What are the solutions to (x-2)(x+4) = 0?
- A. -4 and 2
- B. -3 and 1
- C. -2 and 4
- D. -1 and 1
- E. -1 and 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
Other Related Questions
The recommended dosage of a medicine is 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. What is the recommended dosage, in milligrams, for a person who weighs 84 kilograms?
- A. 21
- B. 88
- C. 324
- D. 336
- E. 2100
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To determine the recommended dosage for a person weighing 84 kilograms, multiply their weight by the dosage per kilogram: 4 mg/kg × 84 kg = 336 mg. Option A (21 mg) is incorrect as it significantly underestimates the dosage based on the weight. Option B (88 mg) also miscalculates the dosage, failing to apply the correct multiplication. Option C (324 mg) is close but still incorrect, as it does not reflect the accurate calculation. Option E (2100 mg) is far too high, indicating a misunderstanding of the dosage per kilogram. Thus, 336 mg is the correct dosage for the individual.
To determine the recommended dosage for a person weighing 84 kilograms, multiply their weight by the dosage per kilogram: 4 mg/kg × 84 kg = 336 mg. Option A (21 mg) is incorrect as it significantly underestimates the dosage based on the weight. Option B (88 mg) also miscalculates the dosage, failing to apply the correct multiplication. Option C (324 mg) is close but still incorrect, as it does not reflect the accurate calculation. Option E (2100 mg) is far too high, indicating a misunderstanding of the dosage per kilogram. Thus, 336 mg is the correct dosage for the individual.
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.
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.
Mallory loaded 200 digital pictures into a digital picture frame. 78 are pictures of family members, 26 are pictures of pets, the rest are pictures of friends. The frame displays one picture every 10 seconds. Which value is closest to the probability that the next picture the frame displays will be a picture of a friend?
- A. 0.33
- B. 0.43
- C. 0.48
- D. 0.52
- E. 0.96
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To find the probability that the next picture displayed is of a friend, first calculate the total number of friend pictures. There are 200 total pictures, with 78 family and 26 pet pictures, leaving 200 - 78 - 26 = 96 pictures of friends. The probability is then the number of friend pictures divided by the total: 96/200 = 0.48. Option A (0.33) underestimates the proportion of friend pictures. Option B (0.43) is also lower than the calculated probability. Option D (0.52) slightly overestimates it, and option E (0.96) is far too high, misrepresenting the actual count. Thus, 0.48 accurately reflects the likelihood of displaying a friend picture next.
To find the probability that the next picture displayed is of a friend, first calculate the total number of friend pictures. There are 200 total pictures, with 78 family and 26 pet pictures, leaving 200 - 78 - 26 = 96 pictures of friends. The probability is then the number of friend pictures divided by the total: 96/200 = 0.48. Option A (0.33) underestimates the proportion of friend pictures. Option B (0.43) is also lower than the calculated probability. Option D (0.52) slightly overestimates it, and option E (0.96) is far too high, misrepresenting the actual count. Thus, 0.48 accurately reflects the likelihood of displaying a friend picture next.
A home improvement store offers to finance the purchase of any single item with zero interest for one year, with a down payment of $50. The remainder of the purchase price will be split into 12 equal monthly payments. Which of the following equations represents the relationship between an item's purchase price, s dollars, and the amount, a dollars, of each monthly payment under this offer?
- A. s = a-50/12
- B. s = a/12 -50
- C. s = 12a + 50
- D. s = 12a - 50
- E. s = 12 (a + 50)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine the relationship between the item's purchase price \( s \) and the monthly payment \( a \), consider the financing terms. After a $50 down payment, the remaining amount to finance is \( s - 50 \). This amount is divided into 12 equal monthly payments, leading to the equation \( s - 50 = 12a \). Rearranging this gives \( s = 12a + 50 \), confirming option C. Options A and B misrepresent the relationship by incorrectly adjusting the down payment or monthly payments. Option D incorrectly subtracts the down payment from the total, while option E miscalculates the total by incorrectly adding the down payment to the monthly payment before multiplying.
To determine the relationship between the item's purchase price \( s \) and the monthly payment \( a \), consider the financing terms. After a $50 down payment, the remaining amount to finance is \( s - 50 \). This amount is divided into 12 equal monthly payments, leading to the equation \( s - 50 = 12a \). Rearranging this gives \( s = 12a + 50 \), confirming option C. Options A and B misrepresent the relationship by incorrectly adjusting the down payment or monthly payments. Option D incorrectly subtracts the down payment from the total, while option E miscalculates the total by incorrectly adding the down payment to the monthly payment before multiplying.