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Math 30-1 · Diploma prep

Sample diploma exam

A full machine-scored section in the diploma format: 24 multiple-choice and 8 numerical-response questions, weighted to the same blueprint the real exam uses. Give yourself 90 minutes, then read every solution — they are written out in full, starting on their own printed page.

These questions were written for this site. Alberta's own exams are secured; for real released items, use the links on the diploma prep page.

Written response

Sample Diploma Exam — machine-scored section

Math 30-1 · maddyhelps.com

Name
Date
Score
/ 32

Time: designed to take 90 minutes. The real exam gives you 3 hours for this section plus 3 written-response questions, and you may take up to 6 hours.

You will need a graphing calculator and the Math 30-1 formula sheet. Keep all decimals through a question and round only the final answer, to the accuracy the question asks for.

Multiple choice: choose the best of the four answers. Numerical response: write your answer in the boxes, first digit on the left, unused boxes blank, and a 0 before the decimal point for answers between 0 and 1.

Use the following information to answer question 1.

The graph of y = f(x) is transformed to the graph of y = −2f(x − 5) + 3.

1. Which of the following lists the transformations that are applied to the graph of y = f(x)?

  1. A. A vertical stretch about the x-axis by a factor of 2, a reflection in the x-axis, then a translation of 5 units right and 3 units up
  2. B. A vertical stretch about the x-axis by a factor of 2, a reflection in the y-axis, then a translation of 5 units left and 3 units up
  3. C. A translation of 5 units right and 3 units up, then a vertical stretch about the x-axis by a factor of 2 and a reflection in the x-axis
  4. D. A vertical stretch about the x-axis by a factor of 1/2, a reflection in the x-axis, then a translation of 5 units right and 3 units up

Use the following information to answer question 2.

The point (−6, 4) lies on the graph of y = f(x).

2. The corresponding point on the graph of y = ½f(3x) − 1 is

  1. A. (−18, 1)
  2. B. (−2, 1)
  3. C. (−2, 5)
  4. D. (−18, 7)

Use the following information to answer question 3.

The domain of y = f(x) is −4 ≤ x ≤ 8.

3. The domain of y = f(2(x + 1)) is

  1. A. −5 ≤ x ≤ 3
  2. B. −9 ≤ x ≤ 15
  3. C. −3 ≤ x ≤ 3
  4. D. −2 ≤ x ≤ 5

Use the following information to answer numerical-response question 1.

Four functions are listed below.

  • 1 y = f(x − 3)
  • 2 y = f(x) − 3
  • 3 y = f(x + 3)
  • 4 y = f(x) + 3

Numerical Response

1. The graph of y = f(x) translated 3 units right is function ___, translated 3 units left is function ___, translated 3 units up is function ___, and translated 3 units down is function ___.

(Record all four digits of your answer in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

4. If f(x) = 2x³ − 5, then f⁻¹(x) =

  1. A. 1/(2x³ − 5)
  2. B. (∛x + 5)/2
  3. C. ∛((x − 5)/2)
  4. D. ∛((x + 5)/2)

5. The solution to the equation 4^(x + 1) = 8^(x − 2) is

  1. A. x = 3
  2. B. x = 4
  3. C. x = 8
  4. D. x = 10

Use the following information to answer question 6.

log_b 2 = m and log_b 5 = n

6. Written in terms of m and n, log_b 50 =

  1. A. m + 2n
  2. B. 2m + n
  3. C. mn²
  4. D. m + n²

Numerical Response

2. The solution to the equation 3^(2x − 1) = 81 is x = ______.

(Record your answer to the nearest tenth in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

7. The expression 2 log x − ½ log y + log 3, where x > 0 and y > 0, written as a single logarithm, is

  1. A. log(6x²/y)
  2. B. log(3x²/√y)
  3. C. log(x²√y/3)
  4. D. log(2x − ½y + 3)

Use the following information to answer question 8.

The graph of y = log₂ x is transformed to the graph of y = log₂(x + 4) − 3.

