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MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice
Question 1 |
Which of the following is equivalent to
\( \large A-B+C\div D\times E\)?
\( \large A-B-\dfrac{C}{DE}
\) Hint: In the order of operations, multiplication and division have the same priority, so do them left to right; same with addition and subtraction. | |
\( \large A-B+\dfrac{CE}{D}\) Hint: In practice, you're better off using parentheses than writing an expression like the one in the question. The PEMDAS acronym that many people memorize is misleading. Multiplication and division have equal priority and are done left to right. They have higher priority than addition and subtraction. Addition and subtraction also have equal priority and are done left to right. | |
\( \large \dfrac{AE-BE+CE}{D}\) Hint: Use order of operations, don't just compute left to right. | |
\( \large A-B+\dfrac{C}{DE}\) Hint: In the order of operations, multiplication and division have the same priority, so do them left to right |
Question 2 |
Which of the following values of x satisfies the inequality \( \large \left| {{(x+2)}^{3}} \right|<3?\)
\( \large x=-3\) Hint: \( \left| {{(-3+2)}^{3}} \right|\)=\( \left | {(-1)}^3 \right | \)=\( \left | -1 \right |=1 \) . | |
\( \large x=0\) Hint: \( \left| {{(0+2)}^{3}} \right|\)=\( \left | {2}^3 \right | \)=\( \left | 8 \right | \) =\( 8\) | |
\( \large x=-4\) Hint: \( \left| {{(-4+2)}^{3}} \right|\)=\( \left | {(-2)}^3 \right | \)=\( \left | -8 \right | \) =\( 8\) | |
\( \large x=1\) Hint: \( \left| {{(1+2)}^{3}} \right|\)=\( \left | {3}^3 \right | \)=\( \left | 27 \right | \) = \(27\) |
Question 3 |
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/pageHint: This would mean that each page of the book was 125 cm thick. | |
Intercept =0.4 cm, Slope = \(\dfrac{1}{125}\)cm/pageHint: 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. | |
Intercept = 125 cm, Slope = 0.4 cmHint: This would mean that with no pages in the book, it would be 125 cm thick. | |
Intercept = \(\dfrac{1}{125}\)cm, Slope = 0.4 pages/cmHint: This would mean that each new page of the book made it 0.4 cm thicker. |
Question 4 |
Given that 10 cm is approximately equal to 4 inches, which of the following expressions models a way to find out approximately how many inches are equivalent to 350 cm?
\( \large 350\times \left( \dfrac{10}{4} \right)\) Hint: The final result should be smaller than 350, and this answer is bigger. | |
\( \large 350\times \left( \dfrac{4}{10} \right)\) Hint: Dimensional analysis can help here: \(350 \text{cm} \times \dfrac{4 \text{in}}{10 \text{cm}}\). The cm's cancel and the answer is in inches. | |
\( \large (10-4) \times 350
\) Hint: This answer doesn't make much sense. Try with a simpler example (e.g. 20 cm not 350 cm) to make sure that your logic makes sense. | |
\( \large (350-10) \times 4\) Hint: This answer doesn't make much sense. Try with a simpler example (e.g. 20 cm not 350 cm) to make sure that your logic makes sense. |
Question 5 |
The polygon depicted below is drawn on dot paper, with the dots spaced 1 unit apart. What is the perimeter of the polygon?

\( \large 18+\sqrt{2} \text{ units}\) Hint: Be careful with the Pythagorean Theorem. | |
\( \large 18+2\sqrt{2}\text{ units}\) 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 \(2 \sqrt{2}\). | |
\( \large 18 \text{ units}
\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the diagonal segments. | |
\( \large 20 \text{ units}\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the diagonal segments. |
Question 6 |
The letters A, B, and C represent digits (possibly equal) in the twelve digit number x=111,111,111,ABC. For which values of A, B, and C is x divisible by 40?
\( \large A = 3, B = 2, C=0\) Hint: Note that it doesn't matter what the first 9 digits are, since 1000 is divisible by 40, so DEF,GHI,JKL,000 is divisible by 40 - we need to check the last 3. | |
\( \large A = 0, B = 0, C=4\) Hint: Not divisible by 10, since it doesn't end in 0. | |
\( \large A = 4, B = 2, C=0\) Hint: Divisible by 10 and by 4, but not by 40, as it's not divisible by 8. Look at 40 as the product of powers of primes -- 8 x 5, and check each. To check 8, either check whether 420 is divisible by 8, or take ones place + twice tens place + 4 * hundreds place = 18, which is not divisible by 8. | |
\( \large A =1, B=0, C=0\) Hint: Divisible by 10 and by 4, but not by 40, as it's not divisible by 8. Look at 40 as the product of powers of primes -- 8 x 5, and check each. To check 8, either check whether 100 is divisible by 8, or take ones place + twice tens place + 4 * hundreds place = 4, which is not divisible by 8. |
Question 7 |
Below are front, side, and top views of a three-dimensional solid.

