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

Which of the lists below is in order from least to greatest value?

A	$ \large \dfrac{1}{2},\quad \dfrac{1}{3},\quad \dfrac{1}{4},\quad \dfrac{1}{5}$ Hint: This is ordered from greatest to least.
B	$ \large \dfrac{1}{3},\quad \dfrac{2}{7},\quad \dfrac{3}{8},\quad \dfrac{4}{11}$ Hint: 1/3 = 2/6 is bigger than 2/7.
C	$ \large \dfrac{1}{4},\quad \dfrac{2}{5},\quad \dfrac{2}{3},\quad \dfrac{4}{5}$ Hint: One way to look at this: 1/4 and 2/5 are both less than 1/2, and 2/3 and 4/5 are both greater than 1/2. 1/4 is 25% and 2/5 is 40%, so 2/5 is greater. The distance from 2/3 to 1 is 1/3 and from 4/5 to 1 is 1/5, and 1/5 is less than 1/3, so 4/5 is bigger.
D	$ \large \dfrac{7}{8},\quad \dfrac{6}{7},\quad \dfrac{5}{6},\quad \dfrac{4}{5}$ Hint: This is in order from greatest to least.

Question 1 Explanation:

Topic: Ordering Fractions (Objective 0017)

Question 2

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 2 Explanation:

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

Question 3

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

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

Question 3 Explanation:

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

Question 4

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 4 Explanation:

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

Question 5

A publisher prints a series of books with covers made of identical material and using the same thickness of paper for each page. The covers of the book together are 0.4 cm thick, and 125 pieces of the paper used together are 1 cm thick.

The publisher uses a linear function to determine the total thickness, T(n) of a book made with n sheets of paper. What are the slope and intercept of T(n)?

A	Intercept = 0.4 cm, Slope = 125 cm/page Hint: This would mean that each page of the book was 125 cm thick.
B	Intercept =0.4 cm, Slope = $\dfrac{1}{125}$cm/page Hint: The intercept is how thick the book would be with no pages in it. The slope is how much 1 extra page adds to the thickness of the book.
C	Intercept = 125 cm, Slope = 0.4 cm Hint: This would mean that with no pages in the book, it would be 125 cm thick.
D	Intercept = $\dfrac{1}{125}$cm, Slope = 0.4 pages/cm Hint: This would mean that each new page of the book made it 0.4 cm thicker.

Question 5 Explanation:

Topic: Interpret the meaning of the slope and the intercepts of a linear equation that models a real-world situation (Objective 0022).

Question 6

The polygon depicted below is drawn on dot paper, with the dots spaced 1 unit apart. What is the perimeter of the polygon?

A	$ \large 18+\sqrt{2} \text{ units}$ Hint: Be careful with the Pythagorean Theorem.
B	$ \large 18+2\sqrt{2}\text{ units}$ Hint: There are 13 horizontal or vertical 1 unit segments. The longer diagonal is the hypotenuse of a 3-4-5 right triangle, so its length is 5 units. The shorter diagonal is the hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 right triangle with side 2, so its hypotenuse has length $2 \sqrt{2}$.
C	$ \large 18 \text{ units} $ Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the diagonal segments.
D	$ \large 20 \text{ units}$ Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the diagonal segments.

Question 6 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize and apply connections between algebra and geometry (e.g., the use of coordinate systems, the Pythagorean theorem) (Objective 0024).

Question 7

At a school fundraising event, people can buy a ticket to spin a spinner like the one below. The region that the spinner lands in tells which, if any, prize the person wins.

If 240 people buy tickets to spin the spinner, what is the best estimate of the number of keychains that will be given away?

A	40 Hint: "Keychain" appears on the spinner twice.
B	80 Hint: The probability of getting a keychain is 1/3, and so about 1/3 of the time the spinner will win.
C	100 Hint: What is the probability of winning a keychain?
D	120 Hint: That would be the answer for getting any prize, not a keychain specifically.

Question 7 Explanation:

Topic: I would call this topic expected value, which is not listed on the objectives. This question is very similar to one on the sample test. It's not a good question in that it's oversimplified (a more difficult and interesting question would be something like, "The school bought 100 keychains for prizes, what is the probability that they will run out before 240 people play?"). In any case, I believe the objective this is meant for is, "Recognize the difference between experimentally and theoretically determined probabilities in real-world situations. (Objective 0026)." This is not something easily assessed with multiple choice .

Question 8

The table below gives the result of a survey at a college, asking students whether they were residents or commuters:

Based on the above data, what is the probability that a randomly chosen commuter student is a junior or a senior?

A	$ \large \dfrac{34}{43}$
B	$ \large \dfrac{34}{71}$ Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen junior or senior is a commuter student.
C	$ \large \dfrac{34}{147}$ Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen student is a junior or senior who is a commuter.
D	$ \large \dfrac{71}{147}$ Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen student is a junior or a senior.

Question 8 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize and apply the concept of conditional probability (Objective 0026).

Question 9

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 9 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 10

Which of the lines depicted below is a graph of $ \large y=2x-5$?

