Free SAT Math Level 2 Subject Test

Practice Questions with Answers -

Sample 1
50 Sat Math subject level 2 questions, with answers, similar to the questions in the SAT math
test are presented. The answers are at the bottom of the page (sample 1) and also
detailed solutions with full explanations are included.

1. 1.Two dice are tossed. What is the probability that the sum of the two dice is greater
than 3?

A) 1/4
B) 3/4
C) 5/6
D) 11/12
E) 1

2. 2If L is a line through the points (2,5) and (4,6), what is the value of k so that the point of
coordinates (7,k) is on the line L?

A) 0
B) 5
C) 6
D) 15/2
E) 11
3. Find a negative value of k so that the graph of y = x2 - 2x + 7 and the graph of y = kx + 5 are
tangent?

A) - 4√2
B) - 2 - 2√2
C) - 2
D) - √2
E) - 2 + √2

4. Which of these graphs is the closest to the graph of

f(x) = |4 - x2| / (x + 2)?

5. The circle of equation (x - 3)2 + (y - 2)2 = 1 has center c. Point M(4,2) is on the circle. N is another
point on the circle so that angle McN has a size of 30°. Find the coordinates of point N.

A) (3 + √3/2 , 5/2)
B) (5/2 , 3 + √3/2)
C) (3 - √3/2 , 3/2)
 D) (3/2 , 3 - √3/2)

E) (4 , 3)
6. Vectors u and v are given by u = (2 , 0) and v = (-3 , 1). What is the length of vector w given
by w = -u - 2v?

A) 10
B) 6
C) √26
D) 2√5
E) 2
7. What is the smallest distance between the point(-2,-2) and a point on the circumference of the
circle given by

(x - 1)2 + (y - 2)2 = 4?

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6
E) 7
Solution on Video

8. What is the equation of the horizontal asymptote of function

f(x) = 2/(x + 2) - (x + 3)/(x + 4)?

A) - 4
B) - 2
C) - 1
D) 0
E) 1

9. The lines with equations x + 3y = 2 and -2x + ky = 5 are perpendicular for k =

A) -3
B) -2
C) -1
D) 0
E) 2/3
10. If f(x) = (x - 1)2 and g(x) = √x, then (g o f)(x) =

A) |x - 1|
B) x - 1
C) 1 - x
D) √x(x - 1)2
E) (√x - 1)2

11. The domain of f(x) = √(4 - x2) / √(x2 - 1) is given by the interval

A) (-2 , 2)
B) (-1 , 2)
C) (-2 , -1) U (1 , 2)
D) (-2 , 2) U (-1 , 1)
E) [-2 , -1) U (1 , 2]

12. The area of the circle x2 + y2 - 8y - 48 = 0 is

A) 96Pi
B) 64Pi
C) 48Pi
D) 20Pi
E) Pi

Solution on Video

13. The y coordinates of all the points of intersection of the parabola y2 = x + 2 and the circle x2 +
y2 = 4 are given by

A) 2 , -2
B) 0
C) 0 , √3 , - √3
D) 1 , 2 , -1
E) 1 , -2 , 1
14. What is the smallest positive zero of function f(x) = 1/2 - sin(3x + Pi/3)?

A) Pi
B) Pi/3
C) Pi/6
D) Pi/18
E) Pi/36

15. If x - 1, x - 3 and x + 1 are all factors of a polynomial P(x) of degree 3, which of the following
must also be a factor of P(x)?
 I) x2 + 1
II) x2 - 1
III) x2 - 4x + 3

A) II and III only

B) I and II only
C) III only
D) II only
E) I only

16. A cylinder of radius 5 cm is inserted within a cylinder of radius 10 cm. The two cylinders have the
same height of 20 cm. What is the volume of the region between the two cylinders?

A) 1000
B) 500Pi
C) 1000Pi
D) 1500Pi
E) 2000Pi

17. A data set has a standard deviation equal to 1. If each data value in the data set is multiplied by
4, then the value of the standard deviation of the new data set is equal to

A) 0.25
B) 0.50
C) 1
D) 2
E) 4

18. A cone made of cardboard has a vertical height of 8 cm and a radius of 6 cm. If this cone is cut
along the slanted height to make a sector, what is the central angle, in degrees, of the sector?

A) 216
B) 180
C) 90
D) 36
E) 1.2

19. If sin(x) = -1/3 and Pi ≤ x ≤ 3Pi/2, then cot(2x) =

A) 8
B) 4√2
C) 2√2
 D) √2
E) 7/(4√2)

20. Which of the following functions satisfy the condition f(x) = f -1(x)?

I) f(x) = -x
II) f(x) = √x
III) f(x) = -1/x

A) III and II only

B) III and I only
C) III only
D) II only
E) I only

21. If f(x) = 1 / (x - 2), which of the following graphs is closest to the graph of |f(x)|?
 .

22. If in a triangle ABC, sin(A) = 1/5, cos(B) = 2/7, then cos(C) =

A) (√45 - 2√24)/35
B) (√45 + 2√24)/35
C) (7√24 + 10)/35
D) 0.85
E) 1

23. Find the sum

100

∑ (3 + k)
 k=1

A) 300
B) 5050
C) 5300
D) 5350
E) 5400

24. What value of x makes the three terms x, x/(x + 1) and 3 x/[(x + 1)(x + 2)] those of a geometric
sequence?

A) 2
B) 1
C) 1/2
D) 1/4
E) -1/2

25. As x increases from Pi/4 to 3 Pi/4, |sin(2x)|

A) always increases
B) always decreases
C) increases then decreases
D) decreases then increases
E) stay constant

26. If ax3 + bx2 + c x + d is divided by x - 2, then the remainder is equal

A) d
B) a - b + c - d
C) 8a + 4b + 2c + d
D) -8a + 4b -2c + d
E) a + b + c + d

27. A committee of 6 teachers is to be formed from 5 male teachers and 8 female teachers. If the
committee is selected at random, what is the probability that it has an equal number of male
and female teachers?

