PSAT Math : PSAT Mathematics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Expressions

Simplify the expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To add rational expressions, first find the least common denominator. Because the denominator of the first fraction factors to 2(x+2), it is clear that this is the common denominator. Therefore, multiply the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 2.

This is the most simplified version of the rational expression.

 

Example Question #1 : How To Evaluate Rational Expressions

If √(ab) = 8, and a= b, what is a?

Possible Answers:

64

16

4

2

10

Correct answer:

4

Explanation:

If we plug in a2 for b in the radical expression, we get √(a3) = 8. This can be rewritten as a3/2 = 8. Thus, loga 8 = 3/2. Plugging in the answer choices gives 4 as the correct answer. 

Example Question #2 : Expressions

Function_part1

 

Possible Answers:

–11/5

37/15

–37/15

9/5

–9/5

Correct answer:

–11/5

Explanation:

Fraction_part2

Fraction_part3

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Rational Expressions With Different Denominators

Simplify.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Determine an LCD (Least Common Denominator) between  and .

LCD = 

Multiply the top and bottom of the first rational expression by , so that the denominator will be .

Distribute the  to .

Now you can subtract because both rational expressions have the same denominators.

Final Answer. 

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Rational Expressions

Which of the following is equivalent to \dpi{100} \frac{(\frac{1}{t}-\frac{1}{x})}{x-t} ? Assume that denominators are always nonzero.

Possible Answers:

(xt)^{-1}

\frac{x}{t}

x^{2}-t^{2}

x-t

t-x

Correct answer:

(xt)^{-1}

Explanation:

We will need to simplify the expression \frac{(\frac{1}{t}-\frac{1}{x})}{x-t}. We can think of this as a large fraction with a numerator of \frac{1}{t}-\frac{1}{x} and a denominator of \dpi{100} x-t.

In order to simplify the numerator, we will need to combine the two fractions. When adding or subtracting fractions, we must have a common denominator. \frac{1}{t} has a denominator of \dpi{100} t, and \dpi{100} -\frac{1}{x} has a denominator of \dpi{100} x. The least common denominator that these two fractions have in common is \dpi{100} xt. Thus, we are going to write equivalent fractions with denominators of \dpi{100} xt.

In order to convert the fraction \dpi{100} \frac{1}{t} to a denominator with \dpi{100} xt, we will need to multiply the top and bottom by \dpi{100} x.

\frac{1}{t}=\frac{1\cdot x}{t\cdot x}=\frac{x}{xt}

Similarly, we will multiply the top and bottom of \dpi{100} -\frac{1}{x} by \dpi{100} t.

\frac{1}{x}=\frac{1\cdot t}{x\cdot t}=\frac{t}{xt}

We can now rewrite \frac{1}{t}-\frac{1}{x} as follows:

\frac{1}{t}-\frac{1}{x} = \frac{x}{xt}-\frac{t}{xt}=\frac{x-t}{xt}

Let's go back to the original fraction \frac{(\frac{1}{t}-\frac{1}{x})}{x-t}. We will now rewrite the numerator:

\frac{(\frac{1}{t}-\frac{1}{x})}{x-t} = \frac{\frac{x-t}{xt}}{x-t}

To simplify this further, we can think of \frac{\frac{x-t}{xt}}{x-t} as the same as \frac{x-t}{xt}\div (x-t) . When we divide a fraction by another quantity, this is the same as multiplying the fraction by the reciprocal of that quantity. In other words, a\div b=a\cdot \frac{1}{b}.

 

\frac{x-t}{xt}\div (x-t) = \frac{x-t}{xt}\cdot \frac{1}{x-t}=\frac{x-t}{xt(x-t)}= \frac{1}{xt}

Lastly, we will use the property of exponents which states that, in general, \frac{1}{a}=a^{-1}.

\frac{1}{xt}=(xt)^{-1}

The answer is (xt)^{-1}.

Example Question #3 : Expressions

Simplify (4x)/(x– 4) * (x + 2)/(x– 2x)

Possible Answers:

x/(x + 2)

(4x+ 8x)/(x+ 8x)

4/(x – 2)2

x/(x – 2)2

4/(x + 2)2

Correct answer:

4/(x – 2)2

Explanation:

Factor first.  The numerators will not factor, but the first denominator factors to (x – 2)(x + 2) and the second denomintaor factors to x(x – 2).  Multiplying fractions does not require common denominators, so now look for common factors to divide out.  There is a factor of x and a factor of (x + 2) that both divide out, leaving 4 in the numerator and two factors of (x – 2) in the denominator.

Example Question #8 : Expressions

what is 6/8 X 20/3

Possible Answers:
3/20
120/11
9/40
18/160
5
Correct answer: 5
Explanation:

6/8 X 20/3 first step is to reduce 6/8 -> 3/4 (Divide top and bottom by 2)

3/4 X 20/3 (cross-cancel the threes and the 20 reduces to 5 and the 4 reduces to 1)

1/1 X 5/1 = 5

Example Question #1 : How To Add Exponents

If a2 = 35 and b2 = 52 then a4 + b6 = ?

Possible Answers:

522

3929

141,833

150,000

140,608

Correct answer:

141,833

Explanation:

a4 = a2 * a2  and  b6= b2 * b* b2

Therefore a4 + b6 = 35 * 35 + 52 * 52 * 52 = 1,225 + 140,608 = 141,833

Example Question #1 : Exponents

If , what is the value of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since we have two ’s in  we will need to combine the two terms.

For  this can be rewritten as

So we have .

Or 

Divide this by

Thus  or 

*Hint: If you are really unsure, you could have plugged in the numbers and found that the first choice worked in the equation.

Example Question #481 : Algebra

Solve for x. 

2+ 2x+1 = 72

Possible Answers:

3

5

4

6

7

Correct answer:

5

Explanation:

The answer is 5. 

8 + 2x+1 = 72

      2x+1 = 64

      2x+1 = 26

      x + 1 = 6

           x = 5

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