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

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 1 Explanation:

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

Question 2

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 2 Explanation:

Topic: Laws of Exponents (Objective 0019).

Question 3

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 3 Explanation:

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

Question 4

The least common multiple of 60 and N is 1260. Which of the following could be the prime factorization of N?

A	$ \large2\cdot 5\cdot 7$ Hint: 1260 is divisible by 9 and 60 is not, so N must be divisible by 9 for 1260 to be the LCM.
B	$ \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\cdot 5 \cdot 7$ Hint: 1260 is not divisible by 8, so it isn't a multiple of this N.
C	$ \large3 \cdot 5 \cdot 7$ Hint: 1260 is divisible by 9 and 60 is not, so N must be divisible by 9 for 1260 to be the LCM.
D	$ \large{{3}^{2}}\cdot 5\cdot 7$ Hint: $1260=2^2 \cdot 3^2 \cdot 5 \cdot 7$ and $60=2^2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5$. In order for 1260 to be the LCM, N has to be a multiple of $3^2$ and of 7 (because 60 is not a multiple of either of these). N also cannot introduce a factor that would require the LCM to be larger (as in choice b).

Question 4 Explanation:

Topic: Least Common Multiple (Objective 0018)

Question 5

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 5 Explanation:

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

Question 6

Four children randomly line up, single file. What is the probability that they are in height order, with the shortest child in front? All of the children are different heights.

A	$ \large \dfrac{1}{4}$ Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
B	$ \large \dfrac{1}{256} $ Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
C	$ \large \dfrac{1}{16}$ Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
D	$ \large \dfrac{1}{24}$ Hint: The number of ways for the children to line up is $4!=4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 =24$ -- there are 4 choices for who is first in line, then 3 for who is second, etc. Only one of these lines has the children in the order specified.

Question 6 Explanation:

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

Question 7

The table below gives data from various years on how many young girls drank milk.

Based on the data given above, what was the probability that a randomly chosen girl in 1990 drank milk?

A	$ \large \dfrac{502}{1222}$ Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl who drinks milk was in the 1989-1991 food survey.
B	$ \large \dfrac{502}{2149}$ Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl from the whole survey drank milk and was also surveyed in 1989-1991.
C	$ \large \dfrac{502}{837}$
D	$ \large \dfrac{1222}{2149}$ Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl from any year of the survey drank milk.

Question 7 Explanation:

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

Question 8

Solve for x: $\large 4-\dfrac{2}{3}x=2x$

A	$ \large x=3$ Hint: Try plugging x=3 into the equation.
B	$ \large x=-3$ Hint: Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x.
C	$ \large x=\dfrac{3}{2}$ Hint: One way to solve: $4=\dfrac{2}{3}x+2x$ $=\dfrac{8}{3}x$.$x=\dfrac{3 \times 4}{8}=\dfrac{3}{2}$. Another way is to just plug x=3/2 into the equation and see that each side equals 3 -- on a multiple choice test, you almost never have to actually solve for x.
D	$ \large x=-\dfrac{3}{2}$ Hint: Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x.

Question 8 Explanation:

Topic: Solve linear equations (Objective 0020).

Question 9

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 9 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 10

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 10 Explanation:

Topics: Laws of exponents (Objective 0019).

Question 11

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 11 Explanation:

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

Question 12

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 12 Explanation:

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

Question 13

Below are four inputs and outputs for a function machine representing the function A:

Which of the following equations could also represent A for the values shown?

A	$ \large A(n)=n+4$ Hint: For a question like this, you don't have to find the equation yourself, you can just try plugging the function machine inputs into the equation, and see if any values come out wrong. With this equation n= -1 would output 3, not 0 as the machine does.
B	$ \large A(n)=n+2$ Hint: For a question like this, you don't have to find the equation yourself, you can just try plugging the function machine inputs into the equation, and see if any values come out wrong. With this equation n= 2 would output 4, not 6 as the machine does.
C	$ \large A(n)=2n+2$ Hint: Simply plug in each of the four function machine input values, and see that the equation produces the correct output, e.g. A(2)=6, A(-1)=0, etc.
D	$ \large A(n)=2\left( n+2 \right)$ Hint: For a question like this, you don't have to find the equation yourself, you can just try plugging the function machine inputs into the equation, and see if any values come out wrong. With this equation n= 2 would output 8, not 6 as the machine does.

