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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

The "houses" below are made of toothpicks and gum drops.

Which of the following does not represent the number of gumdrops in a row of h houses?

A	$ \large 2+3h$ Hint: Think of this as start with 2 gumdrops on the left wall, and then add 3 gumdrops for each house.
B	$ \large 5+3(h-1)$ Hint: Think of this as start with one house, and then add 3 gumdrops for each of the other h-1 houses.
C	$ \large h+(h+1)+(h+1)$ Hint: Look at the gumdrops in 3 rows: h gumdrops for the "rooftops," h+1 for the tops of the vertical walls, and h+1 for the floors.
D	$ \large 5+3h$ Hint: This one is not a correct equation (which makes it the correct answer!). Compare to choice A. One of them has to be wrong, as they differ by 3.

Question 1 Explanation:

Topic: Translate among different representations (e.g., tables, graphs, algebraic expressions, verbal descriptions) of functional relationships (Objective 0021).

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

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows.

$ \large \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}$

Which of the following is equivalent to the expression above?

A	2 Hint: $10^3 \times 10^4=10^7$, and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.
B	20 Hint: $ \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=\dfrac {12 \times {{10}^{7}}}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=$$2 \times {{10}^{1}}=20 $
C	200 Hint: $10^3 \times 10^4=10^7$
D	2000 Hint: $10^3 \times 10^4=10^7$, and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.

Question 3 Explanation:

Topics: Scientific notation, exponents, simplifying fractions (Objective 0016, although overlaps with other objectives too).

Question 4

Which of the numbers below is the decimal equivalent of $ \dfrac{3}{8}?$

A	0.38 Hint: If you are just writing the numerator next to the denominator then your technique is way off, but by coincidence your answer is close; try with 2/3 and 0.23 is nowhere near correct.
B	0.125 Hint: This is 1/8, not 3/8.
C	0.375
D	0.83 Hint: 3/8 is less than a half, and 0.83 is more than a half, so they can't be equal.

Question 4 Explanation:

Topic: Converting between fractions and decimals (Objective 0017)

Question 5

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 5 Explanation:

Topic: Place Value (Objective 0016)

Question 6

A class is using base-ten block to represent numbers. A large cube represents 1000, a flat represents 100, a rod represents 10, and a little cube represents 1. Which of these is not a correct representation for 2,347?

A	23 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes Hint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2300+40+7=2347
B	2 large cubes, 3 flats, 47 rods Hint: 2000+300+470 $ \neq$ 2347
C	2 large cubes, 34 rods, 7 little cubes Hint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+340+7=2347
D	2 large cubes, 3 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes Hint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+300+40+7=2347

Question 6 Explanation:

Topic: Place Value (Objective 0016)

Question 7

Use the problem below to answer the question that follows:

T shirts are on sale for 20% off. Tasha paid $8.73 for a shirt. What is the regular price of the shirt? There is no tax on clothing purchases under $175.

Let p represent the regular price of these t-shirt. Which of the following equations is correct?

A	$ \large 0.8p=\$8.73$ Hint: 80% of the regular price = $8.73.
B	$ \large \$8.73+0.2*\$8.73=p$ Hint: The 20% off was off of the ORIGINAL price, not off the $8.73 (a lot of people make this mistake). Plus this is the same equation as in choice c.
C	$ \large 1.2*\$8.73=p$ Hint: The 20% off was off of the ORIGINAL price, not off the $8.73 (a lot of people make this mistake). Plus this is the same equation as in choice b.
D	$ \large p-0.2*\$8.73=p$ Hint: Subtract p from both sides of this equation, and you have -.2 x 8.73 =0.

Question 7 Explanation:

Topics: Use algebra to solve word problems involving percents and identify variables, and derive algebraic expressions that represent real-world situations (Objective 0020).

Question 8

If two fair coins are flipped, what is the probability that one will come up heads and the other tails?

A	$ \large \dfrac{1}{4}$ Hint: Think of the coins as a penny and a dime, and list all possibilities.
B	$ \large \dfrac{1}{3} $ Hint: This is a very common misconception. There are three possible outcomes -- both heads, both tails, and one of each -- but they are not equally likely. Think of the coins as a penny and a dime, and list all possibilities.
C	$ \large \dfrac{1}{2}$ Hint: The possibilities are HH, HT, TH, TT, and all are equally likely. Two of the four have one of each coin, so the probability is 2/4=1/2.
D	$ \large \dfrac{3}{4}$ Hint: Think of the coins as a penny and a dime, and list all possibilities.

Question 8 Explanation:

Topic: Calculate the probabilities of simple and compound events and of independent and dependent events (Objective 0026).

Question 9

Which of the following is closest to the height of a college student in centimeters?

