ACT Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2581 : Act Math

 

Possible Answers:

 

 

Correct answer:

 

Explanation:

When subtracting matrices, subtracting component-wise.

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Matrices

If , then what is the value of  ?

Possible Answers:

15

3

12

26

0

Correct answer:

15

Explanation:

 Match each term from the first matrix with the corresponding number from the second matrix and subtract.

Simplify.

 

Each of the numbers in the matrix solution now corresponds to the letters, a through f. Add a (upper left) and (lower right).

Example Question #1 : How To Find Combinations With A Matrix

Matthew, Emily, Cynthia, John, and Stephanie are all running for student council.  If three equivalent positions are available in this year's election, how many different leadership boards are possible?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

One possible approach is to enumerate all possibilities using initials for names (ie. MEC, MEJ, MES, etc). If we recognize that order does not matter in this problem, we can also enter  into our calculators, and that will give us the answer of .

Example Question #1 : Matrix Combinations

Simplify.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When we are asked to simplify a matrix that is being multiplied by a constant we simply multiply each component of the matrix with the scalar factor that is on the outside of the matrix.

Therefore,

Example Question #1093 : Algebra

At a sale, a necklace that was originally   is marked ten percent off. Cara has a coupon that will allow her to get ten percent off the discounted price. How much will Cara pay for the necklace if she uses the coupon?

Possible Answers:

 

 

 

 

 

Correct answer:

 

Explanation:

Taking ten percent off of  gives us ,

.

Taking ten percent off of this amount gives us

.

NOTE: This problem cannot be solved by taking twenty percent off of .

Example Question #1 : Foil

For all x, (4x – 3)2 =

Possible Answers:

12x+ 24x – 9

16x– 24+ 9

16x+ 24+ 9

16x+ 9

16x– 9

Correct answer:

16x– 24+ 9

Explanation:

To solve this problem, you should FOIL: (4x – 3)(4x – 3) = 16x– 12x – 12+ 9 = 16x– 24+ 9. 

Example Question #1 : Distributive Property

Which of the following is equivalent to (2g – 3h)2?

Possible Answers:

4g+ 9h2

4g– 12gh + 9h2

4g– 6gh + 9h2

4g– 12gh + 3h2

g– 12gh + 9h2

Correct answer:

4g– 12gh + 9h2

Explanation:

Use FOIL: (2g – 3h)(2g – 3h) = 4g– 6gh – 6gh + 9h= 4g– 12gh + 9h2

Example Question #2 : Distributive Property

Use FOIL on the following expression:

x(x + 1)(x – 1)

Possible Answers:

x– x2

x

x – 1

x– x

x– x

Correct answer:

x– x

Explanation:

FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last): (x + 1)(x – 1) which is (x– 1) then multiply it by x, which is (x– x)

Example Question #1 : Foil

Multiply: (4x + 3)(2x + 4)

Possible Answers:

8x² + 34

6x² + 16x + 24

8x² + 22x +12

30x + 12

3x² + 12x – 12

Correct answer:

8x² + 22x +12

Explanation:

To solve you must use FOIL (first outer inner last)

Multiply 4x and 2x to get 8x²

Multiply 4x and 4 to get 16x

Multiply 3 and 2x to get 6x

Multiply 3 and 4 to get 12

Add the common terms and the awnser is 8x² + 22x + 12

Example Question #2 : Distributive Property

What is the greatest common factor in the evaluated expression below?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is essentially a multi-part question that at first may seem confusing, until it's realized that the question only involves basic algebra, or more specifically, using FOIL and greatest common factor concepts.

First, we must use FOIL (first, outside, inside, last), to evaluate the given expression: ⋅

First: 

Outside: 

Inside: 

Last: 

Now add all of the terms together:

Which simplifies to:

Now, we must see what is greatest common factor shared between each of these two terms. They are both divisible by  as well as .

Therefore,  is the greatest common factor.

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