8. Which statement about the transformed graph is true?

  1. A. Its horizontal asymptote is y = −3 and its domain is x > 0
  2. B. Its vertical asymptote is x = −4 and its domain is x > 4
  3. C. Its vertical asymptote is x = 4 and its domain is x > 4
  4. D. Its vertical asymptote is x = −4 and its domain is x > −4

9. When P(x) = 2x³ − 5x² + x − 4 is divided by x + 2, the remainder is

  1. A. −42
  2. B. −22
  3. C. −6
  4. D. 38

Use the following information to answer numerical-response question 3.

The polynomial function P(x) = x³ + kx² − 4x − 12 has x − 2 as a factor.

Numerical Response

3. The value of k is ______.

(Record your answer in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

Use the following information to answer question 10.

A polynomial function has zeros of −2 with multiplicity 2 and 3 with multiplicity 1, and its graph passes through the point (0, −12).

10. An equation of this function is

  1. A. y = 2(x + 2)²(x − 3)
  2. B. y = (x + 2)²(x − 3)
  3. C. y = −(x + 2)²(x − 3)
  4. D. y = (x − 2)²(x + 3)

11. Which of the following best describes the end behaviour of the graph of y = −2x⁴ + 3x² − 7?

  1. A. The graph extends up in quadrant 2 and down in quadrant 4
  2. B. The graph extends up in quadrant 2 and up in quadrant 1
  3. C. The graph extends down in quadrant 3 and down in quadrant 4
  4. D. The graph extends down in quadrant 3 and up in quadrant 1

Use the following information to answer numerical-response question 4.

The graph of y = (2x² − 5x − 3)/(x − 3) has a point of discontinuity at (3, b).

Numerical Response

4. The value of b is ______.

(Record your answer in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

12. The domain of the function y = √(5 − 2x) + 3 is

  1. A. x ≥ −3
  2. B. x ≤ 5
  3. C. x ≥ 5/2
  4. D. x ≤ 5/2

13. The solution to the equation √(3x + 4) = x is

  1. A. x = 4 only
  2. B. x = −1 and x = 4
  3. C. There is no solution
  4. D. x = −1 only

14. The exact value of cos(5π/6) is

  1. A. √3/2
  2. B. −√3/2
  3. C. −1/2
  4. D. 1/2

Use the following information to answer question 15.

The terminal arm of an angle θ in standard position passes through the point P(−8, 15).

15. The value of sin θ is

  1. A. −15/8
  2. B. 8/17
  3. C. 15/17
  4. D. −8/17

Numerical Response

5. The number of solutions to the equation sin 2θ = −½ on the domain 0 ≤ θ < 2π is ______.

(Record your answer in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

16. A central angle of 2.5 radians in a circle of radius 12 cm subtends an arc of length

  1. A. 4.8 cm
  2. B. 30 cm
  3. C. 60 cm
  4. D. 94.2 cm

17. The general solution to the equation 2 cos θ + √3 = 0, where n ∈ I, is

  1. A. θ = π/3 + 2πn and θ = 2π/3 + 2πn
  2. B. θ = 5π/6 + πn
  3. C. θ = π/6 + 2πn and θ = 11π/6 + 2πn
  4. D. θ = 5π/6 + 2πn and θ = 7π/6 + 2πn

18. The expression (1 − cos²θ)/(sin θ cos θ), where sin θ ≠ 0 and cos θ ≠ 0, simplifies to

  1. A. tan θ
  2. B. csc θ
  3. C. cot θ
  4. D. sec θ

Use the following information to answer question 19.

sin θ = 3/5, where θ terminates in quadrant II.

19. The value of sin 2θ is

  1. A. 6/5
  2. B. 24/25
  3. C. −24/25
  4. D. −7/25

Use the following information to answer question 20.

In the expansion of (2x − 3)⁸, written in descending powers of x, the general term is t_(k+1) = ₈C_k (2x)^(8−k) (−3)^k.

