California Star Rea: The Best Test Prep for 8th Grade Math

by Staff of Research Education Association

• ISBN13: 9780738600208
• ISBN10: 0738600202
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-04-08
• Publisher: Research & Education Assn

Summary

Score high and be a star when you take the California STAR! REA gets you ready for exam day! Our all-new test prep for the STAR provides all the instruction and practice you need to pass and excel on this important state-required math exam. The book's comprehensive math review features numerous examples, diagrams, and charts that illustrate key math lessons. Use the book's diagnostic tests to identify those areas that might require more practice. REA's test prep also features one full-length practice STAR exam so you can familiarize yourself with the content and format of the actual STAR exam. Each practice exam question is fully explained to help reinforce important math concepts. You can prepare even more for exam day by following REA's proven test-taking techniques, powerhouse drills and targeted homework assignments. DETAILS - The best math test prep available for California students in the 8th or 9th grade - Features a comprehensive review of every mathematics topic to appear on the STAR exam - All math problems in the review are clearly explained - many problems feature color charts, diagrams and illustrations - Includes a full-length practice STAR exam complete with answer key and detailed explanations for each test question - Dynamic diagnostic tests pinpoint a student's math strengths and weaknesses - Packed with proven test tips, sound strategies and powerhouse drills to help students score high - Contains student-friendly classroom and homework assignments that target and reinforce key math concepts - Fully aligned with the core curriculum standards of the California Department of Education

Table of Contents

About Our Editors	p. v
About Research & Education Association	p. v
Passing the Star CSTs in Geometry & Algebra I
About this Book	p. xvii
About the Test	p. xviii
How to Use this Book	p. xviii
About the Review Sections	p. xix
Test-Taking Tips	p. xix
The Day of the Test	p. xxi
Arithmetic Review
Integers and Real Numbers	p. 1
Rational and Irrational Numbers	p. 2
Absolute Value	p. 5
Positive and Negative Numbers	p. 7
Order of Operations	p. 9
Drill: Integers and Real Numbers	p. 9
Fractions	p. 12
Operations With Fractions	p. 12
Drill: Fractions	p. 18
Decimals	p. 22
Operations With Decimals	p. 24
Drill: Decimals	p. 30
Ratio and Proportion	p. 33
Ratio	p. 33
Proportion	p. 33
Percentages	p. 48
Equivalent Forms of a Number	p. 49
Drill: Percentages	p. 59
Radicals	p. 62
Operations With Radicals	p. 62
Drill: Radicals	p. 66
Exponents	p. 68
General Laws of Exponents	p. 69
Power to a Power	p. 71
Drill: Exponents	p. 71
Scientific Notation	p. 73
Averages	p. 74
Mean	p. 74
Median	p. 75
Mode	p. 75
Drill: Averages	p. 76
Estimation	p. 78
Significant Digits	p. 80
Money Notation	p. 81
Counting and Sorting	p. 83
Game Strategies	p. 86
Networks	p. 88
Algorithms	p. 90
Flow Charts	p. 91
More Estimation	p. 93
Arithmetic Drills Answer Key	p. 94
Algebra Review
Operations With Polynomials	p. 98
Drill: Operations With Polynomials	p. 100
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions	p. 102
Commutative Laws (Addition, Multiplication)	p. 105
Associative Laws (Addition, Multiplication)	p. 105
Distributive Law	p. 106
Drill: Simplifying Algebraic Expressions	p. 116
Equations	p. 117
Linear Equations	p. 121
Drill: Linear Equations	p. 126
Two Linear Equations	p. 127
Drill: Two Linear Equations	p. 132
Quadratic Equations	p. 134
Drill: Quadratic Equations	p. 137
Absolute Value Equations	p. 139
Drill: Absolute Value Equations	p. 139
Inequalities	p. 140
Properties of Inequalities	p. 141
Drill: Inequalities	p. 147
Ratios and Proportions	p. 148
Drill: Ratios and Proportions	p. 150
Permutation, Combination, and Probability	p. 151
Trees	p. 159
Iteration	p. 161
Recursion	p. 163
Growth	p. 164
Graphs of Functions	p. 165
Algebra Drills Answer Key	p. 167
Geometry Review
Points, Lines, and Angles	p. 169
Intersection Lines and Angles	p. 170
Types of Angles	p. 170
Perpendicular Lines	p. 175
Parallel Lines	p. 176
Drill: Lines and Angles	p. 180
Polygons (Convex)	p. 182
Drill: Regular Polygons	p. 184
Triangles	p. 185
Drill: Triangles	p. 192
Change in Linear Dimension	p. 194
The Pythagorean Theorem	p. 195
Quadrilaterals	p. 197
Parallelograms	p. 197
Rectangles	p. 198
Rhombi	p. 198
Squares	p. 199
Trapezoids	p. 199
Drill: Quadrilaterals	p. 201
Circles	p. 204
Drill: Circles	p. 209
Solids	p. 211
Rectangular Solids	p. 211
Drill: Solids	p. 212
Perimeters, Areas, Volumes	p. 212
Coordinate Geometry, Plotting, and Graphing	p. 217
Drill: Coordinate Geometry	p. 227
Fractals	p. 230
Geometry Drills Answer Key	p. 232
Word Problems Review
Algebraic	p. 235
Drill: Algebraic	p. 248
Rate	p. 249
Drill: Rate	p. 250
Work	p. 250
Drill: Work	p. 251
Mixture	p. 251
Drill: Mixture	p. 252
Interest	p. 252
Drill: Interest	p. 253
Discount	p. 254
Drill: Discount	p. 255
Profit	p. 255
Drill: Profit	p. 256
Sets	p. 256
Drill: Sets	p. 257
Geometry	p. 258
Drill: Geometry	p. 259
Measurement	p. 259
Drill: Measurement	p. 264
Data Interpretation	p. 265
Drill: Data Interpretation	p. 267
Scaled Drawings	p. 269
Problems with Missing or Misleading Information	p. 271
Making Inferences	p. 272
Word Problem Drills Answer Key	p. 274
Quantitative Ability
Quantitative Comparison	p. 275
Discrete Quantitative	p. 277
Spatial Sense/Relationships
Spatial Sense/Relationships	p. 279
Drill: Spatial Sense/Relationships	p. 283
Spatial Sense/Relationships Drill Answer Key	p. 286
Statistics
What is Statistics?	p. 287
Variables	p. 287
Functions	p. 288
Data Description: Graphs	p. 288
Frequency Distributions	p. 291
Frequency Histograms and Relative Frequency Histograms	p. 293
Cumulative Frequency Distributions	p. 294
Types of Frequency Curves	p. 295
Deductive and Inductive Reasoning	p. 298
Sampling	p. 298
Statistical Plots and Graphs	p. 298
Diagnostic Tests for Class and Homework Assignments
Arithmetic Diagnostic Test	p. 306
Algebra Diagnostic Test	p. 313
Geometry Diagnostic Test	p. 321
Word Problems Diagnostic Test	p. 332
Reference Information	p. 343
Star Cst Mathematics Practice Test for Algebra I & Geometry	p. 344
Answer Key	p. 359
Detailed Explanations of Answers	p. 360
Answer Sheet	p. 370
Index	p. 371
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

