QU-Placer Math Sample Test No.

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Section 1: Elementary Algebra
Answer the following questions:

1. The sum of two negative numbers is always a ______________________ .

(A) Negative number
(B) Positive number
(C) Even number
(D) Odd number

2. Which subset of real numbers contains 3√2 + 1 ?

(A) Irrational Numbers
(B) Rational Numbers
(C) Integers
(D) Whole Numbers

3. Perform the indicated operations and write the answer in the simplest form:
𝑎 𝑏 2 12𝑎3 𝑏 75𝑎
(− ÷ )×− 2 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 ≠ 0 , 𝑏 ≠ 0
125 25 4𝑏
(A) 5
16 𝑎 𝑏
(B) 𝑏3
1125 𝑎3
(C) 9𝑎5 𝑏
−
125
(D) 5 𝑎2 𝑏 2
−
16 𝑎3 𝑏 3

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4. Evaluate 8 + 16 ÷ 4 × 5 − 3

(A) 31
(B) 27
(C) 25
(D) 16

5. Evaluate 4 – 5 · [5 – (42 – 2)]

(A) 9
(B) 13
(C) 49
(D) 69

6. The statement “81 is the product of a number and three times the same number” is
expressed by which of the following equations?
(A) 81 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 3)
(B) 81 = 𝑥 ∙ 3𝑥
(C) 81 = 3𝑥(𝑥 + 3)
(D) 81 = 3𝑥 ∙ 3𝑥

7. The solution of the equation 3(𝑥 + 1) = 𝑥 + 2 is:

(A) 2
1
(B)
2
(C) −2
1
(D) −
2

8. Which of the following represents the graph of the solution to the inequality
−12 ≤ 2𝑥 − 4 < 10 ?
(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

2
 1 3
9. What is the leading coefficient in the polynomial 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 11 ?
9 2
3
(A) −
2
1
(B)
9
(C) 3
(D) 11

10. The quotient and the remainder of (𝑥 5 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1) ÷ (𝑥 2 − 1) are: _________________ .

(A) Quotient: 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1 Remainder: 2
(B) Quotient: 𝑥 3 − 2 Remainder: 3
(C) Quotient: 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 + 1 Remainder: 2𝑥 + 2
(D) Quotient: 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 Remainder: 3𝑥 + 1

11. Expand the binomial (2𝑥 − 3)3

(A) 6𝑥 3 − 36𝑥 2 − 54𝑥 + 27
(B) 6𝑥 3 − 18𝑥 2 + 27𝑥 − 27
(C) 8𝑥 3 − 36𝑥 2 + 54𝑥 − 27
(D) 8𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 27

12. 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1 is equivalent to: ______________________ .

(A) (1 − 𝑥)(𝑥 2 − 1)
(B) (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 − 1)
(C) (1 − 𝑥)(𝑥 2 + 1)
(D) (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 + 1)

13. 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 = ______________________ .
(A) (2𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 3)
(B) (2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 3)
(C) (2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1)
(D) (2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1)

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14. Factor completely (4𝑥 2 − 2𝑥)
(A) 𝑥(4𝑥 2 − 2)
(B) 2(2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥)
(C) 2𝑥(2𝑥 − 1)
(D) 4𝑥(𝑥 − 1)

15. 𝑥 𝑥−4
Given that ÷𝐾 = , which expression is equivalent to K ?
𝑥+4 2

(A) 2𝑥
𝑥2 − 16
𝑥 2 − 16
(B)
2𝑥
2𝑥 2
(C)
𝑥−4
𝑥−4
(D)
2𝑥 2

16. 8𝑥+8𝑦 42
· =
4 48𝑥+48𝑦
(A) 7
4(𝑥 + 𝑦)

(B) 7(𝑥 + 𝑦)
4
7
(C)
32
7
(D)
4

17. The LCM (Least Common Multiple) of the polynomials 8𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 9 𝑎𝑛𝑑 16𝑥 2 − 9 is:

(A) (2𝑥 − 3)(4𝑥 + 3)2 (4𝑥 − 3)

(B) (2𝑥 − 3)(4𝑥 + 3)(4𝑥 − 3)
(C) (2𝑥 − 3)(4𝑥 − 3)2
(D) (2𝑥 − 3)(4𝑥 + 3)2

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18. 2√𝑥
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to ?
3√𝑥−2
(A) 4𝑥 + 4
9𝑥 − 4
(B) 4𝑥
9𝑥 − 4
(C) 6𝑥 + 4√𝑥
9𝑥 − 4
(D) 6𝑥 − 4√𝑥
9𝑥 − 4

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19. (32𝑥 13 𝑦 18 )3
Simplify 1
(𝑥 3 𝑦 3 )3
(A) 2𝑥𝑦 3√2𝑥𝑦
3
(B) 2𝑥𝑦 √2𝑥
(C) 2𝑥 3 𝑦 5 3√4𝑥𝑦
(D) 3
2𝑥 3 𝑦 5 √4𝑥

