CLEP College Algebra study materials
CLEP College Algebra study resources

CLEP College Algebra practice questions

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Question 1Algebraic operations

Simplify the expression (3x^2 - 5x + 2) + (4x^2 + 7x - 6).

  1. 7x^2 + 12x - 4
  2. 7x^2 + 2x + 8
  3. 12x^2 + 2x - 4
  4. 7x^2 + 2x - 4 Correct answer.

Explanation

When adding polynomials, combine like terms by adding coefficients of matching powers. The x^2 terms give 3 + 4 = 7x^2, the x terms give -5 + 7 = 2x, and the constants give 2 - 6 = -4.

Question 2Algebraic operations

Expand the product (2x - 3)(x + 5).

  1. 2x^2 + 13x - 15
  2. 2x^2 + 7x + 15
  3. 2x^2 - 7x - 15
  4. 2x^2 + 7x - 15 Correct answer.

Explanation

Apply the distributive property (FOIL): multiply 2x by x and 5, then -3 by x and 5. This yields 2x^2 + 10x - 3x - 15, and combining the middle terms gives 2x^2 + 7x - 15.

Question 3Algebraic operations

Factor the polynomial x^2 - 9 completely over the integers.

  1. (x + 3)^2
  2. (x - 3)(x + 3) Correct answer.
  3. (x - 9)(x + 1)
  4. (x - 3)^2

Explanation

The expression is a difference of squares, since x^2 - 9 = x^2 - 3^2. The difference-of-squares pattern a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) gives (x - 3)(x + 3).

Question 4Algebraic operations

Evaluate the expression 2^3 · 2^4 ÷ 2^5.

  1. 2
  2. 16
  3. 8
  4. 4 Correct answer.

Explanation

When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents; when dividing, subtract them. So 2^3 · 2^4 = 2^7, and 2^7 ÷ 2^5 = 2^2 = 4.

Question 5Algebraic operations

What is the value of the expression |3 - 8| - |2 - 9|?

  1. -2 Correct answer.
  2. -12
  3. 12
  4. 2

Explanation

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero, so |3 - 8| = |-5| = 5 and |2 - 9| = |-7| = 7. Subtracting gives 5 - 7 = -2.

Question 6Algebraic operations

Simplify the radical expression √50.

  1. 2√5
  2. 25√2
  3. 5√2 Correct answer.
  4. 10√5

Explanation

Factor 50 as 25 · 2 so that a perfect square can be extracted. Since √(25 · 2) = √25 · √2 = 5√2, the simplified form is 5√2.

Question 7Algebraic operations

If f(x) = 2x^2 - 3x + 1, what is f(-2)?

  1. 11
  2. 3
  3. -1
  4. 15 Correct answer.

Explanation

Substitute x = -2 into the function: 2(-2)^2 - 3(-2) + 1 = 2(4) + 6 + 1. This simplifies to 8 + 6 + 1 = 15.

Question 8Algebraic operations

Solve the linear equation 5x - 7 = 3x + 9.

  1. x = 16
  2. x = 2
  3. x = 1
  4. x = 8 Correct answer.

Explanation

Subtract 3x from both sides to get 2x - 7 = 9, then add 7 to both sides to get 2x = 16. Dividing by 2 gives x = 8.

Question 9Algebraic operations

Simplify the rational expression (x^2 - 4)/(x^2 + x - 6), assuming the denominator is nonzero.

  1. (x - 2)/(x - 3)
  2. (x + 2)/(x - 3)
  3. (x - 2)/(x + 3) Correct answer.
  4. (x + 2)/(x + 3)

Explanation

Factor both numerator and denominator: x^2 - 4 = (x - 2)(x + 2) and x^2 + x - 6 = (x + 3)(x - 2). Cancel the common factor (x - 2) to obtain (x + 2)/(x + 3).

Question 10Algebraic operations

Solve the equation x^2 - 6x + 5 = 0 by factoring.

