TEAS-style math practice: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 4 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Order of operations
parentheses → exponents → × ÷ (left to right) → + − (left to right)
Fractions
a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd, a/b × c/d = ac/bd, a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c
Percent
p% of N = (p/100)·N; percent = part/whole × 100
Percent change
(new − original)/original × 100
Discount, then tax
price × (1 − d/100) × (1 + t/100)
Proportion
a/b = c/d → ad = bc
Mean, median, mode, range
sum/count; middle of ordered list; most frequent; max − min
Length, capacity, time
1 km = 1000 m, 1 m = 100 cm, 1 ft = 12 in, 1 yd = 3 ft, 1 mi = 5280 ft, 1 gal = 4 qt = 16 cups, 1 h = 60 min
Temperature
°F = °C·9/5 + 32, °C = (°F − 32)·5/9; a change of 1 °C = 1.8 °F
Area
rectangle l·w, triangle ½·b·h, circle π·r²
Perimeter and circumference
rectangle 2l + 2w, circle π·d = 2π·r
Volume
box l·w·h, cylinder π·r²·h; 1000 cm³ = 1 L
Speed
distance ÷ time (time in hours for mph or km/h)

Method

  1. Read the last sentence first: what exactly is asked, and in which unit or form (lowest terms, nearest cent, one decimal place)?
  2. Write the numbers in one form: turn mixed numbers into improper fractions, percents into decimals, and hours and minutes into one unit.
  3. Pick the method: PEMDAS for expressions, a common denominator for adding fractions, part ÷ whole × 100 for percents, cross-multiplying for proportions, inverse operations for equations.
  4. Work one step at a time and write each line down; round only at the very end.
  5. Check the size of the answer with an estimate, and put an equation’s answer back in.

Nursing math & unit conversions

Metric steps
1 kg = 1000 g, 1 g = 1000 mg, 1 mg = 1000 mcg, 1 L = 1000 mL
Weight and length
1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 lb = 16 oz, 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 ft = 12 in
Household measures
1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
Temperature
°C = (°F − 32)·5/9, °F = °C·9/5 + 32
24-hour clock
PM hours 1–11: add 12; 12 AM = 00:xx; 12 PM = 12:xx
Dose rate
mcg/min × 60/1000 = mg/h
Laboratory factors
glucose 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL; creatinine 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L; Hb 1 g/dL = 10 g/L

Method

  1. Write the given quantity with its unit and the unit you want.
  2. Pick the equivalent: 1000 between kg, g, mg and mcg or L and mL; 1 kg = 2.2 lb; 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 240 mL.
  3. Write it as a fraction so that the unwanted unit cancels; for a rate, use one fraction per unit that changes.
  4. Check the direction: a smaller unit gives a bigger number.
  5. Round only the final answer, to the precision the question names.

2Practice problems

1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Medium

A pair of shoes costs $106.75. It is on sale at 15% off, and a sales tax of 6% is added to the sale price. What is the final price P? Round to the nearest cent.

$106.75−15%+6%
P = $
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard

Overnight the temperature fell by 18 °F. By how many degrees Celsius Δ did it fall?

Δ = 18 °F
Δ = °C
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
8 lb 8 oz? kg1 lb = 16 oz1 kg = 2.2 lb

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A newborn weighs 8 lb 8 oz. Using 1 lb = 16 oz and 1 kg = 2.2 lb, find the weight m in kilograms. Round to two decimal places.

8 lb 8 oz1 lb = 16 oz1 kg = 2.2 lb
m = kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
3 mg/dL? µmol/L1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A serum creatinine result is 3 mg/dL. Using 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L for creatinine, find c in µmol/L to the nearest whole number.

3 mg/dL1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L
c = µmol/L

3Solutions

1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: P = 96.18 $

Discounts and sales tax: a discount of d% leaves (100 − d)% of the price; a tax of t% adds t% of the discounted price. Work in that order: price × (1 − d/100), then × (1 + t/100). Round money to the nearest cent only at the end.

Sale price

$106.75 × 0.85 = 90.7375 ≈ $90.74

Add the tax

P = $90.74 × 1.06 = 96.1844 ≈ $96.18

Answer

P = $96.18
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: Δ = 10 °C

Temperature scales: °F = °C × 9/5 + 32 and °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. A temperature change converts without the 32, because the 32 only shifts the zero point: a change of 1 °C is a change of 1.8 °F.

Change only: no 32

Δ = 18 × 5/9 = 10 °C

Answer

Δ = 10 °C
3.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: m = 3.86 kg

Household measures and weight: nursing exams use rounded equivalents: 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 mL = 3 tsp, 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) = 30 mL = 2 tbsp, and 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL. For weight, 1 kg = 2.2 lb and 1 lb = 16 oz; for length, 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Set the conversion up so that the unit you do not want cancels out.

Ounces to pounds

8 oz/16 = 0.5 lb
8 + 0.5 = 8.5 lb

Pounds to kilograms

m = 8.5/2.2 = 3.864 ≈ 3.86 kg

Answer

m = 3.86 kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: c = 265 µmol/L

Dimensional analysis: write the given quantity, then multiply by conversion factors written as fractions (for example 60 min/1 h or 1 mg/1000 mcg) so that each unwanted unit appears once on top and once underneath and cancels. When only the wanted unit is left, calculate. Use the equivalents the question gives and round only the final answer.

Convert

c = 3·88.4 = 265.2 ≈ 265 µmol/L

Answer

c = 265 µmol/L

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