20 Random Questions

Hints will display for most wrong answers; explanations for most right answers. You can attempt a question multiple times; it will only be scored correct if you get it right the first time.

I used the official objectives and sample test to construct these questions, but cannot promise that they accurately reflect what’s on the real test. Some of the sample questions were more convoluted than I could bear to write. See terms of use. See the MTEL Practice Test main page to view questions on a particular topic or to download paper practice tests.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

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Question 1

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 1 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze and justify standard and non-standard computational techniques (Objective 0019).

Question 2

A family went on a long car trip. Below is a graph of how far they had driven at each hour.

Which of the following is closest to their average speed driving on the trip?

A	$ \large d=20t$ Hint: Try plugging t=7 into the equation, and see how it matches the graph.
B	$ \large d=30t$ Hint: Try plugging t=7 into the equation, and see how it matches the graph.
C	$ \large d=40t$
D	$ \large d=50t$ Hint: Try plugging t=7 into the equation, and see how it matches the graph.

Question 2 Explanation:

Topic: Select the linear equation that best models a real-world situation (Objective 0022).

Question 3

Here is a student's work solving an equation:

$ x-4=-2x+6$

$ x-4+4=-2x+6+4$

$ x=-2x+10$

$ x-2x=10$

$ x=10$

Which of the following statements is true?

A	The student‘s solution is correct. Hint: Try plugging into the original solution.
B	The student did not correctly use properties of equality. Hint: After $ x=-2x+10$, the student subtracted 2x on the left and added 2x on the right.
C	The student did not correctly use the distributive property. Hint: Distributive property is $a(b+c)=ab+ac$.
D	The student did not correctly use the commutative property. Hint: Commutative property is $a+b=b+a$ or $ab=ba$.

Question 3 Explanation:

Topic: Justify algebraic manipulations by application of the properties of equality, the order of operations, the number properties, and the order properties (Objective 0020).

Question 4

Use the samples of a student's work below to answer the question that follows:

$ \large \dfrac{2}{3}\times \dfrac{3}{4}=\dfrac{4\times 2}{3\times 3}=\dfrac{8}{9}$ $ \large \dfrac{2}{5}\times \dfrac{7}{7}=\dfrac{7\times 2}{5\times 7}=\dfrac{2}{5}$ $ \large \dfrac{7}{6}\times \dfrac{3}{4}=\dfrac{4\times 7}{6\times 3}=\dfrac{28}{18}=\dfrac{14}{9}$

Which of the following best describes the mathematical validity of the algorithm the student is using?

A	It is not valid. It never produces the correct answer. Hint: In the middle example,the answer is correct.
B	It is not valid. It produces the correct answer in a few special cases, but it‘s still not a valid algorithm. Hint: Note that this algorithm gives a/b divided by c/d, not a/b x c/d, but some students confuse multiplication and cross-multiplication. If a=0 or if c/d =1, division and multiplication give the same answer.
C	It is valid if the rational numbers in the multiplication problem are in lowest terms. Hint: Lowest terms is irrelevant.
D	It is valid for all rational numbers. Hint: Can't be correct as the first and last examples have the wrong answers.

Question 4 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze Non-Standard Computational Algorithms (Objective 0019).

Question 5

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 5 Explanation:

Topic: Identifying rational and irrational numbers (Objective 0016).

Question 6

A teacher has a list of all the countries in the world and their populations in March 2012. She is going to have her students use technology to compute the mean and median of the numbers on the list. Which of the following statements is true?

A	The teacher can be sure that the mean and median will be the same without doing any computation. Hint: Does this make sense? How likely is it that the mean and median of any large data set will be the same?
B	The teacher can be sure that the mean is bigger than the median without doing any computation. Hint: This is a skewed distribution, and very large countries like China and India contribute huge numbers to the mean, but are counted the same as small countries like Luxembourg in the median (the same thing happens w/data on salaries, where a few very high income people tilt the mean -- that's why such data is usually reported as medians).
C	The teacher can be sure that the median is bigger than the mean without doing any computation. Hint: Think about a set of numbers like 1, 2, 3, 4, 10,000 -- how do the mean/median compare? How might that relate to countries of the world?
D	There is no way for the teacher to know the relative size of the mean and median without computing them. Hint: Knowing the shape of the distribution of populations does give us enough info to know the relative size of the mean and median, even without computing them.

