Deck 1: California Basic Educational Skills and HiSET Math

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

Answer 1

Montana

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.

Answer 2

Either platinum or palladium could be used in manufacturing catalytic converters.

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.

Answer 3

It is valuable because it can be used in many different ways.

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.

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.

Question 6

Is 40÷5>, =, or < 49÷7?

A)>
B)=
C)<
D)None of the above

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

Question 8

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

A)3.14 cm ²
B)28.26 cm ²
C)282.6 cm ²
D)2.826 cm ²

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

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

Question 11

What percentage is ¼?

A)20%
B)25%
C)50%
D)4%