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MTEL General Curriculum Mathematics Practice
Question 1 |
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?
The student‘s solution is correct.Hint: Try plugging into the original solution. | |
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. | |
The student did not correctly use the distributive property.Hint: Distributive property is \(a(b+c)=ab+ac\). | |
The student did not correctly use the commutative property.Hint: Commutative property is \(a+b=b+a\) or \(ab=ba\). |
Question 2 |
Which of the lists below is in order from least to greatest value?
\( \large -0.044,\quad -0.04,\quad 0.04,\quad 0.044\) 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. | |
\( \large -0.04,\quad -0.044,\quad 0.044,\quad 0.04\) Hint: 0.04=0.040, which is less than 0.044. | |
\( \large -0.04,\quad -0.044,\quad 0.04,\quad 0.044\) Hint: -0.04=-0.040, which is greater than \(-0.044\). | |
\( \large -0.044,\quad -0.04,\quad 0.044,\quad 0.04\) Hint: 0.04=0.040, which is less than 0.044. |
Question 3 |
What is the greatest common factor of 540 and 216?
\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\) 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 take the smaller power for each prime that is a factor of both numbers. | |
\( \large2\cdot 3\) Hint: This is a common factor of both numbers, but it's not the greatest common factor. | |
\( \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\) Hint: \(2^3 = 8\) is not a factor of 540. | |
\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\) Hint: This is a common factor of both numbers, but it's not the greatest common factor. |
Question 4 |
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 5 |
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 cubesHint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2300+40+7=2347 | |
2 large cubes, 3 flats, 47 rodsHint: 2000+300+470 \( \neq\) 2347 | |
2 large cubes, 34 rods, 7 little cubesHint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+340+7=2347 | |
2 large cubes, 3 flats, 4 rods, 7 little cubesHint: Be sure you read the question carefully: 2000+300+40+7=2347 |
Question 6 |
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. |
Question 7 |
What is the perimeter of a right triangle with legs of lengths x and 2x?
\( \large 6x\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem. | |
\( \large 3x+5{{x}^{2}}\) Hint: Don't forget to take square roots when you use the Pythagorean Theorem. | |
\( \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{2}}\) Hint: \(\sqrt {5 x^2}\) is not \(\sqrt {5}x^2\). | |
\( \large 3x+\sqrt{5}{{x}^{{}}}\) Hint: To find the hypotenuse, h, use the Pythagorean Theorem: \(x^2+(2x)^2=h^2.\) \(5x^2=h^2,h=\sqrt{5}x\). The perimeter is this plus x plus 2x. |
Question 8 |
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?
30Hint: 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. | |
120Hint: The floor is 120 sq feet, and the tiles are smaller than 1 sq foot. | |
300Hint: Recheck your calculations. | |
360Hint: 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 9 |
The "houses" below are made of toothpicks and gum drops.
How many toothpicks are there in a row of 53 houses?
212Hint: Can the number of toothpicks be even? | |
213Hint: One way to see this is that every new "house" adds 4 toothpicks to the leftmost vertical toothpick -- so the total number is 1 plus 4 times the number of "houses." There are many other ways to look at the problem too. | |
217Hint: Try your strategy with a smaller number of "houses" so you can count and find your mistake. | |
265Hint: Remember that the "houses" overlap some walls. |
Question 10 |
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?
21 cmHint: How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there. | |
22 cmHint: How many miles would correspond to 24 cm on the map? Try adjusting from there. | |
23 cmHint: 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 cmHint: 4 groups of 6 cm is over 2800 miles on the map, which is too much. |
Question 11 |
An above-ground swimming pool is in the shape of a regular hexagonal prism, is one meter high, and holds 65 cubic meters of water. A second pool has a base that is also a regular hexagon, but with sides twice as long as the sides in the first pool. This second pool is also one meter high. How much water will the second pool hold?
