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

The histogram below shows the frequency of a class's scores on a 4 question quiz.

What was the mean score on the quiz?

A	$ \large 2.75$ Hint: There were 20 students who took the quiz. Total points earned: $2 \times 1+6 \times 2+ 7\times 3+5 \times 4=55$, and 55/20 = 2.75.
B	$ \large 2$ Hint: How many students are there total? Did you count them all?
C	$ \large 3$ Hint: How many students are there total? Did you count them all? Be sure you're finding the mean, not the median or the mode.
D	$ \large 2.5$ Hint: How many students are there total? Did you count them all? Don't just take the mean of 1, 2, 3, 4 -- you have to weight them properly.

Question 1 Explanation:

Topics: Analyze and interpret various graphic representations, and use measures of central tendency (e.g., mean, median, mode) and spread to describe and interpret real-world data (Objective 0025).

Question 2

I. $\large \dfrac{1}{2}+\dfrac{1}{3}$	II. $ \large .400000$	III. $\large\dfrac{1}{5}+\dfrac{1}{5}$

IV. $ \large 40\% $	V. $ \large 0.25 $	VI. $\large\dfrac{14}{35}$

Which of the lists below includes all of the above expressions that are equivalent to $ \dfrac{2}{5}$?

A	I, III, V, VI Hint: I and V are not at all how fractions and decimals work.
B	III, VI Hint: These are right, but there are more.
C	II, III, VI Hint: These are right, but there are more.
D	II, III, IV, VI

Question 2 Explanation:

Topic: Converting between fractions, decimals, and percents (Objective 0017)

Question 3

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 3 Explanation:

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

Question 4

Which of the numbers below is a fraction equivalent to $ 0.\bar{6}$?

A	$ \large \dfrac{4}{6}$ Hint: $ 0.\bar{6}=\dfrac{2}{3}=\dfrac{4}{6}$
B	$ \large \dfrac{3}{5}$ Hint: This is equal to 0.6, without the repeating decimal. Answer is equivalent to choice c, which is another way to tell that it's wrong.
C	$ \large \dfrac{6}{10}$ Hint: This is equal to 0.6, without the repeating decimal. Answer is equivalent to choice b, which is another way to tell that it's wrong.
D	$ \large \dfrac{1}{6}$ Hint: This is less than a half, and $ 0.\bar{6}$ is greater than a half.

Question 4 Explanation:

Topic: Converting between fraction and decimal representations (Objective 0017)

Question 5

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 5 Explanation:

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

Question 6

The expression $ \large {{7}^{-4}}\cdot {{8}^{-6}}$ is equal to which of the following?

A	$ \large \dfrac{8}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}$ Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 8?
B	$ \large \dfrac{64}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}$ Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 64?
C	$ \large \dfrac{1}{8\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}$ Hint: $8^{-6}=8^{-4} \times 8^{-2}$
D	$ \large \dfrac{1}{64\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}$

Question 6 Explanation:

Topics: Laws of exponents (Objective 0019).

Question 7

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 7 Explanation:

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

Question 8

Which of the following inequalities describes all values of x with $\large \dfrac{x}{2}\le \dfrac{x}{3}$?

A	$ \large x < 0$ Hint: If x =0, then x/2 = x/3, so this answer can't be correct.
B	$ \large x \le 0$
C	$ \large x > 0$ Hint: If x =0, then x/2 = x/3, so this answer can't be correct.
D	$ \large x \ge 0$ Hint: Try plugging in x = 6.

Question 8 Explanation:

Topics: Inequalities, operations (Objective 0019) (not exactly sure how to classify, but this is like one of the problems on the official sample test).

Question 9

The following story situations model $ 12\div 3$:

I) Jack has 12 cookies, which he wants to share equally between himself and two friends. How many cookies does each person get?

II) Trent has 12 cookies, which he wants to put into bags of 3 cookies each. How many bags can he make?

III) Cicely has $12. Cookies cost $3 each. How many cookies can she buy?

Which of these questions illustrate the same model of division, either partitive (partioning) or measurement (quotative)?

A	I and II
B	I and III
C	II and III Hint: Problem I is partitive (or partitioning or sharing) -- we put 12 objects into 3 groups. Problems II and III are quotative (or measurement) -- we put 12 objects in groups of 3.
D	All three problems model the same meaning of division

Question 9 Explanation:

Topic: Understand models of operations on numbers (Objective 0019).

