#hesi-calculator-container {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
padding: 25px;
border-radius: 10px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
}
#hesi-calculator-container h1, #hesi-calculator-container h2, #hesi-calculator-container h3 {
color: #005a87;
text-align: center;
}
#hesi-calculator-container .calculator-form {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 20px;
padding: 20px;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 8px;
background-color: #ffffff;
}
#hesi-calculator-container .input-group {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 5px;
}
#hesi-calculator-container label {
font-weight: bold;
color: #333;
}
#hesi-calculator-container input[type="number"] {
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 16px;
}
#hesi-calculator-container .button-group {
display: flex;
gap: 10px;
justify-content: center;
}
#hesi-calculator-container button {
background-color: #0073aa;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 12px 20px;
border-radius: 5px;
cursor: pointer;
font-size: 16px;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
}
#hesi-calculator-container button:hover {
background-color: #005a87;
}
#hesi-calculator-container #problemText {
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: bold;
text-align: center;
padding: 15px;
background-color: #eef7ff;
border-radius: 5px;
color: #333;
}
#hesi-calculator-container #result {
margin-top: 20px;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 5px;
text-align: center;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
}
#hesi-calculator-container .article-content {
margin-top: 30px;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
#hesi-calculator-container .article-content p, #hesi-calculator-container .article-content li {
text-align: left;
}
#hesi-calculator-container .article-content ul {
list-style-type: disc;
margin-left: 20px;
}
var currentCorrectAnswer;
var currentProblemText;
function generateHesiProblem() {
var problemTypes = ['percent', 'fraction', 'ratio', 'decimal'];
var selectedType = problemTypes[Math.floor(Math.random() * problemTypes.length)];
var num1, num2, num3, denominator1, denominator2;
if (selectedType === 'percent') {
var percents = [10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75];
num1 = percents[Math.floor(Math.random() * percents.length)];
num2 = Math.floor(Math.random() * 20 + 5) * 10; // e.g., 50, 60, … 240
currentProblemText = "What is " + num1 + "% of " + num2 + "?";
currentCorrectAnswer = (num1 / 100) * num2;
} else if (selectedType === 'fraction') {
var denominators = [2, 4, 5, 8, 10];
denominator1 = denominators[Math.floor(Math.random() * denominators.length)];
denominator2 = denominators[Math.floor(Math.random() * denominators.length)];
num1 = Math.floor(Math.random() * (denominator1 – 1)) + 1;
num2 = Math.floor(Math.random() * (denominator2 – 1)) + 1;
// Ensure we don't get a negative answer for simplicity
if ((num1 / denominator1) < (num2 / denominator2)) {
var tempNum = num1;
var tempDen = denominator1;
num1 = num2;
denominator1 = denominator2;
num2 = tempNum;
denominator2 = tempDen;
}
currentProblemText = "What is " + num1 + "/" + denominator1 + " – " + num2 + "/" + denominator2 + "? (Provide decimal answer)";
currentCorrectAnswer = (num1 / denominator1) – (num2 / denominator2);
} else if (selectedType === 'ratio') {
num1 = Math.floor(Math.random() * 5) + 1; // 1 to 5
num2 = Math.floor(Math.random() * 5) + 2; // 2 to 6
num3 = num2 * (Math.floor(Math.random() * 4) + 2); // A multiple of num2
currentProblemText = "Solve for x: " + num1 + " : " + num2 + " = x : " + num3;
currentCorrectAnswer = (num1 * num3) / num2;
} else { // decimal
num1 = (Math.floor(Math.random() * 90) + 10) / 10; // 1.0 to 9.9
num2 = Math.floor(Math.random() * 9) + 2; // 2 to 10
currentProblemText = "What is " + num1 + " x " + num2 + "?";
currentCorrectAnswer = num1 * num2;
}
document.getElementById('problemText').innerHTML = currentProblemText;
document.getElementById('userAnswer').value = '';
document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = '';
document.getElementById('result').style.backgroundColor = 'transparent';
}
function checkHesiAnswer() {
var userAnswerInput = document.getElementById('userAnswer');
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
if (userAnswerInput.value === '') {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter an answer.';
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#fff3cd';
resultDiv.style.color = '#856404';
return;
}
var userAnswer = parseFloat(userAnswerInput.value);
if (isNaN(userAnswer)) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Invalid input. Please enter a number.';
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#f8d7da';
resultDiv.style.color = '#721c24';
return;
}
// Use a small tolerance for floating point comparisons
if (Math.abs(userAnswer – currentCorrectAnswer) < 0.01) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Correct! Great job!';
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#d4edda';
resultDiv.style.color = '#155724';
} else {
// Round the correct answer for display purposes
var roundedAnswer = Math.round(currentCorrectAnswer * 100) / 100;
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Not quite. The correct answer is ' + roundedAnswer + '. Keep practicing!';
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#f8d7da';
resultDiv.style.color = '#721c24';
}
}
window.onload = function() {
generateHesiProblem();
};
Do You Get a Calculator on the HESI A2 Exam?
The short and direct answer is: No, you should not expect to have a physical calculator for the HESI A2 Math section. While some testing centers may provide a very basic on-screen digital calculator, it is not guaranteed. The primary purpose of the math section is to test your fundamental arithmetic skills, including your ability to perform calculations manually. Therefore, the best strategy is to prepare as if you will have no calculator at all.
This can be intimidating, but with the right preparation, you can master the math section. This involves practicing mental math and working through problems on scratch paper, which is provided at the testing center.
HESI A2 Mental Math Practice Tool
Since you can't rely on a calculator for the exam, use this tool to practice the types of problems you'll encounter. A new problem will be generated for you. Solve it on paper, enter your answer, and check your work!
Loading problem…
What Kind of Math is on the HESI A2?
The math section covers a range of essential skills. You should be comfortable with:
- Basic Operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers.
- Fractions: Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and mixed numbers.
- Decimals: Performing all basic operations with decimals.
- Percentages: Finding percentages of numbers (e.g., "What is 20% of 150?").
- Ratios and Proportions: Setting up and solving proportions (e.g., "If 2 nurses can care for 10 patients, how many patients can 5 nurses care for?").
- Conversions: Converting between units in the metric system (liters to milliliters, grams to kilograms) and household measurements (ounces to cups).
- Roman Numerals: Reading and converting Roman numerals to standard numbers.
Example: Solving a Percentage Problem Manually
Let's solve a typical problem: What is 15% of 300?
- Convert the percentage to a decimal: To do this, divide the percentage by 100. So, 15% becomes 15 / 100 = 0.15.
- Multiply the decimal by the number: Now, multiply 0.15 by 300. You can do this on your scratch paper.
300x 0.15------1500 (5 * 300)+ 3000 (10 * 300, shifted)------45.00 - The answer: 15% of 300 is 45.
This is the exact type of calculation you need to be fast and accurate with. Consistent practice is the only way to build the confidence needed to succeed on exam day.
Tips for Success on the HESI A2 Math Section
- Memorize Equivalents: Know common fraction-to-decimal-to-percentage conversions by heart (e.g., 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%; 1/8 = 0.125 = 12.5%).
- Practice on Paper: Do all your practice problems using only a pencil and paper. This simulates the real testing environment.
- Master Long Division: Many students are out of practice with long division. Re-learn and practice it until it becomes second nature.
- Use Estimation: Before you calculate, estimate the answer. If you're calculating 19% of 98, you know the answer should be close to 20% of 100, which is 20. This helps you spot errors in your final calculation.