The first part of the Math Placement Test (MPT) covers elementary algebra which is commonly called "Algebra 1" in high school. A score of 15 or more out of 20 will excuse a student from taking Math 40. The content is presented here as material from the textbook currently used at HSU for Math 40.
Math Placement Test Part I
Elementary Algebra
Text: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra , 2nd edition by Martin-Gay .
| Section(s) | Topic |
| 1.1, 1.2 | Algebra and operations |
| 1.3, 1.4 | Addition, multiplication and subtraction |
| 1.5, 1.6 | Algebraic expressions |
| 2.1, 2.2 | Adding signed numbers |
| 2.3, 2.4 | Subtracting and multiplying signed numbers |
| 2.5 | Dividing signed numbers |
| 3.1, 3.2 | Solving equations by adding or subtracting |
| 3.3, 3.4 | Solving equations |
| 3.5, 3.6 | Literal equations and inequalities |
| 3.7 | Solving linear inequalities |
| 4.1, 4.2 | Introduction to polynomials |
| 4.3, 4.4 | Multiplying polynomials |
| 4.5 | Dividing polynomials |
| 4.6 | More on linear equations |
| 5.1, 5.2 | Factoring, difference of two squares |
| 5.3 | Factoring trinomials -- Part I |
| 5.4 | Factoring trinomials-- Part 2 |
| 5.5 | Solving equations by factoring |
| 5.6 | Applications |
| 6.1 | Algebraic fractions |
| 6.2 | Algebraic fractions in simplest form |
| 6.3 | Combining fractions |
| 6.4 | Adding and subtracting like fractions |
| 6.5 | Adding and subtracting unlike fractions |
| 6.7,6.8 | Equations involving fractions and more applications (simple cases) |
| 7.1,7.2 | Equations in two variables |
| 7.3,7.4 | Graphing linear equations, slope |
| 8.1,8.2 | Systems of linear equations: Solve by graphing and adding |
| 8.3 | Systems of linear equations: Solve by substitution |
| 8.4 | Systems of linear equations: Applications |
| 9.1,9.2 | Properties of exponents, zero and negative exponents |
| 9.3,9.4 | Roots and radicals, simplifying radical exponents |
| 9.5 | Adding and subtracting radicals |
| 9.6 | Multiplying and dividing radicals |
Update:
1/5/98