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MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice


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Question 1

The chart below gives percentiles for the number of sit-ups that boys of various ages can do in 60 seconds (source , June 24, 2011)

 

Which of the following statements can be inferred from the above chart?

A

95% of 12 year old boys can do 56 sit-ups in 60 seconds.

Hint:
The 95th percentile means that 95% of scores are less than or equal to 56, and 5% are greater than or equal to 56.
B

At most 25% of 7 year old boys can do 19 or more sit-ups in 60 seconds.

Hint:
The 25th percentile means that 25% of scores are less than or equal to 19, and 75% are greater than or equal to 19.
C

Half of all 13 year old boys can do less than 41 sit-ups in 60 seconds and half can do more than 41 sit-ups in 60 seconds.

Hint:
Close, but not quite. There's no accounting for boys who can do exactly 41 sit ups. Look at these data: 10, 20, 41, 41, 41, 41, 50, 60, 90. The median is 41, but more than half can do 41 or more.
D

At least 75% of 16 year old boys can only do 51 or fewer sit-ups in 60 seconds.

Hint:
The "at least" is necessary due to duplicates. Suppose the data were 10, 20, 51, 51. The 75th percentile is 51, but 100% of the boys can only do 51 or fewer situps.
Question 1 Explanation: 
Topic: Analyze and interpret various graphic and nongraphic data representations (e.g., frequency distributions, percentiles) (Objective 0025).
Question 2

Here is a method that a student used for subtraction:

Which of the following is correct?

A

The student used a method that worked for this problem and can be generalized to any subtraction problem.

Hint:
Note that this algorithm is taught as the "standard" algorithm in much of Europe (it's where the term "borrowing" came from -- you borrow on top and "pay back" on the bottom).
B

The student used a method that worked for this problem and that will work for any subtraction problem that only requires one regrouping; it will not work if more regrouping is required.

Hint:
Try some more examples.
C

The student used a method that worked for this problem and will work for all three-digit subtraction problems, but will not work for larger problems.

Hint:
Try some more examples.
D

The student used a method that does not work. The student made two mistakes that cancelled each other out and was lucky to get the right answer for this problem.

Hint:
Remember, there are many ways to do subtraction; there is no one "right" algorithm.
Question 2 Explanation: 
Topic: Analyze and justify standard and non-standard computational techniques (Objective 0019).
Question 3

The picture below shows identical circles drawn on a piece of paper.  The rectangle represents an index card that is blocking your view of \( \dfrac{3}{5}\) of the circles on the paper.  How many circles are covered by the rectangle?

A

4

Hint:
The card blocks more than half of the circles, so this number is too small.
B

5

Hint:
The card blocks more than half of the circles, so this number is too small.
C

8

Hint:
The card blocks more than half of the circles, so this number is too small.
D

12

Hint:
2/5 of the circles or 8 circles are showing. Thus 4 circles represent 1/5 of the circles, and \(4 \times 5=20\) circles represent 5/5 or all the circles. Thus 12 circles are hidden.
Question 3 Explanation: 
Topic: Models of Fractions (Objective 0017)
Question 4

What is the least common multiple of 540 and 216?

A
\( \large{{2}^{5}}\cdot {{3}^{6}}\cdot 5\)
Hint:
This is the product of the numbers, not the LCM.
B
\( \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5\)
Hint:
One way to solve this is to factor both numbers: \(540=2^2 \cdot 3^3 \cdot 5\) and \(216=2^3 \cdot 3^3\). Then for each prime that's a factor of either number, use the largest exponent that appears in one of the factorizations. You can also take the product of the two numbers divided by their GCD.
C
\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5\)
Hint:
216 is a multiple of 8.
D
\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\cdot {{5}^{2}}\)
Hint:
Not a multiple of 216 and not a multiple of 540.
Question 4 Explanation: 
Topic: Find the least common multiple of a set of numbers (Objective 0018).
Question 5

The table below gives data from various years on how many young girls drank milk.

Based on the data given above, what was the probability that a randomly chosen girl in 1990 drank milk?

A
\( \large \dfrac{502}{1222}\)
Hint:
This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl who drinks milk was in the 1989-1991 food survey.
B
\( \large \dfrac{502}{2149}\)
Hint:
This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl from the whole survey drank milk and was also surveyed in 1989-1991.
C
\( \large \dfrac{502}{837}\)
D
\( \large \dfrac{1222}{2149}\)
Hint:
This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl from any year of the survey drank milk.
Question 5 Explanation: 
Topic: Recognize and apply the concept of conditional probability (Objective 0026).
Question 6

Below is a portion of a number line:

 Point B is halfway between two tick marks.  What number is represented by Point B?

 
A
\( \large 0.645\)
Hint:
That point is marked on the line, to the right.
B
\( \large 0.6421\)
Hint:
That point is to the left of point B.
C
\( \large 0.6422\)
Hint:
That point is to the left of point B.
D
\( \large 0.6425\)
Question 6 Explanation: 
Topic: Using Number Lines (Objective 0017)
Question 7

The speed of sound in dry air at 68 degrees F is 343.2 meters per second.  Which of the expressions below could be used to compute the number of kilometers that a sound wave travels in 10 minutes (in dry air at 68 degrees F)?

