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

Dr. Evers is experimenting with light beams and prisms. He passes a beam of white light through a triangular prism which spreads the light out into its six rainbow colors. The bases of the prism are equilateral triangles. The surface area of this prism is 4,292 square millimeters. The area of each triangular face is 271 square millimeters. Which expression can be used to find h, the height, in millimeters, of the prism?
Question image
  • A. 4,292/3(25)
  • B. 4,292/271
  • C. (4,292-271)/25
  • D. (4,292-2(271))/3(25)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find the height \( h \) of the prism, we start with the total surface area of the prism, which includes the two triangular bases and three rectangular sides. The area of the two triangular bases is \( 2 \times 271 = 542 \) square millimeters. Subtracting this from the total surface area gives \( 4,292 - 542 = 3,750 \) square millimeters for the area of the rectangular sides. Since the height \( h \) is involved in the area of the rectangles, dividing this area by the perimeter of the base (which is \( 3 \times 25 = 75 \) mm) leads to \( h = \frac{3,750}{75} \) or \( \frac{4,292 - 542}{75} \), simplifying to option D. Options A and B incorrectly compute the height without accounting for the rectangular areas properly. Option C miscalculates the area of the triangular bases and does not consider the full surface area needed to find \( h \). Thus, only option D correctly utilizes the total surface area and the dimensions of the prism to derive the height.

Other Related Questions

A bag of dog food weighs 40 pounds. The amount of food in the bag is more than 3 times the amount needed to feed a dog for one week. Which inequality can be used to determine the possible values for p, the pounds of food needed to feed the dog for one week?
  • A. p < 3(40)
  • B. 3p < 40
  • C. p > 3(40)
  • D. 3p > 40
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find the amount of food needed for one week, we know that the total weight of the dog food (40 pounds) is more than three times the weekly requirement (3p). Therefore, the relationship can be expressed as 3p < 40, indicating that the total food exceeds three times the weekly amount. Option A (p < 3(40)) incorrectly suggests that the weekly requirement is less than three times the total weight, which is not supported by the problem statement. Option B (3p < 40) misrepresents the relationship, as it implies the total food is less than three times the weekly need, contradicting the given information. Option C (p > 3(40)) inaccurately states that the weekly requirement exceeds three times the total weight, which is impossible given the context. Thus, the correct inequality is 3p > 40, indicating the total food is indeed more than three times the weekly requirement.
A manufacturing plant makes dog toys in the shape of a sphere. The diameter of each dog toy is 3 inches. What is the surface area, in square inches of each dog toy?
  • A. 113.04
  • B. 75.36
  • C. 28.26
  • D. 37.68
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To find the surface area of a sphere, the formula used is \(4\pi r^2\). Given the diameter of the dog toy is 3 inches, the radius \(r\) is half of that, which is 1.5 inches. Plugging this into the formula: \[ Surface Area = 4\pi (1.5)^2 = 4\pi (2.25) \approx 28.26 \text{ square inches.} \] Option A (113.04) results from incorrectly using the diameter instead of the radius. Option B (75.36) arises from miscalculating the radius or misapplying the formula. Option D (37.68) likely results from a miscalculation of the surface area formula, possibly using an incorrect value for \(r\).
What is the value of the expression 2j - 7jkm when j = 5, k = -14, and m = -3?
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To evaluate the expression \(2j - 7jkm\) with \(j = 5\), \(k = -14\), and \(m = -3\), first substitute the values: 1. Calculate \(2j\): \(2 \times 5 = 10\). 2. Calculate \(7jkm\): \(7 \times 5 \times -14 \times -3 = 1470\). 3. Combine the results: \(10 - 1470 = -1460\). Thus, the value of the expression is \(-1460\). Other options are incorrect because they either miscalculate the substitutions or the arithmetic operations involved, leading to different results that do not match the evaluated expression.
The mass of an amoeba is approximately 4.0 × 10^(-6) grams. Approximately how many amoebas are present in a sample that weighs 1 gram?
  • A. 2.5 × 10^5
  • B. 4.0 × 10^7
  • C. 4.0 × 10^5
  • D. 2.5 × 10^7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the number of amoebas in a 1 gram sample, divide the total mass by the mass of one amoeba. The mass of an amoeba is 4.0 × 10^(-6) grams. Thus, the calculation is: 1 gram / (4.0 × 10^(-6) grams/amoeba) = 2.5 × 10^5 amoebas. Option B (4.0 × 10^7) is incorrect as it suggests a significantly larger quantity, likely resulting from a miscalculation. Option C (4.0 × 10^5) overestimates the number of amoebas by a factor of 2, while option D (2.5 × 10^7) also miscalculates, indicating confusion in the division process.