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SAT II Math II : Single-Variable Algebra

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Example Questions

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Example Question #7 : How To Multiply A Monomial By A Polynomial

Expand the expression by multiplying the terms.

$\small (x-4)(x+2)(2x-5)$

Possible Answers:

$\small 2x^3-9x^2-6x+40$

$\small 2x^3+x^2-26x+40$

$\small 2x^3-x^2-26x+40$

$\small 2x^3+9x^2-6x+40$

Correct answer:

$\small 2x^3-9x^2-6x+40$

Explanation:

$\small (x-4)(x+2)(2x-5)$

When multiplying, the order in which you multiply does not matter. Let's start with the first two monomials.

(x-4)(x+2)

Use FOIL to expand.

x^2+2x-4x-8=x^2-2x-8

Now we need to multiply the third monomial.

$\small (x-4)(x+2)(2x-5)=(x^2-2x-8)(2x-5)$

Similar to FOIL, we need to multiply each combination of terms.

2x(x^2-2x-8)+(-5)(x^2-2x-8)

2x^3-4x^2-16x-5x^2+10x+40

Combine like terms.

2x^3-9x^2-6x+40

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Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Trinomials

Multiply the expressions:

$\small (x^{2} - 2x + 7) (x^{2} - 2x - 7)$

Possible Answers:

$\small \small \small \small x^{4}+4x^{3}-4x^2-49$

$\small x^{4}-4x^{3}+4x^2-49$

$\small \small \small x^{4}-4x^{3}-4x^2-49$

$\small \small x^{4}-4x^{3}+4x^2+49$

$\small \small \small \small \small x^{4}+4x^{3}-4x^2+49$

Correct answer:

$\small x^{4}-4x^{3}+4x^2-49$

Explanation:

You can look at this as the sum of two expressions multiplied by the difference of the same two expressions. Use the pattern

$\small (A+B)(A-B) = (A^{2}-B^{2})$ ,

where $\small A = x^{2} - 2x$ and $\small B = 7$ .

$\small \small \small (x^{2} - 2x + 7) (x^{2} - 2x - 7) = (x^{2} - 2x )^{2} - 7^{2} = (x^{2} - 2x )^{2} - 49$

To find $\small (x^{2} - 2x )^{2}$ , you use the formula for perfect squares:

$\small (A-B)^{2} = (A^{2}-2AB+B^{2})$ ,

where $\small \small A = x^{2}$ and $\small B = 2x$ .

$\small \small \small (x^{2}-2x)^{2} = ((x^{2})^{2}-2x^{2}(2x)+(2x)^{2}) = x^{4}-4x^{3}+4x^2$

Substituting above, the final answer is $\small x^{4}-4x^{3}+4x^2-49$ .

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Example Question #1 : Expanding Expressions And Foil

Which of the following values of would make

$3x^{2} +Nx + 32$

a prime polynomial?

Possible Answers:

N = 20

N = 22

N = 30

N = 28

N = 35

Correct answer:

N = 30

Explanation:

A polynomial of the form $ax^{2} +bx + c$ whose terms do not have a common factor, such as this, can be factored by rewriting it as $ax^{2} +fx + gx + c$ such that f + g =b and fg = ac ; the grouping method can be used on this new polynomial.

Therefore, for $3x^{2} +Nx + 32$ to be factorable, must be the sum of the two integers of a factor pair of $3 \times 32 = 96$ . We are looking for a value of that is not a sum of two such factors.

The factor pairs of 96, along with their sums, are:

1 and 96 - sum 97

2 and 48 - sum 50

3 and 32 - sum 35

4 and 24 - sum 28

6 and 16 - sum 22

8 and 12 - sum 20

Of the given choices, only 30 does not appear among these sums; it is the correct choice.

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Example Question #1 : Expanding Expressions And Foil

How many of the following are prime factors of the polynomial $y^{3} - 125$ ?

