PSAT Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

For this question, the following trigonometric identities apply:

,

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To begin a problem like this, you must first convert everything to  and  alone. This way, you can begin to cancel and combine to its most simplified form.

Since  and , we insert those identities into the equation as follows.

From here we combine the numerator and denominators of each fraction together to easily see what we can combine and cancel.

Since there is a  in the numerator and the denominator, we can cancel them as they divide to equal 1. All we have left is , the answer. 

Example Question #3 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

If 3x = 12, y/4 = 10, and 4z = 9, what is the value of (10xyz)/xy?

Possible Answers:

1/2

10

360

160

22 1/2

Correct answer:

22 1/2

Explanation:

Solve for the variables, the plug into formula.

x = 12/3 = 4

y = 10 * 4 = 40

z= 9/4 = 2 1/4

10xyz = 3600

Xy = 160

3600/160 = 22 1/2

Example Question #4 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

If  , , and , find the value of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to solve , we must first find the values of , and  using the initial equations provided. Starting with :

Then:

 

Finally:

 

With the values of , and  in hand, we can solve the final equation:

 

Example Question #5 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

If    and , then which of the following is equal to 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to solve , first substitute the values of  and  provided in the problem:

Find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the fractional terms in the denominator and find the equivalent fractions with the same common denominator:

Finally, in order to divide by a fraction, we must multiply by the reciprocal of the fraction:

 

Example Question #6 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

Find the value of  if  and .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to solve for , first substitute  into the equation for :

 

Then, find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the two fractions and generate equivalent fractions with the same denominator:

Finally, simplify the equation:

Example Question #1 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

\frac{7^{12}-7^{10}}{7^{11}-7^{9}}=

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Factor out 7 from the numerator: \frac{7(7^{11}-7^{9})}{7^{11}-7^{9}}

This simplifies to 7.

Example Question #11 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

If  pizzas cost  dollars and  sodas cost  dollars, what is the cost of  pizzas and  sodas in terms of  and ?

Possible Answers:

5x+\frac{3y}{15}

\frac{3x+5y}{15}

Correct answer:

\frac{3x+5y}{15}

Explanation:

If 10 pizzas cost x dollars, then each pizza costs x/10. Similarly, each soda costs y/6. We can add the pizzas and sodas together by finding a common denominator:

 

Example Question #12 : How To Evaluate A Fraction

Gre9

According the pie chart, the degree measure of the sector representing the number of workers spending 5 to 9 years in the same role is how much greater in the construction industry chart than in the financial industry chart?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the values in the pie charts are currently in terms of percentages (/100), we must convert them to degrees (/360, since within a circle) to solve the question. The "5 to 9 years" portion for the financial and construction industries are 18 and 25 percent, respectively. As such, we can cross-multiply both:

18/100 = x/360 

x = 65 degrees

25/100 = y/360

y = 90 degrees

Subtract: 90 – 65 = 25 degrees

Alternatively, we could first subtract the percentages (25 – 18 = 7), then convert the 7% to degree form via the same method of cross-multiplication.

Example Question #871 : Algebra

6 contestants have an equal chance of winning a game.  One contestant is disqualified, so now the 5 remaining contestants again have an equal chance of winning.  How much more likely is a contestant to win after the disqualification?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When there are 6 people playing, each contestant has a 1/6 chance of winning.  After the disqualification, the remaining contestants have a 1/5 chance of winning.

1/5 – 1/6 = 6/30 – 5/30 = 1/30.

Example Question #872 : Algebra

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Begin by simplifying the numerator.

 has a common denominator of .  Therefore, we can rewrite it as:

Now, in our original problem this is really is:

When you divide by a fraction, you really multiply by the reciprocal:

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