TASC PQR Mathematics Test Practice Items
MATHEMATICS
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
Use these items to practice for the TASC Mathematics subtest. Before you begin, review the
information below titled Using Gridded-Response Item Blocks. Once you reach the end of
the test, check your responses against the answer key provided. Take the time to read the
information preceding the answers to understand what you’ll need to know and be able to do
to prepare yourself to pass the TASC test. In the following multiple-choice questions, circle the
correct answer and then check your answers using the answer key provided.
Good luck preparing for the TASC test!
Using Gridded-Response Item Blocks
The Mathematics section of the TASC test contains both multiple-choice items and
gridded-response items. Gridded-response items ask for a numerical answer that may
be an integer, a decimal, or a fractional value. The grid consists of bubbles containing
the integers 0 through 9, the fraction bar (/), and a decimal point (.). Enter a numerical
value or a symbol into the grid, and then shade the appropriate bubble beneath each
number or symbol.
Numbers may be entered from either the right or the left. The scoring software will
treat them the same either way. For example, if you had an item with an answer of
43.8, either of the following responses would be scored as correct.
43 . 8 43 . 8
``` ```
aaa~a aa~aa
00000 00000
11111 11111
22222 22222
33;33 3;333
4;444 ;4444
55555 55555
66666 66666
77777 77777
8888; 888;8
99999 99999
GO
Mathematics 2
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
Using Gridded-Response Item Blocks (cont.)
Fractions and decimal values may also be entered. If you had an item with the
3 3 1 or 0.5, and all of
answer __, it could be entered as __ or simplified into either __
6 6 2
these responses would be scored as correct by the system.
1/2 3 /6 0 . 5
~`` ``~ ```
aaaaa aaaaa aaa~a
00000 00000 00;00
;1111 11111 11111
22;22 22222 22222
33333 33;33 33333
44444 44444 44444
55555 55555 5555;
66666 6666; 66666
77777 77777 77777
88888 88888 88888
99999 99999 99999
GO
Mathematics 3
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
1. When a spherical balloon is filled with air, it has a radius of 3 inches. Which of these gives
the best estimate for the volume of air in the balloon, in cubic inches?
A. 63.6
B. 108.0
C. 113.1
D. 150.8
2. Two triangles are similar, and the dimensions shown are in centimeters.
What is the measure of x, in centimeters?
A. 4.0
B. 5.6
C. 8.4
D. 11.0
GO
Mathematics 4
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
3. Sharon made a scale drawing of a triangular park.
Her scale is 1 unit = 1 meter.
y
8 (1, 8)
7
6
(–2, 5) 5 (4, 5)
4
3
2
1
–8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 x
–1
–2
–3
–4
–5
–6
–7
–8
What is the area of the triangular park, in square meters?
```
aaaaa
00000
11111
22222
33333
44444
55555
66666
77777
88888
99999
GO
Mathematics 5
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
4. What is the solution to the equation 2(x – 10) + 4 = –6x + 2?
A. − _9_
2
B. 1
C. 9
__
4
D. 5
__
2
5. Water pours into a tank over a 10-minute period. The graphed function f (x) models the
flow rate, in gallons per minute (GPM).
f(x)
60
Flow Rate (GPM)
50
40
30
20
10
x
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (minutes)
Over which of these intervals does the flow rate increase by the greatest amount?
A. x = 0 to x = 1
B. x = 2 to x = 3
C. x = 4 to x = 5
D. x = 8 to x = 9
GO
Mathematics 6
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
6. The table gives selected values for the linear function f (x).
x f (x)
5 12
10 19
15 26
20 33
Which of these functions has the same slope as f (x)?