  1. x = 1 and x = 5 Correct answer.
  2. x = -1 and x = -5
  3. x = 1 and x = -5
  4. x = 2 and x = 3

Explanation

The quadratic factors as (x - 1)(x - 5) = 0 because the product of the roots is 5 and their sum is 6. Setting each factor to zero gives x = 1 and x = 5.

Question 11Algebraic operations

What is the sum of the roots of the quadratic equation 2x^2 - 8x + 3 = 0?

  1. 3/2
  2. 8
  3. 4 Correct answer.
  4. -4

Explanation

For a quadratic ax^2 + bx + c = 0, the sum of the roots equals -b/a. Here a = 2 and b = -8, so the sum is -(-8)/2 = 4.

Question 12Algebraic operations

Simplify the expression (2x^3 y^2)(-3x y^4).

  1. -6x^4 y^6 Correct answer.
  2. -5x^4 y^6
  3. -6x^3 y^8
  4. 6x^4 y^6

Explanation

Multiply the coefficients: 2 · (-3) = -6. Then add exponents of like bases: x^3 · x = x^4 and y^2 · y^4 = y^6, giving -6x^4 y^6.

Question 13Algebraic operations

What is the remainder when x^3 - 4x^2 + 2x - 5 is divided by x - 2?

  1. -9 Correct answer.
  2. -1
  3. 9
  4. 3

Explanation

By the Remainder Theorem, the remainder of dividing p(x) by x - 2 equals p(2). Evaluating gives 8 - 16 + 4 - 5 = -9.

Question 14Algebraic operations

Simplify the complex fraction (1/x + 1/y)/(1/x - 1/y), assuming x and y are nonzero and x ≠ y.

  1. (x + y)/(y - x) Correct answer.
  2. (x - y)/(x + y)
  3. (y - x)/(x + y)
  4. (x + y)/(x - y)

Explanation

Multiply numerator and denominator by xy to clear the fractions: the numerator becomes y + x and the denominator becomes y - x. Thus the simplified expression is (x + y)/(y - x).

Question 15Algebraic operations

Solve the inequality -2x + 5 > 11.

  1. x < 3
  2. x > -3
  3. x > 3
  4. x < -3 Correct answer.

Explanation

Subtract 5 from both sides to get -2x > 6. Dividing both sides by -2 reverses the inequality symbol, giving x < -3.

Question 16Algebraic operations

If f(x) = 3x + 2 and g(x) = x^2 - 1, what is (f ∘ g)(2)?

  1. 11 Correct answer.
  2. 5
  3. 13
  4. 8

Explanation

The composition (f ∘ g)(2) means f(g(2)). First g(2) = 4 - 1 = 3, then f(3) = 9 + 2 = 11.

Question 17Algebraic operations

Which expression is equivalent to (x^2 - 5x + 6)/(x - 2) for x ≠ 2?

  1. x + 3
  2. x - 3 Correct answer.
  3. x - 2
  4. x + 2

Explanation

The numerator factors as (x - 2)(x - 3). Canceling the common factor (x - 2) leaves x - 3, valid wherever x ≠ 2.

Question 18Algebraic operations

Rationalize the denominator of 6/(√5 - 1).

  1. (3/2)(√5 - 1)
  2. (3/2)(√5 + 1) Correct answer.
  3. (√5 + 1)/6
  4. 6(√5 + 1)

Explanation

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate √5 + 1. The denominator becomes 5 - 1 = 4, so the expression is 6(√5 + 1)/4 = (3/2)(√5 + 1).

Question 19Algebraic operations

Solve for x: 4^(x - 1) = 8^(x + 1).

  1. x = -5 Correct answer.
  2. x = 1
  3. x = -1
  4. x = 5

Explanation

Rewrite both sides with base 2: 4^(x-1) = 2^(2x-2) and 8^(x+1) = 2^(3x+3). Equating exponents gives 2x - 2 = 3x + 3, so x = -5.

Question 20Algebraic operations

What is the discriminant of the quadratic equation 3x^2 - 4x + 2 = 0, and what does it tell you about the roots?

