45 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

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 1 Explanation:

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

Question 2

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 2 Explanation:

Topic: Distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions (Objective 0022).

Question 3

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 3 Explanation:

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

Question 4

Which of the following is equal to eleven billion four hundred thousand?

A	$ \large 11,400,000$ Hint: That's eleven million four hundred thousand.
B	$\large11,000,400,000$
C	$ \large11,000,000,400,000$ Hint: That's eleven trillion four hundred thousand (although with British conventions; this answer is correct, but in the US, it isn't).
D	$ \large 11,400,000,000$ Hint: That's eleven billion four hundred million

Question 4 Explanation:

Topic: Place Value (Objective 0016)

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

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 6 Explanation:

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

Question 7

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 7 Explanation:

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

Question 8

A class is using base-ten block to represent numbers. A large cube represents 1000, a flat represents 100, a rod represents 10, and a little cube represents 1. Which of these is not a correct representation for 2,347?

A	23 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes Hint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2300+40+7=2347
B	2 large cubes, 3 flats, 47 rods Hint: 2000+300+470 $ \neq$ 2347
C	2 large cubes, 34 rods, 7 little cubes Hint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+340+7=2347
D	2 large cubes, 3 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes Hint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+300+40+7=2347

Question 8 Explanation:

Topic: Place Value (Objective 0016)

Question 9

In each expression below N represents a negative integer. Which expression could have a negative value?

A	$ \large {{N}^{2}}$ Hint: Squaring always gives a non-negative value.
B	$ \large 6-N$ Hint: A story problem for this expression is, if it was 6 degrees out at noon and N degrees out at sunrise, by how many degrees did the temperature rise by noon? Since N is negative, the answer to this question has to be positive, and more than 6.
C	$ \large -N$ Hint: If N is negative, then -N is positive
D	$ \large 6+N$ Hint: For example, if $N=-10$, then $6+N = -4$

Question 9 Explanation:

If you are stuck on a question like this, try a few examples to eliminate some choices and to help you understand what the question means. Topic: Characteristics of integers (Objective 0016).

Question 10

Use the graph below to answer the question that follows.

Which of the following is a correct equation for the graph of the line depicted above?

A	$ \large y=-\dfrac{1}{2}x+2$ Hint: The slope is -1/2 and the y-intercept is 2. You can also try just plugging in points. For example, this is the only choice that gives y=1 when x=2.
B	$ \large 4x=2y$ Hint: This line goes through (0,0); the graph above does not.
C	$ \large y=x+2$ Hint: The line pictured has negative slope.
D	$ \large y=-x+2$ Hint: Try plugging x=4 into this equation and see if that point is on the graph above.

Question 10 Explanation:

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

Question 11

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 11 Explanation:

Topic: Understand divisibility rules and why they work (Objective 018).

Question 12

Use the graph below to answer the question that follows.

If the polygon shown above is reflected about the y axis and then rotated 90 degrees clockwise about the origin, which of the following graphs is the result?

A	Hint: Try following the point (1,4) to see where it goes after each transformation.
B
C	Hint: Make sure you're reflecting in the correct axis.
D	Hint: Make sure you're rotating the correct direction.

Question 12 Explanation:

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

Question 13

Which of the following is closest to the height of a college student in centimeters?

A	1.6 cm Hint: This is more the height of a Lego toy college student -- less than an inch!
B	16 cm Hint: Less than knee high on most college students.
C	160 cm Hint: Remember, a meter stick (a little bigger than a yard stick) is 100 cm. Also good to know is that 4 inches is approximately 10 cm.
D	1600 cm Hint: This college student might be taller than some campus buildings!

Question 13 Explanation:

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

Question 14

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 14 Explanation:

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

Question 15

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 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

In March of 2012, 1 dollar was worth the same as 0.761 Euros, and 1 dollar was also worth the same as 83.03 Japanese Yen. Which of the expressions below gives the number of Yen that are worth 1 Euro?

