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

The graph shows a handyman's fees, f(x), in terms of the hours worked, x. The fees include a fuel charge and an hourly rate. What is the handyman's hourly rate?
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  • A. $5
  • B. $55
  • C. $30
  • D. $25
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine the handyman's hourly rate, we analyze the graph showing the relationship between fees and hours worked. The hourly rate is represented by the slope of the line on the graph. Option A ($5) is too low for a reasonable hourly rate in this context. Option B ($55) is excessively high, suggesting an unrealistic fee for common handyman services. Option C ($30) may seem plausible, but it does not match the slope indicated by the graph. Option D ($25) accurately reflects the slope calculated from the graph, representing a fair and competitive hourly rate for handyman services.
John and Mike are participating in a long-distance bicycling event. Mike bicycled 24 miles in the first 2 hours. The distance John has bicycled over the first 11 minutes is shown in the chart. If John and Mike continue at the same rates, which statement will be true about their distances 4 hours into the event?
Question image
  • A. John will be 6 miles ahead of Mike.
  • B. John will be 12 miles ahead of Mike.
  • C. Mike will be 6 miles ahead of John.
  • D. Mike will be 12 miles ahead of John.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine who is ahead after 4 hours, we first calculate the speeds of both cyclists. Mike's speed is 12 miles per hour (24 miles in 2 hours). In 4 hours, he will cover 48 miles (12 mph x 4 hours). John's distance after 11 minutes (or 0.183 hours) needs to be extrapolated. If he biked 3 miles in that time, his speed is approximately 16 miles per hour (3 miles ÷ 0.183 hours). Over 4 hours, John would cover about 64 miles (16 mph x 4 hours). Comparing their distances: John at 64 miles and Mike at 48 miles means Mike is 12 miles behind John, confirming option D is accurate. Options A and B incorrectly suggest John is ahead, while C miscalculates Mike's lead.
The Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt is a square pyramid that measures approximately 756 feet on each side. The height of the pyramid is approximately 450 feet. What is the approximate volume, in cubic feet, of the pyramid?
  • A. 51,030,000
  • B. 85,730,400
  • C. 226,800
  • D. 453,600
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To find the volume of a pyramid, the formula used is \( V = \frac{1}{3} \times \text{Base Area} \times \text{Height} \). The base area of the Great Pyramid, being a square, is calculated as \( 756 \times 756 = 571,536 \) square feet. Multiplying this by the height of 450 feet gives \( 571,536 \times 450 = 257,184,000 \). Dividing by 3 yields a volume of approximately 85,728,000 cubic feet, which rounds to 85,730,400. Option A (51,030,000) underestimates the height and base area. Option C (226,800) miscalculates the base area significantly. Option D (453,600) incorrectly applies the volume formula, failing to account for the correct base area and height.
A scale drawing of a truck has a length of 3 inches (in.), as shown below. The actual truck has a length of 18 feet (ft). What scale was used for the drawing?
Question image
  • A. 6 in. = 1 ft
  • B. 1 in. = 15 ft
  • C. 1 in. = 6 ft
  • D. 15 in. = 1 ft
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine the scale used for the drawing, we first convert the actual truck length from feet to inches. Since 1 foot equals 12 inches, an 18-foot truck is 216 inches long (18 ft x 12 in/ft). The scale drawing shows a length of 3 inches. To find the scale, we set up the ratio of the drawing length to the actual length: 3 in. (drawing) to 216 in. (actual). Simplifying this gives us a scale of 1 in. = 72 in., which translates to 1 in. = 6 ft (since 72 in. ÷ 12 in/ft = 6 ft). Option A (6 in. = 1 ft) is incorrect; it implies a much larger drawing. Option B (1 in. = 15 ft) underestimates the actual size. Option D (15 in. = 1 ft) greatly exaggerates the scale, making the drawing too small.