F: x 9 is a perfect cube and 64 is a perfect square. However, 64 is also a perfect cube because 4 3  64. Thus,
x 9  64   x 3   4 3 and can be factored as a sum of cubes. The reasoning is invalid.
3

 

Feedback
Correct That’s correct!
Incorrect Carefully examine each statement.

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-SSE.A.2 | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2
KEY: rewriting expressions | properties of exponents | difference of squares | difference of cubes | sum of
cubes
7. ANS: B, C, E
The x -coordinates of the intersection points of the graphs of f x  and g x  are the solutions of the equation
f x   g x  . The x -coordinates of the intersection points are approximately x  2, x  0, and x  5 .

Feedback
Correct That’s correct!
Incorrect Determine the x -coordinates of all the points where the graphs of f x  and g x 
intersect.

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.D.11*

STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.11
KEY: solving equations graphically | polynomial functions | exponential functions

SHORT ANSWER

1. ANS:
225
 56.25
4

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.B.4a STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4a

TOP: Solve Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square KEY: perfect square trinomial | term

16
 ID: A

2. ANS:
4x 2  16x  21  12
4x 2  16x  33
33
x 2  4x 
4
33
x 2  4x  4  4
4
33 16
x  2   
2
4 4
49
x  2  
2
4

Rubric
1 point for correct form; 2 points for accurate work

PTS: 3 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-REI.B.4a | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4a KEY: completing the square
3. ANS:
3x 2  18x  77  2
3x 2  18x  75
x 2  6x  25
x 2  6x  9  25  9
x  3   16
2

The original equation has no real solutions, as it can be rewritten to say the square of a binomial is equal to a
negative number.

Rubric
2 points for correctly completing the square; 1 point for correct conclusion

PTS: 3 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-REI.B.4a | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4a KEY: completing the square | real solutions

17
 ID: A

4. ANS:
The statement is imprecise because while the equation has no solution in the set of real numbers, it does have
two solutions in the set of complex numbers.

25x 2  27  0
25x 2  27
27
x2  
25
27
x 
25
3i 3
x
5

Rubric
1 point for explanation; 1 point for each solution

PTS: 3 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: N-CN.A.1 | N-CN.C.7 | MP.6

STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.1 KEY: imaginary numbers | solving equations
5. ANS:
1 2
3  5 i
2 5

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: N-CN.A.2 STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2

6. ANS:
a. 3  4i 3  4i  7  24i
b. 3  4i 3  4i  25
c. a  bi a  bi  (a 2  b 2 )  2abi
a  bi a  bi  a 2  b 2

Rubric
a. 1 point
b. 1 point
c. 1 point for each identity

PTS: 4 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.A.2 STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.2

KEY: multiplying complex numbers

18
 ID: A

7. ANS:

Sample answer:

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: F-IF.B.4 STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.4

8. ANS:
R x    as x   and R x    as x  

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: F-IF.B.4 STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.4

19
 ID: A

9. ANS:
p x   x 3  x 2  16x  16
 (x 3  x 2  16x  16)
 [x 2 (x  1)  16(x  1)]
 (x 2  16)(x  1)
  x  4  x  4  x  1 

The zeros of p x  are 4, 1, and 4.

As x approaches , p x  approaches . As x approaches , p x  approaches .

Besides plotting the points where the graph crosses the x-axis (as determined by the zeros), it may be helpful
to plot these additional points: (0, 16) and (2, 36).

Rubric
1 point for the correct zeros;
1 point for the correct end behavior;
2 points for the correct graph

PTS: 4 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: F-IF.C.7c* | A-APR.B.3

STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.7c
KEY: graphs of polynomial functions | zeros | end behavior | factoring

20
 ID: A

10. ANS:
a. The interval 0  t  10 corresponds to the period 2000–2010, so the domain is 0  t  10.

b. The zeros of p t  are t  2, t  1, t  7, and t  9. The first zero, t  2, is outside the domain 0  t  10.
The other three zeros indicate that the company broke even during the years 2001, 2007, and 2009.