A	$ \large {83}.0{3}\cdot 0.{761}$ Hint: This equation gives less than the number of yen per dollar, but 1 Euro is worth more than 1 dollar.
B	$ \large \dfrac{0.{761}}{{83}.0{3}}$ Hint: Number is way too small.
C	$ \large \dfrac{{83}.0{3}}{0.{761}}$ Hint: One strategy here is to use easier numbers, say 1 dollar = .5 Euros and 100 yen, then 1 Euro would be 200 Yen (change the numbers in the equations and see what works). Another is to use dimensional analysis: we want # yen per Euro, or yen/Euro = yen/dollar $\times$ dollar/Euro = $83.03 \times \dfrac {1}{0.761}$
D	$ \large \dfrac{1}{0.{761}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{{83}.0{3}}$ Hint: Number is way too small.

Question 16 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze the relationships among proportions, constant rates, and linear functions (Objective 0022).

Question 17

On a map the distance from Boston to Detroit is 6 cm, and these two cities are 702 miles away from each other. Assuming the scale of the map is the same throughout, which answer below is closest to the distance between Boston and San Francisco on the map, given that they are 2,708 miles away from each other?

A	21 cm Hint: How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there.
B	22 cm Hint: How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there.
C	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.
D	24 cm Hint: 4 groups of 6 cm is over 2800 miles on the map, which is too much.

Question 17 Explanation:

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

Question 18

The Americans with Disabilties Act (ADA) regulations state that the maximum slope for a wheelchair ramp in new construction is 1:12, although slopes between 1:16 and 1:20 are preferred. The maximum rise for any run is 30 inches. The graph below shows the rise and runs of four different wheelchair ramps. Which ramp is in compliance with the ADA regulations for new construction?

A	A Hint: Rise is more than 30 inches.
B	B Hint: Run is almost 24 feet, so rise can be almost 2 feet.
C	C Hint: Run is 12 feet, so rise can be at most 1 foot.
D	D Hint: Slope is 1:10 -- too steep.

Question 18 Explanation:

Topic: Interpret meaning of slope in a real world situation (Objective 0022).

Question 19

Which of the following is equal to one million three hundred thousand?

A	$\large1.3\times {{10}^{6}}$
B	$\large1.3\times {{10}^{9}}$ Hint: That's one billion three hundred million.
C	$\large1.03\times {{10}^{6}}$ Hint: That's one million thirty thousand.
D	$\large1.03\times {{10}^{9}}$ Hint: That's one billion thirty million

Question 19 Explanation:

Topic: Scientific Notation (Objective 0016)

Question 20

Which of the following is equivalent to

$ \large A-B+C\div D\times E$?

A	$ \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.
B	$ \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.
C	$ \large \dfrac{AE-BE+CE}{D}$ Hint: Use order of operations, don't just compute left to right.
D	$ \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 20 Explanation:

Topic: Justify algebraic manipulations by application of the properties of order of operations (Objective 0020).

Question 21

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 21 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 22

What is the mathematical name of the three-dimensional polyhedron depicted below?

A	Tetrahedron Hint: All the faces of a tetrahedron are triangles.
B	Triangular Prism Hint: A prism has two congruent, parallel bases, connected by parallelograms (since this is a right prism, the parallelograms are rectangles).
C	Triangular Pyramid Hint: A pyramid has one base, not two.
D	Trigon Hint: A trigon is a triangle (this is not a common term).

Question 22 Explanation:

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

Question 23

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows.

$ \large \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}$

Which of the following is equivalent to the expression above?

A	2 Hint: $10^3 \times 10^4=10^7$, and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.
B	20 Hint: $ \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=\dfrac {12 \times {{10}^{7}}}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=$$2 \times {{10}^{1}}=20 $
C	200 Hint: $10^3 \times 10^4=10^7$
D	2000 Hint: $10^3 \times 10^4=10^7$, and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.

Question 23 Explanation:

Topics: Scientific notation, exponents, simplifying fractions (Objective 0016, although overlaps with other objectives too).

Question 24

Taxicab fares in Boston (Spring 2012) are $2.60 for the first $\dfrac{1}{7}$ of a mile or less and $0.40 for each $\dfrac{1}{7}$ of a mile after that.

Let d represent the distance a passenger travels in miles (with $d>\dfrac{1}{7}$). Which of the following expressions represents the total fare?

