Math Strategies for the ASVAB Practice Questions

1. On the ASVAB, either the question itself or the answer choices will signal which strategy will be most helpful. Look at the partial questions or answer choices below (note that complete problems are not shown). Then determine which strategy (Picking Numbers, Backsolving, Strategic Guessing Using Logic, or a combination of approaches) is likely to be useful.

1. An airplane uses 79% of a tank of fuel to fly 1,496 miles. If a full tank holds 996 gallons of fuel, how many gallons would the plane use to fly 3,016 miles?
   Which strategy is likely to be useful for this question, and why?
2. Which strategy is likely to be useful for this question, and why?
   1. 80
   2. 100
   3. 120
   4. 150
3. Which strategy is likely to be useful for this question, and why?
   1. 
   2. pb + dc
   3. 
   4. 
4. Which strategy is likely to be useful for this question, and why?
   1. 
   2. 
   3. 
   4. 
5. If , what is one possible value for x?
   Which strategy is likely to be useful for this question, and why?
6. Jim spent 30% of his paycheck on rent, and he spent 40% of the remainder on car repairs. What percent of his paycheck was left after his rent and car repairs?
   Which strategy is likely to be useful for this question, and why?

Review and Reflect

How did you do? If you weren’t sure which strategy to apply to some of the partial questions in the practice set, you might want to reread this chapter. Also, return to it from time to time throughout your ASVAB math practice to refresh your memory of the various strategies available to you.

The rest of the math section of this book will deal with math content review. Even if you feel comfortable with a particular subject, make sure to do the practice sets. There’s no harm in practicing extra problems. Throughout the math section, you will be given many opportunities to “do the math.” However, every time you begin a question, first check if you can use a strategy to minimize your time and effort toward getting the correct answer. This will allow you to move through the section more efficiently.