Question 6 Explanation:

Topic: Use measures of central tendency (e.g., mean, median, mode) and spread to describe and interpret real-world data (Objective 0025).

Question 7

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 7 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 8

A family has four children. What is the probability that two children are girls and two are boys? Assume the the probability of having a boy (or a girl) is 50%.

A	$ \large \dfrac{1}{2}$ Hint: How many different configurations are there from oldest to youngest, e.g. BGGG? How many of them have 2 boys and 2 girls?
B	$ \large \dfrac{1}{4}$ Hint: How many different configurations are there from oldest to youngest, e.g. BGGG? How many of them have 2 boys and 2 girls?
C	$ \large \dfrac{1}{5}$ Hint: Some configurations are more probable than others -- i.e. it's more likely to have two boys and two girls than all boys. Be sure you are weighting properly.
D	$ \large \dfrac{3}{8}$ Hint: There are two possibilities for each child, so there are $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 =16$ different configurations, e.g. from oldest to youngest BBBG, BGGB, GBBB, etc. Of these configurations, there are 6 with two boys and two girls (this is the combination $_{4}C_{2}$ or "4 choose 2"): BBGG, BGBG, BGGB, GGBB, GBGB, and GBBG. Thus the probability is 6/16=3/8.

Question 8 Explanation:

Topic: Apply knowledge of combinations and permutations to the computation of probabilities (Objective 0026).

Question 9

Given that 10 cm is approximately equal to 4 inches, which of the following expressions models a way to find out approximately how many inches are equivalent to 350 cm?

A	$ \large 350\times \left( \dfrac{10}{4} \right)$ Hint: The final result should be smaller than 350, and this answer is bigger.
B	$ \large 350\times \left( \dfrac{4}{10} \right)$ Hint: Dimensional analysis can help here: $350 \text{cm} \times \dfrac{4 \text{in}}{10 \text{cm}}$. The cm's cancel and the answer is in inches.
C	$ \large (10-4) \times 350 $ Hint: This answer doesn't make much sense. Try with a simpler example (e.g. 20 cm not 350 cm) to make sure that your logic makes sense.
D	$ \large (350-10) \times 4$ Hint: This answer doesn't make much sense. Try with a simpler example (e.g. 20 cm not 350 cm) to make sure that your logic makes sense.

Question 9 Explanation:

Topic: Applying fractions to word problems (Objective 0017) This problem is similar to one on the official sample test for that objective, but it might fit better into unit conversion and dimensional analysis (Objective 0023: Measurement)

Question 10

The prime factorization of n can be written as n=pqr, where p, q, and r are distinct prime numbers. How many factors does n have, including 1 and itself?

A	$ \large3$ Hint: 1, p, q, r, and pqr are already 5, so this isn't enough. You might try plugging in p=2, q=3, and r=5 to help with this problem.
B	$ \large5$ Hint: Don't forget pq, etc. You might try plugging in p=2, q=3, and r=5 to help with this problem.
C	$ \large6$ Hint: You might try plugging in p=2, q=3, and r=5 to help with this problem.
D	$ \large8$ Hint: 1, p, q, r, pq, pr, qr, pqr.

Question 10 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize uses of prime factorization of a number (Objective 0018).

Question 11

The pattern below consists of a row of black squares surrounded by white squares.

How many white squares would surround a row of 157 black squares?

A	314 Hint: Try your procedure on a smaller number that you can count to see where you made a mistake.
B	317 Hint: Are there ever an odd number of white squares?
C	320 Hint: One way to see this is that there are 6 tiles on the left and right ends, and the rest of the white tiles are twice the number of black tiles (there are many other ways to look at it too).
D	322 Hint: Try your procedure on a smaller number that you can count to see where you made a mistake.

Question 11 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize and extend patterns using a variety of representations (e.g., verbal, numeric, pictorial, algebraic) (Objective 0021).

