accuplacer arithmetic full length practice test

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

Of the following, which is closest to (2,12/15 - 1/10) ÷ 16/6 ?
  • B. 1
  • C. 2
  • D. 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To solve (2, 12/15 - 1/10) ÷ (16/6), first, convert the mixed number 2, 12/15 to an improper fraction: 2 = 30/15, so 2, 12/15 = 30/15 + 12/15 = 42/15. Next, simplify 12/15 - 1/10. Finding a common denominator (30), we have 24/30 - 3/30 = 21/30, which simplifies to 7/10. Thus, we compute (42/15 - 7/10) = (28/10 - 21/30) = (84/30 - 21/30) = 63/30 = 21/10. Dividing by (16/6) equals (21/10) ÷ (8/3) = (21/10) × (3/8) = 63/80, which is closest to 1. Options C and D (2 and 3) are incorrect as they overshoot the calculated value, while option B (1) accurately reflects the result of the division.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following numbers is closest to 1?
  • A. 4/5
  • B. 5/4
  • C. 5/6
  • D. 6/5
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine which number is closest to 1, we can convert each option to decimal form: A: 4/5 = 0.8, which is 0.2 away from 1. B: 5/4 = 1.25, which is 0.25 away from 1. C: 5/6 ≈ 0.833, which is approximately 0.167 away from 1. D: 6/5 = 1.2, which is 0.2 away from 1. Among these, 5/6 is the closest to 1, as it has the smallest difference from 1 compared to the other options. The other fractions either exceed or fall short of 1 by a larger margin.
Linda has borrowed 8 more books than Susan from the school library. Richard has borrowed half as many books as Linda has. If Richard has borrowed 17 books from the library, how many books has Susan borrowed?
  • A. 25
  • B. 26
  • C. 34
  • D. 42
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine how many books Susan has borrowed, start with Richard's 17 books. Since Richard has borrowed half as many books as Linda, Linda must have borrowed 34 books (17 x 2). Given that Linda has borrowed 8 more books than Susan, we can set up the equation: Linda's books = Susan's books + 8. Therefore, if Linda has 34 books, we find Susan's total by subtracting 8: 34 - 8 = 26. Option A (25) is incorrect as it underestimates Susan's total. Option C (34) mistakenly suggests Susan borrowed the same amount as Linda. Option D (42) overestimates Susan's total by not accounting for the difference of 8 books. Thus, the only valid option is 26.
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.
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.