Which of the following could be the solid shown above?
A sphereHint: All views would be circles. | |
A cylinder | |
A coneHint: Two views would be triangles, not rectangles. | |
A pyramidHint: How would one view be a circle? |
Question 8 |
The histogram below shows the frequency of a class's scores on a 4 question quiz.

What was the mean score on the quiz?
\( \large 2.75\) 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. | |
\( \large 2\) Hint: How many students are there total? Did you count them all? | |
\( \large 3\) 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. | |
\( \large 2.5\) 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 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?
\( \large 0.8p=\$8.73\) Hint: 80% of the regular price = $8.73. | |
\( \large \$8.73+0.2*\$8.73=p\) 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. | |
\( \large 1.2*\$8.73=p\) 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. | |
\( \large p-0.2*\$8.73=p\) Hint: Subtract p from both sides of this equation, and you have -.2 x 8.73 =0. |
Question 10 |
What set of transformations will transform the leftmost image into the rightmost image?

A 90 degree clockwise rotation about (2,1) followed by a translation of two units to the right.Hint: Part of the figure would move below the x-axis with these transformations. | |
A translation 3 units up, followed by a reflection about the line y=x.Hint: See what happens to the point (5,1) under this set of transformations. | |
A 90 degree clockwise rotation about (5,1), followed by a translation of 2 units up. | |
A 90 degree clockwise rotation about (2,1) followed by a translation of 2 units to the right.Hint: See what happens to the point (3,3) under this set of transformations. |
Question 11 |
Which of the following is the equation of a linear function?
\( \large y={{x}^{2}}+2x+7\) Hint: This is a quadratic function. | |
\( \large y={{2}^{x}}\) Hint: This is an exponential function. | |
\( \large y=\dfrac{15}{x}\) Hint: This is an inverse function. | |
\( \large y=x+(x+4)\) Hint: This is a linear function, y=2x+4, it's graph is a straight line with slope 2 and y-intercept 4. |
Question 12 |
Cell phone plan A charges $3 per month plus $0.10 per minute. Cell phone plan B charges $29.99 per month, with no fee for the first 400 minutes and then $0.20 for each additional minute.
Which equation can be used to solve for the number of minutes, m (with m>400) that a person would have to spend on the phone each month in order for the bills for plan A and plan B to be equal?
\( \large 3.10m=400+0.2m\) Hint: These are the numbers in the problem, but this equation doesn't make sense. If you don't know how to make an equation, try plugging in an easy number like m=500 minutes to see if each side equals what it should. | |
\( \large 3+0.1m=29.99+.20m\) Hint: Doesn't account for the 400 free minutes. | |
\( \large 3+0.1m=400+29.99+.20(m-400)\) Hint: Why would you add 400 minutes and $29.99? If you don't know how to make an equation, try plugging in an easy number like m=500 minutes to see if each side equals what it should. | |
\( \large 3+0.1m=29.99+.20(m-400)\) Hint: The left side is $3 plus $0.10 times the number of minutes. The right is $29.99 plus $0.20 times the number of minutes over 400. |
Question 13 |
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 \(\dfrac{1}{2}\).Hint: We are counting how many 2/3's are in 2 1/2: the unit becomes 2/3, not 1. | |
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. | |
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 14 |
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.Hint: The commutative property is \(a+b=b+a\) or \(ab=ba\). | |
The associative property is used incorrectly.Hint: The associative property is \(a+(b+c)=(a+b)+c\) or
\(a \times (b \times c)=(a \times b) \times c\). | |
Order of operations is done incorrectly. | |
The distributive property is used incorrectly.Hint: \((x+3)(x+3)=x(x+3)+3(x+3)\)=\(x^2+3x+3x+9.\) |
Question 15 |
Use the table below to answer the question that follows:

