17 replies to this topic

[zeroradius]

Hey guys,

I have an interview this week and they sent me a list of practice questions that would be on the aptitude test so that I could brush up for the test. I solved the sequential patterns and spatial relationships questions easily enough (thou if you know a web site that lets me practice these I would appreciate you telling me about it) But when I got to the algebra my brain flat lined. I need to find a good site that allows me to 1) learn the algebra again 2) practice it. The catch is it has to be Word problems. I tried googeling "college algebra word problems" but the results were not what i was looking for. I need questions that look similar to these

Quote

1. The length of the shadow of a flagpole was found to be 72 feet. The shadow of a 3 foot picket fence in line with the flagpole was 4 feet. What is the height of the flagpole?
a. 54 feet b. 63 feet c. 27 feet d. 84 feet e. none

2. The sum of both digits, of either of two two-digit numbers, in whatever order the digits are written, is 9. The square of either of the digits of either number, minus the product of both digits, plus the square of the other digit is the number 21. The numbers are _______?
a. 36,63 b. 81, 18 c. 27, 72 d. 45, 54 e. none

3. If a boat goes downstream 72 miles in 3 hours and upstream 60 miles in 6 hours, the rate of the river and the rate of the boat in still water respectively are ________?
a. 7 &16 mph b. 7&17 c. 6 &17 mph d. 6 &18 e. none

4. Three times the square of a certain positive number exceeds six times the number by nine. Find the number:
a. 3 b. 6 c. 4 d. 9 e. none

5. The width of a rectangle is 15 feet less than its length, and the perimeter is 210 feet. Find the width:
a. 60 feet b. 35 feet c. 45 feet d. 40 feet e. none

6. If 6 men can do a piece of work in 14 days, how many men are needed to do the work in 21 days?
a. 3 b. 9 c. 5 d. 4 e. none

7. The sum of two numbers is 17 and the sum of their square is 145. Find the larger number.
a. 10 b. 11 c. 8 d. 9 e. none

8. A certain sum of money is invested at 10%. Twice that amount is invested at 8%. The total amount of interest from both investments is $91. How much is invested at 8%.
a. $350 b. $500 c. $1000 d. $700 e. none

9. A mother left 20% of her estate to one son and 25% to another son. The remaining $55,000 she left to her daughter. Find the amount of the estate:
a. $90,000 b. $100,000 c. $110,000 d. $120,000 e. none

I'm going to keep searching but I decided to ask a little earlier in the search process mainly because I'm panicking the interview is Tuesday.

Edit: No calculator use .... yay


EDIT2: Well I am finding how to do the problems by googleing them. I still would like to find a crash course in college algebra and a place to practice them.

Edited by zeroradius, 11 November 2010 - 12:54 PM.

[John]

I would consider this to be more high school algebra. The only resource I know of is Math Forum - Ask Dr. Math Archives: High School Algebra

[TeenChristian]

For learning I would recommended Khan Academy

[John]

I agree, Khan academy is fantastic.

[TeenChristian]

I haven't really used it yet, but they seem to have some great lessons.

[zeroradius]

@John - I was in panic mode extreme when i posted so i automatically thought collage algebra I could not take in most of what I was reading due that panic. I played some COD to relax and then sat down to work thou it. I'm embarrassed to say I could not do all of the problems but I did manage to get though 75% of them without a problem once i was calmed down. Out of the ones i din't get I glanced over them and relised I would need to see an example first so I started googleing them.

Thank you both for the links I will look into them after dinner. John can you lock the thread that answerers all my questions.

+rep

[TeenChristian]

glad I could help ^^

[John]

@TeenChristian - When I took differential equations, I used it to brush up on my calculus, and I also used it to pass my probability class.

@zeroradius - The questions are pretty straight forward. The strategy I use is as follows
- Assign all unknowns a variable.
- Use the relationships they give you to write an equation.
- Solve for the variables.

If you try to do these using logic, it will be a lot more difficult than doing it analytically.

Quote

5. The width of a rectangle is 15 feet less than its length, and the perimeter is 210 feet. Find the width:
a. 60 feet b. 35 feet c. 45 feet d. 40 feet e. none

L = length
W = width

... the width of a rectangle is 15 feet less than its length, so
W = L - 15 --> L = W + 15

...the perimeter is 210 feet
P = 210
2L + 2W = 2(W + 15) + 2W = 210


The only one that makes no sense to me is number 4.

I interpret it as:
3(x^2) > (6x)/9
Which yields x > 2/9

[TeenChristian]

Cool ^^ A video on the website also says that Bill Gates likes it for his kids.

[WingedPanther]

IRC: #math

I don't recall which network I used to hang out on, but several of the larger ones have non-stop math help :)

[zeroradius]

yah I got the box one right. and number 4 i did like this:

3x^2 = 6X+9

3x^2 - 6x -9 =0

x^2 - 2X - 3 =0

(x+1)(x-3)

x-3 = 0

x+1 = 0


x= 3

x=-1

I think thats how i did it, can't find my scrap paper, gave me the right answer thou.

I can't figure out #6 but I'm sure i'll get it sooner or later.

[nicckk]

Never mind, I interpreted the question wrong.