Question 1

Palladium, a soft shiny silvery-white metal, is one of six platinum group metals and is relatively rare. It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium often replaces platinum since it is cheaper, harder and lighter. It can be drawn into wire or hammered out into sheets, it is often mixed with gold for white gold jewelry. Palladium can also be used to make surgical instruments. Automobile manufacturers need the world's palladium for catalytic converters. Along with gold, silver, and platinum, palladium is a precious metal owned and traded by investors.
Palladium mining is an intricate process because it is spread out under the earths surface. Mining palladium uses mechanical extraction methods that simplify the process. Makes it easier to get down into the Earthis crust. The reserves in the upper portions of the crust is becoming depleted, so miners have to dig deeper. Most palladium is in Russian, North America, South Africa, and South America. The largest North American palladium mine - Montanais Stillwater mine - is located in the United States. In South Africa, there is the largest proportion of palladium and platinum resource located mainly at the Bushveld Igeneous Complex.
From which region are American manufacturers of surgical instruments likely to buy the metal necessary?
A)Europe
B)South Africa
C)Montana
D)South America

Accepted Answer

American manufacturers of surgical instruments are most likely to buy their metal from the mines in Montana. The metal used to make surgical instruments is palladium. The Stillwater mine is the largest palladium mine in North America. Logic would dictate that American manufacturers would use the local source of the metal.

Question 2

Palladium, a soft shiny silvery-white metal, is one of six platinum group metals and is relatively rare. It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium often replaces platinum since it is cheaper, harder and lighter. It can be drawn into wire or hammered out into sheets, it is often mixed with gold for "white gold" jewelry. Palladium can also be used to make surgical instruments. Automobile manufacturers need the world's palladium for catalytic converters. Along with gold, silver, and platinum, palladium is a precious metal owned and traded by investors.
Palladium mining is an intricate process because it is spread out under the earth's surface. Mining palladium uses mechanical extraction methods that simplify the process. Makes it easier to get down into the Earth's crust. The reserves in the upper portions of the crust is becoming depleted, so miners have to dig deeper. Most palladium is in Russian, North America, South Africa, and South America. The largest North American palladium mine - Montana's Stillwater mine - is located in the United States. In South Africa, there is the largest proportion of palladium and platinum resource located mainly at the Bushveld Igeneous Complex.
Which statement is a valid inference based on the information in this passage?
A)Either platinum or palladium could be used in manufacturing catalytic converters.
B)Silver is worth more than Palladium when traded by investors.
C)Most palladium is used in the manufacture of jewelry and surgical instruments.
D)The world's supplies of palladium are almost completely depleted.

Accepted Answer

Since the passage states that palladium often replaces platinum, a valid inference is that platinum could be used in manufacturing catalytic converters. There is no indication of the relative value of silver and palladium, and the author does not indicate which industries purchase more palladium than others. Finally, while the passage does state that palladium near the surface of the earth is depleted, it goes on to explain that the metal is mined by digging deeper.

Question 3

Palladium, a soft shiny silvery-white metal, is one of six platinum group metals and is relatively rare. It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium often replaces platinum since it is cheaper, harder and lighter. It can be drawn into wire or hammered out into sheets, it is often mixed with gold for "white gold" jewelry. Palladium can also be used to make surgical instruments. Automobile manufacturers need the world's palladium for catalytic converters. Along with gold, silver, and platinum, palladium is a precious metal owned and traded by investors.
Palladium mining is an intricate process because it is spread out under the earth's surface. Mining palladium uses mechanical extraction methods that simplify the process. Makes it easier to get down into the Earth's crust. The reserves in the upper portions of the crust is becoming depleted, so miners have to dig deeper. Most palladium is in Russian, North America, South Africa, and South America. The largest North American palladium mine - Montana's Stillwater mine - is located in the United States. In South Africa, there is the largest proportion of palladium and platinum resource located mainly at the Bushveld Igeneous Complex.
What is the author's opinion of palladium?
A)It is an inferior substitute for platinum.
B)It is rare only because it is difficult to acquire.
C)It is valuable because it can be used in many different ways.
D)It is a beautiful decorative metal.

Accepted Answer

The author's opinion of palladium is that it is valuable because it can be used in many different ways. The author describes the characteristic of the metal, including how it can be formed into wire or sheets, and the many different industries that use it. While it is difficult to acquire, no connection is made between mining and the cost of the metal. The author does not indicate any ways palladium is inferior to platinum.

Question 4

Palladium, a soft shiny silvery-white metal, is one of six platinum group metals and is relatively rare. It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium often replaces platinum since it is cheaper, harder and lighter. It can be drawn into wire or hammered out into sheets, it is often mixed with gold for "white gold" jewelry. Palladium can also be used to make surgical instruments. Automobile manufacturers need the world's palladium for catalytic converters. Along with gold, silver, and platinum, palladium is a precious metal owned and traded by investors.
Palladium mining is an intricate process because it is spread out under the earth's surface. Mining palladium uses mechanical extraction methods that simplify the process. Makes it easier to get down into the Earth's crust. The reserves in the upper portions of the crust is becoming depleted, so miners have to dig deeper. Most palladium is in Russian, North America, South Africa, and South America. The largest North American palladium mine - Montana's Stillwater mine - is located in the United States. In South Africa, there is the largest proportion of palladium and platinum resource located mainly at the Bushveld Igeneous Complex.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A)Worldwide reserves of palladium are depleted, leading to deeper mines and higher prices.
B)Discovered in 1804, palladium, a precious metal, is used for jewelry and industry, and is mined in North and South America, Russia, and South Africa.
C)The Palladium mines in North America and South Africa produce most of the world's supply of this precious metal.
D)Mechanical extraction of palladium is a simple process and has made it easier to extract the metal from the earth.

Accepted Answer

Choice B includes the key ideas in this passage, including the fact that palladium has uses both in industry and for jewelry, that it is a precious metal, and the key areas where it is mined. While palladium close to the surface has been depleted, deeper mining continues to yield metal.

Question 5

Palladium, a soft shiny silvery-white metal, is one of six platinum group metals and is relatively rare. It was discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium often replaces platinum since it is cheaper, harder and lighter. It can be drawn into wire or hammered out into sheets, it is often mixed with gold for "white gold" jewelry. Palladium can also be used to make surgical instruments. Automobile manufacturers need the world's palladium for catalytic converters. Along with gold, silver, and platinum, palladium is a precious metal owned and traded by investors.
Palladium mining is an intricate process because it is spread out under the earth's surface. Mining palladium uses mechanical extraction methods that simplify the process. Makes it easier to get down into the Earth's crust. The reserves in the upper portions of the crust is becoming depleted, so miners have to dig deeper. Most palladium is in Russian, North America, South Africa, and South America. The largest North American palladium mine - Montana's Stillwater mine - is located in the United States. In South Africa, there is the largest proportion of palladium and platinum resource located mainly at the Bushveld Igeneous Complex.
Why do palladium miners use mechanical processes to access the metal?
A)It is cheaper to use mechanical mining technology.
B)Mechanical mining technology is the most effective way to reach the palladium near the surface of the crust.
C)Most of the palladium at the surface has been depleted, so mechanical mining is needed to dig deeper.
D)Most palladium is mined in South Africa, where mechanical mining equipment is common.

Accepted Answer

The passage states that palladium reserves in the upper portion of the crust have been depleted. There is no cost comparison between different means, nor is the use of mechanical mining equipment unique to South Africa.

Question 6

Is 40÷5>, =, or < 49÷7? A)> B)= C)< D)None of the above

Accepted Answer

40÷5 > 49÷7. In other words, 8 > 7.

Question 7

What is 1 1/2 as a simple fraction in lowest terms?
A)1/2
B)2/3
C)3/2
D)6/4

Accepted Answer

3/2 1 = 2/2, so 2/2 + 1/2 = 3/2. Since both 3 and 2 are prime, the fraction cannot be simplified further. 6/4 is equivalent, but since both terms are divisible by 2 it is not the simplest form.

Question 8

A radius of a circle is 3 cm. What is its area? A)3.14 cm² B)28.26 cm² C)282.6 cm² D)2.826 cm²

Accepted Answer

A circle with a radius of 3 cm has an area of 28.26 cm². The formula for the area of a circle is 3.14 (?) multiplied by the radius squared. 3² = 9, so 3.14 x 9 is 28.26 cm².

Question 9

What is the mean for the following expenditures? $79.84, $278.99, $342.16, $466.25, $111.39, $502.47, $98.12
A)$278.99
B)$268.46
C)$354.22
D)$317.54

Accepted Answer

The mean for the data set above is $268.46. The median or middle number when the numbers are in ascending order ($79.84, $98.12, $111.39, $278.99, $342.16, $466.25, $502.47) is $278.99.

Question 10

The wholesale price of a fountain pen is $2.80. What will the new price be if a 5% increase is instituted?
A)$2.84
B)$2.90
C)$2.94
D)$2.96
E)$2.97

Accepted Answer

$2.94. To find 5% of a number, first find 10%, then halve it. In this case, 10% of $2.80 is $0.28. Half of that is $0.14. Add the 14 cents to $2.80 to get $2.94.
Key Takeaway: Logical reasoning is critical with percent problems. Knowing how to manipulate numbers in relation to "friendly" numbers is important. For example, to find 5%, halve 10%. To find 20%, double 10%.

Question 11

What percentage is ¼?
A)20%
B)25%
C)50%
D)4%

Accepted Answer

¼ = 25%. You can divide the numerator by the denominator to get the percentage. 1 ÷ 4 = .25 which is equal to 25%.

Quiz 1: California Basic Educational Skills and HiSET Math

Is 40÷5>, =, or < 49÷7?

What is 1 1/2 as a simple fraction in lowest terms?

A radius of a circle is 3 cm. What is its area?

What is the mean for the following expenditures? $79.84, $278.99, $342.16, $466.25, $111.39, $502.47, $98.12

The wholesale price of a fountain pen is $2.80. What will the new price be if a 5% increase is instituted?

What percentage is ¼?