Question 10

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 10 Explanation:

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

Question 11

What is the mathematical name of the three-dimensional polyhedron depicted below?

A	Tetrahedron Hint: All the faces of a tetrahedron are triangles.
B	Triangular Prism Hint: A prism has two congruent, parallel bases, connected by parallelograms (since this is a right prism, the parallelograms are rectangles).
C	Triangular Pyramid Hint: A pyramid has one base, not two.
D	Trigon Hint: A trigon is a triangle (this is not a common term).

Question 11 Explanation:

Topic: Classify and analyze three-dimensional figures using attributes of faces, edges, and vertices (Objective 0024).

Question 12

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

$Q45 frac div model$

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 12 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize and analyze pictorial representations of number operations. (Objective 0019).

Question 13

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

How many toothpicks are there in a row of 53 houses?

A	212 Hint: Can the number of toothpicks be even?
B	213 Hint: One way to see this is that every new "house" adds 4 toothpicks to the leftmost vertical toothpick -- so the total number is 1 plus 4 times the number of "houses." There are many other ways to look at the problem too.
C	217 Hint: Try your strategy with a smaller number of "houses" so you can count and find your mistake.
D	265 Hint: Remember that the "houses" overlap some walls.

Question 13 Explanation:

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

Question 14

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 14 Explanation:

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

Question 15

The expression $ \large{{8}^{3}}\cdot {{2}^{-10}}$ is equal to which of the following?

A	$ \large 2$ Hint: Write $8^3$ as a power of 2.
B	$ \large \dfrac{1}{2}$ Hint: $8^3 \cdot {2}^{-10}={(2^3)}^3 \cdot {2}^{-10}$ =$2^9 \cdot {2}^{-10} =2^{-1}$
C	$ \large 16$ Hint: Write $8^3$ as a power of 2.
D	$ \large \dfrac{1}{16}$ Hint: Write $8^3$ as a power of 2.

Question 15 Explanation:

Topic: Laws of Exponents (Objective 0019).

Question 16

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 16 Explanation:

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

Question 17

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 17 Explanation:

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

Question 18

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 18 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze and interpret various graphic and nongraphic data representations (e.g., frequency distributions, percentiles) (Objective 0025).

Question 19

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 19 Explanation:

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

Question 20

A map has a scale of 3 inches = 100 miles. Cities A and B are 753 miles apart. Let d be the distance between the two cities on the map. Which of the following is not correct?

A	$ \large \dfrac{3}{100}=\dfrac{d}{753}$ Hint: Units on both side are inches/mile, and both numerators and denominators correspond -- this one is correct.
B	$ \large \dfrac{3}{100}=\dfrac{753}{d}$ Hint: Unit on the left is inches per mile, and on the right is miles per inch. The proportion is set up incorrectly (which is what we wanted). Another strategy is to notice that one of A or B has to be the answer because they cannot both be correct proportions. Then check that cross multiplying on A gives part D, so B is the one that is different from the other 3.
C	$ \large \dfrac{3}{d}=\dfrac{100}{753}$ Hint: Unitless on each side, as inches cancel on the left and miles on the right. Numerators correspond to the map, and denominators to the real life distances -- this one is correct.
D	$ \large 100d=3\cdot 753$ Hint: This is equivalent to part A.

Question 20 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze the relationships among proportions, constant rates, and linear functions (Objective 0022).

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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	\( \large 2.75\) Hint: There were 20 students who took the quiz. Total points earned: \(2 \times 1+6 \times 2+ 7\times 3+5 \times 4=55\), and 55/20 = 2.75.
B	\( \large 2\) Hint: How many students are there total? Did you count them all?
C	\( \large 3\) Hint: How many students are there total? Did you count them all? Be sure you're finding the mean, not the median or the mode.
D	\( \large 2.5\) Hint: How many students are there total? Did you count them all? Don't just take the mean of 1, 2, 3, 4 -- you have to weight them properly.

