Test 1

1. Of the following, which is greater than ½ ?

A. 2/5
B. 4/7
C. 4/9
D. 5/11
E. 6/13

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
One way to deal with fractions is to convert them all to decimals.
In this case all you would need to do is to see which is greater than 0.5.
Otherwise to see which is greater than ½, double the numerator and see if the result is greater than the
denominator. In B, the correct answer, doubling the numerator gives us 8, which is bigger than 7.

2. If an object travels at five feet per second, how many feet does it travel in one hour?
A. 30
B. 300
C. 720
D. 1800
E. 18000

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
If an object travels at 5 feet per second it covers 5x60 feet in one minute, and 5x60x60 feet in one hour.
Answer = 18000 (E)

3. What is the average (arithmetic mean) of all the multiples of ten from 10 to 190 inclusive?
A. 90
B. 95
C. 100
D. 105
E. 110

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
You could add up all the multiples of 10 (10 + 20 + 30 ....+190), and divide by the number of terms (19).
Or you could realize that the average of an evenly spaced series of numbers is equal to the value of the
middle term (or the average of the two middle terms if there are an even number of terms). The middle
term out of 19 is the tenth term in the series = 100.

4. A cubical block of metal weighs 6 pounds. How much will another cube of the same metal weigh if its
sides are twice as long?
A. 48
B. 32
C. 24
D. 18
E. 12

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
If you double the sides of a cube, the ratio of the surface areas of the old and new cubes will be 1: 4. The
ratio of the volumes of the old and new cubes will be 1: 8.
Weight is proportional to volume. So, If the first weighs 6 pounds, the second weighs 6x8 pounds =48.
5. In a class of 78 students 41 are taking French, 22 are taking German. Of the students taking French or
German, 9 are taking both courses. How many students are not enrolled in either course?
A. 6
B. 15
C. 24
D. 33
E. 54

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
You could solve this by drawing a Venn diagram. A simpler way is to realize that you can subtract the
number of students taking both languages from the numbers taking French to find the number
taking only French. Likewise find those taking only German. Then we have:Total = only French + only
German + both + neither
78 = (41-9) + (22-9) + 9 + neither.
Not enrolled students = 24

6. A straight fence is to be constructed from posts 6 inches wide and separated by lengths of chain 5 feet
long. If a certain fence begins and ends with a post, which of the following could not be the length of the
fence in feet? (12 inches = 1 foot)
A. 17
B. 28
C. 35
D. 39
E. 50

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The fence will consist of one more post than there are chains. (e.g. P-c-P-c-P).
Therefore, a total length has to be a multiple of the length of the chain plus one post (5.5) plus one post
extra.We have length = (5.5n + 0.5), where n can be any positive whole number. If n= 3, length =17; if n=
5, length = 28, etc.but there is no whole number that can give 35. hence C is the correct answer.

7. ( √2 - √3 )² =
A. 5 - 2√6
B. 5 - √6
C. 1 - 2√6
D. 1 - √2
E. 1

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Expand as for (a - b)2.
(√2 - √3)(√2 - √3)
= 2 - 2(√2 x √3) + 3
= 5 - 2 √6

8. 230 + 230 + 230 + 230 =

A. 8120
B. 830
C. 232
D. 230
E. 226
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
All four terms are identical therefore we have 4 (230).
But 4 = 22, and so we can write 22. 230
Which is equivalent to 232

9. Amy has to visit towns B and C in any order. The roads connecting these towns with her home are
shown on the diagram. How many different routes can she take starting from A and returning to A, going
through both B and C (but not more than once through each) and not travelling any road twice on the
same trip?
A. 10
B. 8
C. 6
D. 4
E. 2

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Amy can travel clockwise or anticlockwise on the diagram.
Clockwise, she has no choice of route from A to B, a choice of one out of two routes from B to C, and a
choice of one out of two routes from C back to A. This gives four possible routes.
Similarly, anticlockwise she has four different routes.
Total routes = 8

10. In the figure above AD = 4, AB = 3 and CD = 9. What is the area of triangle AEC ?
A. 18
B. 13.5
C. 9
D. 4.5
E. 3

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
If we take AE as the base of triangle AEC, then the height is CD.
The height of the triangle is therefore, 9 (given).
To find the base we need to see that triangles AEB and CDE are similar. The ratio AB: CD, is therefore
equal to the ratio AE: ED. The given information shows that the ratio is 3:9, or 1:3. Now dividing AD (4) in
this ratio gives us AE as 1.
The area of AEC = ½ base x height
=1/2 x 9 = 4.5

Test 2

1. Which of the following could be a value of x, in the diagram above?

A. 10
B. 20
C. 40
D. 50
E. any of the above

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The marked angle, ABC must be more than 90 degrees because it is the external angle of triangle BDC,
and must be equal to the sum of angles BDC (90) and DCB.
Also ABC is not a straight line and must be less than 180.
Therefore 90 < 5x < 180
The only value of x which satisfies this relation is 20.

2. Helpers are needed to prepare for the fete. Each helper can make either 2 large cakes per hour, or 35
small cakes per hour. The kitchen is available for 3 hours and 20 large cakes and 700 small cakes are
needed. How many helpers are required?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 25
E. 30

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
20 large cakes will require the equivalent of 10 helpers working for one hour. 700 small cakes will require
the equivalent of 20 helpers working for one hour. This means if only one hour were available we would
need 30 helpers. But since three hours are available we can use 10 helpers.

