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Algebra and Trigonometry FRQ practice

7 problems · Worked solutions · 9-point rubrics · Mathematics

Code Scholars practice problems. These are not official exam prompts.

Problem 1 · Functions, Transformations, and Inverses · 9 points

Undo a transformed square root

Let f(x)=2x−3+1\displaystyle f(x)=2\sqrt{x-3}+1.

Problem diagram
23456789101112-1123456789xy(3,1)
  1. A. State domain and range and describe transformations from the square-root parent.
  2. B. Derive the inverse and its domain.
  3. C. Verify the composition on the correct domain.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. The domain is [3,∞)\displaystyle [3,\infty) and range [1,∞)\displaystyle [1,\infty). Shift right 3, stretch vertically by 2, then shift up 1.
  2. B. From y−1=2x−3\displaystyle y-1=2\sqrt{x-3}, obtain x=(y−1)24+3\displaystyle x=\frac{(y-1)^2}{4}+3. Thus f−1(x)=(x−1)24+3\displaystyle f^{-1}(x)=\frac{(x-1)^2}{4}+3 for x≥1\displaystyle x\geq1.
  3. C. f(f−1(x))=2(x−1)2/4+1=∣x−1∣+1=x\displaystyle f(f^{-1}(x))=2\sqrt{(x-1)^2/4}+1=|x-1|+1=x for x≥1\displaystyle x\geq1. The restriction prevents using the wrong branch.
Solution diagram
23456789101112-1123456789xy(3,1)

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: The domain is [3,∞)\displaystyle [3,\infty) and range [1,∞)\displaystyle [1,\infty)
  • 3 points: From y−1=2x−3\displaystyle y-1=2\sqrt{x-3}, obtain x=(y−1)24+3\displaystyle x=\frac{(y-1)^2}{4}+3
  • 3 points: f(f−1(x))=2(x−1)2/4+1=∣x−1∣+1=x\displaystyle f(f^{-1}(x))=2\sqrt{(x-1)^2/4}+1=|x-1|+1=x for x≥1\displaystyle x\geq1
Review this unit

Problem 2 · Quadratic and Polynomial Functions · 9 points

Interpret a repeated zero

Let p(x)=(x−1)2(x+2)\displaystyle p(x)=(x-1)^2(x+2).

Problem diagram
-3-2-1123-8-6-4-22468101214xy(-2,0)(1,0)
  1. A. Find the zeros, multiplicities, and y-intercept.
  2. B. Determine the sign on each interval separated by its zeros.
  3. C. State end behavior and whether the graph crosses or touches at each zero.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. The zeros are 1\displaystyle 1 with multiplicity 2 and −2\displaystyle -2 with multiplicity 1. The y-intercept is p(0)=2\displaystyle p(0)=2.
  2. B. The squared factor is positive away from 1. The polynomial is negative on (−∞,−2)\displaystyle (-\infty,-2) and positive on (−2,1)\displaystyle (-2,1) and (1,∞)\displaystyle (1,\infty).
  3. C. The leading term is x3\displaystyle x^3: p(x)→−∞\displaystyle p(x)\to-\infty as x→−∞\displaystyle x\to-\infty and p(x)→∞\displaystyle p(x)\to\infty as x→∞\displaystyle x\to\infty. The graph crosses at −2\displaystyle -2 and touches without changing sign at 1.
Solution diagram
-3-2-1123-8-6-4-22468101214xy(-2,0)(1,0)

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: The zeros are 1\displaystyle 1 with multiplicity 2 and −2\displaystyle -2 with multiplicity 1
  • 3 points: The squared factor is positive away from 1
  • 3 points: The leading term is x3\displaystyle x^3: p(x)→−∞\displaystyle p(x)\to-\infty as x→−∞\displaystyle x\to-\infty and p(x)→∞\displaystyle p(x)\to\infty as x→∞\displaystyle x\to\infty
Review this unit

Problem 3 · Radical and Rational Functions · 9 points

Separate a hole from an asymptote

Let r(x)=x2−1x2−x−2\displaystyle r(x)=\frac{x^2-1}{x^2-x-2}.

