GED Mathematical Reasoning TestQuantitative Problem Solving with Rational NumbersMedium
A chemist is preparing a solution. She needs 3/5 of a liter of a chemical. She only has a measuring beaker that measures in milliliters. How many milliliters of the chemical does she need?
- A30 mL
- B600 mL
- C60 mL
- D300 mL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 600 mL
To convert liters to milliliters, multiply the number of liters by 1000, since 1 liter equals 1000 milliliters. Then, calculate 3/5 of that total.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This would be 3/5 of 100 mL, not 1000 mL.
- C. This would be 3/5 of 200 mL, or if 3/5 was incorrectly converted to 0.06.
- D. This would be 3/5 of 500 mL, or if the conversion factor was incorrectly used as 100.
Fractional Unit Conversion
To convert a fractional quantity from one unit to another, first determine the conversion factor between the units, then multiply the fraction by this factor.
- Identify the starting unit and target unit.
- Determine the conversion factor (e.g., 1 L = 1000 mL).
- Multiply the fractional quantity by the conversion factor.
- Perform the multiplication and simplify the result.
Memory trick: Fractional amounts, convert with care, then measure with flair!