Question 13 Explanation:

Topics: Understand various representations of functions, and translate among different representations of functional relationships (Objective 0021).

Question 14

In the triangle below, $\overline{AC}\cong \overline{AD}\cong \overline{DE}$ and $m\angle CAD=100{}^\circ $. What is $m\angle DAE$?

A	$ \large 20{}^\circ $ Hint: Angles ACD and ADC are congruent since they are base angles of an isosceles triangle. Since the angles of a triangle sum to 180, they sum to 80, and they are 40 deg each. Thus angle ADE is 140 deg, since it makes a straight line with angle ADC. Angles DAE and DEA are base angles of an isosceles triangle and thus congruent-- they sum to 40 deg, so are 20 deg each.
B	$ \large 25{}^\circ $ Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
C	$ \large 30{}^\circ $ Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
D	$ \large 40{}^\circ $ Hint: Make sure you're calculating the correct angle.

Question 14 Explanation:

Topic: Classify and analyze polygons using attributes of sides and angles, including real-world applications. (Objective 0024).

Question 15

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

A	$ \large -0.044,\quad -0.04,\quad 0.04,\quad 0.044$ Hint: These are easier to compare if you add trailing zeroes (this is finding a common denominator) -- all in thousandths, -0.044, -0.040,0 .040, 0.044. The middle two numbers, -0.040 and 0.040 can be modeled as owing 4 cents and having 4 cents. The outer two numbers are owing or having a bit more.
B	$ \large -0.04,\quad -0.044,\quad 0.044,\quad 0.04$ Hint: 0.04=0.040, which is less than 0.044.
C	$ \large -0.04,\quad -0.044,\quad 0.04,\quad 0.044$ Hint: -0.04=-0.040, which is greater than $-0.044$.
D	$ \large -0.044,\quad -0.04,\quad 0.044,\quad 0.04$ Hint: 0.04=0.040, which is less than 0.044.

Question 15 Explanation:

Topic: Ordering decimals and integers (Objective 0017).

Question 16

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 16 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 17

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 17 Explanation:

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

Question 18

If x is an integer, which of the following must also be an integer?

A	$ \large \dfrac{x}{2}$ Hint: If x is odd, then $ \dfrac{x}{2} $ is not an integer, e.g. 3/2 = 1.5.
B	$ \large \dfrac{2}{x}$ Hint: Only an integer if x = -2, -1, 1, or 2.
C	$ \large-x$ Hint: -1 times any integer is still an integer.
D	$\large\sqrt{x}$ Hint: Usually not an integer, e.g. $ \sqrt{2} \approx 1.414 $.

Question 18 Explanation:

Topic: Integers (Objective 0016)

Question 19

Each individual cube that makes up the rectangular solid depicted below has 6 inch sides. What is the surface area of the solid in square feet?

A	$ \large 11\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: Check your units and make sure you're using feet and inches consistently.
B	$ \large 16.5\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: Each square has surface area $\dfrac{1}{2} \times \dfrac {1}{2}=\dfrac {1}{4}$ sq feet. There are 9 squares on the top and bottom, and 12 on each of 4 sides, for a total of 66 squares. 66 squares $\times \dfrac {1}{4}$ sq feet/square =16.5 sq feet.
C	$ \large 66\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: The area of each square is not 1.
D	$ \large 2376\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}$ Hint: Read the question more carefully -- the answer is supposed to be in sq feet, not sq inches.

Question 19 Explanation:

Topics: Use unit conversions to solve measurement problems, and derive and use formulas for calculating surface areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023).

Question 20

A sales companies pays its representatives $2 for each item sold, plus 40% of the price of the item. The rest of the money that the representatives collect goes to the company. All transactions are in cash, and all items cost $4 or more. If the price of an item in dollars is p, which expression represents the amount of money the company collects when the item is sold?

