ASVAB AFQT For Dummies
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Some math questions on the ASVAB AFQT may involve simple quadratic equations. These are quadratics that consist of just one squared term and a number, and they can be solved by using the square-root rule:

ASVAB_AFQT_1201

Remember that the exponent in a quadratic is never higher than 2 (because it would then no longer be the square of an unknown but a cube or something else). An equation that includes the variable x3 or x4 is not a quadratic.

Also remember to include the plus/minus sign, which indicates that the answer is a positive or negative number. Take the following simple quadratic equation:

Solve 3x2 + 4 = 31.

  1. First, isolate the variable by subtracting 4 from each side.

    The result is 3x2 = 27.

  2. Next, get rid of the 3 by dividing both sides of the equation by 3.

    The result is x2 = 9.

  3. You can now solve by using the square root rule.

    ASVAB_AFQT_1202

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Angie Papple Johnston joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a CBRN specialist. Currently, she's the CBRN noncommissioned officer-in-charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C. Rod Powers served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a first sergeant.

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