Rubric
a. 2 points
b. 1 point for the four zeros;
2 points for reasonable interpretation

PTS: 5 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: F-IF.C.7c* | F-IF.B.5* | MP.4

STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.7c KEY: graphs of polynomial functions | domain | modeling
11. ANS:
b 3  b 2  14b  8

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.A.1 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.1

12. ANS:
2, 3, or 4

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2

13. ANS:
1 or 8

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2

14. ANS:
2, or 3

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2

15. ANS:
1
f x   x  1  x  2  x  3 
2
4

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2

21
 ID: A

16. ANS:
Sample answers:
a  1,b  4; 1x 2  4x  4  (x  2) 2 ;
a  4,b  8; 4x 2  8x  4  (2x  2) 2 ;
a  9,b  12; 9x 2  12x  4  (3x  2) 2 .
In general, for any value a  0 b  4 a 
Explanation: Suppose the trinomial ax 2  bx  4 is a perfect square of the form (px  q) 2  p 2 x 2  2pqx  q 2 .
Then a  p 2 , b  2pq, and 4  q 2 . So, q  2 and b  4p or b  4p. The table below shows some integer
values of p and related values of a and b.

p a b
1 1 4
1 1 4
2 4 8
2 4 8
3 9 12
3 9 12

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: A-APR.C.4 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.4

TOP: Factor Special Products KEY: trinomial | perfect square trinomial
17. ANS:
p 5  15p 4 r  90p 3 r 2  270p 2 r 3  405pr 4  243r 5

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.5 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.5

18. ANS:
64x 12  576x 10  2160x 8  4320x 6  4860x 4  2916x 2  729

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.5 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.5

KEY: binomial theorem
19. ANS:
x 6  3x 4 y  3x 2 y 2  y 3

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.5 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.5

22
 ID: A

20. ANS:
Comparing the expressions  x  2y  and a  b  shows that x corresponds to a , 2y corresponds to b , and
7 n

7 corresponds to n in the binomial theorem. The x 5 y 2 -term of the simplified expanded form is the third term
produced by the binomial theorem. Use Pascal’s triangle to determine that 7 C 2  21.

C 2 a 5 b 2  21 x   2y 

5 2
7

 84x 5 y 2

The x 5 y 2 -term in the expanded form of  x  2y  is 84x 5 y 2 .

7

Rubric
1 point for identifying the correct term of the binomial theorem to use;
1 point for substituting correctly for a, b , and n in the binomial theorem;
1 point for simplifying correctly

PTS: 3 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.C.5(+)

STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.5 KEY: binomial theorem
21. ANS:
1
3x  2 
x

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-APR.D.6 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6

LOC: NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.ALG.2.c KEY: polynomial division
22. ANS:
1
2x  1 
x2

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.D.6 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.6

TOP: Rewrite Rational Expressions KEY: rational function
23. ANS:
 
2 2x  3  4x 2  12x  9 
 

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-SSE.A.2 STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.2

24. ANS:
6, 0, 3

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 1 NAT: A-SSE.B.3 | A-APR.B.3

STA: MCC9-12.A.SSE.3
25. ANS:
7

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.3 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3

23
 ID: A

26. ANS:
a. p(x)  (x  2)(x  2)(x  2); x  2, x  2 , x  2
b.

Rubric
a. 0.5 point for each zero
b. 0.5 point for showing the graph crossing the x-axis at x  2;
1 point for showing the graph tangent to the x-axis at x  2;
0.5 for showing downward end behavior at the left end;
0.5 point for showing upward end behavior at the right end

PTS: 4 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.3 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.3

KEY: zeros of polynomial functions | graphs of polynomial functions
27. ANS:
Part A: There are 3 roots because x 3  x 2  x  1 is a degree 3 polynomial. There is a minimum of 1 real root
because the degree is odd, and complex roots exist in pairs.

Part B: x 3  x 2  x  1  x 2 (x  1)  1(x  1) .
 (x  1)(x 2  1)
Setting the factor x  1  0 shows that there is a real root at x  1 .
The equation x 2  1  0 has only complex number solutions, because both x2 and 1 are positive for any real
number x. There are 2 complex roots.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: N-CN.C.9 STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.9

28. ANS:
Sheila is incorrect. The quadratic polynomial x 2  18x  81 has the factored form x  9  . This means the
2

real root 9 is a repeated root. The polynomial has two complex roots, but both are 9.

Rubric
1 point for stating that Sheila is incorrect; 1 point for explanation; 1 point for stating the second complex root

PTS: 3 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.C.9(+) | MP.3

STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.9
KEY: fundamental theorem of algebra | quadratic polynomials | complex numbers

24
 ID: A

29. ANS:
x4  9
 (x 2 ) 2  (3) 2
 (x 2  3)(x 2  3)
 (x  i 3)(x  i 3)(x  3)(x  3)

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: N-CN.C.8 STA: MCC9-12.N.CN.8

PROBLEM

1. ANS:
a. V t  is increasing for 0  t  3.5 and 13  t  18. V t  is decreasing for 3.5  t  13.
b. The value of the portfolio increased during the first 3.5 months, and then the value decreased until the
13th month, at which point the value began to increase again.
c. A local maximum occurs at approximately (3.5, 2.25), and a local minimum occurs at approximately
(13, 0.75).
d. The local maximum indicates that during this period, the value of the portfolio reached a peak of about
$2,250,000 after about 3.5 months before losing value. The local minimum indicates that during this
period, the value of the portfolio decreased to about $750,000 after about 13 months before beginning to
regain value.
e. The fact that the function is always positive over this period indicates that the portfolio always had some
value. This makes sense because the portfolio can only lose all its value; the portfolio cannot have
negative value. In this aspect, the model is appropriate.