3. Jo's collection contains US, Indian and British stamps. If the ratio of US to Indian stamps is 5 to 2 and
the ratio of Indian to British stamps is 5 to 1, what is the ratio of US to British stamps?
A. 5 : 1
B. 10 : 5
C. 15 : 2
D. 20 : 2
E. 25 : 2
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Indian stamps are common to both ratios. Multiply both ratios by factors such that the Indian stamps are
represented by the same number.
US : Indian = 5 : 2, and Indian : British = 5 : 1. Multiply the first by 5, and the second by 2.
Now US : Indian = 25 : 10, and Indian : British = 10 : 2
Hence the two ratios can be combined and US : British = 25 : 2

4. A 3 by 4 rectangle is inscribed in circle. What is the circumference of the circle?

A. 2.5π
B. 3π
C. 5π
D. 4π
E. 10π

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Draw the diagram. The diagonal of the rectangle is the diameter of the circle. The diagonal is the
hypotenuse of a 3,4,5 triangle, and is therefore, 5.
Circumference = π.diameter = 5π

5. Two sets of 4 consecutive positive integers have exactly one integer in common. The sum of the
integers in the set with greater numbers is how much greater than the sum of the integers in the other
set?
A. 4
B. 7
C. 8
D. 12
E. it cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
If two sets of four consecutive integers have one integer in common, the total in the combined set is 7.,
and we can write the sets as
n + (n + 1) + (n + 2) + (n + 3 ) and
(n + 3) + (n + 4) + (n + 5) + (n + 6)
Note that each term in the second set is 3 more than the equivalent term in the first set. Since there are
four terms the total of the differences will be 4 x 3 = 12

6. A circular logo is enlarged to fit the lid of a jar. The new diameter is 50 per cent larger than the original.
By what percentage has the area of the logo increased?
A. 50
B. 80
C. 100
D. 125
E. 250

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
If the diameter of the old lid is 100, the diameter of the new lid will be 150.
This gives a ratio of 2 : 3
The areas of the lids will be in the ratio (2)2 : (3)2 . or 4 : 9
This represents an increase in area of 5units for every 4 units
5/4 is equivalent to 125 percent.
7. ABCD is a square of side 3, and E and F are the mid points of sides AB and BC respectively. What is
the area of the quadrilateral EBFD ?
A. 2.25
B. 3
C. 4
D. 4.5
E. 6

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
(Total area of square - sum of the areas of triangles ADE and DCF) will give the area of the quadrilateral
9 - (2 x ½ x 3 x 1.5) = 4.5

8. If n ≠ 0, which of the following must be greater than n?

I 2n
II n²
III 2 - n
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
E. None

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Remember that n could be positive negative or a fraction. Try out a few cases:
In case I, if n is -1, then 2n is less than n.
In case II, if n is a fraction such as ½ then n2 will be less than n.
In case III, if n is 2, then 2-n = 0, which is less than n.
Therefore, none of the choices must be greater than n

9. After being dropped a certain ball always bounces back to 2/5 of the height of its previous bounce.
After the first bounce it reaches a height of 125 inches. How high (in inches) will it reach after its fourth
bounce?
A. 20
B. 15
C. 8
D. 5
E. 3.2

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
If after each bounce it reaches 2/5 of the previous height, then after the second bounce it will reach 2/5 x
125. After the third it will reach 2/5 x 2/5 x 125. After the fourth it will reach 2/5 x 2/5 x 2/5 x 125. This
cancels down to 2 x 2 x 2 = 8
10. n and p are integers greater than 1
5n is the square of a number
75np is the cube of a number.
The smallest value for n + p is
A. 14
B. 18
C. 20
D. 30
E. 50

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The smallest value for n such that 5n is a square is 5.
75np can now be written as 75 x 5 x p.
This gives prime factors.... 3 x 5 x 5 x 5 x p
To make the expression a perfect cube, p will have to have factors 3 x 3 , and hence p =9
n + p = 5 + 9 = 14

Test 3
1. The distance from town A to town B is five miles. C is six miles from B. Which of the following could be
the distance form A to C?
I 11
II 1
III 7
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
E. I, II, or III.

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Do not assume that AB and C are on a straight line. Make a diagram with A and B marked 5 miles apart.
Draw a circle centered on B, with radius 6. C could be anywhere on this circle. The minimum distance will
be 1, and maximum 11, but anywhere in between is possible.

2. √5 percent of 5√5 =
A. 0.05
B. 0.25
C. 0.5
D. 2.5
E. 25

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
We can write the statement mathematically, using x to mean �of� and /100 for �per cent�. So (
√5/100) x 5√5 = 5 x 5 /100 = 0.25

3. If pqr = 1 , rst = 0 , and spr = 0, which of the following must be zero?

A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S
E. T
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
If pqr = 1, none of these variable can be zero. Since spr = 0 , and since p and r are not zero, s must be
zero. (Note that although rst = 0, and so either s or t must be zero, this is not sufficient to state
which must be zero)

4.
A. 1/5
B. 6/5
C. 6³
D. 64 / 5
E. 64
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
65 = 64x 6
(64 x 6) - 64 = 64(6 - 1) = 64 x 5
Now, dividing by 5 will give us 64

5. -20 , -16 , -12 , -8 ....