(A) y - 5

(B) y + 5

(D) $y^{2}-5y + 2 5$

Possible Answers:

Three

One

Two

Four

None

Correct answer:

Two

Explanation:

$y^{3} - 125 = y^{3} - 5 ^{3}$

making this polynomial the difference of two cubes.

As such, $y^{3} - 125$ can be factored using the pattern

$A ^{3} - B ^{3} = (A - B) (A^{2}+ AB + B^{2})$

$y^{3} - 125 = y^{3} - 5 ^{3} = (y - 5) (y^{2}+ y \cdot 5 + 5^{2})= (y - 5) (y^{2}+ 5y + 2 5 )$

(A) and (C) are both factors, but not (B) or (D), so the correct response is two.

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Example Question #3 : Simplifying Polynomials

Subtract the expressions below.

$\left (\frac{1}{3}x^{2}+\frac{1}{6}xy-\frac{5}{4}y^{2} \right )-\left (\frac{1}{9}x^{2}-\frac{4}{3}xy+y^{2} \right )$

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers are correct.

$\frac{2}{9}x^{2}+\frac{3}{2}xy-\frac{5}{4}y^{2}$

$\frac{2}{9}x^{2}+\frac{3}{2}xy-\frac{9}{4}y^{2}$

$\frac{2}{9}x^{2}+\frac{7}{6}xy-\frac{1}{4}y^{2}$

$\frac{1}{27}x^{2}-\frac{2}{9}xy-\frac{5}{4}y^{2}$

Correct answer:

$\frac{2}{9}x^{2}+\frac{3}{2}xy-\frac{9}{4}y^{2}$

Explanation:

$\left (\frac{1}{3}x^{2}+\frac{1}{6}xy-\frac{5}{4}y^{2} \right )-\left (\frac{1}{9}x^{2}-\frac{4}{3}xy+y^{2} \right )$

Since we are only adding and subtracting (there is no multiplication or division), we can remove the parentheses.

$\frac{1}{3}x^{2}+\frac{1}{6}xy-\frac{5}{4}y^{2}-\left \frac{1}{9}x^{2}+\frac{4}{3}xy-y^{2} \right$

Regroup the expression so that like variables are together. Remember to carry positive and negative signs.

$(\frac{1}{3}x^{2}-\left \frac{1}{9}x^{2})+(\frac{1}{6}xy+\frac{4}{3}xy)-(\frac{5}{4}y^{2}-y^{2} \right)$

For all fractional terms, find the least common multiple in order to add and subtract the fractions.

$(\frac{3}{9}x^{2}-\left \frac{1}{9}x^{2})+(\frac{1}{6}xy+\frac{8}{6}xy)-(\frac{5}{4}y^{2}-\frac{4}{4}y^{2} \right)$

Combine like terms and simplify.

$\frac{2}{9}x^{2}+\frac{9}{6}xy-\frac{9}{4}y^{2}$

$\frac{2}{9}x^{2}+\frac{3}{2}xy-\frac{9}{4}y^{2}$

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Example Question #12 : Simplifying Expressions

Divide 3x^3+5x^2-x+8 by x^2-1 .

Possible Answers:

$x^2-1-\frac{3x+5}{2x+13}$

$2x+13+\frac{3x+5}{x^2-1}$

$3x+5+\frac{2x+13}{x^2-1}$

$3x+5-\frac{2x+13}{x^2-1}$

$3x+5+\frac{x^2+1}{2x-13}$

Correct answer:

$3x+5+\frac{2x+13}{x^2-1}$

Explanation:

First, set up the division as the following:

$\begin{array}{*2r @{\hskip\arraycolsep}c@{\hskip\arraycolsep} *4r} & && & & & \\ \cline{3-7} x^2 & -1 &\big)& 3x^3 & 5x^2 & -x & 8 \end{array}$