Problem diagram
-4-3-2-1123456-5-4-3-2-1123456xyhole
  1. A. State the original domain and simplify where allowed.
  2. B. Locate the hole and all vertical and horizontal asymptotes.
  3. C. Solve r(x) = 0 and explain why a canceled factor is still excluded.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. Factor to get (x−1)(x+1)(x−2)(x+1)=x−1x−2\displaystyle \frac{(x-1)(x+1)}{(x-2)(x+1)}=\frac{x-1}{x-2} for x≠−1,2\displaystyle x\ne-1,2.
  2. B. At x=−1\displaystyle x=-1 the simplified value is 23\displaystyle \frac23, so the hole is (−1,23)\displaystyle (-1,\frac23). The vertical asymptote is x=2\displaystyle x=2 and horizontal asymptote is y=1\displaystyle y=1.
  3. C. Only x=1\displaystyle x=1 is a zero. Cancellation gives an equivalent rule only on the original domain; it cannot define a missing original value.
Solution diagram
-4-3-2-1123456-5-4-3-2-1123456xyhole

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: Factor to get (x−1)(x+1)(x−2)(x+1)=x−1x−2\displaystyle \frac{(x-1)(x+1)}{(x-2)(x+1)}=\frac{x-1}{x-2} for x≠−1,2\displaystyle x\ne-1,2.
  • 3 points: At x=−1\displaystyle x=-1 the simplified value is 23\displaystyle \frac23, so the hole is (−1,23)\displaystyle (-1,\frac23)
  • 3 points: Only x=1\displaystyle x=1 is a zero
Review this unit

Problem 4 · Exponential and Logarithmic Functions · 9 points

Model a growing culture

A culture has P(t)=500⋅2t/3\displaystyle P(t)=500\cdot2^{t/3} cells, with t≥0\displaystyle t\geq0 hours.

Problem diagram
12345678950010001500200025003000350040004500xy50010002000
  1. A. Interpret the initial value and doubling time.
  2. B. Solve exactly for the time at which there are 3000 cells.
  3. C. Write the inverse and state its domain for this physical model.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. P(0)=500\displaystyle P(0)=500 cells. Increasing t\displaystyle t by 3 multiplies the population by 2, so the doubling time is 3 hours.
  2. B. 2t/3=6\displaystyle 2^{t/3}=6, hence t=3log⁡26=3ln⁡6ln⁡2\displaystyle t=3\log_2 6=\frac{3\ln6}{\ln2} hours, approximately 7.755 hours.
  3. C. t=3log⁡2(P/500)\displaystyle t=3\log_2(P/500), with P≥500\displaystyle P\geq500. The physical restriction t≥0\displaystyle t\geq0 excludes smaller populations in the inverse model.
Solution diagram
12345678950010001500200025003000350040004500xy50010002000

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: P(0)=500\displaystyle P(0)=500 cells
  • 3 points: 2t/3=6\displaystyle 2^{t/3}=6, hence t=3log⁡26=3ln⁡6ln⁡2\displaystyle t=3\log_2 6=\frac{3\ln6}{\ln2} hours, approximately 7.755 hours.
  • 3 points: t=3log⁡2(P/500)\displaystyle t=3\log_2(P/500), with P≥500\displaystyle P\geq500
Review this unit

Problem 5 · Unit Circle and Trigonometric Functions · 9 points

Locate an exact angle

An angle is θ=5π6\displaystyle \theta=\frac{5\pi}{6}.

  1. A. Convert to degrees and identify the reference angle and quadrant.
  2. B. Find sine, cosine, and tangent exactly.
  3. C. Give all angles in [0, 2π) with the same sine.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. θ=150∘\displaystyle \theta=150^\circ, with reference angle π6\displaystyle \frac\pi6 in Quadrant II.
  2. B. sin⁡θ=12\displaystyle \sin\theta=\frac12, cos⁡θ=−32\displaystyle \cos\theta=-\frac{\sqrt3}{2}, and tan⁡θ=−33\displaystyle \tan\theta=-\frac{\sqrt3}{3}.
  3. C. The angles are π6\displaystyle \frac\pi6 and 5π6\displaystyle \frac{5\pi}6. Sine is positive in Quadrants I and II.