Each number in the table above represents a value W that is determined by the values of x and y. For example, when x=3 and y=1, W=5. What is the value of W when x=9 and y=14? Assume that the patterns in the table continue as shown.
\( \large W=-5\) Hint: When y is even, W is even. | |
\( \large W=4\) Hint: Note that when x increases by 1, W increases by 2, and when y increases by 1, W decreases by 1. At x=y=0, W=0, so at x=9, y=14, W has increased by \(9 \times 2\) and decreased by 14, or W=18-14=4. | |
\( \large W=6\) Hint: Try fixing x or y at 0, and start by finding W for x=0 y=14 or x=9, y=0. | |
\( \large W=32\) Hint: Try fixing x or y at 0, and start by finding W for x=0 y=14 or x=9, y=0. |
Question 16 |
Which of the following nets will not fold into a cube?
![]() Hint: If you have trouble visualizing, cut them out and fold (during the test, you can tear paper to approximate). | |
![]() | |
![]() Hint: If you have trouble visualizing, cut them out and fold (during the test, you can tear paper to approximate). | |
![]() Hint: If you have trouble visualizing, cut them out and fold (during the test, you can tear paper to approximate). |
Question 17 |
\( \large \dfrac{17}{24}\) Hint: You might try adding segments so each quadrant is divided into 6 pieces with equal area -- there will be 24 regions, not all the same shape, but all the same area, with 17 of them shaded (for the top left quarter, you could also first change the diagonal line to a horizontal or vertical line that divides the square in two equal pieces and shade one) . | |
\( \large \dfrac{3}{4}\) Hint: Be sure you're taking into account the different sizes of the pieces. | |
\( \large \dfrac{2}{3}\) Hint: The bottom half of the picture is 2/3 shaded, and the top half is more than 2/3 shaded, so this answer is too small. | |
\( \large \dfrac{17}{6} \) Hint: This answer is bigger than 1, so doesn't make any sense. Be sure you are using the whole picture, not one quadrant, as the unit. |
Question 18 |
A teacher has a list of all the countries in the world and their populations in March 2012. She is going to have her students use technology to compute the mean and median of the numbers on the list. Which of the following statements is true?
The teacher can be sure that the mean and median will be the same without doing any computation.Hint: Does this make sense? How likely is it that the mean and median of any large data set will be the same? | |
The teacher can be sure that the mean is bigger than the median without doing any computation.Hint: This is a skewed distribution, and very large countries like China and India contribute huge numbers to the mean, but are counted the same as small countries like Luxembourg in the median (the same thing happens w/data on salaries, where a few very high income people tilt the mean -- that's why such data is usually reported as medians). | |
The teacher can be sure that the median is bigger than the mean without doing any computation.Hint: Think about a set of numbers like 1, 2, 3, 4, 10,000 -- how do the mean/median compare? How might that relate to countries of the world? | |
There is no way for the teacher to know the relative size of the mean and median without computing them.Hint: Knowing the shape of the distribution of populations does give us enough info to know the relative size of the mean and median, even without computing them. |
Question 19 |
The expression \( \large {{7}^{-4}}\cdot {{8}^{-6}}\) is equal to which of the following?
\( \large \dfrac{8}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 8? | |
\( \large \dfrac{64}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 64? | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{8\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: \(8^{-6}=8^{-4} \times 8^{-2}\) | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{64\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) |
Question 20 |
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?
\( \large A = -2, B= 6\) Hint: Plug in (2,0) to get B=6, then plug in (0,-3) to get A=-2. | |
\( \large A = 2, B = 6\) Hint: Try plugging (0,-3) into this equation. | |
\( \large A = -1.5, B=-3\) 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. | |
\( \large A = 2, B = -3\) Hint: Try plugging (2,0) into this equation. |
List |
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