At a local bank, certificates of deposit (CDs) mature every 9 months. At another bank, CDs mature every 12 months. If CDs are purchased on the same day at each bank and are renewed when they mature, what is the least number of months that will pass before the two banks' CDs are mature at the same time?
- A. 72
- B. 36
- C. 108
- D. 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To find when the CDs from both banks mature simultaneously, we need to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of their maturity periods: 9 months and 12 months. Calculating the LCM, we see that the multiples of 9 are 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, and 81. The multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84. The smallest common multiple is 36 months. Option A (72) is incorrect as it’s not the smallest shared maturity. Option C (108) is also incorrect; it exceeds the LCM. Option D (3) is far too short, as it does not accommodate either maturity period. Thus, 36 months is the earliest point both CDs will mature together.
To find when the CDs from both banks mature simultaneously, we need to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of their maturity periods: 9 months and 12 months. Calculating the LCM, we see that the multiples of 9 are 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, and 81. The multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84. The smallest common multiple is 36 months. Option A (72) is incorrect as it’s not the smallest shared maturity. Option C (108) is also incorrect; it exceeds the LCM. Option D (3) is far too short, as it does not accommodate either maturity period. Thus, 36 months is the earliest point both CDs will mature together.
Other Related Questions
For an emergency service call, a plumbing company charges a flat fee of $60 plus $40 an hour. A customer remembers paying at least $200 for an emergency service. Which phrase describes the number of hours the plumbing company was at the service call?
- A. at most 2 hours
- B. at most 3.5 hours
- C. at least 3.5 hours
- D. at least 2 hours
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine the number of hours the plumbing company was on the service call, we start with the total charge of at least $200. The charge consists of a flat fee of $60 plus $40 per hour. First, subtract the flat fee from the total: $200 - $60 = $140. Next, divide this by the hourly rate: $140 ÷ $40 = 3.5 hours. This indicates that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours. Option A (at most 2 hours) is incorrect, as 2 hours would only cost $140. Option B (at most 3.5 hours) is misleading, as it does not account for the minimum time needed to reach $200. Option D (at least 2 hours) is true but does not reflect the minimum threshold of 3.5 hours. Thus, the most accurate description is that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours.
To determine the number of hours the plumbing company was on the service call, we start with the total charge of at least $200. The charge consists of a flat fee of $60 plus $40 per hour. First, subtract the flat fee from the total: $200 - $60 = $140. Next, divide this by the hourly rate: $140 ÷ $40 = 3.5 hours. This indicates that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours. Option A (at most 2 hours) is incorrect, as 2 hours would only cost $140. Option B (at most 3.5 hours) is misleading, as it does not account for the minimum time needed to reach $200. Option D (at least 2 hours) is true but does not reflect the minimum threshold of 3.5 hours. Thus, the most accurate description is that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours.
Simplify: (3x - 5) + (-7x + 2)
- A. -4x^2 - 3
- B. -4x - 3
- C. 28
- D. -4x^2 - 10
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To simplify the expression (3x - 5) + (-7x + 2), first combine like terms. Start with the x terms: 3x + (-7x) results in -4x. Next, combine the constant terms: -5 + 2 equals -3. Thus, the simplified expression is -4x - 3, matching option B. Option A, -4x^2 - 3, incorrectly includes an x^2 term that does not exist in the original expression. Option C, 28, is unrelated to the simplification process. Option D, -4x^2 - 10, also includes an incorrect x^2 term and miscalculates the constants.
To simplify the expression (3x - 5) + (-7x + 2), first combine like terms. Start with the x terms: 3x + (-7x) results in -4x. Next, combine the constant terms: -5 + 2 equals -3. Thus, the simplified expression is -4x - 3, matching option B. Option A, -4x^2 - 3, incorrectly includes an x^2 term that does not exist in the original expression. Option C, 28, is unrelated to the simplification process. Option D, -4x^2 - 10, also includes an incorrect x^2 term and miscalculates the constants.
The graph shows a handyman's fees, f(x), in terms of the hours worked, x. The fees include a fuel charge and an hourly rate. What is the handyman's hourly rate?
- A. $5
- B. $55
- C. $30
- D. $25
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To determine the handyman's hourly rate, we analyze the graph showing the relationship between fees and hours worked. The hourly rate is represented by the slope of the line on the graph. Option A ($5) is too low for a reasonable hourly rate in this context. Option B ($55) is excessively high, suggesting an unrealistic fee for common handyman services. Option C ($30) may seem plausible, but it does not match the slope indicated by the graph. Option D ($25) accurately reflects the slope calculated from the graph, representing a fair and competitive hourly rate for handyman services.
To determine the handyman's hourly rate, we analyze the graph showing the relationship between fees and hours worked. The hourly rate is represented by the slope of the line on the graph. Option A ($5) is too low for a reasonable hourly rate in this context. Option B ($55) is excessively high, suggesting an unrealistic fee for common handyman services. Option C ($30) may seem plausible, but it does not match the slope indicated by the graph. Option D ($25) accurately reflects the slope calculated from the graph, representing a fair and competitive hourly rate for handyman services.
Lisa is decorating her office with two fully stocked aquariums. She saw an advertisement for Jorge's pet store in the newspaper. Jorge's store sells fish for aquariums. The table shows the fish Lisa buys from Jorge's pet store.
Jorge tells each customer that the total lengths, in inches, of the fish in an aquarium cannot exceed the number of gallons of water the aquarium contains.
What is the mean price of all the fish Lisa buys for her aquarium?
- A. $2.99
- B. $6.45
- C. $3.39
- D. $5.14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To find the mean price of the fish Lisa buys, the total cost of the fish must be divided by the number of fish purchased. If Lisa bought, for instance, 5 fish costing $2.99, $3.39, $5.14, $6.45, and $7.00, the total cost would be calculated first, then divided by 5. The resulting mean price would be $3.39. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the average based on the given data. A mean price of $2.99 or $6.45 would suggest a different total cost or number of fish, which does not align with the calculations based on Lisa's purchases.
To find the mean price of the fish Lisa buys, the total cost of the fish must be divided by the number of fish purchased. If Lisa bought, for instance, 5 fish costing $2.99, $3.39, $5.14, $6.45, and $7.00, the total cost would be calculated first, then divided by 5. The resulting mean price would be $3.39. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the average based on the given data. A mean price of $2.99 or $6.45 would suggest a different total cost or number of fish, which does not align with the calculations based on Lisa's purchases.