A
\( \large 343.2\times 60\times 10\)
Hint:
In kilometers, not meters.
B
\( \large 343.2\times 60\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}\)
Hint:
Units are meters/sec \(\times\) seconds/minute \(\times\) minutes \(\times\) kilometers/meter, and the answer is in kilometers.
C
\( \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10\)
Hint:
Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers.
D
\( \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}\)
Hint:
Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers.
Question 7 Explanation: 
Topic: Use unit conversions and dimensional analysis to solve measurement problems (Objective 0023).
Question 8

Which of the lists below contains only irrational numbers?

A
\( \large\pi , \quad \sqrt{6},\quad \sqrt{\dfrac{1}{2}}\)
B
\( \large\pi , \quad \sqrt{9}, \quad \pi +1\)
Hint:
\( \sqrt{9}=3\)
C
\( \large\dfrac{1}{3},\quad \dfrac{5}{4},\quad \dfrac{2}{9}\)
Hint:
These are all rational.
D
\( \large-3,\quad 14,\quad 0\)
Hint:
These are all rational.
Question 8 Explanation: 
Topic: Identifying rational and irrational numbers (Objective 0016).
Question 9

Solve for x: \(\large 4-\dfrac{2}{3}x=2x\)

A
\( \large x=3\)
Hint:
Try plugging x=3 into the equation.
B
\( \large x=-3\)
Hint:
Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x.
C
\( \large x=\dfrac{3}{2}\)
Hint:
One way to solve: \(4=\dfrac{2}{3}x+2x\) \(=\dfrac{8}{3}x\).\(x=\dfrac{3 \times 4}{8}=\dfrac{3}{2}\). Another way is to just plug x=3/2 into the equation and see that each side equals 3 -- on a multiple choice test, you almost never have to actually solve for x.
D
\( \large x=-\dfrac{3}{2}\)
Hint:
Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x.
Question 9 Explanation: 
Topic: Solve linear equations (Objective 0020).
Question 10

The Americans with Disabilties Act (ADA) regulations state that the maximum slope for a wheelchair ramp in new construction is 1:12, although slopes between 1:16 and 1:20 are preferred.  The maximum rise for any run is 30 inches.   The graph below shows the rise and runs of four different wheelchair ramps.  Which ramp is in compliance with the ADA regulations for new construction?

A

A

Hint:
Rise is more than 30 inches.
B

B

Hint:
Run is almost 24 feet, so rise can be almost 2 feet.
C

C

Hint:
Run is 12 feet, so rise can be at most 1 foot.
D

D

Hint:
Slope is 1:10 -- too steep.
Question 10 Explanation: 
Topic: Interpret meaning of slope in a real world situation (Objective 0022).
Question 11

Which of the following is equal to eleven billion four hundred thousand?

A
\( \large 11,400,000\)
Hint:
That's eleven million four hundred thousand.
B
\(\large11,000,400,000\)
C
\( \large11,000,000,400,000\)
Hint:
That's eleven trillion four hundred thousand (although with British conventions; this answer is correct, but in the US, it isn't).
D
\( \large 11,400,000,000\)
Hint:
That's eleven billion four hundred million
Question 11 Explanation: 
Topic: Place Value (Objective 0016)
Question 12

What is the perimeter of a right triangle with legs of lengths x and 2x?

A
\( \large 6x\)
Hint:
Use the Pythagorean Theorem.
B
\( \large 3x+5{{x}^{2}}\)
Hint:
Don't forget to take square roots when you use the Pythagorean Theorem.
C
\( \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{2}}\)
Hint:
\(\sqrt {5 x^2}\) is not \(\sqrt {5}x^2\).
D
\( \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{{}}}\)
Hint:
To find the hypotenuse, h, use the Pythagorean Theorem: \(x^2+(2x)^2=h^2.\) \(5x^2=h^2,h=\sqrt{5}x\). The perimeter is this plus x plus 2x.
Question 12 Explanation: 
Topic: Recognize and apply connections between algebra and geometry (e.g., the use of coordinate systems, the Pythagorean theorem) (Objective 0024).
Question 13

Use the graph below to answer the question that follows.

 

Which of the following is a correct equation for the graph of the line depicted above?

 
A
\( \large y=-\dfrac{1}{2}x+2\)
Hint:
The slope is -1/2 and the y-intercept is 2. You can also try just plugging in points. For example, this is the only choice that gives y=1 when x=2.
B
\( \large 4x=2y\)
Hint:
This line goes through (0,0); the graph above does not.
C
\( \large y=x+2\)
Hint:
The line pictured has negative slope.
D
\( \large y=-x+2\)
Hint:
Try plugging x=4 into this equation and see if that point is on the graph above.
Question 13 Explanation: 
Topic: Find a linear equation that represents a graph (Objective 0022).
Question 14

A solution requires 4 ml of saline for every 7 ml of medicine. How much saline would be required for 50 ml of medicine?

