SAT Suite Math
Uploaded by
ramaahmo2006SAT Suite Math
Uploaded by
ramaahmo2006Question ID 002dba45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 002dba45
Line is defined by . Line is perpendicular to line in the xy-plane. What is the slope of line ?
ID: 002dba45 Answer
Correct Answer: .1764, .1765, 3/17
Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given that line is perpendicular to line in the xy-plane. This means that the slope of line is
the negative reciprocal of the slope of line . The equation of line , , is written in slope-intercept form
, where is the slope of the line and is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. It follows that the slope
of line is . The negative reciprocal of a number is divided by the number. Therefore, the negative reciprocal of
is , or . Thus, the slope of line is . Note that 3/17, .1764, .1765, and 0.176 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f224df07
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: f224df07
A cargo helicopter delivers only 100-pound packages and 120-pound packages.
For each delivery trip, the helicopter must carry at least 10 packages, and the total
weight of the packages can be at most 1,100 pounds. What is the maximum
number of 120-pound packages that the helicopter can carry per trip?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
ID: f224df07 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Let a equal the number of 120-pound packages, and let b equal the number of 100-pound packages. It’s
given that the total weight of the packages can be at most 1,100 pounds: the inequality represents
this situation. It’s also given that the helicopter must carry at least 10 packages: the inequality represents this
situation. Values of a and b that satisfy these two inequalities represent the allowable numbers of 120-pound packages and
100-pound packages the helicopter can transport. To maximize the number of 120-pound packages, a, in the helicopter, the
number of 100-pound packages, b, in the helicopter needs to be minimized. Expressing b in terms of a in the second
inequality yields , so the minimum value of b is equal to . Substituting for b in the first inequality
results in . Using the distributive property to rewrite this inequality yields
, or . Subtracting 1,000 from both sides of this inequality yields
. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 20 results in . This means that the maximum number of 120-pound
packages that the helicopter can carry per trip is 5.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly creating or solving the system of inequalities.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d1b66ae6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: d1b66ae6
If satisfies the system of equations
above, what is the value of y ?
ID: d1b66ae6 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . One method for solving the system of equations for y is to add corresponding sides of the two
equations. Adding the left-hand sides gives , or 4y. Adding the right-hand sides yields . It
follows that . Finally, dividing both sides of by 4 yields or . Note that 3/2 and 1.5 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID cb8f449f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: cb8f449f
The system of equations above has solution (x,
y). What is the value of x ?
A. 3
B.
C. 4
D. 6
ID: cb8f449f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Adding the corresponding sides of the two equations eliminates y and yields , as shown.
If (x, y) is a solution to the system, then (x, y) satisfies both equations in the system and any equation derived from them.
Therefore, .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of errors when solving the system.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3cdbf026
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 3cdbf026
The graph of the equation is a line in the xy-plane, where a and k are
constants. If the line contains the points and , what is the value of
k?
A.
B.
C. 2
D. 3
ID: 3cdbf026 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The value of k can be found using the slope-intercept form of a linear equation, , where m is
the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The equation can be rewritten in the form
. One of the given points, , is the y-intercept. Thus, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept must be equal to .
Multiplying both sides by k gives . Dividing both sides by gives .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made rewriting the given equation.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2937ef4f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 2937ef4f
Hector used a tool called an auger to remove corn from a storage bin at a constant
rate. The bin contained 24,000 bushels of corn when Hector began to use
the auger. After 5 hours of using the auger, 19,350 bushels of corn remained in the
bin. If the auger continues to remove corn at this rate, what is the total number of
hours Hector will have been using the auger when 12,840 bushels of corn remain in
the bin?
A. 3 i used another way but its correct
i used 4650=5hrs
6510=xhrs
B. 7 and then found that x is 7hrs, then i added 5+7=12
C. 8
D. 12
ID: 2937ef4f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. After using the auger for 5 hours, Hector had removed 24,000 – 19,350 = 4,650 bushels of corn from the
storage bin. During the 5-hour period, the auger removed corn from the bin at a constant rate of bushels per
hour. Assuming the auger continues to remove corn at this rate, after x hours it will have removed 930x bushels of corn.
