free accuplacer arithmetic practice test

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

If 3 < a < 7 < b, which of the following must be greater than 20?
  • A. a²
  • B. 2b
  • C. ab
  • D. b + a
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine which option must be greater than 20, we analyze each one based on the inequalities provided (3 < a < 7 < b). **Option A: a²** Since a is less than 7, the maximum value for a² is 49 (when a=7), and the minimum value is 16 (when a=4). Thus, a² can be less than 20. **Option B: 2b** With b being greater than 7, the minimum value for 2b is 16 (when b=8). Therefore, 2b can also be less than 20. **Option C: ab** Given a is at least 4 and b is at least 8, the minimum value of ab is 32 (4*8). This must be greater than 20. **Option D: b + a** The minimum value for b + a is 11 (when a=4 and b=7), which is less than 20. Thus, only ab must consistently exceed 20.

Other Related Questions

Frederica used 13.4 gallons of gasoline to drive 448.9 miles. What was the average number of miles she drove per gallon of gasoline?
  • A. 3.4 mpg
  • B. 33.5 mpg
  • C. 60.15 mpg
  • D. 435.5 mpg
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the average miles per gallon (mpg), divide the total miles driven by the gallons used. Here, 448.9 miles divided by 13.4 gallons equals approximately 33.5 mpg. Option A (3.4 mpg) is incorrect as it significantly underestimates the fuel efficiency. Option C (60.15 mpg) overestimates the efficiency, suggesting an unrealistic performance for a typical vehicle. Option D (435.5 mpg) is also incorrect, as it implies an implausibly high efficiency that is not achievable with conventional vehicles. Thus, the calculation confirms that 33.5 mpg accurately represents Frederica's fuel efficiency.
Sienna has four times as many DVDs as Teri. Robert has half as many DVDs as Teri. If Robert has 32 DVDs, how many DVDs does Sienna have?
  • A. 4
  • B. 16
  • C. 64
  • D. 256
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine how many DVDs Sienna has, start with Robert's count. Since Robert has 32 DVDs and he has half as many as Teri, Teri must have 64 DVDs (32 x 2). Sienna has four times as many DVDs as Teri, so she has 256 DVDs (64 x 4). Option A (4) is incorrect because it underestimates the number of DVDs based on Teri's count. Option B (16) is also incorrect, as it does not align with the calculations derived from Robert's DVDs. Option C (64) mistakenly represents Teri's count rather than Sienna's. Thus, the only valid option reflecting Sienna's total is 256.
6[4 + 2(1 - 3)] =
  • B. 20
  • C. 24
  • D. 48
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve the expression 6[4 + 2(1 - 3)], begin by simplifying inside the brackets. The calculation within the parentheses, 1 - 3, equals -2. Next, multiply by 2 to get -4. Now, the expression inside the brackets is 4 - 4, which simplifies to 0. Finally, multiplying 6 by 0 results in 0. Option B (20), C (24), and D (48) arise from miscalculations, such as incorrectly handling the order of operations or not simplifying the expression fully. None of these options account for the zero outcome from the calculations.
3/8 expressed as a percent is
  • A. 3.75%
  • B. 37.50%
  • C. 38%
  • D. 38,1/3%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To convert a fraction to a percent, multiply by 100. For 3/8, the calculation is (3 ÷ 8) × 100, which equals 37.5%. This aligns with option B: 37.50%. Option A (3.75%) results from miscalculating the fraction, likely confusing the decimal representation. Option C (38%) rounds up incorrectly, as it does not accurately reflect the precise conversion. Option D (38, 1/3%) misrepresents the fraction by suggesting a value that exceeds the actual percentage, further indicating a misunderstanding of the conversion process. Thus, option B is the only accurate representation of 3/8 as a percent.