HSPT Math : Concepts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Math
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Arithmetic
The order of operations is PEMDAS, or (1) Parentheses (2) Exponents (3)Multiplication/Division (4) Addition/Subtraction.
First, we need to cube the quantity 
Now we are left with 
Subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive. So we can rewrite this as
Example Question #2 : Arithmetic
When adding a positive to a negative number you must first pick the greater value of the two numbers while disregarding the signs.
In this case the negative number has a higher value if we don’t pay attention to the signs. Due to this fact we know our resulting number will be negative.
We then subtract the smaller number value from the higher value which gives us
Then we add the negative sign to the value to arrive at our answer
Example Question #3 : Arithmetic
If you multiply a negative by a positive the resulting number will be a negative number.
So we multiply the numbers together normally and then add the negative sign at the end
The answer in this case is 
Example Question #4 : Arithmetic
Evaluate:
A negative number taken to an even power is positive, and an odd number taken to an odd power is negative, so:
Example Question #5 : Arithmetic
Evaluate 
Example Question #6 : Arithmetic
Evaluate:
Therefore,
Example Question #7 : Arithmetic
Combine:
First, combine the negative numbers. This yields 
Then, the problem is simplified to 
Example Question #8 : Arithmetic
To most effectively add a positive and negative number, ignore the signs and pick the greater of the two numbers.
In this case the positive number has a higher value if we don’t pay attention to the signs. Due to this fact we know the answer will be positive.
We then subtract the smaller number value from the higher value which gives us
Then we add the sign of the greater value to arrive at our answer 
Example Question #9 : Arithmetic
Add:
Simply the signs before solving. A positive sign multiplied with a negative sign will convert the sign to a negative, and a negative multiplied with a negative will convert the sign to a positive.
Example Question #1 : Negative Numbers
If a = –2 and b = –3, then evaluate a3 + b2
1
17
5
8
9
1
When multiplying negative numbers, we get a negative answer if there are an odd number of negative numbers being multiplied. We get a positive answer if there are an even number of negative numbers being multiplied.
a3 + b2 becomes (–2)3 + (–3)2 which equals –8 + 9 = 1
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