accuplacer arithmetic full length practice test

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

Harriet took 48 minutes to ride her bike the distance from her house to the town library. If she rode at a constant rate, what fraction of the total distance did she ride in the first 12 minutes?
  • A. 1/4
  • B. 1/3
  • C. 1/2
  • D. 3/4
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the fraction of the total distance Harriet rode in the first 12 minutes, we start by recognizing that she took 48 minutes for the entire trip. Riding at a constant rate means that her distance covered is proportional to the time spent riding. In 12 minutes, which is one-fourth of the total 48 minutes, she would have covered one-fourth of the total distance. Thus, the fraction of the total distance she rode in the first 12 minutes is 1/4. Options B (1/3), C (1/2), and D (3/4) misrepresent the proportion of time to total time. Each suggests a greater fraction than what corresponds to 12 minutes relative to 48 minutes, leading to incorrect conclusions about the distance covered.

Other Related Questions

4/9 (3/16 - 1/12) =
  • A. 5/108
  • B. 5/48
  • C. 2/9
  • D. 20/48
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve \( \frac{4}{9} \left( \frac{3}{16} - \frac{1}{12} \right) \), first calculate \( \frac{3}{16} - \frac{1}{12} \). Finding a common denominator (48), we convert the fractions: \( \frac{3}{16} = \frac{9}{48} \) and \( \frac{1}{12} = \frac{4}{48} \). Thus, \( \frac{9}{48} - \frac{4}{48} = \frac{5}{48} \). Next, multiply \( \frac{4}{9} \) by \( \frac{5}{48} \): \[ \frac{4 \times 5}{9 \times 48} = \frac{20}{432} = \frac{5}{108} \] Option B (5/48) is incorrect as it misrepresents the multiplication step. Option C (2/9) ignores the subtraction and multiplication entirely. Option D (20/48) fails to simplify the fraction correctly.
Alexia bought a book that is 252 pages long. She read the book in 3 days. The first day, she read 1/2 of the book's pages, the second day, she read 1/3 of the book's pages, and the third day she read all the remaining pages. How many pages did Alexia read the third day?
  • A. 3200%
  • B. 3600%
  • C. 4000%
  • D. 4200%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine how many pages Alexia read on the third day, we first calculate the pages read on the first two days. On the first day, she read half of 252 pages, which is 126 pages. On the second day, she read one-third, totaling 84 pages. Adding these gives 210 pages read over the first two days. Thus, the remaining pages for the third day are 252 - 210 = 42 pages. Options A, B, and C do not relate to the total pages read, as they present percentages rather than the actual number of pages. The correct choice reflects the accurate calculation of pages read on the final day.
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.
1,500 ÷ (15 + 5) =
  • A. 75
  • B. 130
  • C. 315
  • D. 400
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve the expression 1,500 ÷ (15 + 5), first calculate the sum inside the parentheses: 15 + 5 equals 20. Next, divide 1,500 by 20. Performing the division, 1,500 ÷ 20 equals 75, making option A the correct choice. Option B (130) results from incorrect calculations, possibly misapplying the division. Option C (315) may stem from an error in interpreting the division or addition. Option D (400) could arise from mistakenly multiplying instead of dividing. Thus, only option A accurately reflects the correct computation.