Free ASVAB Practice Tests

To factor a quadratic expression, apply the FOIL method (First, Outside, Inside, Last) in reverse. First, find the two Last terms that will multiply to produce -32 as well and sum (Inside, Outside) to equal -4. For this problem, those two numbers are -8 and 4. Then, plug these into a set of binomials using the square root of the First variable (y²):

y² - 4y - 32
y² + (-8 + 4)y + (-8 x 4)
(y - 8)(y + 4)

In a parallel circuit, each load occupies a separate parallel path in the circuit and the input voltage is fully applied to each path. Unlike a series circuit where current (I) is the same at all points in the circuit, in a parallel circuit, voltage (V) is the same across each parallel branch of the circuit but current differs in each branch depending on the load (resistance) present.

A ratchet (or socket wrench) is a wrench that applies torque in only one direction with a handle that can be moved back and forth without losing contact with the fastener. A ratchet uses variable attachments called sockets which come in a variety of drive sizes based on the size of the opening that attaches to the ratchet. Sockets with the same drive size will vary in the shape (six-point, twelve-point) and size of the nut opening that attaches to the fastener being tightened or loosened. Smaller point sized sockets are stronger and can apply greater torque while larger point sizes allow easier alignment.

For any given surface, the coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction. More force is required to initally get an object moving than is required to keep it moving. Additionally, static friction only arises in response to an attempt to move an object (overcome the normal force between it and the surface).

In the mesosphere, temperature again drops as altitude increases until the coldest point in the Earth's atmosphere, the mesopause, is reached where temperatures fall to −225 °F (−143 °C).

The work-energy theorem states that the work done by the sum of all forces acting on a particle equals the change in the kinetic energy of the particle. Simply put, work imparts kinetic energy to the matter upon which the work is being done.

Welding is a high-temperature process that involves melting the base metals in the objects to be joined to fuse them together. A filler metal is used to provide additional material to make up a joint that, depending on the weld type, can be stronger than the base materials alone. Oxyacetylene welding is a welding process that uses a torch fueled with oxygen and acetylene gases. Electric-arc welding utlizes electric current in a safer welding process (it doesn't involve burning explosive gases) that enables a wide variety of specialized applications like stick, MIG (metal inert gas), and TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding.

Some plant cells produce their own energy through photosynthesis which is the process by which sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water react to make sugar and oxygen. Animal cells cannot produce their own energy and, instead, generate energy when mitochondria consume outside sugar and oxygen through aerobic respiration.

Because a compressed spring will ex­tend violently, shock absorbers must be used to dampen the spring’s compression and extension cycles. Struts combine the spring and shock into one unit

To add these fractions, first find the lowest common multiple of their denominators. The first few multiples of 6 are [6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60] and the first few multiples of 14 are [14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98]. The first few multiples they share are [42, 84] making 42 the smallest multiple 6 and 14 share.

Next, convert the fractions so each denominator equals the lowest common multiple:

\( \frac{4 x 7}{6 x 7} \) + \( \frac{4 x 3}{14 x 3} \)

\( \frac{28}{42} \) + \( \frac{12}{42} \)

Now, because the fractions share a common denominator, you can add them:

\( \frac{28 + 12}{42} \) = \( \frac{40}{42} \) = \(\frac{20}{21}\)