In the sequence above, each term after the first is 4 greater than the preceding term. Which of the
following could not be a term in the sequence?
A. 0
B. 200
C. 440
D. 668
E. 762

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
All terms in the sequence will be multiples of 4.
762 is not a multiple of 4

6. ♠n denotes the number obtained when n is rounded to the nearest tenth. For example ♠4.31 = 4.3
♠0.089 - ♠1.135 =
A. 1.05
B. 1.04
C. -1.05
D. -1.0
E. -0.1

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
0.089 to the nearest tenth = 0.1
1.135 to the nearest tenth = 1.1
0.1 - 1.1 = -1

7. For how many integer values of n will the value of the expression 4n + 7 be an integer greater than 1
and less than 200?
A. 48
B. 49
C. 50
D. 51
E. 52

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
1 < 4n + 7 < 200
n can be 0, or -1
n cannot be -2 or any other negative integer or the expression 4n + 7 will be less than1.
The largest value for n will be an integer < (200 - 7) /4
193/4 = 48.25, hence 48
The number of integers between -1 and 48 inclusive is 50

8. In the above correctly worked addition sum, A,B,C and D represent different digits, and all the digits in
the sum are different. What is the sum of A,B,C and D?
A. 23
B. 22
C. 18
D. 16
E. 14

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
First you must realize that the sum of two 2-digit numbers cannot be more that 198 (99 + 99). Therefore in
the given problem D must be 1.
Now use trial and error to satisfy the sum 5A + BC = 143
A + C must give 3 in the units place, but neither can be 1 since all the digits have to be different.
Therefore A + C = 13.
With one to carry over into the tens column, 1 + 5 + B = 14, and B = 8.
A + C + B + D = 13 + 8 + 1 = 22

9. 12 litres of water are poured into an aquarium of dimensions 50cm length, 30cm breadth, and 40cm
height. How high (in cm) will the water rise?
(1 litre = 1000cm³)
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. 20
E. 40

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Total volume of water = 12 liters = 12 x 1000 cm3
The base of the aquarium is 50 x 30 = 1500cm3
Base of tank x height of water = volume of water
1500 x height = 12000; height = 12000 / 1500 = 8

10. Six years ago Anita was P times as old as Ben was. If Anita is now 17 years old, how old is Ben now
in terms of P ?
A. 11/P + 6
B. P/11 +6
C. 17 - P/6
D. 17/P
E. 11.5P

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Let Ben�s age now be B
Anita�s age now is A.
(A - 6) = P(B - 6)
But A is 17 and therefore 11 = P(B - 6)
11/P = B-6
(11/P) + 6 = B

Test 4
1. If a² = 12, then a4 =
A. 144
B. 72
C. 36
D. 24
E. 16

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
a4 = a2 x a2 = 12 x 12 = 144

2. If n is even, which of the following cannot be odd?

In+3
II 3n
III n² - 1
A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. I, II and III

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
In case I , even plus odd will give odd
In case II, odd times even will give even
In case III even squared is even, and even minus odd is odd.
(You can check this by using an easy even number like 2 in place of n)
Only case II cannot be odd.

3. One side of a triangle has length 8 and a second side has length 5. Which of the following could be the
area of the triangle?
I 24
II 20
III 5
A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. I, II and III

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The maximum area of the triangle will come when the given sides are placed at right angles. If we take 8
as the base and 5 as the height the area = ½ x 8 x 5 = 20
We can alter the angle between the sides to make it less or more than 90, but this will only reduce the
area. (Draw it out for yourself). Hence the area can be anything less than or equal to 20.

4. A certain animal in the zoo has consumed 39 pounds of food in six days. If it continues to eat at the
same rate, in how many more days will its total consumption be 91 pounds?
A. 12
B. 11
C. 10
D. 9
E. 8

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Food consumed per day = 39/6.
In the remaining days it will consume 91 - 39 pounds = 52 pounds
Now divide the food by the daily consumption to find the number of days
52 / (39/6) = 52 x (6 / 39) = 8

5. A perfect cube is an integer whose cube root is an integer. For example, 27, 64 and 125 are perfect
cubes. If p and q are perfect cubes, which of the following will not necessarily be a perfect cube?
A. 8p
B. pq
C. pq + 27
D. -p
E. (p - q)6
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A perfect cube will have prime factors that are in groups of 3; for example 125 has the prime factors 5 x 5
x 5 , and 64 x 125 will also be a cube because its factors will be 4 x 4 x 4 x 5 x 5 x 5
Consider the answer choices in turn.
8 is the cube of 2, and p is a cube, and so the product will also be a cube.
pq will also be a cube as shown above.
pq is a cube and so is 27, but their sum need not be a cube. Consider the case where p =1 and q = 8, the
sum of pq and 27 will be 35 which has factors 5 x 7 and is not a cube.
-p will be a cube.
Since the difference between p and q is raised to the power of 6, this expression will be a cube (with cube
root = difference squared).

6. Half the people on a bus get off at each stop after the first, and no one gets on after the first stop. If
only one person gets off at stop number 7, how many people got on at the first stop?
A. 128
B. 64
C. 32
D. 16
E. 8

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Work backwards. If one person got off at stop 7, as the bus approached the stop there must have been
two people on board. As it approached the previous stop (no. 6) there were four on board. Approaching
stop 5, there were 8. Approaching stop 4, there were 16 on board. Approaching stop 3, there were 32.
Approaching stop 2, there were 64. As stop 2 was the first stop at which people got off there must have
been a total of 64 people who boarded at the first stop. (We are assuming that no people could have
been on the bus before the first official stop.)

7. n is an integer chosen at random from the set

{5, 7, 9, 11 }

p is chosen at random from the set

{2, 6, 10, 14, 18}

What is the probability that n + p = 23 ?