A) 1/10
B) 140/429
C) 150/429
D) 160/429
E) 170/429
28. The range of the function f(x) = -|x - 2| - 3 is

A) y ≥ 2
B) y ≤ -3
C) y ≥ -3
D) y ≤ -2
E) y ≥ -2

29. What is the period of the function f(x) = 3 sin2(2x + Pi/4)?

A) 4Pi
B) 3Pi
C) Pi
D) Pi/2
E) Pi/3

30. It is known that 3 out of 10 television sets are defective. If 2 television sets are selected at
random from the 10, what is the probability that 1 of them is defective?

A) 7/15
B) 1/10
C) 1/2
D) 1/3
E) 1

31. In a triangle ABC, angle B has a size of 50o, angle A has a size of 32o and the length of side BC is
150 units. The length of side AB is

A) 232
B) 250
C) 260
D) 270
E) 280

32. For the remainder of the division of x3 - 2x2 + 3kx + 18 by x - 6 to be equal to zero, k must be
equal to

A) 0
B) 1
C) 5
D) -9
E) -10
33. It takes pump (A) 4 hours to empty a swimming pool. It takes pump (B) 6 hours to empty the
same swimming pool. If the two pumps are started together, at what time will the two pumps
have emptied 50% of the water in the swimming pool?

A) 1 hour 12 minutes
B) 1 hour 20 minutes
C) 2 hours 30 minutes
D) 3 hours
E) 5 hours

34. The graph of r = 10 cos(Θ) , where r and Θ are the polar coordinates, is

A) a circle
B) an ellipse
C) a horizontal line
D) a hyperbola
E) a vertical line

35. If (2 - i)*(a - bi) = 2 + 9i, where i is the imaginary unit and a and b are real numbers, then a
equals

A) 3
B) 2
C) 1
D) 0
E) -1

36. Lines L1 and L2 are perpendicular that intersect at the point (2 , 3). If L1 passes through the
point (0 , 2), then line L2 must pass through the point

A) (0 , 3)
B) (1 , 1)
C) (3 , 1)
D) (5 , 0)
E) (6 , 7)

37. A square pyramid is inscribed in a cube of total surface area of 24 square cm such that the base
of the pyramid is the same as the base of the cube. What is the volume of the pyramid?
 .
A) 1/3
B) 8/3
C) 6
D) 4
E) 8

38. The graph defined by the parametric equations

x = cos2t

y = 3 sint -1

is

A) a circle
B) a hyperbola
C) a vertical line
D) part of a parabola
E) an ellipse

39.

A)33
B) 32
 C) 30
D) 1
E) 0

40. For x > 0 and x not equal to 1, log16(x) =

A) 8 log2(x)
B) 4 log2(x)
C) 0.5 log2(x)
D) 0.25 log2(x)
E) 0.125 log2(x)

41. The value of k that makes function f, defined below, continous is

.
A)1/3
B) 1
C) 2
D) 5
E) 6

42. If logb(a) = x and logb(c) = y, and 4 x + 6 y = 8, then logb(a2. c3)

A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
E) 4

43. The point (0 , -2 , 5) lies on the

A) z axis
B) x axis
C) xy plane
D) yz plane
E) xz plane
44. Curve C is defined by the equation y = √(9 - x2) with x≥ 0. The area bounded by curve C, the x axis
and the y axis is

A) Pi/4
B) 9Pi/4
C) 9Pi/2
D) 9Pi
E) (81/4)Pi

45. In a plane there are 6 points such that no three points are collinear. How many triangles do
these points determine?

A) 2
B) 3
C) 6
D) 18
E) 20

46.

.
Find a, b and c.

A) 2 , -1 , 3
B) 1 , -2 , 3
C) 3 , -2 , 1
D) 1 , 2 , 3
E) 1 , 2 , -3

47. If the sum of the repeating decimals 0.353535... + 0.252525... is written as a fraction in lowest
terms, the product of the numerator and denominator is

A) 3465
B) 2475
C) 680
D) 670
E) 660
48. sin(tan-1√2) =

A) 0.82
B) 0.83
C) 0.84
D) 0.85
E) 0.86

49. If 8x = 2 and 3x+y = 81, then y =

A) 1/3
B) 9/3
C) 11/3
D) 13/3
E) 4

50. Let f(x) = -x2 / 2. If the graph of f(x) is translated 2 units up and 3 units left and the resulting
graph is that of g(x), then g(1/2) =

A) 0
B) -1/8
C) -2/8
D) -33/8
E) 13/8
 Answers to the Above Questions
1. D
2. D
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. D
7. A
8. C
9. E
10. A

11. E
12. B
13. C
14. C
15. A
16. D
17. E
18. A
19. E
20. B

21. C
22. A
23. D
24. E
25. D
26. C
27. B
28. B
29. D
30. A

31. E
32. D
33. A
34. A
35. E
36. C
37. B
38. D
39. B
40. D

41. C
42. E
43. D
44. B
45. E
46. B
 47. E
48. A
49. C
50. D

Free SAT Math Level 2 Subject Solutions

with Explanations
Sample 1
50 Sat Math subject level 2 questions corresponding to those in sample 1, with detailed
solutions and explanations are presented.