A	$ \large \$2.60+\$0.40d$ Hint: It's 40 cents for 1/7 of a mile, not per mile.
B	$ \large \$2.60+\$0.40\dfrac{d}{7}$ Hint: According to this equation, going 7 miles would cost $3; does that make sense?
C	$ \large \$2.20+\$2.80d$ Hint: You can think of the fare as $2.20 to enter the cab, and then $0.40 for each 1/7 of a mile, including the first 1/7 of a mile (or $2.80 per mile). Alternatively, you pay $2.60 for the first 1/7 of a mile, and then $2.80 per mile for d-1/7 miles. The total is 2.60+2.80(d-1/7) = 2.60+ 2.80d -.40 = 2.20+2.80d.
D	$ \large \$2.60+\$2.80d$ Hint: Don't count the first 1/7 of a mile twice.

Question 24 Explanation:

Topic: Identify variables and derive algebraic expressions that represent real-world situations (Objective 0020), and select the linear equation that best models a real-world situation (Objective 0022).

Question 25

The Venn Diagram below gives data on the number of seniors, athletes, and vegetarians in the student body at a college:

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 25 Explanation:

Topic: Venn Diagrams (Objective 0025)

Question 26

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 26 Explanation:

Topics: Calculate measurements and derive and use formulas for calculating the areas of geometric shapes and figures (Objective 0023).

Question 27

Below is a pictorial representation of $2\dfrac{1}{2}\div \dfrac{2}{3}$:

$Q45 frac div model$

Which of the following is the best description of how to find the quotient from the picture?

A	The quotient is $3\dfrac{3}{4}$. There are 3 whole blocks each representing $\dfrac{2}{3}$ and a partial block composed of 3 small rectangles. The 3 small rectangles represent $\dfrac{3}{4}$ of $\dfrac{2}{3}$.
B	The quotient is $3\dfrac{1}{2}$. There are 3 whole blocks each representing $\dfrac{2}{3}$ and a partial block composed of 3 small rectangles. The 3 small rectangles represent $\dfrac{3}{6}$ of a whole, or $\dfrac{1}{2}$. Hint: We are counting how many 2/3's are in 2 1/2: the unit becomes 2/3, not 1.
C	The quotient is $\dfrac{4}{15}$. There are four whole blocks separated into a total of 15 small rectangles. Hint: This explanation doesn't make much sense. Probably you are doing "invert and multiply," but inverting the wrong thing.
D	This picture cannot be used to find the quotient because it does not show how to separate $2\dfrac{1}{2}$ into equal sized groups. Hint: Study the measurement/quotative model of division. It's often very useful with fractions.

Question 27 Explanation:

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

Question 28

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 28 Explanation:

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

Question 29

What is the least common multiple of 540 and 216?

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

Question 29 Explanation:

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

Question 30

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 30 Explanation:

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

Question 31

Here is a student's work solving an equation:

$ x-4=-2x+6$

$ x-4+4=-2x+6+4$

$ x=-2x+10$

$ x-2x=10$

$ x=10$

Which of the following statements is true?

A	The student‘s solution is correct. Hint: Try plugging into the original solution.
B	The student did not correctly use properties of equality. Hint: After $ x=-2x+10$, the student subtracted 2x on the left and added 2x on the right.
C	The student did not correctly use the distributive property. Hint: Distributive property is $a(b+c)=ab+ac$.
D	The student did not correctly use the commutative property. Hint: Commutative property is $a+b=b+a$ or $ab=ba$.

Question 31 Explanation:

Topic: Justify algebraic manipulations by application of the properties of equality, the order of operations, the number properties, and the order properties (Objective 0020).

Question 32

Here is a mental math strategy for computing 26 x 16:

Step 1: 100 x 16 = 1600

Step 2: 25 x 16 = 1600 ÷· 4 = 400

Step 3: 26 x 16 = 400 + 16 = 416

Which property best justifies Step 3 in this strategy?

