PSAT Math : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations
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Example Questions
Example Question #331 : Algebra
How much pure water should be added to 
Pure water is 0% and pure solution is 100%
So the equation to solve becomes
So we need to add 
Example Question #42 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations
Luke purchased a tractor for $1200. The value of the tractor decreases by 25 percent each year. The value, 
In how many years from the date of purchase will the value of the tractor be $675?
2
1
4
5
3
2
We are looking for the value of t that gives $675 as the result when plugged in V (t ). While there are many ways to do this, one of the fastest is to plug in the answer choices as values of t .
When we plug t = 1 into V (t ), we get V (1) = 1200(0.75)1 = 1000(0.75) = $900, which is incorrect.
When we plug t = 2 into V (t ), we get V (2) = 1200(0.75)2 = $675, so this is our solution.
The value of the tractor will be $675 after 2 years.
Finally, we can see that if t = 3, 4, or 5, the resulting values of the V (t ) are all incorrect.
Example Question #43 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations
Solve for 
First combine like terms. In this case, 4x and 9x can be added together:
13x + 13 = 0
Subtract 13 from both sides:
13x = -13
Divide both sides by 13 to isolate x:
x = -13/13
x = -1
Example Question #42 : Equations / Inequalities
Ben is walking three dogs that weigh an average of 75 pounds each. Ben begins to walk a fourth dog, and the average weight of the dogs decreases to 70 pounds. What is the weight in pounds of the fourth dog?
The total weight of the first three dogs is 225 pounds. This amount, plus the weight of the fourth dog, divided by total number of dogs, is the new average weight:
Example Question #41 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations
Pets Plus makes bird houses. Their monthly fixed expenses are $750. The cost for each bird house is $15. The bird houses sell for $40.
What is the monthly break-even point at Pets Plus?
Let 
The break-even point is where the revenue is the same as the costs:
Solve for 
Therefore, Pets Plus must sell 30 bird houses to break-even.
Example Question #51 : Equations / Inequalities
Pets Plus makes bird houses. Their monthly fixed expenses are $750. The cost for each bird house is $15. The bird houses sell for $40.
If Pets Plus sells 50 bird houses, what is the profit?
Let 
Substituting in 50 for 
Example Question #51 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations
George is three times older than Joey. The sum of their ages is 16. What is the product of their ages?
Let 
Then the equation to solve becomes 
Therefore, Joey is 4 years old and George is 12 years old, so the product of their ages is 48.
Example Question #52 : Equations / Inequalities
Three consecutive even numbers add to 42. What is the middle number?
Let 
Then the equation to solve becomes 
Thus 
Example Question #52 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations
Consider the following equation:
Which of the following must be true?
The quantity inside the absolute value brackets must equal either 
To solve the first equation, add 9 to both sides:
Subtract 
This is the first solution. Now let's look at the second equation. The distributive law gives us:
Add 9 to both sides:
Add 
Divide both sides by 3:
Therefore, 
Statement 
Statement 
Finally, statement 
Example Question #61 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations
What property of arithmetic is demonstrated here?
Transitive
Commutative
Symmetric
Identity
Reflexive
Reflexive
The statement expresses the idea that any number is equal to itself. This is the reflexive property of equality.
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