PASSING THE CALIFORNIA STAR CSTs IN GEOMETRY & ALGEBRA I ABOUT THIS BOOK This book provides excellent preparation for eighth and ninth graders taking the STAR California Standards Tests, or CSTs, in Geometry and Algebra I. We present a practice test, modeled on the typical CST format, and extensive drills that expose the student to the full range of material - in both Geometry and Algebra I - associated with course-specific and integrated CSTs. The practice test itself has the feel of an integrated CST. Course-specific tests are given as end-of-course assessments in school districts that teach math in the traditional sequence. The Integrated Mathematics CSTs are given in districts where content from more than one discipline is taught each year - in an integrated way that is not necessarily grade-specific. Inside our book you will also find subject reviews designed to provide you with the information and strategies needed to do well on these exams. Detailed explanations follow the practice test. If you are having a problem with any type of question, this book tells you how to solve it. Our Teacher's Answer Guide contains full explanations to the "Class and Homework Assignment" questions in the diagnostic tests at the back of this book. Teachers may obtain the answer guide by contacting REA. ABOUT THE TEST California's CSTs are part of the larger STAR, or Standardized Testing and Reporting, program. Every spring, Golden State students in Grades 2 through 11 take a series of STAR tests, which seek both to measure students' progress against national peer standards and to assess students' mastery of standards set forth by the California Department of Education. While the STAR Mathematics CSTs are untimed exams, the state reports that most students take 180 minutes to answer all 71 multiple-choice test questions for Grades 8 through 10. Of the 71 items, six are embedded field-test items. The state mandate allows local educational agencies and teachers the flexibility to cover particular disciplines for Grades 8-12 without confining the coverage of any one subject (e.g., Algebra I) to a single grade. Thus, this book can be expected to have broad appeal for eighth and ninth graders. More information is available on the STAR program's math CSTs by visiting the Web site of the California Department of Education at http://www.cde.ca.gov. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK What do I study first? Read through the review and our suggestions for test-taking. Studying the review thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the test. Our practice drills and diagnostic tests feature five answer choices, whereas the actual exam has only four choices. This results in a greater challenge and more rigorous preparation. The STAR CSTs' four-choice format is accurately reflected in our practice test, which you'll find in the back of this book. Our practice test is designed to capture the spirit of the CSTs, providing you with an experience that mimics the administration of the exam. When should I start studying? It is never too early to start studying for the exam. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with the exam content. ABOUT THE REVIEW SECTIONS The review sections in this book are designed to help you sharpen the basic skills needed to approach the exam, as well as to provide strategies for attacking each type of question. You will also find exercises to reinforce what you have learned. By using the reviews in conjunction with the drills and practice test, you will put yourself in a posit