Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you were given.
A shirt is on sale for 15 percent off the original price of x dollars. If a customer has a coupon for 5 dollars off the sale price, which of the following represents the price, in dollars, the customer will pay, excluding tax, for the shirt?
- A. 0.15x-5
- B. 0.85x -5
- C. 0.85(x-5)
- D. 5-0.85x
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine the price a customer pays after applying both discounts, start with the original price, x. A 15% discount reduces the price to 85% of the original, calculated as 0.85x. After this, the customer applies a $5 coupon, leading to the final price of 0.85x - 5. Option A (0.15x - 5) incorrectly calculates the discount as a direct subtraction from the original price, misrepresenting the order of operations. Option C (0.85(x - 5)) mistakenly applies the coupon before calculating the discount, which is not the correct sequence. Option D (5 - 0.85x) suggests a negative price, which is nonsensical in this context.
To determine the price a customer pays after applying both discounts, start with the original price, x. A 15% discount reduces the price to 85% of the original, calculated as 0.85x. After this, the customer applies a $5 coupon, leading to the final price of 0.85x - 5. Option A (0.15x - 5) incorrectly calculates the discount as a direct subtraction from the original price, misrepresenting the order of operations. Option C (0.85(x - 5)) mistakenly applies the coupon before calculating the discount, which is not the correct sequence. Option D (5 - 0.85x) suggests a negative price, which is nonsensical in this context.
Other Related Questions
If a number from set M is selected at random, what is the probability that the number selected will be a factor of 12?
- A. 0.1
- B. 0.2
- C. 0.4
- D. 0.5
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine the probability that a randomly selected number from set M is a factor of 12, we first identify the factors of 12, which are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. If set M consists of 6 numbers (1 through 6), then 4 of these (1, 2, 3, and 4) are factors of 12. Thus, the probability is 4 out of 6, simplifying to 0.4. Option A (0.1) underestimates the number of factors. Option B (0.2) suggests only 2 factors, which is incorrect. Option D (0.5) implies 3 factors, also inaccurate. Therefore, 0.4 accurately represents the proportion of factors of 12 in the set.
To determine the probability that a randomly selected number from set M is a factor of 12, we first identify the factors of 12, which are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. If set M consists of 6 numbers (1 through 6), then 4 of these (1, 2, 3, and 4) are factors of 12. Thus, the probability is 4 out of 6, simplifying to 0.4. Option A (0.1) underestimates the number of factors. Option B (0.2) suggests only 2 factors, which is incorrect. Option D (0.5) implies 3 factors, also inaccurate. Therefore, 0.4 accurately represents the proportion of factors of 12 in the set.
If the values of x and y are negative, which of the following values must be positive?
- A. x²-y²
- B. x/y
- C. x+y
- D. x-y
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
When both x and y are negative, the quotient \( x/y \) results in a positive value. This is because dividing a negative number by another negative number yields a positive outcome. Option A, \( x^2 - y^2 \), can be either positive or negative depending on the magnitudes of x and y; thus, it is not guaranteed to be positive. Option C, \( x + y \), is the sum of two negative numbers, which will always be negative. Option D, \( x - y \), involves subtracting a negative (y) from another negative (x), which can also yield a negative or zero result, depending on their values. Only \( x/y \) is assuredly positive.
When both x and y are negative, the quotient \( x/y \) results in a positive value. This is because dividing a negative number by another negative number yields a positive outcome. Option A, \( x^2 - y^2 \), can be either positive or negative depending on the magnitudes of x and y; thus, it is not guaranteed to be positive. Option C, \( x + y \), is the sum of two negative numbers, which will always be negative. Option D, \( x - y \), involves subtracting a negative (y) from another negative (x), which can also yield a negative or zero result, depending on their values. Only \( x/y \) is assuredly positive.
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.
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.
In triangle ABC above, AC ||DE. If AD = 2x - 1 and AC = 3x - 1 , what is the value of x ?
- A. 3
- B. 4
- C. 5
- D. 6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
In triangle ABC, since AC is parallel to DE, the segments AD and AC are proportional. This relationship can be expressed as AD = AC. Substituting the expressions gives us the equation: 2x - 1 = 3x - 1. Solving for x, we simplify to 2x - 3x = -1 + 1, leading to -x = 0, or x = 3. Option B (4), C (5), and D (6) do not satisfy the equation derived from the parallel lines, making them incorrect. Only x = 3 maintains the equality, confirming the proportional relationship in the triangle.
In triangle ABC, since AC is parallel to DE, the segments AD and AC are proportional. This relationship can be expressed as AD = AC. Substituting the expressions gives us the equation: 2x - 1 = 3x - 1. Solving for x, we simplify to 2x - 3x = -1 + 1, leading to -x = 0, or x = 3. Option B (4), C (5), and D (6) do not satisfy the equation derived from the parallel lines, making them incorrect. Only x = 3 maintains the equality, confirming the proportional relationship in the triangle.