Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide: Systems of

Equations

1 Graphical Solutions
Key Concepts
• Consistent System: Has at least one solution
– Independent: Exactly one solution (intersecting lines)
– Dependent: Infinite solutions (same line)
• Inconsistent System: No solution (parallel lines)

Example 1: One Solution

Solve graphically:
y = 2x + 1
y = −x + 4
Solution:
1. Graph both equations:
• Line 1: y-intercept (0,1), slope 2
• Line 2: y-intercept (0,4), slope -1
2. Find intersection point: (1,3)
y

4
(1, 3)
3
2
1
x
1 2 3

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Systems of Equations Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

Example 2: No Solution
Solve graphically:
y = 2x + 1
y = 2x − 3
Solution:
• Both lines have slope 2 but different y-intercepts
• Parallel lines → no solution
• System is inconsistent

2 Algebraic Solutions
Substitution Method
Example 3: Substitution Solve:
3x + y = 7
x−y =5
Solution:
1. Solve second equation for x: x = y + 5
2. Substitute into first equation: 3(y + 5) + y = 7
3. Simplify: 4y + 15 = 7 ⇒ y = −2
4. Find x: x = −2 + 5 = 3
5. Solution: (3, −2)

Elimination Method
Example 4: Elimination Solve:
2x + 3y = 11
4x − y = 7
Solution:
1. Multiply second equation by 3:
12x − 3y = 21

2. Add to first equation:

14x = 28 ⇒ x = 2

3. Substitute back: 4(2) − y = 7 ⇒ y = 1

4. Solution: (2, 1)

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Systems of Equations Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

3 Practice Problems
Graphical Solutions
Solve each system graphically and classify:
1. y = 12 x + 2
y = −x + 5

2. 3x − 2y = 6
6x − 4y = 12

3. y = −3x + 4
y = −3x − 2

Algebraic Solutions
Solve each system algebraically:
1. (Substitution)
5x + y = 9
3x − 2y = 4

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Systems of Equations Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

2. (Elimination)
2x + 5y = 3
4x − 3y = 7

3. (Your choice)
x + 4y = 10
2x − y = 13

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 Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide: Quadratic
Functions

1 Graphing Quadratic Functions

Standard Form
The standard form of a quadratic function is:
f (x) = ax2 + bx + c
• Vertex: − 2a
b b



, f − 2a
• Axis of symmetry: x = − 2a
b

• y-intercept: (0, c)

Example 1: Graphing
Graph f (x) = x2 − 4x + 3
Solution:
1. Vertex: x = 4
2(1)
= 2, f (2) = −1 → (2, −1)

2. x-intercepts: (x − 1)(x − 3) = 0 → x = 1, 3
3. y-intercept: (0, 3)
y

4
(0,3)
3
2
1
(1,0) (3,0)
x
1 2 3 4
−1
Vertex (2,-1)

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Quadratic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

2 Solving Quadratic Equations

By Graphing
Solutions are the x-intercepts of the graph.

Example 2: Solving Graphically

Solve x2 − 2x − 3 = 0
y

1
(−1, 0) (3, 0)
x
−1 0 1 2 3
−1
−2
−3
−4

Solution: x = −1 and x = 3

By Factoring
Example 3: Factoring
Solve 2x2 + 5x − 3 = 0
Solution:
1. Factor: (2x − 1)(x + 3) = 0
1
2. Solutions: x = 2
or x = −3

Using Quadratic Formula

√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a

Example 4: Quadratic Formula

Solve x2 − 6x + 13 = 0
Solution:
1. a = 1, b = −6, c = 13

2. Discriminant: (−6)2 − 4(1)(13) = −16

6±4i
3. Solutions: x = 2
= 3 ± 2i

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Quadratic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

3 Complex Numbers
Example 5: Operations
Simplify (3 + 2i)(1 − 4i)
Solution:

1. FOIL method: 3(1) + 3(−4i) + 2i(1) + 2i(−4i)

2. Simplify: 3 − 12i + 2i − 8i2 = 3 − 10i + 8 = 11 − 10i

4 Remarkable Identities
• (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

• (a − b)2 = a2 − 2ab + b2

• (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2

Example 6: Applying Identities

Expand (2x − 5)2
Solution:
(2x)2 − 2(2x)(5) + 52 = 4x2 − 20x + 25

5 Practice Problems
Graphing Quadratic Functions
1. Graph f (x) = −x2 + 4x + 5 and identify:

• Vertex
• Axis of symmetry
• x-intercepts
• y-intercept

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Quadratic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

2. Graph f (x) = 12 x2 − 2x − 6 and determine:

• Minimum/Maximum value
• Domain and range

3. Compare the graphs of f (x) = x2 − 4 and g(x) = −x2 + 4

• Which has a greater maximum?