A. 0.1
B. 0.2
C. 0.25
D. 0.3
E. 0.4

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Each of the integers in the first set could be combined with any from the second set, giving a total of 4 x 5
= 20 possible pairs.
Of these the combinations that could give a sum of 23 are (5 + 18), and (9 + 14)
This means that the probability of getting a sum of 23 is 2/20 = 1/10

8. A dress on sale in a shop is marked at $D. During the discount sale its price is reduced by 15%. Staff
are allowed a further 10% reduction on the discounted price. If a staff member buys the dress what will
she have to pay in terms of D ?
A. 0.75D
B. 0.76D
C. 0.765D
D. 0.775D
E. 0.805D

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
If the price is reduced by 15 %, then the new price will be 0.85D
If this new price is further reduced by 10%, the discounted price will be 0.9 x 0.85D = 0.765D
9. All the dots in the array are 2 units apart vertically and horizontally. What is the length of the longest
line segment that can be drawn joining any two points in the array without passing through any other point
?
A. 2
B. 2√2
C. 3
D. √10
E. √20

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
The longest line segment that can be drawn without passing through any dots other than those at the
beginning and end of the segment, such a line could go from the middle dot in the top row to either the
bottom left or right dot. In any case the segment will be the hypotenuse of a right triangle with sides 2 and
4. Using Pythagoras theorem the hypotenuse will be √(2 ² + 4 ² ) = √20

10. If the radius of the circle with centre O is 7 and the measure of angle AOB is 100, what is the best
approximation to the length of arc AB ?
A. 9
B. 10
C. 11
D. 12
E. 13

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
If the radius is 7, the circumference = 14π
The length of the arc is 100/360 of the circumference
Taking π as 22/7 we get
(100 x 14 x 22) / (360 x 7) which reduces to 440/ 36 = 12.22 (i.e. approx. 12)

Test 5
1. Sheila works 8 hours per day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 6 hours per day on Tuesday
and Thursday. She does not work on Saturday and Sunday. She earns $324 per week. How much does
she earn in dollars per hour?
A. 11
B. 10
C. 9
D. 8
E. 7

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Total hours worked = 8 x 3 + 6 x 2 = 36
Total earned = 324. Hourly wage = 324 / 36 = 9
2. ABCD is a parallelogram. BD = 2. The angles of triangle BCD are all equal. What is the perimeter of
the parallelogram?
A. 12
B. 9√3
C. 9
D. 8
E. 3√3

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Since the angles of BCD are all equal, it is an equilateral triangle. Therefore. Since one side is 2, BD and
CD are also 2. These sides (totaling 4 units) represent half the perimeter of the parallelogram. Total
perimeter = 8.

3. If the product of 6 integers is negative, at most how many of the integers can be negative?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Multiplying two negatives (or any even multiple) results in a positive. But multiplying three negatives (or
any odd multiple) gives a negative. If the result of multiplying 6 negatives is odd, the largest number of
negative integers will be the largest odd number (i.e.5)

4. If a positive integer n, divided by 5 has a remainder 2, which of the following must be true?
I n is odd
II n + 1 cannot be a prime number
III (n + 2) divided by 7 has remainder 2
A. none
B. I only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only
E. I, II and III

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
You can find the integers which when divided by 5 have a remainder 2 by adding 2 to all multiples of 5.
So we have n = 7 , 12, 17, 22 etc.
From this series we can see that n does not have to be odd.
Also n + 1 can be a prime because, for example, 12 + 1 = 13
And (n + 2) / 7 has a remainder 2 in some cases but not all.
Remember the question asks us for what MUST be true, and we see that none of the statements are true
in all cases.
5. A solid cube of side 6 is first painted pink and then cut into smaller cubes of side 2. How many of the
smaller cubes have paint on exactly 2 sides?
A. 30
B. 24
C. 12
D. 8
E. 6

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
When the larger cube is cut into smaller cubes, the corner cubes will have paint on three sides. The
cubes in the middle of the faces will have paint on only one side, but the cubes cut from the edges will
have paint on two sides. In this case, there will be only one cube one each edge (excluding the corners),
and since there are 12 edges, there will be 12 cubes with paint on two sides. (Drawing a diagram will
make this much clearer.)

6. The slope of the line passing through the point (5,5) is 5/6. All of the following points could be on the
line except
A. (2.5, 2)
B. (11, 10)
C. (8, 7.5)
D. (-1, 0)
E. (-7, -5)

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
If we consider the triangle bounded by the x axis, the line, and the perpendicular to the x-axis passing
through (5,5), then, since the slope (5/6) is given by the y-side (5 units) of the triangle divided by the x
side, the x side is 6. This means the intercept on the x-axis is at (-1, 0). Now consider other triangles
bounded by the line, the x-axis and the perpendicular to the points given in the answer choices, and
check that they give a slope of 5/6. For example, in (A) the x side of the triangle will be 2.5 + 1 units long,
and the y side will be 2. This does not give a slope of 5/6. (You can use the formula y2 - y1 / x2 - x1 to
find the slope. For this use the intercept on the x axis for x1 and y1)

7. In the figure above the square has two sides which are tangent to the circle. If the area of the circle is
4a²π, what is the area of the square?
A. 2a²
B. 4a
C. 4a²
D. 16a²
E. 64a²

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
If the area of the circle is 4a2π , the radius will be the square root of 4a2 (i.e. 2a)
The diameter will be 4a. The diameter is also the side of the square. Area of the square is (4a)2 = 16a2

8. A triangle has a perimeter 13. The two shorter sides have integer lengths equal to x and x + 1. Which
of the following could be the length of the other side?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
E. 10

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The measure of the third side of a triangle must lie between the sum and the difference of the other two
sides. Using this fact along with the answer choices, we can eliminate the wrong answers.
(A) cannot be correct because 2 would not be the longest side.
(B) cannot be correct because again it would not be the longest side
(C) could be correct because the other two sides would be 3 and 4.
(D) and (E) cannot be correct because this third side would be greater than the sum of the other two
sides.