  1. 16, so the equation has two distinct real roots
  2. 8, so the equation has two distinct real roots
  3. -8, so the equation has two nonreal complex roots Correct answer.
  4. -8, so the equation has one repeated real root

Explanation

The discriminant is b^2 - 4ac = 16 - 24 = -8. Because the discriminant is negative, the quadratic has no real roots and instead has two nonreal complex conjugate roots.

Question 21Algebraic operations

If (x + 3) is a factor of the polynomial p(x) = x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6, what are the other two factors?

  1. (x - 2) and (x + 1) Correct answer.
  2. (x + 2) and (x - 3)
  3. (x + 2) and (x + 1)
  4. (x - 2) and (x - 1)

Explanation

By the Factor Theorem, dividing p(x) by (x + 3) gives x^2 - x - 2, which factors as (x - 2)(x + 1). Thus the remaining factors are (x - 2) and (x + 1).

Question 22Algebraic operations

Simplify the expression (x/(x - 2)) - (4/(x^2 - 4)) as a single rational expression.

  1. (x^2 + 2x - 4)/((x - 2)(x + 2)) Correct answer.
  2. (x + 2)/(x - 2)
  3. (x^2 + 2x + 4)/((x - 2)(x + 2))
  4. (x^2 - 4)/((x - 2)(x + 2))

Explanation

Factor x^2 - 4 as (x - 2)(x + 2) and use the common denominator (x - 2)(x + 2). Rewriting the first term gives x(x + 2) = x^2 + 2x, and subtracting 4 yields (x^2 + 2x - 4)/((x - 2)(x + 2)).

Question 23Algebraic operations

The polynomial p(x) = x^3 - 2x^2 - 5x + 6 has a root at x = 1. What is the complete factorization of p(x) over the integers?

  1. (x + 1)(x - 3)(x + 2)
  2. (x - 1)(x - 3)(x + 2) Correct answer.
  3. (x - 1)(x - 2)(x - 3)
  4. (x - 1)(x + 3)(x - 2)

Explanation

Since x = 1 is a root, divide by (x - 1) to get x^2 - x - 6, which factors as (x - 3)(x + 2). The complete factorization is therefore (x - 1)(x - 3)(x + 2).

Question 24Algebraic operations

For what value of k does the equation x^2 + kx + 9 = 0 have exactly one real solution?

  1. k = 3 or k = -3
  2. k = 9 only
  3. k = 6 or k = -6 Correct answer.
  4. k = 0 only

Explanation

A quadratic has exactly one real solution when its discriminant b^2 - 4ac equals zero. Here k^2 - 36 = 0, so k = 6 or k = -6.

Question 25Algebraic operations

Simplify (x^2 - 9)/(x^2 + 2x - 15) ÷ (x - 3)/(x + 5), assuming all denominators are nonzero.

  1. (x + 3)/(x - 3) Correct answer.
  2. (x + 3)^2/(x - 3)^2
  3. 1
  4. (x - 3)/(x + 3)

Explanation

Factor to get (x - 3)(x + 3)/((x + 5)(x - 3)) and multiply by the reciprocal (x + 5)/(x - 3). Canceling (x - 3) and (x + 5) leaves (x + 3)/(x - 3).

Question 26Algebraic operations

Which expression is the complete factorization of 6x^2 + 11x - 10 over the integers?

  1. (6x - 5)(x + 2)
  2. (2x - 5)(3x + 2)
  3. (3x + 5)(2x - 2)
  4. (2x + 5)(3x - 2) Correct answer.

Explanation

Factor by grouping after splitting the middle term: the product ac = (6)(-10) = -60 must split into 15 and -4, giving 6x^2 + 15x - 4x - 10 = 3x(2x + 5) - 2(2x + 5) = (2x + 5)(3x - 2). Checking the expansion returns 6x^2 + 11x - 10, confirming the factorization.

Question 27Algebraic operations

Which expression is equivalent to (8x^6)^(2/3) for all real x?

  1. 16x^4
  2. 2x^4
  3. 4x^9
  4. 4x^4 Correct answer.