20. The coefficient of the term containing x⁵ is

  1. A. −48 384
  2. B. −6 048
  3. C. 1 512
  4. D. 48 384

Use the following information to answer question 21.

y = −4 cos[2(x − π/3)] + 7

21. Which statement about the graph of the function above is true?

  1. A. The range is −4 ≤ y ≤ 4 and the period is π
  2. B. The range is 3 ≤ y ≤ 11 and the period is 4π
  3. C. The amplitude is −4 and the period is 2π
  4. D. The range is 3 ≤ y ≤ 11 and the period is π

Use the following information to answer question 22.

The depth of water in a harbour varies sinusoidally. The maximum depth is 8.2 m, the minimum depth is 2.4 m, and one complete cycle takes 12.4 h. The depth is modelled by d(t) = a cos[b(t − c)] + d.

22. The values of a and d, respectively, are

  1. A. 5.8 and 5.3
  2. B. 2.9 and 5.3
  3. C. 2.9 and 10.6
  4. D. 5.3 and 2.9

Use the following information to answer numerical-response question 6.

A 100 mg sample of a radioactive isotope decays according to A(t) = 100(½)^(t/5.7), where A is the mass remaining, in milligrams, and t is the time, in days.

Numerical Response

6. The time it takes for the sample to decay to 12 mg is ______ days.

(Record your answer to the nearest tenth in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

23. In how many different ways can 7 students be seated in a row of 7 chairs if 2 particular students must sit beside each other?

  1. A. 720
  2. B. 1 440
  3. C. 2 520
  4. D. 5 040

Use the following information to answer question 24.

A committee of 4 people is chosen from a group of 6 boys and 5 girls.

24. The number of different committees that contain at least 3 girls is

  1. A. 60
  2. B. 65
  3. C. 165
  4. D. 330

Use the following information to answer numerical-response question 7.

Four expressions are listed below.

  • 1 ₆C₂
  • 2 ₆P₃
  • 3 5!
  • 4 ₁₀C₃

Numerical Response

7. The three expressions above that have a value of 120 are numbered ______, ______, and ______.

(Record all three digits of your answer in any order in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

Numerical Response

8. The number of different arrangements of all the letters of the word BANANA is ______.

(Record your answer in the numerical-response section on the answer sheet.)

Answer key · Sample diploma exam

Math 30-1 · maddyhelps.com

Multiple choice
1. A · 2. B · 3. C · 4. D · 5. C · 6. A · 7. B · 8. D · 9. A · 10. B · 11. C · 12. D · 13. A · 14. B · 15. C · 16. B · 17. D · 18. A · 19. C · 20. A · 21. D · 22. B · 23. B · 24. B

Numerical response
1. 1342 · 2. 2.5 · 3. 3 · 4. 7 · 5. 4 · 6. 17.4 · 7. 234 · 8. 60

Question 1 — A. A vertical stretch about the x-axis by a factor of 2, a reflection in the x-axis, then a translation of 5 units right and 3 units up

In y = af[b(x − h)] + k, a = −2 gives a vertical stretch by a factor of |−2| = 2 together with a reflection in the x-axis; h = 5 is 5 units right and k = 3 is 3 units up. Stretches and reflections are applied before translations, so the choice that translates first is out.

Question 2 — B. (−2, 1)

The mapping is (x, y) → (x/3, ½y − 1). The x-coordinate is divided by 3, because b = 3 compresses horizontally: −6 ÷ 3 = −2. The y-coordinate is ½(4) − 1 = 1, so the image is (−2, 1). Multiplying by 3 instead of dividing gives the distractor (−18, 1).

Question 3 — C. −3 ≤ x ≤ 3

Whatever goes inside f must still land between −4 and 8, so −4 ≤ 2(x + 1) ≤ 8. Divide by 2: −2 ≤ x + 1 ≤ 4. Subtract 1: −3 ≤ x ≤ 3. Undo the parameters in the reverse order you apply them.

Numerical Response 1 — 1342

Inside the brackets moves the graph horizontally and does the opposite of what it looks like: f(x − 3) is 3 right, f(x + 3) is 3 left. Outside the brackets moves it vertically and does what it looks like: +3 is up, −3 is down. Right, left, up, down = 1, 3, 4, 2.

