MATH TOPICS

1
PPST Math
The following slides will give you an idea of
what topics will be covered on the math portion
of the PPST or Praxis test. This presentation
will also give you many sample problems that came
from actual tests that were given. Answers are
included at the end of the presentation.
2
PPST Math

• In addition to viewing this presentation, it
  would be a good idea to take as many practice
  tests as possible before the day of your test.
  Taking practice tests under test conditions is an
  excellent way to prepare for the test. As you
  discover problems that you cannot solve, feel
  free to bring those problems to the math tutors
  in Academic Skills for assistance.

3
PPST Math

• It would also be a good idea to purchase the PPST
  practice book by Barrons. It is highly
  recommended by the specialists in Academic
  Skills. This book will provide you with the
  practice tests that you will need in order to
  better prepare for the test.

4
PPST Math

• Emphasis is on interpretation as opposed to
  computation.
• Questions have more of an everyday math flavor
  unlike the SAT or ACT tests.
• Questions will come from 6 categories
• Number sense
• Practical applications
• Understanding mathematical relationships
• Understanding measurement.
• Deductive reasoning
• Interpreting graphs

5
MATH TOPICS

• Arithmetic
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide
• Percents and ratios
• Averages
• Odd and even numbers
• Probability
• Fractions and Decimals

• Algebra
• Positive and negative numbers
• Exponents
• Square roots
• Equations
• Pythagorean Theorem

6
MATH TOPICS

• Geometry
• Parallel and perpendicular lines
• Rectangles and squares
• Special triangles

• Measurement
• Metric System
• English System
• Perimeter and volume
• Angle measures
• Reading measuring instruments

7
Number Sense

• A pattern requires 1 7/8 yards of a certain
  fabric, and five remnants of the fabric are on
  sale. If their lengths are as follows, which of
  these lengths will provide enough fabric and
  result in the least waste?
• 1 ½yd
• 1 ¾ yd
• 1 15/16 yd
• D) 2 yd
• E) 2 1/16 yd

8
Number Sense

• The fraction 2/3 is between all of the following
  pairs of numbers EXCEPT
• 0 and 1
• ½ and ¾
• 2 and 3
• .6 and .7
• .5 and .8

9
Practical Applications
An elevator operator is not allowed to carry more
than 10 passengers in the elevator at one time.
If there are 35 people waiting on the ground
floor, what is the minimum number of trips up
that the elevator must make in order to transport
these 35 people? A) 3 B) 3 ½ C) 4
D) 5 E) 5 1/2
10
Practical Applications

• Which of the following is NOT a correct way to
  find 75 of 40?
• B) C) 0.75 x 40
• D) E) 75.0 x 40

11
Understanding mathematical relationships

• If M is twice N, then N is
• one-half M
• twice M
• two less than M
• two more than M
• M minus one-half

12
Understanding mathematical relationships

• A nut mixture contains peanuts and cashews in a
  ratio of 4 to 7. How many kilograms of cashews
  are there in the mixture if it contains 28
  kilograms of peanuts?
• 11
• 16
• 31
• 49
• 196

13
Understanding measurement

• Which of the following is a way to find the
  amount of fence needed to enclose a rectangular
  garden?
• ½ (length) x (width)
• 2(length) 2 (width)
• (length)2 (width)2
• (length) x (width)
• (length) (width)

14
Understanding measurement
50
10
On the dial above, the arrow points most nearly
to which of the following readings? A) 11 ½ B)
15 C) 20 ½ D) 25 E) 30
15
Deductive reasoning

• Statement The product of any two numbers is
  always greater than or equal to either of those
  numbers.
• Which of the following examples proves the
  statement above FALSE?
• 1 x 1 1 B) 3 x 4 12 C) 5 x 1 5
• D) 5/2 x 4 10 E) ½ x 4 2

16
Deductive reasoning

• 2 and 3 are factors of N.
• Which of the following means the same as the
  sentence above?
• N is a multiple of 2 and a multiple of 3
• 2 and 3 are the only factors of N.
• 6 is a multiple of N.
• 5 is a factor of N.
• 2 x 3 N.

17
Interpreting graphs

• In each of the following, if the solid bar
  represents 200,000, in which case does the
  striped bar most likely represent 300,000?
• A) B)
• C) D)
• E)

18
DECIMALS
Which of the following has the greatest
value? A. .9 .2 1.5 B. .9 X .2 X 1.5 C.
.9 (.2 X 1.5)
19
Probability
For a certain board game, two dice are thrown to
determine the number of spaces to move. One
player throws the dice and the same number comes
up on each of the dice. What is the probability
that the sum of the two numbers is 9?
20
TRICKY
A study shows that on the average engineers
earned 25 more per year than laboratory
technicians. If this trend continues, the annual
salary of engineers would be what percent greater
than that of laboratory technicians after 5 years?
21
GEOMETRY
What is the diameter, in feet, of the largest
circle that can be drawn on a 4 by 10 foot
chalkboard?
22
PICTOGRAPH
1980 1975 1970 1965
Number of New Houses Built in XYZ Town 1965-1980
Each represents 100 homes.
How many more new houses were built in 1970 than
in 1975?
23
PERCENT
An appliance company gives a 15 discount for
purchases made during a sale, and an additional
5 discount if payment is made in cash. What
will the price of an 800 refrigerator be if both
discounts are taken?
24
METRIC SYSTEM
Kilometer Hectometer Dekameter Meter Decimeter Cen
timeter Millimeter
25
METRIC SYSTEM
Which of the following could be the length of a
car? A. 450 cm B. 150 cm C. 12 m D. 1.5
dm E. 0.4 km
26
Distance problem

• An automobile traveled 6 hours at an
  average speed of 40 miles per hour. It averaged
  only 30 miles per hour on the return trip. What
  was the approximate average speed in miles per
  hour for the round trip?
• 33
• 34
• 35
• 36
• 37

27
Pythagorean Theorem

• Two cars leave the same location at 200
  p.m. If one car travels north at the rate of 30
  mph and the other travels east at the rate of 40
  mph, how many miles apart are the two cars at
  400 p.m.?
• 50
• 500
• 100
• 120
• 150