ISEE Lower Level Math : Operations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Operations

Susie needs to buy new supplies for school. Pencils are sold for 23 cents a piece. Notebooks are sold in pairs, at $3.04 a pair. Folders are sold in packages of 4, and each package costs $2.12. 

If Susie buys a 7 pencils, 8 notebooks, and a dozen folders with $25, how much change should she receive?

Possible Answers:

Susie does not have enough money to purchase all of these school supplies. 

$4.78

$2.75

$4.87

$8.83

Correct answer:

$4.87

Explanation:

Pencils are sold for $0.23 each.

If Susie buys 7 pencils, she is paying

7 x $0.23 = 

$1.61 for pencils.

Notebooks are sold in pairs (or in packages of two), for $3.04 a pair. 

If Susie buys 8 notebooks, that means that she bought

8 ÷ 2 =

4 pairs of notebooks.

So, 4 pairs of notebooks, at $3.04 a pair costs

4 x $3.04 =

$12.16. 

Susie also buys a dozen, or 12, folders. Folders come in packages of 4.

This means that Susie buys

12 ÷ 4 = 

3 packages of folders.

Because each package costs $2.12, Susie pays

3 x $2.12 = 

$6.36 for a dozen folders.

If we add up the total cost of the pencils, notebooks, and folders we get 

$1.61 + $12.16 + $6.36 = 

$20.13.

Because Susie pays $25, she will be left with 

$25 – $20.13 =

$4.87 in change.

Example Question #2 : Operations

\displaystyle (6-8)^2 + (5+1)^2

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 32

\displaystyle 36

\displaystyle 50

\displaystyle 28

\displaystyle 40

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 40

Explanation:

\displaystyle (-2)^2 + (6)^2 = 4 + 36 =40

Example Question #1 : Operations

Solve using the order of operations: \displaystyle \small \small 5 + (7-3) \cdot 4

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \small 36

\displaystyle \small 40

\displaystyle \small 15

\displaystyle \small 21

\displaystyle \small 24

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \small 21

Explanation:

The order of operations states that we must begin solving the mathematical expression by evaluating numbers in parentheses. In this expression, \displaystyle \small (7-3) is in parentheses. When we solve this, we get \displaystyle \small 4. Our expression can now be rewritten as:

\displaystyle \small 5 + 4 \cdot 4

The order of operations states that the next step would be to evaluate any term with an exponent. Since there are no exponents in this expression, we move on to multiplication. In this expression we are asked to multiply \displaystyle \small 4\cdot 4, which is \displaystyle \small 16. Our expression can now be written as:

\displaystyle \small 5+16

The order of operations would have us divide next, but seeing as there is no division in this expression, we move on to addition. \displaystyle \small 5+16 = 21.

Example Question #2 : Multiplication And Division

Read the following problem but do not solve it.

Acording to Mr. Smith's will, when he dies, each of his six children is to be left a parcel of land 510 acres in area. If these six parcels make up all of the farm, then how large is Mr. Smith's farm now?

Which of the following expressions must be evaluated in order to answer this question?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 510 + 6

\displaystyle 510 \div 6

\displaystyle 510 - 6

\displaystyle 6 \div 510

\displaystyle 510 \times 6

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 510 \times 6

Explanation:

There are six parcels of equal size; the total size is therefore the product of the common size (510 acres) and the number of parcels (6). This is \displaystyle 510 \times 6

Example Question #1 : Operations

Evaluate \displaystyle 5x - 4 for \displaystyle x = 7

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 15

\displaystyle 53

\displaystyle 8

\displaystyle 31

\displaystyle 39

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 31

Explanation:

Substitute 7 for \displaystyle x

\displaystyle 5x - 4 = 5 \times 7 - 4

By order of operations, multiply, then subtract.

\displaystyle 5 \times 7 - 4 = 35 - 4 = 31

 

Example Question #3 : Operations

Evaluate: \displaystyle 13 \times (-7)

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 91

\displaystyle -91

\displaystyle -20

\displaystyle -81

\displaystyle 81

Correct answer:

\displaystyle -91

Explanation:

To multiply two numbers of unlike sign, multiply their absolute values, then affix a negative symbol in front:

\displaystyle 13 \times (-7) = -(13 \times 7) = -91

Example Question #172 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Mathematics Achievement

Evaluate: \displaystyle -4 \times (-17)

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle -58

\displaystyle -68

\displaystyle -21

\displaystyle 58

\displaystyle 68

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 68

Explanation:

To multply two negative numbers, just multiply their absolute values; the product will be positive:

\displaystyle -4 \times (-17) = +(4 \times 17) = 68

Example Question #6 : Operations

Evaluate \displaystyle 5x +7 for \displaystyle x = 8

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 33

\displaystyle 65

\displaystyle 47

\displaystyle 51

\displaystyle 75

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 47

Explanation:

Substitute 8 for \displaystyle x

\displaystyle 5x +7 = 5\cdot 8 +7

By order of operations, multiply, then add.

\displaystyle 5\cdot 8 +7 = 40 + 7 = 47

Example Question #4 : Operations

Find the product.

\displaystyle -27\times -12

 

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 324

\displaystyle -324

\displaystyle 2754

\displaystyle 329

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 324

Explanation:

When multiplying two negative numbers, the product will be positive. The correct answer is 324.

 

Example Question #5 : Operations

Which story best fits the equation \displaystyle 8\times 5=40 ?

Possible Answers:

I want to share 40 candy bars with 10 friends. How many do they each get?

I have 40 candy bars. If I eat 8, how many are left?

I have 8 candy bars, and my friend has 5. How many do we have together?

I have 8 boxes of candy bars, and each box has 5 candy bars. How many bars do I have in total?

Correct answer:

I have 8 boxes of candy bars, and each box has 5 candy bars. How many bars do I have in total?

Explanation:

The equation has multiplication, so the story must have multiplication as well. Ignore the stories which just add or subtract candy bars.

The right answer involves boxes of candy bars:

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