Doing the Math - JHU Mathematics - Johns Hopkins University

Accuplacer Sample VSC Algebra I/ HSA VSC Notes
Skill Problem Data Analysis Comparable Additional
Problem Topics
Solving linear
inequalities
(continued)
Solving quadratic
equations (by
factoring)
Verbal problems
presented in an
algebraic context,
including geometric
reasoning and
graphing
Translation of
written phrases
into algebraic
expressions
In the figure below,
both circles have
the same center,
and the radius of
the larger circle is
R. If the radius of
the smaller circle is
3 units less than R,
which of the
following represents
the area of the
shaded region?
If A represents the
number of apples
purchased at 15
cents each, and B
represents the
number of bananas
purchased at 10
cents each, which
of the following
represents the total
value of the
purchases in cents?
1.1.3 The student
will apply addition,
subtraction,
multiplication,
and/or division of
algebraic
expressions to
mathematical and
real-world
problems.
(continued on next page)
• Graph the
inequality on the
grid provided in
the Answer Book.
• On Thursday,
Ichiro spent exactly
$60 on lunch and
dinner. He spent
three times as
much on dinner as
he spent on lunch.
How much did
Ichiro spend on
lunch? How much
did Ichiro spend
on dinner? Use
mathematics to
explain how you
determined your
answers. Use
words, symbols,
or both in your
explanations.
Three students sold
pizzas to raise
money. Dwayne sold
x pizzas. Tamara sold
x+20 pizzas. Rueben
sold 3(x+20) pizzas.
Which of these
expressions
represents the total
number of pizzas
that all three
students sold?
1.1.4.2 The student
will solve quadratic
equations by
factoring and
graphing.
APPENDICES
Factoring is not in
the VSC or the
HSA.
Geometry is
essentially
missing from the
VSC and the HSA.
A problem like this
one could go
either way.
The one-variable
limit in the “Skill
Statement” for
1.1.3 is
problematic.
However, many of
the other
indicators include
context in their
“Assessment
Limits” and “Skill
Statement.”
Doing the Math 41