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ACT Math 2.3 Pre-Algebra 2851 Views


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Description:

ACT Math: Pre-Algebra Drill 2, Problem 3. Which of the following numbers is smallest?

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:03

Here's an unshmoopy question you'll find on an exam somewhere in life...

00:06

Which number is smallest?

00:08

And here are the potential answers...

00:14

So what's this question asking?

00:16

Absolute value, converting fractions to decimals... and, well... really number lines? Just when

00:21

you thought it was safe to go back into your algebra textbook...

00:25

The best way to solve this one is to just... draw a number line. The reality is that all

00:29

of these numbers are somewhere between 5 and 6.

00:31

So... when we absolute value...ize a number, we get rid of the negative.

00:36

Then we just need to figure out how far that number is from the origin.

00:40

In this case, the first term -- absolute value of negative 6 -- is just... 6.

00:45

It lives right here.

00:46

5 and a quarter is 5.25, since 1 divided by 4 is 0.25.

00:52

We do the same for 5 and 2/3. Two divided by 3 is point-666... roughly the devil's number.

00:59

Answer D is already decimalized... and the 5.2 lives here.

01:03

And lastly we have 5 and an eighth. One divided by 8 is 0.125... and 5.125 lives here.

01:12

So the answer is 5.125... choice E.

01:15

As in, "Everybody out of the water!"

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