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

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 1 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).

Question 2

What is the least common multiple of 540 and 216?

A	$ \large{{2}^{5}}\cdot {{3}^{6}}\cdot 5$ Hint: This is the product of the numbers, not the LCM.
B	$ \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5$ 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 for each prime that's a factor of either number, use the largest exponent that appears in one of the factorizations. You can also take the product of the two numbers divided by their GCD.
C	$ \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5$ Hint: 216 is a multiple of 8.
D	$ \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\cdot {{5}^{2}}$ Hint: Not a multiple of 216 and not a multiple of 540.

Question 2 Explanation:

Topic: Find the least common multiple of a set of numbers (Objective 0018).

Question 3

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 3 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 4

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 4 Explanation:

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

Question 5

A solution requires 4 ml of saline for every 7 ml of medicine. How much saline would be required for 50 ml of medicine?

A	$ \large 28 \dfrac{4}{7}$ ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. The extra ml of saline requires 4 ml saline/ 7 ml medicine = 4/7 ml saline per 1 ml medicine.
B	$ \large 28 \dfrac{1}{4}$ ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?
C	$ \large 28 \dfrac{1}{7}$ ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?
D	$ \large 87.5$ ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?

Question 5 Explanation:

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

Question 6

Here is a number trick:

1) Pick a whole number

2) Double your number.

3) Add 20 to the above result.

4) Multiply the above by 5

5) Subtract 100

6) Divide by 10

The result is always the number that you started with! Suppose you start by picking N. Which of the equations below best demonstrates that the result after Step 6 is also N?

A	$ \large N2+205-100\div 10=N$ Hint: Use parentheses or else order of operations is off.
B	$ \large \left( \left( 2N+20 \right)5-100 \right)\div 10=N$
C	$ \large \left( N+N+20 \right)*5-100\div 10=N$ Hint: With this answer you would subtract 10, instead of subtracting 100 and then dividing by 10.
D	$ \large \left( \left( \left( N\div 10 \right)-100 \right)5+20 \right)2=N$ Hint: This answer is quite backwards.

Question 6 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize and apply the concepts of variable, function, equality, and equation to express relationships algebraically (Objective 0020).

Question 7

Below is a portion of a number line.

Point A is one-quarter of the distance from 0.26 to 0.28. What number is represented by point A?

A	$ \large0.26$ Hint: Please reread the question.
B	$ \large0.2625$ Hint: This is one-quarter of the distance between 0.26 and 0.27, which is not what the question asked.
C	$ \large0.265$
D	$ \large0.27$ Hint: Please read the question more carefully. This answer would be correct if Point A were halfway between the tick marks, but it's not.

Question 7 Explanation:

Topic: Using number lines (Objective 0017)

Question 8

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 8 Explanation:

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

Question 9

A family on vacation drove the first 200 miles in 4 hours and the second 200 miles in 5 hours. Which expression below gives their average speed for the entire trip?

A	$ \large \dfrac{200+200}{4+5}$ Hint: Average speed is total distance divided by total time.
B	$ \large \left( \dfrac{200}{4}+\dfrac{200}{5} \right)\div 2$ Hint: This seems logical, but the problem is that it weights the first 4 hours and the second 5 hours equally, when each hour should get the same weight in computing the average speed.
C	$ \large \dfrac{200}{4}+\dfrac{200}{5} $ Hint: This would be an average of 90 miles per hour!
D	$ \large \dfrac{400}{4}+\dfrac{400}{5} $ Hint: This would be an average of 180 miles per hour! Even a family of race car drivers probably doesn't have that average speed on a vacation!

Question 9 Explanation:

Topic: Solve a variety of measurement problems (e.g., time, temperature, rates, average rates of change) in real-world situations (Objective 0023).

Question 10

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 10 Explanation:

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

Question 11

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 11 Explanation:

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

Question 12

Use the four figures below to answer the question that follows:

How many of the figures pictured above have at least one line of reflective symmetry?

