tsia2 math practice test

A placement test used in Texas to assess a student's readiness for college-level coursework in math, reading, and writing.

Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you were given.
Which of the following is a factor of x ^ 3 * y ^ 3 + x * y ^ 5 ?
  • A. x ^ 3 - y ^ 3
  • B. x ^ 3 + y ^ 3
  • C. x ^ 2 + y ^ 2
  • D. x + y
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine the factors of the expression \(x^3y^3 + xy^5\), we can factor out the common term \(xy^3\), yielding \(xy^3(x^2 + y^2)\). Option A, \(x^3 - y^3\), represents a difference of cubes and does not apply here. Option B, \(x^3 + y^3\), is a sum of cubes, which is not a factor of the given expression. Option D, \(x + y\), does not appear in the factorization derived from the original expression. Thus, \(x^2 + y^2\) is the only viable factor, confirming its role in the factorization of the expression.

Other Related Questions

If an item regularly costs d dollars and is discounted 12 percent, which of the following represents the discounted price in dollars?
  • A. 0.12d
  • B. 0.88d
  • C. 1.12d
  • D. d-0.12
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the discounted price after a 12 percent discount on an item that costs d dollars, we first calculate the amount of the discount, which is 12% of d, or 0.12d. To determine the final price, we subtract this discount from the original price: d - 0.12d = 0.88d. Option A (0.12d) represents only the discount amount, not the final price. Option C (1.12d) incorrectly suggests an increase in price. Option D (d - 0.12) does not account for the percentage; it inaccurately represents the discount as a flat dollar amount rather than a percentage of the original price. Thus, 0.88d correctly reflects the discounted price.
The price P, in dollars, that a store sets for an item is given by the equation P = C + 1/10 * C where C dollars is the store's cost for the item. If the store sets a price of $55.00 for an item, what is the store's cost for the item?
  • A. $50.00
  • B. $54.90
  • C. $55.10
  • D. $60.50
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To find the store's cost \( C \), we start with the equation \( P = C + \frac{1}{10}C \). This can be simplified to \( P = 1.1C \). Given that \( P = 55 \), we can set up the equation \( 55 = 1.1C \). Solving for \( C \) gives \( C = \frac{55}{1.1} = 50 \). Option A ($50.00) is correct, as it satisfies the equation. Option B ($54.90) incorrectly suggests a cost that would lead to a higher price than $55 when applying the markup. Option C ($55.10) implies a cost greater than the set price, which is illogical. Option D ($60.50) is also incorrect as it would result in a price far exceeding $55, making it unfeasible.
An airplane is 5,000 ft above ground and has to land on a runway that is 7,000 ft away as shown above. Let x be the angle the pilot takes to land the airplane at the beginning of the runway. Which equation is a correct way to calculate x?
Question image
  • A. sin x = 5000/7000
  • B. sin x = 7000/5000
  • C. tan x = 5000/7000
  • D. tan x = 7/5000
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine the angle \( x \) for landing, we need to consider the relationship between the height of the airplane and the distance to the runway. The height (5000 ft) is the opposite side of the right triangle formed, while the distance to the runway (7000 ft) is the adjacent side. The tangent function relates these two sides, hence \( \tan x = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} \) leads to \( \tan x = \frac{5000}{7000} \). Option A incorrectly uses the sine function, which relates the opposite side to the hypotenuse. Option B also misapplies sine but swaps the sides, leading to an incorrect ratio. Option D incorrectly uses tangent but misrepresents the sides, making it invalid. Thus, option C accurately represents the relationship needed to calculate angle \( x \).
The expressions x - 2 and x + 3 represent the length and width of a rectangle, respectively. If the area of the rectangle is 24, what is the perimeter of the rectangle?
  • A. 20
  • B. 22
  • C. 24
  • D. 28
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the perimeter of the rectangle, first calculate its dimensions using the area formula. The area is given by multiplying length and width: \[ (x - 2)(x + 3) = 24 \] Expanding this, we get: \[ x^2 + x - 6 = 24 \implies x^2 + x - 30 = 0 \] Factoring yields: \[ (x - 5)(x + 6) = 0 \implies x = 5 \text{ (valid)} \text{ or } x = -6 \text{ (not valid)} \] Using \(x = 5\), the dimensions are \(3\) (length) and \(8\) (width). The perimeter is: \[ 2(3 + 8) = 22 \] Options A (20), C (24), and D (28) do not match the calculated perimeter of 22, confirming they are incorrect.