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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

 Question 1

#### How many students at the college are seniors who are not vegetarians?

 A $$\large 137$$Hint: Doesn't include the senior athletes who are not vegetarians. B $$\large 167$$ C $$\large 197$$Hint: That's all seniors, including vegetarians. D $$\large 279$$Hint: Includes all athletes who are not vegetarians, some of whom are not seniors.
Question 1 Explanation:
Topic: Venn Diagrams (Objective 0025)
 Question 2

#### There are 15 students for every teacher.  Let t represent the number of teachers and let s represent the number of students.  Which of the following equations is correct?

 A $$\large t=s+15$$Hint: When there are 2 teachers, how many students should there be? Do those values satisfy this equation? B $$\large s=t+15$$Hint: When there are 2 teachers, how many students should there be? Do those values satisfy this equation? C $$\large t=15s$$Hint: This is a really easy mistake to make, which comes from transcribing directly from English, "1 teachers equals 15 students." To see that it's wrong, plug in s=2; do you really need 30 teachers for 2 students? To avoid this mistake, insert the word "number," "Number of teachers equals 15 times number of students" is more clearly problematic. D $$\large s=15t$$
Question 2 Explanation:
Topic: Select the linear equation that best models a real-world situation (Objective 0022).
 Question 3

#### In which table below is y a function of x?

 A Hint: If x=3, y can have two different values, so it's not a function. B Hint: If x=3, y can have two different values, so it's not a function. C Hint: If x=1, y can have different values, so it's not a function. D Hint: Each value of x always corresponds to the same value of y.
Question 3 Explanation:
Topic: Understand the definition of function and various representations of functions (e.g., input/output machines, tables, graphs, mapping diagrams, formulas) (Objective 0021).
 Question 4

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

 A $$\large511$$Hint: Divisible by 7. B $$\large517$$Hint: Divisible by 11. C $$\large519$$Hint: Divisible by 3. D $$\large521$$
Question 4 Explanation:
Topics: Identify prime and composite numbers and demonstrate knowledge of divisibility rules (Objective 0018).
 Question 5

#### 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 5 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 6

#### 23 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes

Hint:
Be sure you read the question carefully: 2300+40+7=2347

#### 2 large cubes, 3 flats, 47 rods

Hint:
2000+300+470 $$\neq$$ 2347

#### 2 large cubes, 34 rods, 7 little cubes

Hint:
Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+340+7=2347

#### 2 large cubes, 3 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes

Hint:
Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+300+40+7=2347
Question 6 Explanation:
Topic: Place Value (Objective 0016)
 Question 7

#### A map has a scale of 3 inches = 100 miles.  Cities A and B are 753 miles apart.  Let d be the distance between the two cities on the map.  Which of the following is not correct?

 A $$\large \dfrac{3}{100}=\dfrac{d}{753}$$Hint: Units on both side are inches/mile, and both numerators and denominators correspond -- this one is correct. B $$\large \dfrac{3}{100}=\dfrac{753}{d}$$Hint: Unit on the left is inches per mile, and on the right is miles per inch. The proportion is set up incorrectly (which is what we wanted). Another strategy is to notice that one of A or B has to be the answer because they cannot both be correct proportions. Then check that cross multiplying on A gives part D, so B is the one that is different from the other 3. C $$\large \dfrac{3}{d}=\dfrac{100}{753}$$Hint: Unitless on each side, as inches cancel on the left and miles on the right. Numerators correspond to the map, and denominators to the real life distances -- this one is correct. D $$\large 100d=3\cdot 753$$Hint: This is equivalent to part A.
Question 7 Explanation:
Topic: Analyze the relationships among proportions, constant rates, and linear functions (Objective 0022).
 Question 8

#### 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 8 Explanation:
Topic: Ordering Fractions (Objective 0017)
 Question 9

#### 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 (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 9 Explanation:
Topic:Analyze and apply geometric transformations (e.g., translations, rotations, reflections, dilations) (Objective 0024).
 Question 10

#### 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.

 A $$\large W=-5$$Hint: When y is even, W is even. B $$\large W=4$$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. C $$\large W=6$$Hint: Try fixing x or y at 0, and start by finding W for x=0 y=14 or x=9, y=0. D $$\large W=32$$Hint: Try fixing x or y at 0, and start by finding W for x=0 y=14 or x=9, y=0.
Question 10 Explanation:
Topic: Recognize and extend patterns using a variety of representations (e.g., verbal, numeric, pictorial, algebraic) (Objective 0021)
 Question 11

#### Which of the following is the equation of a linear function?

 A $$\large y={{x}^{2}}+2x+7$$Hint: This is a quadratic function. B $$\large y={{2}^{x}}$$Hint: This is an exponential function. C $$\large y=\dfrac{15}{x}$$Hint: This is an inverse function. D $$\large y=x+(x+4)$$Hint: This is a linear function, y=2x+4, it's graph is a straight line with slope 2 and y-intercept 4.
Question 11 Explanation:
Topic: Distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions (Objective 0022).
 Question 12

#### 1.5°

Hint:
Celsius and Fahrenheit don't increase at the same rate.

