 (Back
to the practice test on tutorials 7 - 10)
Intermediate Algebra
Answer/Discussion to Practice
Test
| Problems 1a - 1c: Solve for the variable. |
1c. 
 Answer:
Be careful on this one. Remember that you can divide into 0.
0 divided by anything is 0. So the answer is a
= 0, NOT no solution. If you were trying to divide by 0, for
example -17/0, then the answer would be no solution. |
| Problems 2a - 2c: Solve the word problem. |
| 2a. The product of 5 and a number is 8 less than 7 times that
number
Answer: |
| Step 1: Understand
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
Since we are looking for a number, we will let
x = a number
|
| Step 2: Devise a Plan (Translate)
|
| Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve) |
| Step 4: Look back (check and
interpret)
If you take 5 times 4, it is 8 less than 7 times 4. So, this does
check.
FINAL ANSWER:
The number is 4.
|
| 2b. The sum of 3 consecutive integers is 234. Find the
integers.
Answer: |
| Step 1: Understand
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
We are looking for 3 consecutive integers, we will let
x = 1st consecutive integer
x + 1 = 2nd consecutive integer
x + 2 = 3rd consecutive integer
|
| Step 2: Devise a Plan (Translate)
|
| Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve) |
| Step 4: Look back (check and
interpret)
If you take the sum of 77, 78 and 79, you do get 234.
FINAL ANSWER:
The three consecutive integers are 77, 78 and 79.
|
| 2c. You are wanting to buy a stereo system that costs $325
plus tax. If you are going to be taxed 8.25%, how much will be the
final cost of the stereo system? (round to the nearest cent)
Answer: |
| Step 1: Understand
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
Since we are looking for the final cost of the stereo system, let
x = the final cost
|
| Step 2: Devise a Plan (Translate)
|
| Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve) |
| Step 4: Look back (check and
interpret)
If you add on 8.25% of 325 to 325 you do get 351.8125.
FINAL ANSWER:
The final cost is $351.81.
|
| Problem 3a: Solve the equation for the specified variable. |
| Problems 4a - 4b: Solve the following word problems. |
| 4a You are traveling down I-40 at a constant speed of 70 mph.
How many hours will it take you to travel 385 miles?
Answer: |
| Step 1: Understand
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
Since we are looking for how long it would take you to travel, we can
use the distance/rate formula:
d = rt
The variables in this formula represent the following:
d = distance
r = rate
t = time |
| Step 2: Devise a Plan (translate)
In this problem,
d = 385
r = 70
t = ? = this is the variable we are
looking for
d = rt
Plugging the values into the formula we get:
385 = 70t
|
| Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve) |
| Step 4: Look back (check and
interpret)
If you go a rate of 70 miles per hour for 5.5 hours, you would travel
385 miles.
FINAL ANSWER:
It would take 5.5 hours.
|
| 4b. A farmer has three cylindrical shaped containers to hold
feed in. Each container has the same radius of 3 feet and height
of 4 feet. What is the total volume of the three containers?
Hint: the volume formula for a cylinder is 
Answer: |
| Step 1: Understand
Make sure that you read the question carefully, several times.
Since we are needing to find the volume of a cylinder, we can
use this formula:
The variables in this formula represent the following:
V = volume of a cylinder
r = radius
h = height |
| Step 2: Devise a Plan (translate)
In this problem,
V = ? = this is the variable we are looking
for
r = 3
h = 4
Plugging the values into the formula we get:
|
| Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve)
First, find the volume of a cylinder |
Each cylinder has a volume of 36 cubic
feet or approximately 113.04 cubic feet. If there are three
of them, then we need to multiply this volume by 3. |
| Problems 5a - 5c : Solve, write your answer in interval notation
and graph the solution set. |
5a. 
Answer:
Interval notation: (- ,
10)
Graph:
 |
5b. 
Answer:
Interval notation: [2/5, )
Graph:
 |
5c. 
Answer:
Interval notation: (12, )
Graph:
 |
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to the practice test on tutorials 7 - 10)
All contents copyright (C) 2001 - 2008, WTAMU and Kim Seward. All rights reserved.
Last revised on Jan. 7, 2002 by Kim Seward. |
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