ACT Math : ACT Math

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : How To Find Negative Cosine

What is the cosine of the angle formed between the origin and the point  if that angle is formed with one side of the angle beginning on the -axis and then rotating counter-clockwise to ? Round to the nearest hundredth.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that when you calculate a trigonometric function for an obtuse angle like this, you always use the -axis as your reference point for your angle. (Hence, it is called the "reference angle.")  

Now, it is easiest to think of this like you are drawing a little triangle in the third quadrant of the Cartesian plane. It would look like:

Cos611

So, you first need to  calculate the hypotenuse. You can do this by using the Pythagorean Theorem, , where  and  are the lengths of the legs of the triangle and  the length of the hypotenuse. Rearranging the equation to solve for , you get:

Substituting in the given values:

So, the cosine of an angle is:

  or, for your data, .  

This is approximately . Rounding, this is . However, since  is in the third quadrant your value must be negative: .

Example Question #3 : How To Find Negative Cosine

What is the cosine of the angle formed between the origin and the point  if that angle is formed with one side of the angle beginning on the -axis and then rotating counter-clockwise to ? Round to the nearest hundredth.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that when you calculate a trigonometric function for an obtuse angle like this, you always use the -axis as your reference point for your angle. (Hence, it is called the "reference angle.") Now, it is easiest to think of this like you are drawing a little triangle in the second quadrant of the Cartesian plane. It would look like:

Cos37

So, you first need to  calculate the hypotenuse:

So, the cosine of an angle is:

  or, for your data, .  

This is approximately . Rounding, this is . However, since  is in the second quadrant your value must be negative: .

Example Question #4 : How To Find Negative Cosine

To the nearest , what is the cosine of the angle formed between the origin and ? Assume a counterclockwise rotation.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If the point to be reached is , then we may envision a right triangle with sides  and , and hypotenuse . The Pythagorean Theorem tells us that , so we plug in and find that: 

Thus, 

Now, SOHCAHTOA tells us that , so we know that:

Thus, our cosine is approximately . However, as we are in the third quadrant, cosine must be negative! Therefore, our true cosine is .

Example Question #1 : How To Find Negative Cosine

On a grid, what is the cosine of the angle formed between a line from the origin to  and the x-axis?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If the point to be reached is , then we may envision a right triangle with sides  and , and hypotenuse . The Pythagorean Theorem tells us that , so we plug in and find that: .

Thus, .

Now, SOHCAHTOA tells us that , so we know that:

Thus, our cosine is approximately . However, as we are in the second quadrant, cosine must be negative! Therefore, our true cosine is .

Example Question #1 : How To Solve For A Variable As Part Of A Fraction

Solve for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Cross multiply.

Dsitribute.

Solve for .

Example Question #1 : How To Solve For A Variable As Part Of A Fraction

The quotient of a fraction is . If the numerator is , what is the value of the denominator?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Step 1: Set up the equation

Step 2: Solve for D

Example Question #2 : How To Solve For A Variable As Part Of A Fraction

Solve for :

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Solve for x:

Step 1: Find the least common denominator, , and adjust the fractions accordingly:

Solve for :

 

Example Question #3241 : Sat Mathematics

If  , then what is the value of ?

Possible Answers:

none of these

3/38

9/114

38/3

7/12

Correct answer:

38/3

Explanation:

cross multiply:

(6)(19) = 9x

114=9x

x = 38/3

Example Question #1 : How To Solve For A Variable As Part Of A Fraction

\dpi{100} \small \frac{4 }{x} = \frac{2}{25}

Find x.

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{8}{25}

\dpi{100} \small 0.25

\dpi{100} \small 50

None

\dpi{100} \small \frac{25}{8}

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 50

Explanation:

Cross multiply:

\dpi{100} \small 4 \times 25 = 2x

\dpi{100} \small 100 = 2x

\dpi{100} \small x = 50

Example Question #3 : How To Solve For A Variable As Part Of A Fraction

The numerator of a fraction is the sum of 4 and 5 times the denominator. If you divide the fraction by 2, the numerator is 3 times the denominator. Find the simplified version of the fraction.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Let numerator = N and denominator = D.

According to the first statement, 

N = (D x 5) + 4.

According to the second statement, N / 2 = 3 * D. 

Let's multiply the second equation by –2 and add itthe first equation:

–N = –6D

+[N = (D x 5) + 4]

=

–6D + (D x 5) + 4 = 0

–1D + 4 = 0

D = 4

Thus, N = 24.

Therefore, N/D = 24/4 = 6.

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