Example Problems for the College Algebra Challenge Exam

Rules For All Challenge Exams

• All students may take a Challenge Exam to place out of College Algebra or Algebra & Trigonometry.
Students who receive a grade of 70% or better on the Challenge Exam will receive a waiver (no credit
given) for College Algebra or Algebra & Trigonometry.

• Time allotment: Students will have 90 minutes to complete the actual challenge exam.

• A student may take only one of the exams at a time. For example, if your program requires you to
take MTH 120 (College Algebra) and MTH 220 (Algebra & Trigonometry) you may take only one of
these exams during orientation. If you pass the Algebra & Trigonometry Challenge Exam then you
are waived from taking both courses. If you take and pass the College Algebra Challenge Exam then
you are waived from taking College Algebra but not Algebra & Trigonometry. You can then arrange
to take the Algebra & Trigonometry Challenge Exam at a later date.

• Calculator Restrictions: Only certain types of calculators may be used during the test. Most
four-function, scientific or graphing calculators are permitted. Devices that include calculators among
their functions-cell phones, laptops, PDAs-are forbidden, as are calculators with built-in algebra
capabilities or QWERTY keyboard buttons. Also, certain specific models of calculators are forbidden,
including the following: all Texas Instruments model numbers that begin with TI-89 and TI-92, as
well as the TI-Nspire CAS (the non-CAS TI-Nspire is allowed); the Hewlett-Packard hp 48GII model
and all model numbers that begin with hp 40G, hp 49G, or hp 50G; the Casio Algebra fx 2.0,
ClassPad 300, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G; and all electronic writing pads or
pen-input devices, except for the Sharp EL 9600.

• The review sheets provide examples from the topics that you will encounter on the actual exams.
They are not specific examples from the exam.

Example Problems for the College Algebra Challenge Exam

1. Topic: Order of Operations

Evaluate:

Answer:

2. Topic: Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

Simplify:

Answer:

3. Topic: Exponents

Simplify:

Answer:

4. Topic: Solving Linear Equations

Solve for x:

Answers:

5. Topic: Solving Word Problems Algebraically

Example: The three books atop the best seller list have a combined total of 1200 pages. Book #2
has 24 less than twice the number of pages in Book #1, while Book #3 has 176 more pages than Book
#1. How many pages does each book have?

Answer: Book #1 has 262 pages, Book #2 has 500 pages, and Book #3 has 438 pages.

6. Topic: Solving Linear Inequalities

Solve for x: