Mathematics Achievement
Mathematics Achievement
The Lower Level Mathematics Achievement section has 30 questions in 30 minutes and tests computation and concepts: arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percents, geometry, measurement, and data. No calculator is allowed, so accuracy and efficient written work matter.
Core Rules
- Order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiply and divide left to right, add and subtract left to right.
- Fractions: find a common denominator before adding or subtracting; multiply numerators and denominators; invert the divisor before dividing.
- Decimals: line up decimal points when adding or subtracting; count decimal places when multiplying.
- Percents: convert to decimals or fractions; of means multiply; percent change equals change divided by original.
- Geometry: perimeter is the distance around; area is in square units; a rectangle's area is length times width.
Worked example
A $40 jacket is discounted 15%. What is the sale price? 15% of 40 equals 0.15 times 40, which equals 6. The discount is $6, so the sale price is 40 minus 6, or $34. A common error is stopping at $6, which is the discount, not the price.
Traps
- Adding fractions by adding denominators (3/4 plus 5/8 is not 8/12).
- Using the original amount instead of the new amount in percent-change problems.
- Confusing perimeter and area, or writing area in linear units.
- Losing decimal alignment in stacked addition.
- Forgetting to check whether an answer is reasonable.
Key points
- 30 questions in 30 minutes; no calculator.
- Common denominators are required for fraction addition.
- Percent means per hundred; convert before computing.
- Perimeter is linear; area is square units.
- Check the question: discount versus sale price.