PSAT Math : PSAT Mathematics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #352 : Algebra

The value of \(\displaystyle y\) varies directly with the square of \(\displaystyle x\)and the cube of \(\displaystyle z\). If \(\displaystyle y=24\) when \(\displaystyle x=1\) and \(\displaystyle z=2\), then what is the value of \(\displaystyle y\) when \(\displaystyle x=3\) and \(\displaystyle z=1\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 48\)

\(\displaystyle 24\)

\(\displaystyle 27\)

\(\displaystyle 9\)

\(\displaystyle 81\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 27\)

Explanation:

Let's consider the general case when y varies directly with x. If y varies directly with x, then we can express their relationship to one another using the following formula:

y = kx, where k is a constant.

Therefore, if y varies directly as the square of x and the cube of z, we can write the following analagous equation:

y = kx2z3, where k is a constant.

The problem states that y = 24 when x = 1 and z = 2. We can use this information to solve for k by substituting the known values for y, x, and z.

24 = k(1)2(2)3 = k(1)(8) = 8k

24 = 8k

Divide both sides by 8.

3 = k

k = 3

Now that we have k, we can find y if we know x and z. The problem asks us to find y when x = 3 and z = 1. We will use our formula for direct variation again, this time substitute values for k, x, and z.

y = kx2z3

y = 3(3)2(1)3 = 3(9)(1) = 27

y = 27

The answer is 27. 

Example Question #3 : Direct And Inverse Variation

In a growth period, a population of flies triples every week. If the original population had 3 flies, how big is the population after 4 weeks?

Possible Answers:

2187\(\displaystyle 2187\)

81\(\displaystyle 81\)

729\(\displaystyle 729\)

243\(\displaystyle 243\)

27\(\displaystyle 27\)

Correct answer:

243\(\displaystyle 243\)

Explanation:

We know that the initial population is 3, and that every week the population will triple.

The equation to model this growth will be \(\displaystyle i(r)^n\), where \(\displaystyle i\) is the initial size, \(\displaystyle r\) is the rate of growth, and \(\displaystyle n\) is the time.

In this case, the equation will be \(\displaystyle 3(3)^4\).

\(\displaystyle 3(3)^4=3(81)=243\)

Alternatively, you can evaluate for each consecutive week.

Week 1: \(\displaystyle 3(3)=9\)

Week 2: \(\displaystyle 3(9)=27\)

Week 3: \(\displaystyle 3(27)=81\)

Week 4: \(\displaystyle 3(81)=243\)

Example Question #63 : Variables

\(\displaystyle L\) varies directly as \(\displaystyle A\) and inversely as \(\displaystyle V\)\(\displaystyle A = 6s^{2}\) and \(\displaystyle V= s^{3}\). Assuming that no other variables affect \(\displaystyle L\), which statement is true of \(\displaystyle L\) concerning its relationship to \(\displaystyle s\) ?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle L\) varies directly as the fifth power of \(\displaystyle s\).

\(\displaystyle L\) varies inversely as the fifth power of \(\displaystyle s\).

None of the other statements are correct.

\(\displaystyle L\) varies inversely as \(\displaystyle s\).

\(\displaystyle L\) varies directly as \(\displaystyle s\).

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle L\) varies inversely as \(\displaystyle s\).

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle L\) varies directly as \(\displaystyle A\) and inversely as \(\displaystyle V\), meaning that for some constant of variation \(\displaystyle K\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{LV}{A}= K\).

Setting \(\displaystyle A = 6s^{2}\) and \(\displaystyle V= s^{3}\), the formula becomes

\(\displaystyle \frac{Ls^{3}}{6s^{2}}= K\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{Ls }{6 }= K\)

\(\displaystyle Ls= 6K\)

Setting \(\displaystyle K' = 6K\) as the new constant of variation, the variation equation becomes

\(\displaystyle Ls= K'\),

so \(\displaystyle L\) varies inversely as \(\displaystyle s\).

Example Question #2 : Direct And Inverse Variation

\(\displaystyle x\) varies directly as both \(\displaystyle y\) and the cube of \(\displaystyle z\). Which statement is true of \(\displaystyle z\) concerning its relationship to \(\displaystyle y\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the cube root of \(\displaystyle y\).

None of the other statements is true.

