McGraw-Hill OnlineMcGraw-Hill Higher EducationLearning Center
Student Center | Instructor Center | Information Center | Home
GED Practice Test
Formulas
Alternate Grids
Calculator Directions
GED Score
Glossary
Math Handbook
GED Links
Feedback
Help Center


Contemporary's GED Mathematics
Jerry Howett


Alternate Grid Directions

Standard Grid

Coordinate Plane Grid

Standard Grid

Mixed numbers, such as 3 1/2, do not appear as answer choices in the alternate format grid. Instead, they are represented as decimal numbers (in this case, 3.5) or fractions (in this case, 7/2). No answer choice reflects a negative number, such as -8.

Correctly recorded answers for an alternate format question
  • begin in any column that allows the answer to be entered;
  • contain a written answer in the boxes on the top row;
  • contain a filled-in bubble representing a fraction bar or decimal point and each number in the answer;
  • leave blank any unused column.
EXAMPLE:

The scale on a map indicates that 1/2 inch represents an actual distance of 120 miles. In inches, how far apart on the map will two towns be if the actual distance between them is 180 miles?

The answer to the above example is 3/4, or 0.75, inches. A few examples of how the answer could be gridded are shown below.

<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg:: ::/sites/dl/free/0809222329/45404/StanGrid.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (63.0K)</a>

Points to remember:

  • All circles must be filled in correctly.
  • No more than one circle should be marked in any column.
  • Mixed numbers such as 3 1/2 must be gridded as 3.5 or 7/2.
  • No answer can be a negative number

Coordinate Plane Grid

  • A correctly recorded answer on the coordinate plane grid must have an "x" value and a "y" value.


  • No answer for a coordinate plane question will have a value that is a fraction or a decimal.


  • Only one circle should be marked.
<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg:: ::/sites/dl/free/0809222329/45404/CPGrid1.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (37.0K)</a>
EXAMPLE

The coordinates of point A, shown on the graph below, are
(2, -4).

<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg:: ::/sites/dl/free/0809222329/45404/Grid.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (4.0K)</a>

The coordinates of point B, not shown on the graph, are (-3, 1). What is the location of point B?

DO NOT MARK YOUR ANSWER ON THE GRAPH ABOVE.

Mark your answer on the coordinate plane grid on your answer sheet.

CORRECT RESPONSE





<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg:: ::/sites/dl/free/0809222329/45404/CPGrid2.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (37.0K)</a>