The “How To” Guide to Week #1 10^th Grade Math WASL.

Question #1a

This question is asking you to make a prediction based on a “trend”. You don’t know for sure what the next results will be, so the question asks for the BEST answer.

What you should know:

--How to read a graph.

--Growth/Increase goes from left to right.

What you need to know:

--Slope or rate of change.

How to answer:

Eliminate the wrong answers.

B–The graphs are definitely not the same.

C –When making a prediction, “always” is not a

reliable prediction.

Look for distracters:

A-- is currently earning a higher revenue, but that does not mean it is growing faster. I.e. a parent is taller, but a teenager is growing faster and may catch up or pass them.

Correct answer:

D-- Company B is will have more revenue in the future because it’s rate of growth is faster/steeper.

Question #2a

This question is asking you to make the expression shorter and simplified. It also asks to show your work. It is a 2-point, constructed response question. The scorers will look for your ability to combine like terms and perform the correct operations.

What you should know:

--Performing operations (add, subtract, multiply).

What you need to know:

--Like terms (ab and ab).

--Distribution b( 3a – 4 ) = 3ab – 4b

How to answer:

Solve the parentheses first like above. Find the opposite values to cancel out ( +4b and –4b equal zero). Add all of the b’s, all of the a’s and all of the ab’s. IMPORTANT: Do not add different variables make sure they are all exactly the same.

Question #1b

This question is testing your knowledge of number sense. You need to come to a reasonable conclusion based on the clues given in the problem.

What you should know:

--Prime numbers.

--Patterns and similarities.

What you need to know:

--The bottom line “a77” shows that you will not carry a

one in the problem.

--The answer is the one NOT possible.

How to answer:

First find the possible combinations for a and b that equal seven. Next, test your combinations in each of the possible answers.

A—Yes, for example b = 5, a = 2.

B—Yes, a = 2, b = 5

C—No, the sum of two odd numbers will never be odd.

D—Yes, a = 1, b = 6 and others.

Question #2b

This is asking you to identify a term that you can factor out of, or divide into, the expression.

What you should know:

--Multiples

--Factors

What you need to know:

--Factors of variables.

How to answer:

You need to choose the answer that is the only one which you can factor from all the terms in the expression.

A—Yes, 3 and 12 are divisible by 3. a² and a are divisible by a.

B—No, you cannot factor 4 from 3.

C—No, you cannot factor a² from a.

D—No, same as B & C.

Question 3b

This question is testing your ability to read instructions carefully and convert measurements in three dimensions.

What you should know:

--3 feet = 1 yard.

--“Cubic” is a three-dimensional term, measuring length

times width times height.

What you need to know:

--A cube 1 yard X 1 yard X 1 yard is the same as 3 feet X --3 feet X 3feet.

How to answer:

You need to choose the correct operation or measurement in feet that equals the same measurement in yards.

A—Yes, because 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.

B—No, this one is giving you the wrong operation ( ¸ ).

C—No, this one is trying to distract you by taking 9

which is 3 X 3 instead of 3 X 3 X 3.

D—No, wrong operation and wrong number.

Question 4b

This is asking you to find volume and is also expecting you to follow instructions clearly and order numbers from least to greatest.

What you should know:

--Measuring Volume (Length X Width X Height).

--Ordering value.

What you need to know:

--This question asks to order from least to greatest.

How to answer: Find volume and order the boxes from least to greatest, then choose which answer has the right order. Also, recognize that the boxes are labeled A, B, C, D top to bottom instead of left to right.

Box A = 4 X 5 X 3 = 60 sq. ft. Box B = 4 X 4 X 4 = 64 sq. ft.

Box C = 3 X 3 X 6 = 54 sq. ft. Box D = 2 X 2 X 8 = 32 sq. ft.

Therefore the answer is “D” : DCAB

Question 5b

This question is looking at your ability to read, interpret and make conclusions based on information presented in graph form. It specifically asks you to read the changes of any one group on the graph and comparing the changes of two groups in relation to each other.

What you should know:

--Reading graphs.

--Understanding symbols.

What you need to know:

--The ability to make logical conclusions based on given information.

How to answer:

Part I: Choose a group and describe how it has changed. You would describe the change and use the time in years to tell the reader where or when the change is taking place on the graph. I.e. The number of registered vehicles grew faster from 1969-1971. Or, the resident population remained consistent from 1965-1969. (These are just small portions of describing the whole graph).

Part II: Choose two groups and a time period that is appropriate for the changes you are describing. I.e. The relationship of the number of licensed drivers and registered vehicles changed from 1969-1973 and you would then explain the change in detail.

This kind of problem is very important to read the instructions and answer how you are direct with words like briefly, entire, partial, specific, one or two, etc.