Look at the leading term x^2 in the divisor and 3x^3 in the dividend. Divide 3x^3 by x^2 gives ; therefore, put on the top:

$\begin{array}{*2r @{\hskip\arraycolsep}c@{\hskip\arraycolsep} *4r} & && 3x & & & \\ \cline{3-7} x^2 & -1 &\big)& 3x^3 & 5x^2 & -x & 8 \end{array}$

Then take that and multiply it by the divisor, x^2-1 , to get 3x^3-3x . Place that 3x^3-3x under the division sign:

$\begin{array}{*2r @{\hskip\arraycolsep}c@{\hskip\arraycolsep} *4r} & && 3x & & & \\ \cline{3-7} x^2 & -1 &\big)& 3x^3 & 5x^2 & -x & 8 \\ & && 3x^3 & -3x \end{array}$

Subtract the dividend by that same 3x^3-3x and place the result at the bottom. The new result is 5x^2+2x+8 , which is the new dividend.

$\begin{array}{*2r @{\hskip\arraycolsep}c@{\hskip\arraycolsep} *4r} & && 3x & & & \\ \cline{3-7} x^2 & -1 &\big)& 3x^3 & 5x^2 & -x & 8 \\ & && 3x^3 & -3x \\ \cline{4-7} & && & 5x^2 & 2x & 8 \end{array}$

Now, 5x^2 is the new leading term of the dividend. Dividing 5x^2 by x^2 gives 5. Therefore, put 5 on top:

$\begin{array}{*2r @{\hskip\arraycolsep}c@{\hskip\arraycolsep} *4r} & && 3x & 5 & & \\ \cline{3-7} x^2 & -1 &\big)& 3x^3 & 5x^2 & -x & 8 \\ & && 3x^3 & -3x \\ \cline{4-7} & && & 5x^2 & 2x & 8 \end{array}$

Multiply that 5 by the divisor and place the result, 5x^2-5 , at the bottom:

Perform the usual subtraction:

Therefore the answer is 3x+5 with a remainder of 2x+13 , or $3x+5+\frac{2x+13}{x^2-1}$ .

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Example Question #1 : Operations With Polynomials

Which of the following is a prime factor of $n^{4} - 32n^{2} +256$ ?

Possible Answers:

$n^{2} -4n + 16$

$n^{2} + 4n - 16$

$n^{2} -4n - 16$

$n^{2} + 4n + 16$

None of the other responses gives a correct answer.

Correct answer:

None of the other responses gives a correct answer.

Explanation:

$n^{4} - 32n^{2} +256$ can be seen to fit the pattern

$A ^{2} - 2AB + B^{2}$ :

$n^{4} - 32n^{2} +256 = \left (n^{2} \right ) ^{2}- 2 \cdot n^{2} \cdot 16 + 16 ^{2}$

where $A = n^{2} , B = 16$

$A ^{2} - 2AB + B^{2}$ can be factored as $(A-B ) ^{2}$ , so

$n^{4} - 32n^{2} +256 = \left (n^{2} \right ) ^{2}- 2 \cdot n^{2} \cdot 16 + 16 ^{2} =\left ( n ^{2} - 16 \right )^{2}$

$n^{2} - 16 = n^{2} - 4^{2}$ , making this the difference of squares, so it can be factored as follows:

$n^{2} - 16 = n^{2} - 4^{2} = (n + 4) (n - 4)$

Therefore,

$n^{4} - 32n^{2} +256 = \left ( n ^{2} - 16 \right )^{2} = (n+4) ^{2} (n-4) ^{2}$

The polynomial has only two prime factors, each squared, neither of which appear among the choices.

