MATH 21 NAME

EXAM III STUDENT NUMBER

INSTRUCTOR

SAMPLE B SECTION NUMBER

On your scantron, write and bubble your PSU ID, Section Number, and Test Version. Failure
to correctly code these items may result in a loss of 5 points on the exam.

On your scantron, bubble letters corresponding to your answers on indicated questions. It

is a good idea for future review to circle your answers in the test booklet.

Check that your exam contains 20 questions numbered sequentially.

Answer Questions 1-20 on your scantron.

Each multiple choice question is worth 5 points.

THE USE OF A CALCULATOR, CELL PHONE, OR ANY

OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE IS NOT PERMITTED IN THIS
EXAMINATION.

THE USE OF NOTES OF ANY KIND IS NOT PERMITTED

DURING THIS EXAMINATION.
MATH 21 EXAM III, SAMPLE B PAGE 2

1. Solve the polynomial equation for x: x3 − 4x2 = x2 − 6x.

a) {2, 3}
b) {0, −2, −3}
c) {0, 2, 3}

d) {−2, −3}

2. Find the zero(es) of the polynomial function f (x) = x3 + 3x2 − x − 3.

a) {−3, −1, 1}

b) {−1, 1}
c) {9}
d) {−3, −1, 0, 1}

x−1
3. Determine the domain of the rational function R(x) = . Express your answer
2x2 + 5x − 3
in set-builder notation.
 
1
a) x|x 6= −3, 1,
2
 
3
b) x|x 6= − , 1
2
 
1
c) x|x 6= − , 0, 1
2
 
1
d) x|x 6= −3,
2
MATH 21 EXAM III, SAMPLE B PAGE 3

z 3 + 2z 2 − 35z
4. Simplify the rational expression .
3z 4 − 75z 2
z+7
a)
3z(z + 5)
z−7
b)
3z(z + 5)
z+7
c)
3z 2 (z
+ 5)
z−7
d)
3z 2 (z + 5)

5. Divide the expressions and simplify.

a2 − 16 2a + 8
÷
a+3 a−3

2(a + 4)2 (a − 4)
a)
(a + 3)(a − 3)
(a − 4)(a − 3)
b)
2(a + 3)
(a − 4)(a − 3)
c)
a+3
(a + 4)(a − 3)
d)
2(a + 3)

6. Multiply and divide the following expressions, and simplify.

x + 6 2x − 12 x2 − 36
· ÷
x+1 4x 10x

5
a)
x+1
1
b)
40(x + 1)
(x + 6)2 (x − 6)2
c)
20x2 (x + 1)
5(x + 6)(x − 6)
d)
(x + 1)(x2 − 36)
MATH 21 EXAM III, SAMPLE B PAGE 4

7. Subtract the expressions and simplify if possible.

x 4
2
− 2
x − 16 x + 5x + 4

x2 − 3
a)
(x − 4)(x + 4)(x + 1)
x2 + 3x − 16
b)
(x − 4)(x + 4)(x + 1)
x2 − 3x + 16
c)
(x − 4)(x + 4)(x + 1)
x2 + 3x + 16
d)
(x − 4)(x + 4)

8. Simplify the complex rational expression

9
x2 − 2x − 24
x+9
x+4
9
a)
(x − 6)(x + 9)
x+4
b)
(x − 6)(x + 9)
9
c)
(x + 6)(x + 9)
1
d)
x(x − 6)
 MATH 21 EXAM III, SAMPLE B PAGE 5

9. Simplify the complex rational expression

3x−1 − 5y −1
8x−2 − 3y −2

8x2 − 3y 2
a)
3x − 5y
3xy 2 − 5x2 y
b)
8y 2 − 3x2
−3xy 2 + 5x2 y
c)
−8y 2 − 3x2
8y 2 − 3x2
d)
3xy 2 − 5x2 y

10. Solve for x.

1 1 x−7
+ =
x x−8 x−8

a) x = 1
b) x = −1, x = 8

c) x = −8, x = 1
d) x = 1, x = 8

11. Solve for x.

1 3 1
+ =− 2
x+5 x+4 x + 9x + 20

a) x = −5
b) x = 4
c) x = 0

d) There is no solution.
 MATH 21 EXAM III, SAMPLE B PAGE 6

12. A hose can fill a hot tub in 300 minutes, while the drain can empty it in 900 minutes. If the
drain is accidentally left open, how long will it take to fill the hot tub?

a) 225 minutes
b) 450 minutes

c) 600 minutes
d) 900 minutes

p
13. Evaluate (−27)2 x6 , where x is an arbitrary real number.

a) −27|x3 |

b) 27|x3 |

c) 27x3

d) −27x3

√
4
14. Find the domain of f (x) = 3 − 2x.
 
3
a) ,∞
2
 
2
b) −∞,
3
 
3
c) −∞,
2
d) (−∞, ∞)
 MATH 21 EXAM III, SAMPLE B PAGE 7
√
3
15. If f (x) = x + 2, find f (−10).

a) −2
b) 4

c) 2
d) −8

1/3
8x1/4 y 5

16. Simplify .
x1/4

a) 2y 5

b) y 5/3

c) 2y 3/5

d) 2y 5/3

√
3
17. Simplify −64a8 b5 .
√
3
a) 4ab a2 b2
√ 3
b) −4a2 b a2 b2
√3
c) −4ab a3 b3
√
3
d) −4 a2 b2
 MATH 21 EXAM III, SAMPLE B PAGE 8
p
x7 y 11
18. Simplify p . Assume all variables represent positive numbers.
x5 y 6
√
a) xy 2 x
√
b) xy y
√
c) x2 y y
√
d) xy 2 y

√ √
19. Multiply and simplify as much as possible: (2 3 + 6)(2 3 + 4).
√
a) 36 + 8 3
√
b) 36 3
√
c) 28 3 + 8
√
d) 36 + 20 3

3
20. Rationalize the denominator of √ .
x+5
√
3 x − 15
a)
x2 + 25
√
3 x − 15
b)
x − 25
√
3 x − 15
c)
x2 − 25
√
−3 x − 15
d)
x − 25