1. Two dice are tossed. What is the probability that the sum of the two dice is greater than
3?

Solution

(1,1) , (1,2) , (1,3) , (1,4) , (1,5) , (1,6)

(2,1) , (2,2) , (2,3) , (2,4) , (2,5) , (2,6)
When two dice are tossed, (3,1) , (3,2) , (3,3) , (3,4) , (3,5) , (3,6)
there are 6 * 6 = 36 possible (4,1) , (4,2) , (4,3) , (4,4) , (4,5) , (4,6)
outcomes. (5,1) , (5,2) , (5,3) , (5,4) , (5,5) , (5,6)
(6,1) , (6,2) , (6,3) , (6,4) , (6,5) , (6,6)
 The outcomes that give a
(1,1) , (1 , 2) and (2,1)
sum of 3 or less are
There are 36 - 3 = 33 possible outcomes that give a sum that is greater than 3
The probability that the
sum of the two dice is 33 36 = 11 / 12
greater than 3

2. If L is a line through the points (2,5) and (4,6), what is the value of k so that the
point of coordinates (7,k) is on the line L?

Solution

The slope of the line

through (2,5) and (4,6) is (6 - 5) / (4 - 2) = 1 / 2
given by
The slope of the line
through (4,6) and (7,k) is (k - 6) / (7 - 4) = (k - 6) / 3
given by
The three points are on the
same line and therefore
1 / 2 = (k - 6) / 3
the slopes found above
must be equal
Solve the above equation
k = 15/2
for k to find

3. Find a negative value of k so that the graph of y = x2 - 2 x + 7 and the graph of y

= k x + 5 are tangent?

Solution

To find points of intersection of the y = x2 - 2 x + 7

graphs of y = x - 2 x + 7 and y = k x + 5, y = k x + 5
2
 we need to solve the system of the two
equations
Eliminate y between the two equations
x2 - 2 x + 7 = k x + 5
to obtain
The above equation may be written as x2 - x(2 + k) + 2 = 0
This is a quadratic equation which may
have no solutions meaning that the two
graphs have no points of intersection,
two solutions which means the two
graphs have two points of intersection or (2 + k)2 - 4(1)(2) = 0
one solution which means the two
graphs are tangent to each other. A
quadratic equation have one solution if
its discriminant is equal to 0. Hence
Solve for k and select the negative
k = - 2 - 2 √2
solution

4. Which of these graphs is the closest to the graph of

f(x) = |4 - x2| / (x + 2)?

 .

Solution

Function f(x) = |4 - x2| / (x + 2) is undefined for x = -2 and the only graph that is
undefined for x negative is graph B.
5. ]The circle of equation (x - 3)2 + (y - 2)2 = 1 has center c. Point M(4,2) is on the
circle. N is another point on the circle so that angle McN has a size of 30°. Find the
coordinates of point N.

Solution

One way to find the

coordinates of N is to find
Vector ON = Vector OC + Vector CN
the components of vector
ON.
The equation of the circle
gives the coordinates of C (3 , 2)
the center C which are
The components of vector
<3,2>
OC are
Distance CN is equal to
the radius of the circle
which is 1. Points C and M
have the same y
coordinates and therefore <1 . cos(30o) , 1 . sin(30o)> = < √3 / 2 , 1 / 2>
CM is parallel to the x
axis, hence the
components of vector CN
are given by
Hence the components of
< 3 , 2 > + < (1 / 2)√3 , 1 / 2 > = < 3 + √3 / 2 , 5/2 >
vector ON are given by
The coordinates of point N
( 3 + √3 / 2 , 5/2 )
are given by
6. Vectors u and v are given by u = < 2 , 0 > and v = < -3 , 1 >. What is the length
of vector w given by w = -u - 2v?

Solution

w = -u - 2v = - < 2 , 0 > -2 < - 3 , 1 >

We first find w = -u - 2v as follows = < - 2 , 0> + < 6 , - 2 >

= <4,-2>
The length of W is given by √(42 + (-2)2) = 2 √5

7. What is the smallest distance between the point (-2,-2) and a point on the
circumference of the circle given by

(x - 1)2 + (y - 2)2 = 4?

Solution

Let us find the center and radius of the The equation of the circle is in standard form and its
circle center has coordinates (1 , 2) and its radius is equal to 2
The distance between the center of the
√( (-2 -1)2 + (-2 -2)2 ) = 5
circle and point (-2, -2) is given by
Point (-2,-2) is outside the circle. The
shortest distance between point (-2,-2) 5 - 2 = 3
and a point on the circle is given by

8.What is the equation of the horizontal asymptote of function

 f(x) = 2 / (x + 2) - (x + 3) / (x + 4)?

