SSAT Upper Level Math : SSAT Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #181 : Rational Numbers

In a jar of marbles, \(\displaystyle \frac{12}{25}\) of the marbles are red and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\) of the marbles of blue. What fraction of the jar of marbles are red and blue marbles?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{11}{25}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{13}{30}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{17}{25}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{25}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{17}{25}\)

Explanation:

To find out what fraction of the jar are red and blue marbles, add \(\displaystyle \frac{12}{25}\) and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\) together.

First, you need to convert the fractions so that they have the same denominator. Since \(\displaystyle 25\) is a multiple of \(\displaystyle 5\), you only need to change one fraction.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}=\frac{5}{25}\)

Now, add the fractions together.

\(\displaystyle \frac{12}{25}+\frac{1}{5}=\frac{12}{25}+\frac{5}{25}=\frac{17}{25}\)

Example Question #182 : Rational Numbers

Jim baked two batches of cookies. In the first batch, he used \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{13}\) cup of sugar. In his second batch, he used \(\displaystyle \frac{3}{26}\) cups of sugar. In cups, how much sugar did he use in total?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{26}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{26}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{39}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{26}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{26}\)

Explanation:

To find how much sugar he used in total, add \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{13}\) and \(\displaystyle \frac{3}{26}\) together.

 

First, make sure that both fractions have the same denominator before you add them. Since \(\displaystyle 26\) is a multiple of \(\displaystyle 13\), you will need to convert \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{13}\) into \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{26}\) by multiplying both numerator and denominators by \(\displaystyle 2\).

 

Now, add the fractions.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{13}+\frac{3}{26}=\frac{2}{26}+\frac{3}{26}=\frac{5}{26}\)

Example Question #2 : How To Add Fractions

Lucy gave away \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{10}\) of her hair ribbons to Megan and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\) of her hair ribbons to Patrice. What fraction of her hair ribbons did Lucy give away?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{5}\)

Explanation:

You will need to add together \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{10}\) and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\).

Since \(\displaystyle 10\) is a multiple of \(\displaystyle 2\), we can use \(\displaystyle 10\) as the common denominator.

Then, \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}=\frac{5}{10}\)

 

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{10}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{10}+\frac{5}{10}=\frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{5}\)

Example Question #8 : How To Add Fractions

Michael ate \(\displaystyle \frac{5}{8}\) of a cake for breakfast, and then \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{6}\) of the same cake for dinner. How much of the cake did Michael eat?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{11}{24}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{14}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{19}{24}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{7}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{19}{24}\)

Explanation:

To figure out how much cake Michael ate, you will need to add the two fractions given in the question.

First, find the common denominator of both fractions and convert them so that they have that denominator.

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{8}=\frac{15}{24}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{6}=\frac{4}{24}\)

Now, add the fractions.

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{8}+\frac{1}{6}=\frac{15}{24}+\frac{4}{24}=\frac{19}{24}\)

Example Question #182 : Fractions

On a certain game show, the audience is polled. \(\displaystyle \frac{29}{100}\) of the audience enjoys playing football, and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\) of the audience enjoys playing basketball. What fraction of the audience enjoys playing football and basketball?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{19}{100}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{49}{100}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{59}{100}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{49}{100}\)

Explanation:

Add the fractions together. In order to do so, you will need to convert \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\) so that it shares the same denominator as \(\displaystyle \frac{29}{100}\).

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}=\frac{20}{100}\)

 

Now, add the fractions.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}+\frac{29}{100}=\frac{20}{100}+\frac{29}{100}=\frac{49}{100}\)

Example Question #61 : Operations With Fractions

Solve,

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{13}+\frac{4}{13}=?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{13}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{13}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{13}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{26}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{13}\)

Explanation:

Since the denominators for the fractions are the same, keep the denominator and add the numerators.

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{13}+\frac{4}{13}=\frac{2+4}{13}=\frac{6}{13}\)

Example Question #182 : Rational Numbers

On a given week, Jeremy spends \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\) of his time working on homework and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\) of his time doing chores. What fraction of his time is spent doing homework and doing chores?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{11}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{9}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{20}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{20}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{20}\)

Explanation:

To find how much time Jeremy spends doing his homework and his chores, add together \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\) and \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\).

First, convert both fractions so that they have the same denominator.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}=\frac{4}{20}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}=\frac{5}{20}\)

Now, you can add the fractions together.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{4}{20}+\frac{5}{20}=\frac{9}{20}\)

Example Question #12 : How To Add Fractions

Solve,

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{10}=?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{13}{20}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{17}{20}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{8}{15}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{17}{20}\)

Explanation:

In order to add the fractions, you need to first find a common denominator. For \(\displaystyle 10\) and \(\displaystyle 4\), the least common denominator is \(\displaystyle 20\).

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}=\frac{15}{20}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{10}=\frac{2}{20}\)

Then,

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{10}=\frac{15}{20}+\frac{2}{20}=\frac{17}{20}\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Reciprocal Of A Fraction

Give the reciprocal of 0.8.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -1.2\)

\(\displaystyle -1.25\)

\(\displaystyle 1.25\)

\(\displaystyle -0.8\)

\(\displaystyle 1.2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1.25\)

Explanation:

The reciprocal of a number is the quotient of 1 and that number. Divide 1 by 0.8 by moving the decimal point to the right in each number one place:

\(\displaystyle 1 \div 0.8 = 10 \div 8 = 1.25\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Reciprocal Of A Fraction

Give the reciprocal of 0.75.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -0.75\)

\(\displaystyle -1 \frac{1}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle -1.25\)

\(\displaystyle 1.25\)

\(\displaystyle 1 \frac{1}{3}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1 \frac{1}{3}\)

Explanation:

The reciprocal of a number is the quotient of 1 and the number.

Divide 1 by 0.75 by moving the decimal point to the right in each number two places:

\(\displaystyle 1 \div 0.75 = 100 \div 75 = 1 \frac{25}{75} = 1 \frac{1}{3}\)

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