20. Simplify 5 √27 − 6 √3

(A) −√30
(B) −√24
(C) 9 √3
(D) 9 √6

21. What is the LCD (Least Common Denominator) of the equation

7 5 10𝑥 − 2
+ = ?
𝑥+2 𝑥−2 𝑥2 − 4
(A) 𝑥2 – 4
(B) 𝑥 2 − 16
(C) 10𝑥 − 2
(D) 12𝑥 − 2

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22. The solution set of the inequality 2 ≤ 4𝑥 + 6 < 8 is: ______________________ .
1
(A) [−5 , −4]
2
(B) [−4, 2]
(C) [−4, 2)
1
(D) [−1, )
2

23. Which of the following equations has 2 and −10 as solutions?

(A) 𝑥 2 − 40𝑥 − 20 = 0
(B) 𝑥 2 + 40𝑥 − 20 = 0
(C) 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 20 = 0
(D) 𝑥 2 + 20 = 0

24. For which value(s) of 𝑐 does the equation √√𝑥 + 4 − √𝑐 = 0 has a solution.

(A) 𝑐 = −4
(B) 𝑐 = 0
(C) 0 < 𝑐 < 4
(D) 𝑐 ≥ 4

25. The solution set of the equation x 4 − 2 x 3 − x 2 + 2 x = 0 is ______________________.

(A) {−1, 0, 1, − 3}
(B) {−1, 0, 1, − 2}
(C) {−1, 0, 1, 3}
(D) {−1, 0, 1, 2}

26. 18 20
The solution set of the equation =1+ is ______________________ .
𝑥−2 𝑥+2
(A) {−20, 10}
(B) {8, −10}
(C) {−8, 10}
(D) {20, −10}

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27. The solution set of the equation |𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 2| + |−5| = 7 is ______________________ .
(A) {−4, −3, −1, 0}
(B) {−4, −3, 0, 1}
(C) {−3, −2, 0, 2}
(D) {−3, −1, 0, 4}

28. What is the value of the perimeter of triangle CAR?

(A) 6 + 6√2
(B) 6 + 6√3
(C) 12 + 3√2
(D) 18

29. The midpoint between A(−1, 3) and B(2, a) is ∶ ______________________ .

(A) (−3, 3 − a)
(B) (1, 3 + a)
(C) 3 3−a
(− , )
2 2
(D) 1 3 + a
( , )
2 2

30. For the line 10𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 6

(A) The slope = −10 and y-intercept = 6
(B) The slope = −5 and y-intercept = 3
(C) The slope = 3 and y-intercept = −5
(D) The slope = 5 and y-intercept = 3

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 Section 2: Pre-Calculus
Answer the following questions:

31. Which of the following is the correct graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 (𝑥 − 2) − 1 ?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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32. Using the graph of the function 𝑓 shown below, solve 𝑓(𝑥) > 0.

(A) [−2, −1] ∪ [1,5]

(B) [−2, −1] ∪ (1,5)
(C) (−2, −1) ∪ (1,5]
(D) (−2, −1) ∪ (1,5)

33. If 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼 and 𝛼 is in the third quadrant, then 𝛼 is equal to: ______________________ .
(A) 𝜋
4
(B) 7𝜋
6
(C) 4𝜋
3
(D) 5𝜋
4

34. √𝑥+1
The domain of 𝑓(𝑥) = is ______________________ .
𝑥−2
(A) [−1, ∞)
(B) (−∞, 2) ∪ (2, ∞)
(C) [−1,2) ∪ (2, ∞)
(D) (−∞, ∞)

35. 1 2𝑥−5
If 8 𝑥 = ( ) then 𝑥 = ______________________ .
2
(A) −5
(B) −1
(C) 1
(D) 5

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 36. If 2𝑥 − 31−𝑥 = 0 then 𝑥 = ______________________ .

ln 3
(A) 𝑥= −
ln 3+ln 2
1
(B) 𝑥=
ln 3+ln 2
1
(C) 𝑥= −
ln 3+ln 2
ln 3
(D) 𝑥=
ln 3+ln 2

37. State the domain of the relation {(–10, 9), (6, 0), (–5, 0)}.
(A) Domain = {–10, –5, 0, 6, 9}
(B) Domain = {–10, –5, 0, 6}
(C) Domain = {–10, –5, 6}
(D) Domain = {0, 9}

38. Given the graph of function 𝑓(𝑥), what is domain of 𝑓(𝑥)?

(A) [−5,9)
(B) [−5,0) ∪ (0,9)
(C) [−5,0) ∪ (0,4) ∪ (4,9)
(D) [−5,1) ∪ (2,4) ∪ (4,9)
[

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 39. What is the range of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 (𝑥 2 + 1)?
(A) (0, ∞)
(B) [0 , ∞)
(C) (1, ∞)
(D) [1 , ∞)