\(\displaystyle z\) varies directly as the cube of \(\displaystyle y\).

\(\displaystyle z\) varies directly as the cube root of \(\displaystyle y\).

\(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the cube of \(\displaystyle y\).

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the cube root of \(\displaystyle y\).

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle x\) varies directly as both \(\displaystyle y\) and the cube of \(\displaystyle z\), meaning that for some constant of variation \(\displaystyle K\),

\(\displaystyle \frac{x}{yz^{3}} = K\).

Take the reciprocal of both sides, and the equation becomes

\(\displaystyle \frac{yz^{3}}{x} =\frac{1}{ K}\)

Take the cube root of both sides, and the equation becomes

\(\displaystyle \frac{z\sqrt[3]{y}}{\sqrt[3]{x}} = \sqrt[3]{\frac{1}{ K}}\)

\(\displaystyle K' = \sqrt[3]{\frac{1}{ K}}\) takes the role of the new constant of variation here, and we now have

\(\displaystyle \frac{z\sqrt[3]{y}}{\sqrt[3]{x}} =K'\)

so \(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the cube root of \(\displaystyle y\).

Example Question #4 : Direct And Inverse Variation

The square of \(\displaystyle x\) varies inversely with the cube of \(\displaystyle y\). If \(\displaystyle x=8\) when \(\displaystyle y=8\), then what is the value of \(\displaystyle y\) when \(\displaystyle x=1\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 64\)

\(\displaystyle 32\)

\(\displaystyle 8^5\)

\(\displaystyle 2^{15}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 32\)

Explanation:

When two quantities vary inversely, their products are always equal to a constant, which we can call k. If the square of x and the cube of y vary inversely, this means that the product of the square of x and the cube of y will equal k. We can represent the square of x as x2 and the cube of y as y3. Now, we can write the equation for inverse variation.

x2y3 = k

We are told that when x = 8, y = 8. We can substitute these values into our equation for inverse variation and then solve for k.

82(83) = k

k = 82(83)

Because this will probably be a large number, it might help just to keep it in exponent form. Let's apply the property of exponents which says that abac = ab+c.

k = 82(83) = 82+3 = 85.

Next, we must find the value of y when x = 1. Let's use our equation for inverse variation equation, substituting 85 in for k.

x2y3 = 85

(1)2y3 = 85

y3 = 85

In order to solve this, we will have to take a cube root. Thus, it will help to rewrite 8 as the cube of 2, or 23.

y3 = (23)5

We can now apply the property of exponents that states that (ab)c = abc.

y3 = 23•5 = 215 

In order to get y by itself, we will have the raise each side of the equation to the 1/3 power.

(y3)(1/3) = (215)(1/3)

Once again, let's apply the property (ab)c = abc.

y(3 • 1/3) = 2(15 • 1/3)

y = 25 = 32

The answer is 32. 

Example Question #71 : Algebra

\(\displaystyle x\) varies inversely as both the square of \(\displaystyle y\) and the square root of \(\displaystyle z\). Assuming that \(\displaystyle x\) does not depend on any other variable, which statement is true of \(\displaystyle z\) concerning its relationship to \(\displaystyle y\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle z\) varies directly as the fourth power of \(\displaystyle y\).

\(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as \(\displaystyle y\).

\(\displaystyle z\) varies directly as the fourth root of \(\displaystyle y\).

\(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the fourth power of \(\displaystyle y\).

\(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the fourth root of \(\displaystyle y\).

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the fourth power of \(\displaystyle y\).

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle x\) varies inversely as both the square of \(\displaystyle y\) and the square root of \(\displaystyle z\), meaning that for some constant of variation \(\displaystyle K\),

\(\displaystyle xy^{2}\sqrt{z}= K\).

Square both sides, and the expression becomes

\(\displaystyle x^{2}y^{4}z= K^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle K'= K^{2}\)  takes the role of the new constant of variation here, and we now have

\(\displaystyle zx^{2}y^{4} = K'\),

meaning that \(\displaystyle z\) varies inversely as the fourth power of \(\displaystyle y\).

Example Question #1 : Direct And Inverse Variation

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies directly as the square of \(\displaystyle A\) and inversely as \(\displaystyle V\)\(\displaystyle A= 4 \pi r^{2}\) and \(\displaystyle V = \frac{4}{3} \pi r^{3}\). Assuming that \(\displaystyle Q\) does not depend on any other variables, which of the following gives the variation relationship of \(\displaystyle r\) to \(\displaystyle Q\) ?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies inversely as the seventh power of \(\displaystyle r\).

