accuplacer arithmetic full length practice test

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

At the Crest Coffee Shop, the cost of a plain bagel was $0.75 last year. This year the cost of a plain bagel is $0.90. By what percent did the cost of a plain bagel increase from last year to this year?
  • A. 10%
  • B. 15%
  • C. 17%
  • D. 20%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine the percent increase in the cost of a plain bagel, the formula used is: \[ \text{Percent Increase} = \left( \frac{\text{New Price} - \text{Old Price}}{\text{Old Price}} \right) \times 100 \] Substituting the given values: \[ \text{Percent Increase} = \left( \frac{0.90 - 0.75}{0.75} \right) \times 100 = \left( \frac{0.15}{0.75} \right) \times 100 = 20\% \] Option A (10%) underestimates the increase, while B (15%) and C (17%) also fail to reflect the correct calculation. Therefore, the accurate calculation confirms a 20% increase in cost.

Other Related Questions

What is 0.3 percent of 90?
  • A. 0.027
  • B. 0.27
  • C. 0.3
  • D. 2.7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find 0.3 percent of 90, convert the percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100, resulting in 0.003. Then, multiply 0.003 by 90, yielding 0.27. Option A (0.027) is too small, as it miscalculates the multiplication. Option C (0.3) represents the percentage itself, not the calculated value of 0.3 percent of 90. Option D (2.7) is ten times larger than the correct answer, indicating a misunderstanding of the percent calculation. Thus, B (0.27) accurately represents 0.3 percent of 90.
The large square above has sides of length 1. It is divided into smaller squares by dividing each side into 10 equal parts. In the figure, 3 full rows and 4 smaller squares in the next row are shaded. What is the area of the shaded region?
Question image
  • A. 0.34
  • B. 0.37
  • C. 0.43
  • D. 0.7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the area of the shaded region, first note that the large square has a side length of 1, resulting in a total area of 1 square unit. Each side is divided into 10 equal parts, creating a grid of 100 smaller squares, each with an area of 0.01 (1/100). In the figure, 3 full rows of squares are shaded, which accounts for 30 squares (3 rows x 10 squares per row). Additionally, 4 squares are shaded in the fourth row, bringing the total shaded squares to 34. Thus, the area of the shaded region is 34 squares x 0.01 = 0.34. Option B (0.37) incorrectly suggests 37 squares shaded. Option C (0.43) implies 43 squares, which is not possible given the shading described. Option D (0.7) overestimates the shaded area, miscounting the total squares shaded.
Which of the following numbers is closest to 1?
  • A. 4/5
  • B. 5/4
  • C. 5/6
  • D. 6/5
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine which number is closest to 1, we can convert each option to decimal form: A: 4/5 = 0.8, which is 0.2 away from 1. B: 5/4 = 1.25, which is 0.25 away from 1. C: 5/6 ≈ 0.833, which is approximately 0.167 away from 1. D: 6/5 = 1.2, which is 0.2 away from 1. Among these, 5/6 is the closest to 1, as it has the smallest difference from 1 compared to the other options. The other fractions either exceed or fall short of 1 by a larger margin.
Linda has borrowed 8 more books than Susan from the school library. Richard has borrowed half as many books as Linda has. If Richard has borrowed 17 books from the library, how many books has Susan borrowed?
  • A. 25
  • B. 26
  • C. 34
  • D. 42
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how many books Susan has borrowed, start with Richard's 17 books. Since Richard has borrowed half as many books as Linda, Linda must have borrowed 34 books (17 x 2). Given that Linda has borrowed 8 more books than Susan, we can set up the equation: Linda's books = Susan's books + 8. Therefore, if Linda has 34 books, we find Susan's total by subtracting 8: 34 - 8 = 26. Option A (25) is incorrect as it underestimates Susan's total. Option C (34) mistakenly suggests Susan borrowed the same amount as Linda. Option D (42) overestimates Susan's total by not accounting for the difference of 8 books. Thus, the only valid option is 26.