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Chapter 4: Desmos Hacks

When you are taking the SAT, you are given Desmos to use as your calculator. Desmos has a scientific
calculator and a graphing calculator built in. Desmos is an incredible tool if you know how to use it properly!
In this chapter, we will teach you how to use Desmos to solve many SAT questions without doing any
math at all.

1-4 Desmos Hack #1 – Solving Algebra Questions

We can use Desmos to solve any algebra question on the SAT by graphing the two sides of the equation and
finding the point(s) of intersection. When two sides of an equation are graphed, the point(s) of
intersection shows the solution(s) to equation.
%
1-4 Example 1: If & ! − 2 = 2! − 4, what is the value of !?

Solution: To solve, we graph both sides of the equation and find the point of intersection. To do this in
Desmos, we write each side of the equation as & = and then type in the equation. Here, we write the left side
-I
%
in Desmos as & = ! − 2 and the right side as & = 2! − 4.
&

Next, we graph the functions in Desmos and find the point of intersection. Below, you can see the graph.

(1.25, −1.5)

The '-coordinate at the point of intersection shows the solution to the equation. The graph above has a
point of intersection at (1.25, −1.5) so the answer is 1.25.

You can use this method for ANY algebra question on the SAT. Example 1 is not too difficult to solve
algebraically, but we can also use this method for more advanced questions like Example 2.

1-4 Example 2: What is the larger of the two solutions to the equation 8! − 4(! − 10)% = 80 ?

Solution: Even though this question looks hard, we can use the exact same method we did for Example 1.
We can graph both sides of the equation and look for the point(s) of intersection. Here, we can write the two
sides of the equation as & = 8! − 4(! − 10)% and & = 80.

The graph to the right shows 2 points of intersection. (10, 80) (12, 80)

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 Chapter 4: Desmos Hacks

The !-coordinates at the points of intersection show the solutions to the equation. Here, the points of
intersection are at (10, 80) and (12, 80), so we have 2 solutions at ! = 10 and ! = 12. The question asks us
to solve for the larger solution, so the answer is 12.

This question can be solved algebraically using quadratics and factoring, skills which we will learn in Chapter
11. However, solving Example 2 algebraically is much more difficult than letting Desmos do the math for
you!

Desmos Hack #2 – Solving Systems of Equations

We can also use Desmos to solve a system of equations. For any system of equations, the point(s) of
intersection show the solution(s) to the system of equations.

Example 3: For the system of equations below, one solution is point (0, 1), where 0 > 0 and 1 > 0.
What is the value of 20 − 1?
& − 5! = 4! % − 7 1-4
& = −3! + 5

Solution: To solve, we can graph the equations in the system of equations and find the points of intersection.
To graph each equation from the system of equations above, type in the equation as it appears in Desmos. You
,

do NOT need to write an equation that has both ' and 6 in 6 = form for Desmos to graph it!

(−3, 14)

(1, 2)

Again, notice that we can type in the equation in exactly as it appears in the system of equations. This is
an important thing to remember when solving a system of equations with Desmos.

The points of intersection at (−7, 89) and (8, :) show the solutions to the system of equations.
"
Remember that the !-coordinate shows the solution for ! and that the &-coordinate shows the solution for &.
In Example 3, the question tells us that the solution at point (0, 1) has 0 > 0 and 1 > 0. So, we must use the
point at (1, 2) as the solution at point (0, 1).

Therefore, 0 = 1 and 1 = 2, so
20 − 1 = 2(1) − 2 = 0
The answer is 0. We will learn how to solve questions like Example 3 algebraically in Chapter 12, but the
fastest and easiest way to solve Example 3 is using our Desmos Hack for solving systems of equations.

Desmos Hack #3 – Solving Equivalent Questions

You have already learned our 3rd Desmos Hack in Chapter 3. We can use Desmos to solve any Equivalent 1-4
Questions on the SAT. To review this method, go back to pages 9-10 to see how we used this Desmos Hack to
solve Example 1.

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 PrepPros

1-4 Desmos Hack #4 – Solving Quadratics Without Factoring

We can also find the solutions to quadratics by graphing the function in Desmos. If you are given a quadratic
that is set equal to 0, such as 4! % − 5! − 21 = 0, you probably think, “oh no, I need to factor that.” But do
not fear; there is an easier way! We can solve for the solution(s) to any quadratic that is equal to 0 by
graphing the function in Desmos and finding the '-intercept(s).

Example 4: For 4! % − 5! − 21 = 0, what is the sum of the solutions?

1-4 A)
$&
B)
&
C) − '
&
D) −
$&
' ' '

Solution: To find the solutions (the !-intercepts), we write the function in & = form and look for the
!-intercepts. Here, we type the quadratic into Desmos as & = 4! % − 5! − 21.

(−1.75, 0) (3, 0)

The !-intercepts are at (−1.75, 0) and (3, 0). When a quadratic is equal to zero, as in this example, the
solutions are the !-coordinate of the !-intercepts. So here, the solutions are ! = −1.75 and ! = 3. The sum
&
of the solutions is −1.75 + 3 = 1.25. In fraction form, 1.25 = ', so the answer is B.

This question can be solved algebraically by factoring the quadratic and setting each factor equal to zero, a
method that we will learn in Chapter 11. However, for most students it is much easier to solve this question
using this Desmos Hack!

Desmos Hacks Practice: Answers on page 326.

1 1. If 42! − 225 = 18! + 309, what is the value 1 3. If 22! + 549 = 6! + 717, what is the value of
of !? !?
A) 3.5
B) 22.25
C) 309
D) 709.5

1 4. If 20.2! + 15.65 = 19 − 5.6!, what is the

2. What is the solution to the equation
1 value of !?
5! % + 20! = −20 ?
A) −0.25
A) −2
B) 0
B) 0
C) 0.13
C) 4
D) 0.45
D) 10

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 Chapter 4: Desmos Hacks

5. For the equation ! % + 12! = 15 − 2!, what is 11. If one of the zeros to the equation
the smallest value of ! that is a solution to the 1 0! % − 24! − 64 is at ! = 8, what is the value 2
equation? of 0?

A) 2
B) 4
C) 7
D) 10
6. Which of the following equations is equivalent
to 2(! + 3)% − 4! ? 1 12. What is the sum of the solutions to the equation 2
"# " $&
A) 2! % + 2! + 9 '
−6− 6
=0?
B) 2! % + 8! + 18
C) 4! % − 4! + 18
D) 4! % − 4! + 36

7. For ! % + 4! − 396, what is the sum of the 1

solutions? 13. If ! is a solution to the equation below, what is 2
A) −40 the value of √! + 10 ?
B) −22 √! + 3 = ! − 3
C) −4
D) 4

8. For the system of equations below, the solution

is at the point (0, 1). What is the value of 1? 1
14. For the system of equations below, the solution 3
80! − 47& = 220 is at the point (0, 1). What is the value of
16! + 3& = −80 30 − 1 ?
4! − & % = 12
3! = 9

9. For the equation below, what is the value of !?

2
5! 2 !
− = +2
6 3 6

15. For the system of equations below, one point is 3

(?, @ − 13) where ? > 0. What is the value
of @?
& = 0.25! % − 10! − 3
10. If 5! + 8& = 67 and 2! − & = 31, what is the 2 0.5! = 17 − &
value of ! + & ?
A) 31
A) 16 B) 18
B) 15.5 C) 10
C) 15 D) −3
D) 14

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