| Mathematics |
Exam type:
CLEP: 60 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes
Typical credits: 3 - 6 units
The College Mathematics CLEP is one of five of the original General Examinations. It is very broad in scope. It is similar to a one year survey course taught at many colleges. It can be a real challenge as you have to answer 60 questions in 90 minutes. It tests not only facts but also understanding and analysis of data.NOTE: There is no on-line course that appears to relate directly to this exam. I have drawn from several courses and exhibits that seem to reflect the content required on the CLEP. Featured faculty and their home pages can be found at the end of this page.
(I didn't promise you a rose garden. See disclaimer.) The topics in bold face are those The College Board indicates will be found on the exams. The percentages given after the main topic headings are only approximate. Always contact The College Board for the latest information.
Sets - 10%
Union and Intersection Subsets Venn Diagrams Cartesian Product Logic - 10%
Truth Tables Conjunctions and Disjunctions Negations Conditional statements Necessary and sufficient conditions Converse, inverse and contrapositive Hypothesie, conclusions and counterexamples Real Number System - 20%
Prime and composie numbers Odd and even numbers Factors and divisability Rational and irrational number Absolute value and order Binary number system Functions and their Graphs - 20%
Domain and range Linear, polynomial, composite, and inverse functions Probability and Statistics - 25%
Counting problems, including permutations and combinations Computation of probabilities of simple and compoud events Simple conditional probability The mean and median Additional Algebra Topics - 15%
Complex numbers Logarithms and exponentials Applications
Getting Started
Here is one way that you can begin. (If you haven't read a general step-by-step guide, this might be a good time. See also How to Budget Your Time)
Using the Free University Project Study Guide
A) Read the Introductory Material suggested in the Study Guide.
B) Read the material in the first two or three topics in the Study Guide. In order to stay focused, only follow those links within the lectures and outlines that seem to be directly related to the subject matter at hand. Take your own notes. If you print out the material, highlight key definitions and concepts for review. Add your own marginal notes.
C) Read corresponding material in a textbook of your choice.
D) Read the next two or three topics as you did in B)
E) Take the on-line quizzes.
Repeat the cycle. Periodically take time to review; do suggested exercises; take a practice CLEP exam and review areas of weakness.
Remember to keep your journal up to date.
(Take one or two planning sessions and examine the three review sites below. Print out the first page or two for future reference of the subjects that interest you, as they are like a table of contents for the subject. Then set up a calendar for study sessions. Remember to make entries in your journal at the end of each study session.)
A great place to start is Math League Help Topics As it is aimed at 4th through 8th graders you should be able to breeze through this site. You should know these concepts cold. Topics include:
Another good initial site is Math for Moron's Like Us. This is a teacher-coordinated student project that includes sections on Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus/Calculus. Each section is broken down into structured units. (For example, Algebra contains units on: Exponents, Single Variable Equations, Multi-Variable Equations, Word Problems, Factoring, Fractions, Ratios, Graphing on Number Lines, Graphing on Coordinate Plane, Square Roots, and Scientific Notation.)
Following the above another review, that also includes short quizzes, each with three levels of difficulty, can be found at Excercises in Math Readiness University of Saskatchewan. Click on English (or other language) and then click on Main Menu.
Basic Math Concepts and Fundamentals Logan -- Dallas County Community College District. Meant for his chemistry students but a good review for all.
Math for Morons Like Us
Pre Algebra
Basic Equations Basic Graphing Fractions Understanding Algebra An online textbook that can also be downloaded.
The Numbers of Arithmetic
the Real Number System Addition and Subtraction Multiplication and Division Positive Integer Exponents Order of Operations Fractions Decimals Percents Properties of Real Numbers Teaching Modules from Elizabeth Stapel's Math Page (She writes: The modules I've written give practical tips, hints, and examples, and point out common mistakes. They are cross-referenced, and some contain little "quizlets" to check your understanding.
Calculators
Canceling Units
Domain and Range
Factoring Quadratics
Grade Five Grade Six Math for Morons Like Us
AlgebraExponents Single Variable Equations Multi-Variable Equations Word Problems Factoring Fractions Ratios Number Lines Coordinate Plane Square Roots Scientific Notation Understanding Algebra
Introduction to Algebra
Algebraic Expressions Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Ssolutions ofAlgebraic Equations
The Addition Principle The Multiplication Principle Using the Principles Together Teaching Modules from Elizabeth Stapel's Math Page
Function Notation
Functions
Graphing
Intercepts
Percent of / increase / decrease / markup / markdown
Piecewise Functions:
definition of
graphing of
Radicals (square roots)
Translation (word problems)
"distance" problems using "d = rt" "investment" problems using simple interest "mixture" problems "work" problems Variables
Vertical Line Test
Math to Build On book excerpts of basic math and geometry. Contains a good glossary.
Math for Morons Like Us
Geometry
Parallel Lines Congruent Triangles Congruent Right Triangles Isoscolese and Equilateral Triangles Quadrilaterals Parallelograms Ratios Similar Polygons Special Triangles Circles Area Coordinate Geometry Triangle Inequalities Solids Polyhedra in the Classroom Suzanne Alejandre.
Sets
Venn diagrams and Algebra of Sets Campbell
Truth Tables
Truth Tables Click on Chapters 1-3 in the left hand column.
Essential Logic Ronald C. Pine Real Number Systems
Mrs. Glossers Math Goodies Click on number theory.
Probability and Statistics
Statistics Every Writer Should Know Robert Niles
Introduction to Statistical Methods R. B. Campbell. Click on Lecture Summaries
Basic Statistics W. Bryc and S. Pelikan, University of Cincinnati
HyperStat Online David M. Lane
Other Online Resources
From the Sciences Explorer Click on Testing Center. Has tests in:
Algebra
Geometry
Pre-Calculus
Math to Build On: Web Site Excerpts from the book Math to Build On, by Johnny and Margaret Hamilton. Contains a good Glossary
Sumfun -- Methods and Tips Virtual Teacher - Canada
Another page from Sumfun with a long list of math tutorials
Mrs. Glossers Math Goodies homepage
Suzanne's Mathematics Lessons Lessons and student activities lots of hands on.
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