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
Of the following, which is greatest?
  • A. -0.75
  • B. 5/-2
  • C. -3
  • D. -2
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A, -0.75, is the greatest value among the choices since it is the least negative number. Option B, 5/-2, simplifies to -2.5, which is less than -0.75. Option C, -3, is clearly more negative than both -0.75 and -2. Option D, -2, is greater than -3 but still less than -0.75. In summary, -0.75 is the highest value among negative numbers, making it the greatest option in this comparison.

Other Related Questions

Maria worked 2 weeks, earning $435.50 the first week and $278.38 the second week. If she paid one-half of her two-week earnings for tuition, how much did she pay for tuition?
  • A. $713.88
  • B. $356.94
  • C. $217.75
  • D. $139.19
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the amount Maria paid for tuition, first calculate her total earnings for the two weeks. Adding her earnings from both weeks: $435.50 + $278.38 = $713.88. Since she paid one-half of her total earnings for tuition, divide this amount by 2: $713.88 / 2 = $356.94. Option A ($713.88) represents her total earnings, not the tuition amount. Option C ($217.75) and Option D ($139.19) do not correctly reflect half of her total earnings. Therefore, $356.94 accurately represents the amount she paid for tuition.
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.
At the factory where he works, Mr. Lopez must make a minimum of 48 circuit boards per day. On Wednesday, he made 60 circuit boards. What percent of the required minimum did he make?
  • A. 125%
  • B. 112%
  • C. 80%
  • D. 25%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To find the percentage of the required minimum that Mr. Lopez made, divide the number of circuit boards he produced (60) by the minimum required (48) and then multiply by 100. \[ \text{Percentage} = \left(\frac{60}{48}\right) \times 100 = 125\% \] Option A is correct as it reflects that he made 125% of the minimum requirement. Option B (112%) is incorrect because it underestimates his production relative to the minimum. Option C (80%) is also wrong, as it suggests he produced only a fraction of the required amount. Option D (25%) is far too low, indicating a misunderstanding of the basic calculation.
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.