hiset math practice test

A widely recognized high school equivalency exam, similar to the GED, designed for individuals who didn’t complete high school but want to earn a diploma-equivalent credential.

Let f(x) = 3x². What is f(-2x)?
Question image
  • A. -36x²
  • B. -12x²
  • C. -6x²
  • D. 12x²
  • E. 36x²
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find f(-2x), substitute -2x into the function f(x) = 3x². This gives us f(-2x) = 3(-2x)². Calculating (-2x)² results in 4x², so we have f(-2x) = 3 * 4x² = 12x². Option A (-36x²) is incorrect because it misapplies the square and the coefficient. Option B (-12x²) incorrectly uses a negative sign and fails to account for the square of -2x. Option C (-6x²) mistakenly reduces the coefficient and sign. Option E (36x²) omits the multiplication by 3, leading to an incorrect coefficient. Thus, 12x² is the only valid outcome.

Other Related Questions

Square PQRS, with a side length of 5 units, will be translated 2 units to the right and 2 units up in the standard (x, y) coordinate plane. What is the area, in square units, of the image of PQRS?
  • A. 20
  • B. 25
  • C. 40
  • D. 50
  • E. 100
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The area of a square is calculated by squaring the length of its sides. For square PQRS, with a side length of 5 units, the area is \(5 \times 5 = 25\) square units. Translating the square 2 units to the right and 2 units up does not alter its dimensions or area; it simply changes its position on the coordinate plane. Options A (20), C (40), D (50), and E (100) suggest changes in area due to incorrect assumptions about the effects of translation or miscalculations. The area remains constant at 25 square units, confirming option B as the only accurate choice.
A campground rents canoes for either $20 per day or $4 per hour. For what number or numbers of hours, h, is it more expensive to rent a canoe at the daily rate than at the hourly rate?
  • A. h = 5
  • B. h >= 25
  • C. h > 5
  • D. h < 5
  • E. h ≤ 5
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine when renting a canoe at the daily rate exceeds the hourly rate, we compare the costs. The daily rate is $20, while the hourly rate is $4 per hour. Setting up the inequality, we have: \[ 20 > 4h \] Dividing both sides by 4 gives: \[ 5 > h \] This means that renting for more than 5 hours makes the daily rate more economical. Option A (h = 5) is incorrect since at 5 hours, both rates are equal. Option B (h ≥ 25) is incorrect because it's not relevant to the threshold we calculated. Option D (h < 5) suggests a scenario where the daily rate is not more expensive, which contradicts our findings. Option E (h ≤ 5) includes values where the rates are equal or less, which doesn't satisfy the condition.
What is the sum of the two polynomials? 4x² + 3x + 5 + x² + 6x - 3?
  • A. 4x² + 9x + 2
  • B. 5x² + 9x + 2
  • C. 5x² + 9x + 8
  • D. 4x² + 9x² + 2
  • E. 5x² + 9x² + 8
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the sum of the polynomials \(4x^2 + 3x + 5\) and \(x^2 + 6x - 3\), we combine like terms. 1. For \(x^2\) terms: \(4x^2 + x^2 = 5x^2\). 2. For \(x\) terms: \(3x + 6x = 9x\). 3. For constant terms: \(5 - 3 = 2\). Thus, the resulting polynomial is \(5x^2 + 9x + 2\), which corresponds to option B. Option A incorrectly adds the \(x^2\) terms, leading to an incorrect polynomial. Option C miscalculates the constant term. Option D mistakenly adds the \(x^2\) terms incorrectly and does not follow proper polynomial addition. Option E also miscalculates by incorrectly summing the \(x^2\) terms and the constants.
Isabel earns $15.80 per hour for the first 8 hours she works each day. She earns 1.5 times her hourly rate for all time after the first 8 hours. How much does Isabel earn on a day when she works 8.5 hours?
  • A. 126.4
  • B. 138.25
  • C. 189.6
  • D. 201.45
  • E. 237
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine Isabel's earnings for an 8.5-hour workday, first calculate her earnings for the first 8 hours at $15.80 per hour, which totals $126.40 (8 hours × $15.80/hour). For the additional 0.5 hours, she earns 1.5 times her hourly rate, which is $23.70 (1.5 × $15.80). Therefore, for the extra half hour, she earns $11.85 (0.5 hours × $23.70/hour). Adding these amounts together gives $138.25 ($126.40 + $11.85). Option A ($126.40) only accounts for the first 8 hours. Option C ($189.60) incorrectly assumes full-time pay without considering the overtime rate. Option D ($201.45) miscalculates the overtime pay, while Option E ($237) overestimates by not applying the correct hourly rates.