accuplacer arithmetic full length practice test

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

Kayla has a stack of photographs that is 20 centimeters high. If each photograph is 0.04 cm thick, how many photos are there in the stack?
  • A. 8
  • B. 50
  • C. 80
  • D. 500
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine the number of photographs in the stack, divide the total height of the stack by the thickness of each photograph. The stack is 20 cm high and each photograph is 0.04 cm thick. Calculating this gives: 20 cm ÷ 0.04 cm = 500 photographs. Option A (8) is incorrect as it underestimates the total by not accounting for the thickness appropriately. Option B (50) also miscalculates the total, suggesting a much smaller number of photographs. Option C (80) is an overestimation, failing to consider the correct division of height by thickness. Only option D (500) accurately reflects the calculation, confirming the total number of photographs in the stack.

Other Related Questions

50.50 ÷ 0.25
  • A. 202
  • B. 2.2
  • C. 2.02
  • D. 0.22
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve 50.50 ÷ 0.25, converting the division into a simpler form is helpful. Dividing both numbers by 0.25 effectively transforms the problem into 50.50 ÷ 0.25 = 50.50 × 4, which equals 202. Option B (2.2) is incorrect as it misrepresents the scale of the division, resulting from a misunderstanding of decimal placement. Option C (2.02) also miscalculates the division, likely stemming from incorrect multiplication or division steps. Option D (0.22) is far too low, indicating a significant error in understanding the relationship between the dividend and divisor.
4/9 (3/16 - 1/12) =
  • A. 5/108
  • B. 5/48
  • C. 2/9
  • D. 20/48
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To solve \( \frac{4}{9} \left( \frac{3}{16} - \frac{1}{12} \right) \), first calculate \( \frac{3}{16} - \frac{1}{12} \). Finding a common denominator (48), we convert the fractions: \( \frac{3}{16} = \frac{9}{48} \) and \( \frac{1}{12} = \frac{4}{48} \). Thus, \( \frac{9}{48} - \frac{4}{48} = \frac{5}{48} \). Next, multiply \( \frac{4}{9} \) by \( \frac{5}{48} \): \[ \frac{4 \times 5}{9 \times 48} = \frac{20}{432} = \frac{5}{108} \] Option B (5/48) is incorrect as it misrepresents the multiplication step. Option C (2/9) ignores the subtraction and multiplication entirely. Option D (20/48) fails to simplify the fraction correctly.
At the Crest Coffee Shop, the cost of a plain bagel was $0.75 last year. This year the cost of a plain bagel is $0.90. By what percent did the cost of a plain bagel increase from last year to this year?
  • A. 10%
  • B. 15%
  • C. 17%
  • D. 20%
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine the percent increase in the cost of a plain bagel, the formula used is: \[ \text{Percent Increase} = \left( \frac{\text{New Price} - \text{Old Price}}{\text{Old Price}} \right) \times 100 \] Substituting the given values: \[ \text{Percent Increase} = \left( \frac{0.90 - 0.75}{0.75} \right) \times 100 = \left( \frac{0.15}{0.75} \right) \times 100 = 20\% \] Option A (10%) underestimates the increase, while B (15%) and C (17%) also fail to reflect the correct calculation. Therefore, the accurate calculation confirms a 20% increase in cost.
The large square above has sides of length 1. It is divided into smaller squares by dividing each side into 10 equal parts. In the figure, 3 full rows and 4 smaller squares in the next row are shaded. What is the area of the shaded region?
Question image
  • A. 0.34
  • B. 0.37
  • C. 0.43
  • D. 0.7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

To determine the area of the shaded region, first note that the large square has a side length of 1, resulting in a total area of 1 square unit. Each side is divided into 10 equal parts, creating a grid of 100 smaller squares, each with an area of 0.01 (1/100). In the figure, 3 full rows of squares are shaded, which accounts for 30 squares (3 rows x 10 squares per row). Additionally, 4 squares are shaded in the fourth row, bringing the total shaded squares to 34. Thus, the area of the shaded region is 34 squares x 0.01 = 0.34. Option B (0.37) incorrectly suggests 37 squares shaded. Option C (0.43) implies 43 squares, which is not possible given the shading described. Option D (0.7) overestimates the shaded area, miscounting the total squares shaded.