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

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.
Last year Joan's salary was $18,000. If she receives a $900 raise for this year, what percent of last year's salary is her raise?
  • A. 2%
  • B. 5%
  • C. 20%
  • D. 50%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the percentage of last year's salary that Joan's raise represents, divide the raise amount by last year's salary and then multiply by 100. Here, $900 (raise) divided by $18,000 (last year's salary) equals 0.05. Multiplying by 100 gives 5%, which is the correct answer. Option A (2%) miscalculates the raise as a smaller fraction of the salary. Option C (20%) incorrectly interprets the raise as a larger proportion, perhaps confusing it with a different calculation. Option D (50%) vastly overestimates the raise, suggesting it is half of last year's salary, which is not accurate.
Of the following, which best expresses 52 as a percent of 170?
  • A. 30% of 170
  • B. 33% of 170
  • C. 35% of 170
  • D. 40% of 170
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine what percent 52 is of 170, divide 52 by 170 and multiply by 100. This calculation yields approximately 30.59%, which rounds to 30%. Option A (30% of 170) is correct, as it closely matches this percentage. Option B (33% of 170) results in 56.1, which is higher than 52. Option C (35% of 170) equals 59.5, also above 52. Option D (40% of 170) gives 68, significantly exceeding 52. Thus, only option A accurately reflects 52 as a percent of 170.
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.