Because the bin contained 24,000 bushels of corn when Hector started using the auger, the equation 24,000 – 930x = 12,840
can be used to find the number of hours, x, Hector will have been using the auger when 12,840 bushels of corn remain in the
bin. Subtracting 12,840 from both sides of this equation and adding 930x to both sides of the equation yields 11,160 = 930x.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 930 yields x = 12. Therefore, Hector will have been using the auger for 12 hours when
12,840 bushels of corn remain in the storage bin.
Choice A is incorrect. Three hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 3(930) = 21,210 bushels of corn remained,
not 12,840. Choice B is incorrect. Seven hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 7(930) = 17,490 bushels of corn
will remain, not 12,840. Choice C is incorrect. Eight hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 8(930) = 16,560
bushels of corn will remain, not 12,840.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2b15d65f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 2b15d65f
An economist modeled the demand Q for a certain product as a linear function of
the selling price P. The demand was 20,000 units when the selling price was $40
per unit, and the demand was 15,000 units when the selling price was $60 per unit.
Based on the model, what is the demand, in units, when the selling price is $55 per
unit?
A. 16,250
B. 16,500
C. 16,750
D. 17,500
ID: 2b15d65f Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Let the economist’s model be the linear function , where Q is the demand, P is the selling
price, m is the slope of the line, and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line in the xy-plane, where . Two pairs
of the selling price P and the demand Q are given. Using the coordinate pairs , two points that satisfy the function are
and . The slope m of the function can be found using the formula . Substituting
the given values into this formula yields , or . Therefore, . The value of
b can be found by substituting one of the points into the function. Substituting the values of P and Q from the point
yields , or . Adding 10,000 to both sides of this equation
yields . Therefore, the linear function the economist used as the model is . Substituting
55 for P yields . It follows that when the selling price is $55 per unit, the demand is
16,250 units.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation or conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b86123af
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: b86123af
Hiro and Sofia purchased shirts and pants from a store. The price of each shirt
purchased was the same and the price of each pair of pants purchased was the
same. Hiro purchased 4 shirts and 2 pairs of pants for $86, and Sofia purchased 3
shirts and 5 pairs of pants for $166. Which of the following systems of linear
equations represents the situation, if x represents the price, in dollars, of each shirt
and y represents the price, in dollars, of each pair of pants?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b86123af Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Hiro purchased 4 shirts and each shirt cost x dollars, so he spent a total of 4x dollars on shirts. Likewise,
Hiro purchased 2 pairs of pants, and each pair of pants cost y dollars, so he spent a total of 2y dollars on pants. Therefore,
the total amount that Hiro spent was 4x + 2y. Since Hiro spent $86 in total, this can be modeled by the equation 4x + 2y = 86.
Using the same reasoning, Sofia bought 3 shirts at x dollars each and 5 pairs of pants at y dollars each, so she spent a total
of 3x + 5y dollars on shirts and pants. Since Sofia spent $166 in total, this can be modeled by the equation 3x + 5y = 166.
Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of switching the number of shirts Sofia purchased with the number of pairs of
pants Hiro purchased. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of switching the total price each person paid. Choice D is
incorrect and may be the result of switching the total price each person paid as well as switching the number of shirts Sofia
purchased with the number of pairs of pants Hiro purchased.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID be9cb6a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: be9cb6a2
The cost of renting a backhoe for up to days is for the first day and for each additional day. Which of the
following equations gives the cost , in dollars, of renting the backhoe for days, where is a positive integer and ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: be9cb6a2 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that the cost of renting a backhoe for up to days is for the first day and for each
additional day. Therefore, the cost , in dollars, for days, where , is the sum of the cost for the first day, , and
the cost for the additional days, . It follows that , which is equivalent to
, or .
Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the cost of renting a backhoe is for the first day and
for each additional day.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 84664a7c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 84664a7c
The front of a roller-coaster car is at the bottom of a hill and is 15 feet above the
ground. If the front of the roller-coaster car rises at a constant rate of 8 feet per
second, which of the following equations gives the height h, in feet, of the front of
the roller-coaster car s seconds after it starts up the hill?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 84664a7c Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the front of the roller-coaster car starts rising when it’s 15 feet above the ground. This
initial height of 15 feet can be represented by a constant term, 15, in an equation. Each second, the front of the roller-coaster
car rises 8 feet, which can be represented by 8s. Thus, the equation gives the height, in feet, of the front of the
roller-coaster car s seconds after it starts up the hill.
Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual errors in creating a linear equation. Choice D is incorrect and
may result from switching the rate at which the roller-coaster car rises with its initial height.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e62cfe5f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: e62cfe5f
According to a model, the head width, in millimeters, of a worker bumblebee can be
estimated by adding 0.6 to four times the body weight of the bee, in grams.
According to the model, what would be the head width, in millimeters, of a worker
bumblebee that has a body weight of 0.5 grams?
ID: e62cfe5f Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 2.6. According to the model, the head width, in millimeters, of a worker bumblebee can be estimated
by adding 0.6 to 4 times the body weight, in grams, of the bee. Let x represent the body weight, in grams, of a worker
bumblebee and let y represent the head width, in millimeters. Translating the verbal description of the model into an equation
yields . Substituting 0.5 grams for x in this equation yields , or . Therefore, a worker
bumblebee with a body weight of 0.5 grams has an estimated head width of 2.6 millimeters. Note that 2.6 and 13/5 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b0fc3166
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: b0fc3166
The graph of a system of linear equations is shown. What is the solution to the system?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b0fc3166 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The solution to this system of linear equations is represented by the point that lies on both lines shown,
or the point of intersection of the two lines. According to the graph, the point of intersection occurs when and ,
or at the point . Therefore, the solution to the system is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 45cfb9de
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 45cfb9de
Adam’s school is a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride away from his house.
The bus runs once every 30 minutes, and the number of minutes, w, that Adam
waits for the bus varies between 0 and 30. Which of the following inequalities gives
the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to walk to school?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 45cfb9de Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It is given that w is the number of minutes that Adam waits for the bus. The total time it takes Adam to
get to school on a day he takes the bus is the sum of the minutes, w, he waits for the bus and the 5 minutes the bus ride
takes; thus, this time, in minutes, is w + 5. It is also given that the total amount of time it takes Adam to get to school on a
day that he walks is 20 minutes. Therefore, w + 5 > 20 gives the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to walk to
school.
Choices A and B are incorrect because w – 5 is not the total length of time for Adam to wait for and then take the bus to
school. Choice C is incorrect because the inequality should be true when walking 20 minutes is faster than the time it takes
Adam to wait for and ride the bus, not less.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 06fc1726
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 06fc1726
If f is the function defined by ,
what is the value of ?
A.
B.
C. 3
D. 9
ID: 06fc1726 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If , then .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from not multiplying x by 2 in the numerator. Choice B is incorrect and may result from
dividing 2x by 3 and then subtracting 1. Choice D is incorrect and may result from evaluating only the numerator 2x – 1.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b1228811
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: b1228811
Marisa needs to hire at least 10 staff members for an upcoming project. The staff
members will be made up of junior directors, who will be paid $640 per week, and
senior directors, who will be paid $880 per week. Her budget for paying the staff
members is no more than $9,700 per week. She must hire at least 3 junior directors
and at least 1 senior director. Which of the following systems of inequalities
represents the conditions described if x is the number of junior directors and y is
the number of senior directors?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b1228811 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Marisa will hire x junior directors and y senior directors. Since she needs to hire at least 10 staff
members, . Each junior director will be paid $640 per week, and each senior director will be paid $880 per week.
Marisa’s budget for paying the new staff is no more than $9,700 per week; in terms of x and y, this condition is
. Since Marisa must hire at least 3 junior directors and at least 1 senior director, it follows that
and . All four of these conditions are represented correctly in choice B.
Choices A and C are incorrect. For example, the first condition, , in each of these options implies that
Marisa can pay the new staff members more than her budget of $9,700. Choice D is incorrect because Marisa needs to hire
at least 10 staff members, not at most 10 staff members, as the inequality implies.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 2c121b25
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 2c121b25
Valentina bought two containers of beads. In the first container 30% of the beads
are red, and in the second container 70% of the beads are red. Together, the
containers have at least 400 red beads. Which inequality shows this relationship,
where x is the total number of beads in the first container and y is the total number
of beads in the second container?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2c121b25 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It is given that x is the total number of beads in the first container and that 30% of those beads are red;
therefore, the expression 0.3x represents the number of red beads in the first container. It is given that y is the total number
of beads in the second container and that 70% of those beads are red; therefore, the expression 0.7y represents the number
of red beads in the second container. It is also given that, together, the containers have at least 400 red beads, so the
inequality that shows this relationship is 0.3x + 0.7y ≥ 400.