Solution

If x increases indefinitely, 2 / (x + 2) will approach 0 and - (x + 3) / (x + 4) will

approach - 1. If x decreases indefinitely, 2 / (x + 2) will approach 0 and - (x + 3) /
(x + 4) will approach - 1. Hence the equation of the horizontal asymptote is y = -
1.

9. The lines with equations x + 3 y = 2 and -2 x + k y = 5 are perpendicular for k =

Solution

3y = - x + 2
Let us find the slope of the line with
y = -(1 / 3)x + 2/3
equation x + 3y = 2
slope = -1 / 3
k y = 2x + 5
The slope of the line with equation -2x
y = (2 / k) x + 5 / k
+ ky = 5 is calculated as follows
slope = 2 / k
For two lines to be perpendicular, the
product of their slopes must be equal (-1 / 3)*(2 / k) = -1
to - 1. Hence
Solve the above equation for k to find k=2/3

10. If f(x) = (x - 1)2 and g(x) = √x, then (g o f)(x) =

Solution

(g o f) (x) is the composition of

(g o f) (x) = g ( f (x) )
functions defined as follows
Substitute f (x) by (x - 1) 2 (g o f) (x) = g ( f (x) )
 = g( (x - 1) 2 )

= √(x - 1) 2

=|x-1|
NOTE THAT √ x = | x | not x
2

11. The domain of f(x) = √(4 - x2) / √(x2 - 1) is given by the interval

Solution

Remember that the domain of a function is the set of all values of x that make f(x) a
real number. The given function has square roots which must be positive or zero
because the square root of a negative number is not a real number. The expression
in the denominator cannot be zero because we cannot divide by zero. Hence the two
conditions to satisfy

1) (x2 - 1) > 0

2) (4 - x2) ≥ 0

Factor (x2 - 1) and solve the inequality 1)

(x - 1)(x + 1) > 0

The sign chart of (x - 1)(x + 1) is shown below

and the solution set of (x - 1)(x + 1) > 0 is given by the interval

[-1 , 0) U (0 , +1]

We now factor (4 - x2) and solve the inequality 2)

(2 - x)(2 + x) ≥ 0
 The sign chart of (2 - x)(2 + x) is shown below

and the solution set of (2 - x)(2 + x) ≥ 0 is given by the interval

[-2 , 2]

For a given value of x to be in the domain of f it must satisfy both inequalities

above which means the domain is the set of x values belonging to the
intersection of the intervals [-1 , 0) U (0 , +1] and [-2 , 2] as shown below

The domain of f is given by

[-2, -1) U (1, 2]

12. The area of the circle x2 + y2 - 8 y - 48 = 0 is

Solution

We first need to write the given x 2 + y 2 - 8 y - 48 = 0

equation in standard form by
 completing square
y 2 - 8 y = y 2 - 8 y + 16 - 16
Write the term (y 2 - 8 y) as a square
= (y - 4) 2 - 16
plus a constant : add and subtract 16

x 2 + (y - 4) 2 - 16 - 48 = 0
Substitute by in the given equation and
write the equation of the circle in or
standard form
x 2 + (y - 4) 2 = 64
Hence the radius R of the circle is
Pi R 2 = 64 Pi
equal to 8. The area is given

13. The y coordinates of all the points of intersection of the parabola y 2 = x + 2 and the
circle x2 + y2 = 4 are given by

Solution

The points of intersections of the parabola and the circle

y2 = x + 2
are solutions to both equations simultaneously and
therefore to find these points we need to solve the system 2
x + y2 = 4
of equations defined by
x2 + x + 2 = 4
Substitute y2 by x + 2 in the second equation and rewrite
the equation obtained in standard form
x2 + x - 2 = 0
Solve the quadratic equation obtained x = 1 and x = -2
We now substitute the values of x obtained in the equation For x = 1 , and y2 = 1 + 2 = 3
y2 = x + 2 to find y
y = + or - √3

for x = -2 , and y2 = -2 + 2 = 0

hence y = 0
The y coordinates of the points of intersection are - √3 , 0 and √3
14. What is the smallest positive zero of function f(x) = 1/2 - sin(3x + Pi/3)?

Solution

The zeros of function f are found by solving the equation 1/2 - sin(3x + Pi/3) = 0
Rearrange the equation to obtain sin(3x + Pi/3) = 1 / 2
In order to solve the trigonometric equation above, we
need to solve the two equations below. Note that because
sine functions are periodic, there is an infinite number of 3x + Pi/3 = Pi / 6 + 2 k Pi and 3x + P
solutions. = 5 Pi / 6 + 2 k Pi for k any integer
We now solve the above equations. First equation: 3x + Pi/3 = Pi / 6 + 2 k
Pi

3x = - Pi / 6 + 2 k Pi

x = - Pi / 18 + 2 k Pi / 3

Second equation: 3x + Pi/3 = 5 Pi / 6

2 k Pi

3x = Pi / 2 + 2 k Pi

x = Pi / 6 + 2 K Pi / 3
We now need to find the smallest positive solution. For k = 0 we have two solutions: x =
Pi / 6 and Pi / 6 and hence the
smallest zero is equal to Pi / 6

15. If x - 1, x - 3 and x + 1 are all factors of a polynomial P(x) of degree 3, which of

the following must also be a factor of P(x)?