A. g (x) = x + 7
B. h (x) = 2 x + 2
C. 4x + 8
q (x) = __
5
D. 7 x + 5
p (x) = __
5
GO
Mathematics 7
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
7. Tom has two cubes with one of each number, 1–6, on each of the six faces. He rolls the
cubes at the same time and finds the sum of the numbers that show on the top. The
sample space of all the possible outcomes is {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}. Which subset
describes the possible outcomes for a roll in which one of the cubes shows a number less
than or equal to 3 and the other cube shows the number 4?
A. {5, 6}
B. {4, 5, 6}
C. {5, 6, 7}
D. {4, 5, 6, 7}
8. The price of a certain sofa, S, is $900 more than the price of a chair, C. The total price for
the sofa and chair is $1200. Which system of equations can be used to find the price of
each piece of furniture?
A.
{
S = C + 900
S + C = 1200
B.
{
S = C – 900
S – C = 1200
C.
{
S = C – 900
S + C = 1200
D.
{
S = C – 1200
S – C = 900
GO
Mathematics 8
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
9. Consider this polynomial expression.
( x 2 – x + 1) + (2 x 2 + x – 9)
What is the sum of the polynomials?
A. x2 – 8
B. 3 x2 – 8
C. 3 x2 – 2 x – 8
D. 3 x2 + 2 x – 8
10. Consider this function.
f (x) = –2 x + 7
What is f (−3)?
```
aaaaa
00000
11111
22222
33333
44444
55555
66666
77777
88888
99999
GO
Mathematics 9
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
11. The surface area, SA, of a square prism is given by SA = 2s2 + 4sh.
In the equation,
• s is the length of the side of the square base and
• h is the height.
Which formula could be used to find h if you know the values of SA and s?
2
SA + 2s
A. h = _______
4
2
SA – 2s
B. h = _______
4s
C. h = SA – 2s2 – 4s
SA
D. h = ___ – 2s2
4s
GO
Mathematics 10
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
12. While visiting Brazil for 6 days, Shan has a budget to spend an average of 16 U.S. dollars
per day on food. The conversion rate is 1 U.S. dollar ($) = 3.16 Brazilian real (R$). The first
day of vacation, he spends R$63.20 on food.
What is the average number of U.S. dollars ($) per day Shan can spend on food for the
remaining 5 days of his vacation?
```
aaaaa
00000
11111
22222
33333
44444
55555
66666
77777
88888
99999
13. Select the three expressions that each represent a rational number.
A. _5_ • ___
3
2 11
B. 1__
___
√4
__ __
C. 2√ 2 √ 9
_____
D. 4√ 2 • 9
__ ___
E. √ 4 √ 16
__
F. 52 √ 3
STOP
Mathematics 11
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
Answer Key
Answer Key
After completing the practice items, you can check your answers with the following answer
key. For your added benefit, answers come with explanations to help you understand why
they’re right. If you do well on the practice test, then you may be prepared to take the
official TASC Readiness Test. If you struggle on the practice test, then you may still have
more work to do to get prepared.
1. This multiple-choice item provides evidence regarding your ability to recognize and use
geometric formulas to compute quantities, a skill that has a wide array of practical and
business applications outside of a school setting. Did you know that you can use an
approved scientific calculator, as well as a formula sheet, within the testing environment?
Answer: C
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence of your ability to calculate the volume of a sphere
with a given radius.
2. Deriving the correct response requires you to apply proportional reasoning skills in a
geometric context. Writing proportions to model situations is one of the most fundamental
concepts in mathematical modeling.
Answer: B
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can apply proportional reasoning to
14 = __
___ 28
x , obtaining the solution x = ___
5 5
= 5.6.
2
3. A key concept in coordinate geometry is analyzing graphs to determine distances and
areas that depend on the scale and units of measure. This gridded-response item requires
you to use coordinates to compute an area. In this instance, a coordinate-grid graphic is
given. In other instances, test items may not include the graphic.
Answer: 9
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can calculate the area of a triangle, given
coordinates and a coordinate grid graphic.