A	$ \large 1$
B	$ \large 2$ Hint: The ellipse has 2 lines of reflective symmetry (horizontal and vertical, through the center) and the triangle has 3. The other two figures have rotational symmetry, but not reflective symmetry.
C	$ \large 3$
D	$ \large 4$ Hint: All four have rotational symmetry, but not reflective symmetry.

Question 12 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze and apply geometric transformations (e.g., translations, rotations, reflections, dilations); relate them to concepts of symmetry, similarity, and congruence; and use these concepts to solve problems (Objective 0024).

Question 13

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 13 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 14

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 14 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 15

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 15 Explanation:

Topics: Laws of exponents (Objective 0019).

Question 16

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 16 Explanation:

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

Question 17

Which of the following sets of polygons can be assembled to form a pentagonal pyramid?

A	2 pentagons and 5 rectangles. Hint: These can be assembled to form a pentagonal prism, not a pentagonal pyramid.
B	1 square and 5 equilateral triangles. Hint: You need a pentagon for a pentagonal pyramid.
C	1 pentagon and 5 isosceles triangles.
D	1 pentagon and 10 isosceles triangles.

Question 17 Explanation:

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

Question 18

Which of the following is not possible?

A	An equiangular triangle that is not equilateral. Hint: The AAA property of triangles states that all triangles with corresponding angles congruent are similar. Thus all triangles with three equal angles are similar, and are equilateral.
B	An equiangular quadrilateral that is not equilateral. Hint: A rectangle is equiangular (all angles the same measure), but if it's not a square, it's not equilateral (all sides the same length).
C	An equilateral quadrilateral that is not equiangular. Hint: This rhombus has equal sides, but it doesn't have equal angles:
D	An equiangular hexagon that is not equilateral. Hint: This hexagon has equal angles, but it doesn't have equal sides:

Question 18 Explanation:

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

Question 19

What is the length of side $\overline{BD}$ in the triangle below, where $\angle DBA$ is a right angle?

A	$ \large 1$ Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.
B	$ \large \sqrt{5}$ Hint: $2^2+e^2=3^2$ or $4+e^2=9;e^2=5; e=\sqrt{5}$.
C	$ \large \sqrt{13}$ Hint: e is not the hypotenuse.
D	$ \large 5$ Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.

Question 19 Explanation:

Topic: Derive and use formulas for calculating the lengths, perimeters, areas, volumes, and surface areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023), and recognize and apply connections between algebra and geometry (e.g., the use of coordinate systems, the Pythagorean theorem) (Objective 0024).

Question 20

Aya and Kendra want to estimate the height of a tree. On a sunny day, Aya measures Kendra's shadow as 3 meters long, and Kendra measures the tree's shadow as 15 meters long. Kendra is 1.5 meters tall. How tall is the tree?

A	7.5 meters Hint: Here is a picture, note that the large and small right triangles are similar: One way to do the problem is to note that there is a dilation (scale) factor of 5 on the shadows, so there must be that factor on the heights too. Another way is to note that the shadows are twice as long as the heights.
B	22.5 meters Hint: Draw a picture.
C	30 meters Hint: Draw a picture.
D	45 meters Hint: Draw a picture.

Question 20 Explanation:

Topic: Apply geometric transformations (e.g., translations, rotations, reflections, dilations); relate them to similarity, ; and use these concepts to solve problems (Objective 0024) . Fits in other places too.

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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.

A	\( \large{{2}^{5}}\cdot {{3}^{6}}\cdot 5\) Hint: This is the product of the numbers, not the LCM.
B	\( \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5\) 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 for each prime that's a factor of either number, use the largest exponent that appears in one of the factorizations. You can also take the product of the two numbers divided by their GCD.
C	\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5\) Hint: 216 is a multiple of 8.
D	\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\cdot {{5}^{2}}\) Hint: Not a multiple of 216 and not a multiple of 540.

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	\( \large 28 \dfrac{4}{7}\) ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. The extra ml of saline requires 4 ml saline/ 7 ml medicine = 4/7 ml saline per 1 ml medicine.
B	\( \large 28 \dfrac{1}{4}\) ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?
C	\( \large 28 \dfrac{1}{7}\) ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?
D	\( \large 87.5\) ml Hint: 49 ml of medicine requires 28 ml of saline. How much saline does the extra ml require?

