6th Grade Math Textbook, Fundamentals

Test-Taking Tips

• Reread the test item.


• Use the Test-Prep strategy.


• Apply appropriate rules,
  definitions, properties, or
  strategies.


• Analyze your answers.

Sample Test Item

When empty, Casey’s suitcase weighs 4 pounds. The maximum allowed

weight for a carry-on bag on her flight is 18 pounds. What amount of weight

can Casey pack in her suitcase and still be allowed to bring it on the plane?

Show all your work.

Chapter 3 69

Test Prep: Short-Answer Questions

Strategy: Show All Your Work

Short-answer questions usually have one question to answer and ask that
you show the steps you take to reach a solution. Showing all your work is
important since partial credit might be given for the process even if your
final answer is incorrect. When you need to write an equation or inequality
to solve the problem, you may find it helpful to write a verbal modelfirst.

Check to make sure you show all your work.

• Analyze your answer. Does it make sense?
  Substitute values for pin the inequality. Do you get true statements?
  Let p10 pounds. Let p14 pounds.
  4 p
  18 4 p
  18
  4 10 18 4 14 18

14

18 ✓ 18
18 ✓

??

Look at the sample test item.

Read the whole test item carefully.

• Reread the test item carefully and ask yourself questions
  to clarify the meaning of the text.
  A maximum weight of 18 pounds means that the total
  weight must be less than or equal to 18 pounds.


• Write a verbal model to describe the problem.
  weight of suitcase weight of what is packed allowed weight

Solve the problem.

• Apply an appropriate strategy.
  Translate the verbal model into an algebraic inequality and then solve.
  weight of suitcase weight of what is packed allowed weight
  Let pweight Casey can pack.
  4 p
  18

4  4 p 

18  4 Use the Subtraction Property of Inequality.

p 

14

Answer:Casey can pack 14 pounds or less in her suitcase and still be

allowed to bring it on the plane.

Substitute 4 for the suitcase weight

and 18 for the allowed weight.