What is the product of the two polynomials: (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6)?
- A. x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30
- B. x³ - 8x² - 21x - 30
- C. x³ - 8x² - 9x - 30
- D. x³ + 8x² + 21x + 30
- E. x³ + 8x² - 9x + 30
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To find the product of the polynomials (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6), we apply the distributive property (FOIL method). 1. Multiply x by each term in the second polynomial: - x * x² = x³ - x * (-3x) = -3x² - x * 6 = 6x 2. Multiply -5 by each term in the second polynomial: - -5 * x² = -5x² - -5 * (-3x) = 15x - -5 * 6 = -30 Combining these results yields: x³ + (-3x² - 5x²) + (6x + 15x) - 30 = x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30. Option A matches this result. Options B and C have incorrect signs for the x terms. Option D has incorrect signs for all terms, and option E has incorrect signs for the x² and x terms. Thus, only option A accurately represents the product of the polynomials.
To find the product of the polynomials (x - 5)(x² - 3x + 6), we apply the distributive property (FOIL method). 1. Multiply x by each term in the second polynomial: - x * x² = x³ - x * (-3x) = -3x² - x * 6 = 6x 2. Multiply -5 by each term in the second polynomial: - -5 * x² = -5x² - -5 * (-3x) = 15x - -5 * 6 = -30 Combining these results yields: x³ + (-3x² - 5x²) + (6x + 15x) - 30 = x³ - 8x² + 21x - 30. Option A matches this result. Options B and C have incorrect signs for the x terms. Option D has incorrect signs for all terms, and option E has incorrect signs for the x² and x terms. Thus, only option A accurately represents the product of the polynomials.
Other Related Questions
Isabel earns $15.80 per hour for the first 8 hours she works each day. She earns 1.5 times her hourly rate for all time after the first 8 hours. How much does Isabel earn on a day when she works 8.5 hours?
- A. 126.4
- B. 138.25
- C. 189.6
- D. 201.45
- E. 237
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine Isabel's earnings for an 8.5-hour workday, first calculate her earnings for the first 8 hours at $15.80 per hour, which totals $126.40 (8 hours × $15.80/hour). For the additional 0.5 hours, she earns 1.5 times her hourly rate, which is $23.70 (1.5 × $15.80). Therefore, for the extra half hour, she earns $11.85 (0.5 hours × $23.70/hour). Adding these amounts together gives $138.25 ($126.40 + $11.85). Option A ($126.40) only accounts for the first 8 hours. Option C ($189.60) incorrectly assumes full-time pay without considering the overtime rate. Option D ($201.45) miscalculates the overtime pay, while Option E ($237) overestimates by not applying the correct hourly rates.
To determine Isabel's earnings for an 8.5-hour workday, first calculate her earnings for the first 8 hours at $15.80 per hour, which totals $126.40 (8 hours × $15.80/hour). For the additional 0.5 hours, she earns 1.5 times her hourly rate, which is $23.70 (1.5 × $15.80). Therefore, for the extra half hour, she earns $11.85 (0.5 hours × $23.70/hour). Adding these amounts together gives $138.25 ($126.40 + $11.85). Option A ($126.40) only accounts for the first 8 hours. Option C ($189.60) incorrectly assumes full-time pay without considering the overtime rate. Option D ($201.45) miscalculates the overtime pay, while Option E ($237) overestimates by not applying the correct hourly rates.
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.
Emma measured the height of her laptop screen. She reported the height as 8 inches, accurate to the nearest inch. The actual height of the screen must be:
- A. at least 7.5 inches and less than 8.5 inches
- B. at least 7.9 inches and less than 8.1 inches
- C. at least 7.99 inches and less than 8.01 inches
- D. at least 8 inches
- E. exactly 8 inches
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
When measuring to the nearest inch, values can range from halfway to the next whole number. For Emma's reported height of 8 inches, this means the actual height must be at least 7.5 inches (inclusive) and less than 8.5 inches (exclusive). Option B is too narrow, only allowing for heights between 7.9 and 8.1 inches, which does not encompass all possible values. Option C is even more restrictive, only allowing for heights between 7.99 and 8.01 inches, excluding valid measurements. Option D is incorrect as it suggests the height must be 8 inches or more, which is too limiting. Option E incorrectly states the height must be exactly 8 inches, disregarding the range of possible values.
When measuring to the nearest inch, values can range from halfway to the next whole number. For Emma's reported height of 8 inches, this means the actual height must be at least 7.5 inches (inclusive) and less than 8.5 inches (exclusive). Option B is too narrow, only allowing for heights between 7.9 and 8.1 inches, which does not encompass all possible values. Option C is even more restrictive, only allowing for heights between 7.99 and 8.01 inches, excluding valid measurements. Option D is incorrect as it suggests the height must be 8 inches or more, which is too limiting. Option E incorrectly states the height must be exactly 8 inches, disregarding the range of possible values.
Each month, the charge for a lawn care service consists of a flat fee of $25, plus $5 each time the lawn is mowed. Which of the following equations represents the total monthly charge, A(m), in dollars, as a function of the number of times the lawn is mowed, m?
- A. A(m) = 5(25)m
- B. A(m) = 5 + 25m
- C. A(m) = 5m + 25
- D. A(m) = 25m + 5
- E. A(m) = m + 5 + 25
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The equation A(m) = 5m + 25 accurately represents the total monthly charge for the lawn care service. Here, the term 5m accounts for the $5 charge per mowing, and the flat fee of $25 is added to this total. Option A incorrectly multiplies the flat fee by the number of mowings, which misrepresents the structure of the charges. Option B misplaces the flat fee, summing it with the number of mowings instead of adding it as a fixed cost. Option D incorrectly places the flat fee as a coefficient of m, which distorts the relationship. Option E combines the charges incorrectly, failing to clearly separate the flat fee from the per-mow charge.
The equation A(m) = 5m + 25 accurately represents the total monthly charge for the lawn care service. Here, the term 5m accounts for the $5 charge per mowing, and the flat fee of $25 is added to this total. Option A incorrectly multiplies the flat fee by the number of mowings, which misrepresents the structure of the charges. Option B misplaces the flat fee, summing it with the number of mowings instead of adding it as a fixed cost. Option D incorrectly places the flat fee as a coefficient of m, which distorts the relationship. Option E combines the charges incorrectly, failing to clearly separate the flat fee from the per-mow charge.