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Precalculus Honors FRQ practice

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

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

Problem 1 · Functions and Graphs · 9 points

Combine functions with domain restrictions

Let f(x)=x−1\displaystyle f(x)=\sqrt{x-1} and g(x)=1x−3\displaystyle g(x)=\frac1{x-3}.

  1. A. Find f(g(x)) and its real domain.
  2. B. Find g(f(x)) and its real domain.
  3. C. Explain why composition order changes the domain.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. f(g(x))=1x−3−1=4−xx−3\displaystyle f(g(x))=\sqrt{\frac1{x-3}-1}=\sqrt{\frac{4-x}{x-3}}. A sign chart gives the domain (3,4]\displaystyle (3,4].
  2. B. g(f(x))=1x−1−3\displaystyle g(f(x))=\frac1{\sqrt{x-1}-3}. Require x≥1\displaystyle x\geq1 and x−1≠3\displaystyle \sqrt{x-1}\ne3, so the domain is [1,10)∪(10,∞)\displaystyle [1,10)\cup(10,\infty).
  3. C. For each composition, the input must be in the inner function domain and its output in the outer function domain. The two orders impose different restrictions.

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: f(g(x))=1x−3−1=4−xx−3\displaystyle f(g(x))=\sqrt{\frac1{x-3}-1}=\sqrt{\frac{4-x}{x-3}}
  • 3 points: g(f(x))=1x−1−3\displaystyle g(f(x))=\frac1{\sqrt{x-1}-3}
  • 3 points: For each composition, the input must be in the inner function domain and its output in the outer function domain
Review this unit

Problem 2 · Trigonometry · 9 points

Solve a phase-shifted equation

For 0≤x<2π\displaystyle 0\leq x<2\pi, solve 2cos⁡(x−π3)=1\displaystyle 2\cos(x-\frac\pi3)=1.

Problem diagram
123456-3-2-1123xy
  1. A. Find every solution with a valid interval argument.
  2. B. State amplitude, period, and phase shift of y = 2cos(x - π/3).
  3. C. Find the maximum locations in the interval.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. cos⁡(x−π/3)=1/2\displaystyle \cos(x-\pi/3)=1/2 gives x−π/3=±π/3+2kπ\displaystyle x-\pi/3=\pm\pi/3+2k\pi, so x=0,2π/3\displaystyle x=0,2\pi/3 in the required interval.
  2. B. Amplitude 2, period 2π\displaystyle 2\pi, and shift right π/3\displaystyle \pi/3. The range is [−2,2]\displaystyle [-2,2].
  3. C. A maximum requires x−π/3=2kπ\displaystyle x-\pi/3=2k\pi, so only x=π/3\displaystyle x=\pi/3 lies in [0,2π)\displaystyle [0,2\pi).
Solution diagram
123456-3-2-1123xy

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: cos⁡(x−π/3)=1/2\displaystyle \cos(x-\pi/3)=1/2 gives x−π/3=±π/3+2kπ\displaystyle x-\pi/3=\pm\pi/3+2k\pi, so x=0,2π/3\displaystyle x=0,2\pi/3 in the required interval.
  • 3 points: Amplitude 2, period 2π\displaystyle 2\pi, and shift right π/3\displaystyle \pi/3
  • 3 points: A maximum requires x−π/3=2kπ\displaystyle x-\pi/3=2k\pi, so only x=π/3\displaystyle x=\pi/3 lies in [0,2π)\displaystyle [0,2\pi).
Review this unit

Problem 3 · Polar, Complex Numbers, and Vectors · 9 points

Rotate a vector with a complex number

Let z=1+i3\displaystyle z=1+i\sqrt3 and regard z as a vector from the origin.

  1. A. Write z in polar form and compute z³.
  2. B. Multiply z by i and interpret the geometric effect.
  3. C. Find the magnitude and direction of the vector for iz.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. ∣z∣=2\displaystyle |z|=2 and arg⁡z=π/3\displaystyle \arg z=\pi/3. Thus z=2(cos⁡(π/3)+isin⁡(π/3))\displaystyle z=2(\cos(\pi/3)+i\sin(\pi/3)) and z3=8(cos⁡π+isin⁡π)=−8\displaystyle z^3=8(\cos\pi+i\sin\pi)=-8.
  2. B. iz=−3+i\displaystyle iz=-\sqrt3+i. Multiplying by i\displaystyle i rotates a vector counterclockwise by π/2\displaystyle \pi/2 without changing its length.
  3. C. The new magnitude is 2 and direction is π/3+π/2=5π/6\displaystyle \pi/3+\pi/2=5\pi/6. Its components are (−3,1)\displaystyle (-\sqrt3,1).

