ACT Math : How to evaluate algebraic expressions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

What is the value of z that satisfies the equation: 10(z – 6) = 8z + 4

 

Possible Answers:

32

28

34

5

32

Correct answer:

32

Explanation:

Distribute: 10z – 60 = 8z + 4

Move all like terms together: 2z = 64

Solve: z = 32

 

 

Example Question #22 : Evaluating Expressions

If , then which of the following is an expression for in terms of  and ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Divide both sides by , giving you

.

Example Question #23 : Evaluating Expressions

Find the value of   where:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This problem requires utilization of the opposite operations to both sides principle.

 

 

Adding +2 to both sides yields

 

 

Subtracting 2y from both sides yields

 

 

Example Question #21 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

Sally is ordering snacks for her class trip. She needs 85 cookies. The cookies come in cases of 6 boxes, with 7 cookies in each box. Sally can't order a partial box. What is the smallest number of cases she should order? 

Possible Answers:

1

6

2

4

3

Correct answer:

3

Explanation:

We first determine how many cookies are in each box. There are 7 cookies in a box, multiplied by 6 boxes, making 42 cookies in a case. We then divide the total number of cookies she needs, 85, by the number in each case, 42, giving us 2 with a remainder. This means Sally must order 3 cases of cookies.

Example Question #22 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

A company rents cars for a rental fee of $37.00 per day, with an additional charge of $0.45 per mile driven. Which of the following expressions represents the cost, in dollars, of renting the car for 2 days and driving it m miles?

Possible Answers:

74m + 45

37m + 0.45

37m + 45

0.45m + 74

0.45m + 37

Correct answer:

0.45m + 74

Explanation:

To determine cost we add the initial rental fee of $37, times two days giving us $74 plus the mileage rate, 0.45,  times the number of miles. Giving an equation of 0.45m+74.

Example Question #23 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

If , what is the value of:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Substituting x+y for 5, we get

6(5) - 5+ (1/5)(5) + 8

30 - 25 + 1 + 8

= 14

Example Question #62 : Expressions

A batting average is determined by calculating the amount of hits a batter accumulates in the amount of at-bats that they have had in a season.  However when a batter walks the at-bat is not counted in the calculation of the batter's batting average.  Walks also have no effect on a batter's hit count.

Let:

Total at-bats, including times a batter has walked = a

Number of hits = b

Number of walks = c

What is an appropriate expression for the calculation of a hitter's batting average?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To conform to the way in which a batting average is calculated the equation must be set up so that the amount of hits a batter has accumulated is divided by the amount of at-bats the batter has had, without including at-bats that have resulted in a walk. So the equation should be (hits)/((at-bats) – (walks)), this is acheved by b/(a – c).

Example Question #63 : Expressions

If st – 4r = 8, what is the value of t in terms of r and s?

Possible Answers:

s(4r + 8)

(4r + 8)/s

(8 – 4s)/r

(8 – 4r)/s

(4s + 8)/r

Correct answer:

(4r + 8)/s

Explanation:

We rearrange the equation st – 4r=8 by adding 4r to the right side; then divide by s → t = (4r + 8)/s

Example Question #24 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

Which of the following is equal (10 – 6) if x = 10?

Possible Answers:

(x + 6)(x – 4)

(x + 6)(x – 6)

(x – 8)(x – 2)

(x + 4)(x – 4)

(x + 8)(x + 2)

Correct answer:

(x – 8)(x – 2)

Explanation:

First, you set up and solve the original equation. Set up (10 – 6)2, then solve it, giving you 16. We can then plug in 10 for x in the answer choices until you find the choice that always gives you 16, which is (x – 8)(x – 2).

Example Question #961 : Algebra

If  4x+6y=8 , then what is the value of  3(2x + 3y) ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The value of  3(2x + 3y) is 

Note that  2x + 3y = \frac{1}{2}(4x + 6y) , so  2x + 3y  must equal  \frac{1}{2}(8) , which is  

Since  2x + 3y = 4, we can see that  3(2x + 3y) = 12

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