ACT Math : Variables

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Variables

Mike wants to sell candy bars for a  profit. If he sells each bar for , how much did each bar cost him?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to solve this problem, set up the following equation:

Cross multiply:

Divide:

The original cost of the of each candy bar is 

Example Question #2 : Monomials

Choose the answer that is the simplest form of the following expression of monomial quotients: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To divide monomial quotients, simply invert the divisor and multiply:

Then, reduce:

Example Question #3 : Variables

Choose the answer that is the simplest form of the following expression of monomial quotients: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find your answer, you have to invert the divisor and multiply across:

Then, reduce:

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply A Monomial By A Polynomial

Multiply: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve you must multiply  by both terms in 

Example Question #2081 : Act Math

Multiply: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Multiply  by both terms in 

Example Question #5 : Monomials

Multiply  

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When multiplying a polynomial by a monomial, each term in the polynomial gets multiplied by the monomial. Calculate each term one at a time, then add the results to get the final answer. In this case, we start by multiplying  and , thus we get . For the second term of the polynomial, we multiply  and , resulting in . Finally, we multiply  and , resulting in . Adding the three terms that we just found, we come to the answer of .

Example Question #2 : Variables

Choose the answer that is the best solution to the following expression of monomial quotients: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To multiply monomial quotients, treat them as you would any other fraction. Combine like terms wherever possible:

Then, you need to reduce:

Example Question #3 : Variables

Choose the answer that is the simplest form of the following expression of monomial quotients: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify, first multiply across:

Then, reduce:

Example Question #1 : Variables

The price of silver varies directly as the square of the mass. If 3.6 g of silver is worth $64.80, what is the value of 7.5 g of silver?

Possible Answers:

$301.75

$215.25

$135.00

$178.50

$281.25

Correct answer:

$281.25

Explanation:

This is a direct variation problem of the form y = kx2  The first set of data 3.6 g and $64.80 is used to calculate the proportionality constant, k.  So 64.80 = k(3.6)2 and solving the equation gives k = 5.

Now we move to the new data, 7.5 g and we get y = 5(7.5)2 to yield an answer of $218.25.

$135.00 is the answer obtained if using proportions.  This is an error because it does not take into consideration the squared elements of the problem.

Example Question #1 : Direct And Inverse Variation

The diameter of a specific brand of candy wrapper is  longer than half the volume of the candy itself. Find the expression for the diameter, , in terms of the volume, .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The question asks for an equation that can relate  and  to each other, based on the information given. We are told that half the volume +  determines the total diameter.

This gives us:

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