9. A machine puts c caps on bottles in m minutes. How many hours will it take to put caps on b bottles?
A. 60bm/c
B. bm/60c
C. bc/60m
D. 60b/cm
E. b/60cm

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Substitute sensible numbers and work out the problem. Then change the numbers back to letters. For
example if the machine puts 6 caps on bottles in 2 minutes, it will put 6 /2 caps on per minute, or (6 /2) x
60 caps per hour. Putting letters back this is 60c/m.If you divide the required number of caps (b) by the
caps per hour you will get time taken in hours. This gives bm/60c (Remember dividing by a fraction is the
same as multiplying by its inverse.)

10. Paint needs to be thinned to a ratio of 2 parts paint to 1.5 parts water. The painter has by mistake
added water so that he has 6 litres of paint which is half water and half paint. What must he add to make
the proportions of the mixture correct?
A. 1 litre paint
B. 1 litre water
C. ½ litre water and one litre paint
D. ½ litre paint and one litre water
E. ½ litre paint

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
At the moment the paint is 3 liters of paint and 3 liters of water. We need to add to this to make the new
ratio 2 liters paint to 1.5 liters water. As this is equivalent to 4 : 3 we can see that we have the right
amount of water, and just need 1 liter of paint to make it correct.
Test 6
1. Which of the following can be used to illustrate that not all prime numbers are odd?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The only even numbers in the list are 2 and 4, but 4 is not a prime. So 2 can be used to illustrate the
statement that all primes are not odd.

2. What is the greatest of 3 consecutive integers whose sum is 24 ?

A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
E. 10

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The sum of three consecutive integers can be written as n + (n + 1) + (n + 2) = 3n + 3
If the sum is 24, we need to solve the equation 3n + 3 = 24; 3n = 21; n = 7
The greatest of the three numbers is therefore 7 + 2 = 9

3. Considering the positions on the number line above, which of the following could be a value for x?
A. 5/3
B. 3/5
C. -2/5
D. -5/2
E. none

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Since the cube lies between the number and its square on the number line, we must be looking for a
negative fraction (between 0 and -1 on the number line). Only -2/5 is a negative fraction. (Try for yourself
the results of squaring and cubing negative numbers less than -1, numbers greater than 1, positive
fractions, 1 and -1, so that you can deal with all similar questions).

4. A piece of ribbon 4 yards long is used to make bows requiring 15 inches of ribbon for each. What is the
maximum number of bows that can be made?
A. 8
B. 9
C. 10
D. 11
E. 12
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The maximum number of bows will be 4 yards (= 4 x 36 inches) divided by 15 inches.
This gives 9.6. But as a fraction of a bow is no use, we can only make 9 bows.

5. How many numbers between 200 and 400 meet one or both of the conditions given in the two
statements below?
Statement 1: The number begins with 3
Statement 2: The number ends with 3
A. 20
B. 60
C. 100
D. 110
E. 120

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The numbers will be 203, 213, 223, 233, 243, 253, 263, 273, 283, 293, then all the numbers from 300 to
399 inclusive.

6. 6 pints of a 20 percent solution of alcohol in water are mixed with 4 pints of a 10 percent alcohol in
water solution. The percentage alcohol in the new solution is
A. 16
B. 15
C. 14
D. 13
E. 12

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Total new volume is 10 pints. The first solution contributes 0.2 x 6 pints alcohol, and the second
contributes 0.1 x 4. Total alcohol = 1.6. Percentage alcohol = (1.6 / 10) x 100 = 16

7. PQRS is a parallelogram and ST = TR. What is the ratio of the area of triangle QST to the area of the
parallelogram?
A. 1 : 2
B. 1 : 3
C. 1 : 4
D. 1 : 5
E. it cannot be determined

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
SQ divides the parallelogram in half. Also QT divides the half parallelogram into half again (because the
bases of triangles STQ and TRQ are equal and their heights are equal).
Triangle QST is therefore one quarter of the parallelogram. And the ratio is 1 : 4

8. A picture is copied onto a sheet of paper 8.5 inches by 10 inches. A 1.5 inch margin is left all around.
What area in square inches does the picture cover?
A. 76
B. 65
C. 59.5
D. 49
E. 38.5

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Draw out the diagram and you will see that the width of the picture becomes 8.5 - 3 = 5.5
The length becomes 10 - 3 = 7. The area is now 5.5 x 7 = 38.5

9. The table shows the results of a poll which asked drivers how many accidents they had had over the
previous 5 years. What is the median number of accidents per year?
A. 0.5
B. 1
C. 1.5
D. 2
E. 4

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The median is the middle number when ranked (or the average of the middle two numbers if there are an
even number of items in the list). If we list out in order we will write 17 zeros, 13 ones, 21 twos etc. Since
there are 60 drivers, the median will come between the value for the 30th and 31st drivers. We can
already see that starting at the zero end, the 30thdriver will be in the ones section of the list, but the
31st driver will be in the twos section. Hence the median is 1.5.