\( \large 65\text{ }{{\text{m}}^{3}}\) Hint: A bigger pool would hold more water. | |
\( \large 65\cdot 2\text{ }{{\text{m}}^{3}}\) Hint: Try a simpler example, say doubling the sides of the base of a 1 x 1 x 1 cube. | |
\( \large 65\cdot 4\text{ }{{\text{m}}^{3}}\) Hint: If we think of the pool as filled with 1 x 1 x 1 cubes (and some fractions of cubes), then scaling to the larger pool changes each 1 x 1 x 1 cube to a 2 x 2 x 1 prism, or multiplies volume by 4. | |
\( \large 65\cdot 8\text{ }{{\text{m}}^{3}}\) Hint: Try a simpler example, say doubling the sides of the base of a 1 x 1 x 1 cube. |
Question 12 |
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 13 |
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 14 |
A car is traveling at 60 miles per hour. Which of the expressions below could be used to compute how many feet the car travels in 1 second? Note that 1 mile = 5,280 feet.
\( \large 60\dfrac{\text{miles}}{\text{hour}}\cdot 5280\dfrac{\text{feet}}{\text{mile}}\cdot 60\dfrac{\text{minutes}}{\text{hour}}\cdot 60\dfrac{\text{seconds}}{\text{minute}}
\) Hint: This answer is not in feet/second. | |
\( \large 60\dfrac{\text{miles}}{\text{hour}}\cdot 5280\dfrac{\text{feet}}{\text{mile}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{60}\dfrac{\text{hour}}{\text{minutes}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{60}\dfrac{\text{minute}}{\text{seconds}}
\) Hint: This is the only choice where the answer is in feet per second and the unit conversions are correct. | |
\( \large 60\dfrac{\text{miles}}{\text{hour}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{5280}\dfrac{\text{foot}}{\text{miles}}\cdot 60\dfrac{\text{hours}}{\text{minute}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{60}\dfrac{\text{minute}}{\text{seconds}}\) Hint: Are there really 60 hours in a minute? | |
\( \large 60\dfrac{\text{miles}}{\text{hour}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{5280}\dfrac{\text{mile}}{\text{feet}}\cdot 60\dfrac{\text{minutes}}{\text{hour}}\cdot \dfrac{1}{60}\dfrac{\text{minute}}{\text{seconds}}\) Hint: This answer is not in feet/second. |
Question 15 |
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 16 |
AHint: \(\frac{34}{135} \approx \frac{1}{4}\) and \( \frac{53}{86} \approx \frac {2}{3}\). \(\frac {1}{4}\) of \(\frac {2}{3}\) is small and closest to A. | |
BHint: Estimate with simpler fractions. | |
CHint: Estimate with simpler fractions. | |
DHint: Estimate with simpler fractions. |
Question 17 |
Which property is not shared by all rhombi?
4 congruent sidesHint: The most common definition of a rhombus is a quadrilateral with 4 congruent sides. | |
A center of rotational symmetryHint: The diagonal of a rhombus separates it into two congruent isosceles triangles. The center of this line is a center of 180 degree rotational symmetry that switches the triangles. | |
4 congruent anglesHint: Unless the rhombus is a square, it does not have 4 congruent angles. | |
2 sets of parallel sidesHint: All rhombi are parallelograms. |
Question 18 |
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?
7.5 metersHint: 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. | |
22.5 metersHint: Draw a picture. | |
30 metersHint: Draw a picture. | |
45 metersHint: Draw a picture. |
Question 19 |
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 20 |
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?

AHint: Rise is more than 30 inches. | |
BHint: Run is almost 24 feet, so rise can be almost 2 feet. | |
CHint: Run is 12 feet, so rise can be at most 1 foot. | |
DHint: Slope is 1:10 -- too steep. |
Question 21 |
If x is an integer, which of the following must also be an integer?
\( \large \dfrac{x}{2}\) Hint: If x is odd, then \( \dfrac{x}{2} \) is not an integer, e.g. 3/2 = 1.5. | |
\( \large \dfrac{2}{x}\) Hint: Only an integer if x = -2, -1, 1, or 2. | |
\( \large-x\) Hint: -1 times any integer is still an integer. | |
\(\large\sqrt{x}\) Hint: Usually not an integer, e.g. \( \sqrt{2} \approx 1.414 \). |
Question 22 |
Which of the following is not possible?