Question 12

Here is a mental math strategy for computing 26 x 16:

Step 1: 100 x 16 = 1600

Step 2: 25 x 16 = 1600 ÷· 4 = 400

Step 3: 26 x 16 = 400 + 16 = 416

Which property best justifies Step 3 in this strategy?

A	Commutative Property. Hint: For addition, the commutative property is $a+b=b+a$ and for multiplication it's $ a \times b = b \times a$.
B	Associative Property. Hint: For addition, the associative property is $(a+b)+c=a+(b+c)$ and for multiplication it's $(a \times b) \times c=a \times (b \times c)$
C	Identity Property. Hint: 0 is the additive identity, because $ a+0=a$ and 1 is the multiplicative identity because $a \times 1=a$. The phrase "identity property" is not standard.
D	Distributive Property. Hint: $ (25+1) \times 16 = 25 \times 16 + 1 \times 16 $. This is an example of the distributive property of multiplication over addition.

Question 12 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze and justify mental math techniques, by applying arithmetic properties such as commutative, distributive, and associative (Objective 0019). Note that it's hard to write a question like this as a multiple choice question -- worthwhile to understand why the other steps work too.

Question 13

Four children randomly line up, single file. What is the probability that they are in height order, with the shortest child in front? All of the children are different heights.

A	$ \large \dfrac{1}{4}$ Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
B	$ \large \dfrac{1}{256} $ Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
C	$ \large \dfrac{1}{16}$ Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
D	$ \large \dfrac{1}{24}$ Hint: The number of ways for the children to line up is $4!=4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 =24$ -- there are 4 choices for who is first in line, then 3 for who is second, etc. Only one of these lines has the children in the order specified.

Question 13 Explanation:

Topic: Apply knowledge of combinations and permutations to the computation of probabilities (Objective 0026).

Question 14

The column below consists of two cubes and a cylinder. The cylinder has diameter y, which is also the length of the sides of each cube. The total height of the column is 5y. Which of the formulas below gives the volume of the column?

A	$ \large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}$ Hint: The cubes each have volume $y^3$. The cylinder has radius $\dfrac{y}{2}$ and height $3y$. The volume of a cylinder is $\pi r^2 h=\pi ({\dfrac{y}{2}})^2(3y)=\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}$. Note that the volume of a cylinder is analogous to that of a prism -- area of the base times height.
B	$ \large 2{{y}^{3}}+3\pi {{y}^{3}}$ Hint: y is the diameter of the circle, not the radius.
C	$ \large {{y}^{3}}+5\pi {{y}^{3}}$ Hint: Don't forget to count both cubes.
D	$ \large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{8}$ Hint: Make sure you know how to find the volume of a cylinder.

Question 14 Explanation:

Topic: Derive and use formulas for calculating the lengths, perimeters, areas, volumes, and surface areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023).

Question 15

On a map the distance from Boston to Detroit is 6 cm, and these two cities are 702 miles away from each other. Assuming the scale of the map is the same throughout, which answer below is closest to the distance between Boston and San Francisco on the map, given that they are 2,708 miles away from each other?

A	21 cm Hint: How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there.
B	22 cm Hint: How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there.
C	23 cm Hint: One way to solve this without a calculator is to note that 4 groups of 6 cm is 2808 miles, which is 100 miles too much. Then 100 miles would be about 1/7 th of 6 cm, or about 1 cm less than 24 cm.
D	24 cm Hint: 4 groups of 6 cm is over 2800 miles on the map, which is too much.

Question 15 Explanation:

Topic: Apply proportional thinking to estimate quantities in real world situations (Objective 0019).

Question 16

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows.

$\large \dfrac{\left( 155 \right)\times \left( 6,124 \right)}{977}$

Which of the following is the best estimate of the expression above?

A	100 Hint: 6124/977 is approximately 6.
B	200 Hint: 6124/977 is approximately 6.
C	1,000 Hint: 6124/977 is approximately 6. 155 is approximately 150, and $ 6 \times 150 = 3 \times 300 = 900$, so this answer is closest.
D	2,000 Hint: 6124/977 is approximately 6.