I) x2 + 1
II) x2 - 1
III) x2 - 4x + 3

Solution

P(x) = k (x - 1)(x - 3)(x + 1) , k is a

We first use the factors to write polynomial P as follows
nonzero real number
Other possible factors of P(x) are (x - 1)(x - 3) = x2 - 4 x + 3
 (x - 1)(x + 1) = x2 - 1

and (x - 3)(x + 1) = x2 - 2x -3
Of those listed in I, II and III, II and III are also factors of
P(x).

16. A cylinder of radius 5 cm is inserted within a cylinder of radius 10 cm. The two
cylinders have the same height of 20 cm. What is the volume of the region
between the two cylinders?

Solution

V1 = (52 Pi) * 20
Let V1 be the volume of the small cylinder and V2 the
volume of the large cylinder where
V2 = (102 Pi) * 20
The volume V of the region bewteen the two cylinders in
V = V2 - V1 = 1500 Pi cm3
the difference between the two volumes

17. A data set has a standard deviation equal to 1. If each data value in the data set
is multiplied by 4, then the value of the standard deviation of the new data set is
equal to

Solution

The standard deviation involves the square root of the

sum of(xi - m)2 where xi are the data values and m is the
mean. If each data value is multiplied by k then the mean
will be k times. Hence the new standard deviation will
involve the square root of the sum of (k xi - k m)2 and
therefore the new standard deviation will be k times the
old standard deviation. In this case k = 4 and the old
standard deviation is one. The standard deviation after
multiplication will be equal to 4.
18. A cone made of cardboard has a vertical height of 8 cm and a radius of 6 cm. If
this cone is cut along the slanted height to make a sector, what is the central
angle, in degrees, of the sector?

Solution

When cut open along the slant height H and flattened, the cone becomes a
sector of a circle as shown in the figure below right and the perimeter of the base
of the cone is equal to arc length of the sector shown on the right. The perimeter
P of the base of the cone is given by:

P = 2 Pi r = 2 Pi 6 = 12 Pi

The slanted height H is calculated using Pythagora theorem

H = √(r2 + h2) = √(62 + 82) = 10

The arc length of S the sector is given by

S = H * t = 10 t , where t is the sector angle to find.

S = P gives 12 Pi = 10 t

t = 1.2 Pi = 216 degrees.

19. If sin(x) = -1/3 and Pi ≤ x ≤ 3Pi/2, then cot(2x) =

Solution

We first express cot(2x) as follows

cot(2x) = 1 / tan(2x) = ( 1 - tan2 ) / ( 2 tan(x) )

We now need to find tan(x) using the identity

tan(x) = sin(x) / cos(x)

We know the value of sin(x), we need to find the value of cos(x) using the identity
sin2(x) + cos2(x) = 1 as follows

cos2(x) = 1 - sin2(x)

Solving the above for cos(x), we obtain two solutions

cos(x) = √(1 - sin2(x)) and cos(x) = - √(1 - sin2(x))

Angle x satisfies the condition Pi ≤ x ≤ 3Pi/2 for which cos(x) is negative. Hence

cos(x) = - √(1 - sin2(x))

We now substitute and determine cot(2 x) as follows

cos(x) = - √(1 - (-1/3)2)

= - √(8/9) = - 2 √2 / 3

tan(x) = sin(x) / cos(x) = (-1/3) / ( - 2 √2 / 3 ) = 1 / 2 √2

cot(2 x) = ( 1 - tan2 ) / ( 2 tan(x) ) = ( 1 - 1/8 ) / ( 1 / √2 ) = 7 √ 2 / 8 = 7 / ( 4 √ 2 )

20. Which of the following functions satisfy the condition f(x) = f -1(x)?

I) f(x) = - x
II) f(x) = √x
III) f(x) = - 1/x

Solution
 Let us find the inverse of f(x) = - x

y = - x , write given function as equation

x = - y , change x to y and y to x

y = - x = f -1(x) , solve for y to find inverse

The given function satisfies f(x) = f -1(x).

Let us find the inverse of f(x) = √x

y = √x

x = √y

y = x2 and is different from f(x) = √x

The given function does not satisfy the condition f(x) = f -1(x)

Let us find the inverse of f(x) = - 1/x

y = - 1/x

x = - 1/y

xy=-1

y = - 1/x = f -1(x)

The given function satisfies the condition f(x) = f -1(x)

21. If f(x) = 1 / (x - 2), which of the following graphs is closest to the graph of | f(x) |?
 .

Solution

A function of the form y = | f(x) | take positive values or zero. The graphs in A)
and B) have negative values and therefore neither can be the graph of y = | f(x) |.
In fact B) is not the graph of a function. Also f(x) is undefined at x = 2 and also
has a vertical asymptote at x = 2. The only graph that seems to have a vertical
asymptote at x = 2 is graph C) and is therefore the closet to the graph of | f(x) |.
22. If in a triangle ABC, sin(A) = 1/5, cos(B) = 2/7, then cos(C) =

