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.
Other Related Questions
What are the solutions to (x-2)(x+4) = 0?
- A. -4 and 2
- B. -3 and 1
- C. -2 and 4
- D. -1 and 1
- E. -1 and 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
To solve the equation (x-2)(x+4) = 0, we apply the zero product property, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Setting each factor to zero gives us the equations x - 2 = 0 and x + 4 = 0. Solving these yields x = 2 and x = -4, confirming that the solutions are -4 and 2. Options B, C, D, and E provide incorrect pairs of solutions that do not satisfy the original equation when substituted back in. Each of these pairs results in non-zero products for the factors, thus failing to meet the requirement of the equation.
Square PQRS, with a side length of 5 units, will be translated 2 units to the right and 2 units up in the standard (x, y) coordinate plane. What is the area, in square units, of the image of PQRS?
- A. 20
- B. 25
- C. 40
- D. 50
- E. 100
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The area of a square is calculated by squaring the length of its sides. For square PQRS, with a side length of 5 units, the area is \(5 \times 5 = 25\) square units. Translating the square 2 units to the right and 2 units up does not alter its dimensions or area; it simply changes its position on the coordinate plane. Options A (20), C (40), D (50), and E (100) suggest changes in area due to incorrect assumptions about the effects of translation or miscalculations. The area remains constant at 25 square units, confirming option B as the only accurate choice.
The area of a square is calculated by squaring the length of its sides. For square PQRS, with a side length of 5 units, the area is \(5 \times 5 = 25\) square units. Translating the square 2 units to the right and 2 units up does not alter its dimensions or area; it simply changes its position on the coordinate plane. Options A (20), C (40), D (50), and E (100) suggest changes in area due to incorrect assumptions about the effects of translation or miscalculations. The area remains constant at 25 square units, confirming option B as the only accurate choice.
Let f(x) = 3x². What is f(-2x)?
- A. -36x²
- B. -12x²
- C. -6x²
- D. 12x²
- E. 36x²
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To find f(-2x), substitute -2x into the function f(x) = 3x². This gives us f(-2x) = 3(-2x)². Calculating (-2x)² results in 4x², so we have f(-2x) = 3 * 4x² = 12x². Option A (-36x²) is incorrect because it misapplies the square and the coefficient. Option B (-12x²) incorrectly uses a negative sign and fails to account for the square of -2x. Option C (-6x²) mistakenly reduces the coefficient and sign. Option E (36x²) omits the multiplication by 3, leading to an incorrect coefficient. Thus, 12x² is the only valid outcome.
To find f(-2x), substitute -2x into the function f(x) = 3x². This gives us f(-2x) = 3(-2x)². Calculating (-2x)² results in 4x², so we have f(-2x) = 3 * 4x² = 12x². Option A (-36x²) is incorrect because it misapplies the square and the coefficient. Option B (-12x²) incorrectly uses a negative sign and fails to account for the square of -2x. Option C (-6x²) mistakenly reduces the coefficient and sign. Option E (36x²) omits the multiplication by 3, leading to an incorrect coefficient. Thus, 12x² is the only valid outcome.
Which of the following statements is true about the graphs of f(x) = x and g(x) = 3x in the standard (x, y) coordinate plane?
- A. The graphs will not intersect.
- B. The graphs will intersect only at the point (0,0).
- C. The graphs will intersect only at the point (0,1).
- D. The graphs will intersect only at the point (1,1).
- E. The graphs will intersect only at the point (3,3).
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The graphs of f(x) = x and g(x) = 3x represent two linear functions with different slopes. The first function has a slope of 1, while the second has a slope of 3. They will intersect where their outputs are equal, which occurs when x = 1, resulting in the point (1,1). Option A is incorrect as the lines, being linear, will intersect at some point. Option B is misleading; they intersect at (0,0) but also at (1,1). Option C is false because g(1) = 3, not 1. Option E is incorrect since g(3) = 9, not 3. Thus, the only valid intersection point is (1,1).
The graphs of f(x) = x and g(x) = 3x represent two linear functions with different slopes. The first function has a slope of 1, while the second has a slope of 3. They will intersect where their outputs are equal, which occurs when x = 1, resulting in the point (1,1). Option A is incorrect as the lines, being linear, will intersect at some point. Option B is misleading; they intersect at (0,0) but also at (1,1). Option C is false because g(1) = 3, not 1. Option E is incorrect since g(3) = 9, not 3. Thus, the only valid intersection point is (1,1).