Mathematics 12
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
Answer Key
4. This multiple-choice item requires you to apply algebraic rules to solve a linear equation.
The order of operations plays an important role in this item, as does recognition and
manipulation of like terms. The item not only allows an inference to be made about your
mastery of the content standard but also provides evidence regarding your mastery of
looking for and making use of structure.
Answer: C
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct reponse provides evidence that you can apply algebraic rules, including the
distributive property, to solve for x.
5. A key concept in functions is recognizing features of the graphs of the functions. This
multiple-choice item provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate an understanding of
how quantities change with respect to one another given the model graph.
Answer: A
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can recognize that A is the only interval
where the flow rate is increasing.
6. Linear functions are among the most basic functions in algebra. You will become familiar
with the key concepts of linear functions and learn how to use these functions to model
real-life situations in basic courses. This multiple-choice item requires you to compare the
slopes of two linear functions that are represented in a different way.
Answer: D
Explanation for Correct Response:
7 from the
The correct response provides evidence that you can determine the slope of __
5
table and then compare it with the slopes of the equations.
7. Before you can answer a question about the likelihood of an event occurring, you must
consider the sample space (the set of possible outcomes) as well as the subset that
describes the event. To avoid misinterpretation, the set of possible outcomes is explicitly
stated in this multiple-choice item, which allows you to focus on selecting the proper
subset of the sample space that meets the criteria, using quantitative reasoning skills.
Answer: C
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can determine the subset representing the
possible outcomes.
Mathematics 13
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
Answer Key
8. This multiple-choice item provides evidence regarding your ability to analyze and represent
constraints by using a system of equations. The item requires that you identify the system
of equations that models the contextual situation by interpreting key words and phrases.
Answer: A
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can translate a verbal description of
constraints into the correct system of equations.
9. A fundamental skill is the ability to proficiently compute with algebraic expressions—
specifically, adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials. This provides the foundation
for using algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions as a means to model
phenomena in the real world.
Answer: B
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can recognize correct addition of terms.
10. Proficiency with the concept of functions involves both familiarity with functional notation
and the ability to evaluate a given function for a specific numerical value. This item requires
you to apply these skills by evaluating a basic linear equation for a given input value.
Obtaining the proper solution also requires demonstrating the conceptual understanding of
how to multiply negative numbers.
Answer: 13
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can evaluate a linear function for a given
input, as in f (–3) = –2 × –3 + 7 = 6 + 7 = 13.
11. This multiple-choice item requires you to isolate a particular quantity of interest. The item
involves many of the same skills with algebraic properties as the previous item. Isolating a
quantity of interest is an important applied skill in mathematics and the sciences.
Answer: B
Explanation for Correct Response:
The correct response provides evidence that you can manipulate an algebraic equation to
isolate the quantity of interest, as in
SA = 2s2 + 4sh
SA – 2s2 = 4sh
SA – 2s2
_______ =h
4s
Mathematics 14
TASC Mathematics Test Practice Items
Answer Key
12. This gridded-response item requires you to solve a multistep real-world problem by
reasoning quantitatively. A unit conversion, which is a very common application of rates of
change, is required. The item further requires you to apply your knowledge of how to find
the mean in a given context.
Answer: 15.2
Explanation for Correct Response:
63.20
Convert R$ to $: _____
3.16
= 20
Total $ for budget: (16)(6) = 96
96 – 20 = 76
76
___
5
= 15.2
13. A foundational skill for working with algebraic expressions is understanding rational and
irrational numbers. This multi-select item provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate
an understanding of how numerical expressions can be rewritten to determine whether they
represent rational or irrational numbers.
Answer: A, B, E
Explanation for Correct Response:
A. _52_ • ___
3
11
15
This expression is equivalent to ___
22
, which is rational.
1__
B. ___ 1 , which is rational.
This expression is equivalent to __
√4 2
__ ___
E. √ 4 √ 16 This expression is equivalent to (2)(4), which is rational.
Mathematics 15