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies inversely as \(\displaystyle r\).

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies directly as the fourth power of \(\displaystyle r\).

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies inversely as the fourth power of \(\displaystyle r\).

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies directly as \(\displaystyle r\).

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies directly as \(\displaystyle r\).

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle Q\) varies directly as the square of \(\displaystyle A\) and inversely as \(\displaystyle V\); therefore, for some constant of variation \(\displaystyle K\),

\(\displaystyle \frac{QV }{A^{2}} = K\)

Setting \(\displaystyle A= 4 \pi r^{2}\) and \(\displaystyle V = \frac{4}{3} \pi r^{3}\), the formula becomes 

\(\displaystyle \frac{Q \left ( \frac{4}{3}\pi r^{3} \right ) }{(4\pi r^{2})^{2}} = K\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{Q \left ( \frac{4}{3}\pi r^{3} \right ) }{(16\pi^{2} r^{4})} = K\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{Q }{12\pi r } = K\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{Q }{r } = 12 \pi K\)

Setting \(\displaystyle K' = 12 \pi K\) as the new constant of variation, we have a new variation equation

\(\displaystyle \frac{Q }{r } =K'\),

meaning that \(\displaystyle Q\) varies directly as \(\displaystyle r\).

 

Example Question #71 : Algebra

If you have a rectangle with a width of \(\displaystyle 3n\) and a length of \(\displaystyle 7n-3y +2\), what is the area of the rectangle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 56n^{2}-27ny+18n\)

\(\displaystyle 21n-9y^{2}+6\)

\(\displaystyle 21ny-9ny+2ny\)

\(\displaystyle 21n^{2}-9ny+6n\)

\(\displaystyle 14ny^{3}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 21n^{2}-9ny+6n\)

Explanation:

To find the area of a rectangle, multiply the length times the width.  Therefore, you must multiply \(\displaystyle 3n\) times \(\displaystyle 7n-3y +2\).  To do that, you must multiply the monomial times each part of the trinomial, like so:

\(\displaystyle 7n(3n)-3y(3n) +2(3n)\)

\(\displaystyle 21n^2-9ny+6n\)

 

Example Question #721 : Psat Mathematics

Find the product:

\(\displaystyle 6x^3y^5(3x^2z^4+x^3y+7y)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 18x^6y^5z^4+6x^9y^5+42x^3y^5\)

\(\displaystyle 18x^5y^5z^4 + 6x^6y^6+42x^3y^6\)

\(\displaystyle 6x^3y^5z^4+6x^3y^5+7y^6\)

\(\displaystyle 9x^5y^6+6x^3y^6+7\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 18x^5y^5z^4 + 6x^6y^6+42x^3y^6\)

Explanation:

Use the distributive property:

\(\displaystyle 6x^3y^5(3x^2z^4+x^3y+7y)\)

\(\displaystyle (6x^3y^5)(3x^2z^4)+(6x^3y^5)(x^3y)+(6x^3y^5)(7y)\)

Simplify: don't forget to use the rules of multiplying exponents (add them)

\(\displaystyle 18x^5y^5z^4 + 6x^6y^6+42x^3y^6\)

Example Question #722 : Psat Mathematics

Find the product:

\(\displaystyle 4a^2(ab^2+a^2b+ac^3)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4a^3b^2+4a^4b+4a^3b^3\)

\(\displaystyle 4a^2b^2+4a^4b+4a^2b^3\)

\(\displaystyle 4ab^3+4a^2b^3+4ac\)

\(\displaystyle 8a^2b^2+4a^4b\)

\(\displaystyle 4a^2b^3+4ab\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4a^3b^2+4a^4b+4a^3b^3\)

Explanation:

Find the product:

\(\displaystyle 4a^2(ab^2+a^2b+ac^3)\)

Use the distributive property:

\(\displaystyle (4a^2\cdot ab^2)+(4a^2\cdot a^2b)+(4a^2\cdot ac^3)\)

When multiplying variables with exponents, add the exponents:

\(\displaystyle 4a^3b^2+4a^4b+4a^3c^3\)

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