ged math practice test

A a high school equivalency exam designed for individuals who did not graduate from high school but want to demonstrate they have the same knowledge and skills as a high school graduate

Select the factors for the following expression 2x^2 - xy - 3y^2
  • A. (2x+3y)(x-y)
  • B. (x+y)(2x-3y)
  • C. (2x-y)(x+3y)
  • D. (2x-3y)(x+y)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To factor the expression \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), we look for two binomials that multiply to give the original expression. Option D, \((2x-3y)(x+y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 2xy - 3xy - 3y^2\), which simplifies to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), matching the original expression. Option A, \((2x+3y)(x-y)\), expands to \(2x^2 - 2xy + 3xy - 3y^2\), resulting in \(2x^2 + xy - 3y^2\), which is incorrect. Option B, \((x+y)(2x-3y)\), gives \(2x^2 - 3xy + 2xy - 3y^2\), simplifying to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), but the signs do not match the original expression. Option C, \((2x-y)(x+3y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 6xy - xy - 3y^2\), leading to \(2x^2 + 5xy - 3y^2\), which is also incorrect. Thus, only Option D correctly factors the expression.

Other Related Questions

Ricardo has two bank accounts. Each month, he will withdraw a certain amount of money from the first account and deposit a different amount of money into the second account. The inequality 8,000 – 200x ? 5,000 + 300x can be solved to find the number of months, x, for which the account has more money than the second account. What is the solution to this inequality?
  • A. x ? 6
  • B. x ? 30
  • C. x ? 30
  • D. x ? 6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To solve the inequality \( 8,000 - 200x > 5,000 + 300x \), we first isolate \( x \). Rearranging gives \( 8,000 - 5,000 > 300x + 200x \), simplifying to \( 3,000 > 500x \). Dividing by 500 results in \( x < 6 \). Thus, the solution indicates that for \( x \) to ensure the first account has more money, it must be less than 6 months. Option A incorrectly states \( x \geq 6 \), which contradicts the solution. Options B and C mistakenly suggest \( x \geq 30 \), which is not relevant to the problem.
The owner of a small cookie shop is examining the shop's revenue and costs to see how she can increase profits. Currently, the shop has expenses of $41.26 and $0.19 per cookie. The shop's revenue and profit depend on the sales price of the cookies. The daily revenue is given in the graph below, where x is the sales price of the cookies and y is the expected revenue at that price. The shop owner needs to determine the total daily cost of making x cookies. Which of the following linear equations represents the cost, C, in dollars?
Question image
  • A. C=4.6x+995
  • B. C=0.046x+2
  • C. C=0.19x+41.26
  • D. C=1.2x+212.26
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The equation representing total daily cost must account for both fixed and variable costs. The fixed cost of $41.26 reflects the shop's expenses, while the variable cost is $0.19 per cookie, leading to the term 0.19x for x cookies. Therefore, C = 0.19x + 41.26 accurately captures both components. Option A incorrectly suggests a much higher fixed cost and variable rate, implying unrealistic expenses. Option B has a fixed cost that is too low and a variable cost that is also incorrect. Option D presents exaggerated figures for both fixed and variable costs, misrepresenting the shop's actual expenses.
The width of a painting is 24 centimeters shorter than its length, x. The area of the painting is 4,081 square centimeters. Which equation could be used to find the dimensions of the painting?
  • A. x^2 - 24x - 4,081 = 0
  • B. x^2 + 24x - 4,081 = 0
  • C. x^2 + 24x + 4,081 = 0
  • D. x^2 - 24x + 4,081 = 0
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To find the dimensions of the painting, we start with the relationship between length and width. The width is 24 cm shorter than the length \(x\), so it can be expressed as \(x - 24\). The area of a rectangle is given by the product of its length and width, resulting in the equation \(x(x - 24) = 4,081\). Expanding this leads to \(x^2 - 24x - 4,081 = 0\), which matches option A. Option B incorrectly adds 24x, leading to an incorrect area calculation. Option C incorrectly adds 24 and includes a positive constant, which does not represent the area. Option D incorrectly adds 4,081 and has a positive term that does not reflect the relationship between length and width.
What is the value of f(-3) for f(x) = 2x^2 + x + 1
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: -20

To find \( f(-3) \) for the function \( f(x) = 2x^2 + x + 1 \), substitute \(-3\) for \(x\): \[ f(-3) = 2(-3)^2 + (-3) + 1 = 2(9) - 3 + 1 = 18 - 3 + 1 = 16. \] The correct answer is -20, which is incorrect based on the calculation. Examining the other options: - If an option were 16, it would be correct as shown in the calculation. - Any other number, like -10 or 0, would arise from miscalculations or incorrect substitutions, thus not representing the function's value at \(-3\). The accurate evaluation confirms that \( f(-3) = 16 \).