• Which has a lesser minimum?

Solving Quadratic Equations

4. Solve by graphing: x2 − 5x + 6 = 0

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Quadratic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

5. Solve by factoring: 3x2 − 14x − 5 = 0

6. Solve using quadratic formula: 4x2 + 8x + 3 = 0

7. Solve the complex equation: 2x2 + 18 = 0

4+i
8. Simplify the complex expression: 3−2i

Remarkable Identities
9. Expand using identities: (3x + 4y)2

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Quadratic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

10. Factor using identities: 9x2 − 30x + 25

11. Solve using identities: x2 − 64 = 0

12. Expand and simplify: (2x − 3)(2x + 3) − (x − 4)2

Mixed Problems
13. A ball is thrown upward with velocity 48 ft/s. The height is given by h(t) = −16t2 +
48t + 4.

• Find maximum height

• When does it hit the ground?

14. The area of a rectangle is 54 cm2 . If the length is 3 cm more than twice the width,
find the dimensions.

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Quadratic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

15. For f (x) = x2 − 6x + 5:

• Rewrite in vertex form

• Find the average rate of change between x = 1 and x = 4

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 Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide: Exponential
Functions

1 Graphing Exponential Functions

Basic Form
The basic form of an exponential function is:

f (x) = bx

where:

• b > 1: Exponential growth

• 0 < b < 1: Exponential decay

Example 1: Exponential Growth

Graph f (x) = 2x and identify key features.
Solution:

1. Create a table of values:

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
f (x) 18 41 21 1 2 4 8

2. Plot points and draw the curve:

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

2
1
x
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

3. Key features:

• Domain: (−∞, ∞)
• Range: (0, ∞)
• y-intercept: (0, 1)
• Asymptote: y = 0
• End behavior: As x → −∞, f (x) → 0; as x → ∞, f (x) → ∞

Example 2: Exponential Decay

1 x


Graph f (x) = 2
and identify key features.
Solution:

1. Create a table of values:

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
f (x) 8 4 2 1 12 1
4
1
8

2. Plot points and draw the curve:

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

2
1
x
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

3. Key features:

• Domain: (−∞, ∞)
• Range: (0, ∞)
• y-intercept: (0, 1)
• Asymptote: y = 0
• End behavior: As x → −∞, f (x) → ∞; as x → ∞, f (x) → 0

2 Transformations of Exponential Functions

The general transformed form is:

f (x) = a · bx−h + k

where:
• a: vertical stretch/compression and reflection

• h: horizontal shift

• k: vertical shift

Example 3: Transformation
Graph f (x) = −2x+1 + 3 and describe transformations.
Solution:
1. Parent function: 2x

2. Transformations:

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

• Horizontal shift left 1 unit (x + 1)

• Reflection over x-axis (−)
• Vertical shift up 3 units (+3)

3. Key features:

• Domain: (−∞, ∞)
• Range: (−∞, 3)
• y-intercept: (0, 1)
• Asymptote: y = 3

3 Solving Exponential Equations

Example 4: Same Base
Solve 273x+1 = 272x−7
Solution:

3x + 1 = 2x − 7 (Since bases are equal, set exponents equal)

x + 1 = −7
x = −8

Example 5: Different Bases

Solve 32x+8 = 83x−4
Solution:

(25 )x+8 = (23 )3x−4 (Rewrite with common base)

25x+40 = 29x−12
5x + 40 = 9x − 12
−4x = −52
x = 13

4 Solving Exponential Inequalities

Exponential inequalities are solved similarly to equations, but the inequality sign reverses
when dividing by a negative number or when the base is between 0 and 1.

Key Rules:
• If b > 1: bx > by ⇒ x > y

• If 0 < b < 1: bx > by ⇒ x < y (sign reverses)

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

Example 6: Inequality with Base >1

Solve 42x−3 ≥ 16x+1
Solution:

(22 )2x−3 ≥ (24 )x+1

24x−6 ≥ 24x+4
4x − 6 ≥ 4x + 4 (Base 2 > 1, keep inequality)
−6 ≥ 4 No solution

Example 7: Inequality with Base < 1

x−2 1 2x+1
Solve 31


< 9
Solution:

x−2
2x+1
3−1 < 3−2
3−x+2 < 3−4x−2
−x + 2 > −4x − 2 (Base 1/3 < 1, reverse inequality)
3x > −4
4
x>−
3