Question 4 — D. ∛((x + 5)/2)

Swap x and y: x = 2y³ − 5. Solve for y: x + 5 = 2y³, so y³ = (x + 5)/2 and y = ∛((x + 5)/2). The inverse is not the reciprocal, which is where 1/(2x³ − 5) comes from.

Question 5 — C. x = 8

Write both sides base 2: 2^(2(x + 1)) = 2^(3(x − 2)). Equate exponents: 2x + 2 = 3x − 6, so x = 8. Check: 4⁹ = 262 144 and 8⁶ = 262 144.

Question 6 — A. m + 2n

50 = 2 × 5², so log_b 50 = log_b 2 + log_b 5² = log_b 2 + 2 log_b 5 = m + 2n. The product law adds; the power law brings the exponent out front as a multiplier, not as an exponent on n.

Numerical Response 2 — 2.5

81 = 3⁴, so 2x − 1 = 4, giving 2x = 5 and x = 2.5. A numerical-response answer between 0 and 1 would need the 0 recorded before the decimal point; here the answer is 2.5.

Question 7 — B. log(3x²/√y)

Power law first: 2 log x = log x² and ½ log y = log √y. Then the product and quotient laws: log x² − log √y + log 3 = log(3x²/√y). Logarithms of different terms cannot be combined inside one log the way log(2x − ½y + 3) suggests.

Question 8 — D. Its vertical asymptote is x = −4 and its domain is x > −4

x + 4 replaces x, which translates the graph 4 units left, so the asymptote moves from x = 0 to x = −4 and the domain becomes x > −4. The −3 shifts the graph down and does not affect the domain; a logarithmic function has no horizontal asymptote.

Question 9 — A. −42

By the remainder theorem the remainder is P(−2), because x + 2 = x − (−2). P(−2) = 2(−8) − 5(4) + (−2) − 4 = −16 − 20 − 2 − 4 = −42. Using P(2) instead is the classic slip.

Numerical Response 3 — 3

By the factor theorem, P(2) = 0. So 8 + 4k − 8 − 12 = 0, which gives 4k = 12 and k = 3. Check: P(x) = x³ + 3x² − 4x − 12 = (x − 2)(x + 2)(x + 3).

Question 10 — B. y = (x + 2)²(x − 3)

The zeros give y = a(x + 2)²(x − 3). Substituting (0, −12): −12 = a(4)(−3) = −12a, so a = 1 and y = (x + 2)²(x − 3). The sign inside each factor is the opposite of the zero.

Question 11 — C. The graph extends down in quadrant 3 and down in quadrant 4

The degree is even and the leading coefficient is negative, so both ends point down: the graph falls in quadrant 3 on the left and in quadrant 4 on the right. Only the leading term matters for end behaviour.

Numerical Response 4 — 7

Factor the numerator: 2x² − 5x − 3 = (2x + 1)(x − 3). The factor x − 3 cancels, leaving y = 2x + 1 with a hole where x = 3. Substituting: b = 2(3) + 1 = 7. A cancelled factor gives a hole, not a vertical asymptote.

Question 12 — D. x ≤ 5/2

A square root needs a radicand that is not negative: 5 − 2x ≥ 0, so 5 ≥ 2x and x ≤ 5/2. The + 3 shifts the graph up and affects the range, not the domain.

Question 13 — A. x = 4 only

Square both sides: 3x + 4 = x², so x² − 3x − 4 = 0 and (x − 4)(x + 1) = 0, giving x = 4 or x = −1. Check both: √16 = 4 works, but √1 = 1 ≠ −1, so x = −1 is extraneous. Squaring can create roots that do not satisfy the original equation.

Question 14 — B. −√3/2

5π/6 is in quadrant II with reference angle π/6. Cosine is negative in quadrant II and cos(π/6) = √3/2, so cos(5π/6) = −√3/2. The value −1/2 comes from using π/3 as the reference angle instead of π/6.