A	\( \large N2+205-100\div 10=N\) Hint: Use parentheses or else order of operations is off.
B	\( \large \left( \left( 2N+20 \right)5-100 \right)\div 10=N\)
C	\( \large \left( N+N+20 \right)*5-100\div 10=N\) Hint: With this answer you would subtract 10, instead of subtracting 100 and then dividing by 10.
D	\( \large \left( \left( \left( N\div 10 \right)-100 \right)5+20 \right)2=N\) Hint: This answer is quite backwards.

A	\( \large0.26\) Hint: Please reread the question.
B	\( \large0.2625\) Hint: This is one-quarter of the distance between 0.26 and 0.27, which is not what the question asked.
C	\( \large0.265\)
D	\( \large0.27\) Hint: Please read the question more carefully. This answer would be correct if Point A were halfway between the tick marks, but it's not.

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	\( \large \dfrac{200+200}{4+5}\) Hint: Average speed is total distance divided by total time.
B	\( \large \left( \dfrac{200}{4}+\dfrac{200}{5} \right)\div 2\) Hint: This seems logical, but the problem is that it weights the first 4 hours and the second 5 hours equally, when each hour should get the same weight in computing the average speed.
C	\( \large \dfrac{200}{4}+\dfrac{200}{5} \) Hint: This would be an average of 90 miles per hour!
D	\( \large \dfrac{400}{4}+\dfrac{400}{5} \) Hint: This would be an average of 180 miles per hour! Even a family of race car drivers probably doesn't have that average speed on a vacation!

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	\( \large 1\)
B	\( \large 2\) Hint: The ellipse has 2 lines of reflective symmetry (horizontal and vertical, through the center) and the triangle has 3. The other two figures have rotational symmetry, but not reflective symmetry.
C	\( \large 3\)
D	\( \large 4\) Hint: All four have rotational symmetry, but not reflective symmetry.

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	\( \large \dfrac{8}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) 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	\( \large 1\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.
B	\( \large \sqrt{5}\) Hint: \(2^2+e^2=3^2\) or \(4+e^2=9;e^2=5; e=\sqrt{5}\).
C	\( \large \sqrt{13}\) Hint: e is not the hypotenuse.
D	\( \large 5\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

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?

What is the least common multiple of 540 and 216?

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?

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 solution requires 4 ml of saline for every 7 ml of medicine. How much saline would be required for 50 ml of medicine?

Here is a number trick:

1) Pick a whole number

2) Double your number.

3) Add 20 to the above result.

4) Multiply the above by 5

5) Subtract 100

6) Divide by 10

The result is always the number that you started with! Suppose you start by picking N. Which of the equations below best demonstrates that the result after Step 6 is also N?

Below is a portion of a number line.

Point A is one-quarter of the distance from 0.26 to 0.28. What number is represented by point A?

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.

A family on vacation drove the first 200 miles in 4 hours and the second 200 miles in 5 hours. Which expression below gives their average speed for the entire trip?

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.

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?

Use the four figures below to answer the question that follows:

How many of the figures pictured above have at least one line of reflective symmetry?

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

What was the mean score on the quiz?

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.

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

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 sets of polygons can be assembled to form a pentagonal pyramid?

2 pentagons and 5 rectangles.

1 square and 5 equilateral triangles.

1 pentagon and 5 isosceles triangles.

1 pentagon and 10 isosceles triangles.

Which of the following is not possible?

An equiangular triangle that is not equilateral.

An equiangular quadrilateral that is not equilateral.

An equilateral quadrilateral that is not equiangular.

An equiangular hexagon that is not equilateral.

What is the length of side \(\overline{BD}\) in the triangle below, where \(\angle DBA\) is a right angle?

Aya and Kendra want to estimate the height of a tree. On a sunny day, Aya measures Kendra's shadow as 3 meters long, and Kendra measures the tree's shadow as 15 meters long. Kendra is 1.5 meters tall. How tall is the tree?

7.5 meters

22.5 meters

30 meters

45 meters