#### 1.8°

Hint:
That's how much the Fahrenheit temp increases when the Celsius temp goes up by 1 degree.

#### 2.7°

Hint:
Each degree increase in Celsius corresponds to a $$\dfrac{9}{5}=1.8$$ degree increase in Fahrenheit. Thus the increase is 1.8+0.9=2.7.

#### Not enough information.

Hint:
A linear equation has constant slope, which means that every increase of the same amount in one variable, gives a constant increase in the other variable. It doesn't matter what temperature the patient started out at.
Question 12 Explanation:
Topic: Interpret the meaning of the slope and the intercepts of a linear equation that models a real-world situation (Objective 0022).
 Question 13

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

 A $$\large 8\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}$$Hint: Don't just count the dots inside, that doesn't give the area. Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles. B $$\large 11\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}$$Hint: Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles. C $$\large 11.5\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}$$Hint: An easy way to do this problem is to use Pick's Theorem (of course, it's better if you understand why Pick's theorem works): area = # pegs inside + half # pegs on the border - 1. In this case 8+9/2-1=11.5. A more appropriate strategy for elementary classrooms is to add segments; here's one way. There are 20 1x1 squares enclosed, and the total area of the triangles that need to be subtracted is 8.5 D $$\large 12.5\text{ c}{{\text{m}}^{2}}$$Hint: Try adding segments so that the slanted lines become the diagonals of rectangles.
Question 13 Explanation:
Topics: Calculate measurements and derive and use formulas for calculating the areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023).
 Question 14

#### 21 cm

Hint:
How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there.

#### 22 cm

Hint:
How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there.

#### 23 cm

Hint:
One way to solve this without a calculator is to note that 4 groups of 6 cm is 2808 miles, which is 100 miles too much. Then 100 miles would be about 1/7 th of 6 cm, or about 1 cm less than 24 cm.

#### 24 cm

Hint:
4 groups of 6 cm is over 2800 miles on the map, which is too much.
Question 14 Explanation:
Topic: Apply proportional thinking to estimate quantities in real world situations (Objective 0019).
 Question 15

#### 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?

 A $$\large A = 3, B = 2, C=0$$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. B $$\large A = 0, B = 0, C=4$$Hint: Not divisible by 10, since it doesn't end in 0. C $$\large A = 4, B = 2, C=0$$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. D $$\large A =1, B=0, C=0$$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 15 Explanation:
Topic: Understand divisibility rules and why they work (Objective 018).
 Question 16

#### 100

Hint:
6124/977 is approximately 6.

#### 200

Hint:
6124/977 is approximately 6.

#### 1,000

Hint:
6124/977 is approximately 6. 155 is approximately 150, and $$6 \times 150 = 3 \times 300 = 900$$, so this answer is closest.

#### 2,000

Hint:
6124/977 is approximately 6.
Question 16 Explanation:
Topics: Estimation, simplifying fractions (Objective 0016).
 Question 17

#### The column below consists of two cubes and a cylinder.  The cylinder has diameter y, which is also the length of the sides of each cube.   The total height of the column is 5y.  Which of the formulas below gives the volume of the column?

 A $$\large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}$$Hint: The cubes each have volume $$y^3$$. The cylinder has radius $$\dfrac{y}{2}$$ and height $$3y$$. The volume of a cylinder is $$\pi r^2 h=\pi ({\dfrac{y}{2}})^2(3y)=\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}$$. Note that the volume of a cylinder is analogous to that of a prism -- area of the base times height. B $$\large 2{{y}^{3}}+3\pi {{y}^{3}}$$Hint: y is the diameter of the circle, not the radius. C $$\large {{y}^{3}}+5\pi {{y}^{3}}$$Hint: Don't forget to count both cubes. D $$\large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{8}$$Hint: Make sure you know how to find the volume of a cylinder.
Question 17 Explanation:
Topic: Derive and use formulas for calculating the lengths, perimeters, areas, volumes, and surface areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023).
 Question 18

#### 30

Hint:
The floor is 120 sq feet, and the tiles are smaller than 1 sq foot. Also, remember that 1 sq foot is 12 $$\times$$ 12=144 sq inches.

#### 120

Hint:
The floor is 120 sq feet, and the tiles are smaller than 1 sq foot.

Hint:

#### 360

Hint:
One way to do this is to note that 6 inches = 1/2 foot and 8 inches = 2/3 foot, so the area of each tile is 1/2 $$\times$$ 2/3=1/3 sq foot, or each square foot of floor requires 3 tiles. The area of the floor is 120 square feet. Note that the tiles would fit evenly oriented in either direction, parallel to the walls.
Question 18 Explanation:
Topic: Estimate and calculate measurements, use unit conversions to solve measurement problems, solve measurement problems in real-world situations (Objective 0023).
 Question 19

#### 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 19 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 20

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