10. If V = 12R / (r + R) , then R =

A. Vr / (12 - V)
B. Vr + V /12
C. Vr - 12
D. V / r - 12
E. V (r + 1) /12

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
We have to rearrange the equation to make R the subject.
Start by cross multiplying by (r + R); V (r + R) = 12R
Multiply out the bracket Vr + VR = 12R

Test 7
1. The number 0.127 is how much greater than 1/8 ?
A. ½
B. 2/10
C. 1/50
D. 1/500
E. 2/500

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
0.127 expressed as a fraction = 127/1000
1/8 can also be expressed as (1 x 125) / (8 x 125) = 125/1000
The difference is 2/1000, which is 1/500

2. Which of the following could not be the lengths of the sides of a right angled triangle?
A. 3, 4, 5
B. 5, 12, 13
C. 8, 15, 17
D. 12, 15, 18
E. 9, 12, 15

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Using Pythagoras theorem we can see that 122 + 152 is not equal to 182
(All the others obey the theorem a2 + b2 = c2)

3. Two equal circles are cut out of a rectangle of card of dimensions 16 by 8. The circles have the
maximum diameter possible. What is the approximate area of the paper remaining after the circles have
been cut out?
A. 104
B. 78
C. 54
D. 27
E. 13

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Area remaining is the area of the rectangle - 2 x area of a circle.
(16 x 8) - 2π r2
But r = 4; so area remaining is 128 - 101(approx) = 27 (approx)

4. If a and b are both positive, which of the following is a simplification of the expression above?
A. a² + b² + 1
B. a + b
C. a - b
D. ab
E. it cannot be simplified further

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
a2 - b2 can be expressed as (a + b)(a - b)
So the fraction can be written as (a + b)(a - b)/ (a + b)
Which is equal to (a - b)

5. x = y - (50/y), where x and y are both > 0

If the value of y is doubled in the equation above, the value of x will
A. decrease
B. stay the same
C. increase four fold
D. double
E. increase to more than double

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
The best approach is to pick a number that satisfies the rules that x and y are greater than 0. So for
example you could choose 25 for y.
The value of x before doubling is then 25 - 50/25 = 23
The value after doubling y will be 50 - 50/50 = 49, which is more than double.

6. ASB is a quarter circle. PQRS is a rectangle with sides PQ = 8 and PS = 6. What is the length of the
arc AQB ?
A. 5π
B. 10π
C. 25
D. 14
E. 28

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Arc AQB is one quarter the perimeter of the circle (because angle S is a right angle).
To find the radius we need to see that the diagonal SQ of the rectangle= radius.
Now use Pythagoras to find the diagonal; 82 + 62 = r2
So r = 10 (You could have spotted that this is a 3-4-5 triangle and so saved this part of the calculation)
The length of the arc = � 20 π = 5π
7. The number of degrees that the hour hand of a clock moves through between noon and 2.30 in the
afternoon of the same day is
A. 720
B. 180
C. 75
D. 65
E. 60

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The hour hand moves from pointing to 12 to pointing to half way between 2 and 3. The angle covered
between each hour marking on the clock is 360/12 = 30. Since the hand has covered 2.5 of these
divisions the angle moved through is 75.

8. Jeff takes 20 minutes to jog around the race course one time, and 25 minutes to jog around a second
time. What is his average speed in miles per hour for the whole jog if the course is 3 miles long?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12
E. 14

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Average speed = total distance / total time
Total distance covered = 6 miles; total time = 45 minutes = 0.75 hours
Average speed = 6/ 0.75 = 8 miles/hour

9. A and B are equidistant from the line l. How many circles can be drawn with their centres on line l and
that pass through both A and B?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. >10

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Do not assume that a circle must have its origin where AB intersects the line l.
You could take any point on line l and use if as the center of a circle such that the distance from that point
to either A or B is the radius.
10. A wheel has a diameter of x inches and a second wheel has a diameter of y inches. The first wheel
covers a distance of d feet in 100 revolutions. How many revolutions does the second wheel make in
covering d feet?
A. 100xy
B. 100y - x
C. 100x - y
D. 100y / x
E. 100x / y

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Total distance covered by the first wheel = d, which is the equivalent of 100 x circumference.
Circumference = xπ
Circumference of the second wheel = yπ
Revolutions covered by the second wheel = 100(xπ / yπ) , which simplifies to 100x/y

Test 8
1. 3x + y = 19 , and x + 3y = 1.
Find the value of 2x + 2y
A. 20
B. 18
C. 11
D. 10
E. 5

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
To solve a pair of simultaneous equations such as those given we can add or subtract them.
Adding we get 4x + 4y = 20
Therefore 2x + 2y = 10

2. The price of a cycle is reduced by 25 per cent. The new price is reduced by a further 20 per cent. The
two reductions together are equal to a single reduction of
A. 45%
B. 40%
C. 35%
D. 32.5%
E. 30%

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Let the original price of the cycle be 100. After the first reduction the price will be 75.
This new price is then reduced by 20% = 0.8 x 75 = 60
60 represents a reduction of 40 percent on the original.

3. x and y are integers

x + y < 11 , and x > 6
What is the smallest possible value of x - y ?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. -2
E. -4

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The smallest value will be obtained by giving x the smallest possible value while y gets the largest
possible value. The smallest value for x = 7. This means that y will have to be less than or equal to 3 (so
that x + y <11), but we want the largest value of y which is 3.
The difference, x - y will be 4.

4. If x5y4z2 <0 , which of the following must be true?

I xy <0
II yz <0
III xz <0
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. I and II
E. None

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
The value of the expression must be negative. But squares and even powers are always positive, and so
y and z could be either negative or positive. Therefore x5 must be negative, and x is negative.
However, each of the choices given has either a y or a z in it, so e cannot be certain whether the product
is negative or positive.

5. BCD is a line segment and Angle BAC = � Angle ACB ; Angle ACD = ?
A. 140
B. 100
C. 120
D. 60
E. it cannot be determined from the information given

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
If a value x is selected for angle ACB and one quarter of the value is taken for angle BAC, we could work
out the value for the other angle of the triangle. Also angle ACD would be 180 - x. The problem is that we
could choose a range of different values for x and still make them fit the given information. Therefore we
cannot work out any one value for angle ACD.

