HSPT Math : Problem Solving

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify the expression:

Possible Answers:

x+ 2x + 1

x + 1

x

2x + 1

2x

Correct answer:

x + 1

Explanation:

Factor out a (2x) from the denominator, which cancels with (2x) from the numerator. Then factor the numerator, which becomes (+ 1)(+ 1), of which one of them cancels and you're left with (+ 1).

Example Question #23 : How To Simplify An Expression

Simplify the following expression: x3 - 4(x2 + 3) + 15

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify this expression, you must combine like terms. You should first use the distributive property and multiply -4 by x2 and -4 by 3.

x3 - 4x2 -12 + 15

You can then add -12 and 15, which equals 3.

You now have x3 - 4x2 + 3 and are finished. Just a reminder that x3 and 4x2 are not like terms as the x’s have different exponents.

Example Question #6 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify the following expression:

2x(x2 + 4ax – 3a2) – 4a2(4x + 3a)

Possible Answers:

12a– 22a2x + 8ax2 + 2x3

12a– 16a2x + 8ax2 + 2x3

–12a– 14ax2 + 2x3

–12a3 – 14a2x + 2x3

–12a– 22a2x + 8ax2 + 2x3

Correct answer:

–12a– 22a2x + 8ax2 + 2x3

Explanation:

Begin by distributing each part:

2x(x2 + 4ax – 3a2) = 2x * x2 + 2x * 4ax – 2x * 3a2 = 2x3 + 8ax2 – 6a2x

The second:

–4a2(4x + 3a) = –16a2x – 12a3

Now, combine these:

2x3 + 8ax2 – 6a2x – 16a2x – 12a3

The only common terms are those with a2x; therefore, this reduces to

2x3 + 8ax2 – 22a2x – 12a3

This is the same as the given answer:

–12a– 22a2x + 8ax2 + 2x3

Example Question #25 : How To Simplify An Expression

Which of the following does not simplify to ?

Possible Answers:

All of these simplify to

Correct answer:

Explanation:

5x – (6x – 2x) = 5x – (4x) = x

(x – 1)(x + 2) - x2 + 2 = x2 + x – 2 – x2 + 2 = x

x(4x)/(4x) = x

(3 – 3)x = 0x = 0

Example Question #3 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to simplify this expression, distribute and multiply the outer term with the two inner terms.

Example Question #1 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When the same bases are multiplied, their exponents can be added.  Similarly, when the bases are divided, their exponents can be subtracted.  Apply this rule for the given problem.

Example Question #7 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify this expression, reduce the term inside the parenthesis. 

Rewrite the negative exponent as a fraction.

Example Question #11 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify the expression 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify this expression, combine like terms.  In this expression,  and are like terms. They are like terms because each term consists of a single variable,, and a numeric coefficient. Add the coefficients of these terms. Addition is the operation that you would use denoted by a plus sign next to the x.

 and  are also like terms. They are like terms because each term consists of a single variable, , and a numeric coefficient.  These two like terms are separated by a subtraction sign, therefore subtraction is the operation you would use

Therefore, the correct answer is

 

 

Example Question #12 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify the expression     

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify this expression, combine like terms.  In this expression,  and  are like terms. They are like terms because each term consists of a , and a numeric coefficient. Add the coefficients of these terms. Addition is the operation that you would use denoted by a plus sign.

 and  are also like terms. They are like terms because each term consists of  and a numeric coefficient.  These two like terms are separated by a addition sign, therefore addition is the operation you would use.

Therefore, the correct answer is

 

Example Question #11 : How To Simplify Expressions

Simplify the expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Combine all the like terms.

The  terms can be combined together, which gives you .

When you combine the  terms together, you get .

There is only one  term so it doesn't get combined with anything. Put them all together and you get 

.

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