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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

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 1 Explanation:

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

Question 2

Each individual cube that makes up the rectangular solid depicted below has 6 inch sides. What is the surface area of the solid in square feet?

A	$ \large 11\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: Check your units and make sure you're using feet and inches consistently.
B	$ \large 16.5\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: Each square has surface area $\dfrac{1}{2} \times \dfrac {1}{2}=\dfrac {1}{4}$ sq feet. There are 9 squares on the top and bottom, and 12 on each of 4 sides, for a total of 66 squares. 66 squares $\times \dfrac {1}{4}$ sq feet/square =16.5 sq feet.
C	$ \large 66\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: The area of each square is not 1.
D	$ \large 2376\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: Read the question more carefully -- the answer is supposed to be in sq feet, not sq inches.

Question 2 Explanation:

Topics: Use unit conversions to solve measurement problems, and derive and use formulas for calculating surface areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023).

Question 3

In the triangle below, $\overline{AC}\cong \overline{AD}\cong \overline{DE}$ and $m\angle CAD=100{}^\circ $. What is $m\angle DAE$?

A	$ \large 20{}^\circ $ Hint: Angles ACD and ADC are congruent since they are base angles of an isosceles triangle. Since the angles of a triangle sum to 180, they sum to 80, and they are 40 deg each. Thus angle ADE is 140 deg, since it makes a straight line with angle ADC. Angles DAE and DEA are base angles of an isosceles triangle and thus congruent-- they sum to 40 deg, so are 20 deg each.
B	$ \large 25{}^\circ $ Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
C	$ \large 30{}^\circ $ Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
D	$ \large 40{}^\circ $ Hint: Make sure you're calculating the correct angle.

Question 3 Explanation:

Topic: Classify and analyze polygons using attributes of sides and angles, including real-world applications. (Objective 0024).

Question 4

If x is an integer, which of the following must also be an integer?

A	$ \large \dfrac{x}{2}$ Hint: If x is odd, then $ \dfrac{x}{2} $ is not an integer, e.g. 3/2 = 1.5.
B	$ \large \dfrac{2}{x}$ Hint: Only an integer if x = -2, -1, 1, or 2.
C	$ \large-x$ Hint: -1 times any integer is still an integer.
D	$\large\sqrt{x}$ Hint: Usually not an integer, e.g. $ \sqrt{2} \approx 1.414 $.

Question 4 Explanation:

Topic: Integers (Objective 0016)

Question 5

The function d(x) gives the result when 12 is divided by x. Which of the following is a graph of d(x)?

A	Hint: d(x) is 12 divided by x, not x divided by 12.
B	Hint: When x=2, what should d(x) be?
C	Hint: When x=2, what should d(x) be?
D

Question 5 Explanation:

Topic: Identify and analyze direct and inverse relationships in tables, graphs, algebraic expressions and real-world situations (Objective 0021)

Question 6

The Venn Diagram below gives data on the number of seniors, athletes, and vegetarians in the student body at a college:

How many students at the college are seniors who are not vegetarians?

A	$ \large 137$ Hint: Doesn't include the senior athletes who are not vegetarians.
B	$ \large 167$
C	$ \large 197$ Hint: That's all seniors, including vegetarians.
D	$ \large 279$ Hint: Includes all athletes who are not vegetarians, some of whom are not seniors.

Question 6 Explanation:

Topic: Venn Diagrams (Objective 0025)

Question 7

A sales companies pays its representatives $2 for each item sold, plus 40% of the price of the item. The rest of the money that the representatives collect goes to the company. All transactions are in cash, and all items cost $4 or more. If the price of an item in dollars is p, which expression represents the amount of money the company collects when the item is sold?

A	$ \large \dfrac{3}{5}p-2$ Hint: The company gets 3/5=60% of the price, minus the $2 per item.
B	$ \large \dfrac{3}{5}\left( p-2 \right)$ Hint: This is sensible, but not what the problem states.
C	$ \large \dfrac{2}{5}p+2$ Hint: The company pays the extra $2; it doesn't collect it.
D	$ \large \dfrac{2}{5}p-2$ Hint: This has the company getting 2/5 = 40% of the price of each item, but that's what the representative gets.

Question 7 Explanation:

Topic: Use algebra to solve word problems involving fractions, ratios, proportions, and percents (Objective 0020).

Question 8

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows:

$ \large \dfrac{\left( 7,154 \right)\times \left( 896 \right)}{216}$

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

A	2,000 Hint: The answer is bigger than 7,000.
B	20,000 Hint: Estimate 896/216 first.
C	3,000 Hint: The answer is bigger than 7,000.
D	30,000 Hint: $ \dfrac{896}{216} \approx 4$ and $7154 \times 4$ is over 28,000, so this answer is closest.

Question 8 Explanation:

Topics: Estimation, simplifying fractions (Objective 0016, overlaps with other objectives).

Question 9

What is the greatest common factor of 540 and 216?

A	$ \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}$ 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 take the smaller power for each prime that is a factor of both numbers.
B	$ \large2\cdot 3$ Hint: This is a common factor of both numbers, but it's not the greatest common factor.
C	$ \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}$ Hint: $2^3 = 8$ is not a factor of 540.
D	$ \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}$ Hint: This is a common factor of both numbers, but it's not the greatest common factor.

