free accuplacer arithmetic practice test

Commonly used by colleges and universities to place students into appropriate courses.

John worked at a bookstore for two weeks. The second week he earned 20 percent more than he did the first week. If he earned $300 the second week, how much did he earn the first week?
  • A. 240
  • B. 250
  • C. 280
  • D. 380
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine John’s earnings for the first week, we know that his second week earnings were 20% more than the first week. If he earned $300 in the second week, we can calculate his first week earnings by setting up the equation: Let x be the first week’s earnings. Then, x + 0.2x = 300. This simplifies to 1.2x = 300. Dividing both sides by 1.2 gives x = 250. Option A ($240) is too low, as it would not result in a $300 second week. Option C ($280) would imply a second week earning of $336, which exceeds $300. Option D ($380) is also incorrect as it suggests a second week earning of $456. Thus, $250 is the only viable answer.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following inequalities is true?
  • A. 0.7 < 0.1 < 0.11 < 0.101
  • B. 0.1 < 0.7 < 0.101 < 0.11
  • C. 0.1 < 0.7 < 0.11 < 0.101
  • D. 0.1 < 0.101 < 0.11 < 0.7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D accurately represents the correct order of the numbers. When comparing the values, 0.1 is the smallest, followed by 0.101, then 0.11, and finally 0.7, which is the largest. Option A is incorrect as it mistakenly places 0.7 as less than both 0.1 and 0.11, which is not true. Option B incorrectly suggests that 0.101 is less than 0.11, which is also inaccurate. Option C places 0.11 before 0.101, misrepresenting their actual values. Thus, D is the only option that correctly orders the numbers from smallest to largest.
1 is 3 percent of what number?
  • A. 1/3
  • B. 3
  • C. 30
  • D. 33,1/3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find the number of which 1 is 3 percent, we set up the equation: 1 = 0.03 * x. Solving for x gives x = 1 / 0.03, which equals 33.33 (or 33 1/3). Option A (1/3) is incorrect as it represents a much smaller value, specifically 0.33. Option B (3) misinterprets the percentage, suggesting that 1 is 33.33% of 3, which is not accurate. Option C (30) also fails, as 3% of 30 is 0.9, not 1. Thus, only option D correctly identifies the number as 33 1/3.
If 3 < a < 7 < b, which of the following must be greater than 20?
  • A. a²
  • B. 2b
  • C. ab
  • D. b + a
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine which option must be greater than 20, we analyze each one based on the inequalities provided (3 < a < 7 < b). **Option A: a²** Since a is less than 7, the maximum value for a² is 49 (when a=7), and the minimum value is 16 (when a=4). Thus, a² can be less than 20. **Option B: 2b** With b being greater than 7, the minimum value for 2b is 16 (when b=8). Therefore, 2b can also be less than 20. **Option C: ab** Given a is at least 4 and b is at least 8, the minimum value of ab is 32 (4*8). This must be greater than 20. **Option D: b + a** The minimum value for b + a is 11 (when a=4 and b=7), which is less than 20. Thus, only ab must consistently exceed 20.
7.50 ÷ 0.125 =
  • A. 60
  • B. 6
  • C. 0.6
  • D. 1/6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve 7.50 ÷ 0.125, it's helpful to convert the division into a more manageable form. Dividing by 0.125 is the same as multiplying by 8 (since 1 ÷ 0.125 = 8). Therefore, 7.50 × 8 equals 60, confirming option A as the right choice. Option B (6) is incorrect; it underestimates the quotient significantly. Option C (0.6) is also wrong, as it suggests a much smaller result than what is obtained. Lastly, option D (1/6) misrepresents the division entirely, implying a fractional outcome that does not align with the calculations.