Choice B is incorrect because it represents the containers having a total of at most, rather than at least, 400 red beads.
Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of misunderstanding how to represent a percentage of beads in each container.
Also, the inequality shows the containers having a combined total of at most, rather than at least, 400 red beads. Choice D is
incorrect because the percentages were not converted to decimals.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b23bba4c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: b23bba4c
A shipping company charged a customer $25 to ship some small boxes and some
large boxes. The equation above represents the relationship between a, the number
of small boxes, and b, the number of large boxes, the customer had shipped. If the
customer had 3 small boxes shipped, how many large boxes were shipped?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
ID: b23bba4c Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that a represents the number of small boxes and b represents the number of large boxes the
customer had shipped. If the customer had 3 small boxes shipped, then . Substituting 3 for a in the equation
yields or . Subtracting 9 from both sides of the equation yields . Dividing
both sides of this equation by 4 yields . Therefore, the customer had 4 large boxes shipped.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. If the number of large boxes shipped is 3, then . Substituting 3 for b in the given
equation yields or . Subtracting 12 from both sides of the equation and then dividing by 3
yields . However, it’s given that the number of small boxes shipped, a, is 3, not , so b cannot equal 3. Similarly, if
or , then or , respectively, which is also not true.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 71189542
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 71189542
A group of 202 people went on an overnight camping trip, taking 60 tents with
them. Some of the tents held 2 people each, and the rest held 4 people each.
Assuming all the tents were filled to capacity and every person got to sleep in a
tent, exactly how many of the tents were 2-person tents?
A. 30
B. 20
C. 19
D. 18
ID: 71189542 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Let x represent the number of 2-person tents and let y represent the number of 4-person tents. It is given
that the total number of tents was 60 and the total number of people in the group was 202. This situation can be expressed
as a system of two equations, and . The first equation can be rewritten as .
Substituting for y in the equation yields . Distributing and combining like
terms gives . Subtracting 240 from both sides of and then dividing both sides by
gives . Therefore, the number of 2-person tents is 19.
Alternate approach: If each of the 60 tents held 4 people, the total number of people that could be accommodated in tents
would be 240. However, the actual number of people who slept in tents was 202. The difference of 38 accounts for the 2-
person tents. Since each of these tents holds 2 people fewer than a 4-person tent, gives the number of 2-person
tents.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice may result from assuming exactly half of the tents hold 2 people. If that were true, then the
total number of people who slept in tents would be ; however, the total number of people who slept in
tents was 202, not 180. Choice B is incorrect. If 20 tents were 2-person tents, then the remaining 40 tents would be 4-person
tents. Since all the tents were filled to capacity, the total number of people who slept in tents would be
; however, the total number of people who slept in tents was 202, not 200. Choice D is
incorrect. If 18 tents were 2-person tents, then the remaining 42 tents would be 4-person tents. Since all the tents were filled
to capacity, the total number of people who slept in tents would be ; however, the total
number of people who slept in tents was 202, not 204.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID dba8d38a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: dba8d38a
A petting zoo sells two types of tickets. The standard ticket, for admission only,
costs $5. The premium ticket, which includes admission and food to give to the
animals, costs $12. One Saturday, the petting zoo sold a total of 250 tickets and
collected a total of $2,300 from ticket sales. Which of the following systems of
equations can be used to find the number of standard tickets, s, and premium
tickets, p, sold on that Saturday?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: dba8d38a Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the petting zoo sells two types of tickets, standard and premium, and that s represents the
number of standard tickets sold and p represents the number of premium tickets sold. It’s also given that the petting zoo
sold 250 tickets on one Saturday; thus, . It’s also given that each standard ticket costs $5 and each premium
ticket costs $12. Thus, the amount collected in ticket sales can be represented by for standard tickets and for
premium tickets. On that Saturday the petting zoo collected a total of $2,300 from ticket sales; thus, .
These two equations are correctly represented in choice A.
