GED Math Practice Questions: Rational Exponents and Scientific Notation

Some questions on the GED Mathematical Reasoning test involve rational exponents and scientific notation. The following examples will challenge your ability to write and solve mathematical expressions that contains exponents.

Practice questions

1. Angels are known to be

   

   millimeters wide. The head of a pin is 1.5 millimeters wide. How many angels will fit on the head of a pin?

   

2. A particle travels through space at 7⁵ miles per hour. How many miles does it travel in 7¹² hours?

   E. 7⁶⁰

   F. 7⁷

   G. 7¹⁷

   H. 7¹⁵

Answers and explanations

1. A.

   To find the answer, you divide the width of the pinhead by the width of an angel:

   

   You know that

   

   and that to divide exponents with the same base, you subtract exponents, so

   

   so the answer is

   

2. G.

   To find out how far the particle travels, you multiply