How many solutions does the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12 have?
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
- E. Infinitely many
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To determine the number of solutions for the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12, we can simplify both sides. Subtracting 3x from each side results in 9 = -12, which is a false statement. Since the equation leads to a contradiction, it indicates that there are no values of x that can satisfy it. Option B (1 solution) suggests a single value exists, which is incorrect. Option C (2 solutions) and D (3 solutions) imply multiple valid values, which is also false. Option E (infinitely many solutions) suggests that any x would satisfy the equation, which is not true given the contradiction. Thus, the equation has no solutions.
To determine the number of solutions for the equation 3x + 9 = 3x - 12, we can simplify both sides. Subtracting 3x from each side results in 9 = -12, which is a false statement. Since the equation leads to a contradiction, it indicates that there are no values of x that can satisfy it. Option B (1 solution) suggests a single value exists, which is incorrect. Option C (2 solutions) and D (3 solutions) imply multiple valid values, which is also false. Option E (infinitely many solutions) suggests that any x would satisfy the equation, which is not true given the contradiction. Thus, the equation has no solutions.
Other Related Questions
In tennis, a player has two chances to serve the ball successfully. Tamara is successful 70% of the time on her first serve. Tamara is successful 80% of the time on her second serve. What percentage of the time is Tamara not successful on her first serve but successful on her second serve?
- A. 5%
- B. 14%
- C. 24%
- D. 50%
- E. 56%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine the percentage of time Tamara is not successful on her first serve but successful on her second serve, first calculate the probability of her missing the first serve, which is 30% (100% - 70%). Next, multiply this by the probability of her succeeding on the second serve, which is 80%. Thus, the calculation is 0.30 (failure on first serve) x 0.80 (success on second serve) = 0.24, or 24%. Option A (5%) underestimates the failure rate. Option C (24%) is the correct calculation but misrepresents the context. Option D (50%) assumes equal success rates, which is inaccurate. Option E (56%) incorrectly adds probabilities instead of multiplying them, leading to an inflated figure.
To determine the percentage of time Tamara is not successful on her first serve but successful on her second serve, first calculate the probability of her missing the first serve, which is 30% (100% - 70%). Next, multiply this by the probability of her succeeding on the second serve, which is 80%. Thus, the calculation is 0.30 (failure on first serve) x 0.80 (success on second serve) = 0.24, or 24%. Option A (5%) underestimates the failure rate. Option C (24%) is the correct calculation but misrepresents the context. Option D (50%) assumes equal success rates, which is inaccurate. Option E (56%) incorrectly adds probabilities instead of multiplying them, leading to an inflated figure.
Which of the following intervals most likely represents the average gas mileage, in miles per gallon, of 50% of the cars?
- A. 20 to 32
- B. 24 to 32
- C. 29 to 32
- D. 30 to 44
- E. 32 to 44
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B, 24 to 32, effectively captures the average gas mileage of 50% of cars, reflecting a range that balances both lower and higher mileage figures commonly found in the market. Option A (20 to 32) is too broad, including lower mileage cars that may not represent the average. Option C (29 to 32) narrows the range excessively, likely excluding many vehicles with average or below-average mileage. Option D (30 to 44) expands the upper limit too much, incorporating high-mileage vehicles that skew the average. Option E (32 to 44) focuses solely on high-mileage cars, which is not representative of the broader population.
Option B, 24 to 32, effectively captures the average gas mileage of 50% of cars, reflecting a range that balances both lower and higher mileage figures commonly found in the market. Option A (20 to 32) is too broad, including lower mileage cars that may not represent the average. Option C (29 to 32) narrows the range excessively, likely excluding many vehicles with average or below-average mileage. Option D (30 to 44) expands the upper limit too much, incorporating high-mileage vehicles that skew the average. Option E (32 to 44) focuses solely on high-mileage cars, which is not representative of the broader population.
Which of the following equations does not represent y as a function of x in the standard (x, y) coordinate plane?
- A. y = x
- B. y = x + 2
- C. y = x² + 2
- D. x = y + 2
- E. x = y² + 2
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: E
Option E, \( x = y^2 + 2 \), does not represent \( y \) as a function of \( x \) because it can yield multiple \( y \) values for a single \( x \) value. For example, when \( x = 6 \), \( y \) can be either 2 or -2, violating the definition of a function. In contrast, options A, B, and C express \( y \) explicitly in terms of \( x \), allowing only one output for each input. Option D, while rearranging the equation, can also be transformed into a function of \( y \) in terms of \( x \) (i.e., \( y = x - 2 \)). Thus, options A, B, C, and D all represent \( y \) as a function of \( x \).
Option E, \( x = y^2 + 2 \), does not represent \( y \) as a function of \( x \) because it can yield multiple \( y \) values for a single \( x \) value. For example, when \( x = 6 \), \( y \) can be either 2 or -2, violating the definition of a function. In contrast, options A, B, and C express \( y \) explicitly in terms of \( x \), allowing only one output for each input. Option D, while rearranging the equation, can also be transformed into a function of \( y \) in terms of \( x \) (i.e., \( y = x - 2 \)). Thus, options A, B, C, and D all represent \( y \) as a function of \( x \).
Josh takes 6 hours to paint a room. Margaret can paint the same room in 4 hours. Assuming their individual rates do not change, how long will it take them to paint the room together?
- A. 1.5 hours
- B. 2.4 hours
- C. 4.8 hours
- D. 5 hours
- E. 10 hours
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine how long it takes Josh and Margaret to paint the room together, we first calculate their individual rates. Josh paints at a rate of \( \frac{1}{6} \) of the room per hour, while Margaret paints at \( \frac{1}{4} \) of the room per hour. Combined, their rates are: \[ \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{5}{12} \] This means together they paint \( \frac{5}{12} \) of the room per hour. To find the time taken to complete one room, we take the reciprocal of their combined rate: \[ \text{Time} = \frac{1}{\frac{5}{12}} = \frac{12}{5} = 2.4 \text{ hours} \] Option A (1.5 hours) is too short, as it implies a higher combined rate than possible. Option C (4.8 hours) suggests they are slower than working alone, which is incorrect. Option D (5 hours) is also longer than their combined effort should take, and Option E (10 hours) is excessively long, indicating a misunderstanding of their rates. Thus, 2.4 hours accurately reflects their collaborative efficiency.
To determine how long it takes Josh and Margaret to paint the room together, we first calculate their individual rates. Josh paints at a rate of \( \frac{1}{6} \) of the room per hour, while Margaret paints at \( \frac{1}{4} \) of the room per hour. Combined, their rates are: \[ \frac{1}{6} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{5}{12} \] This means together they paint \( \frac{5}{12} \) of the room per hour. To find the time taken to complete one room, we take the reciprocal of their combined rate: \[ \text{Time} = \frac{1}{\frac{5}{12}} = \frac{12}{5} = 2.4 \text{ hours} \] Option A (1.5 hours) is too short, as it implies a higher combined rate than possible. Option C (4.8 hours) suggests they are slower than working alone, which is incorrect. Option D (5 hours) is also longer than their combined effort should take, and Option E (10 hours) is excessively long, indicating a misunderstanding of their rates. Thus, 2.4 hours accurately reflects their collaborative efficiency.