SSAT Upper Level Math : SSAT Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Mixed / Improper Fractions

Which of the following is 80% of \(\displaystyle \frac{55}{3}\) ?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 12\frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 13\frac{1}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 14 \frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 12\)

\(\displaystyle 11\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 14 \frac{2}{3}\)

Explanation:

80% of a number is equal to \(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\) multiplied by that number, so 80% of \(\displaystyle \frac{55}{3}\) is 

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5} \times \frac{55}{3} = \frac{4}{1} \times \frac{11}{3} = \frac{44}{3}\)

Since \(\displaystyle 44 \div 3 = 14 \textup{ R }2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{44}{3} = 14 \frac{2}{3}\).

Example Question #1342 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

Which of the following is \(\displaystyle \frac{32}{9}\) increased by 25%?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4 \frac{4}{9}\)

The correct answer is not among the other responses.

\(\displaystyle 5 \frac{5}{9}\)

\(\displaystyle 6\frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\frac{1}{3}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4 \frac{4}{9}\)

Explanation:

A number increased by 25% is 125%, or \(\displaystyle \frac{5}{4}\), multiplied by the number. \(\displaystyle \frac{32}{9}\) increased by 25% is therefore 

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{4} \times \frac{32}{9} = \frac{5}{1} \times \frac{8}{9} = \frac{40} {9}\)

\(\displaystyle 40 \div 9 = 4 \textup{ R }4\), so

\(\displaystyle \frac{40} {9} = 4 \frac{4}{9}\)

Example Question #273 : Number Concepts And Operations

Decrease \(\displaystyle \frac{88}{21}\) by 12.5%. What is the result?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 2\frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\frac{1}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3\frac{2}{3}\)

Explanation:

Decreasing a number by 12.5% is the same as taking 87.5% of a number, or multiplying it by

\(\displaystyle \frac{87.5}{100} = \frac{87.5 \div 12.5 }{100\div 12.5} = \frac{7}{8}\).

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{8} \times \frac{88}{21} = \frac{11}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 11 \div 3 = 3\textup{ R }2\), so

\(\displaystyle \frac{11}{3} = 3\frac{2}{3}\)

Example Question #4 : Algebraic Fractions

\(\displaystyle \frac{34}{5}\)

Change to a mixed number 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\frac{4}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 4 \frac{5}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle 34\frac{1}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 6\frac{4}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 4 \frac{6}{5}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 6\frac{4}{5}\)

Explanation:

To convert from a fraction to a mixed number we must find out how many times the denominator goes into the numerator using division and the remainder becomes the new fraction. 

\(\displaystyle \frac{34}{5} = 6\ r 4 \ so \6\frac{4}{5}\) 

Example Question #3 : Mixed / Improper Fractions

Write \(\displaystyle \frac{91}{4}\) as a mixed fraction.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 22\frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 21\frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 20\frac{1}{4}\)

\(\displaystyle 22\frac{3}{4}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 22\frac{3}{4}\)

Explanation:

Divide the numerator by the denominator.

\(\displaystyle 91\div4=22 R 3\)

Now, the whole number part will be \(\displaystyle 22\). Write the remainder on top of the denominator to get the fraction.

\(\displaystyle \frac{91}{4}=22\frac{3}{4}\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find Out An Improper Fraction From A Mixed Fraction

If \(\displaystyle 5\frac{4}{7}\) is rewritten as an improper fraction, what will its numerator be?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 13\)

\(\displaystyle 39\)

\(\displaystyle 31\)

\(\displaystyle 27\)

\(\displaystyle 20\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 39\)

Explanation:

The numerator of the improper form of a mixed fraction is the original numerator added to the product of the integer and the original denominator:

\(\displaystyle 5 \times 7 + 4 = 35 + 4 = 39\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find Out An Improper Fraction From A Mixed Fraction

Rewrite \(\displaystyle 5\frac{9}{12}\)  as an improper fraction in lowest terms, and call \(\displaystyle N\) the sum of its numerator and its denominator. Which of the following is a true statement?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 30 < N \le 35\)

\(\displaystyle 20 < N \le 25\)

\(\displaystyle 15 < N \le 20\)

\(\displaystyle 25 < N \le 30\)

\(\displaystyle 10 < N \le 15\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 25 < N \le 30\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \frac{9}{12}\), in lowest terms, is \(\displaystyle \frac{9}{12} = \frac{9 \div 3}{12\div 3} = \frac{3}{4}\), so \(\displaystyle 5\frac{9}{12}\) is rewritten as \(\displaystyle 5\frac{3}{4}\).

The numerator of the improper form of a mixed fraction is the original numerator added to the product of the integer and the original denominator. The new denominator is the same as the old one. Therefore, 

\(\displaystyle 5\frac{3}{4} = \frac{5 \times 4+ 3}{4} = \frac{23}{4}\),

Add the numerator and the denominator: \(\displaystyle 23+4 = 27\).

The correct response is \(\displaystyle 25 < N \le 30\).

Example Question #4 : Mixed / Improper Fractions

Rewrite \(\displaystyle 8\frac{16}{20}\) as an improper fraction in lowest terms. If we assign to \(\displaystyle N\) the numerator of this fraction, which of the following will be a true statement?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 30 < N \le 40\)

\(\displaystyle 40 < N \le 50\)

\(\displaystyle 60 < N \le 70\)

\(\displaystyle 50 < N \le 60\)

\(\displaystyle 70 < N \le 80\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 40 < N \le 50\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \frac{16}{20}\) in lowest terms is \(\displaystyle \frac{16 \div 4}{20 \div 4} = \frac{4}{5}\), so first, rewrite \(\displaystyle 8\frac{16}{20}\) as \(\displaystyle 8\frac{4}{5}\).

The numerator of the improper form of a mixed fraction is the original numerator added to the product of the integer and the original denominator:

\(\displaystyle 8 \times 5 + 4 = 40 + 4 = 44\)

The correct response is \(\displaystyle 40 < N \le 50\).

Example Question #2 : How To Find Out An Improper Fraction From A Mixed Fraction

Rewrite \(\displaystyle 7\frac{3}{8}\) as an improper fraction in lowest terms. What will the sum of its numerator and its denominator be?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 67\)

\(\displaystyle 62\)

\(\displaystyle 32\)

\(\displaystyle 37\)

\(\displaystyle \textup{None of the other responses are correct}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 67\)

Explanation:

The numerator of the improper form of a mixed fraction is the original numerator added to the product of the integer and the original denominator. The new denominator is the same as the old one. Therefore, 

\(\displaystyle 7\frac{3}{8} = \frac{7 \times 8 + 3}{8} = \frac{56+3}{8}= \frac{59}{8}\)

Add the numerator and the denominator: \(\displaystyle 59+8 = 67\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find Out An Improper Fraction From A Mixed Fraction

Change the following mixed number into an improper fraction in simplest form:

\(\displaystyle 6\frac{4}{7}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{46}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{48}{7}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{49}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{48}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{46}{7}\)

Explanation:

To change a mixed fraction into an improper fraction, keep the denominator the same.

To find the numerator, multiply the whole number part of the mixed fraction by the denominator, then add that value to the numerator.

\(\displaystyle 6\frac{4}{7}=\frac{6\times7+4}{7}=\frac{46}{7}\)

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