IBEW Aptitude Test Number Sequences and Functions Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If f(x) = 3x + 5, what is f(7)?
- 22
- 24
- 26 (Correct answer)
- 28
Correct answer: 26
f(7) = 3(7) + 5 = 21 + 5 = 26.
f(x) = 3x + 5. Substitute x = 7: f(7) = 3(7) + 5 = 21 + 5 = 26. Function evaluation is a key algebra skill on the IBEW NJATC aptitude test, as functions describe relationships between electrical quantities (e.g., power as a function of current).
Question 2: Find the next two terms: 4, 8, 16, 32, ___
- 48, 64
- 56, 72
- 64, 128 (Correct answer)
- 64, 96
Correct answer: 64, 128
Doubling sequence: 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128.
This geometric sequence has common ratio 2: 4×2=8, 8×2=16, 16×2=32, 32×2=64, 64×2=128. The next two terms are 64 and 128. Recognizing exponential growth patterns is important for understanding doubling in electrical calculations.
Question 3: If f(x) = x² - 4, find f(5).
- 17
- 19
- 21 (Correct answer)
- 25
Correct answer: 21
f(5) = 5² - 4 = 25 - 4 = 21.
f(5) = 5² - 4 = 25 - 4 = 21. Quadratic functions (involving x²) describe relationships like power (P = I²R) in electrical circuits. Evaluating such functions is directly applicable to electrical calculations.
Question 4: What is the pattern rule for: 1, 3, 7, 15, 31, 63?
- Add consecutive odd numbers
- Multiply by 2 and subtract 1
- Multiply by 3 and subtract 2
- Multiply by 2 and add 1 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Multiply by 2 and add 1
Each term: ×2 + 1. Check: 1×2+1=3, 3×2+1=7, 7×2+1=15, 15×2+1=31, 31×2+1=63. Correct.
The rule is: multiply by 2 and add 1. 1→3→7→15→31→63 follows this pattern. This type of combined operation rule (×2 +1) tests your ability to identify multi-step patterns, a moderately advanced skill on IBEW aptitude tests.
Question 5: If g(x) = 2x² + 3x - 1, what is g(0)?
- -3
- -2
- -1 (Correct answer)
- 0
Correct answer: -1
g(0) = 2(0)² + 3(0) - 1 = 0 + 0 - 1 = -1.
g(0) = 2(0²) + 3(0) - 1 = 0 + 0 - 1 = -1. When x=0, polynomial terms with x vanish, leaving only the constant term. This shortcut is useful for quickly evaluating functions at zero.
Question 6: What is the missing number in the sequence: 1, 4, 9, ___, 25, 36?
- 12
- 14
- 15
- 16 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 16
These are perfect squares: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5², 6². The missing term is 4² = 16.
1=1², 4=2², 9=3², ___=4², 25=5², 36=6². The missing term is 4² = 16. Perfect-square sequences are a standard pattern recognition task on aptitude tests, testing both number sense and knowledge of squares.
If f(x) = 3x + 5, what is f(7)?