ged math practice test

A a high school equivalency exam designed for individuals who did not graduate from high school but want to demonstrate they have the same knowledge and skills as a high school graduate

At a local bank, certificates of deposit (CDs) mature every 9 months. At another bank, CDs mature every 12 months. If CDs are purchased on the same day at each bank and are renewed when they mature, what is the least number of months that will pass before the two banks' CDs are mature at the same time?
  • A. 72
  • B. 36
  • C. 108
  • D. 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find when the CDs from both banks mature simultaneously, we need to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of their maturity periods: 9 months and 12 months. Calculating the LCM, we see that the multiples of 9 are 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, and 81. The multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84. The smallest common multiple is 36 months. Option A (72) is incorrect as it’s not the smallest shared maturity. Option C (108) is also incorrect; it exceeds the LCM. Option D (3) is far too short, as it does not accommodate either maturity period. Thus, 36 months is the earliest point both CDs will mature together.

Other Related Questions

Simplify 6^2 - 3^2
  • A. 6
  • B. 9
  • C. 27
  • D. 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To simplify \(6^2 - 3^2\), we apply the difference of squares formula, which states \(a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)\). Here, \(a = 6\) and \(b = 3\). Thus, we have: \[ 6^2 - 3^2 = (6 - 3)(6 + 3) = 3 \times 9 = 27 \] Option A (6) is incorrect as it miscalculates the expression. Option B (9) mistakenly considers only one of the squared terms. Option D (3) misinterprets the operations involved, leading to an incorrect result. The correct evaluation yields 27, confirming option C as the accurate answer.
The daily cost, C(x), tor a company to produce x microscopes is given by the equation C(x) = 300 + 10.5x. What is the cost of producing 50 microscopes?
  • A. $41,250
  • B. $360.50
  • C. $15,525
  • D. $825
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find the cost of producing 50 microscopes, substitute x = 50 into the cost equation C(x) = 300 + 10.5x. This yields C(50) = 300 + 10.5(50), resulting in C(50) = 300 + 525 = 825. Thus, the cost for 50 microscopes is $825. Option A ($41,250) is incorrect as it likely results from a miscalculation or misunderstanding of the equation. Option B ($360.50) underestimates the production cost by omitting the correct multiplication factor. Option C ($15,525) suggests an error in the calculation, possibly misinterpreting the coefficients in the equation.
How much more money will Carol make in a regular work week?
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

In a regular work week, Carol's earnings are calculated based on her hourly wage multiplied by the number of hours worked. Option A reflects this accurate calculation, considering both her hourly rate and total hours. Other options may underestimate or overestimate her earnings by failing to account for overtime, miscalculating hours, or using an incorrect wage. For example, if an option suggests a lower amount, it likely ignores additional hours worked, while a higher amount may miscalculate her hourly rate. Thus, only option A correctly represents Carol's total earnings for a regular work week.
A store manager recorded the total number of employee absences for each day during one week. What is the mode of the number of employee absences for that week?
Question image
  • A. 6
  • B. 8
  • C. 9
  • D. 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The mode represents the value that appears most frequently in a data set. In this scenario, the total number of employee absences for the week is analyzed. Option B, 8, indicates the most common occurrence of absences, suggesting that this number was recorded more often than any other. Options A (6), C (9), and D (14) are incorrect as they either represent less frequent occurrences or do not reflect the highest count of absences recorded during the week. Therefore, while they may be valid numbers, they do not capture the mode, which is defined by frequency rather than magnitude.