HCC MATH 25 - KNOWLEDGE SURVEY- FALL '08

This is a Knowledge Survey rather than a "test." There are no right or wrong answers. While you will not be graded on this survey, please be very candid in your responses!

By completing this survey, both at the beginning and at the end of the semester, your instructor will be able to gauge your initial level of knowledge and then measure the amount of knowledge you gain during the semester. This information will help your instructor modify and improve the course.

Read each statement carefully and then choose a response based on the following instructions:

Mark A as your response to the item if you are not confident in your skills in the area and do not feel you can adequately demonstrate these skills on a test.

Mark B as your response to the item if you feel somewhat confident that you are reasonably skilled in the area and can demonstrate these skills at a reasonable level on a test.

Mark C as your response to the item if you feel very confident that you are highly skilled in the area and can demonstrate these skills at a high level on a test.


Which class are you in:
T R 5:30 PM CABLE

Your skill level in area:

EXPONENTS AND POLYNOMIALS

A: Low B: Modest C: High
Define base
Define exponent
Know and use product rule for exponents
Know and use quotient rule for exponents
Evaluate expressions with zero exponent(s)
Know and use power rule for exponents
Know and use expanded power rule for exponents
Define and use negative exponents
Define scientific notation
Calculate using scientific notation
Convert from decimal form to scientific notation
Convert from scientific notation to decimal notation
Define polynomial
Add polynomials
Subtract polynomials
Multiply monomial by monomial
Multiply polynomial by a monomial
Multiply binomials using distributive property
Multiply binomials using FOIL method
Square a binomial
Multiply binomials that result in the difference of two squares
Multiply any two polynomials
Write a polynomial in descending order
Divide a monomial by a monomial
Divide a polynomial by a monomial
Divide polynomial by a polynomial

FACTORING

A: Low B: Modest C: High
Define factoring
Factor a monomial from a polynomial
Factor by grouping
Factor trinomials with leading coefficient of 1
Factor general trinomials
Factor the difference of two squares
Factor perfect square trinomials
Factor the sum of two cubes
Factor the difference of two cubes
Factor expressions involving more than one type of factoring


RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS

A: Low B: Modest C: High
Define rational expression
Simplify rational expressions
Multiply rational expressions
Divide rational expressions
Add and/or subtract rational expressions with common denominators
Find least common denominator of rational expressions
Add and/or subtract rational expressions with different denominators
Simplify complex fractions
Solve equations involving rational expressions
Solve word problems involving rational expressions
Define direct variation
Define inverse variation
Use direct and/or inverse variation in solving word problems

ROOTS AND RADICALS

A: Low B: Modest C: High
Define square root
Define index
Define radical
Define radicand
Evaluate square root using a calculator
Add radicals
Subtract radicals
Divide radicals
Define rationalization
Multiply radicals
Solve radical equations
Use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a graph
Identify the Pythagorean theorem
Apply the Pythagorean theorem
Simplify radical expressions with an index greater than 2

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

A: Low B: Modest C: High
Solve quadratic equations using the square root property
Solve quadratic equations by factoring
Solve quadratic equations by completing the square
Use the discriminate to determine the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation
Graph quadratic functions of the form
y = ax2 + bx + c
Define parabola
Determine the axis of symmetry of a parabola
Determine the vertex of a parabola
Define quadratic equation
Mahalo for completing the Knowledge Survey!