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: θ=150∘\displaystyle \theta=150^\circ, with reference angle π6\displaystyle \frac\pi6 in Quadrant II.
  • 3 points: sin⁡θ=12\displaystyle \sin\theta=\frac12, cos⁡θ=−32\displaystyle \cos\theta=-\frac{\sqrt3}{2}, and tan⁡θ=−33\displaystyle \tan\theta=-\frac{\sqrt3}{3}.
  • 3 points: The angles are π6\displaystyle \frac\pi6 and 5π6\displaystyle \frac{5\pi}6
Review this unit

Problem 6 · Trigonometric Graphs and Models · 9 points

Model a Ferris wheel

A rider starts at the lowest point, 2 meters above ground. The wheel radius is 10 meters and one revolution takes 40 seconds. Let t be seconds after starting.

Problem diagram
51015202530354024681012141618202224xy
  1. A. Write a height model and explain each parameter.
  2. B. Find the height at t = 10 and all times in the first revolution at height 12.
  3. C. State the domain and range for one revolution and sketch the cycle.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. h(t)=12−10cos⁡(π20t)\displaystyle h(t)=12-10\cos(\frac\pi{20}t). The midline is 12 meters, amplitude 10 meters, and angular frequency 2π40=π20\displaystyle \frac{2\pi}{40}=\frac\pi{20}.
  2. B. h(10)=12\displaystyle h(10)=12 meters. Solving cos⁡(π20t)=0\displaystyle \cos(\frac\pi{20}t)=0 gives t=10,30\displaystyle t=10,30 seconds in the first revolution.
  3. C. For one revolution, 0≤t≤40\displaystyle 0\leq t\leq40 and 2≤h≤22\displaystyle 2\leq h\leq22. Key points are (0,2),(10,12),(20,22),(30,12),(40,2)\displaystyle (0,2),(10,12),(20,22),(30,12),(40,2).
Solution diagram
51015202530354024681012141618202224xy

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: h(t)=12−10cos⁡(π20t)\displaystyle h(t)=12-10\cos(\frac\pi{20}t)
  • 3 points: h(10)=12\displaystyle h(10)=12 meters
  • 3 points: For one revolution, 0≤t≤40\displaystyle 0\leq t\leq40 and 2≤h≤22\displaystyle 2\leq h\leq22
Review this unit

Problem 7 · Identities and Trigonometric Equations · 9 points

Solve without losing roots

Solve 2sin⁡2x−sin⁡x=0\displaystyle 2\sin^2x-\sin x=0 for 0≤x<2π\displaystyle 0\leq x<2\pi.

  1. A. Factor and find all solutions.
  2. B. Explain why dividing by sin(x) loses solutions.
  3. C. Verify the identity (1-cos²x)/sin(x) = sin(x), stating its domain.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. sin⁡x(2sin⁡x−1)=0\displaystyle \sin x(2\sin x-1)=0. Thus x=0,π,π6,5π6\displaystyle x=0,\pi,\frac\pi6,\frac{5\pi}6. The endpoint 2π\displaystyle 2\pi is excluded.
  2. B. Dividing by sin⁡x\displaystyle \sin x assumes it is nonzero and loses x=0,π\displaystyle x=0,\pi. Factoring preserves those cases.
  3. C. Using 1−cos⁡2x=sin⁡2x\displaystyle 1-\cos^2x=\sin^2x gives sin⁡2x/sin⁡x=sin⁡x\displaystyle \sin^2x/\sin x=\sin x only when sin⁡x≠0\displaystyle \sin x\ne0, or x≠kπ\displaystyle x\ne k\pi for integer k\displaystyle k.

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: sin⁡x(2sin⁡x−1)=0\displaystyle \sin x(2\sin x-1)=0
  • 3 points: Dividing by sin⁡x\displaystyle \sin x assumes it is nonzero and loses x=0,π\displaystyle x=0,\pi
  • 3 points: Using 1−cos⁡2x=sin⁡2x\displaystyle 1-\cos^2x=\sin^2x gives sin⁡2x/sin⁡x=sin⁡x\displaystyle \sin^2x/\sin x=\sin x only when sin⁡x≠0\displaystyle \sin x\ne0, or x≠kπ\displaystyle x\ne k\pi for integer k\displaystyle k.
Review this unit

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