Be sure you draw a nice picture and explain carefully what you are doing. See pages 26 to 42 of Great Moments, Volume I. 4. Briefly describe the history of algebra, including approximate dates and names of some of the people involved. The book outlines 3 phases. Word problems are worked using words, not shorthand or symbols.
Abbreviations begin, including special names for variables and powers of variables in the problem.
Our modern system gradually emerges from 1500 to 1750. Describe a geometric method which allows you to construct the largest square that will sit on the base of the quadrilateral shown and not extend outside the boundaries of the quadrilateral, and NAME the method you are using. This is the method of similitude, a geometric version of false position. The figure on page 157 of Volume 1 shows how this is done for a triangle. For the quadrilateral in the exam, locating the small square on the right-hand end of the base, drawing the diagonal up to the left, and noting the point where that diagonal hits the left side of the quadrilateral will produce the desired square.