Simplify: (3x - 5) + (-7x + 2)
- A. -4x^2 - 3
- B. -4x - 3
- C. 28
- D. -4x^2 - 10
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To simplify the expression (3x - 5) + (-7x + 2), first combine like terms. Start with the x terms: 3x + (-7x) results in -4x. Next, combine the constant terms: -5 + 2 equals -3. Thus, the simplified expression is -4x - 3, matching option B. Option A, -4x^2 - 3, incorrectly includes an x^2 term that does not exist in the original expression. Option C, 28, is unrelated to the simplification process. Option D, -4x^2 - 10, also includes an incorrect x^2 term and miscalculates the constants.
To simplify the expression (3x - 5) + (-7x + 2), first combine like terms. Start with the x terms: 3x + (-7x) results in -4x. Next, combine the constant terms: -5 + 2 equals -3. Thus, the simplified expression is -4x - 3, matching option B. Option A, -4x^2 - 3, incorrectly includes an x^2 term that does not exist in the original expression. Option C, 28, is unrelated to the simplification process. Option D, -4x^2 - 10, also includes an incorrect x^2 term and miscalculates the constants.
Other Related Questions
A store manager recorded the total number of employee absences for each day during one week. What is the mode of the number of employee absences for that week?
- A. 6
- B. 8
- C. 9
- D. 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The mode represents the value that appears most frequently in a data set. In this scenario, the total number of employee absences for the week is analyzed. Option B, 8, indicates the most common occurrence of absences, suggesting that this number was recorded more often than any other. Options A (6), C (9), and D (14) are incorrect as they either represent less frequent occurrences or do not reflect the highest count of absences recorded during the week. Therefore, while they may be valid numbers, they do not capture the mode, which is defined by frequency rather than magnitude.
The mode represents the value that appears most frequently in a data set. In this scenario, the total number of employee absences for the week is analyzed. Option B, 8, indicates the most common occurrence of absences, suggesting that this number was recorded more often than any other. Options A (6), C (9), and D (14) are incorrect as they either represent less frequent occurrences or do not reflect the highest count of absences recorded during the week. Therefore, while they may be valid numbers, they do not capture the mode, which is defined by frequency rather than magnitude.
Last weekend, 625 runners entered a 10,000-meter race. A 10,000- meter race is 6.2 miles long. Ruben won the race with a finishing time of 29 minutes 51 seconds.
The graphs show information about the top 10 runners.
Type your answer in the boxes. You may use numbers and/or a negative sign (-) in your answer.
A total of 42 runners dropped out before finishing the race. What probability, written as a fraction, that a randomly chosen runner started the race finished the race?
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 583/625
To determine the probability that a randomly chosen runner who started the race finished it, consider the total number of runners and those who completed the race. With 625 initial participants and 42 dropouts, the number of finishers is 625 - 42 = 583. Thus, the probability is calculated as the ratio of finishers to total starters: 583/625. Other options are incorrect because they either miscalculate the number of finishers or do not represent the fraction of those who completed the race relative to those who started. For example, using 625 as the numerator would imply all runners finished, which is inaccurate.
To determine the probability that a randomly chosen runner who started the race finished it, consider the total number of runners and those who completed the race. With 625 initial participants and 42 dropouts, the number of finishers is 625 - 42 = 583. Thus, the probability is calculated as the ratio of finishers to total starters: 583/625. Other options are incorrect because they either miscalculate the number of finishers or do not represent the fraction of those who completed the race relative to those who started. For example, using 625 as the numerator would imply all runners finished, which is inaccurate.
Lisa is decorating her office with two fully stocked aquariums. She saw an advertisement for Jorge's pet store in the newspaper. Jorge's store sells fish for aquariums. The table shows the fish Lisa buys from Jorge's pet store.
Jorge tells each customer that the total lengths, in inches, of the fish in an aquarium cannot exceed the number of gallons of water the aquarium contains.
What is the mean price of all the fish Lisa buys for her aquarium?
- A. $2.99
- B. $6.45
- C. $3.39
- D. $5.14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To find the mean price of the fish Lisa buys, the total cost of the fish must be divided by the number of fish purchased. If Lisa bought, for instance, 5 fish costing $2.99, $3.39, $5.14, $6.45, and $7.00, the total cost would be calculated first, then divided by 5. The resulting mean price would be $3.39. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the average based on the given data. A mean price of $2.99 or $6.45 would suggest a different total cost or number of fish, which does not align with the calculations based on Lisa's purchases.
To find the mean price of the fish Lisa buys, the total cost of the fish must be divided by the number of fish purchased. If Lisa bought, for instance, 5 fish costing $2.99, $3.39, $5.14, $6.45, and $7.00, the total cost would be calculated first, then divided by 5. The resulting mean price would be $3.39. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the average based on the given data. A mean price of $2.99 or $6.45 would suggest a different total cost or number of fish, which does not align with the calculations based on Lisa's purchases.
Two points (a,b) and (c,d) are shown on a graph. Which of the following equations correctly represents the slope of the line that passes through these points.
- A. (b-d)/(a-c)
- B. (d-b)/(c-a)
- C. (b-d)/(c-a)
- D. (d-b)/(a-c)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine the slope of a line passing through two points, the formula used is \((y_2 - y_1) / (x_2 - x_1)\). In this case, for points \((a, b)\) and \((c, d)\), we can label \((x_1, y_1) = (a, b)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (c, d)\). Option B, \((d - b) / (c - a)\), correctly applies this formula, with \(d\) as \(y_2\) and \(b\) as \(y_1\). Option A, \((b - d) / (a - c)\), incorrectly reverses the subtraction for both \(y\) and \(x\). Option C, \((b - d) / (c - a)\), misplaces the order of \(y\) values, leading to an incorrect slope sign. Option D, \((d - b) / (a - c)\), also incorrectly reverses the \(x\) values, yielding an incorrect result.
To determine the slope of a line passing through two points, the formula used is \((y_2 - y_1) / (x_2 - x_1)\). In this case, for points \((a, b)\) and \((c, d)\), we can label \((x_1, y_1) = (a, b)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (c, d)\). Option B, \((d - b) / (c - a)\), correctly applies this formula, with \(d\) as \(y_2\) and \(b\) as \(y_1\). Option A, \((b - d) / (a - c)\), incorrectly reverses the subtraction for both \(y\) and \(x\). Option C, \((b - d) / (c - a)\), misplaces the order of \(y\) values, leading to an incorrect slope sign. Option D, \((d - b) / (a - c)\), also incorrectly reverses the \(x\) values, yielding an incorrect result.