Test Taking Strategies

CAHSEE Mathematics

Expectations• Actively Listen and Learn

- Take Notes- Follow Along- Answer Questions

• Participate- Working in Groups

• Be Respectful and Courteous

What to expect…

Answer the QuestionProblems with more than one step

require you to really know the question you are asked. Read carefully and underline the question in the problem. Wrong answer choices called distractors are chosen carefully for these problems.

DON’T FALL FOR THE DISTRACTOR!!

Jack went to the store and bought a package of notebook paper for $1.25, a pen for $1.50, and a dozen pencils for $1.99. How much did he have left if he paid with a $10 bill?

A $3.74B $4.74C $5.26D $6.26

$1.25$1.50$1.99

$4.74

$ 4.74$10.00

$ 5.26+

–

Is this the right answer?

A CD player regularly sells for $80. It is on sale for 20% off. What is the sale price of the CD player?

A $60

B $64

C $96

D $165

$80.0020%.20x

$16.00

Is this the right answer?

$80.0016.00–

$64.00

Sally puts $200.00 in a bank account. Each year the account earns 8% simple interest. How much interest will be earned in three years?

A. $16.00

B. $24.00

C. $48.00

D. $160.00

$200.008%

0.08

$16.00$16.00

x 3

$48.00

The spinner shown above is fair. What is the probability that the spinner will NOT stop on red if you spin it one time?

A.

B.

C.

D.

RED YELLOW

BLUE GREEN

14133443

The cost of a long distance call charged by each of the two telephone companies is shown on the graph below.

Company A is less expensive than Company B for--A. all callsB. 3 minute calls onlyC. calls less than 3 minutesD. calls longer than 3 minutes

Get to the Point

Get to the Point means to focus on key words within the problem. Those key words, vocabulary, can help to decide an answer even when you do not understand the question. If a graph is involved look at the title, the labels on the axes, and the scale.

Which scatter-plot shows a negative correlation?

Donald priced six personal Compact Disc (CD) players. The prices are shown below.

$21.00, $23.00, $21.00, $39.00, $25.00, $31.00

What is the median price?

A $21.00

B $24.00

C $27.00

D $30.00

$21$21$23$25$31$39

$24

Which system of equations represents the statements below?

The sum of two numbers is ten. One number is five times the other.

A. xy = 10 and y = 5x B. xy = 10 and y = x + 5 C. x + y = 10 and y = 5x D. x + y = 10 and y = x + 5

Which figure is congruent to the figure shown here?

A.

B.

C.

D.

What is the reciprocal of ?

A. –

B. –

C.

D.

ax2

yax2

y

ax2

y

Yax2

Yax2

ax2

yax2

y

50/50 is also called Process of Elimination. If you can’t do the math, you can rule out answer choices that you know are wrong. You can then guess from your remaining answer choices.

50/50

Which of the following is equal to 5.4 x 103?

A .0054B 5.4000C 5400D 54000

103

= 1000

What number equals

A 0.267 B 0.375 C 2.67 D 3.75

3?

8

38 .000.3

2.4

Which expression is equivalent 7a2b7bc2?

A. 14a2b2c2

B. 49a2bc2

C. 49a2b2c2

D. 343a2b2c2

7a2b7bc2

49

7 ∙7

a2ba2b2c2

bc2

One millimeter is –

A. meter

B. meter

C. 100 meters

D. 1000 meters

11000

1100

milli

.001

Which of the following is the graph of

12?

2y x ( 0, )2 Slope = 1

2

Draw itDraw It works when you need to “see” the

problem. Seeing the numbers as objects or things makes the problem come alive for you.

You may need to read the problem several times in order to draw it correctly. The time you take in drawing the problem gives your brain time to think and understand.

A A

A B

Two rectangles are similar. The dimensions of rectangle B are twice those of rectangle A. How many times greater is the area of rectangle B to rectangle A.

A 2

B 4

C 6

D 8

A

The square root of 150 is between—

A. 10 and 11 B. 11 and 12 C. 12 and 13 D. 13 and 14

10 11 12 13 √100 √121 √144 √169

150

√X

Mr. Gulati is holding five cards numbered 1 through 5. He has asked five students to each randomly pick a card to see who goes first in a game. Whoever picks the card numbered 5 goes first. Juanita picks first, gets the card numbered 4, and keeps the card. What is the probability that Yoko will get the card numbered 5 if she picks second? A. 25%

B. 50%

C. 75%

D. 100%

1 2 3 4 5

If a line passes through the points A and B shown below, approximately where does the line cross the

x-axis?