A	a Hint: The slope of line a is negative.
B	b Hint: Wrong slope and wrong intercept.
C	c Hint: The intercept of line c is positive.
D	d Hint: Slope is 2 -- for every increase of 1 in x, y increases by 2. Intercept is -5 -- the point (0,-5) is on the line.

Question 10 Explanation:

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

Question 11

Some children explored the diagonals in 2 x 2 squares on pages of a calendar (where all four squares have numbers in them). They conjectured that the sum of the diagonals is always equal; in the example below, 8+16=9+15.

Which of the equations below could best be used to explain why the children's conjecture is correct?

A	$ \large 8x+16x=9x+15x$ Hint: What would x represent in this case? Make sure you can describe in words what x represents.
B	$ \large x+(x+2)=(x+1)+(x+1)$ Hint: What would x represent in this case? Make sure you can describe in words what x represents.
C	$ \large x+(x+8)=(x+1)+(x+7)$ Hint: x is the number in the top left square, x+8 is one below and to the right, x+1 is to the right of x, and x+7 is below x.
D	$ \large x+8+16=x+9+15$ Hint: What would x represent in this case? Make sure you can describe in words what x represents.

Question 11 Explanation:

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

Question 12

What is the perimeter of a right triangle with legs of lengths x and 2x?

A	$ \large 6x$ Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.
B	$ \large 3x+5{{x}^{2}}$ Hint: Don't forget to take square roots when you use the Pythagorean Theorem.
C	$ \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{2}}$ Hint: $\sqrt {5 x^2}$ is not $\sqrt {5}x^2$.
D	$ \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{{}}}$ Hint: To find the hypotenuse, h, use the Pythagorean Theorem: $x^2+(2x)^2=h^2.$ $5x^2=h^2,h=\sqrt{5}x$. The perimeter is this plus x plus 2x.

Question 12 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize and apply connections between algebra and geometry (e.g., the use of coordinate systems, the Pythagorean theorem) (Objective 0024).

Question 13

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 13 Explanation:

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

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

The window glass below has the shape of a semi-circle on top of a square, where the side of the square has length x. It was cut from one piece of glass.

What is the perimeter of the window glass?

A	$ \large 3x+\dfrac{\pi x}{2}$ Hint: By definition, $\pi$ is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter; thus the circumference is $\pi d$. Since we have a semi-circle, its perimeter is $ \dfrac{1}{2} \pi x$. Only 3 sides of the square contribute to the perimeter.
B	$ \large 3x+2\pi x$ Hint: Make sure you know how to find the circumference of a circle.
C	$ \large 3x+\pi x$ Hint: Remember it's a semi-circle, not a circle.
D	$ \large 4x+2\pi x$ Hint: Only 3 sides of the square contribute to the perimeter.

Question 15 Explanation:

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

Question 16

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 16 Explanation:

Topic: Laws of Exponents (Objective 0019).

Question 17

How many factors does 80 have?

A	$ \large8$ Hint: Don't forget 1 and 80.
B	$ \large9$ Hint: Only perfect squares have an odd number of factors -- otherwise factors come in pairs.
C	$ \large10$ Hint: 1,2,4,5,8,10,16,20,40,80
D	$ \large12$ Hint: Did you count a number twice? Include a number that isn't a factor?

Question 17 Explanation:

Topic: Understand and apply principles of number theory (Objective 0018).

Question 18

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 18 Explanation:

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

Question 19

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 19 Explanation:

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

Question 20

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 20 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).

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A	\( \large \dfrac{1}{2},\quad \dfrac{1}{3},\quad \dfrac{1}{4},\quad \dfrac{1}{5}\) Hint: This is ordered from greatest to least.
B	\( \large \dfrac{1}{3},\quad \dfrac{2}{7},\quad \dfrac{3}{8},\quad \dfrac{4}{11}\) Hint: 1/3 = 2/6 is bigger than 2/7.
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{4},\quad \dfrac{2}{5},\quad \dfrac{2}{3},\quad \dfrac{4}{5}\) Hint: One way to look at this: 1/4 and 2/5 are both less than 1/2, and 2/3 and 4/5 are both greater than 1/2. 1/4 is 25% and 2/5 is 40%, so 2/5 is greater. The distance from 2/3 to 1 is 1/3 and from 4/5 to 1 is 1/5, and 1/5 is less than 1/3, so 4/5 is bigger.
D	\( \large \dfrac{7}{8},\quad \dfrac{6}{7},\quad \dfrac{5}{6},\quad \dfrac{4}{5}\) Hint: This is in order from greatest to least.

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

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	\( \large 18+\sqrt{2} \text{ units}\) Hint: Be careful with the Pythagorean Theorem.
B	\( \large 18+2\sqrt{2}\text{ units}\) Hint: There are 13 horizontal or vertical 1 unit segments. The longer diagonal is the hypotenuse of a 3-4-5 right triangle, so its length is 5 units. The shorter diagonal is the hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 right triangle with side 2, so its hypotenuse has length \(2 \sqrt{2}\).
C	\( \large 18 \text{ units} \) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the diagonal segments.
D	\( \large 20 \text{ units}\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the diagonal segments.

