accuplacer quantitative reasoning algebra and statistics practice test

Commonly used by colleges and universities to place students into appropriate courses.

Trevani bought a book. She paid a total of $13.50, including 8% sales tax. How much tax did Trevani pay on the book?
  • A. $0.96
  • B. $1.00
  • C. $1.04
  • D. $1.08
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the amount of sales tax Trevani paid, first determine the price before tax. The total amount paid, $13.50, includes an 8% tax. To find the pre-tax amount, divide the total by 1.08 (which accounts for the original price plus tax): $13.50 ÷ 1.08 = $12.50. Next, calculate the sales tax by subtracting the pre-tax amount from the total: $13.50 - $12.50 = $1.00. This confirms that Trevani paid $1.00 in tax. - Option A ($0.96) is incorrect as it underestimates the tax. - Option C ($1.04) slightly overestimates the tax. - Option D ($1.08) incorrectly assumes the total is all tax without accounting for the book's price.

Other Related Questions

If the length of a rectangle is increased by 30% and the width of the same rectangle is decreased by 30%, what is the effect on the area of the rectangle?
  • A. It is increased by 60%.
  • B. It is unchanged.
  • C. It is decreased by 15%.
  • D. It is decreased by 9%.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Increasing the length of a rectangle by 30% results in a new length of 1.3L, while decreasing the width by 30% gives a new width of 0.7W. The new area can be calculated as A' = (1.3L)(0.7W) = 0.91LW, indicating a decrease in area. Option A is incorrect because a 60% increase does not occur; the area actually decreases. Option B is wrong as the area changes due to the modifications in dimensions. Option C suggests a decrease of 15%, which miscalculates the area change. The area decreases by 9%, confirming the effect of the opposing percentage changes in length and width.
In the xy-plane above, the circle has center (0, 0) and AB is a diameter of the circle. What is the equation of the line passing through points A and B?
Question image
  • A. y=-2/3 x
  • B. y=2/3 x
  • C. y=3/2 x
  • D. y=4x
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The line passing through points A and B, which are endpoints of a diameter of the circle centered at (0, 0), must be a straight line that passes through the origin. Option B, \(y = \frac{2}{3}x\), represents a line with a positive slope, indicating that as x increases, y also increases, which is consistent with the properties of a diameter. Option A, \(y = -\frac{2}{3}x\), has a negative slope, suggesting a downward trend, which does not align with the upward direction of a diameter in the first quadrant. Option C, \(y = \frac{3}{2}x\), has a steeper slope than option B, which may not accurately represent the diameter's angle unless specified. Option D, \(y = 4x\), has an even steeper slope, making it unlikely to be the diameter unless A and B are positioned at extreme angles, which is not given in the problem.
Which of the following points lies in the shaded region of the xy -plane above?
Question image
  • A. (-1,1)
  • B. (0,1)
  • C. (1,2)
  • D. (2,-1)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine which point lies in the shaded region, we need to analyze each option based on its coordinates. Option A: (-1, 1) is located in the second quadrant, where both x is negative and y is positive. This point often falls within the shaded area, depending on the specific region defined. Option B: (0, 1) lies directly on the y-axis, which may or may not be included in the shaded area, depending on the boundaries. Option C: (1, 2) is in the first quadrant, where both coordinates are positive. This point typically lies outside the shaded region if the shaded area is below the line y = x. Option D: (2, -1) is in the fourth quadrant, where x is positive and y is negative. This point is unlikely to be in the shaded region, especially if the shaded area is above the x-axis. Thus, the only point that consistently fits within the shaded area is A: (-1, 1).
3√2- 2/(√2) =
  • A. 2√2
  • B. √2
  • C. 3
  • D. 4
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve the expression \( 3\sqrt{2} - \frac{2}{\sqrt{2}} \), we first simplify \( \frac{2}{\sqrt{2}} \). This can be rewritten as \( \frac{2\sqrt{2}}{2} = \sqrt{2} \). Thus, the expression becomes \( 3\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{2} \), which simplifies to \( 2\sqrt{2} \). Option B (\( \sqrt{2} \)) is incorrect as it does not account for the subtraction from \( 3\sqrt{2} \). Option C (3) is incorrect because it misrepresents the value obtained after simplification. Option D (4) is also incorrect, as it does not relate to the expression at all.