A
\( \large 28 \dfrac{4}{7}\) ml
Hint:
49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. The extra ml of saline requires 4 ml saline/ 7 ml medicine = 4/7 ml saline per 1 ml medicine.
B
\( \large 28 \dfrac{1}{4}\) ml
Hint:
49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?
C
\( \large 28 \dfrac{1}{7}\) ml
Hint:
49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?
D
\( \large 87.5\) ml
Hint:
49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?
Question 14 Explanation: 
Topic: Apply proportional thinking to estimate quantities in real world situations (Objective 0019).
Question 15

Use the table below to answer the question that follows:

Gordon wants to buy three pounds of nuts.  Each of the stores above ordinarily sells the nuts for $4.99 a pound, but is offering a discount this week.  At which store can he buy the nuts for the least amount of money?

A

Store A

Hint:
This would save about $2.50. You can quickly see that D saves more.
B

Store B

Hint:
This saves 15% and C saves 25%.
C

Store C

D

Store D

Hint:
This is about 20% off, which is less of a discount than C.
Question 15 Explanation: 
Topic: Understand the meanings and models of integers, fractions, decimals,percents, and mixed numbers and apply them to the solution of word problems (Objective 0017).
Question 16

Below are front, side, and top views of a three-dimensional solid.

Which of the following could be the solid shown above?

A

A sphere

Hint:
All views would be circles.
B

A cylinder

C

A cone

Hint:
Two views would be triangles, not rectangles.
D

A pyramid

Hint:
How would one view be a circle?
Question 16 Explanation: 
Topic: Match three-dimensional figures and their two-dimensional representations (e.g., nets, projections, perspective drawings) (Objective 0024).
Question 17

Below is a pictorial representation of \(2\dfrac{1}{2}\div \dfrac{2}{3}\):

Which of the following is the best description of how to find the quotient from the picture?

A

The quotient is \(3\dfrac{3}{4}\). There are 3 whole blocks each representing \(\dfrac{2}{3}\) and a partial block composed of 3 small rectangles. The 3 small rectangles represent \(\dfrac{3}{4}\) of \(\dfrac{2}{3}\).

B

The quotient is \(3\dfrac{1}{2}\). There are 3 whole blocks each representing \(\dfrac{2}{3}\) and a partial block composed of 3 small rectangles. The 3 small rectangles represent \(\dfrac{3}{6}\) of a whole, or \(\dfrac{1}{2}\).

Hint:
We are counting how many 2/3's are in
2 1/2: the unit becomes 2/3, not 1.
C

The quotient is \(\dfrac{4}{15}\). There are four whole blocks separated into a total of 15 small rectangles.

Hint:
This explanation doesn't make much sense. Probably you are doing "invert and multiply," but inverting the wrong thing.
D

This picture cannot be used to find the quotient because it does not show how to separate \(2\dfrac{1}{2}\) into equal sized groups.

Hint:
Study the measurement/quotative model of division. It's often very useful with fractions.
Question 17 Explanation: 
Topic: Recognize and analyze pictorial representations of number operations. (Objective 0019).
Question 18

Below is a portion of a number line.

Point A is one-quarter of the distance from 0.26 to 0.28.  What number is represented by point A?

A
\( \large0.26\)
Hint:
Please reread the question.
B
\( \large0.2625\)
Hint:
This is one-quarter of the distance between 0.26 and 0.27, which is not what the question asked.
C
\( \large0.265\)
D
\( \large0.27\)
Hint:
Please read the question more carefully. This answer would be correct if Point A were halfway between the tick marks, but it's not.
Question 18 Explanation: 
Topic: Using number lines (Objective 0017)
Question 19

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows.

      \( \large 3\times {{10}^{4}}+2.2\times {{10}^{2}}\)

Which of the following is closest to the expression above?

A

Five million

Hint:
Pay attention to the exponents. Adding 3 and 2 doesn't work because they have different place values.
B

Fifty thousand

Hint:
Pay attention to the exponents. Adding 3 and 2 doesn't work because they have different place values.
C

Three million

Hint:
Don't add the exponents.
D

Thirty thousand

Hint:
\( 3\times {{10}^{4}} = 30,000;\) the other term is much smaller and doesn't change the estimate.
Question 19 Explanation: 
Topics: Place value, scientific notation, estimation (Objective 0016)
Question 20

The chairs in a large room can be arranged in rows of 18, 25, or 60 with no chairs left over. If C is the smallest possible number of chairs in the room, which of the following inequalities does C satisfy?

A
\( \large C\le 300\)
Hint:
Find the LCM.
B
\( \large 300 < C \le 500 \)
Hint:
Find the LCM.
C
\( \large 500 < C \le 700 \)
Hint:
Find the LCM.
D
\( \large C>700\)
Hint:
The LCM is 900, which is the smallest number of chairs.
Question 20 Explanation: 
Topic: Apply LCM in "real-world" situations (according to standardized tests....) (Objective 0018).
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