An equiangular triangle that is not equilateral.Hint: The AAA property of triangles states that all triangles with corresponding angles congruent are similar. Thus all triangles with three equal angles are similar, and are equilateral. | |
An equiangular quadrilateral that is not equilateral.Hint: A rectangle is equiangular (all angles the same measure), but if it's not a square, it's not equilateral (all sides the same length). | |
An equilateral quadrilateral that is not equiangular.Hint: This rhombus has equal sides, but it doesn't have equal angles: ![]() | |
An equiangular hexagon that is not equilateral.Hint: This hexagon has equal angles, but it doesn't have equal sides: ![]() |
Question 23 |
Here is a number trick:
1) Pick a whole number
2) Double your number.
3) Add 20 to the above result.
4) Multiply the above by 5
5) Subtract 100
6) Divide by 10
The result is always the number that you started with! Suppose you start by picking N. Which of the equations below best demonstrates that the result after Step 6 is also N?
\( \large N*2+20*5-100\div 10=N\) Hint: Use parentheses or else order of operations is off. | |
\( \large \left( \left( 2*N+20 \right)*5-100 \right)\div 10=N\) | |
\( \large \left( N+N+20 \right)*5-100\div 10=N\) Hint: With this answer you would subtract 10, instead of subtracting 100 and then dividing by 10. | |
\( \large \left( \left( \left( N\div 10 \right)-100 \right)*5+20 \right)*2=N\) Hint: This answer is quite backwards. |
Question 24 |
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 25 |
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 26 |
Solve for x: \(\large 4-\dfrac{2}{3}x=2x\)
\( \large x=3\) Hint: Try plugging x=3 into the equation. | |
\( \large x=-3\) Hint: Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x. | |
\( \large x=\dfrac{3}{2}\) 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. | |
\( \large x=-\dfrac{3}{2}\) Hint: Left side is positive, right side is negative when you plug this in for x. |
Question 27 |
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.
\( \large \dfrac{1}{7}\) 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. | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{14}\) Hint: What would be the sample space here? Ie, how would you list 14 things that you pick one from? | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{42}\) 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. | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{49}\) Hint: This is the probability that they are both born on a particular day, e.g. Sunday. |
Question 28 |
The window glass below has the shape of a semi-circle on top of a square, where the side of the square has length x. It was cut from one piece of glass.

What is the perimeter of the window glass?
\( \large 3x+\dfrac{\pi x}{2}\) Hint: By definition, \(\pi\) is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter; thus the circumference is \(\pi d\). Since we have a semi-circle, its perimeter is \( \dfrac{1}{2} \pi x\). Only 3 sides of the square contribute to the perimeter. | |
\( \large 3x+2\pi x\) Hint: Make sure you know how to find the circumference of a circle. | |
\( \large 3x+\pi x\) Hint: Remember it's a semi-circle, not a circle. | |
\( \large 4x+2\pi x\) Hint: Only 3 sides of the square contribute to the perimeter. |
Question 29 |
Which of the following is equal to eleven billion four hundred thousand?
\( \large 11,400,000\) Hint: That's eleven million four hundred thousand. | |
\(\large11,000,400,000\) | |
\( \large11,000,000,400,000\) Hint: That's eleven trillion four hundred thousand (although with British conventions; this answer is correct, but in the US, it isn't). | |
\( \large 11,400,000,000\) Hint: That's eleven billion four hundred million |
Question 30 |
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)?
\( \large 343.2\times 60\times 10\) Hint: In kilometers, not meters. | |
\( \large 343.2\times 60\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}\) Hint: Units are meters/sec \(\times\) seconds/minute \(\times\) minutes \(\times\) kilometers/meter, and the answer is in kilometers. | |
\( \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10\) Hint: Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers. | |
\( \large 343.2\times \dfrac{1}{60}\times 10\times \dfrac{1}{1000}\) Hint: Include units and make sure answer is in kilometers. |
Question 31 |
Which of the lists below is in order from least to greatest value?
\( \large \dfrac{1}{2},\quad \dfrac{1}{3},\quad \dfrac{1}{4},\quad \dfrac{1}{5}\) Hint: This is ordered from greatest to least. | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{3},\quad \dfrac{2}{7},\quad \dfrac{3}{8},\quad \dfrac{4}{11}\) Hint: 1/3 = 2/6 is bigger than 2/7. | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{4},\quad \dfrac{2}{5},\quad \dfrac{2}{3},\quad \dfrac{4}{5}\) 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. | |
\( \large \dfrac{7}{8},\quad \dfrac{6}{7},\quad \dfrac{5}{6},\quad \dfrac{4}{5}\) Hint: This is in order from greatest to least. |
Question 32 |
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?
