About 55% of GED Math is algebra and the rest is arithmetic, percents and geometry - and a formula sheet covers most of the geometry for you. That means the biggest gains come from getting comfortable solving equations, reading slope, and handling percents without second-guessing. Here are eight practice questions in the real test's style, each worked out step by step. Try each one before opening the solution.
Question 1 - Solve a linear equation
- A. x = 4
- B. x = 6
- C. x = 10
- D. x = −10
Show the solution
Distribute the 2 on the left: 2x + 8 = 3x − 2. Subtract 2x from both sides: 8 = x − 2. Add 2 to both sides: x = 10.
Answer: C. x = 10
Check it: 2(10 + 4) = 28, and 3(10) − 2 = 28. Both sides match.
Question 2 - Slope from two points
- A. 1/2
- B. 2
- C. 4
- D. 8
Show the solution
Slope is rise over run: the change in y divided by the change in x. That's (13 − 5) ÷ (6 − 2) = 8 ÷ 4 = 2.
Answer: B. 2
Keep the points in the same order top and bottom - y's on top, matching x's on the bottom.
Question 3 - Write the equation of a line
- A. y = 5x − 2
- B. y = −2x + 5
- C. y = 2x + 5
- D. y = −2x − 5
Show the solution
Slope-intercept form is y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. Drop in m = −2 and b = 5: y = −2x + 5.
Answer: B. y = −2x + 5
Question 4 - Pythagorean theorem
- A. 8 units
- B. 12 units
- C. 18 units
- D. 8.5 units
Show the solution
The width, length and diagonal form a right triangle, so a² + b² = c² with the diagonal as c. Then length² = 13² − 5² = 169 − 25 = 144, so the length is √144 = 12.
Answer: B. 12 units
The diagonal is the longest side, so it's always the "c" in the formula.
Question 5 - Percent off
- A. $14.40
- B. $33.60
- C. $36.00
- D. $62.40
Show the solution
First the discount: 30% of $48 = 0.30 × 48 = $14.40. The question asks what you pay, so subtract: $48 − $14.40 = $33.60.
Answer: B. $33.60
Choice A is the discount, not the price - a trap that catches a lot of people. Read whether the question wants the savings or the final cost.
Question 6 - Area of a circle
- A. 21.98 in²
- B. 153.86 in²
- C. 307.72 in²
- D. 49 in²
Show the solution
Area of a circle is πr². Square the radius first: 7² = 49. Then multiply by π: 3.14 × 49 = 153.86.
Answer: B. 153.86 in²
Square the radius before multiplying by π - don't multiply first. Choice A comes from doing π × r × 2 by mistake.
Question 7 - Multiply two binomials
- A. x² − 15
- B. x² − 2x − 15
- C. x² + 2x − 15
- D. x² − 8x − 15
Show the solution
Use FOIL - multiply First, Outer, Inner, Last: x·x = x², x·(−5) = −5x, 3·x = 3x, 3·(−5) = −15. Combine the middle terms: −5x + 3x = −2x. That gives x² − 2x − 15.
Answer: B. x² − 2x − 15
Question 8 - Basic probability
- A. 1/4
- B. 1/3
- C. 4/5
- D. 1/12
Show the solution
Probability is favorable outcomes over total outcomes. There are 4 red marbles out of 4 + 3 + 5 = 12 total, so 4/12, which reduces to 1/3.
Answer: B. 1/3
Always reduce the fraction - the test's answer choices are usually in lowest terms.
Bringing it together
Notice how often the work is just careful setup: line up the slope formula, square before you multiply, and read whether a percent question wants the discount or the final price. The math itself is rarely the hard part - the setup is. Use the provided formula sheet, check your answer by plugging it back in when you can, and keep drilling until the setup is automatic.
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