A	1.6 cm Hint: This is more the height of a Lego toy college student -- less than an inch!
B	16 cm Hint: Less than knee high on most college students.
C	160 cm Hint: Remember, a meter stick (a little bigger than a yard stick) is 100 cm. Also good to know is that 4 inches is approximately 10 cm.
D	1600 cm Hint: This college student might be taller than some campus buildings!

Question 9 Explanation:

Topic: Estimate and calculate measurements using customary, metric, and nonstandard units of measurement (Objective 0023).

Question 10

Which of the following is the equation of a linear function?

A	$ \large y={{x}^{2}}+2x+7$ Hint: This is a quadratic function.
B	$ \large y={{2}^{x}}$ Hint: This is an exponential function.
C	$ \large y=\dfrac{15}{x}$ Hint: This is an inverse function.
D	$ \large y=x+(x+4)$ Hint: This is a linear function, y=2x+4, it's graph is a straight line with slope 2 and y-intercept 4.

Question 10 Explanation:

Topic: Distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions (Objective 0022).

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	\( \large 2+3h\) Hint: Think of this as start with 2 gumdrops on the left wall, and then add 3 gumdrops for each house.
B	\( \large 5+3(h-1)\) Hint: Think of this as start with one house, and then add 3 gumdrops for each of the other h-1 houses.
C	\( \large h+(h+1)+(h+1)\) Hint: Look at the gumdrops in 3 rows: h gumdrops for the "rooftops," h+1 for the tops of the vertical walls, and h+1 for the floors.
D	\( \large 5+3h\) Hint: This one is not a correct equation (which makes it the correct answer!). Compare to choice A. One of them has to be wrong, as they differ by 3.

A	2 Hint: \(10^3 \times 10^4=10^7\), and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.
B	20 Hint: \( \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=\dfrac {12 \times {{10}^{7}}}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=\)\(2 \times {{10}^{1}}=20 \)
C	200 Hint: \(10^3 \times 10^4=10^7\)
D	2000 Hint: \(10^3 \times 10^4=10^7\), and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.

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

A	\( \large 0.8p=\$8.73\) Hint: 80% of the regular price = $8.73.
B	\( \large \$8.73+0.2*\$8.73=p\) Hint: The 20% off was off of the ORIGINAL price, not off the $8.73 (a lot of people make this mistake). Plus this is the same equation as in choice c.
C	\( \large 1.2*\$8.73=p\) Hint: The 20% off was off of the ORIGINAL price, not off the $8.73 (a lot of people make this mistake). Plus this is the same equation as in choice b.
D	\( \large p-0.2*\$8.73=p\) Hint: Subtract p from both sides of this equation, and you have -.2 x 8.73 =0.

A	\( \large \dfrac{1}{4}\) Hint: Think of the coins as a penny and a dime, and list all possibilities.
B	\( \large \dfrac{1}{3} \) Hint: This is a very common misconception. There are three possible outcomes -- both heads, both tails, and one of each -- but they are not equally likely. Think of the coins as a penny and a dime, and list all possibilities.
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{2}\) Hint: The possibilities are HH, HT, TH, TT, and all are equally likely. Two of the four have one of each coin, so the probability is 2/4=1/2.
D	\( \large \dfrac{3}{4}\) Hint: Think of the coins as a penny and a dime, and list all possibilities.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

The "houses" below are made of toothpicks and gum drops.

Which of the following does not represent the number of gumdrops in a row of h houses?

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.

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows.

\( \large \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}\)

Which of the following is equivalent to the expression above?

2

20

200

2000

Which of the numbers below is the decimal equivalent of \( \dfrac{3}{8}?\)

0.38

0.125

0.375

0.83

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

A class is using base-ten block to represent numbers. A large cube represents 1000, a flat represents 100, a rod represents 10, and a little cube represents 1. Which of these is not a correct representation for 2,347?

23 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes

2 large cubes, 3 flats, 47 rods

2 large cubes, 34 rods, 7 little cubes

2 large cubes, 3 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes

Use the problem below to answer the question that follows:

T shirts are on sale for 20% off. Tasha paid $8.73 for a shirt. What is the regular price of the shirt? There is no tax on clothing purchases under $175.

Let p represent the regular price of these t-shirt. Which of the following equations is correct?

If two fair coins are flipped, what is the probability that one will come up heads and the other tails?

Which of the following is closest to the height of a college student in centimeters?

1.6 cm

16 cm

160 cm

1600 cm

Which of the following is the equation of a linear function?

A	\( \large y={{x}^{2}}+2x+7\) Hint: This is a quadratic function.
B	\( \large y={{2}^{x}}\) Hint: This is an exponential function.
C	\( \large y=\dfrac{15}{x}\) Hint: This is an inverse function.
D	\( \large y=x+(x+4)\) Hint: This is a linear function, y=2x+4, it's graph is a straight line with slope 2 and y-intercept 4.