I. \(\large \dfrac{1}{2}+\dfrac{1}{3}\)	II. \( \large .400000\)	III. \(\large\dfrac{1}{5}+\dfrac{1}{5}\)

IV. \( \large 40\% \)	V. \( \large 0.25 \)	VI. \(\large\dfrac{14}{35}\)

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	\( \large \dfrac{4}{6}\) Hint: \( 0.\bar{6}=\dfrac{2}{3}=\dfrac{4}{6}\)
B	\( \large \dfrac{3}{5}\) Hint: This is equal to 0.6, without the repeating decimal. Answer is equivalent to choice c, which is another way to tell that it's wrong.
C	\( \large \dfrac{6}{10}\) Hint: This is equal to 0.6, without the repeating decimal. Answer is equivalent to choice b, which is another way to tell that it's wrong.
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{6}\) Hint: This is less than a half, and \( 0.\bar{6}\) is greater than a half.

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.

A	\( \large \dfrac{8}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 8?
B	\( \large \dfrac{64}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 64?
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{8\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: \(8^{-6}=8^{-4} \times 8^{-2}\)
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{64\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\)

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	\( \large x < 0\) Hint: If x =0, then x/2 = x/3, so this answer can't be correct.
B	\( \large x \le 0\)
C	\( \large x > 0\) Hint: If x =0, then x/2 = x/3, so this answer can't be correct.
D	\( \large x \ge 0\) Hint: Try plugging in x = 6.

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.

A	\( \large 2\) Hint: Write \(8^3\) as a power of 2.
B	\( \large \dfrac{1}{2}\) Hint: \(8^3 \cdot {2}^{-10}={(2^3)}^3 \cdot {2}^{-10}\) =\(2^9 \cdot {2}^{-10} =2^{-1}\)
C	\( \large 16\) Hint: Write \(8^3\) as a power of 2.
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{16}\) Hint: Write \(8^3\) as a power of 2.

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	\( \large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}\) 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	\( \large 2+3h\) 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	\( \large \dfrac{3}{100}=\dfrac{d}{753}\) Hint: Units on both side are inches/mile, and both numerators and denominators correspond -- this one is correct.
B	\( \large \dfrac{3}{100}=\dfrac{753}{d}\) Hint: Unit on the left is inches per mile, and on the right is miles per inch. The proportion is set up incorrectly (which is what we wanted). Another strategy is to notice that one of A or B has to be the answer because they cannot both be correct proportions. Then check that cross multiplying on A gives part D, so B is the one that is different from the other 3.
C	\( \large \dfrac{3}{d}=\dfrac{100}{753}\) Hint: Unitless on each side, as inches cancel on the left and miles on the right. Numerators correspond to the map, and denominators to the real life distances -- this one is correct.
D	\( \large 100d=3\cdot 753\) Hint: This is equivalent to part A.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

The histogram below shows the frequency of a class's scores on a 4 question quiz.

What was the mean score on the quiz?

Which of the lists below includes all of the above expressions that are equivalent to \( \dfrac{2}{5}\)?

I, III, V, VI

III, VI

II, III, VI

II, III, IV, VI

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?

Which of the numbers below is a fraction equivalent to \( 0.\bar{6}\)?

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

The expression \( \large {{7}^{-4}}\cdot {{8}^{-6}}\) is equal to which of the following?

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?

Which of the following inequalities describes all values of x with \(\large \dfrac{x}{2}\le \dfrac{x}{3}\)?

The following story situations model \( 12\div 3\):

I) Jack has 12 cookies, which he wants to share equally between himself and two friends. How many cookies does each person get?

II) Trent has 12 cookies, which he wants to put into bags of 3 cookies each. How many bags can he make?

III) Cicely has $12. Cookies cost $3 each. How many cookies can she buy?

Which of these questions illustrate the same model of division, either partitive (partioning) or measurement (quotative)?

I and II

I and III

II and III

All three problems model the same meaning of division

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.

What is the mathematical name of the three-dimensional polyhedron depicted below?

Tetrahedron

Triangular Prism

Triangular Pyramid

Trigon

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?

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 \(\dfrac{2}{3}\).

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 \(\dfrac{1}{2}\).

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

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.

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

How many toothpicks are there in a row of 53 houses?

212

213

217

265

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

The expression \( \large{{8}^{3}}\cdot {{2}^{-10}}\) is equal to which of the following?

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%.

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?

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?

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

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

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.

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

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 map has a scale of 3 inches = 100 miles. Cities A and B are 753 miles apart. Let d be the distance between the two cities on the map. Which of the following is not correct?