A	$ \large \dfrac{3}{5}p-2$ Hint: The company gets 3/5=60% of the price, minus the $2 per item.
B	$ \large \dfrac{3}{5}\left( p-2 \right)$ Hint: This is sensible, but not what the problem states.
C	$ \large \dfrac{2}{5}p+2$ Hint: The company pays the extra $2; it doesn't collect it.
D	$ \large \dfrac{2}{5}p-2$ Hint: This has the company getting 2/5 = 40% of the price of each item, but that's what the representative gets.

Question 20 Explanation:

Topic: Use algebra to solve word problems involving fractions, ratios, proportions, and percents (Objective 0020).

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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	\( \large 18+\sqrt{2} \text{ units}\) 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	\( \large2\cdot 5\cdot 7\) Hint: 1260 is divisible by 9 and 60 is not, so N must be divisible by 9 for 1260 to be the LCM.
B	\( \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\cdot 5 \cdot 7\) Hint: 1260 is not divisible by 8, so it isn't a multiple of this N.
C	\( \large3 \cdot 5 \cdot 7\) Hint: 1260 is divisible by 9 and 60 is not, so N must be divisible by 9 for 1260 to be the LCM.
D	\( \large{{3}^{2}}\cdot 5\cdot 7\) Hint: \(1260=2^2 \cdot 3^2 \cdot 5 \cdot 7\) and \(60=2^2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5\). In order for 1260 to be the LCM, N has to be a multiple of \(3^2\) and of 7 (because 60 is not a multiple of either of these). N also cannot introduce a factor that would require the LCM to be larger (as in choice b).

A	\( \large \dfrac{1}{4}\) Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
B	\( \large \dfrac{1}{256} \) Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{16}\) Hint: Try a simpler question with 3 children -- call them big, medium, and small -- and list all the ways they could line up. Then see how to extend your logic to the problem with 4 children.
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{24}\) Hint: The number of ways for the children to line up is \(4!=4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1 =24\) -- there are 4 choices for who is first in line, then 3 for who is second, etc. Only one of these lines has the children in the order specified.

A	\( \large \dfrac{502}{1222}\) Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl who drinks milk was in the 1989-1991 food survey.
B	\( \large \dfrac{502}{2149}\) Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl from the whole survey drank milk and was also surveyed in 1989-1991.
C	\( \large \dfrac{502}{837}\)
D	\( \large \dfrac{1222}{2149}\) Hint: This is the probability that a randomly chosen girl from any year of the survey drank milk.

A	\( \large x=3\) Hint: Try plugging x=3 into the equation.
B	\( \large x=-3\) Hint: Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x.
C	\( \large x=\dfrac{3}{2}\) Hint: One way to solve: \(4=\dfrac{2}{3}x+2x\) \(=\dfrac{8}{3}x\).\(x=\dfrac{3 \times 4}{8}=\dfrac{3}{2}\). Another way is to just plug x=3/2 into the equation and see that each side equals 3 -- on a multiple choice test, you almost never have to actually solve for x.
D	\( \large x=-\dfrac{3}{2}\) Hint: Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x.

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	\( \large \dfrac{8}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) 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	\( \large \dfrac{1}{64\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\)

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	\( \large A(n)=n+4\) Hint: For a question like this, you don't have to find the equation yourself, you can just try plugging the function machine inputs into the equation, and see if any values come out wrong. With this equation n= -1 would output 3, not 0 as the machine does.
B	\( \large A(n)=n+2\) Hint: For a question like this, you don't have to find the equation yourself, you can just try plugging the function machine inputs into the equation, and see if any values come out wrong. With this equation n= 2 would output 4, not 6 as the machine does.
C	\( \large A(n)=2n+2\) Hint: Simply plug in each of the four function machine input values, and see that the equation produces the correct output, e.g. A(2)=6, A(-1)=0, etc.
D	\( \large A(n)=2\left( n+2 \right)\) Hint: For a question like this, you don't have to find the equation yourself, you can just try plugging the function machine inputs into the equation, and see if any values come out wrong. With this equation n= 2 would output 8, not 6 as the machine does.

