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.

A medium-sized grain of sand can be approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. Which expression best represents the number of medium-sized sand grains that could be lined up side by side to result in a total length of 1 meter?
  • A. 2×10³
  • B. 2×10⁴
  • C. 2×10⁵
  • D. 5×10³
  • E. 5×10⁴
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how many medium-sized sand grains can be lined up to equal 1 meter, we first calculate the volume of one grain, approximated as a cube with an edge length of 5×10⁻⁴ meters. The length of one grain is 5×10⁻⁴ meters. To find the number of grains in 1 meter, divide 1 meter (1×10⁰) by the length of one grain: 1×10⁰ / 5×10⁻⁴ = 2×10³. Thus, option B (2×10³) accurately represents the number of grains. Options A (2×10³) and D (5×10³) are incorrect due to miscalculating the division. Option C (2×10⁻) and E (5×10⁵) misrepresent the scale entirely, either by underestimating or overestimating the number of grains.

Other Related Questions

How many solutions does the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12 have?
  • B. 1
  • C. 2
  • D. 3
  • E. Infinitely many
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the number of solutions for the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12, we can simplify both sides. Subtracting 3x from each side results in 9 = -12, which is a false statement. Since the equation leads to a contradiction, it indicates that there are no values of x that can satisfy it. Option B (1 solution) suggests a single value exists, which is incorrect. Option C (2 solutions) and D (3 solutions) imply multiple valid values, which is also false. Option E (infinitely many solutions) suggests that any x would satisfy the equation, which is not true given the contradiction. Thus, the equation has no solutions.
In a survey of 300 people who were randomly sampled from a well-defined population, 60 said that they read a newspaper daily. If 1,000 people had been randomly sampled from the same population and asked the same question, how many would be expected to say they read a newspaper daily?
  • A. 180
  • B. 200
  • C. 360
  • D. 600
  • E. 760
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine how many people would be expected to read a newspaper daily in a larger sample, we first find the proportion from the initial survey. Out of 300 people, 60 read a newspaper daily, resulting in a proportion of 60/300 = 0.2 or 20%. Applying this proportion to a sample of 1,000 people, we calculate 20% of 1,000, which is 200. Therefore, option B (200) is the expected number. Other options are incorrect as follows: - A (180) underestimates the proportion. - C (360) overestimates, assuming a higher reading rate. - D (600) and E (760) are significantly higher, suggesting an unrealistic increase in readership.
When Henry plays the songs on the playlist in a random order, what is the probability a rock song will be played first?
  • A. 3/4
  • B. 1/3
  • C. 1/4
  • D. 3/10
  • E. 5/16
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find the probability of a rock song being played first, we need to know the total number of songs and how many of those are rock songs. If there are 3 rock songs and a total of 10 songs, the probability is calculated as the number of favorable outcomes (rock songs) divided by the total outcomes (all songs). Thus, the probability is 3/10, which corresponds to option D. Option A (3/4) overestimates the likelihood by implying a much higher proportion of rock songs. Option B (1/3) incorrectly assumes there are fewer total songs than there actually are. Option C (1/4) underrepresents the rock songs available. Option E (5/16) is irrelevant as it does not align with the total number of songs.
The number of years the employee has been employed by the city is at least 25 years. The sum of the employee's age and number of years employed by the city is at least 90 years. Larry has been employed by the city since his 38th birthday. Assuming he continues to work for the city, at what age will he first qualify for full retirement benefits?
  • A. 52
  • B. 55
  • C. 62
  • D. 63
  • E. 64
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: E

To qualify for full retirement benefits, Larry must be at least 25 years employed and have a combined age and years of service of at least 90 years. Since he started working at age 38, he will reach 25 years of employment at age 63. At that point, his age (63) plus his years of service (25) totals 88, which does not meet the 90-year requirement. At age 64, he will have 26 years of service, bringing the total to 90 years (64 + 26), thus meeting both criteria. Options A (52), B (55), and C (62) do not allow for 25 years of service, while D (63) fails to meet the age and service sum requirement.