All PSAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Expressions
The function is given as . If , what is the value of ?
This is a simple substitution problem. Begin by setting the function equal to :
Solve for :
A common mistake at this point is to believe that you have finished the question. We are given that . We must now substitute for and solve for :
Subtract 2 from both sides:
The answer is .
Example Question #41 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions
Which of the following numbers is eight more than half of itself?
4
10
24
8
16
16
Word problems like this are a common occurrence on the PSAT. Begin by setting the number we are looking for, let's call it , equivalent to the equation we are given in the words.
Move all terms with the variable to one side:
Multiply both sides by 2:
The correct answer is 16.
Example Question #42 : Evaluating And Simplifying Expressions
Fahrenheit temperature can be converted to its Celsius equivalent using the formula
.
Celsius temperature can be converted to its Fahrenheit equivalent using the formula
.
Mercury boils at . To the nearest degree, convert this to its equivalent Fahrenheit temperature.
None of the other responses is correct.
The formula to use is
.
Substitute 357 for :
To the nearest degree, this is .
Example Question #1 : How To Simplify An Expression
Increase by 70%. Which of the following will this be equal to?
A number increased by 70% is equivalent to 100% of the number plus 70% of the number. This is taking 170% of the number, or, equivalently, multiplying it by 1.7.
Therefore, increased by 70% is 1.7 times this, or
Example Question #41 : Expressions
Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression ?
Nineteen less than the cube of a number
The cube of the difference of a number and nineteen
The cube of the difference of nineteen and a number
Three times the difference of nineteen and a number
Three times the difference of a number and nineteen
The cube of the difference of a number and nineteen
is the cube of , which is the difference of a number and nineteen; therefore, is "the cube of the difference of a number and nineteen."
Example Question #42 : Expressions
Which of the following phrases can be written as the algebraic expression ?
Three times the difference of seventeen and a number
Seventeen decreased by the cube of a number
Three times the difference of a number and seventeen
The cube of the difference of a number and seventeen
The cube of the difference of seventeen and a number
Seventeen decreased by the cube of a number
is seventeen decreased by , which is the cube of a number; therefore, is "seventeen decreased by the cube of a number."
Example Question #2 : How To Simplify An Expression
Which of the following operations could represent the expression ?
2 times 7 less than the square of x
2 times 7 more than the square of x
7 more than 2 times the square of x
7 more than the square of 2x
7 less than the square of 2x
7 more than 2 times the square of x
Begin by putting the equation given into your own words. It might sound something similar to:
2 times x squared plus 7
Now, go through each answer choice and see if any of them are similar to this. We immediately see that the answer "7 more than 2 times the square of x" is similar to what we came up with. Let's do a quick run through of the other choices to be sure of our choice:
"2 times 7 more than the square of x" is equal to , which is equivalent to .
"2 times 7 less than the square of x" is equal to , which is equivalent to .
"7 more than the square of 2x" is equal to , which is equivalent to .
"7 less than the square of 2x" is equal to , which is equivalent to .
The only answer that works is "7 more than 2 times the square of x". This is the correct answer.
Example Question #1087 : Psat Mathematics
What does equal?
When solving a complex expression, remember the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction). Reading left to right, begin by doing all operations within the innermost Parentheses first:
Continue simplifying using the acronym PEMDAS:
The expression is equal to -63.
Example Question #1 : Rational Expressions
Simplify.
Same denominator means you add straight across the numerators, keeping the denominator the same.
Add like terms.
Final Answer.
Example Question #2 : Rational Expressions
Simplify.
Check for same Denominator
Add like terms
Check for GCF or if the expression can be factored
After factoring, divide out like terms.
Final Answer