All PSAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Integers
What property of arithmetic is demonstrated here?
If and , then .
Transitive
Associative
Commutative
Symmetric
Inverse
Transitive
The symbols express the idea that if a number is less than a second number, which is less than a third, then the first number is less than the third. This is the transitive property of inequality.
Example Question #1 : Graphing An Inequality With A Number Line
On a real number line, x1 = -4 and x2 = 14. What is the distance between these two points?
-18
10
4
18
18
The distance between two points is always positive. We calculate lx2 - x1l, which will give us the distance between the points.
|14- (-4)| = |14+4| = |18| = 18
Example Question #2 : Integers
Which of the following is a graph for the values of defined by the inequality stated above?
To begin, you must simplify so that you "isolate" , (i.e. at least eliminate any coefficients from it). To do this, divide all of the members of the inequality by :
Now, this inequality represents all of the numbers between 13 and 32. However, it does include (hence, getting a closed circle for that value) and does not include (hence, getting an open circle for that value). Therefore, it looks like:
Example Question #1 : Number Line
Which of the following inequalities is represented by the number line shown above?
Since the inequality represents one range of values between two end points (both of which are included, given the sign being "less than or equal"), you know that whatever you answer, it must be convertible to the form:
Now, you know that it is impossible to get this out of the choices that have no absolute values involved in them. Therefore, the only options that make sense are the two having absolute values; however, here you should choose only the ones that have a , for only that will yield a range like this. Thus, we can try both of our options.
The wrong answer is simplified in this manner:
And you can stop right here, for you know you will never have for the left terminus.
The other option is simplified in this manner:
This is just what you need!
Example Question #2 : Number Line
Which of the following is a graph for the values of defined by the inequality stated above?
Begin by solving for :
Now, this is represented by drawing an open circle at 6 and graphing upward to infinity:
Example Question #1581 : Sat Mathematics
If the tick marks are equally spaced on the number line above, what is the average (arithmetic mean) of x, y, and z?
7
6
5
8
4
6
First, we must find out by how much they are spaced by. It cannot be 1, since 4(4) = 16, which is too great of a step in the positive direction and exceeds the equal-spacing limit. 2 works perfectly, however, as 4(2) equals 8 and fits in line with the equal spacing.
Next, we can find the values of x and y since we are given a value of 6 for the third tick mark. As such, x (6 – 4) and y (6 – 2) are 2 and 4, respectively.
Finally, z is 4 steps away from y, and since each step has a value of 2, 2(4) = 8, plus the value that y is already at, 8 + 4 = 12 (or can simply count).
Finding the average of all 3 values, we get (2 + 4 + 12)/3 = 18/3 = 6.
Example Question #2 : How To Find Value With A Number Line
How many numbers 1 to 250 inclusive are cubes of integers?
The cubes of integers from 1 to 250 are 1, 8, 27,64,125,216.
Example Question #3 : How To Find Value With A Number Line
Refer to the above number line. Which of the points is most likely the location of the number ?
, so
Therefore,
On the number line, appears between 0.3 and 0.4 and is the correct choice.
Example Question #1 : How To Add Negative Numbers
How many elements of the set are less than ?
One
Four
Two
None
Three
Four
The absolute value of a negative number can be calculated by simply removing the negative symbol. Therefore,
All four (negative) numbers in the set are less than this positive number.
Example Question #1 : How To Add Negative Numbers
a, b, c are integers.
abc < 0
ab > 0
bc > 0
Which of the following must be true?
ac < 0
b > 0
a > 0
a – b > 0
a + b < 0
a + b < 0
Let's reductively consider what this data tells us.
Consider each group (a,b,c) as a group of signs.
From abc < 0, we know that the following are possible:
(–, +, +), (+, –, +), (+, +, –), (–, –, –)
From ab > 0, we know that we must eliminate (–, +, +) and (+, –, +)
From bc > 0, we know that we must eliminate (+, +, –)
Therefore, any of our answers must hold for (–, –, –)
This eliminates immediately a > 0, b > 0
Likewise, it eliminates a – b > 0 because we do not know the relative sizes of a and b. This could therefore be positive or negative.
Finally, ac is a product of negatives and is therefore positive. Hence ac < 0 does not hold.
We are left with a + b < 0, which is true, for two negatives added must be negative.