ACT Math : Integers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Missing Number In A Set

If the average and median of the group of integers shown below is equal to x, what is the value of x?

40, 11, 62, x, 20, 51, 2

 

Possible Answers:

31

26

14

28

Correct answer:

31

Explanation:

First, we must find the average of these 6 numbers. This is done by adding all of them and dividing by the number of values we have (in this case, 6). 

Next, we have to make sure that this number is also the median.  Since the median is the middle number of our values put in ascending order, we have to put our values in increasing order:

2, 11, 20, 31, 40, 51, 62

When we do this, we see that 31 is indeed the “middle number” so we are happy with choosing 31 as our correct answer

 

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Missing Number In A Set

The following series of numbers follows a rule to progress from number to number.  What is the value of Y?

4, 15, 59, Y, 939

Possible Answers:

789

235

329

95

 97

Correct answer:

235

Explanation:

Each number from set is:

(Previous Number x 4) – 1

Example: (4 x 4) – 1 = 15

Answer: (59 x 4) – 1 = 235

Example Question #121 : Integers

There is a set of numbers. The mean of this set of numbers is equal to the median.  If four of the numbers are 10, 15, 15, and 17, what is the fifth number?

Possible Answers:

18

12

16

15

13

Correct answer:

18

Explanation:

Since the set contains two 15s, along with 10 and 17, the median can only be 15, no matter what the fifth number is. So now we know that the mean is equal to 15, since it is equal to the median. Now an equation can be set up to solve this problem. 15 = (10 + 15 + 15 + 17 + x)/5. Solving for x we get an answer of 18.

Example Question #1701 : Act Math

How many irrational numbers are there between 3 and 7?

Possible Answers:

Infinitely many

8

10

4

5

Correct answer:

Infinitely many

Explanation:

There is an infinite amount of irrational numbers between any two "real" (whole) numbers. 3 and 7 are both real numbers

Example Question #1 : Counting

3 candy bars and 4 bags of potato chips cost $7, and 3 candy bars and 2 bags of potato chips cost $5. What is the price of 1 bag of potato chips?

Possible Answers:

$2

$1

$.33

$.50

Correct answer:

$1

Explanation:

Increasing 2 bags of potato chips increases the cost by $2. Therefore, they cost $1 per bag.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Number Of Integers Between Two Other Integers

What is the average of all prime numbers in between 7 and 23 (not including 7 or 23)?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A prime number is defined as any number that is only divisible by itself and 1 with no remainders. So for example, 7 and 23 are both prime numbers. Seven can only be divided by 7 and 1, any other number would give a fraction or decimal.

The best approach to this problem is to simply list each number starting from 7.

Seven itself is a prime number, but the question specifically says that 7 should not be included. Eight is divisible by 1, 2, 4, and 8, and therefore is not a prime number. Nine is divisible by 3 and so on. Quickly we see that the prime numbers in betwen 7 and 23 include: 

Finally, the question asks you to find the average of these numbers:

Concepts such as prime numbers or other definitions should be readily called when taking the ACT with minimal effort.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Number Of Integers Between Two Other Integers

How many prime numbers are between 20 and 50?

Possible Answers:

8

5

6

3

7

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

Prime numbers are numbers that cannot be divided evenly by any numbers besides itself and 1.  The prime numbers between 20 and 50 are: 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, yielding an answer of 6. 

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Number Of Integers Between Two Other Integers

How many integers are between  and  (not including  and )?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The integers are .

So there are 8 integers total

Example Question #1 : Permutation / Combination

A candy shop sells Valentine's Day gift baskets that consist of chocolates, a basket, and a card. If there are five different types of chocolate, three types of baskets, and ten options for cards, how many different gift basket combinations are there?

Possible Answers:

15

180

18

150

1500

Correct answer:

150

Explanation:

The correct answer is 150. Since there are five types of chocolate, three types of baskets, and ten card choices, the correct answer can be found by multiplying 3 x 5 x 10, which is 150. If you got 15 or 1500, you may have made a multiplication error. If you got 18, you may have added instead of multiplying.

Example Question #1 : Permutation / Combination

A locker combination consists of three different numbers from the set of 30 different numbers on the face of the lock. Imagine that you have forgotten the combination. How many times do you have to try to find the right combination?

 

Possible Answers:

1765

900

90

24360

2876

Correct answer:

24360

Explanation:

It is said that the three numbers are different. So the number of lock combinations is 30P3 = 24 360.

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