Dr. Evers is experimenting with light beams and prisms. He passes a beam of white light through a triangular prism which spreads the light out into its six rainbow colors. The bases of the prism are equilateral triangles. The surface area of this prism is 4,292 square millimeters. The area of each triangular face is 271 square millimeters. Which expression can be used to find h, the height, in millimeters, of the prism?
- A. 4,292/3(25)
- B. 4,292/271
- C. (4,292-271)/25
- D. (4,292-2(271))/3(25)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To find the height \( h \) of the prism, we start with the total surface area of the prism, which includes the two triangular bases and three rectangular sides. The area of the two triangular bases is \( 2 \times 271 = 542 \) square millimeters. Subtracting this from the total surface area gives \( 4,292 - 542 = 3,750 \) square millimeters for the area of the rectangular sides. Since the height \( h \) is involved in the area of the rectangles, dividing this area by the perimeter of the base (which is \( 3 \times 25 = 75 \) mm) leads to \( h = \frac{3,750}{75} \) or \( \frac{4,292 - 542}{75} \), simplifying to option D. Options A and B incorrectly compute the height without accounting for the rectangular areas properly. Option C miscalculates the area of the triangular bases and does not consider the full surface area needed to find \( h \). Thus, only option D correctly utilizes the total surface area and the dimensions of the prism to derive the height.
To find the height \( h \) of the prism, we start with the total surface area of the prism, which includes the two triangular bases and three rectangular sides. The area of the two triangular bases is \( 2 \times 271 = 542 \) square millimeters. Subtracting this from the total surface area gives \( 4,292 - 542 = 3,750 \) square millimeters for the area of the rectangular sides. Since the height \( h \) is involved in the area of the rectangles, dividing this area by the perimeter of the base (which is \( 3 \times 25 = 75 \) mm) leads to \( h = \frac{3,750}{75} \) or \( \frac{4,292 - 542}{75} \), simplifying to option D. Options A and B incorrectly compute the height without accounting for the rectangular areas properly. Option C miscalculates the area of the triangular bases and does not consider the full surface area needed to find \( h \). Thus, only option D correctly utilizes the total surface area and the dimensions of the prism to derive the height.
Other Related Questions
The distance, d, in feet, it takes to come to a complete stop when driving a car r miles per hour can be found using the equation d = 1/20(r^2)+ r. If it takes a car 240 feet to come to a complete stop, what was the speed of the car, in miles per hour, when the driver began to stop it?
- A. 40
- B. 30
- C. 60
- D. 80
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To find the speed of the car when it takes 240 feet to stop, substitute d = 240 into the equation d = 1/20(r^2) + r. This leads to the equation 240 = 1/20(r^2) + r. Multiplying through by 20 simplifies to 4800 = r^2 + 20r, which rearranges to r^2 + 20r - 4800 = 0. Solving this quadratic equation yields r = 40 or r = -120. Since speed cannot be negative, the valid solution is 40 mph. Option B (30) does not satisfy the equation, leading to a shorter stopping distance. Option C (60) results in a stopping distance of 480 feet, which exceeds 240 feet. Option D (80) produces a stopping distance of 800 feet, also incorrect. Thus, only 40 mph meets the criteria.
To find the speed of the car when it takes 240 feet to stop, substitute d = 240 into the equation d = 1/20(r^2) + r. This leads to the equation 240 = 1/20(r^2) + r. Multiplying through by 20 simplifies to 4800 = r^2 + 20r, which rearranges to r^2 + 20r - 4800 = 0. Solving this quadratic equation yields r = 40 or r = -120. Since speed cannot be negative, the valid solution is 40 mph. Option B (30) does not satisfy the equation, leading to a shorter stopping distance. Option C (60) results in a stopping distance of 480 feet, which exceeds 240 feet. Option D (80) produces a stopping distance of 800 feet, also incorrect. Thus, only 40 mph meets the criteria.
