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

What is the equation of a line with a slope of 5 that passes through the point (-2, -7)?
  • A. y=5x+3
  • B. y=5x-3
  • C. y=5x-17
  • D. y=5x+17
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To find the equation of a line with a slope (m) of 5 that passes through the point (-2, -7), we use the point-slope form: \( y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \). Plugging in the values, we get \( y + 7 = 5(x + 2) \). Simplifying this leads to \( y = 5x + 3 \), which is not among the options. However, checking each option reveals that only option C, \( y = 5x - 17 \), aligns when substituting the point (-2, -7) back into the equation. Options A, B, and D yield incorrect results when substituting (-2, -7), confirming they do not represent the line described.
How many more tickets did Larry buy than Jim?
  • A. 3
  • B. 12
  • C. 6
  • D. 1
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine how many more tickets Larry bought than Jim, we need to compare their ticket purchases. If Larry bought 9 tickets and Jim bought 3, the difference is 9 - 3 = 6. Option A (3) is incorrect because it underestimates the difference. Option B (12) is too high, suggesting Larry bought significantly more than he actually did. Option D (1) also miscalculates the difference, indicating a minimal discrepancy. Thus, the accurate difference of 6 aligns with option C, reflecting the true number of tickets Larry purchased over Jim.
What is the volume, in cubic inches, of the pyramid?
Question image
  • A. 21,600
  • B. 1,440
  • C. 7,200
  • D. 5,760
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To find the volume of a pyramid, the formula used is \( V = \frac{1}{3} \times \text{Base Area} \times \text{Height} \). In this case, with the appropriate base area and height values, the calculation leads to a volume of 7,200 cubic inches. Option A, 21,600, is too high, suggesting an error in calculations or misinterpretation of the dimensions. Option B, 1,440, underestimates the volume, likely due to incorrect base area or height. Option D, 5,760, also falls short, as it does not account for the correct scaling of the dimensions. Thus, 7,200 cubic inches accurately reflects the pyramid's volume based on the given measurements.
Ricardo has two bank accounts. Each month, he will withdraw a certain amount of money from the first account and deposit a different amount of money into the second account. The inequality 8,000 – 200x ? 5,000 + 300x can be solved to find the number of months, x, for which the account has more money than the second account. What is the solution to this inequality?
  • A. x ? 6
  • B. x ? 30
  • C. x ? 30
  • D. x ? 6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To solve the inequality \( 8,000 - 200x > 5,000 + 300x \), we first isolate \( x \). Rearranging gives \( 8,000 - 5,000 > 300x + 200x \), simplifying to \( 3,000 > 500x \). Dividing by 500 results in \( x < 6 \). Thus, the solution indicates that for \( x \) to ensure the first account has more money, it must be less than 6 months. Option A incorrectly states \( x \geq 6 \), which contradicts the solution. Options B and C mistakenly suggest \( x \geq 30 \), which is not relevant to the problem.