Solution

The sum of all three angles in a triangle is equal to 1800. Hence

A + B + C = 1800

or A + B = 1800 - C

The above gives

cos( 1800 - C ) = cos ( A + B )

Use trigonometry formula to rewrite above as

cos( 1800 ) cos( C ) + sin( 1800 ) sin( C ) = cos (A) cos (B ) - sin( A ) sin( B )

Simplify and rewrite the above as

cos ( C ) = sin( A ) sin( B ) - cos( A ) cos( B )

Given that sin(A) = 1/5 and cos(B) = 2/7, We now need to find cos (A) and sin (B)
using identities as follows:

cos (A) = √(1 - (1/5)2) = √24 / 5

sin (B) = √(1 - (2/7)2) = √45 / 7

Substitute the values of sin(A), sin(B), cos(A) and cos(B) into cos ( C ) = sin( A )
sin( B ) - cos( A ) cos( B ) we obtain

cos(C) = (√45 - 2√24) / 35

23. Find the sum

100
∑ (3 + k)
k=1

Solution
 Rewriting the sum explicitly, we have

100
∑ (3 + k) = 4 + 5 + 6 +...+ 103
k=1

The terms in the sum are those of an arithmetic sequence with common
difference 1. Hence the sum is equal to the average the first term and the last
term multiplied by the number of terms which is 100. Hence

100
∑ (3 + k) = 100*(4 + 103)/2 = 5350
k=1

24. What value of x makes the three terms x, x / (x + 1) and 3x / [(x + 1)(x + 2)] those
of a geometric sequence?

Solution

Let r be the common ratio of the geometric sequence. Hence the relationship
between the first and second term and the second and third term are as follows

x / (x + 1) = r x and 3x / [(x + 1)(x + 2)] = r x / (x + 1)

Solve both equations above for x to obtain

r = 1 / (x + 1) and r = 3 / (x + 2)

r is constant, hence

1 / (x + 1) = 3 / (x + 2)

Solve the above for x to obtain

x = -1 / 2

25. As x increases from Pi/4 to 3 Pi/4, |sin(2x)|

A) always increases
 B) always decreases
C) increases then decreases
D) decreases then increases
E) stay constant

Solution

As x changes g(x) = |sin(2x)| takes either positive values or zero.

For x = Pi / 4, g(Pi/4) = | sin(2 Pi/4) | = 1

For x = Pi / 2, g(Pi/2) = | sin(2 Pi/2) | = 0

For x = 3 Pi / 4, g(3 Pi/4) = | sin(3 Pi/2) | = 1

As x increases from Pi/4 to 3Pi/4, |sin(2x)| decreases then increases.

26. If ax3 + bx2 + c x + d is divided by x - 2, then the remainder is equal

Solution

Let P(x) = a x3 + b x2 + c x + d. According to the remainder theorem, the

remainder r when dividing P(x) by x - 2 is equal to P(2). Hence

r = P(2) = a 23 + b 22 + 2 c + d

= 8a + 4b + 2c + d

27. A committee of 6 teachers is to be formed from 5 male teachers and 8 female

teachers. If the committee is selected at random, what is the probability that it
has an equal number of male and female teachers?

Solution

Let C(n,r) be the number of samples of r elements to be selected from a set of n

elements (combinations). Then

C(n,r) = n! / r! (n - r)!

The committee has a total of 6 members. If the number of males and females in
this committee are equal then the committee has 3 males and 3 females. There
are C(5,3) ways to select 3 males from 5, C(8,3) ways to select 3 females from 8
 and C(13,6) ways to select 6 persons from 13. The probability is equal to

P = C(5,3)*C(8,3) / C(13,6) = (5! / 3!2!)*(8! / 3!5!) / (13! / 6!7!) = 140 / 429

28. The range of the function f(x) = -|x - 2| - 3 is

Solution

The absolute value is either positive or zero. Hence

|x - 2| ≥ 0

Multiply both sides of the inequality by -1 and reverse the symbol of inequality to
obtain

- |x - 2| ≤ 0

Subtract 3 from both sides of the inequality to obtain

- |x - 2| - 3 ≤ - 3

The right side of the above inequality is equal to f(x). Hence the inequality gives

f(x) ≤ - 3

The above inequality states that the range of y = f(x) is given by

y ≤ -3

29. What is the period of the function f(x) = 3 sin 2(2x + Pi/4)?

Solution

The period P is defined for sine and cosine functions of the form A sin (Bx + C) +
D or A cos (BX + C) + D as follows

P = 2 Pi / | B |

Hence we need to reduce the power of the given function using the identity
sin2(x) = 1/2 - 1/2 cos(2x) as follows

f(x) = 3 sin 2(2x + Pi/4) = 3 [ 1/2 - 1/2 cos 2((2x + Pi/4)) ]

 = -3/2 cos (4x + Pi/2) + 3/2

Hence the period P of f(x) is given by

P = 2 Pi / | 4 | = Pi / 2

30. It is known that 3 out of 10 television sets are defective. If 2 television sets are
selected at random from the 10, what is the probability that 1 of them is
defective?

