PSAT Math : Arithmetic

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Add Decimals

If Johnny buys two comic books, priced at $1.50 each, and a candy bar, priced at $0.75, he'll have three quarters and two dimes left over.  How much money does he have right now?

Possible Answers:

$3.20

$5.10

$3.75

$4.35

$4.70

Correct answer:

$4.70

Explanation:

Add what he can purchase to what he has left over:

Two comic books and the candy bar: $1.50 + $1.0 + $0.75 = $3.75

Three quarters and two dimes: $0.75 + $0.20 = $0.95

Therefore his total amount of money is $3.75 + $0.95 = $4.70.

Example Question #1 : How To Add Decimals

Possible Answers:

2.0

.57

.47

.2

.37

Correct answer:

.47

Explanation:

.3 can be written as .30. Now we can add the two more easily:

    

__________

    

 

Example Question #2 : How To Add Decimals

Menu

Above is the menu at a coffee shop.

Delia has a coupon that entitles her to a free butter croissant with the purchase of one large drink of any kind. The coupon says "limit one per coupon".

She decides to purchase two small espressos, two small cappucinos, and four butter croissants. Disregarding tax, how much will Delia spend?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Delia will not use the coupon, since all four of her drinks are small. She will pay full price for:

Two small espressos: 

Two small cappucinos: 

Four butter croissants: 

The total price: 

Example Question #2 : How To Add Decimals

Find the sum.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #3 : How To Add Decimals

Find the sum.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #1 : How To Order Decimals From Least To Greatest Or From Greatest To Least

Order the following decimals in order from least to greatest:

2.1, 6.9, 4.8, 5.2, 8.5

Possible Answers:

8.5, 6.9, 5.2, 4.8, 2.1

2.1, 5.2, 8.5, 4.8, 6.9

2.1, 4.8, 5.2, 6.9, 8.5

6.9, 4.8, 8.5, 5.2, 2.1

Correct answer:

2.1, 4.8, 5.2, 6.9, 8.5

Explanation:

Look at the ones place first, ignoring the decimal. The order from greatest to least is 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8. Because none of the numbers in the ones place are the same, it doesn't matter what the decimal will be on these numbers- the order will remain the same. The order is 2.1, 4.8, 5.2, 6.9, 8.5.

Example Question #1 : How To Order Decimals From Least To Greatest Or From Greatest To Least

In the number 5,783.2935, what is the digit in the hundredths place?

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} 7

\dpi{100} 3

\dpi{100} 8

\dpi{100} 9

\dpi{100} 5

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} 9

Explanation:

The digit in the hundredths place is the one two decimal places to the right of the decimal. That digit is 9. Do not confuse the hundredths with the hundreds place, which is three spaces to the left of the decimal.

The answer is 9.

Example Question #1 : How To Order Decimals From Least To Greatest Or From Greatest To Least

Which of these decimals are the greatest?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

look at the first decimal place; 0.2 and 0.201 are the largest.

0.2 = 0.200 and 0.201 > 0.200

0.201 is the greatest given decimal.

Example Question #2 : How To Order Decimals From Least To Greatest Or From Greatest To Least

Which of the following is the greatest in value?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Turn the fractions into decimals to easily compare them. You can do this quickly on your calculator.

\dpi{100} \small \frac{8}{3} is approximately 2.667, so this is the largest number.

Example Question #2 : How To Order Decimals From Least To Greatest Or From Greatest To Least

Which of these decimals has the least value?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Trailing zeros at the end of a decimal do not increase or decrease the value of a given decimal. However, zeros that appear after the decimal point and precede a non-zero number decrease the value of the number.

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