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: ∣z∣=2\displaystyle |z|=2 and arg⁡z=π/3\displaystyle \arg z=\pi/3
  • 3 points: iz=−3+i\displaystyle iz=-\sqrt3+i
  • 3 points: The new magnitude is 2 and direction is π/3+π/2=5π/6\displaystyle \pi/3+\pi/2=5\pi/6
Review this unit

Problem 4 · Systems, Matrices, and Sequences · 9 points

Solve a system by elimination

The equations are 2x+y=7\displaystyle 2x+y=7 and x−y=2\displaystyle x-y=2.

  1. A. Write the augmented matrix and perform row operations.
  2. B. Check the solution and calculate the coefficient determinant.
  3. C. Explain what a zero row with nonzero right side would mean.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. Use the augmented matrix with rows (2,1∣7)\displaystyle (2,1\mid7) and (1,−1∣2)\displaystyle (1,-1\mid2). Swap rows, then subtract twice row 1 from row 2 to get (0,3∣3)\displaystyle (0,3\mid3); hence y=1\displaystyle y=1 and x=3\displaystyle x=3.
  2. B. 2(3)+1=7\displaystyle 2(3)+1=7 and 3−1=2\displaystyle 3-1=2. The determinant is 2(−1)−1(1)=−3≠0\displaystyle 2(-1)-1(1)=-3\ne0, so the solution is unique.
  3. C. A row 0x+0y=c\displaystyle 0x+0y=c with c≠0\displaystyle c\ne0 is a contradiction, so the system would have no solution. A row of all zeros alone does not establish a unique solution.

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: Use the augmented matrix with rows (2,1∣7)\displaystyle (2,1\mid7) and (1,−1∣2)\displaystyle (1,-1\mid2)
  • 3 points: 2(3)+1=7\displaystyle 2(3)+1=7 and 3−1=2\displaystyle 3-1=2
  • 3 points: A row 0x+0y=c\displaystyle 0x+0y=c with c≠0\displaystyle c\ne0 is a contradiction, so the system would have no solution
Review this unit

Problem 5 · Conic Sections · 9 points

Read an ellipse

The ellipse satisfies (x−2)225+(y+1)29=1\displaystyle \frac{(x-2)^2}{25}+\frac{(y+1)^2}{9}=1.

Problem diagram
-4-22468-5-4-3-2-1123xy
  1. A. Find the center, axes, and vertices.
  2. B. Find the foci and explain the focal-distance relation.
  3. C. Find the endpoints of the minor axis and sketch the ellipse.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. The center is (2,−1)\displaystyle (2,-1). The major axis is horizontal with semiaxis a=5\displaystyle a=5 and minor semiaxis b=3\displaystyle b=3. Major vertices are (−3,−1),(7,−1)\displaystyle (-3,-1),(7,-1).
  2. B. c2=a2−b2=25−9=16\displaystyle c^2=a^2-b^2=25-9=16, so c=4\displaystyle c=4. Foci are (−2,−1),(6,−1)\displaystyle (-2,-1),(6,-1); distances to them sum to 2a=10\displaystyle 2a=10 on the ellipse.
  3. C. Minor-axis endpoints are (2,−4),(2,2)\displaystyle (2,-4),(2,2). The ellipse extends 5 units horizontally and 3 vertically from its center.
Solution diagram
-4-22468-5-4-3-2-1123xy

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: The center is (2,−1)\displaystyle (2,-1)
  • 3 points: c2=a2−b2=25−9=16\displaystyle c^2=a^2-b^2=25-9=16, so c=4\displaystyle c=4
  • 3 points: Minor-axis endpoints are (2,−4),(2,2)\displaystyle (2,-4),(2,2)
Review this unit

Problem 6 · Limits and Continuity · 9 points

Repair a removable discontinuity

For x≠2\displaystyle x\ne2, let f(x)=x2−4x−2\displaystyle f(x)=\frac{x^2-4}{x-2}, and set f(2)=k\displaystyle f(2)=k.

Problem diagram
-11234512345678xylimit
  1. A. Evaluate the limit as x approaches 2.
  2. B. Find k for continuity and justify with the definition.
  3. C. Find the average rate of change on [1,3] after making that choice.
Show worked solution and rubric
  1. A. For x≠2\displaystyle x\ne2, f(x)=x+2\displaystyle f(x)=x+2, so lim⁡x→2f(x)=4\displaystyle \lim_{x\to2}f(x)=4.
  2. B. Continuity requires the value to equal the limit, hence k=4\displaystyle k=4. With this choice the entire function equals x+2\displaystyle x+2.
  3. C. The repaired function is f(x)=x+2\displaystyle f(x)=x+2. Its average rate on [1,3]\displaystyle [1,3] is f(3)−f(1)3−1=5−32=1\displaystyle \frac{f(3)-f(1)}{3-1}=\frac{5-3}{2}=1.
Solution diagram
-11234512345678xyk=4

Scoring rubric

  • 3 points: factors and computes the limit of 4.
  • 3 points: sets k = 4 and invokes equality of value and limit.
  • 3 points: shows the average-rate quotient and obtains 1.
Review this unit

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