Sample Questions
for Elementary Algebra
The actual CPT elementary algebra test will have 12 multiplechoice
questions. These practice sets are not multiple choice ,
but they do cover the topics you could see on the actual test.
The answers are on pages 13 and 14.
Topic 1: Multiplying Binomials
Topic 2: Absolute Value
Topic 3: Inequalities /intermediate-algebra.html">Combining Like Terms
Topic 4: Exponents
Topic 5: Evaluating Ex pressions
1. Evaluate x2 - 5x - 2 when x = -2
2. Evaluate 2x2 - 3x - 5 when x = -4
3. Evaluate 
when x = -3
Topic 6: Solving Linear Equations
Topic 7: Formulas
1. a = 2b + c solve for c
c=
2. A = B/C solve for B B=
3. 
solve for b
b=
4. a = b2 solve for b b=
5. 
solve for b
b=
Topic 8: Factoring
Topic 9: Quadratic Equations
Topic 10: Inequalities
(Solve and graph on a number line ).
Topic 11: Linear Equations in 2 Variables
1. Given: 3x + 2y = 12, if x = 4, then y =
2. Given: y = 4x + 5, if x = 2, then y =
3. Given: 2x + 5y = 10, find three ordered pairs
that satisfy the equation.
4. Given: y = 3x - 2, find three ordered pairs that
satisfy the equation.
5. If x + y = 20 and y = 3x, then x =
Topic 12: System of Equations
1. 3x + y = 6
x - 3y = 2
x =
2. x - 5y = 8
2x - 7y = 11
x =
Topic 13: Radicals
Topic 14: Rational Numbers
Topic 15: Complex Fractions
ANSWERS to Sample Questions
Arithmetic
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. A
10. B
11. B
12. B
13. C
14. C
15. A
16. C
17. C
18. C
19. B
20. D
21. D
22. B
23. C
24. B
25. D
Elementary Algebra
Topic 1
1. x2 - x - 6
2. 2x2 + 19x + 35
3. 15x2 + x - 6
4. x2 - 16
5. a2 - b2
6. 81 - x2
7. x2 + 20x + 100
8. x2 - 6x + 9
9. x2 + 2xy + y2
10. 25x2 + 60x + 36
Topic 2
1. 5
2. 5
3. x
Topic 3
1. 8x2 - x
2. 20x + 3y
Topic 4
1. -32
2. 16
3. 4/9
4. 49x2
5. 7
6. x
7. 7x
8. 28x
Topic 5
1. 12
2. 39
3. -5
Topic 6
1. 3
2. 7/2
3. 3
Topic 7
Topic 8
1. 5(4x - 1)
2. (x + 4) (x + 2)
3. (x - 4) (x - 3)
4. (x - 3) (x - 2)
5. (3x + 7)2
6. (5x + 4)2
Topic 9
1. 4, 5
2. -7, -5
3. 0, 3
4. 0, -3, -2
5. 0, 5, 3
Topic 10
Topic 11
1. 0
2. 13
3. (0, 2), (5, 0), (1, 8/5)
(other answers are possible)
4. (0, -2), (1, 1), (2, 4)
(other answers are possible)
5. 5
Topic 12
1. 2
2. -1/3
Topic 13
Topic 14
Topic 15