A	Commutative Property. Hint: For addition, the commutative property is $a+b=b+a$ and for multiplication it's $ a \times b = b \times a$.
B	Associative Property. Hint: For addition, the associative property is $(a+b)+c=a+(b+c)$ and for multiplication it's $(a \times b) \times c=a \times (b \times c)$
C	Identity Property. Hint: 0 is the additive identity, because $ a+0=a$ and 1 is the multiplicative identity because $a \times 1=a$. The phrase "identity property" is not standard.
D	Distributive Property. Hint: $ (25+1) \times 16 = 25 \times 16 + 1 \times 16 $. This is an example of the distributive property of multiplication over addition.

Question 32 Explanation:

Topic: Analyze and justify mental math techniques, by applying arithmetic properties such as commutative, distributive, and associative (Objective 0019). Note that it's hard to write a question like this as a multiple choice question -- worthwhile to understand why the other steps work too.

Question 33

What is the probability that two randomly selected people were born on the same day of the week? Assume that all days are equally probable.

A	$ \large \dfrac{1}{7}$ Hint: It doesn't matter what day the first person was born on. The probability that the second person will match is 1/7 (just designate one person the first and the other the second). Another way to look at it is that if you list the sample space of all possible pairs, e.g. (Wed, Sun), there are 49 such pairs, and 7 of them are repeats of the same day, and 7/49=1/7.
B	$ \large \dfrac{1}{14}$ Hint: What would be the sample space here? Ie, how would you list 14 things that you pick one from?
C	$ \large \dfrac{1}{42}$ Hint: If you wrote the seven days of the week on pieces of paper and put the papers in a jar, this would be the probability that the first person picked Sunday and the second picked Monday from the jar -- not the same situation.
D	$ \large \dfrac{1}{49}$ Hint: This is the probability that they are both born on a particular day, e.g. Sunday.

Question 33 Explanation:

Topic: Calculate the probabilities of simple and compound events and of independent and dependent events (Objective 0026).

Question 34

The histogram below shows the number of pairs of footware owned by a group of college students.

Which of the following statements can be inferred from the graph above?

A	The median number of pairs of footware owned is between 50 and 60 pairs. Hint: The same number of data points are less than the median as are greater than the median -- but on this histogram, clearly more than half the students own less than 50 pairs of shoes, so the median is less than 50.
B	The mode of the number of pairs of footware owned is 20. Hint: The mode is the most common number of pairs of footwear owned. We can't tell it from this histogram because each bar represents 10 different numbers-- perhaps 8 students each own each number from 10 to 19, but 40 students own exactly 6 pairs of shoes.... or perhaps not....
C	The mean number of pairs of footware owned is less than the median number of pairs of footware owned. Hint: This is a right skewed distribution, and so the mean is bigger than the median -- the few large values on the right pull up the mean, but have little effect on the median.
D	The median number of pairs of footware owned is between 10 and 20. Hint: There are approximately 230 students represented in this survey, and the 41st through 120th lowest values are between 10 and 20 -- thus the middle value is in that range.

Question 34 Explanation:

Topics: Analyze and interpret various graphic and data representations, and use measures of central tendency (e.g., mean, median, mode) and spread to describe and interpret real-world data (Objective 0025).

Question 35

The speed of sound in dry air at 68 degrees F is 343.2 meters per second. Which of the expressions below could be used to compute the number of kilometers that a sound wave travels in 10 minutes (in dry air at 68 degrees F)?

A	$ \large 343.2\times 60\times 10$ Hint: In kilometers, not meters.
B	$ \large 343.2\times 60\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}$ Hint: Units are meters/sec $\times$ seconds/minute $\times$ minutes $\times$ kilometers/meter, and the answer is in kilometers.
C	$ \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10$ Hint: Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers.
D	$ \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}$ Hint: Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers.

Question 35 Explanation:

Topic: Use unit conversions and dimensional analysis to solve measurement problems (Objective 0023).

Question 36

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 36 Explanation:

Topics: Laws of exponents (Objective 0019).

Question 37

The pattern below consists of a row of black squares surrounded by white squares.

How many white squares would surround a row of 157 black squares?

