accuplacer arithmetic full length practice test

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

Of the following, which is closest to (2,12/15 - 1/10) ÷ 16/6 ?
  • B. 1
  • C. 2
  • D. 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To solve (2, 12/15 - 1/10) ÷ (16/6), first, convert the mixed number 2, 12/15 to an improper fraction: 2 = 30/15, so 2, 12/15 = 30/15 + 12/15 = 42/15. Next, simplify 12/15 - 1/10. Finding a common denominator (30), we have 24/30 - 3/30 = 21/30, which simplifies to 7/10. Thus, we compute (42/15 - 7/10) = (28/10 - 21/30) = (84/30 - 21/30) = 63/30 = 21/10. Dividing by (16/6) equals (21/10) ÷ (8/3) = (21/10) × (3/8) = 63/80, which is closest to 1. Options C and D (2 and 3) are incorrect as they overshoot the calculated value, while option B (1) accurately reflects the result of the division.

Other Related Questions

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.
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.
Linda has borrowed 8 more books than Susan from the school library. Richard has borrowed half as many books as Linda has. If Richard has borrowed 17 books from the library, how many books has Susan borrowed?
  • A. 25
  • B. 26
  • C. 34
  • D. 42
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how many books Susan has borrowed, start with Richard's 17 books. Since Richard has borrowed half as many books as Linda, Linda must have borrowed 34 books (17 x 2). Given that Linda has borrowed 8 more books than Susan, we can set up the equation: Linda's books = Susan's books + 8. Therefore, if Linda has 34 books, we find Susan's total by subtracting 8: 34 - 8 = 26. Option A (25) is incorrect as it underestimates Susan's total. Option C (34) mistakenly suggests Susan borrowed the same amount as Linda. Option D (42) overestimates Susan's total by not accounting for the difference of 8 books. Thus, the only valid option is 26.
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.