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

In January 2011, the national debt was about 14 trillion dollars and the US population was about 300 million people. Someone reading these figures estimated that the national debt was about $5,000 per person. Which of these statements best describes the reasonableness of this estimate?

A	It is too low by a factor of 10 Hint: 14 trillion $ \approx 15 \times {{10}^{12}} $ and 300 million $ \approx 3 \times {{10}^{8}}$, so the true answer is about $ 5 \times {{10}^{4}} $ or $50,000.
B	It is too low by a factor of 100
C	It is too high by a factor of 10
D	It is too high by a factor of 100

Question 1 Explanation:

Topics: Estimation, Scientific Notation in the real world (Objective 0016).

Question 2

Which of the following is equal to one million three hundred thousand?

A	$\large1.3\times {{10}^{6}}$
B	$\large1.3\times {{10}^{9}}$ Hint: That's one billion three hundred million.
C	$\large1.03\times {{10}^{6}}$ Hint: That's one million thirty thousand.
D	$\large1.03\times {{10}^{9}}$ Hint: That's one billion thirty million

Question 2 Explanation:

Topic: Scientific Notation (Objective 0016)

Question 3

Which of the following points is closest to $ \dfrac{34}{135} \times \dfrac{53}{86}$?

A	A Hint: $\frac{34}{135} \approx \frac{1}{4}$ and $ \frac{53}{86} \approx \frac {2}{3}$. $\frac {1}{4}$ of $\frac {2}{3}$ is small and closest to A.
B	B Hint: Estimate with simpler fractions.
C	C Hint: Estimate with simpler fractions.
D	D Hint: Estimate with simpler fractions.

Question 3 Explanation:

Topic: Understand meaning and models of operations on fractions (Objective 0019).

Question 4

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 4 Explanation:

Topic: Find a linear equation that represents a graph (Objective 0022).

Question 5

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 5 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 6

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?

$q22 fraction dots covered$

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 6 Explanation:

Topic: Models of Fractions (Objective 0017)

Question 7

Use the solution procedure below to answer the question that follows:

$ \large {\left( x+3 \right)}^{2}=10$

$ \large \left( x+3 \right)\left( x+3 \right)=10$

$ \large {x}^{2}+9=10$

$ \large {x}^{2}+9-9=10-9$

$ \large {x}^{2}=1$

$ \large x=1\text{ or }x=-1$

Which of the following is incorrect in the procedure shown above?

A	The commutative property is used incorrectly. Hint: The commutative property is $a+b=b+a$ or $ab=ba$.
B	The associative property is used incorrectly. Hint: The associative property is $a+(b+c)=(a+b)+c$ or $a \times (b \times c)=(a \times b) \times c$.
C	Order of operations is done incorrectly.
D	The distributive property is used incorrectly. Hint: $(x+3)(x+3)=x(x+3)+3(x+3)$=$x^2+3x+3x+9.$

Question 7 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 8

Exactly one of the numbers below is a prime number. Which one is it?

A	$ \large511 $ Hint: Divisible by 7.
B	$ \large517$ Hint: Divisible by 11.
C	$ \large519$ Hint: Divisible by 3.
D	$ \large521$

Question 8 Explanation:

Topics: Identify prime and composite numbers and demonstrate knowledge of divisibility rules (Objective 0018).

Question 9

In which table below is y a function of x?

A	Hint: If x=3, y can have two different values, so it's not a function.
B	Hint: If x=3, y can have two different values, so it's not a function.
C	Hint: If x=1, y can have different values, so it's not a function.
D	Hint: Each value of x always corresponds to the same value of y.

Question 9 Explanation:

Topic: Understand the definition of function and various representations of functions (e.g., input/output machines, tables, graphs, mapping diagrams, formulas) (Objective 0021).

Question 10

A cylindrical soup can has diameter 7 cm and height 11 cm. The can holds g grams of soup. How many grams of the same soup could a cylindrical can with diameter 14 cm and height 33 cm hold?

A	$ \large 6g$ Hint: You must scale in all three dimensions.
B	$ \large 12g$ Hint: Height is multiplied by 3, and diameter and radius are multiplied by 2. Since the radius is squared, final result is multiplied by $2^2\times 3=12$.
C	$ \large 18g$ Hint: Don't square the height scale factor.
D	$ \large 36g$ Hint: Don't square the height scale factor.

Question 10 Explanation:

Topic: Determine how the characteristics (e.g., area, volume) of geometric figures and shapes are affected by changes in their dimensions (Objective 0023).

Question 11

Use the graph below to answer the question that follows:

The graph above represents the equation $ \large 3x+Ay=B$, where A and B are integers. What are the values of A and B?

