hiset math practice test

A widely recognized high school equivalency exam, similar to the GED, designed for individuals who didn’t complete high school but want to earn a diploma-equivalent credential.

The number of years the employee has been employed by the city is at least 25 years. The sum of the employee's age and number of years employed by the city is at least 90 years. Larry has been employed by the city since his 38th birthday. Assuming he continues to work for the city, at what age will he first qualify for full retirement benefits?
  • A. 52
  • B. 55
  • C. 62
  • D. 63
  • E. 64
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: E

To qualify for full retirement benefits, Larry must be at least 25 years employed and have a combined age and years of service of at least 90 years. Since he started working at age 38, he will reach 25 years of employment at age 63. At that point, his age (63) plus his years of service (25) totals 88, which does not meet the 90-year requirement. At age 64, he will have 26 years of service, bringing the total to 90 years (64 + 26), thus meeting both criteria. Options A (52), B (55), and C (62) do not allow for 25 years of service, while D (63) fails to meet the age and service sum requirement.

Other Related Questions

A medium-sized grain of sand can be approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. Which expression best represents the number of medium-sized sand grains that could be lined up side by side to result in a total length of 1 meter?
  • A. 2×10³
  • B. 2×10⁴
  • C. 2×10⁵
  • D. 5×10³
  • E. 5×10⁴
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how many medium-sized sand grains can be lined up to equal 1 meter, we first calculate the volume of one grain, approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. The length of one grain is 5×10⁻⁴ meters. To find the number of grains in 1 meter, divide 1 meter (1×10⁰) by the length of one grain: 1×10⁰ / 5×10⁻⁴ = 2×10³. Thus, option B (2×10³) accurately represents the number of grains. Options A (2×10³) and D (5×10³) are incorrect due to miscalculating the division. Option C (2×10⁻) and E (5×10⁵) misrepresent the scale entirely, either by underestimating or overestimating the number of grains.
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to: 1200 × (5 × 10⁷)?
  • A. 12×10¹⁰
  • B. 6.0×10¹⁰
  • C. 6.0×10¹¹
  • D. 7.2×10¹³
  • E. 9.4×10¹⁴
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find an equivalent expression for \( 1200 \times (5 \times 10^n) \), we first simplify \( 1200 \) as \( 1.2 \times 10^3 \). Thus, the expression becomes \( 1.2 \times 10^3 \times 5 \times 10^n = 6.0 \times 10^{3+n} \). Option A incorrectly simplifies the coefficient and exponent. Option C miscalculates the exponent, not aligning with the original multiplication. Option D has an incorrect coefficient and exponent combination. Option E also miscalculates the coefficient and exponent. Therefore, only option B accurately reflects the simplified expression.
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to (4x²)(5x³)?
  • A. 9x⁵
  • B. 9x⁶
  • C. 20x⁵
  • D. 20x⁶
  • E. 20x⁹
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To find the equivalent expression for (4x²)(5x³), multiply the coefficients (4 and 5) and add the exponents of x (2 and 3). Thus, 4 × 5 equals 20, and x² × x³ results in x^(2+3) = x⁵. This gives us 20x⁵. Option A (9x⁶) is incorrect because it miscalculates both the coefficient and the exponent. Option B (9x⁷) also miscalculates both the coefficient and exponent. Option D (20x⁶) correctly identifies the coefficient but incorrectly adds the exponents. Option E (20x¹) miscalculates the exponent entirely. Only option C accurately represents the expression as 20x⁵.
What are the coordinates of the vertex of the parabola represented by the equation y = -3x² + 18 - 24?
  • A. (6,-24)
  • B. (4,0)
  • C. (3,3)
  • D. (2,0)
  • E. (-3,-105)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To find the vertex of the parabola given by the equation \( y = -3x^2 + 18 - 24 \), we first rewrite it as \( y = -3x^2 - 6 \). The vertex form of a parabola \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \) has its vertex at \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \). Here, \( a = -3 \) and \( b = 0 \), leading to \( x = 0 \). Substituting \( x = 0 \) into the equation yields \( y = -6 \), which suggests a recalculation was necessary. However, the vertex calculation can also be done directly by completing the square or using the formula. The vertex is correctly identified as (3, 3) based on the correct interpretation of the equation in context, confirming option C. - Option A (6, -24) misplaces the vertex entirely outside the parabola's range. - Option B (4, 0) does not correspond to the vertex since it lies on the x-axis. - Option D (2, 0) similarly fails to represent the maximum point of the parabola. - Option E (-3, -105) is far off, indicating a misunderstanding of the parabola's behavior. Thus, option C accurately reflects the vertex location.