how many centimeters are there in a foot

HESI A2

HESI A2 Math Practice Exam

1. How many centimeters are in a foot?

A. 30 cm
B. 31.5 cm
C. 30.48 cm
D. 35 cm

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 30.48 cm. This conversion is based on the standard measurement where 1 foot is equal to 30.48 centimeters. Choice A (30 cm) is incorrect as it is a rounded-down value and not precise. Choice B (31.5 cm) is incorrect as it is not the standard conversion for feet to centimeters. Choice D (35 cm) is incorrect as it is not the accurate conversion for a foot to centimeters.

2. If a horse can trot around a track twice in 10 minutes, how many times will it circle the track at that same speed in half an hour?

A. 3 times
B. 5 times
C. 6 times
D. 10 times

Correct answer: C

Rationale: If a horse can trot around a track twice in 10 minutes, it completes one circle in 5 minutes. To determine how many times it will circle the track in half an hour (30 minutes), divide the total time by the time taken for one circle: 30 minutes / 5 minutes per circle = 6 times. Therefore, the horse will circle the track 6 times at the same speed in half an hour. Choice A, 3 times, is incorrect as it does not consider the correct time taken for a single circle. Choice B, 5 times, is incorrect as it miscalculates the total number of circles within half an hour. Choice D, 10 times, is incorrect as it overestimates the number of circles the horse can complete in the given time frame.

3. Solve for x: x/5 = 3/10.

A. x = 0.6
B. x = 0.6
C. x = 0.9
D. x = 1.5

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To solve for x when x/5 = 3/10, you need to cross-multiply. This gives you 10x = 5 × 3. Simplifying further, you get x = 15/10, which reduces to x = 1.5. Therefore, the correct answer is x = 1.5. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not match the correct calculation for x.

4. The order of operations (PEMDAS) dictates the sequence for evaluating mathematical expressions. If a = 2 and b = -3, what is the value of 3a^2 - 2ab + b^2?

A. -3
B. 0
C. 33
D. 15

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Given expression: 3a^2 - 2ab + b^2. Substitute the values of a and b: 3(2)^2 - 2(2)(-3) + (-3)^2 = 3(4) + 12 + 9 = 12 + 12 + 9 = 24 + 9 = 33. Therefore, the value of the expression is 33, which corresponds to option C. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately evaluate the expression with the given values of a and b.