Math Placement Exam - Sample Problems

Exam questions are selected from topics in three Pitt-Johnstown courses: Math 0001 Algebra 1, Math 0002 College Algebra, and Math 0004 Pre-Calculus. The specific topics are listed in the table below. To see sample problems (in PDF format), click on the Problem Set Link. (Note: The sample problems are not multiple choice. Answers for all problems and complete solutions for the odd problems are included.)

Algebra 1	College Algebra	Pre-Calculus
Problem Set 1   Arithmetic of signed numbers Whole number exponents Simplifying expressions Order of operations	Problem Set 8 Review and extension of topics in Algebra 1	Problem Set 14 Review and extension of topics in Algebra 1 and College Algebra
Problem Set 2   Factoring polynomials	Problem Set 9 Solving radical equations Solving quadratic in form equations	Problem Set 15 Operations with complex numbers Polynomial long division Zeros of polynomials Graphing rational functions
Problem Set 3   Simplifying rational expressions Arithmetic of rational expressions	Problem Set 10 Distance and Midpoint formulas X and Y intercepts Linear equations in 2 variables Quadratic equations in 2 variables Symmetry Translations Circles	Problem Set 16 Solving absolute value, polynomial and rational inequalities
Problem Set 4   Solving first degree equations Solving first degree inequalities Solving quadratic equations & quadratic formula Solving linear absolute value equations	Problem Set 11 Functions Function notation Arithmetic of functions Composition of functions The difference quotient Inverse functions Multipart or Piecewise defined functions	Problem Set 17 Radian vs. Degree measure Trig functions and special angles Trig identities and inverse functions Solving Trig equations Graphs of Trig functions
Problem Set 5 Radical notation and rational exponents Simplification of radical expressions	Problem Set 12 Exponential functions Logarithmic functions Rules of Logarithms Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
Problem Set 6 Solving word problems	Problem Set 13 System of equations Word Problems
Problem Set 7 Introduction to the Cartesian Coordinate System Graphs of 2-variable equations