hiset math practice test

A widely recognized high school equivalency exam, similar to the GED, designed for individuals who didn’t complete high school but want to earn a diploma-equivalent credential.

A home improvement store offers to finance the purchase of any single item with zero interest for one year, with a down payment of $50. The remainder of the purchase price will be split into 12 equal monthly payments. Which of the following equations represents the relationship between an item's purchase price, s dollars, and the amount, a dollars, of each monthly payment under this offer?
  • A. s = a-50/12
  • B. s = a/12 -50
  • C. s = 12a + 50
  • D. s = 12a - 50
  • E. s = 12 (a + 50)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine the relationship between the item's purchase price \( s \) and the monthly payment \( a \), consider the financing terms. After a $50 down payment, the remaining amount to finance is \( s - 50 \). This amount is divided into 12 equal monthly payments, leading to the equation \( s - 50 = 12a \). Rearranging this gives \( s = 12a + 50 \), confirming option C. Options A and B misrepresent the relationship by incorrectly adjusting the down payment or monthly payments. Option D incorrectly subtracts the down payment from the total, while option E miscalculates the total by incorrectly adding the down payment to the monthly payment before multiplying.

Other Related Questions

Each month, the charge for a lawn care service consists of a flat fee of $25, plus $5 each time the lawn is mowed. Which of the following equations represents the total monthly charge, A(m), in dollars, as a function of the number of times the lawn is mowed, m?
  • A. A(m) = 5(25)m
  • B. A(m) = 5 + 25m
  • C. A(m) = 5m + 25
  • D. A(m) = 25m + 5
  • E. A(m) = m + 5 + 25
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The equation A(m) = 5m + 25 accurately represents the total monthly charge for the lawn care service. Here, the term 5m accounts for the $5 charge per mowing, and the flat fee of $25 is added to this total. Option A incorrectly multiplies the flat fee by the number of mowings, which misrepresents the structure of the charges. Option B misplaces the flat fee, summing it with the number of mowings instead of adding it as a fixed cost. Option D incorrectly places the flat fee as a coefficient of m, which distorts the relationship. Option E combines the charges incorrectly, failing to clearly separate the flat fee from the per-mow charge.
A medium-sized grain of sand can be approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. Which expression best represents the number of medium-sized sand grains that could be lined up side by side to result in a total length of 1 meter?
  • A. 2×10³
  • B. 2×10⁴
  • C. 2×10⁵
  • D. 5×10³
  • E. 5×10⁴
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how many medium-sized sand grains can be lined up to equal 1 meter, we first calculate the volume of one grain, approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. The length of one grain is 5×10⁻⁴ meters. To find the number of grains in 1 meter, divide 1 meter (1×10⁰) by the length of one grain: 1×10⁰ / 5×10⁻⁴ = 2×10³. Thus, option B (2×10³) accurately represents the number of grains. Options A (2×10³) and D (5×10³) are incorrect due to miscalculating the division. Option C (2×10⁻) and E (5×10⁵) misrepresent the scale entirely, either by underestimating or overestimating the number of grains.
sqrt(45) is between what two consecutive whole numbers?
  • A. 4 and 5
  • B. 5 and 6
  • C. 6 and 7
  • D. 14 and 15
  • E. 22 and 23
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine between which two consecutive whole numbers \(\sqrt{45}\) lies, we can evaluate the squares of whole numbers around it. Calculating, \(6^2 = 36\) and \(7^2 = 49\). Since \(36 < 45 < 49\), it follows that \(6 < \sqrt{45} < 7\). Therefore, \(\sqrt{45}\) is between 6 and 7. Option A (4 and 5) is incorrect as \(4^2 = 16\) and \(5^2 = 25\), which are both less than 45. Option B (5 and 6) is also wrong since \(5^2 = 25\) and \(6^2 = 36\) are still below 45. Option D (14 and 15) and Option E (22 and 23) are far too high, as \(14^2 = 196\) and \(22^2 = 484\) exceed 45.
The number of years the employee has been employed by the city is at least 25 years. The sum of the employee's age and number of years employed by the city is at least 90 years. Larry has been employed by the city since his 38th birthday. Assuming he continues to work for the city, at what age will he first qualify for full retirement benefits?
  • A. 52
  • B. 55
  • C. 62
  • D. 63
  • E. 64
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: E

To qualify for full retirement benefits, Larry must be at least 25 years employed and have a combined age and years of service of at least 90 years. Since he started working at age 38, he will reach 25 years of employment at age 63. At that point, his age (63) plus his years of service (25) totals 88, which does not meet the 90-year requirement. At age 64, he will have 26 years of service, bringing the total to 90 years (64 + 26), thus meeting both criteria. Options A (52), B (55), and C (62) do not allow for 25 years of service, while D (63) fails to meet the age and service sum requirement.