40. Find the inverse of the function f ( x) = x –8

(A) f −1 ( x) = x 2 + 8 for x  8
(B) f −1 ( x) = x 2 + 8 for x  0
(C) f −1 ( x) = x 2 + 8 for any real number 𝑥
(D) 1
f −1 ( x) = for x  8
x –8
41. If ln 2 = 𝑠 and ln 3 = 𝑡 then ln 3√24
(A) 𝑠𝑡
(B) 𝑠𝑡
3
(C) 𝑡
𝑠+
3
(D) None of the above
[

42. Select the possible graph for the function

𝑓(𝑥) = −(𝑥 − 𝑚)(𝑥 − 𝑛), if 𝑚 > 0 and 𝑛 > 0
(A) 10 y
(B) 10 y
9 9
8 8
7
7
6
6 5
5 4
4 3
3 2
1 x
2
1 x
–1
–1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
–2
–6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4
–1 –3
–4

(C) (D)
6 y 5 y

5 4
4
3
3
2 2
1 x 1
x
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5 6
–1 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–2 –1
–3 –2
–4
–3
–5

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 1
43. If log 𝑥 𝑦 = then log 𝑥 𝑥 𝑦 2 = ______________________ .
2
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4

44. cot2 𝑥
− 1−csc 𝑥 = ______________________ .

1+cos 𝑥
(A)
cos 𝑥

1+sin 𝑥
(B)
sin 𝑥

(C) −1

(D) 1

45. 𝑥 3 −𝑥
The graph of the function 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +4 𝑖𝑠 ______________________ .

(A) Symmetric with respect to the origin

(B) Symmetric with respect to the 𝑥 − axis
(C) Symmetric with respect to the 𝑦 − axis
(D) Symmetric with respect to the line 𝑦 = 𝑥

46. List all the intervals on which the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) is decreasing.
y-axis
(3,4)
4
f(x)
3
(1,2)
2
(-1,1) (2,1)
1

(-2,0) (0,0) x-axis

-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4

-1

-2

(-4,-3)
-3

-4

(A) (−1,0), (1,2)

(B) (1,2)
(C) (1,0), (2,1)
(D) (1,0)

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47. 3 √3
If 𝑥 & 𝑦 angles are both in the third quadrant and 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = − and 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑦 = − .
5 2
Find cos( 𝑥 + 𝑦).
−5√3 − 10
(A)
10
4√3 − 3
(B)
10
−5√3 + 10
(C)
10
4√3 + 3
(D)
10

48. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 1) and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1 , find the composite function defined by
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥).
(A) 2𝑥 2
(B) 2𝑥 2 − 2
(C) 4𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 5
(D) 4𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 5

49. To obtain the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 4)2 + 3 , the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 must be shifted
(A) right 4 units, up 3 units
(B) right 4 units, down 3 units
(C) left 4 units, up 3 units
(D) left 4 units, down 3 units

50. Which angle is co-terminal with 300° angle?

(A) 660°
(B) 480°
(C) 390°
(D) 60°

51. The solution set to 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 = 0 in interval [ 0, 2𝜋] is ______________________.

𝜋
(A) { 2 , 2𝜋 }
𝜋
(B) { 2 , 𝜋 }
𝜋 3𝜋
(C) { 2 ,𝜋 , }
2
(D) { 0 , 𝜋 , 2𝜋 }

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52. 𝑓(0)
If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3 and 𝑔(𝑥) = |𝑥 − 3|, then = ______________________ .
𝑔(1)
3
(A) −
2
(B) −1
2
(C)
3
3
(D)
2
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53. The graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 is ______________________ .
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

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54. The function representing the following graph is ______________________.

(A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 2
(B) 𝑓(𝑥) = − 1 + 1
𝑥
(C) 𝑓(𝑥) = ln(𝑥)
(D) 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥

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55. If 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥) = − 5 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥) < 0 then 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥) = ______________________ .
(A) 24
−
25
(B) 1
−
25
(C) 1
25
(D) 24
25

56. sin 𝑥
In which quadrants is 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 = √1−𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥
?
(A) I, II
(B) I, III
(C) I, IV
(D) All Quadrants

57. Which of the following functions is one to one?

(A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3
(B) 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥 + 1| for 𝑥 ≤ 0
(C) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑛|𝑥|
(D) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 2 + 1

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58. Using the given graphs, which of the functions has two real zeros?
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

59. The graph of the inverse for the function graphed below is ______________________ .

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

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60. The graph of function 𝑓 is given below

Which of the following is the graph of (𝑥) = 1 − 𝑓(𝑥) ?

A) B)

C) D)

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 Answer Key
Section 1 Section 2
1. A 31. C
2. A 32. C
3. A 33. D
4. C 34. C
5. C 35. C
6. B 36. D
7. D 37. C
8. A 38. B
9. B 39. D
10. C 40. B
11. C 41. C
12. D 42. B
13. C 43. B
14. C 44. B
15. A 45. A
16. D 46. A
17. B 47. B
18. C 48. A
19. D 49. A
20. C 50. A
21. A 51. D
22. D 52. D
23. C 53. C
24. D 54. C
25. D 55. D
26. B 56. C
27. B 57. A
28. A 58. C
29. D 59. B
30. B 60. C

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