What is the slope of the line shown on the graph
- A. -0.333333333
- B. -3
- C. 3
- D. 1\3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The slope of a line represents the change in y over the change in x (rise over run). Option D, \( \frac{1}{3} \), indicates a positive slope, suggesting that for every 3 units moved horizontally to the right, the line rises by 1 unit vertically. Option A, -0.3333, represents a negative slope, which would indicate a decline rather than an ascent. Option B, -3, also indicates a steep negative slope, suggesting a significant drop. Option C, 3, indicates a positive slope but is too steep compared to the graph's gentle incline. Thus, D accurately reflects the line's moderate upward trend.
The slope of a line represents the change in y over the change in x (rise over run). Option D, \( \frac{1}{3} \), indicates a positive slope, suggesting that for every 3 units moved horizontally to the right, the line rises by 1 unit vertically. Option A, -0.3333, represents a negative slope, which would indicate a decline rather than an ascent. Option B, -3, also indicates a steep negative slope, suggesting a significant drop. Option C, 3, indicates a positive slope but is too steep compared to the graph's gentle incline. Thus, D accurately reflects the line's moderate upward trend.
The apartments in Greg's building are named using the letters A, B, C, and D and the digits 1 through 9. How many apartments are there in Greg's building if each apartment is named by a single letter followed by a single digit?
- A. 36
- B. 16
- C. 40
- D. 13
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To determine the total number of apartments, consider the naming convention: each apartment consists of one letter and one digit. There are 4 letters (A, B, C, D) and 9 digits (1-9). Calculating the combinations, multiply the number of letters by the number of digits: 4 letters × 9 digits = 36 unique apartment names. Options B (16) and D (13) do not account for all possible combinations, while option C (40) incorrectly assumes more letters or digits than provided. Thus, option A accurately reflects the total possible apartments in Greg's building.
To determine the total number of apartments, consider the naming convention: each apartment consists of one letter and one digit. There are 4 letters (A, B, C, D) and 9 digits (1-9). Calculating the combinations, multiply the number of letters by the number of digits: 4 letters × 9 digits = 36 unique apartment names. Options B (16) and D (13) do not account for all possible combinations, while option C (40) incorrectly assumes more letters or digits than provided. Thus, option A accurately reflects the total possible apartments in Greg's building.
A carpenter is installing shelves in 2 offices. Each office will have 4 shelves. The wood the carpenter wants to use comes in 6-foot-long boards. Each shelf is 2 ¼ feet long and is constructed from a single board. How many boards does the carpenter need to buy to make the shelves?
- A. 2
- B. 8
- C. 3
- D. 4
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To determine how many boards are needed, first calculate the total length of wood required for the shelves. Each office has 4 shelves, and with 2 offices, that totals 8 shelves. Each shelf is 2 ¼ feet long, which equals 2.25 feet. Therefore, the total length required is 8 shelves x 2.25 feet = 18 feet. Each board is 6 feet long. Dividing the total length (18 feet) by the length of each board (6 feet) gives 3 boards. However, since each board can only be used for one shelf, and we can't cut a board to make multiple shelves, we need to round up to the nearest whole number of boards needed, which is 4. - Option A (2 boards) is insufficient for the total length required. - Option B (8 boards) exceeds the necessary amount. - Option C (3 boards) miscalculates the total need based on the cut requirement. Thus, 4 boards are necessary to accommodate all shelves without waste.
To determine how many boards are needed, first calculate the total length of wood required for the shelves. Each office has 4 shelves, and with 2 offices, that totals 8 shelves. Each shelf is 2 ¼ feet long, which equals 2.25 feet. Therefore, the total length required is 8 shelves x 2.25 feet = 18 feet. Each board is 6 feet long. Dividing the total length (18 feet) by the length of each board (6 feet) gives 3 boards. However, since each board can only be used for one shelf, and we can't cut a board to make multiple shelves, we need to round up to the nearest whole number of boards needed, which is 4. - Option A (2 boards) is insufficient for the total length required. - Option B (8 boards) exceeds the necessary amount. - Option C (3 boards) miscalculates the total need based on the cut requirement. Thus, 4 boards are necessary to accommodate all shelves without waste.