HiSET Practice Test Math 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Factor completely: x² − 9
- (x − 3)²
- (x + 9)(x − 1)
- (x + 3)(x − 3) (Correct answer)
- (x − 9)(x + 1)
Correct answer: (x + 3)(x − 3)
x² − 9 is a difference of squares. The formula is a² − b² = (a + b)(a − b). Here a = x and b = 3, so x² − 9 = (x + 3)(x − 3).
Question 2: A store sells a shirt for $45.00, which is a 20% markup over the wholesale price. What was the wholesale price?
- $36.00
- $37.50 (Correct answer)
- $40.50
- $54.00
Correct answer: $37.50
Let w = wholesale price. w × 1.20 = $45.00. w = $45.00 / 1.20 = $37.50.
Question 3: What is the value of |−15| + |−8| − |6|?
- 1
- 7
- 17 (Correct answer)
- 29
Correct answer: 17
Absolute value gives the non-negative value: |−15| = 15, |−8| = 8, |6| = 6. So 15 + 8 − 6 = 17.
Question 4: On a coordinate plane, the equation y = −2x + 4 is graphed. What is the y-intercept?
- −2
- 0
- 2
- 4 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 4
In slope-intercept form y = mx + b, b is the y-intercept. In y = −2x + 4, the y-intercept is 4 (where the line crosses the y-axis, at x = 0).
Question 5: A right triangle has legs of length 9 and 12. What is the length of the hypotenuse?
- 13
- 15 (Correct answer)
- 18
- 21
Correct answer: 15
Using the Pythagorean theorem: c² = a² + b² = 9² + 12² = 81 + 144 = 225. c = √225 = 15.
Question 6: Simplify: (3x²y)(4xy³)
- 7x²y³
- 7x³y⁴
- 12x²y³
- 12x³y⁴ (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 12x³y⁴
Multiply coefficients: 3 × 4 = 12. Multiply x terms: x² × x¹ = x³. Multiply y terms: y¹ × y³ = y⁴. Result: 12x³y⁴.
HiSET Practice Test Math 3
Factor completely: x² − 9