A	$ \large A = -2, B= 6$ Hint: Plug in (2,0) to get B=6, then plug in (0,-3) to get A=-2.
B	$ \large A = 2, B = 6$ Hint: Try plugging (0,-3) into this equation.
C	$ \large A = -1.5, B=-3$ Hint: The problem said that A and B were integers and -1.5 is not an integer. Don't try to use slope-intercept form.
D	$ \large A = 2, B = -3$ Hint: Try plugging (2,0) into this equation.

Question 11 Explanation:

Topic: Find a linear equation that represents a graph (Objective 0022).

Question 12

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 12 Explanation:

Topic: Place Value (Objective 0016)

Question 13

Here is a student's work on several multiplication problems:

For which of the following problems is this student most likely to get the correct solution, even though he is using an incorrect algorithm?

A	58 x 22 Hint: This problem involves regrouping, which the student does not do correctly.
B	16 x 24 Hint: This problem involves regrouping, which the student does not do correctly.
C	31 x 23 Hint: There is no regrouping with this problem.
D	141 x 32 Hint: This problem involves regrouping, which the student does not do correctly.

Question 13 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze computational algorithms (Objective 0019).

Question 14

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 14 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 15

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 15 Explanation:

Topics: Place value, scientific notation, estimation (Objective 0016)

Question 16

P is a prime number that divides 240. Which of the following must be true?

A	P divides 30 Hint: 2, 3, and 5 are the prime factors of 240, and all divide 30.
B	P divides 48 Hint: P=5 doesn't work.
C	P divides 75 Hint: P=2 doesn't work.
D	P divides 80 Hint: P=3 doesn't work.

Question 16 Explanation:

Topic: Find the prime factorization of a number and recognize its uses (Objective 0018).

Question 17

The picture below represents a board with pegs on it, where the closest distance between two pegs is 1 cm. What is the area of the pentagon shown?

A	$ \large 8\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}} $ Hint: Don't just count the dots inside, that doesn't give the area. Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles.
B	$ \large 11\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}$ Hint: Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles.
C	$ \large 11.5\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}$ Hint: An easy way to do this problem is to use Pick's Theorem (of course, it's better if you understand why Pick's theorem works): area = # pegs inside + half # pegs on the border - 1. In this case 8+9/2-1=11.5. A more appropriate strategy for elementary classrooms is to add segments; here's one way. There are 20 1x1 squares enclosed, and the total area of the triangles that need to be subtracted is 8.5
D	$ \large 12.5\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}$ Hint: Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles.

Question 17 Explanation:

Topics: Calculate measurements and derive and use formulas for calculating the areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023).

Question 18

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

This student divides fractions by first finding a common denominator, then dividing the numerators.

$ \large \dfrac{2}{3} \div \dfrac{3}{4} \longrightarrow \dfrac{8}{12} \div \dfrac{9}{12} \longrightarrow 8 \div 9 = \dfrac {8}{9}$ $ \large \dfrac{2}{5} \div \dfrac{7}{20} \longrightarrow \dfrac{8}{20} \div \dfrac{7}{20} \longrightarrow 8 \div 7 = \dfrac {8}{7}$ $ \large \dfrac{7}{6} \div \dfrac{3}{4} \longrightarrow \dfrac{14}{12} \div \dfrac{9}{12} \longrightarrow 14 \div 9 = \dfrac {14}{9}$

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

A	It is not valid. Common denominators are for adding and subtracting fractions, not for dividing them. Hint: Don't be so rigid! Usually there's more than one way to do something in math.
B	It got the right answer in these three cases, but it isn‘t valid for all rational numbers. Hint: Did you try some other examples? What makes you say it's not valid?
C	It is valid if the rational numbers in the division problem are in lowest terms and the divisor is not zero. Hint: Lowest terms doesn't affect this problem at all.
D	It is valid for all rational numbers, as long as the divisor is not zero. Hint: When we have common denominators, the problem is in the form a/b divided by c/b, and the answer is a/c, as the student's algorithm predicts.

Question 18 Explanation:

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

Question 19

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 19 Explanation:

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

Question 20

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 20 Explanation:

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

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A	\(\large1.3\times {{10}^{6}}\)
B	\(\large1.3\times {{10}^{9}}\) Hint: That's one billion three hundred million.
C	\(\large1.03\times {{10}^{6}}\) Hint: That's one million thirty thousand.
D	\(\large1.03\times {{10}^{9}}\) Hint: That's one billion thirty million

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.