Solution

Out of the 10 tv sets, 3 are defective and therefore 7 are non defective. If you
select 2 out of 10 tv and 1 is defective the second one is non defective. There are
C(3,1) ways of selecting 1 defective out of 3 , C(7,1) ways of selecting 1 non
defective out of 7 and C(10,2) ways of selecting 2 tv sets out of 10. Hence the
probability P is given by

P = C(3,1)*C(7,1) / C(10,2) where C(n,r) is the combination of n terms taken r at

the time.

= 7/15

31. In a triangle ABC, angle B has a size of 50o, angle A has a size of 32o and the
length of side BC is 150 units. The length of side AB is

Solution

We first find the size of the third angle C

C = 180o - (50o + 32o) = 98o

We now use the sine law to find the length of side AB

AB / sin(C) = BC / sin(A)

Solve the above for AB, substitute and evaluate

AB = sin(C) * BC / sin(A) = sin(98) * 150 / sin(32) = 280 (rounded to the nearest

unit)
32. For the remainder of the division of x3 - 2x2 + 3kx + 18 by x - 6 to be equal to
zero, k must be equal to

Solution

Let P(x) = x3 - 2x2 + 3kx + 18. Using the remainder theorem, the remainder R of
the division of P(x) by x - 6 is equal to P(6). Hence

R = P(6) = 63 - 2(6)2 + 3(6) k + 18

= 216 - 72 + 18 k + 18 = 162 + 18 k

Set R = 0 and solve for k

162 + 18 k = 0 , gives k = - 9

33. It takes pump (A) 4 hours to empty a swimming pool. It takes pump (B) 6 hours to
empty the same swimming pool. If the two pumps are started together, at what
time will the two pumps have emptied 50% of the water in the swimming pool?

Solution

The rates RA and RA of pumps A and B are given by

RA = 1/4 and RB = 1/6

Let t be the time that the two pumps will take to empty 50% of the pool. Hence

t(1/4 + 1/6) = 0.5

Multiply all terms in the above equation by the lcm of 4 and 6 which 12, simplify
and solve

t(3 + 2) = 6 t = 6/5 = 1.2 hours = 1 hour 12 minutes

34. The graph of r = 10 cos(Θ) , where r and Θ are the polar coordinates, is

A) a circle
B) an ellipse
C) a horizontal line
 D) a hyperbola
E) a vertical line

Solution

If r and Θ are the polar coordinates then the x and y coordinates are given by

x = r cos(Θ) and y = r sin(Θ) and x2 + y2 = r2cos2(Θ) + r2sin2(Θ) = r2

Multiply both sides of the given equation r = 10 cos(Θ) by r

r2 = 10 r cos(Θ)

Substitute r2 by x2 + y2 and r cos(Θ) by x in the above equation to obtain

x2 + y2 = 10 x

The above equation may be written as

x2 - 10 x + y2 = 0

(x - 5)2 + y2 = 25

The above equation is that of a circle of center (5,0) and radius 5. Hence the
given equation r = 10 cos(Θ) is that of a circle.

35. If (2 - i)*(a - bi) = 2 + 9i, where i is the imaginary unit and a and b are real
numbers, then a equals

Solution

We first expand the left side of the given equation.

2 a - 2b i - i a - b = 2 + 9 i

which may be written as

2 a - b + i(-2 b - a) = 2 + 9 i

Two complex numbers are equal if their real parts and imaginary are equal.
Hence the above equation gives two other equations

2 a - b = 2 and - 2 b - a = 9
 Solve the above system of equation to find a = - 1.

36. Lines L1 and L2 are perpendicular that intersect at the point (2 , 3). If L1 passes
through the point (0 , 2), then line L2 must pass through the point

A) (0 , 3)
B) (1 , 1)
C) (3 , 1)
D) (5 , 0)
E) (6 , 7)

Solution

We first find the slope m1 of line L1 since we know two points on this line.

m1 = (2 - 3) / (0 - 2) = 1 / 2

Since L1 and L2 are perpendicular, the slope m2 of line L2 is related to m1 as

follows

m1*m2 = -1 or (1/2) * m2 = -1 which gives m2 = -2

We now know a point and a slope of line L2, hence its equation is given by

y - 3 = -2 (x - 2)

We now substitute the coordinates in the equation above and determine which
point is on the line L2. Point (3 , 1) in C) is on L2.

37. A square pyramid is inscribed in a cube of total surface area of 24 square cm

such that the base of the pyramid is the same as the base of the cube. What is
the volume of the pyramid?
 .

Solution

The cube has 6 square faces. The total surface is 24 square cm and therefore
the area of one square face of the cube is

24 / 6 = 4 square cm and the side of one square face is 2 cm

The volume of the pyramid is equal to the one third the area of the base which is
4 square cm times the height. Since the pyramid is inscribed in the cube, the
height is equal to a side of the square.

Volume = (1/3) * 4 * 2 = 8/3 cubic cm

38. The graph defined by the parametric equations

x = cos2t

y = 3 sint -1

is

Solution

Let us solve the given equation y = 3 sint -1 for sin t

sin t = (y + 1) / 3

Square both sides of the above equation

sin2t = (y + 1)2 / 9

The above equation may be written

 1 - cos2t = (y + 1)2 / 9

We now substitute cos2t by x in the above equation to obtain

1 - x = (y + 1)2 / 9

Solve the above for x

x = - (y + 1)2 / 9 + 1

The above equation is that of a parabola with axis parallel to x axis. However
there are restrictions on both x and y. Since x = cos2t and y = 3 sint -1, x cannot
be greater than 1 for example. So the graph defined by the parabolic equations is
not a whole parabola but a part of a parabola.