Question 15 — C. 15/17

r = √((−8)² + 15²) = √289 = 17. Then sin θ = y/r = 15/17. It is positive because the point is in quadrant II, where sine is positive. The value −8/17 is cos θ and −15/8 is tan θ.

Numerical Response 5 — 4

Let u = 2θ. As θ runs over 0 ≤ θ < 2π, u runs over 0 ≤ u < 4π — two full turns. sin u = −½ has two solutions per turn, so there are 4 solutions in total. The b value tells you how many cycles fit in the domain.

Question 16 — B. 30 cm

a = θr with θ in radians, so a = 2.5 × 12 = 30 cm. Converting to degrees first is unnecessary, and dividing 12 by 2.5 gives the 4.8 cm distractor.

Question 17 — D. θ = 5π/6 + 2πn and θ = 7π/6 + 2πn

cos θ = −√3/2, so the reference angle is π/6 and cosine is negative in quadrants II and III: θ = π − π/6 = 5π/6 and θ = π + π/6 = 7π/6, each plus 2πn. The pair π/6 and 11π/6 is where cosine is +√3/2, not −√3/2.

Question 18 — A. tan θ

By the Pythagorean identity, 1 − cos²θ = sin²θ. So the expression is sin²θ/(sin θ cos θ) = sin θ/cos θ = tan θ. Cancelling one sine from the top and bottom is the whole question.

Question 19 — C. −24/25

Using x² + y² = r²: x = −4 since θ is in quadrant II, so cos θ = −4/5. Then sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ = 2(3/5)(−4/5) = −24/25. Forgetting that cosine is negative in quadrant II gives 24/25; −7/25 is cos 2θ.

Question 20 — A. −48 384

The power of x is 8 − k, so 8 − k = 5 and k = 3, which makes it the 4th term. Its coefficient is ₈C₃(2)⁵(−3)³ = 56 × 32 × (−27) = −48 384. Dropping the 2⁵ from (2x)⁵ gives −1 512, and losing the sign on (−3)³ gives 48 384.

Question 21 — D. The range is 3 ≤ y ≤ 11 and the period is π

The amplitude is |a| = 4 and the midline is y = 7, so the range is 7 − 4 ≤ y ≤ 7 + 4, or 3 ≤ y ≤ 11. The period is 2π/|b| = 2π/2 = π. Amplitude is never negative — the minus sign is a reflection.

Question 22 — B. 2.9 and 5.3

The amplitude is half the difference: a = (8.2 − 2.4)/2 = 2.9. The midline is the average: d = (8.2 + 2.4)/2 = 5.3. Using the whole difference instead of half gives 5.8.

Numerical Response 6 — 17.4

12 = 100(½)^(t/5.7), so (½)^(t/5.7) = 0.12. Taking logs: (t/5.7) log 0.5 = log 0.12, so t = 5.7 × log 0.12/log 0.5 = 17.435… ≈ 17.4 days. Keep every decimal until the final rounding.

Question 23 — B. 1 440

Treat the pair as one block: 6 objects arrange in 6! = 720 ways, and the pair can sit in 2! = 2 orders inside the block. 720 × 2 = 1 440. Forgetting to swap the pair gives 720; 5 040 is 7! with no restriction.

Question 24 — B. 65

"At least 3" splits into cases. Exactly 3 girls: ₅C₃ × ₆C₁ = 10 × 6 = 60. Exactly 4 girls: ₅C₄ = 5. Total 60 + 5 = 65. Committees are unordered, so combinations, and the cases add.

Numerical Response 7 — 234

₆C₂ = 15, ₆P₃ = 6 × 5 × 4 = 120, 5! = 120, and ₁₀C₃ = (10 × 9 × 8)/(3 × 2 × 1) = 120. So expressions 2, 3 and 4. Any order of those three digits is scored correct.

Numerical Response 8 — 60

There are 6 letters with 3 A's and 2 N's repeated, so the count is 6!/(3!2!) = 720/12 = 60. Divide by the factorial of each repeat, or you count identical arrangements more than once.