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Example Question #2 : Operations With Polynomials

Divide:

$\left ( 40x^{3} - 24x^{2}+ 20x- 64\right ) \div 8 x^{2}$

Possible Answers:

$5x^{2} -3+ \frac{ 5}{ 2x^{2} } - \frac{8}{x^{3} }$

$5x-3 - \frac{8}{x^{2}}+ \frac{ 5}{ 2x^{3} }$

$5x-3+ \frac{ 5}{ 2x } - \frac{8}{x^{2} }$

$5x-3+ \frac{ 5}{ 2x^{2} } - \frac{8}{x^{3} }$

$5x-3 - \frac{8}{x}+ \frac{ 5}{ 2x^{2} }$

Correct answer:

$5x-3+ \frac{ 5}{ 2x } - \frac{8}{x^{2} }$

Explanation:

Divide termwise:

$\left ( 40x^{3} - 24x^{2}+ 20x- 64\right ) \div 8 x^{2}$

$= \frac{40x^{3} - 24x^{2}+ 20x- 64}{ 8 x^{2}}$

$= \frac{40x^{3} }{ 8 x^{2}}- \frac{ 24x^{2}}{ 8 x^{2}}+ \frac{ 20x}{ 8 x^{2}}- \frac{ 64}{ 8 x^{2}}$

$= \frac{40 }{ 8}x^{3-2}- \frac{ 24}{ 8 }+ \frac{ 20x}{ 8 } \cdot \frac{1}{x^{2-1}}- \frac{ 64}{8 }\cdot \frac{1}{x^{2} }$

$=5x-3+ \frac{ 5}{ 2 } \cdot \frac{1}{x}- 8 \cdot \frac{1}{x^{2} }$

$=5x-3+ \frac{ 5}{ 2x } - \frac{8}{x^{2} }$

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Example Question #3 : Operations With Polynomials

Factor:

$27N^{3}-1,331$

Possible Answers:

$(3N - 11)(3N+11)^{2}$

The polynomial is prime.

$(3N - 11)^{3}$

$(3N - 11)(9N^{2}+33N+121)$

$(3N - 11)(9N^{2}+121)$

Correct answer:

$(3N - 11)(9N^{2}+33N+121)$

Explanation:

$27N^{3}-1,331$ can be rewritten as $(3N)^{3} - 11^{3}$ and is therefore the difference of two cubes. As such, it can be factored using the pattern

$A^{3}-B^{3} =(A-B) (A^{2}+AB +B^{2})$

where A = 3N, B = 11 .

$27N^{3}-1,331$

$=(3N)^{3} - 11^{3}$

$= (3N-11)[(3N)^{2}+3N\cdot 11 +11^{2}]$

$= (3N-11)(9N^{2}+33N +121)$

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Example Question #1 : Operations With Polynomials

Factor completely:

$t^{3} + 512$

Possible Answers:

$(t+ 8) ^{3}$

$(t+ 8) (t-8)^{2}$

The polynomial is prime.

$(t- 8) (t^{2}-8t-64)$

$(t+ 8) (t^{2}-8t+64)$

Correct answer:

$(t+ 8) (t^{2}-8t+64)$

Explanation:

Since both terms are perfect cubes $\left (512= 8^{3} \right )$ , the factoring pattern we are looking to take advantage of is the sum of cubes pattern. This pattern is

$A^{3}+ B^{3} = (A + B) (A^{2}-AB +B^{2})$

We substitute for and 8 for :

$t^{3} + 512= t^{3} + 8^{3}$

$= (t+ 8) (t^{2}-t \cdot 8+8^{2})$

$= (t+ 8) (t^{2}-8t+64)$

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SAT II Math II : Single-Variable Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Math II

All SAT II Math II Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #7 : How To Multiply A Monomial By A Polynomial

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Trinomials

Example Question #1 : Expanding Expressions And Foil

Example Question #1 : Expanding Expressions And Foil

Example Question #3 : Simplifying Polynomials

Example Question #12 : Simplifying Expressions

Example Question #1 : Operations With Polynomials

Example Question #2 : Operations With Polynomials

Example Question #3 : Operations With Polynomials

Example Question #1 : Operations With Polynomials

All SAT II Math II Resources

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