ged math practice test

A a high school equivalency exam designed for individuals who did not graduate from high school but want to demonstrate they have the same knowledge and skills as a high school graduate

On a number line, what is the distance, in units, between 16 and -25
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 41 units

To find the distance between two points on a number line, subtract the smaller number from the larger number. Here, the calculation is |16 - (-25)|, which simplifies to |16 + 25| = |41|. This results in a distance of 41 units. Other options may suggest incorrect calculations. For instance, an answer like 9 units might arise from simply adding the two numbers without considering their positions on the number line, leading to an inaccurate interpretation of distance. Similarly, options like 25 or 16 units misrepresent the actual distance by not accounting for both numbers' magnitudes relative to zero.

Other Related Questions

Dr. Evers is experimenting with light beams and prisms. He passes a beam of white light through a triangular prism which spreads the light out into its six rainbow colors. The bases of the prism are equilateral triangles. The surface area of this prism is 4,292 square millimeters. The area of each triangular face is 271 square millimeters. Which expression can be used to find h, the height, in millimeters, of the prism?
Question image
  • A. 4,292/3(25)
  • B. 4,292/271
  • C. (4,292-271)/25
  • D. (4,292-2(271))/3(25)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To find the height \( h \) of the prism, we start with the total surface area of the prism, which includes the two triangular bases and three rectangular sides. The area of the two triangular bases is \( 2 \times 271 = 542 \) square millimeters. Subtracting this from the total surface area gives \( 4,292 - 542 = 3,750 \) square millimeters for the area of the rectangular sides. Since the height \( h \) is involved in the area of the rectangles, dividing this area by the perimeter of the base (which is \( 3 \times 25 = 75 \) mm) leads to \( h = \frac{3,750}{75} \) or \( \frac{4,292 - 542}{75} \), simplifying to option D. Options A and B incorrectly compute the height without accounting for the rectangular areas properly. Option C miscalculates the area of the triangular bases and does not consider the full surface area needed to find \( h \). Thus, only option D correctly utilizes the total surface area and the dimensions of the prism to derive the height.
Select the factors for the following expression 2x^2 - xy - 3y^2
  • A. (2x+3y)(x-y)
  • B. (x+y)(2x-3y)
  • C. (2x-y)(x+3y)
  • D. (2x-3y)(x+y)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To factor the expression \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), we look for two binomials that multiply to give the original expression. Option D, \((2x-3y)(x+y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 2xy - 3xy - 3y^2\), which simplifies to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), matching the original expression. Option A, \((2x+3y)(x-y)\), expands to \(2x^2 - 2xy + 3xy - 3y^2\), resulting in \(2x^2 + xy - 3y^2\), which is incorrect. Option B, \((x+y)(2x-3y)\), gives \(2x^2 - 3xy + 2xy - 3y^2\), simplifying to \(2x^2 - xy - 3y^2\), but the signs do not match the original expression. Option C, \((2x-y)(x+3y)\), expands to \(2x^2 + 6xy - xy - 3y^2\), leading to \(2x^2 + 5xy - 3y^2\), which is also incorrect. Thus, only Option D correctly factors the expression.
What is the slope of the line represented by the table?
Question image
  • A. -4
  • B. -2.5
  • C. -2
  • D. -0.5
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine the slope from a table of values, calculate the change in the y-values divided by the change in the x-values (rise over run). If the table shows a consistent decrease in y as x increases, the slope will be negative. For option C (-2), this indicates a consistent decrease of 2 units in y for every 1 unit increase in x, aligning with the calculated slope. Option A (-4) suggests a steeper decline than observed. Option B (-2.5) implies a less consistent change than what the data reflects. Option D (-0.5) indicates a much shallower slope, which does not match the data's trend.
Solve the inequality for x: (1/8)x ? (1/2)x + 15
  • A. x ? -24
  • B. x ? -40
  • C. x ? -40
  • D. x ? -24
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To solve the inequality \((1/8)x < (1/2)x + 15\), first, subtract \((1/2)x\) from both sides, yielding \(-\frac{3}{8}x < 15\). Next, multiply both sides by \(-\frac{8}{3}\) (remembering to reverse the inequality), resulting in \(x > -40\). Option A (\(x < -24\)) and Option D (\(x < -24\)) suggest \(x\) values that are too high, contradicting the derived solution. Option B (\(x < -40\)) incorrectly indicates that \(x\) must be less than \(-40\), rather than greater. Thus, Option C accurately represents the solution \(x > -40\).