PSAT Math : Arithmetic

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Integers

What property of arithmetic is demonstrated here?

If  and , then .

Possible Answers:

Transitive

Associative

Commutative

Symmetric 

Inverse

Correct answer:

Transitive

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

-18

10

4

18

Correct answer:

18

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Ineq21

Ineq23

Ineq22

Ineq24

Ineq25

Correct answer:

Ineq21

Explanation:

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:

Ineq21

Example Question #1 : Number Line

Ineq3

Which of the following inequalities is represented by the number line shown above?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Ineq12

Ineq11

Ineq14

Ineq13

Ineq15

Correct answer:

Ineq11

Explanation:

Begin by solving for :

Now, this is represented by drawing an open circle at 6 and graphing upward to infinity:

Ineq11

Example Question #1581 : Sat Mathematics

Gre12

If the tick marks are equally spaced on the number line above, what is the average (arithmetic mean) of x, y, and z?

Possible Answers:

7

6

5

8

4

Correct answer:

6

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

8

5

7

4

6

Correct answer:

6

Explanation:

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

Numberline_1

Refer to the above number line. Which of the points is most likely the location of the number  ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, 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  ?

Possible Answers:

One

Four

Two

None

Three

Correct answer:

Four

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

ac < 0

b > 0

a > 0

a – b > 0

a + b < 0

Correct answer:

a + b < 0

Explanation:

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.

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