A	314 Hint: Try your procedure on a smaller number that you can count to see where you made a mistake.
B	317 Hint: Are there ever an odd number of white squares?
C	320 Hint: One way to see this is that there are 6 tiles on the left and right ends, and the rest of the white tiles are twice the number of black tiles (there are many other ways to look at it too).
D	322 Hint: Try your procedure on a smaller number that you can count to see where you made a mistake.

Question 37 Explanation:

Topic: Recognize and extend patterns using a variety of representations (e.g., verbal, numeric, pictorial, algebraic) (Objective 0021).

Question 38

Use the table below to answer the question that follows:

Gordon wants to buy three pounds of nuts. Each of the stores above ordinarily sells the nuts for $4.99 a pound, but is offering a discount this week. At which store can he buy the nuts for the least amount of money?

A	Store A Hint: This would save about $2.50. You can quickly see that D saves more.
B	Store B Hint: This saves 15% and C saves 25%.
C	Store C
D	Store D Hint: This is about 20% off, which is less of a discount than C.

Question 38 Explanation:

Topic: Understand the meanings and models of integers, fractions, decimals,percents, and mixed numbers and apply them to the solution of word problems (Objective 0017).

Question 39

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

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

Question 39 Explanation:

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

Question 40

M is a multiple of 26. Which of the following cannot be true?

A	M is odd. Hint: All multiples of 26 are also multiples of 2, so they must be even.
B	M is a multiple of 3. Hint: 3 x 26 is a multiple of both 3 and 26.
C	M is 26. Hint: 1 x 26 is a multiple of 26.
D	M is 0. Hint: 0 x 26 is a multiple of 26.

Question 40 Explanation:

Topic: Characteristics of composite numbers (Objective 0018).

Question 41

A homeowner is planning to tile the kitchen floor with tiles that measure 6 inches by 8 inches. The kitchen floor is a rectangle that measures 10 ft by 12 ft, and there are no gaps between the tiles. How many tiles does the homeowner need?

A	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.
B	120 Hint: The floor is 120 sq feet, and the tiles are smaller than 1 sq foot.
C	300 Hint: Recheck your calculations.
D	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 41 Explanation:

Topic: Estimate and calculate measurements, use unit conversions to solve measurement problems, solve measurement problems in real-world situations (Objective 0023).

Question 42

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 42 Explanation:

Topics: Identify prime and composite numbers and demonstrate knowledge of divisibility rules (Objective 0018).

Question 43

What set of transformations will transform the leftmost image into the rightmost image?

A	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.
B	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.
C	A 90 degree clockwise rotation about (5,1), followed by a translation of 2 units up.
D	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 43 Explanation:

Topic:Analyze and apply geometric transformations (e.g., translations, rotations, reflections, dilations) (Objective 0024).

Question 44

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

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

Question 44 Explanation:

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

Question 45

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 45 Explanation:

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

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

A	\( \large y={{x}^{2}}+2x+7\) 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.

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	\( \large 11,400,000\) Hint: That's eleven million four hundred thousand.
B	\(\large11,000,400,000\)
C	\( \large11,000,000,400,000\) Hint: That's eleven trillion four hundred thousand (although with British conventions; this answer is correct, but in the US, it isn't).
D	\( \large 11,400,000,000\) Hint: That's eleven billion four hundred million

A	\( \large {{N}^{2}}\) Hint: Squaring always gives a non-negative value.
B	\( \large 6-N\) Hint: A story problem for this expression is, if it was 6 degrees out at noon and N degrees out at sunrise, by how many degrees did the temperature rise by noon? Since N is negative, the answer to this question has to be positive, and more than 6.
C	\( \large -N\) Hint: If N is negative, then -N is positive
D	\( \large 6+N\) Hint: For example, if \(N=-10\), then \(6+N = -4\)

A	\( \large y=-\dfrac{1}{2}x+2\) Hint: The slope is -1/2 and the y-intercept is 2. You can also try just plugging in points. For example, this is the only choice that gives y=1 when x=2.
B	\( \large 4x=2y\) Hint: This line goes through (0,0); the graph above does not.
C	\( \large y=x+2\) Hint: The line pictured has negative slope.
D	\( \large y=-x+2\) Hint: Try plugging x=4 into this equation and see if that point is on the graph above.

