accuplacer arithmetic diagnostic practice test

Commonly used by colleges and universities to place students into appropriate courses.

Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you were given.
3(1/2) * 2(1/3) =
  • A. 8(1/6)
  • B. 7(5/6)
  • C. 6(1/6)
  • D. 5(5/6)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve 3(1/2) * 2(1/3), first convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions: 3(1/2) becomes 7/2 and 2(1/3) becomes 7/3. Multiplying these fractions yields (7/2) * (7/3) = 49/6. Converting 49/6 back to a mixed number gives 8(1/6). Option B, 7(5/6), results from incorrect multiplication. Option C, 6(1/6), miscalculates the product as well. Option D, 5(5/6), reflects a misunderstanding of fraction multiplication. The proper method confirms that 8(1/6) is indeed the accurate result.

Other Related Questions

Marisol has 5 times as many books as Jerry. Jerry has 15 books. How many books does Marisol have?
  • A. 10
  • B. 20
  • C. 75
  • D. 225
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine how many books Marisol has, multiply the number of books Jerry has (15) by 5, since Marisol has 5 times as many. This calculation yields 15 x 5 = 75. Option A (10) is incorrect as it underestimates the multiplication factor. Option B (20) also miscalculates, suggesting a much lower total. Option D (225) overestimates the number of books, resulting from an incorrect multiplication. Thus, the only accurate answer is 75, reflecting Marisol's total based on Jerry's count.
If 32% of n is 20.8, what is n?
  • A. 64
  • B. 65
  • C. 66
  • D. 154
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find n, we start with the equation derived from the problem: \(0.32n = 20.8\). Dividing both sides by 0.32 gives \(n = \frac{20.8}{0.32}\), which simplifies to 65. This confirms that option B is accurate. Option A (64) results from an incorrect calculation of \(0.32n\). Option C (66) overestimates n, suggesting a misunderstanding of the percentage relationship. Option D (154) is far too high, indicating a significant miscalculation. Thus, only option B aligns correctly with the mathematical solution.
Maria worked 2 weeks, earning $435.50 the first week and $278.38 the second week. If she paid one-half of her two-week earnings for tuition, how much did she pay for tuition?
  • A. $713.88
  • B. $356.94
  • C. $217.75
  • D. $139.19
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the amount Maria paid for tuition, first calculate her total earnings for the two weeks. Adding her earnings from both weeks: $435.50 + $278.38 = $713.88. Since she paid one-half of her total earnings for tuition, divide this amount by 2: $713.88 / 2 = $356.94. Option A ($713.88) represents her total earnings, not the tuition amount. Option C ($217.75) and Option D ($139.19) do not correctly reflect half of her total earnings. Therefore, $356.94 accurately represents the amount she paid for tuition.
2(1/2 + 1/3) =
  • A. 1(2/3)
  • B. 1(5/6)
  • C. 2(1/6)
  • D. 2(5/6)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve 2(1/2 + 1/3), first find a common denominator for the fractions 1/2 and 1/3, which is 6. Rewrite the fractions: 1/2 becomes 3/6 and 1/3 becomes 2/6. Adding these gives 5/6. Now, multiply by 2: 2 * 5/6 equals 10/6, which simplifies to 1(2/3). Option B, 1(5/6), results from miscalculating the addition. Option C, 2(1/6), misinterprets the multiplication step. Option D, 2(5/6), incorrectly applies the multiplication to the wrong sum. Each incorrect option reflects a misunderstanding of the operations involved.