tsia2 math practice test

A placement test used in Texas to assess a student's readiness for college-level coursework in math, reading, and writing.

Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you were given.
The expressions x - 2 and x + 3 represent the length and width of a rectangle, respectively. If the area of the rectangle is 24, what is the perimeter of the rectangle?
  • A. 20
  • B. 22
  • C. 24
  • D. 28
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the perimeter of the rectangle, first calculate its dimensions using the area formula. The area is given by multiplying length and width: \[ (x - 2)(x + 3) = 24 \] Expanding this, we get: \[ x^2 + x - 6 = 24 \implies x^2 + x - 30 = 0 \] Factoring yields: \[ (x - 5)(x + 6) = 0 \implies x = 5 \text{ (valid)} \text{ or } x = -6 \text{ (not valid)} \] Using \(x = 5\), the dimensions are \(3\) (length) and \(8\) (width). The perimeter is: \[ 2(3 + 8) = 22 \] Options A (20), C (24), and D (28) do not match the calculated perimeter of 22, confirming they are incorrect.

Other Related Questions

If (2w + 7)(3w - 1) = 0 which of the following is a possible value of w?
  • A. -3
  • B. -0.28571
  • C. 01-Mar
  • D. 07-Feb
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To solve the equation (2w + 7)(3w - 1) = 0, we set each factor to zero. 1. For 2w + 7 = 0, solving gives w = -3. This corresponds to option A, which is a valid solution. 2. For 3w - 1 = 0, solving gives w = 1/3, approximately 0.333. Option B, -0.28571, does not match this value. 3. Option C, 01-Mar, is not a numerical value but a date format, making it irrelevant. 4. Option D, 07-Feb, while also a date format, can be interpreted as a fraction (7/2), which equals 3.5, not a solution to the equation. Thus, option A is a valid solution, while options B, C, and D do not provide valid values for w.
If a +√x= b then x =
  • A. √b-√a
  • B. √(b-1)
  • C. (b-a)²
  • D. b²-a²
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To solve for \( x \) in the equation \( a + \sqrt{x} = b \), we first isolate \( \sqrt{x} \) by rearranging the equation to \( \sqrt{x} = b - a \). Squaring both sides gives \( x = (b - a)^2 \), which corresponds to option C. Option A, \( \sqrt{b} - \sqrt{a} \), does not account for squaring the expression and thus cannot represent \( x \). Option B, \( \sqrt{(b-1)} \), is unrelated to the original equation and lacks the necessary operations. Option D, \( b^2 - a^2 \), applies the difference of squares incorrectly and does not solve for \( x \) directly.
If the values of x and y are negative, which of the following values must be positive?
  • A. x²-y²
  • B. x/y
  • C. x+y
  • D. x-y
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

When both x and y are negative, the quotient \( x/y \) results in a positive value. This is because dividing a negative number by another negative number yields a positive outcome. Option A, \( x^2 - y^2 \), can be either positive or negative depending on the magnitudes of x and y; thus, it is not guaranteed to be positive. Option C, \( x + y \), is the sum of two negative numbers, which will always be negative. Option D, \( x - y \), involves subtracting a negative (y) from another negative (x), which can also yield a negative or zero result, depending on their values. Only \( x/y \) is assuredly positive.
Which of the following is equivalent to 12x +8?
  • A. 4(3x+2)
  • B. 4(3x+8)
  • C. 4(3x+2x)
  • D. 20x
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the equivalent expression for \(12x + 8\), we can factor out the greatest common factor, which is 4. Option A, \(4(3x + 2)\), simplifies to \(12x + 8\) when distributed, making it equivalent to the original expression. Option B, \(4(3x + 8)\), simplifies to \(12x + 32\), which is not equivalent. Option C, \(4(3x + 2x)\), simplifies to \(4(5x)\) or \(20x\), which is also not equivalent. Option D, \(20x\), does not match the original expression either. Thus, only option A is correct.