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.

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	\( \large 2{{y}^{3}}+\dfrac{3\pi {{y}^{3}}}{4}\) 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.

A	\( \large {83}.0{3}\cdot 0.{761}\) Hint: This equation gives less than the number of yen per dollar, but 1 Euro is worth more than 1 dollar.
B	\( \large \dfrac{0.{761}}{{83}.0{3}}\) Hint: Number is way too small.
C	\( \large \dfrac{{83}.0{3}}{0.{761}}\) Hint: One strategy here is to use easier numbers, say 1 dollar = .5 Euros and 100 yen, then 1 Euro would be 200 Yen (change the numbers in the equations and see what works). Another is to use dimensional analysis: we want # yen per Euro, or yen/Euro = yen/dollar \(\times\) dollar/Euro = \(83.03 \times \dfrac {1}{0.761}\)
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{0.{761}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{{83}.0{3}}\) Hint: Number is way too small.

A	\(\large1.3\times {{10}^{6}}\)
B	\(\large1.3\times {{10}^{9}}\) Hint: That's one billion three hundred million.
C	\(\large1.03\times {{10}^{6}}\) Hint: That's one million thirty thousand.
D	\(\large1.03\times {{10}^{9}}\) Hint: That's one billion thirty million

A	\( \large A-B-\dfrac{C}{DE} \) Hint: In the order of operations, multiplication and division have the same priority, so do them left to right; same with addition and subtraction.
B	\( \large A-B+\dfrac{CE}{D}\) 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.
C	\( \large \dfrac{AE-BE+CE}{D}\) Hint: Use order of operations, don't just compute left to right.
D	\( \large A-B+\dfrac{C}{DE}\) Hint: In the order of operations, multiplication and division have the same priority, so do them left to right

A	2 Hint: \(10^3 \times 10^4=10^7\), and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.
B	20 Hint: \( \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=\dfrac {12 \times {{10}^{7}}}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}=\)\(2 \times {{10}^{1}}=20 \)
C	200 Hint: \(10^3 \times 10^4=10^7\)
D	2000 Hint: \(10^3 \times 10^4=10^7\), and note that if you're guessing when the answers are so closely related, you're generally better off guessing one of the middle numbers.

A	\( \large \$2.60+\$0.40d\) Hint: It's 40 cents for 1/7 of a mile, not per mile.
B	\( \large \$2.60+\$0.40\dfrac{d}{7}\) Hint: According to this equation, going 7 miles would cost $3; does that make sense?
C	\( \large \$2.20+\$2.80d\) Hint: You can think of the fare as $2.20 to enter the cab, and then $0.40 for each 1/7 of a mile, including the first 1/7 of a mile (or $2.80 per mile). Alternatively, you pay $2.60 for the first 1/7 of a mile, and then $2.80 per mile for d-1/7 miles. The total is 2.60+2.80(d-1/7) = 2.60+ 2.80d -.40 = 2.20+2.80d.
D	\( \large \$2.60+\$2.80d\) Hint: Don't count the first 1/7 of a mile twice.

A	\( \large 137\) 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.

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.

A	The quotient is \(3\dfrac{3}{4}\). There are 3 whole blocks each representing \(\dfrac{2}{3}\) and a partial block composed of 3 small rectangles. The 3 small rectangles represent \(\dfrac{3}{4}\) of \(\dfrac{2}{3}\).
B	The quotient is \(3\dfrac{1}{2}\). There are 3 whole blocks each representing \(\dfrac{2}{3}\) and a partial block composed of 3 small rectangles. The 3 small rectangles represent \(\dfrac{3}{6}\) of a whole, or \(\dfrac{1}{2}\). Hint: We are counting how many 2/3's are in 2 1/2: the unit becomes 2/3, not 1.
C	The quotient is \(\dfrac{4}{15}\). There are four whole blocks separated into a total of 15 small rectangles. Hint: This explanation doesn't make much sense. Probably you are doing "invert and multiply," but inverting the wrong thing.
D	This picture cannot be used to find the quotient because it does not show how to separate \(2\dfrac{1}{2}\) into equal sized groups. Hint: Study the measurement/quotative model of division. It's often very useful with fractions.