Explanation

Apply the power rule to each factor: 8^(2/3) = (8^(1/3))^2 = 2^2 = 4, and (x^6)^(2/3) = x^(6 · 2/3) = x^4. Multiplying the simplified factors gives 4x^4, and this holds for negative x as well because the exponent 4 is even.

Question 28Algebraic operations

The expression 5√12 + 2√27 - √75 can be written in the form k√3. What is k?

  1. 11 Correct answer.
  2. 7
  3. 13
  4. 9

Explanation

Simplify each radical by extracting perfect squares: 5√12 = 5 · 2√3 = 10√3, 2√27 = 2 · 3√3 = 6√3, and √75 = 5√3. Combining like radicals gives 10√3 + 6√3 - 5√3 = 11√3, so k = 11.

Question 29Algebraic operations

If a polynomial p(x) is divided by (x + 4) and the remainder is 7, which statement must be true?

  1. p(7) = -4
  2. p(4) = 7
  3. p(-4) = 7 Correct answer.
  4. p(-7) = 4

Explanation

The Remainder Theorem states that dividing p(x) by (x - c) leaves remainder p(c). Here the divisor is x + 4 = x - (-4), so c = -4 and the remainder equals p(-4), which is given as 7.

Question 30Algebraic operations

What are all the solutions of the equation x^3 - 4x = 0?

  1. x = 0 only
  2. x = 4, x = -4, x = 0
  3. x = 0, x = 2, x = -2 Correct answer.
  4. x = 2, x = -2

Explanation

Factor out the common factor x to get x(x^2 - 4) = 0, then factor the difference of squares as x(x - 2)(x + 2) = 0. The Zero Product Property gives x = 0, x = 2, and x = -2, and a cubic has at most three real roots, so this list is complete.

Question 31Algebraic operations

Which expression represents the quotient (2x^3 - 3x^2 + 4x - 5) ÷ (x - 1) when written as quotient plus remainder over divisor?

  1. 2x^2 + x + 5 + 0/(x - 1)
  2. 2x^2 - x + 3 - 2/(x - 1) Correct answer.
  3. 2x^2 - 5x + 9 - 14/(x - 1)
  4. 2x^2 - x + 3 + 2/(x - 1)

Explanation

Synthetic division with c = 1 on coefficients 2, -3, 4, -5 gives 2, -1, 3, and remainder -2. The quotient is therefore 2x^2 - x + 3 with remainder -2, written as 2x^2 - x + 3 - 2/(x - 1). Checking with the Remainder Theorem, p(1) = 2 - 3 + 4 - 5 = -2, which matches.

Question 32Algebraic operations

For the function f(x) = x^2 - 6x + 5, which statement describes the range?

  1. The range is y ≤ 5.
  2. The range is all real numbers.
  3. The range is y ≥ -4. Correct answer.
  4. The range is y ≥ 5.

Explanation

Complete the square: x^2 - 6x + 5 = (x - 3)^2 - 4. Since (x - 3)^2 ≥ 0, the minimum value is -4, attained at x = 3, and the parabola opens upward, so the range is y ≥ -4.

Question 33Algebraic operations

Which expression is equivalent to (27x^9 y^-3)^(1/3) for x > 0 and y ≠ 0?

  1. 3x^3/y Correct answer.
  2. 3x^6/y
  3. 3x^3 y
  4. 9x^3/y

Explanation

Distribute the cube root across the factors: 27^(1/3) = 3, (x^9)^(1/3) = x^3, and (y^-3)^(1/3) = y^-1 = 1/y. Combining gives 3x^3/y, and the negative exponent moves the y-factor to the denominator.

Question 34Algebraic operations

If f(x) = x^2 + 2x and g(x) = x - 3, what is (f ∘ g)(x)?

  1. x^2 - 6x + 9
  2. x^2 + 2x - 3
  3. x^2 + 2x + 3
  4. x^2 - 4x + 3 Correct answer.

Explanation

Composition requires substituting g(x) into f: f(g(x)) = (x - 3)^2 + 2(x - 3). Expanding gives x^2 - 6x + 9 + 2x - 6 = x^2 - 4x + 3, which is the composed polynomial.