Rubric
a. 1 point for correct intervals
b. 1 point for appropriate explanation of significance
c. 0.5 point for correct local maximum; 0.5 point for correct local minimum
d. 1 point for appropriate explanation of significance
e. 1 point for noting value is always nonnegative; 1 point for stating model is appropriate

PTS: 6 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: F-IF.B.4* | MP.4 | MP.3

STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.4
KEY: interpreting graphs | polynomial functions | increasing | decreasing | relative maximums | relative
minimums

25
 ID: A

2. ANS:
a. The zeros are x  5 , x  3, x  0, and x  2.
b. Expanding the factored form of p x  shows that the leading term is x 5 . The degree of the polynomial is
odd, and the leading coefficient is positive. So, p x  approaches  as x approaches , and p x 
approaches  as x approaches .
c. The graph cannot represent p x  because it does not have the same end behavior as p x  .

Rubric
a. 1 point
b. 1 point for end behavior;
1 point for justification
c. 1 point for answer;
1 point for explanation

PTS: 5 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: F-IF.C.7c* STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.7c

KEY: graphs of polynomial functions | zeros | end behavior

26
 ID: A

3. ANS:
a.

As t approaches , T t  approaches . As t approaches , T t  approaches .

b. The end behavior of the function does not make sense in this context because it is not realistic to assume
that the average monthly high temperature will increase without limit as t decreases from 0 or increases
from 14.
c. A reasonable domain is 0  t  12, since this covers a period of 1 year and allows for the full range of
temperatures.

Rubric
a. 2 points for the graph;
2 points for the end behavior
b. 2 points for answer and explanation
c. 2 points for domain and explanation

PTS: 8 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: F-IF.C.7e* | F-IF.B.5* | MP.2 | MP.3 | MP.4

STA: MCC9-12.F.IF.7e
KEY: graphs of polynomial functions | end behavior | domain | modeling
NOT: Source (average high temperature for Boston, MA):
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USMA0046

ESSAY

1. ANS:
If a polynomial simplifies to 0 when a is substituted for x, then x  a is a factor of the polynomial.
2(3) 3  4(3) 2  (3)  4  25  0
x  3 is not a factor of 2x 3  4x 2  x  4.

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.B.2 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2

27
 ID: A

2. ANS:
Part A: x  3
Part B: Dividing 4x 3  x 2  27x  18 by x  3 produces the quadratic expression 4x 2  11x  6.
1 1 3 3
Part C: The possible zeros are  , , ,1, ,2,3,6. Sample answer: yes, 4x 3  x 2  27x  18 is a
4 2 4 2
factor of g x  , so all of the possible rational zeros of 4x 3  x 2  27x  18 would also be zeros for g x  .
3
Part D: 2, ,3
4

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 3 NAT: A-APR.B.2 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.2

LOC: NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.ALG.1.c TOP: Find Rational Zeros
KEY: zeros | polynomial | functions
3. ANS:
Sample answer: The pattern of coefficients comes from Pascal's triangle: 1 6 15 20 15 6 1. The pattern of
the exponents of the variable a involves decreasing the value of its exponent by 1 for each term, beginning
with 6 and ending with 0. The pattern of the exponents of the variable b involves increasing the value of its
exponents by 1 for each term, beginning with 0 and ending with 6. The expanded form is
a 6  6a 5 b  15a 4 b 2  20a 3 b 3  15a 2 b 4  6ab 5  b 6 .

PTS: 1 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-APR.C.5 STA: MCC9-12.A.APR.5

LOC: NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.NOP.2.c | NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.GEO.4.e |
NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.DAP.4.e | NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.PRS.1 |
NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.PRS.4 | NCTM.PSSM.00.MTH.9-12.CON.2
TOP: Use Combinations and the Binomial Theorem
KEY: binomial | multiply | Pascal's triangle

OTHER

1. ANS:
a. No
b. Yes
c. Yes
d. Yes
e. No

PTS: 2 DIF: DOK 2 NAT: A-REI.B.4a | MP.7

STA: MCC9-12.A.REI.4a KEY: completing the square

28