Question 16 Explanation:

Topics: Estimation, simplifying fractions (Objective 0016).

Question 17

Which of the following values of x satisfies the inequality $ \large \left| {{(x+2)}^{3}} \right|<3?$

A	$ \large x=-3$ Hint: $ \left\| {{(-3+2)}^{3}} \right\|$=$ \left \| {(-1)}^3 \right \| $=$ \left \| -1 \right \|=1 $ .
B	$ \large x=0$ Hint: $ \left\| {{(0+2)}^{3}} \right\|$=$ \left \| {2}^3 \right \| $=$ \left \| 8 \right \| $ =$ 8$
C	$ \large x=-4$ Hint: $ \left\| {{(-4+2)}^{3}} \right\|$=$ \left \| {(-2)}^3 \right \| $=$ \left \| -8 \right \| $ =$ 8$
D	$ \large x=1$ Hint: $ \left\| {{(1+2)}^{3}} \right\|$=$ \left \| {3}^3 \right \| $=$ \left \| 27 \right \| $ = $27$

Question 17 Explanation:

Topics: Laws of exponents, order of operations, interpret absolute value (Objective 0019).

Question 18

Which property is not shared by all rhombi?

A	4 congruent sides Hint: The most common definition of a rhombus is a quadrilateral with 4 congruent sides.
B	A center of rotational symmetry Hint: The diagonal of a rhombus separates it into two congruent isosceles triangles. The center of this line is a center of 180 degree rotational symmetry that switches the triangles.
C	4 congruent angles Hint: Unless the rhombus is a square, it does not have 4 congruent angles.
D	2 sets of parallel sides Hint: All rhombi are parallelograms.

Question 18 Explanation:

Topic: Classify and analyze polygons using attributes of sides and angles, and symmetry (Objective 0024).

Question 19

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 19 Explanation:

Topic: Use unit conversions and dimensional analysis to solve measurement problems (Objective 0023).

Question 20

Taxicab fares in Boston (Spring 2012) are $2.60 for the first $\dfrac{1}{7}$ of a mile or less and $0.40 for each $\dfrac{1}{7}$ of a mile after that.

Let d represent the distance a passenger travels in miles (with $d>\dfrac{1}{7}$). Which of the following expressions represents the total fare?

A	$ \large \$2.60+\$0.40d$ Hint: It's 40 cents for 1/7 of a mile, not per mile.
B	$ \large \$2.60+\$0.40\dfrac{d}{7}$ Hint: According to this equation, going 7 miles would cost $3; does that make sense?
C	$ \large \$2.20+\$2.80d$ Hint: You can think of the fare as $2.20 to enter the cab, and then $0.40 for each 1/7 of a mile, including the first 1/7 of a mile (or $2.80 per mile). Alternatively, you pay $2.60 for the first 1/7 of a mile, and then $2.80 per mile for d-1/7 miles. The total is 2.60+2.80(d-1/7) = 2.60+ 2.80d -.40 = 2.20+2.80d.
D	$ \large \$2.60+\$2.80d$ Hint: Don't count the first 1/7 of a mile twice.

Question 20 Explanation:

Topic: Identify variables and derive algebraic expressions that represent real-world situations (Objective 0020), and select the linear equation that best models a real-world situation (Objective 0022).

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A	\( \large d=20t\) Hint: Try plugging t=7 into the equation, and see how it matches the graph.
B	\( \large d=30t\) Hint: Try plugging t=7 into the equation, and see how it matches the graph.
C	\( \large d=40t\)
D	\( \large d=50t\) Hint: Try plugging t=7 into the equation, and see how it matches the graph.

A	The student‘s solution is correct. Hint: Try plugging into the original solution.
B	The student did not correctly use properties of equality. Hint: After \( x=-2x+10\), the student subtracted 2x on the left and added 2x on the right.
C	The student did not correctly use the distributive property. Hint: Distributive property is \(a(b+c)=ab+ac\).
D	The student did not correctly use the commutative property. Hint: Commutative property is \(a+b=b+a\) or \(ab=ba\).

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.