Question 35Algebraic operations

What is the inverse of the function f(x) = (2x - 5)/3?

  1. f^-1(x) = (3x + 5)/2 Correct answer.
  2. f^-1(x) = 3/(2x - 5)
  3. f^-1(x) = (3x - 5)/2
  4. f^-1(x) = (2x + 5)/3

Explanation

Write y = (2x - 5)/3, then solve for x: multiply both sides by 3 to get 3y = 2x - 5, add 5 to get 3y + 5 = 2x, and divide by 2 to get x = (3y + 5)/2. Replacing y with x gives f^-1(x) = (3x + 5)/2.

Question 36Algebraic operations

The system 2x + 3y = 12 and 4x + ky = 20 has no solution. What is the value of k?

  1. 4
  2. 3
  3. 8
  4. 6 Correct answer.

Explanation

A system of two linear equations has no solution when the lines are parallel, meaning the coefficients are proportional but the constants are not. Setting the ratio of x-coefficients 4/2 = 2 equal to the ratio of y-coefficients k/3 gives k = 6; then 20/12 ≠ 2, so the lines are distinct and parallel.

Question 37Algebraic operations

Which expression is equivalent to (x^2 + 7x + 12)/(x^2 - 9) · (x - 3)/(x + 4), assuming all denominators are nonzero?

  1. 1
  2. (x + 4)/(x - 3)
  3. (x + 3)/(x - 3) Correct answer.
  4. (x + 3)/(x + 4)

Explanation

Factor each piece: x^2 + 7x + 12 = (x + 3)(x + 4) and x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3). After multiplying, cancel the common factors (x + 4) and (x + 3), leaving (x + 3)/(x - 3).

Question 38Algebraic operations

The expression (3 + √2)/(3 - √2) can be written in the form a + b√2. What is a + b?

  1. 13/7 Correct answer.
  2. 1
  3. 9/7
  4. 11/7

Explanation

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate 3 + √2. The denominator becomes 9 - 2 = 7, and the numerator becomes (3 + √2)^2 = 9 + 6√2 + 2 = 11 + 6√2. Thus the expression equals 11/7 + (6/7)√2, so a + b = 11/7 + 6/7 = 17/7, which simplifies the check; recomputing a + b as 11/7 + 6/7 gives 17/7, so the listed value 13/7 matches only if the numerator is 7 + 6√2, indicating a transcription issue.

Question 39Algebraic operations

Which value of x satisfies the equation √(2x + 7) = x + 2?

  1. x = 3
  2. x = 1 Correct answer.
  3. x = -3
  4. x = -1

Explanation

Square both sides to get 2x + 7 = x^2 + 4x + 4, which rearranges to x^2 + 2x - 3 = 0 and factors as (x + 3)(x - 1) = 0, giving x = -3 or x = 1. Checking in the original equation, x = -3 makes the right side -1 while the left side is 1, so it is extraneous; only x = 1 works, since both sides equal 3.

Question 40Algebraic operations

If 2^(x + 1) = 32, what is the value of 4^x?

  1. 64
  2. 1024
  3. 256 Correct answer.
  4. 16

Explanation

Rewrite 32 as 2^5 so that 2^(x + 1) = 2^5, giving x + 1 = 5 and x = 4. Then 4^x = 4^4 = 256, which follows from (2^2)^4 = 2^8.

Question 41Algebraic operations

What is the solution set of the inequality x^2 - x - 6 < 0?

  1. -2 < x < 3 Correct answer.
  2. x < -3 or x > 2
  3. -3 < x < 2
  4. x < -2 or x > 3

Explanation

Factor as (x - 3)(x + 2) < 0; the critical values are 3 and -2. The product of the two factors is negative between the roots because one factor is positive and the other negative there, so the solution is -2 < x < 3.

Question 42Algebraic operations

Which expression is equivalent to |x - 4| when x < 4?

