GED Math : Basic Operations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Basic Operations

Identify the property of addition demonstrated by the following statement:

\(\displaystyle 8.2 + (7.2 + 6.2) =( 8.2 + 7.2 )+ 6.2\)

Possible Answers:

The identity property of addition

The commutative property of addition

The inverse property of addition

The associative property of addition

Correct answer:

The associative property of addition

Explanation:

The statement shows that the sum of three numbers yields the same result regardless of the order in which they are added; this is a demonstration of the associative property of addition.

Example Question #2 : Basic Operations

Identify the property of addition demonstrated by the following statement:

\(\displaystyle 7.2 + (-7.2)= 0\)

Possible Answers:

The associative property of addition

The commutative property of addition

The inverse property of addition

The identity property of addition

Correct answer:

The inverse property of addition

Explanation:

The statemet shows a number being added to its additive inverse to obtain a sum of 0; this is a demonstration of the inverse property of addition.

Example Question #3 : Basic Operations

Identify the property of addition demonstrated by the following statement:

\(\displaystyle 9.1 + 3.2 = 3.2 + 9.1\)

Possible Answers:

The associative property of addition

The commutative property of addition

The identity property of addition

The inverse property of addition

Correct answer:

The commutative property of addition

Explanation:

This statement shows that two numbers can be added in either order to achieve the same result; this is a demonstration of the commutative property of addition.

Example Question #1 : Addition And Subtraction

Forty-two friends are renting a party bus to the school prom. Rental of the party bus will cost $320 up front plus $18 per hour. The friends have the bus from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

Each friend has agreed to chip in $9. One of the teachers at the high school,  Mr. Smith, has offered to chip in the rest. If he does, how much will he pay?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \$90\)

\(\displaystyle \$58\)

\(\displaystyle \$122\)

\(\displaystyle \$180\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \$122\)

Explanation:

The friends have the bus from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM - this is 

\(\displaystyle 3 + 12 - 5 = 15 - 5 = 10\) hours.

The cost of renting the bus will be

\(\displaystyle \$ 320 +\$ 18 \times 10 = \$ 320 +\$ 180 = \$500\).

Forty-two friends paying $9 each will pay a total of

\(\displaystyle 42 \times \$9 = \$378\).

The teacher will pay the difference, or

\(\displaystyle \$500 - \$378 = \$122\).

Example Question #4 : Basic Operations

A plane takes off at Cheyenne Regional Airport, which has an elevation of 6,159 feet. It ascends 17,785 feet, then descends \(\displaystyle D\) feet. Which expression gives the current elevation of the plane in feet?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 23,944+ D\)

\(\displaystyle 11,626- D\)

\(\displaystyle 11,626+D\)

\(\displaystyle 23,944- D\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 23,944- D\)

Explanation:

The initial elevation of the plane is 6,159 feet in elevation. Ascent is an increase in elevation and descent is a decrease, so, to the elevation, in turn, add 17,785 feet,  and subtract \(\displaystyle D\) feet. This is

\(\displaystyle 6,159 + 17,785 - D\)

\(\displaystyle = 23,944- D\)

Example Question #5 : Basic Operations

An airplane takes off from Denver International Airport, which has elevation 5,431 feet. It is now flying at an elevation of \(\displaystyle H\) feet. How many feet has the airplane ascended since takeoff?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle H - 5,431\)

\(\displaystyle H \div 5,431\)

\(\displaystyle 5,431 \div H\)

\(\displaystyle H + 5,431\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle H - 5,431\)

Explanation:

We are looking for the difference between the current elevation of the plane and the initial elevation, so we subtract the initial elevation, 5,431, from current elevation, \(\displaystyle H\). This is \(\displaystyle H - 5,431\).

Example Question #6 : Basic Operations

Identify the property of addition demonstrated by the following statement:

\(\displaystyle 8.5 + 0 = 8.5\)

Possible Answers:

The associative property of addition

The identity property of addition

The commutative property of addition

The inverse property of addition

Correct answer:

The identity property of addition

Explanation:

0 is called the additive identity in that it can be added to any number to yield that other number as the sum. 

The identity property of addition is written mathematically as \(\displaystyle a + 0 = a\) for any real \(\displaystyle a\).

Example Question #7 : Addition And Subtraction

Add the numbers:  \(\displaystyle 134+812+133\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 969\)

\(\displaystyle 1078\)

\(\displaystyle 1089\)

\(\displaystyle 1079\)

\(\displaystyle 979\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1079\)

Explanation:

Add the ones digits.

\(\displaystyle 4+2+3 = 9\)

Add the tens digits.  There is no carryover.

\(\displaystyle 3+1+3 = 7\)

Add the hundreds digits.

\(\displaystyle 1+8+1 = 10\)

Combine this number with the other digits.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 1079\)

Example Question #9 : Basic Operations

Add the numbers:  \(\displaystyle 51+98+44+23\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 216\)

\(\displaystyle 106\)

\(\displaystyle 206\)

\(\displaystyle 116\)

\(\displaystyle 226\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 216\)

Explanation:

Add the ones digits.

\(\displaystyle 1+8+4+3 = 16\)

Add the tens digits with the one as the carryover.

\(\displaystyle 5+9+4+2 + (1) = 21\)

Combine this number with the ones digit of the first number.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 216\)

Example Question #10 : Basic Operations

Add the numbers:  \(\displaystyle 48+97+33\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 187\)

\(\displaystyle 178\)

\(\displaystyle 188\)

\(\displaystyle 177\)

\(\displaystyle 168\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 178\)

Explanation:

Add the ones digits.

\(\displaystyle 8+7+3 = 18\)

Add the tens digits with the 1 as the carryover from the last calculation.

\(\displaystyle 4+9+3+(1) = 17\)

Combine this number with the ones digit of the first calculation.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 178\)

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors