PSAT Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find A Solution Set

J =  a set of positive integer factors of 16

K = a set of positive integer factors of 24

L = a set of positive integer factors of 30

\displaystyle J, \displaystyle K, and \displaystyle L represent three sets of numbers. What is the set of numbers that belongs in \displaystyle K but not in \displaystyle J or \displaystyle L?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \begin{Bmatrix} 6,12,24 \end{Bmatrix}

\displaystyle \begin{Bmatrix} 3,4,12 \end{Bmatrix}

\displaystyle \begin{Bmatrix} 3,8 \end{Bmatrix}

\displaystyle \begin{Bmatrix} 6,8,24 \end{Bmatrix}

\displaystyle \begin{Bmatrix} 12,24 \end{Bmatrix}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \begin{Bmatrix} 12,24 \end{Bmatrix}

Explanation:

This problem is asking for the factors of 24 that are NOT also factors of 16 OR 30. Thus, the quickest way to solve this problem is to just list all the factors of 16, 24, and 30, and solve.  Those factors are:

16: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16

24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24

30: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30

As you can see you can knock out 1 (16 & 30), 2 (16 & 30), 3 (30),  4 (16), 6 (30) and 8 (16) as factors of 24 that are in common with 16 & 30. This leaves only 12 and 24, which is the solution.

Example Question #2 : How To Find A Solution Set

If \displaystyle k^{2} - 24 = 57, what is the solution set for \displaystyle k?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle K=-9,3

\displaystyle K=-9,0

\displaystyle K=-9,3

\displaystyle K=-9,9

\displaystyle K=9,0

Correct answer:

\displaystyle K=-9,9

Explanation:

To find the solution set, you must solve the equation; in this case, solving the equation means isolating \displaystyle k on one side of the equation, and the numbers on the other side of the equation.  

That is done like this:

\displaystyle k^{2} - 24 = 56

\displaystyle k^{2} = 81

\displaystyle k = \pm 9

K = -9 or 9 because either number is the square root of 81. To see that that's true, square both numbers.  \displaystyle -9 \times-9 = 81 and \displaystyle 9 \times9=81

This is very important to remember: whenever you're isolating a variable by taking the square root of a squared number, the answer can be a positive OR negative value, as long as they share an absolute value!

Example Question #3 : How To Find A Solution Set

Which of the following is true of the solution set of the equation \displaystyle x^{4} +2,000x^{2}+ 1,000,000 = 0 ?

Possible Answers:

The solution set comprises two imaginary numbers.

The solution set comprises four imaginary numbers.

The solution set comprises two imaginary numbers and two irrational numbers.

The solution set comprises two imaginary numbers and two rational numbers.

The solution set comprises two irrational numbers.

Correct answer:

The solution set comprises two imaginary numbers.

Explanation:

The perfect square trinomial in the equation can be factored to yield an equivalent equation as follows:

\displaystyle x^{4} +2,000x^{2}+ 1,000,000 = 0

\displaystyle \left (x^{2} \right )^{2}+2 \cdot x^{2}\cdot 1,000+ 1, 000^{2} = 0

\displaystyle \left (x^{2} +1,000 \right ) ^{2}= 0

\displaystyle x^{2} +1,000 = 0

\displaystyle x^{2} = -1,000

\displaystyle x = \pm \sqrt{-1,000}

Therefore, there are exactly two solutions to the equation, both imaginary.

Example Question #22 : Equations / Solution Sets

Which of the following is true of the solution set of the equation \displaystyle 4x^{2} + 7x - 5 = x^{2} + 2x - 10 ?

Possible Answers:

The solution set comprises two irrational numbers.

The solution set comprises two imaginary numbers.

The solution set comprises one rational number.

The solution set comprises two rational numbers.

The solution set comprises one irrational number.

Correct answer:

The solution set comprises two imaginary numbers.

Explanation:

First, since the equation is quadratic, put it in standard form 

\displaystyle ax^{2} + bx + c = 0

as follows:

\displaystyle 4x^{2} + 7x - 5 = x^{2} + 2x - 10

\displaystyle 4x^{2} + 7x - 5 - x^{2} - 2x + 10 = x^{2} + 2x - 10 - x^{2} - 2x + 10

\displaystyle 3x^{2} +5x +5 = 0

To determine the nature of the solution set, evaluate discriminant \displaystyle b^{2}- 4ac for \displaystyle a = 3, b= 5, c=5:

\displaystyle b^{2}- 4ac

\displaystyle = 5^{2}- 4 (3)(5)

\displaystyle = 25- 60

\displaystyle = -35

The discriminant is negative, so the solution set comprises two imaginary numbers.

Example Question #272 : Equations / Inequalities

\displaystyle 3x + y = 8

\displaystyle 2x + 4y = 12

Solve the system for \displaystyle x and \displaystyle y.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle x = 2, y = 2

\displaystyle x = -4, y = 20

\displaystyle x = 2, y = 0

\displaystyle x = 10, y = -2

\displaystyle x = 3, y = -1

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x = 2, y = 2

Explanation:

The most simple method for solving systems of equations is to transform one of the equations so it allows for the canceling out of a variable. In this case, we can multiply \displaystyle 3x + y = 8 by \displaystyle (-4) to get \displaystyle -12x - 4y = -32.

 Then, we can add \displaystyle 2x + 4y = 12 to this equation to yield \displaystyle -10x = -20, so \displaystyle x = 2.

We can plug that value into either of the original equations; for example, \displaystyle 3(2) )+ y = 8.

So, \displaystyle y = 2 as well.

Example Question #201 : Grade 8

What is the solution to the following system of equations:

\displaystyle 3x+5y = 15

\displaystyle 3x+3y = 15

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle x=3,y=2

\displaystyle x = 5, y = 0

\displaystyle x=2,y=\frac{13}{4}

\displaystyle x=3,y=\frac{6}{5}

\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{3},y=3

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x = 5, y = 0

Explanation:

By solving one equation for \displaystyle y, and replacing \displaystyle y in the other equation with that expression, you generate an equation of only 1 variable which can be readily solved.

Example Question #113 : Algebra

Jeff, the barista at Moonbucks Coffee, is having a problem. He needs to make fifty pounds of Premium Blend coffee by mixing together some Kona beans, which cost $24 per pound, with some Ethiopian Delight beans, which cost $10 per pound. The Premium Blend coffee will cost $14.20 per pound. Also, the coffee will sell for the same price mixed as it would separately.

How many pounds of Kona beans will be in the mixture?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 5

\displaystyle 25

\displaystyle 20

\displaystyle 15

\displaystyle 10

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 15

Explanation:

The number of pounds of coffee beans totals 50, so one of the equations would be

\displaystyle x + y = 50.

The total price of the Kona beans, is its unit price, $24 per pound, multiplied by its quantity, \displaystyle x pounds. This is \displaystyle 24x dollars. Similarly, the total price of the Ethiopian delight beans is \displaystyle 10y dollars, and the price of the mixture is \displaystyle 14.20 \times 50 = 710 dollars. Add the prices of the Kona and Ethiopian Delight beans to get the price of the mixture:

\displaystyle 24x + 10 y = 710

 

We are trying to solve for \displaystyle x in the system

\displaystyle 24x + 10 y = 710

\displaystyle x + y = 50

Multiply the second equation by \displaystyle -10, then add to the first:

 

    \displaystyle 24x + 10 y = 710

\displaystyle \underline{-10x -10 y = -500}

\displaystyle 14x                  \displaystyle = 210

\displaystyle x = 210 \div 14

\displaystyle x = 15

 

The mixture includes 15 pounds of Kona beans.

 

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Solution For A System Of Equations

If \displaystyle 3x-y=1 and \displaystyle 2x+2y=14, what is the value of \displaystyle x+y?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 10.5

\displaystyle 7

\displaystyle 2

\displaystyle 9

\displaystyle 5.5

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 7

Explanation:

To solve this problem, you must first solve the system of equations for both \displaystyle x and \displaystyle y, then plug the values of \displaystyle x and \displaystyle y into the final equation.  

In order to solve a system of equations, you must add the equations in a way that gets rid of one of the variables so you can solve for one variable, then for the other. One example of how to do so is as follows:

Take the equations. Multiply the first equation by two so that there is \displaystyle -2y (this will cancel out the \displaystyle 2y in the second equation).

   \displaystyle (3x-y=1) \times2 = 6x-2y=2

Add the equations:

\displaystyle 6x-2y=2

\displaystyle 2x+2y=14

Find the sum (notice that the variable \displaystyle y has disappeared entirely):

\displaystyle 8x=16

Solve for \displaystyle x.

\displaystyle x = 2

Plug this value of \displaystyle x back into one of the original equations to solve for \displaystyle y:

\displaystyle 3(2)-y=1

\displaystyle 6-y=1

\displaystyle y=5

Now, plug the values of \displaystyle x and \displaystyle y into the final expression:

\displaystyle 2+5 = 7

The answer is \displaystyle 7

 

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Solution For A System Of Equations

Solve for \displaystyle x.

\displaystyle 4x+3y=6

\displaystyle 2x+2y=4

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle x=2

\displaystyle x>0

\displaystyle x=0

\displaystyle x=\frac{3}{4}

\displaystyle x=-2

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x=0

Explanation:

\displaystyle 4x+3y=6

\displaystyle 2x+2y=4

For the second equation, solve for \displaystyle x in terms of \displaystyle y.

\displaystyle 4-2x=2y

\displaystyle y=2-x

Plug this value of y into the first equation.

\displaystyle 4x+3(2-x)=6

\displaystyle 4x + 6- 3x =6

\displaystyle x=0

Example Question #32 : Solving Equations

Solve for \displaystyle (x, y) in the system of equations:

\displaystyle y = 3x + 4

\displaystyle 2x + 3y = 34

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle (3, 13)

\displaystyle (4, 16)

\displaystyle (2, 10)

The system has no solution

\displaystyle (5, 19)

Correct answer:

\displaystyle (2, 10)

Explanation:

In the second equation, you can substitute \displaystyle 3x + 4 for \displaystyle y from the first.

\displaystyle 2x + 3y = 34

\displaystyle 2x + 3 (3x + 4) = 34

\displaystyle 2x + 3 (3x) + 3 (4) = 34

\displaystyle 2x + 9x + 12 = 34

\displaystyle 11x + 12 = 34

\displaystyle 11x = 22

\displaystyle x = 2

Now, substitute 2 for \displaystyle x in the first equation:

\displaystyle y = 3x + 4

\displaystyle y = 3 (2) + 4

\displaystyle y = 6 + 4 

\displaystyle y = 10

The solution is \displaystyle (2, 10)

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