Nursing Elites

1. Simplify (x^2 - y^2) / (x - y)

• A. x + y
• B. x - y
• C. 1
• D. (x + y)/(x - y)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The expression 𝑥^2 - 𝑦^2 is a difference of squares, which follows the identity: 𝑥^2 - 𝑦^2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 - 𝑦). Therefore, the given expression becomes: (𝑥^2 - 𝑦^2) / (𝑥 - 𝑦) = (𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 - 𝑦) / (𝑥 - 𝑦). Since (𝑥 - 𝑦) appears in both the numerator and the denominator, they cancel each other out, leaving 𝑥 + 𝑦. Thus, the simplified form of (𝑥^2 - 𝑦^2) / (𝑥 - 𝑦) is 𝑥 + 𝑦. Therefore, the correct answer is A (x + y). Option B (x - y) is incorrect as it does not result from simplifying the given expression. Option C (1) is incorrect as it does not account for the variables x and y present in the expression. Option D ((x + y)/(x - y)) is incorrect as it presents the simplified form in a different format than the correct answer.

2. If m represents a car’s average mileage in miles per gallon, p represents the price of gas in dollars per gallon, and d represents a distance in miles, which of the following algebraic equations represents the cost, c, of gas per mile?

• A. c = dp/m
• B. c = p/m
• C. c = mp/d
• D. c = m/p

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The cost of gas per mile, c, is calculated by dividing the price of gas, represented by p, by the car's average mileage, represented by m. Therefore, the correct equation is c = p/m. Choice A (dp/m) incorrectly multiplies the price of gas and distance, while choice C (mp/d) incorrectly multiplies the average mileage and price of gas. Choice D (m/p) incorrectly divides the average mileage by the price of gas, which does not represent the cost of gas per mile.

3. How can you visually differentiate between a histogram and a bar graph?

• A. A bar graph has gaps between the bars; a histogram does not
• B. A bar graph displays frequency; a histogram does not
• C. A histogram illustrates comparison; a bar graph does not
• D. A bar graph includes labels; a histogram does not

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The key difference between a histogram and a bar graph is that a bar graph has gaps between the bars, while a histogram does not. This feature helps in visually distinguishing between the two. Choice B is incorrect because both types of graphs can show frequency. Choice C is incorrect as both graphs can be used for comparison. Choice D is incorrect as both types of graphs can have labels for better understanding.

4. Shawna buys 5 gallons of paint. If she uses 2/5 of it on the first day, how much paint does she have left?

• A. 3 gallons
• B. 2 gallons
• C. 1 gallon
• D. 0.5 gallons

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To find out how much paint Shawna uses on the first day, calculate 2/5 * 5 = 2 gallons. Subtracting the amount used from the total amount gives us 5 - 2 = 3 gallons remaining. Therefore, Shawna has 3 gallons of paint left after using 2 gallons on the first day. Choice A is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because she has more paint left than the options presented.

5. Which of the following is listed in order from least to greatest? (-2, -3/4, -0.45, 3%, 0.36)

• A. -2, -3/4, -0.45, 3%, 0.36
• B. -3/4, -0.45, -2, 0.36, 3%
• C. -0.45, -2, -3/4, 3%, 0.36
• D. -2, -3/4, -0.45, 0.36, 3%

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To determine the order from least to greatest, convert all the values to a common form. When written in decimal form, the order is -2, -0.75 (which is equal to -3/4), -0.45, 0.03 (which is equal to 3%), and 0.36. Therefore, the correct order is -2, -3/4, -0.45, 3%, 0.36 (Choice A). Choice B is incorrect as it has the incorrect placement of -2 and 0.36. Choice C is incorrect as it incorrectly places -0.45 before -2. Choice D is incorrect as it incorrectly places 0.36 before 3%.

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