COMPASS Algebra Practice Test 3

1
COMPASS AlgebraPractice Test 3

• This practice test is 10 items long.
• Record your responses on a sheet of paper.
• The correct answers are on the slide after the
  last question.
• Complete solutions follow the answer slide.
• Click the mouse or use the spacebar to advance to
  the next question.

2
1. If x -2 and y -3, what is the value of the
expression 4x3 - 2xy ?

• A. 36
• B. 20
• C. -20
• D. -36
• E. -44

3
2. Which of the following expressions represents
the product of four more than twice x and six
less than x?

• A. x2 4x 12
• B. 2(x2 4x 12)
• C. 8x2 48x
• D. 2x2 16x 24
• E. 2x2 16x 24

4
3. A student earned scores of 85, 76, and 78 on
three of four tests. What must the student score
on the fourth test to have an average (arithmetic
mean) of exactly 80?

• A. 79
• B. 80
• C. 81
• D. 82
• E. 83

5
4. Which of the following is an equation of the
line that contains the points (2, 3) and (4 , 6)?

• D.
• E.

• A.
• B.
• C.

6
5. For all x ¹ 6,
A. B. C.
D. E.
7
6. Each circle has a diameter of 6. What is the
location of point B the center of the bottom
circle.?

• A. (6, -15)
• B. (6, -18)
• C. (3, -15)
• D. (3, -18)
• E. (1, -3)

(3, -15)
B
8
7. For all x, (x2 3x 9)(x - 3) is

• A. x3 3x2 - x - 3
• B. x2 2x - 3
• C. 3x - 3
• D. x3 - 27
• E. x3 - x2 3x - 3

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8. If A B 2A 3B, find 4 5

• A. 20
• B. 23
• C. 17
• D. 9
• E. 5

10
9. What is the perimeter of ?ABC?
B
C

• A. 8
• B. 10
• C. 14
• D. 24
• E. 28

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10. What is the value of 642/3?

• A. 4
• B. 16
• C. 21.3
• D. 96
• E.

12
Answers Algebra Practice Test 3

1. E
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. D

1. C
2. D
3. B
4. D
5. B

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1. If x -2 and y -3, what is the value of the
expression 4x3 2xy ?

• A. 36
• B. 20
• C. -20
• D. -36
• E. -44

• 4x3 2xy
• 4(-2)3 2(-2)(-3)
• 4(-8) 2(-2)(-3)
• -32 2(6)
• -32 12
• -32 (-12) -44
• Answer E

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2. Which of the following expressions represents
the product of four more than twice x and six
less than x?
(2x 4)(x 6) 2x2 12x 4x 24 2x2 8x
24 Factor the common 2 2(x2 4x 12) Answer B

• A. x2 4x 12
• B. 2(x2 4x 12)
• C. 8x2 48x
• D. 2x2 16x 24
• E. 2x2 16x 24

15
3. A student earned scores of 85, 76, and 78 on
three of four tests. What must the student score
on the fourth test to have an average (arithmetic
mean) of exactly 80?

• A. 79
• B. 80
• C. 81
• D. 82
• E. 83

Answer C
16
4. Which of the following is an equation of the
line that contains the points (2, 3) and (4 , 6)?

• D.
• E.

• A.
• B.
• C.

If we can find m and b then we will be able to
select the correct response.
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4. Which of the following is an equation of the
line that contains the points (2, 3) and (4 , 6)?
If we can find m and b then we will be able to
select the correct response.
Find slope
Now find b
Answer B
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4. Which of the following is an equation of the
line that contains the points (2, 3) and (4 , 6)?
Another way to work this problem is to plug the
points into each equation.

• A.
• B.

Try A
False
To be the correct equation it must also work for
the other given point.
Try B
Answer B
True
True
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5. For all x ¹ 6,
A. B. C.
D. E.
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5. For all x ¹ 6,
Step 1. Factor
Answer D
Step 2. Cancel
Pay close attention to the signs. Every
possibility is covered in the distracters.
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6. Each circle has a diameter of 6. What is the
location of point B the center of the bottom
circle.?

• A. (6, -15)
• B. (6, -18)
• C. (3, -15)
• D. (3, -18)
• E. (1, -3)

6
-15
6
3
(3, -15)
3
(3, -15)
B
22
7. For all x, (x2 3x 9)(x - 3) is

• A. x3 3x2 - x - 3
• B. x2 2x - 3
• C. 3x - 3
• D. x3 - 27
• E. x3 - x2 3x - 3

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7. For all x, (x2 3x 9)(x - 3) is

• (x2 3x 9)(x - 3)
• x3 3x2 9x
• -3x2 - 9x - 27

1st Distribute the x through the trinomial.
2nd Distribute the -3 through the trinomial.
Answer D
x3 - 27
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8. If A B 2A 3B, find 4 5

• A. 20
• B. 23
• C. 17
• D. 9
• E. 5

Substitute 2A 3B 2(4) 3(5) 8 15
23 Answer B
25
9. What is the perimeter of ?ABC?

• A. 8
• B. 10
• C. 14
• D. 24
• E. 28

B
C
26
9. What is the perimeter of ?ABC?
Count the blocks to find the lengths of the
legs. AC 8 AB 6
B
8
C
Now use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the
length of the hypotenuse.
6
10
Add the three sides to find the perimeter. 8 6
10 24
Answer D
27
9. What is the perimeter of ?ABC?

• Another way to find the distance from B to C is
  to use the distance formula.
• First identify the coordinates.
• C (-4, 4) and B (4, -2)

8
B
C
6
10
28
10. What is the value of 642/3?

• A. 4
• B. 16
• C. 21.3
• D. 96
• E.

Note that the denominator becomes the index of
the radical