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HESI A2 Mathematics: Fractions practice questions

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These are original practice items written to the HESI A2 blueprint (4 options, no penalty for wrong answers), not actual exam questions. Try each one before you open the answer.

What this topic covers

Mathematics: Fractions sits inside the Mathematics section of the HESI A2. Our bank holds 71 verified items tagged to it, and the 4 below are a fixed sample so the page stays the same every time you open it. Each one shows the reasoning, not just the letter.

The topic tag comes from our own items rather than from a published syllabus, so treat it as a map of what we cover. For the official section breakdown see the HESI A2 page.

Mathematics: Fractions sample questions

Question 1

A nurse needs to administer a medication that requires mixing 1/3 cup of solution A with 1/4 cup of solution B. What is the total volume of the mixture in cups?

  1. A 1/12
  2. B 5/7
  3. C 2/7
  4. D 7/12
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D

To add fractions with different denominators, find a common denominator. The least common denominator of 3 and 4 is 12. Convert: 1/3 = 4/12, 1/4 = 3/12. Sum = 7/12 cup.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 1/12 comes from subtracting instead of adding (4/12 - 3/12).
B: 5/7 results from adding numerators (1+1=2) and denominators (3+4=7) and then incorrectly simplifying? Actually 2/7 is already that; 5/7 might come from adding 1/3+1/4 as 0.333+0.25=0.583, then rounding? No clear error pattern.
C: 2/7 results from incorrectly adding numerators and denominators (1+1=2, 3+4=7).

Question 2

A nurse is preparing a solution that requires 1/4 cup of saline and 3/8 cup of water. What is the total amount of the solution in cups?

  1. A 3/4
  2. B 1/2
  3. C 2/3
  4. D 5/8
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D

To add fractions with different denominators, find a common denominator. 1/4 = 2/8, so 2/8 + 3/8 = 5/8.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 3/4 = 6/8, which is greater than the correct sum.
B: 1/2 = 4/8, which is less than the correct sum of 5/8.
C: 2/3 ≈ 0.667, but 5/8 = 0.625, so this is not equal.

Question 3

What is 3/4 + 1/2?

  1. A 1 1/2
  2. B 1 1/4
  3. C 1
  4. D 2
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Convert 1/2 to 2/4, then add: 3/4 + 2/4 = 5/4 = 1 1/4.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 1 1/2 would be 6/4, which is too large.
C: 1 is the result of incorrectly adding numerators and denominators (3+1)/(4+2) = 4/6 = 2/3, not 1.
D: 2 would require adding 3/4 and 1 1/4, not 1/2.

Question 4

Simplify the fraction 24/36 to its lowest terms.

  1. A 4/5
  2. B 3/4
  3. C 2/3
  4. D 1/2
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C

Divide both numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, 12: 24 ÷ 12 = 2, 36 ÷ 12 = 3, giving 2/3.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 4/5 is equivalent to 28.8/36, not a simplified form of 24/36.
B: 3/4 is equivalent to 27/36, not 24/36.
D: 1/2 is equivalent to 18/36, which is larger in value than 24/36 (since 1/2 = 0.5 but 24/36 ≈ 0.667).

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