College Math Placement Test Pre-Algebra 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Simplify the ratio 45:30 to its lowest terms.
- 9:6
- 3:2 (Correct answer)
- 15:10
- 6:4
Correct answer: 3:2
Divide both terms by their GCF of 15: 45÷15 = 3 and 30÷15 = 2, giving 3:2.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT an integer?
- −7
- 0
- 3/4 (Correct answer)
- 100
Correct answer: 3/4
Integers are whole numbers and their negatives; 3/4 is a fraction and therefore not an integer.
Question 3: A temperature drops from 14°F to −8°F. By how many degrees did it drop?
- 6°
- 12°
- 22° (Correct answer)
- 18°
Correct answer: 22°
The change = 14 − (−8) = 14 + 8 = 22 degrees.
Question 4: What is √144?
- 11
- 12 (Correct answer)
- 13
- 14
Correct answer: 12
√144 = 12 because 12 × 12 = 144.
Question 5: If 3 notebooks cost $7.50, how much do 7 notebooks cost?
- $14.00
- $15.50
- $17.50 (Correct answer)
- $21.00
Correct answer: $17.50
Cost per notebook = $7.50 ÷ 3 = $2.50; 7 × $2.50 = $17.50.
Question 6: Which expression represents 'the product of 6 and a number n, decreased by 4'?
- 6 + n − 4
- 6(n − 4)
- 6n − 4 (Correct answer)
- 4 − 6n
Correct answer: 6n − 4
'Product of 6 and n' means 6n, and 'decreased by 4' means subtract 4, giving 6n − 4.
Question 7: Express 0.0045 in scientific notation.
- 4.5 × 10²
- 45 × 10⁻⁴
- 4.5 × 10⁻³ (Correct answer)
- 0.45 × 10⁻²
Correct answer: 4.5 × 10⁻³
Move the decimal 3 places right to get 4.5, so 0.0045 = 4.5 × 10⁻³.
College Math Placement Test Pre-Algebra 4
Simplify the ratio 45:30 to its lowest terms.