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.

What are the solutions to the equation: x² - 10?
  • A. ±5
  • B. ±√10
  • C. ±10
  • D. ±10²
  • E. ±20
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To solve the equation \( x^2 - 10 = 0 \), we first isolate \( x^2 \) by adding 10 to both sides, resulting in \( x^2 = 10 \). Taking the square root of both sides gives us \( x = \pm\sqrt{10} \), which corresponds to option B. Option A, \( \pm5 \), is incorrect as \( 5^2 = 25 \), not 10. Option C, \( \pm10 \), is also wrong because \( 10^2 = 100 \). Option D, \( \pm10^2 \), misinterprets the operation, yielding \( \pm100 \), which is not relevant here. Lastly, option E, \( \pm20 \), is incorrect since \( 20^2 = 400 \). Thus, only option B accurately represents the solutions to the equation.

Other Related Questions

One online movie-streaming service costs $8 per month and charges $1.50 per movie. A second service costs $2 per month and charges $2 per movie. For what number of movies per month is the monthly cost of both services the same?
  • A. 3
  • B. 6
  • C. 5
  • D. 12
  • E. 20
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine when the costs of both services are equal, we can set up equations based on the monthly fees and per-movie charges. For the first service: Cost = $8 + $1.50 * number of movies (m) Cost = $8 + 1.5m For the second service: Cost = $2 + $2 * number of movies (m) Cost = $2 + 2m Setting the two equations equal gives us: $8 + 1.5m = $2 + 2m Rearranging leads to: $6 = 0.5m m = 12 Thus, when 12 movies are rented, the costs are equal. Options A (3), B (6), and C (5) yield different costs, as they do not satisfy the equation. Option E (20) results in a higher cost for the second service, confirming that 12 is the only solution where both services cost the same.
Isabel earns $15.80 per hour for the first 8 hours she works each day. She earns 1.5 times her hourly rate for all time after the first 8 hours. How much does Isabel earn on a day when she works 8.5 hours?
  • A. 126.4
  • B. 138.25
  • C. 189.6
  • D. 201.45
  • E. 237
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine Isabel's earnings for an 8.5-hour workday, first calculate her earnings for the first 8 hours at $15.80 per hour, which totals $126.40 (8 hours × $15.80/hour). For the additional 0.5 hours, she earns 1.5 times her hourly rate, which is $23.70 (1.5 × $15.80). Therefore, for the extra half hour, she earns $11.85 (0.5 hours × $23.70/hour). Adding these amounts together gives $138.25 ($126.40 + $11.85). Option A ($126.40) only accounts for the first 8 hours. Option C ($189.60) incorrectly assumes full-time pay without considering the overtime rate. Option D ($201.45) miscalculates the overtime pay, while Option E ($237) overestimates by not applying the correct hourly rates.
sqrt(45) is between what two consecutive whole numbers?
  • A. 4 and 5
  • B. 5 and 6
  • C. 6 and 7
  • D. 14 and 15
  • E. 22 and 23
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine between which two consecutive whole numbers \(\sqrt{45}\) lies, we can evaluate the squares of whole numbers around it. Calculating, \(6^2 = 36\) and \(7^2 = 49\). Since \(36 < 45 < 49\), it follows that \(6 < \sqrt{45} < 7\). Therefore, \(\sqrt{45}\) is between 6 and 7. Option A (4 and 5) is incorrect as \(4^2 = 16\) and \(5^2 = 25\), which are both less than 45. Option B (5 and 6) is also wrong since \(5^2 = 25\) and \(6^2 = 36\) are still below 45. Option D (14 and 15) and Option E (22 and 23) are far too high, as \(14^2 = 196\) and \(22^2 = 484\) exceed 45.
What is the product of the two polynomials: (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6)?
  • A. x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30
  • B. x³ - 8x² - 21x - 30
  • C. x³ - 8x² - 9x - 30
  • D. x³ + 8x² + 21x + 30
  • E. x³ + 8x² - 9x + 30
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To find the product of the polynomials (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6), we apply the distributive property (FOIL method). 1. Multiply x by each term in the second polynomial: - x * x² = x³ - x * (-3x) = -3x² - x * 6 = 6x 2. Multiply -5 by each term in the second polynomial: - -5 * x² = -5x² - -5 * (-3x) = 15x - -5 * 6 = -30 Combining these results yields: x³ + (-3x² - 5x²) + (6x + 15x) - 30 = x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30. Option A matches this result. Options B and C have incorrect signs for the x terms. Option D has incorrect signs for all terms, and option E has incorrect signs for the x² and x terms. Thus, only option A accurately represents the product of the polynomials.