Download Algebra 1A Study Guide for Final Exam - coachpate

Algebra 1B Study Guide for Final Exam
Coach Pate
Fall 2010
Preparing for the Final Exam
The final exam for this class will consist of approximately 50 multiple choice questions based on the concepts covered this
semester. I recommend that you review about 4-5 concepts day leading up to the exam and make sure you ask any
questions on the review days of exam week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). Remember that you have your concept
checklist to see which ones you really need to spend time on.
Taking the Final Exam
The night before the exam make sure to review a little but don’t cram. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast
that morning. It sounds silly to say that but it is by far one of the easiest things that you can do to prepare for an exam.
Remember; never leave a multiple choice item blank. Try to eliminate answers that don’t fit and make an educated
guess.
What to Review
The exam will cover Concepts 1-16. Use your old concept tests to get an idea of the types of questions that I like to ask.
You can also use your study guide workbooks, the website for the book or any other online help sites. Check out my
website for links. http://coachpate.wikispaces.com
Chapter 8—Powers
Overview—Students should understand how to write an expression with powers and break powers into expressions.
Sections—1, 2 and 3 in Chapter 8
Types of Problems—Simplifying powers, multiply and divide powers (rules), simplify negative exponents
Chapter 9—Polynomials
Overview—Students should review each section in Chapter 9 paying close attention to the definition of a monomial,
binomial and trinomial and identifying them. Make sure you can find the degree of a polynomial and can list one in
descending or ascending order by variable. Plus all operations on polynomials (add, subtract, multiply, FOIL method, and
special products—these will save you time).
Sections—All sections in Chapter 9
Types of Problems—identifying type of polynomial, what’s the degree, descending/ascending order, add/subtract
polynomials, FOIL method and distributive property, Special products
Chapter 10—Factoring
Overview—Students should review each section in Chapter 10 paying close attention to GCF’s and the prime factorization
of a polynomial. Special products such as the difference of two squares will save you a lot of time on the exam.
Sections—All sections in Chapter 10
Types of Problems—GCF, Prime Factorization, Factoring Trinomials (undoing the FOIL Method), perfect square
trinomials
Chapter 11—Quadratic Functions
Overview—Students should review each section in Chapter 11 except for the sections 2 and 7. Make sure you know what
a parabola is, it’s key values (a,b,c), what direction it opens, and what an equation for one looks like. Be able to find the
axis of symmetry and the coordinates of the vertex. Remember the roots are the solutions to a special case where the
parabola equals zero, or where it crosses the x-axis. To find the roots of a parabola make sure you can use the quadratic
formula.
Sections—Sections 11-1, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6
Types of Problems—Roots and graph of a parabola, solve for roots by factoring, the quadratic equation, find the axis of
symmetry and vertex
Chapter 12—Inequalities
Overview—Students should review graphing inequalities and which symbols represent terms like maximum, minimum, at
least, no more than, etc. Know what an open or closed circle means on the number line
Know how to isolate a variable and solve an inequality, know when to flip the inequality symbol, know how to write
answers in set-builder notation
Sections— Section 12-1, 12-2, 12-3
Types of Problems—Graph inequalities on # line, write an inequality for a verbal expression, solve addition or subtraction,
multiplication or division inequalities