accuplacer arithmetic diagnostic practice test

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

Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you were given.
If 40 is 20 percent of a number, then the number is what percent of 40?
  • A. 500%
  • B. 200%
  • C. 80%
  • D. 20%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine what percent a number (let's call it X) is of 40, we first establish that 40 is 20% of X. This can be represented as the equation: 40 = 0.2X. Solving for X gives us X = 200. Now, to find out what percent 200 is of 40, we use the formula (part/whole) × 100, which results in (200/40) × 100 = 500%. Option B (200%) is incorrect as it mistakenly uses X instead of calculating the percentage of 40. Option C (80%) and Option D (20%) are also incorrect for similar reasons; they do not accurately reflect the relationship between 200 and 40.

Other Related Questions

Of the following, which best expresses 52 as a percent of 170?
  • A. 30% of 170
  • B. 33% of 170
  • C. 35% of 170
  • D. 40% of 170
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine what percent 52 is of 170, divide 52 by 170 and multiply by 100. This calculation yields approximately 30.59%, which rounds to 30%. Option A (30% of 170) is correct, as it closely matches this percentage. Option B (33% of 170) results in 56.1, which is higher than 52. Option C (35% of 170) equals 59.5, also above 52. Option D (40% of 170) gives 68, significantly exceeding 52. Thus, only option A accurately reflects 52 as a percent of 170.
Which of the following is equivalent to 1.04?
  • A. 52/51
  • B. 51/50
  • C. 27/25
  • D. 26/25
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine which option is equivalent to 1.04, we convert each fraction to a decimal. A: 52/51 equals approximately 1.0196, which is less than 1.04. B: 51/50 equals 1.02, also below 1.04. C: 27/25 equals 1.08, exceeding 1.04. D: 26/25 calculates to 1.04 exactly, matching the target value. Thus, option D accurately represents 1.04, while the other options do not meet the requirement.
3(1/2) * 2(1/3) =
  • A. 8(1/6)
  • B. 7(5/6)
  • C. 6(1/6)
  • D. 5(5/6)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve 3(1/2) * 2(1/3), first convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions: 3(1/2) becomes 7/2 and 2(1/3) becomes 7/3. Multiplying these fractions yields (7/2) * (7/3) = 49/6. Converting 49/6 back to a mixed number gives 8(1/6). Option B, 7(5/6), results from incorrect multiplication. Option C, 6(1/6), miscalculates the product as well. Option D, 5(5/6), reflects a misunderstanding of fraction multiplication. The proper method confirms that 8(1/6) is indeed the accurate result.
The number p is obtained by moving the decimal point 2 places to the left in the positive number n. The number s is obtained by moving the decimal point 1 place to the right in the number n. The number p + s how many times n?
  • A. 1.01
  • B. 10.001
  • C. 10.01
  • D. 10.1
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

When the decimal point in \( n \) is moved 2 places to the left, \( p \) becomes \( \frac{n}{100} \). Moving the decimal point 1 place to the right gives \( s \) as \( 10n \). Therefore, \( p + s = \frac{n}{100} + 10n \). To combine these, convert \( 10n \) to a fraction: \( 10n = \frac{1000n}{100} \). Thus, \( p + s = \frac{n}{100} + \frac{1000n}{100} = \frac{1001n}{100} \). This simplifies to \( 10.01n \). Option A (1.01) is too low, as it does not account for the large contribution from \( s \). Option B (10.001) and D (10.1) are also incorrect; they either underestimate or overestimate the sum of \( p \) and \( s \). Thus, the correct answer, \( 10.01 \), accurately reflects the relationship between \( p + s \) and \( n \).