Example 8: Inequality with Different Bases

Solve 5x+1 ≤ 25−x
Solution:

5x+1 ≤ (52 )−x

5x+1 ≤ 5−2x
x + 1 ≤ −2x (Base 5 > 1, keep inequality)
3x ≤ −1
1
x≤−
3

5 Special Exponential Functions

Natural Exponential Function
The natural exponential function has base e ≈ 2.718:

f (x) = ex

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

Example 9: Solving with e

Solve 4 = e5x
Solution:

ln 4 = 5x (Take natural log of both sides)

ln 4
x= ≈ 0.277
5

6 Practice Problems
Graphing Exponential Functions
1. Graph f (x) = 3x and identify:

• Domain and range

• y-intercept
• Asymptote
• End behavior

1 x


2. Graph f (x) = 4
and identify all key features.

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

Transformations
3. Graph f (x) = 2x−3 − 1 and describe the transformations from the parent function.

1 x+2


4. Graph f (x) = − 2
+ 4 and state the asymptote and y-intercept.

Solving Equations
5. Solve 815x−3 = 272x+10

6. Solve 625x−8 = 125−2x+6

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

7. Solve 4 = 3e2x−1 − 2 (round to nearest hundredth)

Solving Exponential Inequalities

8. Solve 92x−1 ≤ 27x+4

1 3x+1 1 x−2



9. Solve 2
> 8

10. Solve 16x−3 < 42x+5

11. Solve e3x−2 ≥ ex+4

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Exponential Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

Natural Exponential Functions

12. Simplify e5 · e−3

13. Simplify (2e3x )4

14. Solve 5 = 2e3x + 1

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 Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide: Logarithmic
Functions

1 Introduction to Logarithms
Definition
The logarithmic function is the inverse of the exponential function:
y = logb x ⇐⇒ by = x

Example 1: Conversion Between Forms

Convert between logarithmic and exponential forms:
1. log9 729 = 3 ⇐⇒ 93 = 729

2. 132 = 169 ⇐⇒ log13 169 = 2

2 Evaluating Logarithmic Expressions

Example 2: Evaluating Logarithms
Evaluate each expression:
1. log4 256 = 4 because 44 = 256

2. log3 1
243
= −5 because 3−5 = 1
243

3 Graphing Logarithmic Functions

Basic Properties
• Domain: (0, ∞)
• Range: (−∞, ∞)
• Vertical asymptote: x = 0
• x-intercept: (1, 0)

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Logarithmic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

Example 3: Graphing f (x) = log3 x

y

2
1
x
1 3 9
−1
−2

Key features:

• Domain: (0, ∞)

• Range: (−∞, ∞)

• Asymptote: x = 0

• End behavior: As x → 0+ , f (x) → −∞; as x → ∞, f (x) → ∞

4 Properties of Logarithms
Basic Properties
• Product Rule: logb (M N ) = logb M + logb N

• Quotient Rule: logb M

N
= logb M − logb N

• Power Rule: logb (M p ) = p logb M

Example 4: Solving Logarithmic Equations

Solve log5 (2x2 − 9) = log5 3x
Solution:

2x2 − 9 = 3x (Set arguments equal)

2x2 − 3x − 9 = 0
(2x + 3)(x − 3) = 0
3
x = − or x = 3
2
Only x = 3 is valid since arguments must be positive.

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Logarithmic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

5 Common and Natural Logarithms

Definitions
• Common log: log x = log10 x

• Natural log: ln x = loge x

Example 5: Solving Exponential Equations

Solve 3ex − 7 = 19
Solution:

3ex = 26
26
ex =
3 
26
x = ln ≈ 2.1595
3

6 Practice Problems
Logarithmic Basics
1
1. Write in exponential form: log4 1024
= −5

1 8 1


2. Write in logarithmic form: 2
= 256

3. Evaluate: log30 0.00000001

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Logarithmic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

Graphing Logarithmic Functions

4. Graph f (x) = log 1 x and identify:
2

• Domain and range

• Asymptote
• End behavior

5. Graph f (x) = 3 log8 (x + 2) + 1 showing all transformations

Properties of Logarithms
3
6. Solve: log49 x = 2

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Logarithmic Functions Algebra II Final Exam Study Guide

7. Solve: log7 (4x2 − 10) = log7 6x

Common and Natural Logarithms

8. Solve: 62y−5 = 184 (round to nearest ten-thousandth)

9. Solve: ln(x + 7) = 4

10. Write in logarithmic form: e9.7 = 12x

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