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 commutative property is used incorrectly. Hint: The commutative property is \(a+b=b+a\) or \(ab=ba\).
B	The associative property is used incorrectly. Hint: The associative property is \(a+(b+c)=(a+b)+c\) or \(a \times (b \times c)=(a \times b) \times c\).
C	Order of operations is done incorrectly.
D	The distributive property is used incorrectly. Hint: \((x+3)(x+3)=x(x+3)+3(x+3)\)=\(x^2+3x+3x+9.\)

A	\( \large511 \) Hint: Divisible by 7.
B	\( \large517\) Hint: Divisible by 11.
C	\( \large519\) Hint: Divisible by 3.
D	\( \large521\)

A	A Hint: \(\frac{34}{135} \approx \frac{1}{4}\) and \( \frac{53}{86} \approx \frac {2}{3}\). \(\frac {1}{4}\) of \(\frac {2}{3}\) is small and closest to A.
B	B Hint: Estimate with simpler fractions.
C	C Hint: Estimate with simpler fractions.
D	D Hint: Estimate with simpler fractions.

A	\( \large 6g\) Hint: You must scale in all three dimensions.
B	\( \large 12g\) Hint: Height is multiplied by 3, and diameter and radius are multiplied by 2. Since the radius is squared, final result is multiplied by \(2^2\times 3=12\).
C	\( \large 18g\) Hint: Don't square the height scale factor.
D	\( \large 36g\) Hint: Don't square the height scale factor.

A	\( \large A = -2, B= 6\) Hint: Plug in (2,0) to get B=6, then plug in (0,-3) to get A=-2.
B	\( \large A = 2, B = 6\) Hint: Try plugging (0,-3) into this equation.
C	\( \large A = -1.5, B=-3\) Hint: The problem said that A and B were integers and -1.5 is not an integer. Don't try to use slope-intercept form.
D	\( \large A = 2, B = -3\) Hint: Try plugging (2,0) into this equation.

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	\( \large 2.75\) 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.

A	\( \large 8\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}} \) Hint: Don't just count the dots inside, that doesn't give the area. Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles.
B	\( \large 11\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}\) Hint: Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles.
C	\( \large 11.5\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}\) Hint: An easy way to do this problem is to use Pick's Theorem (of course, it's better if you understand why Pick's theorem works): area = # pegs inside + half # pegs on the border - 1. In this case 8+9/2-1=11.5. A more appropriate strategy for elementary classrooms is to add segments; here's one way. There are 20 1x1 squares enclosed, and the total area of the triangles that need to be subtracted is 8.5
D	\( \large 12.5\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}\) Hint: Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles.

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.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

In January 2011, the national debt was about 14 trillion dollars and the US population was about 300 million people. Someone reading these figures estimated that the national debt was about $5,000 per person. Which of these statements best describes the reasonableness of this estimate?

It is too low by a factor of 10

It is too low by a factor of 100

It is too high by a factor of 10

It is too high by a factor of 100

Which of the following is equal to one million three hundred thousand?

Which of the following points is closest to \( \dfrac{34}{135} \times \dfrac{53}{86}\)?

A

B

C

D

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?

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

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?

4

5

8

12

Use the solution procedure below to answer the question that follows:

\( \large {\left( x+3 \right)}^{2}=10\)

\( \large \left( x+3 \right)\left( x+3 \right)=10\)

\( \large {x}^{2}+9=10\)

\( \large {x}^{2}+9-9=10-9\)

\( \large {x}^{2}=1\)

\( \large x=1\text{ or }x=-1\)

Which of the following is incorrect in the procedure shown above?

The commutative property is used incorrectly.

The associative property is used incorrectly.

Order of operations is done incorrectly.

The distributive property is used incorrectly.

Exactly one of the numbers below is a prime number. Which one is it?

In which table below is y a function of x?

A cylindrical soup can has diameter 7 cm and height 11 cm. The can holds g grams of soup. How many grams of the same soup could a cylindrical can with diameter 14 cm and height 33 cm hold?

Use the graph below to answer the question that follows:

The graph above represents the equation \( \large 3x+Ay=B\), where A and B are integers. What are the values of A and B?

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

Here is a student's work on several multiplication problems:

For which of the following problems is this student most likely to get the correct solution, even though he is using an incorrect algorithm?

58 x 22

16 x 24

31 x 23

141 x 32

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

What was the mean score on the quiz?

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?

Five million

Fifty thousand

Three million

Thirty thousand

P is a prime number that divides 240. Which of the following must be true?

P divides 30

P divides 48

P divides 75

P divides 80

The picture below represents a board with pegs on it, where the closest distance between two pegs is 1 cm. What is the area of the pentagon shown?

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

This student divides fractions by first finding a common denominator, then dividing the numerators.

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

It is not valid. Common denominators are for adding and subtracting fractions, not for dividing them.

It got the right answer in these three cases, but it isn‘t valid for all rational numbers.

It is valid if the rational numbers in the division problem are in lowest terms and the divisor is not zero.

It is valid for all rational numbers, as long as the divisor is not zero.

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

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?