| Mathematics |
Competencies measured by the ACT
CAAP:
• Intermediate Algebra. Items in this category assess students'
understanding of exponents, rational expressions, and systems of linear
equations. Other concepts such as the quadratic formula and absolute
value inequalities may also be tested.
• Coordinate Geometry. Knowledge and skills
assessed in this category may include graphing in the standard
coordinate plane or the real number line, graphing conics, linear
equations in two variables, graphing systems of equations, and similar
types of skills.
• College Algebra. Items in this category
are based on advanced algebra concepts including rational exponents,
exponential and logarithmic functions, complex numbers, matrices,
inverses of functions, and domains and ranges.
Competencies measured by final test in College
Algebra:
• Apply properties of real numbers .
• Simplify integral exponents.
• Add , subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials.
• Factor polynomials that are perfect squares trinomials, difference of
two squares, difference of two cubes, sum of two cubes, and trinomials
of the form ax2 + bx + c, where a = 1 and a is different from 1.
• Simplify rational expressions .
• Convert exponential expressions to rational expressions and rational
expressions to exponential expressions.
• Rationalize numerators and denominators.
• Find the unknown side of a right triangle using the Pythagorean
Theorem.
• Use the distance formula to calculate distances between given points.
• Solve linear equations and transfer to real life applications.
• Solve quadratic equations using factoring , extracting the roots, and
completing the square, and the quadratic formula.
• Solve equations involving radicals, exponents, or absolute value.
• Plot points on the rectangular coordinate graph and find distance
between the points.
• Using the midpoint formula, calculate the coordinates of the midpoint.
• Graph linear equations.
• Find the slope and intercepts of linear equations.
• Fine the equation of a line, using point-slope form and the
slope-intercept form of an equation of a line.
• Find an equation of a line that is parallel and an equation of a line
that is perpendicular to a given line.
• Graph a circle , using the center and the radius.
• Find the equation of a circle, given the center and the radius.
• Solve application problems, using direct, inverse, and joint
variation.
• Find the domain and range of a relation.
• Using the definition of function, determine whether a given relation
is a function.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers .
• Use synthetic division to find the real roots of a polynomial.
• Solve and graph logarithmic equations.
• Solve and graph exponential equations.
• Solve application problems involving logarithmic and exponential
equations.
• Solve a system of two linear equations in two variables by graphing.
• Solve a system of two linear equations using the substitution and
elimination methods.
• Use systems of linear equations to solve applied problems.
Indirect measures from alumni survey, student
surveys, etc.:
• Student ratings of competency in the area of mathematics.
• Student ratings of instruction in the area of mathematics.
• Student ratings of preparation for transfer courses. |
• ACT CAAP for graduating students;
used as a benchmark and aspirational measure
• Final tests in College Algebra, the college
level mathematics course taken by the majority of students in transfer
programs
• Indirect evidence from CSC Alumni Survey and
other program level surveys |
