The practice sets below were written to allow you to do well on Diagnostic Test 4 for placement into Math 122, 124, 126, or 128. 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY: 

If you want to pass a Diagnostic Test, you MUST study its concept with the same attentiveness as you would before you take any math test or final exam in a traditional course.  You should plan to spend at least 8 weeks studying the concepts for a particular Diagnostic Test using a time schedule to keep you on target.

The following study process is suggested:

  1. Do the problem sets reviewing the Diagnostic Test concept in order.  Try not to compare your answers with the given answers until you have done all of the problems.  If you do not know how to answer a question, go to the next one.
  2. Once you are finished working on a problem set, compare your answers with the given answers posted below the set.
  3. If your answers are all correct, go to the next problem set.
  4. If some or all of your answers are incorrect or if you did not know how to find any of the answers, go back to the Diagnostic Test and click on the "Detailed Solutions and Concepts" document for a particular problem set and do the following:
  1. Read and understand the pertinent concepts.  This may take some time!  While you are reading, use note cards to jot down a formula, a definition, a process, a property, and/or a theorem.  It also would not hurt to write down any mistakes you seem to keep on making.  These note cards make great reminders just before you take the Diagnostic Test.
If you still have trouble understanding the concepts, read the appropriate sections in a math textbook in the CSN library.  Don't worry if you do not understand a new concept right away.  As you read more about it and work through the problems, you will gain understanding.  Each time you look back at a topic you will understand it a little better.  Not very many mathematics students understand each concept completely right from the start.
  1. Work all of the problems in the "Detailed Solutions and Concepts" document paying close attention to the illustrated solution paths.
  2. Finally, go back to the original problem set and work the problems again without any help from the "Detailed Solutions and Concepts" document.

NOTE:  You will know when you have studied "for retention" once you can do all of the problem sets without any mistakes and without any help from the "Detailed Solutions and Concepts" documents.

NOTE:  It is assumed that you are familiar with all of the Diagnostic Test 1, 2 and 3 Concepts!

1.  Operations on Irrational Numbers - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Operations on Irrational Numbers

2.  Operations on Imaginary Numbers - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Operations on Imaginary Numbers

3.  Quadratic Equations - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Quadratic Equations

4.  Rational Expressions and Equations - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Rational Expressions and Equations

5.  Graphical Representation of Linear Equations in Two Variables - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Graphical Representation of Linear Equations in Two Variables

6.  Algebraic Representation of Linear Equations in Two Variables - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Algebraic Representation of Linear Equations in Two Variables

7.  Systems of Linear Equations - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Systems of Linear Equations

8.  Graphical Representation of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Graphical Representation of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

9.   Introduction to Functions - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Introduction to Functions

10.   Graphs of Common Functions - Problems and Solutions

Detailed Solutions and Concepts - Graphs of some Common Functions