BSEP Mathematical Problem Solving & Number Operations — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the result of 3/4 + 2/3?
- 17/12 (Correct answer)
- 5/7
- 5/12
- 6/7
Correct answer: 17/12
To add fractions with different denominators, find the least common denominator (12). Convert: 3/4 = 9/12 and 2/3 = 8/12. Then add: 9/12 + 8/12 = 17/12 (or 1 5/12).
Question 2: A store offers a 15% discount on an item priced at $80. What is the sale price?
- $68.00 (Correct answer)
- $65.00
- $72.00
- $12.00
Correct answer: $68.00
The discount is 15% of $80 = 0.15 × 80 = $12.00. The sale price is $80 - $12 = $68.00. Alternatively, multiply $80 × 0.85 = $68.00.
Question 3: What is the order of operations used to evaluate mathematical expressions?
- Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right) (Correct answer)
- Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Exponents, Parentheses
- Left to right regardless of operation type
- Multiplication first, then division, then addition, then subtraction
Correct answer: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right)
The standard order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) requires evaluating Parentheses first, then Exponents, then Multiplication and Division from left to right, then Addition and Subtraction from left to right.
Question 4: If a rectangle has a length of 12 feet and a width of 8 feet, what is its area?
- 96 square feet (Correct answer)
- 40 square feet
- 20 square feet
- 80 square feet
Correct answer: 96 square feet
The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying length × width: 12 × 8 = 96 square feet. Area is always expressed in square units.
Question 5: What is 25% expressed as a decimal?
- 0.25 (Correct answer)
- 2.5
- 0.025
- 25.0
Correct answer: 0.25
To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100: 25 ÷ 100 = 0.25. This is equivalent to moving the decimal point two places to the left.
Question 6: A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours. What is its average speed?
- 60 miles per hour (Correct answer)
- 90 miles per hour
- 45 miles per hour
- 540 miles per hour
Correct answer: 60 miles per hour
Average speed = total distance ÷ total time = 180 miles ÷ 3 hours = 60 miles per hour. This formula applies regardless of whether the speed was constant throughout the trip.
BSEP Mathematical Problem Solving & Number Operations
What is the result of 3/4 + 2/3?