39.

Solution

Calculating the limit as is gives an undetermined form 0 / 0 . Rewrite the

numerator in factored form and simplify

(x4 - 16) / (x - 2) = (x2 - 4)(x2 + 4) / (x - 2)

= (x - 2)(x + 2)(x2 + 4) / (x - 2)

= (x + 2)(x2 + 4) , after simplification

The limit as x approaches 2 is given by

(2 + 2)(22 + 4) = 32

40. For x > 0 and x not equal to 1, log16(x) =

 Solution

Use the change of base formula and log with base to rewrite log16(x) as follows

log16(x) = log2(x) / log2(16)

= log2(x) / log2(24)

= log2(x) / 4

= 0.25 log2(x)

41. The value of k that makes function f, defined below, continous is

Solution

We first find the limit of f(x) as x approaches 0.

f(x) = (2x 2 + 5x) / x = 2x + 5

The limit of the above as x approaches 0 is.

2(0) + 5 = 5

For a function to be continuous at x = 0, the following condition must be satisfied

lim f(x) as x approaches = f(0)

5 = 3k - 1

Solve the above for k.

k=2
42. If logb(a) = x and logb(c) = y, and 4x + 6y = 8, then logb(a2. c3)

Solution

We first divide all terms in the equation by 2 to obtain

2x + 3y = 4

We next substitute x by logb(a) and y by logb(c) in the above equation.

2 logb(a) + 3 logb(c) = 4

We next use the power formula to rewrite the above as .

logb(a2) + logb(c3) = 4

Using the product formula, the above is rewritten as

logb(a2. c3) = 4

43. The point (0 , -2 , 5) lies on the

Solution

The x coordinate of the given point is the only coordinate equal to 0 and therefore
the given point is on the yz plane

44. Curve C is defined by the equation y = √(9 - x2) with x≥ 0. The area bounded by
curve C, the x axis and the y axis is

Solution

Let us square both sides of the given equation to obtain

y2 = 9 - x2

Rewrite as the equation of a circle in standard form.

x2 + y2 = 9
 The above equation is that of a circle with radius 3 and center at (0,0). The
region bounded by curve C, the x axis and the y axis and such that x≥ 0 is a
quarter of this circle and therefore its area is the quarter of the area of the circle
and is given by

(1/4) Pi (3 2) = 9 Pi / 4

45. In a plane there are 6 points such that no three points are collinear. How many
triangles do these points determine?

Solution

A triangle is defined by any 3 non collinear points. Hence the number of triangles
that 6 points can determine is equal to the number of combinations of 6 points
taken 3 at the time and is given by

C(6,3) = 6! / (3!(6-3)!) = 6*5*4*3! / (3!3!) = 20

46.

Find a, b and c.

Solution

What is given is the multiplication of two matrices A.B = c. The product of the first
row of A by the the first column of B gives

3(0) + 2(b) = - 4
 Solve for b

b=-2

The product of the first row of A by the the second column of B gives

3a+2c=9

The product of the second row of A by the the second column of B gives

-a-2c=-7

Solve the last two equations for a and c simultaneously to obtain

a = 1 and c = 3

47. If the sum of the repeating decimals 0.353535... + 0.252525... is written as a

fraction in lowest terms, the product of the numerator and denominator is

Solution

We first write 0.353535...as a sum as follows

0.353535... = 0.35 + 0.0035 + 0.000035 ....

The above is an infinite geometric series with common ration 0.001. Hence the
sum

= 0.35 / (1 - 0.01) = 0.35 / 0.99 = 35 / 99

We proceed in the same way for 0.252525...

0.252525... = 0.25 + 0.0025 + 0.000025 +....

= 0.25 / (1 - 0.01) = 25 / 99

The sum is given by

0.353535... + 0.252525... = 35/99 + 25/99 = 60/99 = 20/33

The product of numerator and denominator

20 * 33 = 660
48. sin(tan-1√2) =

Solution

Define arc t as follows

t = tan-1√2

tan t = opposite side / adjacent side = √2 = √2 / 1

Hypotenuse = √(1 + 2) = √3

sin(tan-1√2) = sin t

= opposite side / hypotenuse = √2 / √3 = 0.82 (approximated at two decimal

places)

49. If 8x = 2 and 3x+y = 81, then y =

Solution

Equation 8x = 2 may be written as follows

(23)x = 2

Hence

3x = 1 or x = 1/3

Equation 3x+y = 81 may be written as follows

3x+y = 81 = 34

Hence

x + y = 4 , y = 4 - x = 4 - 1/3 = 11/3
50. Let f(x) = -x2 / 2. If the graph of f(x) is translated 2 units up and 3 units left and the
resulting graph is that of g(x), then g(1/2) =

Solution

Let us first find the equation for g(x).

When - x2 / 2 is translated 2 units up it becomes - x2 / 2 + 2.

g(x) = - (x + 3)2 / 2 + 2 , translated 3 units left

g(1/2) = - (1/2 + 3)2 / 2 + 2 = - 33/8