Question 9 Explanation:

Topic: Find the greatest common factor of a set of numbers (Objective 0018).

Question 10

Which of the numbers below is not equivalent to 4%?

A	$ \large \dfrac{1}{25}$ Hint: 1/25=4/100, so this is equal to 4% (be sure you read the question correctly).
B	$ \large \dfrac{4}{100}$ Hint: 4/100=4% (be sure you read the question correctly).
C	$ \large 0.4$ Hint: 0.4=40% so this is not equal to 4%
D	$ \large 0.04$ Hint: 0.04=4/100, so this is equal to 4% (be sure you read the question correctly).

Question 10 Explanation:

Converting between fractions, decimals, and percents (Objective 0017).

There are 10 questions to complete.

If you found a mistake or have comments on a particular question, please contact me (please copy and paste at least part of the question into the form, as the numbers change depending on how quizzes are displayed). General comments can be left here.

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	\( \large 11\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: Check your units and make sure you're using feet and inches consistently.
B	\( \large 16.5\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: Each square has surface area \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times \dfrac {1}{2}=\dfrac {1}{4}\) sq feet. There are 9 squares on the top and bottom, and 12 on each of 4 sides, for a total of 66 squares. 66 squares \(\times \dfrac {1}{4}\) sq feet/square =16.5 sq feet.
C	\( \large 66\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: The area of each square is not 1.
D	\( \large 2376\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: Read the question more carefully -- the answer is supposed to be in sq feet, not sq inches.

A	\( \large 20{}^\circ \) Hint: Angles ACD and ADC are congruent since they are base angles of an isosceles triangle. Since the angles of a triangle sum to 180, they sum to 80, and they are 40 deg each. Thus angle ADE is 140 deg, since it makes a straight line with angle ADC. Angles DAE and DEA are base angles of an isosceles triangle and thus congruent-- they sum to 40 deg, so are 20 deg each.
B	\( \large 25{}^\circ \) Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
C	\( \large 30{}^\circ \) Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
D	\( \large 40{}^\circ \) Hint: Make sure you're calculating the correct angle.

A	\( \large \dfrac{x}{2}\) Hint: If x is odd, then \( \dfrac{x}{2} \) is not an integer, e.g. 3/2 = 1.5.
B	\( \large \dfrac{2}{x}\) Hint: Only an integer if x = -2, -1, 1, or 2.
C	\( \large-x\) Hint: -1 times any integer is still an integer.
D	\(\large\sqrt{x}\) Hint: Usually not an integer, e.g. \( \sqrt{2} \approx 1.414 \).

A	\( \large 137\) Hint: Doesn't include the senior athletes who are not vegetarians.
B	\( \large 167\)
C	\( \large 197\) Hint: That's all seniors, including vegetarians.
D	\( \large 279\) Hint: Includes all athletes who are not vegetarians, some of whom are not seniors.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

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.

Each individual cube that makes up the rectangular solid depicted below has 6 inch sides. What is the surface area of the solid in square feet?

In the triangle below, \(\overline{AC}\cong \overline{AD}\cong \overline{DE}\) and \(m\angle CAD=100{}^\circ \). What is \(m\angle DAE\)?

If x is an integer, which of the following must also be an integer?

The function d(x) gives the result when 12 is divided by x. Which of the following is a graph of d(x)?

The Venn Diagram below gives data on the number of seniors, athletes, and vegetarians in the student body at a college:

How many students at the college are seniors who are not vegetarians?

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows:

\( \large \dfrac{\left( 7,154 \right)\times \left( 896 \right)}{216}\)

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

2,000

20,000

3,000

30,000

What is the greatest common factor of 540 and 216?

Which of the numbers below is not equivalent to 4%?

A	\( \large \dfrac{3}{5}p-2\) Hint: The company gets 3/5=60% of the price, minus the $2 per item.
B	\( \large \dfrac{3}{5}\left( p-2 \right)\) Hint: This is sensible, but not what the problem states.
C	\( \large \dfrac{2}{5}p+2\) Hint: The company pays the extra $2; it doesn't collect it.
D	\( \large \dfrac{2}{5}p-2\) Hint: This has the company getting 2/5 = 40% of the price of each item, but that's what the representative gets.

A	\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\) 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 take the smaller power for each prime that is a factor of both numbers.
B	\( \large2\cdot 3\) Hint: This is a common factor of both numbers, but it's not the greatest common factor.
C	\( \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\) Hint: \(2^3 = 8\) is not a factor of 540.
D	\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\) Hint: This is a common factor of both numbers, but it's not the greatest common factor.

A	\( \large \dfrac{1}{25}\) Hint: 1/25=4/100, so this is equal to 4% (be sure you read the question correctly).
B	\( \large \dfrac{4}{100}\) Hint: 4/100=4% (be sure you read the question correctly).
C	\( \large 0.4\) Hint: 0.4=40% so this is not equal to 4%
D	\( \large 0.04\) Hint: 0.04=4/100, so this is equal to 4% (be sure you read the question correctly).