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

A	\( \large t=s+15\) 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	\( \large s=15t\)

A	\( \large \dfrac{1}{7}\) Hint: It doesn't matter what day the first person was born on. The probability that the second person will match is 1/7 (just designate one person the first and the other the second). Another way to look at it is that if you list the sample space of all possible pairs, e.g. (Wed, Sun), there are 49 such pairs, and 7 of them are repeats of the same day, and 7/49=1/7.
B	\( \large \dfrac{1}{14}\) Hint: What would be the sample space here? Ie, how would you list 14 things that you pick one from?
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{42}\) Hint: If you wrote the seven days of the week on pieces of paper and put the papers in a jar, this would be the probability that the first person picked Sunday and the second picked Monday from the jar -- not the same situation.
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{49}\) Hint: This is the probability that they are both born on a particular day, e.g. Sunday.

A	\( \large 343.2\times 60\times 10\) Hint: In kilometers, not meters.
B	\( \large 343.2\times 60\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}\) Hint: Units are meters/sec \(\times\) seconds/minute \(\times\) minutes \(\times\) kilometers/meter, and the answer is in kilometers.
C	\( \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10\) Hint: Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers.
D	\( \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}\) Hint: Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers.

A	\( \large \dfrac{8}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 8?
B	\( \large \dfrac{64}{{{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: The bases are whole numbers, and the exponents are negative. How can the numerator be 64?
C	\( \large \dfrac{1}{8\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\) Hint: \(8^{-6}=8^{-4} \times 8^{-2}\)
D	\( \large \dfrac{1}{64\cdot {{\left( 56 \right)}^{4}}}\)

A	\( \large511 \) Hint: Divisible by 7.
B	\( \large517\) Hint: Divisible by 11.
C	\( \large519\) Hint: Divisible by 3.
D	\( \large521\)

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

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MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice

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?

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

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?

Which of the following is equal to eleven billion four hundred thousand?

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.

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.

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

a

b

c

d

A class is using base-ten block to represent numbers. A large cube represents 1000, a flat represents 100, a rod represents 10, and a little cube represents 1. Which of these is not a correct representation for 2,347?

23 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubes

2 large cubes, 3 flats, 47 rods

2 large cubes, 34 rods, 7 little cubes

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

In each expression below N represents a negative integer. Which expression could have a negative value?

Use the graph below to answer the question that follows.

Which of the following is a correct equation for the graph of the line depicted above?

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?

Use the graph below to answer the question that follows.

If the polygon shown above is reflected about the y axis and then rotated 90 degrees clockwise about the origin, which of the following graphs is the result?

Which of the following is closest to the height of a college student in centimeters?

1.6 cm

16 cm

160 cm

1600 cm

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 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?

In March of 2012, 1 dollar was worth the same as 0.761 Euros, and 1 dollar was also worth the same as 83.03 Japanese Yen. Which of the expressions below gives the number of Yen that are worth 1 Euro?

21 cm

22 cm

23 cm

24 cm

A

B

C

D

Which of the following is equal to one million three hundred thousand?

Which of the following is equivalent to

\( \large A-B+C\div D\times E\)?

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

What is the mathematical name of the three-dimensional polyhedron depicted below?

Tetrahedron

Triangular Prism

Triangular Pyramid

Trigon

Use the expression below to answer the question that follows.

\( \large \dfrac{\left( 4\times {{10}^{3}} \right)\times \left( 3\times {{10}^{4}} \right)}{6\times {{10}^{6}}}\)

Which of the following is equivalent to the expression above?

2

20

200

2000

Taxicab fares in Boston (Spring 2012) are $2.60 for the first \(\dfrac{1}{7}\) of a mile or less and $0.40 for each \(\dfrac{1}{7}\) of a mile after that.

Let d represent the distance a passenger travels in miles (with \(d>\dfrac{1}{7}\)). Which of the following expressions represents the total fare?

The Venn Diagram below gives data on the number of seniors, athletes, and vegetarians in the student body at a college:

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

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?

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 \(\dfrac{1}{2}\).

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