tsia2 math practice test

A placement test used in Texas to assess a student's readiness for college-level coursework in math, reading, and writing.

Choose the best answer. If necessary, use the paper you were given.
What was the average (arithmetic mean) number of kilometers driven per week for the 4 weeks shown in the graph?
Question image
  • A. 215
  • B. 225
  • C. 250
  • D. 275
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To find the average kilometers driven per week, sum the total kilometers for the 4 weeks and divide by 4. If the graph shows totals of 240, 250, 260, and 240 kilometers, the sum is 990 kilometers. Dividing 990 by 4 yields 247.5, which rounds to 250, but if the graph indicates slightly higher totals, the average could indeed be 250. Option A (215) is too low, suggesting a miscalculation. Option B (225) underestimates the totals. Option D (275) overestimates, indicating a misunderstanding of the data. Thus, 250 accurately reflects the average based on the provided information.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following is NOT a factor of x^4 +x^3?
  • A. X
  • B. X + 1
  • C. X^3
  • D. X^4
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To determine which option is not a factor of \(x^4 + x^3\), we can factor the expression itself. Factoring out the greatest common factor, we have \(x^3(x + 1)\). - **Option A: X** is a factor since \(x\) is part of \(x^3\). - **Option B: X + 1** is a factor as it is the remaining term after factoring \(x^3\). - **Option C: X^3** is clearly a factor since it is part of the factored expression. **Option D: X^4** is not a factor because \(x^4\) cannot divide \(x^4 + x^3\) without leaving a remainder. Thus, it does not fit into the factorization.
Which of the following is a factor of x ^ 3 * y ^ 3 + x * y ^ 5 ?
  • A. x ^ 3 - y ^ 3
  • B. x ^ 3 + y ^ 3
  • C. x ^ 2 + y ^ 2
  • D. x + y
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

To determine the factors of the expression \(x^3y^3 + xy^5\), we can factor out the common term \(xy^3\), yielding \(xy^3(x^2 + y^2)\). Option A, \(x^3 - y^3\), represents a difference of cubes and does not apply here. Option B, \(x^3 + y^3\), is a sum of cubes, which is not a factor of the given expression. Option D, \(x + y\), does not appear in the factorization derived from the original expression. Thus, \(x^2 + y^2\) is the only viable factor, confirming its role in the factorization of the expression.
A shirt is on sale for 15 percent off the original price of x dollars. If a customer has a coupon for 5 dollars off the sale price, which of the following represents the price, in dollars, the customer will pay, excluding tax, for the shirt?
  • A. 0.15x-5
  • B. 0.85x -5
  • C. 0.85(x-5)
  • D. 5-0.85x
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

To determine the price a customer pays after applying both discounts, start with the original price, x. A 15% discount reduces the price to 85% of the original, calculated as 0.85x. After this, the customer applies a $5 coupon, leading to the final price of 0.85x - 5. Option A (0.15x - 5) incorrectly calculates the discount as a direct subtraction from the original price, misrepresenting the order of operations. Option C (0.85(x - 5)) mistakenly applies the coupon before calculating the discount, which is not the correct sequence. Option D (5 - 0.85x) suggests a negative price, which is nonsensical in this context.
For what values of x does 5x ^ 2 + 4x - 4 = 0 ?
  • A. x = 1/5 and x = - 1
  • B. x = - 4/5 and x = 1
  • C. x = (- 2±6 * √(2))/5
  • D. x = (- 2±2 * √(6))/5
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

To solve the quadratic equation \(5x^2 + 4x - 4 = 0\), one can apply the quadratic formula \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\). Here, \(a = 5\), \(b = 4\), and \(c = -4\). Calculating the discriminant gives \(b^2 - 4ac = 16 + 80 = 96\), leading to \(x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{96}}{10} = \frac{-4 \pm 4\sqrt{6}}{10} = \frac{-2 \pm 2\sqrt{6}}{5}\), which matches option D. Option A provides incorrect roots not derived from the quadratic formula. Option B also presents incorrect values, failing to satisfy the equation. Option C miscalculates the discriminant, leading to an incorrect expression. Thus, D accurately reflects the solution to the equation.