ACT Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Squaring / Square Roots / Radicals

Which of the following expressions is equal to the following expression?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, break down the component parts of the square root:

Combine like terms in a way that will let you pull some of them out from underneath the square root symbol:

Pull out the terms with even exponents and simplify:

Example Question #4 : How To Factor A Common Factor Out Of Squares

What is,

 ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find an equivalency we must rationalize the denominator.

To rationalize the denominator multiply the numerator and denominator by the denominator.

 

Factor out 6,

 

Extract perfect square 9 from the square root of 18.

 

Example Question #1 : Complex Numbers

Subtract  from , given:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A complex number is a combination of a real and imaginary number. To subtract complex numbers, subtract each element separately.

In equation  is the real component and  is the imaginary component (designated by ). In equation  is the real component and  is the imaginary component. Solving for ,

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Complex Numbers

Simplify the exponent,

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When you have an exponent on the outside of parentheses while another is on the inside of the parentheses, such as in , multiply the exponents together to get the answer: .

 

This is different than when you have two numbers with the same base multiplied together, such as in . In that case, you add the exponents together.

Example Question #2 : Complex Numbers

Complex numbers take the form , where  is the real term in the complex number and  is the nonreal (imaginary) term in the complex number.

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Solving this equation is very similar to solving a linear binomial like . To solve, just combine like terms, being careful to watch for double negatives.

 

Example Question #832 : Algebra

Complex numbers take the form , where  is the real term in the complex number and  is the nonreal (imaginary) term in the complex number.

Which of the following is incorrect?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A problem like this can be solved similarly to a linear binomial like /

Example Question #2 : Complex Numbers

Complex numbers take the form , where  is the real term in the complex number and  is the nonreal (imaginary) term in the complex number.

Which of the following equations simplifies into ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This equation can be solved very similarly to a binomial like .

Example Question #831 : Algebra

Suppose  and

Evaluate the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Substituting for  and , we have

 This simplifies to

which equals 

Example Question #2 : Complex Numbers

What is the solution of the following equation?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A complex number is a combination of a real and imaginary number. To add complex numbers, add each element separately.

First, distribute:

Then, group the real and imaginary components:

Solve to get:

Example Question #835 : Algebra

What is the sum of  and  given

and

?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A complex number is a combination of a real and imaginary number. To add complex numbers, add each element separately.

In equation  is the real component and  is the imaginary component (designated by ).

In equation  is the real component and  is the imaginary component.

When added, 

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