314Hint: Try your procedure on a smaller number that you can count to see where you made a mistake. | |
317Hint: Are there ever an odd number of white squares? | |
320Hint: 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). | |
322Hint: Try your procedure on a smaller number that you can count to see where you made a mistake. |
Question 33 |
Which of the following is equal to one million three hundred thousand?
\(\large1.3\times {{10}^{6}}\)
| |
\(\large1.3\times {{10}^{9}}\)
Hint: That's one billion three hundred million. | |
\(\large1.03\times {{10}^{6}}\)
Hint: That's one million thirty thousand. | |
\(\large1.03\times {{10}^{9}}\) Hint: That's one billion thirty million |
Question 34 |
| 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 \( \dfrac{2}{5}\)?
I, III, V, VIHint: I and V are not at all how fractions and decimals work. | |
III, VIHint: These are right, but there are more. | |
II, III, VIHint: These are right, but there are more. | |
II, III, IV, VI |
Question 35 |
How many lines of reflective symmetry and how many centers of rotational symmetry does the parallelogram depicted below have?
4 lines of reflective symmetry, 1 center of rotational symmetry.Hint: Try cutting out a shape like this one from paper, and fold where you think the lines of reflective symmetry are (or put a mirror there). Do things line up as you thought they would? | |
2 lines of reflective symmetry, 1 center of rotational symmetry.Hint: Try cutting out a shape like this one from paper, and fold where you think the lines of reflective symmetry are (or put a mirror there). Do things line up as you thought they would? | |
0 lines of reflective symmetry, 1 center of rotational symmetry.Hint: The intersection of the diagonals is a center of rotational symmetry. There are no lines of reflective symmetry, although many people get confused about this fact (best to play with hands on examples to get a feel). Just fyi, the letter S also has rotational, but not reflective symmetry, and it's one that kids often write backwards. | |
2 lines of reflective symmetry, 0 centers of rotational symmetry.Hint: Try cutting out a shape like this one from paper. Trace onto another sheet of paper. See if there's a way to rotate the cut out shape (less than a complete turn) so that it fits within the outlines again. |
Question 36 |
What is the length of side \(\overline{BD}\) in the triangle below, where \(\angle DBA\) is a right angle?

\( \large 1\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem. | |
\( \large \sqrt{5}\) Hint: \(2^2+e^2=3^2\) or \(4+e^2=9;e^2=5; e=\sqrt{5}\). | |
\( \large \sqrt{13}\) Hint: e is not the hypotenuse. | |
\( \large 5\) Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem. |
Question 37 |
Kendra is trying to decide which fraction is greater, \( \dfrac{4}{7}\) or \( \dfrac{5}{8}\). Which of the following answers shows the best reasoning?
\( \dfrac{4}{7}\) is \( \dfrac{3}{7}\)away from 1, and \( \dfrac{5}{8}\) is \( \dfrac{3}{8}\)away from 1. Since eighth‘s are smaller than seventh‘s, \( \dfrac{5}{8}\) is closer to 1, and is the greater of the two fractions. | |
\( 7-4=3\) and \( 8-5=3\), so the fractions are equal.Hint: Not how to compare fractions. By this logic, 1/2 and 3/4 are equal, but 1/2 and 2/4 are not. | |
\( 4\times 8=32\) and \( 7\times 5=35\). Since \( 32<35\) , \( \dfrac{5}{8}<\dfrac{4}{7}\)Hint: Starts out as something that works, but the conclusion is wrong. 4/7 = 32/56 and 5/8 = 35/56. The cross multiplication gives the numerators, and 35/56 is bigger. | |
\( 4<5\) and \( 7<8\), so \( \dfrac{4}{7}<\dfrac{5}{8}\)Hint: Conclusion is correct, logic is wrong. With this reasoning, 1/2 would be less than 2/100,000. |
Question 38 |
The letters A, and B represent digits (possibly equal) in the ten digit number x=1,438,152,A3B. For which values of A and B is x divisible by 12, but not by 9?
