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.
The number p is obtained by moving the decimal point 2 places to the left in the positive number n. The number s is obtained by moving the decimal point 1 place to the right in the number n. The number p + s how many times n?
  • A. 1.01
  • B. 10.001
  • C. 10.01
  • D. 10.1
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

When the decimal point in \( n \) is moved 2 places to the left, \( p \) becomes \( \frac{n}{100} \). Moving the decimal point 1 place to the right gives \( s \) as \( 10n \). Therefore, \( p + s = \frac{n}{100} + 10n \). To combine these, convert \( 10n \) to a fraction: \( 10n = \frac{1000n}{100} \). Thus, \( p + s = \frac{n}{100} + \frac{1000n}{100} = \frac{1001n}{100} \). This simplifies to \( 10.01n \). Option A (1.01) is too low, as it does not account for the large contribution from \( s \). Option B (10.001) and D (10.1) are also incorrect; they either underestimate or overestimate the sum of \( p \) and \( s \). Thus, the correct answer, \( 10.01 \), accurately reflects the relationship between \( p + s \) and \( n \).

Other Related Questions

If 40 is 20 percent of a number, then the number is what percent of 40?
  • A. 500%
  • B. 200%
  • C. 80%
  • D. 20%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine what percent a number (let's call it X) is of 40, we first establish that 40 is 20% of X. This can be represented as the equation: 40 = 0.2X. Solving for X gives us X = 200. Now, to find out what percent 200 is of 40, we use the formula (part/whole) × 100, which results in (200/40) × 100 = 500%. Option B (200%) is incorrect as it mistakenly uses X instead of calculating the percentage of 40. Option C (80%) and Option D (20%) are also incorrect for similar reasons; they do not accurately reflect the relationship between 200 and 40.
Of the following, which is closest to (2(12/15) - 1/10) / (16/6)?
  • B. 1
  • C. 2
  • D. 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To evaluate the expression (2(12/15) - 1/10) / (16/6), we first simplify the numerator. Calculating 2(12/15) gives us 16/15. Next, we convert 1/10 to a common denominator of 30, resulting in 3/30. Thus, the numerator becomes (16/15 - 3/30). Converting 16/15 to a denominator of 30 yields 32/30, leading to (32/30 - 3/30) = 29/30. Now, simplifying the denominator, 16/6 reduces to 8/3. Dividing (29/30) by (8/3) is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal: (29/30) * (3/8) = 87/240, which approximates to 0.36, closest to 1. Options C (2) and D (3) are incorrect as they overshoot the calculated value, while option B (1) accurately reflects the result.
2(1/2 + 1/3) =
  • A. 1(2/3)
  • B. 1(5/6)
  • C. 2(1/6)
  • D. 2(5/6)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve 2(1/2 + 1/3), first find a common denominator for the fractions 1/2 and 1/3, which is 6. Rewrite the fractions: 1/2 becomes 3/6 and 1/3 becomes 2/6. Adding these gives 5/6. Now, multiply by 2: 2 * 5/6 equals 10/6, which simplifies to 1(2/3). Option B, 1(5/6), results from miscalculating the addition. Option C, 2(1/6), misinterprets the multiplication step. Option D, 2(5/6), incorrectly applies the multiplication to the wrong sum. Each incorrect option reflects a misunderstanding of the operations involved.
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.