6. If x ¤ y = (x + y)² - (x - y)²
Then √5 ¤ √5 =
A. 0
B. 5
C. 10
D. 15
E. 20

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
The strange symbol tells us what to do to x and y. We then follow these directions for the actual values for
x and y given in the problem.
Hence, (2 √5)2 - (0)2 = 4.5 =20

7. In a certain village, m litres of water are required per household per month. At this rate, if there are n
households in the village, how long (in months) will p litres of water last?
A. p /mn
B. mn / p
C. mp / n
D. np / m
E. npm

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Pick sensible numbers and work the problem out. Then go back to letters.
So if 100 liters are needed per month, 20 households will need 100 x 20 liters per month.
1000 liters will last 1000/ 100 x 20 months. Putting the letters back = p/mn

8. In the figure below, what is the slope of line l ?

A. - 3
B. - 1/3
C. 0
D. 1/3
E. 3

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The slope is the y side of the triangle divided by the x side of the triangle (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
This is a / 3a which is the equivalent of 1/3 but the slope is negative (because the line slopes down from
left to right as we look at it). Hence -1/3

9. What digit appears in the units place in the number obtained when 2320 is multiplied out?
A. 0
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6
E. 8

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Do not attempt to work this out. Look for the pattern in the last digits in all the powers of 2.
The series starts out 2...4...8...16...32....64...128..256...
Already the pattern is clear; the last digits repeat in a pattern 2,4,8,6,2,4,8,6, etc.
Every power that is a multiple of 4 will end in a 6 . 320 is a multiple of 4.

10. Radius of circle center O is 3 times the radius of circle center C.

Angle ACB = Angle POQ

If the shaded area of circle C is 2 then what is the area of the shaded part of circle O ?
A. 6
B. 12
C. 18
D. 36
E. 3/2

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
If the radii of the two circle are in the ratio 1 : 3, then the areas of the circle will be in the ratio (1)2 :
(3)2which is 1 : 9
The marked areas represent equivalent fractions of the areas since the angles at the centers are the
same. Hence the areas of the shaded parts are also in the ratio 1 : 9.
If the area of the smaller is 2, then the area of the larger will be 18.

Test 9
1. (3 x 104) + (2 x 10²) + (4 x 10) =
A. 302400
B. 32400
C. 30240
D. 3240
E. 324

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
2 x 104 = 30,000; 2 x 102 = 200; 4 x 10 = 40
The total is 30,240

2. Andy solves problems 74 to 125 inclusive in a Math exercise. How many problems does he solve?
A. 53
B. 52
C. 51
D. 50
E. 49

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
To find how many problems in the series we need to take the difference and add one.
125 - 74 = 51; 51 + 1 =52

3. If x and y are integers, and 3x + 2y = 13, which of the following could be the value of y ?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. 4

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Substitute the given values for y and check whether you get an integer value for x.
For example, using 0 we get 3x = 13; x = 13/3 which is not a whole number.
The right answer is 2, since 3x + 2(2) = 13; 3x = 13 - 4 = 9; x = 9/3 = 3.

4. In triangle ABC, AD = DB , DE is parallel to BC, and the area of triangle ABC is 40. What is the area of
triangle ADE ?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 30
E. it cannot be determined from the information given

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The big triangle ABC is similar to the small triangle ADE because their bases are parallel. If
corresponding side of two similar triangles are known the ratio of the areas is also known. In this case, let
AD be one unit, then AB is 2 units (given that AB = AD + DB). The ratios of the sides is 1 : 2. The ratio of
the areas will be (1)2 : (2)2 ; 1 : 4
Since the big triangle has area 40, using the ratio, the small has area 10.

5. If n > 0 , which of the following must be true?

I n² > 1
II n - n² < 0
III 2n - 1 > 0
A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. none

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
Given that n is positive, it could be a positive fraction, 1, or a fraction of whole number greater than 1.
If n = 1, then case I is not true since n2 = 1
Likewise in II if n = 1, n - n2 = 0, and the statement is not true.
In III, if n = ½, then 2n - 1 = 0, and again the statement is incorrect.

6. Which of the following describes the relationship between A and B as shown in the pairs of numbers in
the table above?
A. B = A + 4
B. B = 2A + 1
C. B = 3A - 1
D. B = A² + 1
E. B = A² - 1

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
You can try out the relationships using at least two pairs from the table to see whether the relationship
holds. But it is relatively easy to spot that the first number squared + 1 gives the second number in each
case.

7. 6 people meet for a business lunch. Each person shakes hands once with each other person present.
How many handshakes take place?
A. 30
B. 21
C. 18
D. 15
E. 10

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Imagine the first person of the six. He or she will have to shake hands with each of the other 5. Now turn
to the second person. He or she will have to shake with the other five, but he she has already shaken with
the first person. This means 4 new handshakes. The third person will have to shake with 5 - 2 = 3 people,
and so on. Total handshakes = 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15

8. If x² - y² = 55, and x - y = 11, then y =

A. 8
B. 5
C. 3
D. -8
E. -3
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
x2 - y2 can be expressed as (x + y)(x - y); since x - y =11 we can write
(x + y)11 = 55; therefore x + y = 5
Adding the two equations x + y = 5 and x - y = 11 we get
2x = 16; x = 8
Therefore 8 - y = 11; y = -3

9. In a sports club with 30 members, 17 play badminton and 19 play tennis and 2 do not play either. How
many members play both badminton and tennis?
A. 7
B. 8
C. 9
D. 10
E. 11

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Since 2 do not play either, there are 28 members who play one sport or the other. Let the number who
play both be n.
Total (28) will be made up of only badminton players (17 - n), plus only tennis (19 - n) and those who play
both (n).
28 = (17 - n) + (19 - n) + n
28 = 36 - n ; n = 8