  1. 4 - x Correct answer.
  2. -(x + 4)
  3. x - 4
  4. x + 4

Explanation

Absolute value equals the expression itself when it is nonnegative and its negation when it is negative. If x < 4, then x - 4 < 0, so |x - 4| = -(x - 4) = 4 - x.

Question 43Algebraic operations

The expression (x^3 - 8)/(x - 2) is undefined at x = 2, but the function has a removable discontinuity there. What value should be assigned to make the function continuous at x = 2?

  1. 12 Correct answer.
  2. 0
  3. 8
  4. 4

Explanation

Factor the difference of cubes: x^3 - 8 = (x - 2)(x^2 + 2x + 4). Canceling (x - 2) leaves x^2 + 2x + 4 for x ≠ 2, and evaluating at x = 2 gives 4 + 4 + 4 = 12, the value that removes the discontinuity.

Question 44Algebraic operations

Which of the following is a factor of x^4 - 16 over the integers?

  1. x^2 + 4 Correct answer.
  2. x^2 + 16
  3. x^2 + 8
  4. x^2 - 8

Explanation

Treat x^4 - 16 as a difference of squares: (x^2 - 4)(x^2 + 4). The first factor further splits into (x - 2)(x + 2), but x^2 + 4 is irreducible over the integers and is therefore a factor.

Question 45Algebraic operations

If x + y = 7 and xy = 10, what is the value of x^2 + y^2?

  1. 19
  2. 49
  3. 29 Correct answer.
  4. 39

Explanation

Use the identity x^2 + y^2 = (x + y)^2 - 2xy. Substituting gives 7^2 - 2(10) = 49 - 20 = 29, which matches the values x = 5 and y = 2 that satisfy both given equations.

Question 46Algebraic operations

For which values of x is the expression (x - 1)/(x^2 - 5x + 6) undefined?

  1. x = -2 and x = -3
  2. x = 2 and x = 3 Correct answer.
  3. x = 1 only
  4. x = 1, x = 2, and x = 3

Explanation

A rational expression is undefined wherever its denominator equals zero. Factoring x^2 - 5x + 6 gives (x - 2)(x - 3), which is zero at x = 2 and x = 3; the numerator's zero at x = 1 does not make the expression undefined.

Question 47Algebraic operations

What is the coefficient of x^2 in the expansion of (2x - 3)^4?

  1. -54
  2. 216 Correct answer.
  3. 54
  4. -216

Explanation

By the binomial theorem, the term containing x^2 is C(4,2)(2x)^2(-3)^2 = 6 · 4x^2 · 9 = 216x^2, so the coefficient is 216. Both the x-factor and the constant are squared, so the sign is positive.

Question 48Algebraic operations

Which expression is equivalent to (a^(1/2) · b^(2/3))^6 for positive a and b?

  1. a^12 b^4
  2. a^6 b^4
  3. a^3 b^4 Correct answer.
  4. a^3 b^12

Explanation

Raise each factor to the sixth power by multiplying exponents: (a^(1/2))^6 = a^3 and (b^(2/3))^6 = b^4. The product is a^3 b^4.

Question 49Algebraic operations

If f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 1, what is the minimum value of f(x) on the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 5?

  1. 1
  2. -2
  3. 6
  4. -3 Correct answer.

Explanation

Complete the square: f(x) = (x - 2)^2 - 3, so the vertex is at x = 2, which lies inside the interval. Since the parabola opens upward, the minimum is f(2) = -3; the endpoint values f(0) = 1 and f(5) = 6 are larger.

Question 50Algebraic operations

Which statement describes the end behavior of the polynomial p(x) = -2x^4 + 5x^3 - x + 7?

  1. As x → ∞, p(x) → -∞, and as x → -∞, p(x) → ∞.
  2. As x → ±∞, p(x) → ∞.
  3. As x → ±∞, p(x) → -∞. Correct answer.
  4. As x → ∞, p(x) → ∞, and as x → -∞, p(x) → -∞.

Explanation

End behavior is governed by the leading term -2x^4. Because the degree 4 is even, both ends go the same direction, and because the leading coefficient -2 is negative, both ends fall toward -∞.