A	\( \large 20{}^\circ \) Hint: Angles ACD and ADC are congruent since they are base angles of an isosceles triangle. Since the angles of a triangle sum to 180, they sum to 80, and they are 40 deg each. Thus angle ADE is 140 deg, since it makes a straight line with angle ADC. Angles DAE and DEA are base angles of an isosceles triangle and thus congruent-- they sum to 40 deg, so are 20 deg each.
B	\( \large 25{}^\circ \) Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
C	\( \large 30{}^\circ \) Hint: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then it's isosceles, and the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
D	\( \large 40{}^\circ \) Hint: Make sure you're calculating the correct angle.

A	\( \large -0.044,\quad -0.04,\quad 0.04,\quad 0.044\) Hint: These are easier to compare if you add trailing zeroes (this is finding a common denominator) -- all in thousandths, -0.044, -0.040,0 .040, 0.044. The middle two numbers, -0.040 and 0.040 can be modeled as owing 4 cents and having 4 cents. The outer two numbers are owing or having a bit more.
B	\( \large -0.04,\quad -0.044,\quad 0.044,\quad 0.04\) Hint: 0.04=0.040, which is less than 0.044.
C	\( \large -0.04,\quad -0.044,\quad 0.04,\quad 0.044\) Hint: -0.04=-0.040, which is greater than \(-0.044\).
D	\( \large -0.044,\quad -0.04,\quad 0.044,\quad 0.04\) Hint: 0.04=0.040, which is less than 0.044.

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	\( \large \dfrac{x}{2}\) Hint: If x is odd, then \( \dfrac{x}{2} \) is not an integer, e.g. 3/2 = 1.5.
B	\( \large \dfrac{2}{x}\) Hint: Only an integer if x = -2, -1, 1, or 2.
C	\( \large-x\) Hint: -1 times any integer is still an integer.
D	\(\large\sqrt{x}\) Hint: Usually not an integer, e.g. \( \sqrt{2} \approx 1.414 \).

A	\( \large 11\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: Check your units and make sure you're using feet and inches consistently.
B	\( \large 16.5\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: Each square has surface area \(\dfrac{1}{2} \times \dfrac {1}{2}=\dfrac {1}{4}\) sq feet. There are 9 squares on the top and bottom, and 12 on each of 4 sides, for a total of 66 squares. 66 squares \(\times \dfrac {1}{4}\) sq feet/square =16.5 sq feet.
C	\( \large 66\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: The area of each square is not 1.
D	\( \large 2376\text{ f}{{\text{t}}^{2}}\) Hint: Read the question more carefully -- the answer is supposed to be in sq feet, not sq inches.

A	\( \large \dfrac{3}{5}p-2\) Hint: The company gets 3/5=60% of the price, minus the $2 per item.
B	\( \large \dfrac{3}{5}\left( p-2 \right)\) Hint: This is sensible, but not what the problem states.
C	\( \large \dfrac{2}{5}p+2\) Hint: The company pays the extra $2; it doesn't collect it.
D	\( \large \dfrac{2}{5}p-2\) Hint: This has the company getting 2/5 = 40% of the price of each item, but that's what the representative gets.

MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

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.

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

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

The least common multiple of 60 and N is 1260. Which of the following could be the prime factorization of N?

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.

Four children randomly line up, single file. What is the probability that they are in height order, with the shortest child in front? All of the children are different heights.

The table below gives data from various years on how many young girls drank milk.

Based on the data given above, what was the probability that a randomly chosen girl in 1990 drank milk?

Solve for x: \(\large 4-\dfrac{2}{3}x=2x\)

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?

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

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

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.

Below are four inputs and outputs for a function machine representing the function A:

Which of the following equations could also represent A for the values shown?

In the triangle below, \(\overline{AC}\cong \overline{AD}\cong \overline{DE}\) and \(m\angle CAD=100{}^\circ \). What is \(m\angle DAE\)?

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

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

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.

If x is an integer, which of the following must also be an integer?

Each individual cube that makes up the rectangular solid depicted below has 6 inch sides. What is the surface area of the solid in square feet?