Everything You Need to Know for the Hesi A2 Math Section

If you are planning to take the HESI A2 exam, you may be wondering how to prepare for the math section. The math section is one of the most challenging parts of the exam, as it tests your knowledge of various basic math topics that are essential for healthcare professionals. In this blog post, we will give you an overview of what topics are covered by the HESI A2 Math section, and provide you with some tips and practice questions to help you ace it.

The HESI A2 Math section consists of 55 questions that you have to answer in a limited time. The math section is divided into four subcategories: basic operations, conversions, word problems, and algebra.

Here is a brief overview of each subcategory and some sample questions with rationales.

Basic operations: This subcategory covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers.

The questions are multiple-choice, and they cover six main topics:

– Fractions
– Decimals
– Ratios
– Percentages
– Simple algebra
– Conversions

Let’s review each topic in more detail, and see some examples of how they may appear on the exam.

Fractions:

A fraction is a way of expressing a part of a whole. Fractions have two parts: a numerator (the top number) and a denominator (the bottom number). For example, 1/2 means one half, or one out of two parts.

Fractions can be equivalent, meaning they have the same value but different numbers. For example, 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent fractions. To find equivalent fractions, you can multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Fractions can also be simplified, meaning they are written in the lowest possible terms. For example, 2/4 can be simplified to 1/2 by dividing both numbers by 2. To simplify fractions, you can find the greatest common factor (GCF) of the numerator and denominator, and divide both by it.

Fractions can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided. To add or subtract fractions, you need to have a common denominator. You can find a common denominator by finding the least common multiple (LCM) of the original denominators, and multiplying both fractions by the same factor to get equivalent fractions with the same denominator. Then, you can add or subtract the numerators, and keep the denominator. For example:

1/4 + 1/6 = ?
LCM of 4 and 6 is 12
1/4 x 3/3 = 3/12
1/6 x 2/2 = 2/12
3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12

To multiply fractions, you simply multiply the numerators and the denominators. For example:

1/4 x 1/6 = ?
1 x 1 = 1
4 x 6 = 24
1/4 x 1/6 = 1/24

To divide fractions, you flip the second fraction (the divisor) and multiply it by the first fraction (the dividend). For example:

1/4 ÷ 1/6 = ?
Flip 1/6 to get 6/1
Multiply 1/4 by 6/1
1 x 6 = 6
4 x 1 = 4
1/4 x 6/1 = 6/4
Simplify to get 3/2

Practice question:

Which of the following fractions is equivalent to 3/5?

A) 9/15
B) 12/20
C) 15/25
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation: To find equivalent fractions, you can multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number. In this case, you can see that:

3/5 x 3/3 = 9/15
3/5 x 4/4 = 12/20
3/5 x 5/5 = 15/25

Therefore, all of these fractions are equivalent to 3/5.

You will also need to know how to order numbers from least to greatest or vice versa, and how to simplify fractions.

Question 2: Which of the following fractions is equivalent to 3/4?
A) 6/8
B) 9/12
C) 12/16
D) 15/20

Answer: A) 6/8
Rationale: To find an equivalent fraction, you need to multiply or divide both the numerator and the denominator by the same number. In this case, you can divide both 3 and 4 by 4 to get 3/4 = (3/4) / (4/4) = 6/8.

Decimals

Decimals can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided. To add or subtract decimals, you need to align the decimal points and add or subtract the digits in each place value. For example:

0.25 + 0.6 = ?
Align the decimal points and add zeros if needed: 0.25 + 0.60

Add the digits in each place value: 0.85
Write the answer with the decimal point: 0.25 + 0.6 = 0.85

To multiply decimals, you simply multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers, and count the total number of digits after the decimal points in both factors. Then, you place the decimal point in the product so that it has the same number of digits after it. For example:

0.25 x 0.6 = ?
Multiply as if they were whole numbers: 25 x 6 = 150
Count the total number of digits after the decimal points: 2
Place the decimal point in the product so that it has two digits after it: 1.50
Write the answer with the decimal point: 0.25 x 0.6 = 1.50

To divide decimals, you move the decimal point in the divisor (the number outside the division bar) to the right until it becomes a whole number. Then, you move the decimal point in the dividend (the number inside the division bar) the same number of places to the right. Then, you divide as if they were whole numbers, and place the decimal point in the quotient (the answer) above where it is in the dividend. For example:

0.25 ÷ 0.5 = ?
Move the decimal point in the divisor to the right one place: 0.5 becomes 5
Move the decimal point in the dividend to the right one place: 0.25 becomes 2.5
Divide as if they were whole numbers: 2.5 ÷ 5 = 0.5
Place the decimal point in the quotient above where it is in the dividend: .5
Write the answer with the decimal point: 0.25 ÷ 0.5 = 0.5

Example:

What is 1/8 + 0.125 expressed as a decimal?

A) 0.25
B) 0.375
C) 1.125
D) None of the above

Answer: B) 0.375

Explanation: To add fractions and decimals, you need to convert them to either fractions or decimals with a common denominator or place value. In this case, it is easier to convert the fraction to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator:

1/8 = ?
Divide 1 by 8: 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125
Write it as a decimal: 1/8 = 0.125

Then, you can add the decimals by aligning the decimal points and adding the digits in each place value:

0.125 + 0.125 = ?
Align the decimal points: 0.125 + 0.125
Add the digits in each place value: 0.250
Write the answer with the decimal point: 0.125 + 0.125 = 0.250

Conversions: This subcategory covers converting between different units of measurement, such as inches to feet, ounces to pounds, milliliters to liters, etc. You will also need to know how to convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages. For example:

Question: How many milliliters are in 2 liters?
A) 20
B) 200
C) 2000
D) 20000

Answer: C) 2000
Rationale: To convert from liters to milliliters, you need to multiply by 1000. This is because there are 1000 milliliters in one liter. So, 2 liters = 2 x 1000 = 2000 milliliters.

Word problems: This subcategory covers applying math skills to real-life situations, such as calculating discounts, taxes, tips, interest rates, etc. You will need to read the problem carefully, identify the relevant information, set up an equation or a proportion, and solve for the unknown variable. For example:

Question: A shirt is on sale for 25% off its original price of $40. How much will you pay for the shirt after the discount?
A) $10
B) $20
C) $30
D) $35

Answer: C) $30
Rationale: To find the amount of the discount, you need to multiply the original price by the percentage of the discount. In this case, 25% of $40 is $10. So, the discount is $10. To find the sale price, you need to subtract the discount from the original price. In this case, $40 – $10 = $30. So, the sale price is $30.

Algebra: This subcategory covers solving equations and inequalities involving one or more variables. You will need to know how to use the order of operations (PEMDAS), how to combine like terms, how to use the distributive property, and how to isolate the variable on one side of the equation or inequality. For example:

Question: Solve for x: 3x – 5 = 10
A) x = -5
B) x = -1
C) x = 1
D) x = 5

Answer: D) x = 5
Rationale: To solve for x, you need to add 5 to both sides of the equation. This gives you 3x = 15. Then, you need to divide both sides by 3. This gives you x = 5.