Use this key to score the test out of 20 points. Each solution shows the full work and a scoring guide. Accept any correct method, and accept equivalent forms such as \(9< x\) for \(x>9\). Deduct only the points listed when a step is missing or wrong.
Question 1: Solve and graph (2 points)
Subtract \(3x\): \(2x-12>6\). Add 12: \(2x>18\). Divide: \(x>9\).
Scoring: 1 point for the correct inequality, 1 point for the graph with an open circle at 9 and a ray to the right.
Question 2: Distribute with a negative (2 points)
Distribute: \(-3x+12\le2x+7\). Subtract \(2x\): \(-5x+12\le7\). Subtract 12: \(-5x\le-5\). Divide by \(-5\) and reverse: \(x\ge1\). Check: \(x=1\) gives \(9\le9\).
Scoring: 1 point for distributing and isolating the variable term correctly, 1 point for reversing the sign to get the correct answer.
Question 3: Negative fraction (2 points)
Subtract 2: \(-\frac{3}{4}x>6\). Multiply by \(-\frac{4}{3}\) and reverse: \(x<-8\). Check: \(x=-12\) gives \(9+2=11>8\).
Scoring: 1 point for isolating the term, 1 point for the correct answer with the sign reversed.
Question 4: Read a compound graph (2 points)
\(-2\le x< 5\), interval notation [-2, 5).
Scoring: 1 point for the inequality with the correct symbols, 1 point for interval notation with a bracket and a parenthesis.
Question 5: Three-part inequality (3 points)
Add 1 to all parts: \(-6\le3x< 12\). Divide by 3: \(-2\le x< 4\).
Scoring: 2 points for the solution (1 point if only one bound is correct), 1 point for the graph with a closed circle at -2 and an open circle at 4.
Question 6: Either-or inequality (3 points)
First: \(3x\le-9\), so \(x\le-3\). Second: \(2x>8\), so \(x>4\). Solution: \(x\le-3\text{ or }x>4\).
Scoring: 2 points for solving both parts (1 point each), 1 point for the correct graph.
Question 7: Test a value (2 points)
- Substitute: \(6-2(-2)=10\), and \(10\ge10\) is true, so yes.
- Subtract 6: \(-2x\ge4\). Divide by \(-2\) and reverse: \(x\le-2\).
Scoring: 1 point for the substitution and conclusion, 1 point for the solution with the sign reversed.
Question 8: County fair budget (3 points)
- \(12+2.50t\le40\)
- Subtract 12: \(2.50t\le28\). Divide: \(t\le11.2\).
- Tickets are whole numbers, so 11 tickets. Check: \(12+2.50(11)=39.50\).
Scoring: 1 point for the inequality, 1 point for solving, 1 point for rounding down to 11 with a reason.
Question 9: Special case (1 point)
Distribute: \(2x+6< 2x+4\). Subtract \(2x\): \(6< 4\), which is false. No solution.
Scoring: 1 point for concluding that there is no solution with the false statement shown.
20 points
See every chapter on the Algebra 1 math page.