A	\( \large \dfrac{34}{43}\)
B	\( \large \dfrac{34}{71}\) Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen junior or senior is a commuter student.
C	\( \large \dfrac{34}{147}\) Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen student is a junior or senior who is a commuter.
D	\( \large \dfrac{71}{147}\) Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen student is a junior or a senior.

A	Intercept = 0.4 cm, Slope = 125 cm/page Hint: This would mean that each page of the book was 125 cm thick.
B	Intercept =0.4 cm, Slope = \(\dfrac{1}{125}\)cm/page Hint: The intercept is how thick the book would be with no pages in it. The slope is how much 1 extra page adds to the thickness of the book.
C	Intercept = 125 cm, Slope = 0.4 cm Hint: This would mean that with no pages in the book, it would be 125 cm thick.
D	Intercept = \(\dfrac{1}{125}\)cm, Slope = 0.4 pages/cm Hint: This would mean that each new page of the book made it 0.4 cm thicker.

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	\( \large 8x+16x=9x+15x\) Hint: What would x represent in this case? Make sure you can describe in words what x represents.
B	\( \large x+(x+2)=(x+1)+(x+1)\) Hint: What would x represent in this case? Make sure you can describe in words what x represents.
C	\( \large x+(x+8)=(x+1)+(x+7)\) Hint: x is the number in the top left square, x+8 is one below and to the right, x+1 is to the right of x, and x+7 is below x.
D	\( \large x+8+16=x+9+15\) Hint: What would x represent in this case? Make sure you can describe in words what x represents.

A	\( \large 6x\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.
B	\( \large 3x+5{{x}^{2}}\) Hint: Don't forget to take square roots when you use the Pythagorean Theorem.
C	\( \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{2}}\) Hint: \(\sqrt {5 x^2}\) is not \(\sqrt {5}x^2\).
D	\( \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{{}}}\) Hint: To find the hypotenuse, h, use the Pythagorean Theorem: \(x^2+(2x)^2=h^2.\) \(5x^2=h^2,h=\sqrt{5}x\). The perimeter is this plus x plus 2x.

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	\( \large 2.75\) 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	\( \large 3x+\dfrac{\pi x}{2}\) Hint: By definition, \(\pi\) is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter; thus the circumference is \(\pi d\). Since we have a semi-circle, its perimeter is \( \dfrac{1}{2} \pi x\). Only 3 sides of the square contribute to the perimeter.
B	\( \large 3x+2\pi x\) Hint: Make sure you know how to find the circumference of a circle.
C	\( \large 3x+\pi x\) Hint: Remember it's a semi-circle, not a circle.
D	\( \large 4x+2\pi x\) Hint: Only 3 sides of the square contribute to the perimeter.

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	\( \large8\) Hint: Don't forget 1 and 80.
B	\( \large9\) Hint: Only perfect squares have an odd number of factors -- otherwise factors come in pairs.
C	\( \large10\) Hint: 1,2,4,5,8,10,16,20,40,80
D	\( \large12\) Hint: Did you count a number twice? Include a number that isn't a factor?

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	\( \large3\) 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.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

Which of the lists below is in order from least to greatest value?

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 numbers below is not equivalent to 4%?

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 publisher prints a series of books with covers made of identical material and using the same thickness of paper for each page. The covers of the book together are 0.4 cm thick, and 125 pieces of the paper used together are 1 cm thick.

The publisher uses a linear function to determine the total thickness, T(n) of a book made with n sheets of paper. What are the slope and intercept of T(n)?

Intercept = 0.4 cm, Slope = 125 cm/page

Intercept =0.4 cm, Slope = \(\dfrac{1}{125}\)cm/page

Intercept = 125 cm, Slope = 0.4 cm

Intercept = \(\dfrac{1}{125}\)cm, Slope = 0.4 pages/cm

The polygon depicted below is drawn on dot paper, with the dots spaced 1 unit apart. What is the perimeter of the polygon?

At a school fundraising event, people can buy a ticket to spin a spinner like the one below. The region that the spinner lands in tells which, if any, prize the person wins.

If 240 people buy tickets to spin the spinner, what is the best estimate of the number of keychains that will be given away?

40

80

100

120

The table below gives the result of a survey at a college, asking students whether they were residents or commuters:

Based on the above data, what is the probability that a randomly chosen commuter student is a junior or a senior?

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?

Which of the lines depicted below is a graph of \( \large y=2x-5\)?

a

b

c

d

Some children explored the diagonals in 2 x 2 squares on pages of a calendar (where all four squares have numbers in them). They conjectured that the sum of the diagonals is always equal; in the example below, 8+16=9+15.

Which of the equations below could best be used to explain why the children's conjecture is correct?

What is the perimeter of a right triangle with legs of lengths x and 2x?

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

What was the mean score on the quiz?

The window glass below has the shape of a semi-circle on top of a square, where the side of the square has length x. It was cut from one piece of glass.

What is the perimeter of the window glass?

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

How many factors does 80 have?

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?

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?

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.