PSAT/NMSQT Mathematical Problem Solving 4

Question 1

A class has 18 girls and 12 boys. What is the ratio of boys to total students?

Accepted Answer

2 to 5

Answer

12 boys out of 30 students simplifies to 2 to 5.

Question 2

If x² = 49 and x is negative, what is x?

Accepted Answer

-7

Answer

The negative square root of 49 is -7.

Question 3

A rectangle has length 9 and width 4. What is its area?

Accepted Answer

36

Answer

Area = length × width = 9 × 4 = 36.

Question 4

What is 1/4 + 2/3?

Accepted Answer

11/12

Answer

Common denominator 12: 3/12 + 8/12 = 11/12.

Question 5

A jacket is marked up 50% to $90. What was the cost before markup?

Accepted Answer

$60

Answer

$90 = 1.5 × cost, so cost = $60.

PSAT/NMSQT Practice Test