A. between –3 and –2B. between 0 and -1C. between 0 and 1D. between 1 and 2

What is the slope of the line shown in the graph above?

A. -2

B.

C.

D. 2

12

12

24 Slope =

Eyeball ItTo “eyeball it” use your eyes to approximate or compare measurements.Figures are drawn to scale unless otherwise stated.

Makeshift Measure is another way to “eyeball it”. Use your pencil or your finger to mark off a measurement then compare that to other measures.

How far is my friend from home if he walks through the park?

169

Home

Friend12m

5m

A. 7m

B. 9m

C. 13m

D. 19m

ParkPark

a2 + b2 = c2

( )2 + ( )2 = ( ?)2

25 + 144 = (?)2

= (?)2

13 = ?

5 12

169

√

What is the area of the shaded region in the figure shown below?

A. 4 cm2

B. 6 cm2

C. 8 cm2

D. 16 cm2

2

2

2 2

What is the area of the shaded figure below?

A. 8 cm2

B. 9 cm2

C. 10 cm2

D. 12 cm2

= 1 cm2

One inch cubes are stacked as shown in the drawing below.

What is the total surface area?

A. 19 in.2

B. 29 in.2

C. 32 in.2

D. 38 in.2

{

{

1 in.

{

1 in.

1 in.

EstimateEstimating is a way of approximating

an answer. Use it to eliminate answer choices, avoid tough calculations, and check your work.

You don’t always need an exact answer to select the correct answer choice.

With fractions estimate so the fractions can be reduced and easier to work with.

Sally paid $1.89 for 5 plums. About how many plums would she get for $10?

A 4

B 5

C 10

D 25

5 plums for $2.00

10 plums for $4.00

20 plums for $8.00

$1.89 is almost $2.00

Marcus plans to buy a Compact Disc (CD) that has a regular price of $13.99. It is on sale for 10% off, but Marcus will have to pay 7% sales tax. Which the MOST reasonable estimate of the total cost of the CD including tax?

A $12.50

B $13.50

C $14.50

D $15.50

$13.99

(about $1.00)

$14x .1

1.40

141.40–

12.60

12.60 $13x .07

.91

1.00+13.60

Last year of all students at a school participated in the science fair. About what percentage of the students participated?

A. 18% B. 23% C. 44% D. 56%

7 < 8 16 16

8 = 1 16 2

1 = 50%27 < 50%

16

16

7

Stephanie is reading a 456 page book. During the past 7 days she has read 168 pages. If she continues reading at the same rate, how many more days will it take her to complete the book?

A. 12 B. 14 C. 19 D. 24

168

7 days 170 pages7 more days 340 pages7 more days 510 pages

≈ 170

The largest possible circle is to be cut from a 10-foot square board. What will be the approximate area, in square feet, of the Remaining board (shaded region)? A = π r2

A. 20 B. 30 C. 50 D. 80

A = π ( )2

π ( ) 3.14 (25) 3 (25) 75 +

10 ft

5ft 5ft

525Square –

Circle10 ∙ 10 –

Plug ‘N’ Chug

Write down the formulaPlug in the values.Chug through the math.

Plug ‘N’ Chug works best when a formula, equation, or expression is given in the problem.

In Sacramento, the temperature at noon was 35 Celsius (C). What was the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (F)?

A 35B 63C 67D 95

932

5F C

F = 9/5 ( ) + 32

F = 63 + 32

F = 95

35

What is the area of the triangle shown above?

A 44 square units

B 60 square units

C 88 square units

D 120 square units

11

8

15

15

8

Area = ½ bh

Area = ½( )( )

Area = 60

What is the volume of the shoebox shown above in cubic inches (in.3)?

A 29

B 75

C 510

D 675

9 in.

5 in.

15 in.

Volume = L W H

Volume = ( )( )( )

Volume = 675

15

5

9

What is the value of (3 + 52) ÷ 4 – (x + 1) when x = 7?