A	\( \large \dfrac{1}{2}\) Hint: How many different configurations are there from oldest to youngest, e.g. BGGG? How many of them have 2 boys and 2 girls?
B	\( \large \dfrac{1}{4}\) Hint: How many different configurations are there from oldest to youngest, e.g. BGGG? How many of them have 2 boys and 2 girls?
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{5}\) Hint: Some configurations are more probable than others -- i.e. it's more likely to have two boys and two girls than all boys. Be sure you are weighting properly.
D	\( \large \dfrac{3}{8}\) Hint: There are two possibilities for each child, so there are \(2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 =16\) different configurations, e.g. from oldest to youngest BBBG, BGGB, GBBB, etc. Of these configurations, there are 6 with two boys and two girls (this is the combination \(_{4}C_{2}\) or "4 choose 2"): BBGG, BGBG, BGGB, GGBB, GBGB, and GBBG. Thus the probability is 6/16=3/8.

A	\( \large 350\times \left( \dfrac{10}{4} \right)\) Hint: The final result should be smaller than 350, and this answer is bigger.
B	\( \large 350\times \left( \dfrac{4}{10} \right)\) Hint: Dimensional analysis can help here: \(350 \text{cm} \times \dfrac{4 \text{in}}{10 \text{cm}}\). The cm's cancel and the answer is in inches.
C	\( \large (10-4) \times 350 \) Hint: This answer doesn't make much sense. Try with a simpler example (e.g. 20 cm not 350 cm) to make sure that your logic makes sense.
D	\( \large (350-10) \times 4\) Hint: This answer doesn't make much sense. Try with a simpler example (e.g. 20 cm not 350 cm) to make sure that your logic makes sense.

A	\( \large3\) Hint: 1, p, q, r, and pqr are already 5, so this isn't enough. You might try plugging in p=2, q=3, and r=5 to help with this problem.
B	\( \large5\) Hint: Don't forget pq, etc. You might try plugging in p=2, q=3, and r=5 to help with this problem.
C	\( \large6\) Hint: You might try plugging in p=2, q=3, and r=5 to help with this problem.
D	\( \large8\) Hint: 1, p, q, r, pq, pr, qr, pqr.

A	\( \large \dfrac{1}{4}\) Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
B	\( \large \dfrac{1}{256} \) Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{16}\) Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{24}\) Hint: The number of ways for the children to line up is \(4!=4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 =24\) -- there are 4 choices for who is first in line, then 3 for who is second, etc. Only one of these lines has the children in the order specified.

A	\( \large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}\) Hint: The cubes each have volume \(y^3\). The cylinder has radius \(\dfrac{y}{2}\) and height \(3y\). The volume of a cylinder is \(\pi r^2 h=\pi ({\dfrac{y}{2}})^2(3y)=\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}\). Note that the volume of a cylinder is analogous to that of a prism -- area of the base times height.
B	\( \large 2{{y}^{3}}+3\pi {{y}^{3}}\) Hint: y is the diameter of the circle, not the radius.
C	\( \large {{y}^{3}}+5\pi {{y}^{3}}\) Hint: Don't forget to count both cubes.
D	\( \large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{8}\) Hint: Make sure you know how to find the volume of a cylinder.

A	\( \large x=-3\) Hint: \( \left\| {{(-3+2)}^{3}} \right\|\)=\( \left \| {(-1)}^3 \right \| \)=\( \left \| -1 \right \|=1 \) .
B	\( \large x=0\) Hint: \( \left\| {{(0+2)}^{3}} \right\|\)=\( \left \| {2}^3 \right \| \)=\( \left \| 8 \right \| \) =\( 8\)
C	\( \large x=-4\) Hint: \( \left\| {{(-4+2)}^{3}} \right\|\)=\( \left \| {(-2)}^3 \right \| \)=\( \left \| -8 \right \| \) =\( 8\)
D	\( \large x=1\) Hint: \( \left\| {{(1+2)}^{3}} \right\|\)=\( \left \| {3}^3 \right \| \)=\( \left \| 27 \right \| \) = \(27\)

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.