\( \large A = 0, B = 4\) Hint: Digits add to 31, so not divisible by 3, so not divisible by 12. | |
\( \large A = 7, B = 2\) Hint: Digits add to 36, so divisible by 9. | |
\( \large A = 0, B = 6\) Hint: Digits add to 33, divisible by 3, not 9. Last digits are 36, so divisible by 4, and hence by 12. | |
\( \large A = 4, B = 8\) Hint: Digits add to 39, divisible by 3, not 9. Last digits are 38, so not divisible by 4, so not divisible by 12. |
Question 39 |
M is a multiple of 26. Which of the following cannot be true?
M is odd.Hint: All multiples of 26 are also multiples of 2, so they must be even. | |
M is a multiple of 3.Hint: 3 x 26 is a multiple of both 3 and 26. | |
M is 26.Hint: 1 x 26 is a multiple of 26. | |
M is 0.Hint: 0 x 26 is a multiple of 26. |
Question 40 |
A family has four children. What is the probability that two children are girls and two are boys? Assume the the probability of having a boy (or a girl) is 50%.
\( \large \dfrac{1}{2}\) Hint: How many different configurations are there from oldest to youngest, e.g. BGGG? How many of them have 2 boys and 2 girls? | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{4}\) Hint: How many different configurations are there from oldest to youngest, e.g. BGGG? How many of them have 2 boys and 2 girls? | |
\( \large \dfrac{1}{5}\) Hint: Some configurations are more probable than others -- i.e. it's more likely to have two boys and two girls than all boys. Be sure you are weighting properly. | |
\( \large \dfrac{3}{8}\) Hint: There are two possibilities for each child, so there are \(2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 =16\) different configurations, e.g. from oldest to youngest BBBG, BGGB, GBBB, etc. Of these configurations, there are 6 with two boys and two girls (this is the combination \(_{4}C_{2}\) or "4 choose 2"): BBGG, BGBG, BGGB, GGBB, GBGB, and GBBG. Thus the probability is 6/16=3/8. |
Question 41 |
The "houses" below are made of toothpicks and gum drops.
Which of the following does not represent the number of gumdrops in a row of h houses?
\( \large 2+3h\) Hint: Think of this as start with 2 gumdrops on the left wall, and then add 3 gumdrops for each house. | |
\( \large 5+3(h-1)\) Hint: Think of this as start with one house, and then add 3 gumdrops for each of the other h-1 houses. | |
\( \large h+(h+1)+(h+1)\) Hint: Look at the gumdrops in 3 rows: h gumdrops for the "rooftops," h+1 for the tops of the vertical walls, and h+1 for the floors. | |
\( \large 5+3h\) Hint: This one is not a correct equation (which makes it the correct answer!). Compare to choice A. One of them has to be wrong, as they differ by 3. |
Question 42 |
Use the four figures below to answer the question that follows:
How many of the figures pictured above have at least one line of reflective symmetry?
\( \large 1\) | |
\( \large 2\) Hint: The ellipse has 2 lines of reflective symmetry (horizontal and vertical, through the center) and the triangle has 3. The other two figures have rotational symmetry, but not reflective symmetry. | |
\( \large 3\) | |
\( \large 4\) Hint: All four have rotational symmetry, but not reflective symmetry. |
Question 43 |
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.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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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 44 |
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?
\( \large \dfrac{200+200}{4+5}\) Hint: Average speed is total distance divided by total time. | |
\( \large \left( \dfrac{200}{4}+\dfrac{200}{5} \right)\div 2\) 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. | |
\( \large \dfrac{200}{4}+\dfrac{200}{5} \) Hint: This would be an average of 90 miles per hour! | |
\( \large \dfrac{400}{4}+\dfrac{400}{5} \) 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 45 |
What is the least common multiple of 540 and 216?
\( \large{{2}^{5}}\cdot {{3}^{6}}\cdot 5\) Hint: This is the product of the numbers, not the LCM. | |
\( \large{{2}^{3}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5\) 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. | |
\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{3}}\cdot 5\) Hint: 216 is a multiple of 8. | |
\( \large{{2}^{2}}\cdot {{3}^{2}}\cdot {{5}^{2}}\) Hint: Not a multiple of 216 and not a multiple of 540. |
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