A. -7 B. -1 C. 8 D. 10

(3 + 52) ÷ 4 – ( + 1)

7

(3 + ) ÷ 4 – (7 + 1)

28 85225

( ) ÷ 4 – ( )3 +25 7 + 1

- ( 8)( 28 ) ÷ 47

7 – (8)- 1

What does x5 equal when x = - 2?

A. - 32

B. - 10

C. -

D. 32

132

x5

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )XXXX X

(X) (X) (X) (X) (X)

-2-2-2-2-2(-2) (-2) (-2) (-2) (-2)- 32

The table shows values for x and corresponding values for y. Which of the following represents the relationship between x and y?

A. y = x

B. y = 7x

C. y = x – 6

D. y = x - 18

X y

21 314 228 47 1

17

( ) = 1/7 ( )

21 3

( ) = 7 ( )

21 3

( ) = ( ) - 6

21 3

( ) = ( ) - 18

21 3

( ) = 1/7 ( )7 1

( ) = ( ) - 18

7 1

BacksolveBacksolve means working backwards from the answer choices. Plug in the answer choices and let the problem do the work.Remember these steps: Plug in one of the answer choices Chug across the equationIf your result is true, you’re done.If your result is false, try again.

Solve for n: 3n + 4 = 19

A n = 2B n = 3C n = 5D n = 7

3( ) + 4 = 19

6 + 4 = 10

2

3( ) + 4 = 19

9 + 4 = 13

3

3( ) + 4 = 19

15 + 4 = 19

5

Which of the following point lies on the line 4x + 5y = 20?

A (0, 4) B (0, 5) C (4, 5) D (5, 4)

x y

4( ) + 5( ) = 20

0 + 20 = 20

0 4

The number of games won over four yearsfor the three teams is shown on the graph below.

Which statement is true based on this information?

A. Team 3 always came in second.

B. Team 1 had the best average overall.

C. Team 1 always won more games than Team 3.

D. Team 2 won more games each year than in the previous years.

?

If |x| = 3, what is the value of x ?

A. -3 or 0 B. -3 or 3 C. 0 or 3 D. -9 or 9

| | = 3 | | = 3

-3 0 3 = 3 0 = 3

| | = 3 | | = 3-3 3

3 = 3 3 = 3

The slope of the line shown below is

What is the value of d?A. 3B. 4C. 6D. 9

d

6

0

y

x

2.

3 Slope = rise run

2 = 3

d

6

2 = 3 6

3 2 = 3 64

Solve for n. 2n + 3 < 17

A. n < 2 B. n < 3 C. n < 5 D. n < 7

2( ) + 3 < 17

12 + 3 < 17

5 < 17BUT, n = 1 is a valid number to use to test all answer choices. . .

Start from D, try n = 6, 6

12 + 3 < 1715 < 17

Pick a NumberPick a number works best when there are

variables in the answer choices.Pick a number or numbers.

Substitute for the variable(s).Work it out and evaluate.

When a graph is involved, Pick a Point (x,y) and substitute into the equation. Evaluate the results.

If n is an odd number, which of the following is true about n + 1?

A. It is an odd number. B. It is an even number. C. It is a prime number. D. It is the same thing as n – 1.

Pick n = 5 + 1 = 65

Pick n = 77 + 1 = 8Pick n = 1111 + 1 = 12

If a is a positive number and b is a negative number, which expression is always positive?

A. a – b B. a + b C. a x b D. a ÷ b

Pick a = 5, b = - 3

( ) – ( )( ) + ( )( ) x ( )( ) ÷ ( )

5 -35 -35 -35 -3 Pick a = 5, b = - 8

( ) + ( )( ) – ( )

5 -85 -8

Which graph represents the line on the graph?

A. x + 2y = 3

B. x + 2y = 5 C. 2x + y = 9 D. 4x + 2y = 3

x + 2y = 3 3 + 2(0) = 3 3 = 3

(3,0)

What is the y-intercept of the line represented by the equation x + 4y = 3?

A.

B.

C. 3

D. 4

3443

y-intercept is point ( 0, y)

+ 4 y = 3x

0

4 y = 3 4 4

y = 3 4

Which graph represents the system of equations shown below?

y = -x + 3y = x + 3

( ) = -( ) + 3 ( ) = ( ) + 3

A. C.

B. D.

(0, -3)0 -3

-3 = 3

(0, 3)0 3

3 = 3

0 3

3 = 3

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