10. Rectangle ABCD has a perimeter of 26. The half circle with diameter AD has an area of 8π. What is
the perimeter of the part of the figure that is not shaded?
A. 26 + 4π
B. 18 + 8π
C. 18 + 4π
D. 14 + 4π
E. 14 + 2π

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The total perimeter of the un-shaded part is made up of three sides of the rectangle and the perimeter of
the half-circle.
The area of a half circle = ½ π r2
8 π = ½ π r2; therefore r = 4
The perimeter of the half circle is ½ 8 π = 4 π
The diameter of the circle (8) = the length of the rectangle.
Total perimeter of the rectangle = 26
Three sides measure 26 - 8 = 18 Ans. 18 + 4π

Test 10
1. Courier charges for packages to a certain destination are 65 cents for the first 250 grams and 10 cents
for each additional 100 grams or part thereof. What could be the weight in grams of a package for which
the charge is $1.55 ?
A. 1155
B. 1145
C. 1040
D. 950
E. 259

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The weight will be 250g plus (1.55 - 0.65)/0.10 units of 100g
250 + 900 = 1150
This is the maximum weight that can be sent at that price. But, weights exceeding
250 + 800 will also get charged this amount (that is what the �part thereof� implies).
Hence a package weighing 1145 (ans. B) will be charged $1.55

2. AB and DE are parallel. Angle BAC = 30 , angle CDE = 50. What is the measure of angle ACD ?
A. 100
B. 90
C. 80
D. 70
E. cannot be determined from the information

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Imagine a third parallel line drawn through C. The angle ACD will be made of two angles, one alternate to
BAC, and therefore = 30. The other is alternate to CDE and therefore = 50. Total for angle ACD = 80

3. If x / y is an integer, which of the following statements must be true?

A. both x and y are integers
B. x is an integer
C. either x or y is negative
D. y / x is an integer
E. x = ny where n is an integer

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
You can eliminate answer choices by picking numbers.
In case (A), x and y could, for example, both be equal fractions and x/y would be an integer.
For the same reason (B) does not have to be correct.
There is no reason for either of them to be negative.
Answer (D) does not need to be correct. Consider x/y = 6/3. Then y/x = 3/6, which is a fraction not an
integer.
But rearranging x/y = n, we get x = ny which is therefore always true.

4. What is the average of four tenths and five thousandths?

A. 25002
B. 2502
C. 0.225
D. 0.2025
E. 0.02025

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Four tenths = 0.4
Five thousandths = 0.005
The average is (0.4 + 0.005)/2 = 0.2025

5. What is the simplified result of following the steps below in order?

(1) add 5y to 2x
(2) multiply the sum by 3
(3) subtract x + y from the product
A. 5x + 14y
B. 5x + 16y
C. 5x + 5y
D. 6x + 4y
E. 3x + 12y

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Step one 2x + 5y
Step two 3(2x + 5y) = 6x + 15y
Step three (6x + 15y) - (x +y) = 6x + 15y - x - y (watch that last minus sign!)
This gives 5x + 14y

6. The total weight of a tin and the cookies it contains is 2 pounds. After � of the cookies are eaten, the
tin and the remaining cookies weigh 0.8 pounds. What is the weight of the empty tin in pounds?
A. 0.2
B. 0.3
C. 0.4
D. 0.5
E. 0.6

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Let the weight of the empty tin = w
(2 - w) = weight of the cookies; and one quarter of the cookies weigh (2 - w)/4
One quarter of the cookies + tin = 0.8 = w + (2 - w)/4
Multiply through by 4; 3.2 = 4w + 2 - w
1.2 = 3w; w = 0.4

7. If y ¤ x = y2x for all positive integers, then (3 ¤ 4) ¤ 2 =

A. 38
B. 312
C. 316
D. 324
E. 332
Correct Answer: E
Explanation:
The strange sign tells us what operation to carry out on x and y
Carry out the same procedure on 3 and 4 first. So 38 is the result.
Now carry out the procedure on 38 and 2. So (38)4 is the result, which is equivalent to 332

8. The first term in a sequence is 1 and the second term is 5. From the third term on each term is the
average (arithmetic mean) of all preceding terms. What is the 25th term in the sequence?
A. 2.5
B. 3
C. 5
D. 25
E. 50

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Start constructing the sequence until you see the pattern
1...5...(average of 1 and 5 = 3)...(average of 1, 5, and 3 = 3)...(average of 1,5,3 and 3 = 3)
now you can see that all subsequent terms will be 3

9. The solid brick shown is made of small bricks of side 1. When the large brick is disassembled into its
component small bricks, the total surface area of all the small bricks is how much greater than the surface
area of the large brick?
A. 32
B. 40
C. 60
D. 72
E. 80

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Surface area of one small brick = 6; total number of bricks = 12; total surface when disassembled = 6 x 12
= 72
Surface of whole big block= area of four larger faces + area of the two smaller faces = (4 x 6) + (2 x 4) =
24 + 8 = 32
The increase is 40 units

10. (3x + 2) (2x - 5) = ax² + kx + n .

What is the value of a - n + k ?
A. 5
B. 8
C. 9
D. 10
E. 11

Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
This is a quadratic equation. To find n we multiply the last terms in each bracket together (2 times -5) = -
10
To find �a� we multiply the first terms in each bracket together (3x times 2x) = 6x2, So a = 6.
Thus a - n = 16
To find k we multiply the first term in the first bracket by the second term in the second bracket and add
the result to the product of the second term in the first bracket and the first term in the second. (-15x + 4x)
= -11x. So k = -11
16 - 11 = 5