A	\( \large \$2.60+\$0.40d\) Hint: It's 40 cents for 1/7 of a mile, not per mile.
B	\( \large \$2.60+\$0.40\dfrac{d}{7}\) Hint: According to this equation, going 7 miles would cost $3; does that make sense?
C	\( \large \$2.20+\$2.80d\) Hint: You can think of the fare as $2.20 to enter the cab, and then $0.40 for each 1/7 of a mile, including the first 1/7 of a mile (or $2.80 per mile). Alternatively, you pay $2.60 for the first 1/7 of a mile, and then $2.80 per mile for d-1/7 miles. The total is 2.60+2.80(d-1/7) = 2.60+ 2.80d -.40 = 2.20+2.80d.
D	\( \large \$2.60+\$2.80d\) Hint: Don't count the first 1/7 of a mile twice.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

Here is a method that a student used for subtraction:

Which of the following is correct?

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

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.

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.

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.

A family went on a long car trip. Below is a graph of how far they had driven at each hour.

Which of the following is closest to their average speed driving on the trip?

Here is a student's work solving an equation:

\( x-4=-2x+6\)

\( x-4+4=-2x+6+4\)

\( x=-2x+10\)

\( x-2x=10\)

\( x=10\)

Which of the following statements is true?

The student‘s solution is correct.

The student did not correctly use properties of equality.

The student did not correctly use the distributive property.

The student did not correctly use the commutative property.

Use the samples of a student's work below to answer the question that follows:

Which of the following best describes the mathematical validity of the algorithm the student is using?

It is not valid. It never produces the correct answer.

It is not valid. It produces the correct answer in a few special cases, but it‘s still not a valid algorithm.

It is valid if the rational numbers in the multiplication problem are in lowest terms.

It is valid for all rational numbers.

Which of the lists below contains only irrational numbers?

A teacher has a list of all the countries in the world and their populations in March 2012. She is going to have her students use technology to compute the mean and median of the numbers on the list. Which of the following statements is true?

The teacher can be sure that the mean and median will be the same without doing any computation.

The teacher can be sure that the mean is bigger than the median without doing any computation.

The teacher can be sure that the median is bigger than the mean without doing any computation.

There is no way for the teacher to know the relative size of the mean and median without computing them.

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?

Store A

Store B

Store C

Store D

A family has four children. What is the probability that two children are girls and two are boys? Assume the the probability of having a boy (or a girl) is 50%.

Given that 10 cm is approximately equal to 4 inches, which of the following expressions models a way to find out approximately how many inches are equivalent to 350 cm?

The prime factorization of n can be written as n=pqr, where p, q, and r are distinct prime numbers. How many factors does n have, including 1 and itself?

The pattern below consists of a row of black squares surrounded by white squares.

How many white squares would surround a row of 157 black squares?

314

317

320

322

Here is a mental math strategy for computing 26 x 16:

Step 1: 100 x 16 = 1600

Step 2: 25 x 16 = 1600 ÷· 4 = 400

Step 3: 26 x 16 = 400 + 16 = 416

Which property best justifies Step 3 in this strategy?

Commutative Property.

Associative Property.

Identity Property.

Distributive Property.

Four children randomly line up, single file. What is the probability that they are in height order, with the shortest child in front? All of the children are different heights.

The column below consists of two cubes and a cylinder. The cylinder has diameter y, which is also the length of the sides of each cube. The total height of the column is 5y. Which of the formulas below gives the volume of the column?

21 cm

22 cm

23 cm

24 cm

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows.

\(\large \dfrac{\left( 155 \right)\times \left( 6,124 \right)}{977}\)

Which of the following is the best estimate of the expression above?

100

200

1,000

2,000

Which of the following values of x satisfies the inequality \( \large \left| {{(x+2)}^{3}} \right|<3?\)

Which property is not shared by all rhombi?

4 congruent sides

A center of rotational symmetry

4 congruent angles

2 sets of parallel sides

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)?

Taxicab fares in Boston (Spring 2012) are $2.60 for the first \(\dfrac{1}{7}\) of a mile or less and $0.40 for each \(\dfrac{1}{7}\) of a mile after that.

Let d represent the distance a passenger travels in miles (with \(d>\dfrac{1}{7}\)). Which of the following expressions represents the total fare?