Choice B is incorrect. The second equation in the system represents the cost per standard ticket as $12, not $5, and the cost
per premium ticket as $5, not $12. Choices C and D are incorrect. The equations represent the total collected from standard
and premium ticket sales as $250, not $2,300, and the total number of standard and premium tickets sold as $2,300, not
$250. Additionally, the first equation in choice D represents the cost per standard ticket as $12, not $5, and the cost per
premium ticket as $5, not $12.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 64c85440
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 64c85440
In North America, the standard width of a parking space is at least 7.5 feet and no
more than 9.0 feet. A restaurant owner recently resurfaced the restaurant’s parking
lot and wants to determine the number of parking spaces, n, in the parking lot that
could be placed perpendicular to a curb that is 135 feet long, based on the
standard width of a parking space. Which of the following describes all the
possible values of n ?
A.
B.
my answer: 15>=n>=18
C.
D.
ID: 64c85440 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Placing the parking spaces with the minimum width of 7.5 feet gives the maximum possible number of
parking spaces. Thus, the maximum number that can be placed perpendicular to a 135-foot-long curb is . Placing
the parking spaces with the maximum width of 9 feet gives the minimum number of parking spaces. Thus, the minimum
number that can be placed perpendicular to a 135-foot-long curb is . Therefore, if n is the number of parking
spaces in the lot, the range of possible values for n is .
Choices A and C are incorrect. These choices equate the length of the curb with the maximum possible number of parking
spaces. Choice B is incorrect. This is the range of possible values for the width of a parking space instead of the range of
possible values for the number of parking spaces.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 87322577
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 87322577
The equation above relates the number of minutes, x, Maria spends running each
day and the number of minutes, y, she spends biking each day. In the equation,
what does the number 75 represent?
A. The number of minutes spent running each day
B. The number of minutes spent biking each day
C. The total number of minutes spent running and biking each day
D. The number of minutes spent biking for each minute spent running
ID: 87322577 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Maria spends x minutes running each day and y minutes biking each day. Therefore, represents
the total number of minutes Maria spent running and biking each day. Because , it follows that 75 is the total
number of minutes that Maria spent running and biking each day.
Choices A and B are incorrect. The number of minutes Maria spent running each day is represented by x and need not be 75.
Similarly, the number of minutes that Maria spends biking each day is represented by y and need not be 75. The number of
minutes Maria spends running each day and biking each day may vary; however, the total number of minutes she spends
each day on these activities is constant and equal to 75. Choice D is incorrect. The number of minutes Maria spent biking for
each minute spent running cannot be determined from the information provided.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 7a5a74a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 7a5a74a6
If x is the solution to the equation above,
what is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 7a5a74a6 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Because 2 is a factor of both and 6, the expression can be rewritten as . Substituting
for on the left-hand side of the given equation yields , or
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Adding 11 to
both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields .
Alternate approach: Distributing 3 to the quantity on the left-hand side of the given equation and distributing 4 to the
quantity on the right-hand side yields , or . Subtracting from both
sides of this equation yields . Adding 29 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of
this equation by 2 yields . Therefore, the value of is , or .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of x, not . Choices C and D are incorrect. If the value of is or ,
it follows that the value of x is or , respectively. However, solving the given equation for x yields .
Therefore, the value of can’t be or .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b7e6394d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: b7e6394d
Alan drives an average of 100 miles each week. His car can travel an average of
25 miles per gallon of gasoline. Alan would like to reduce his weekly expenditure
on gasoline by $5. Assuming gasoline costs $4 per gallon, which equation can
Alan use to determine how many fewer average miles, m, he should drive each
week?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b7e6394d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since gasoline costs $4 per gallon, and since Alan’s car travels an average of 25 miles per gallon, the
expression gives the cost, in dollars per mile, to drive the car. Multiplying by m gives the cost for Alan to drive m
miles in his car. Alan wants to reduce his weekly spending by $5, so setting m equal to 5 gives the number of miles, m,
by which he must reduce his driving.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Choices A and B transpose the numerator and the denominator in the fraction. The fraction
would result in the unit miles per dollar, but the question requires a unit of dollars per mile. Choices A and C set the
expression equal to 95 instead of 5, a mistake that may result from a misconception that Alan wants to reduce his driving by
5 miles each week; instead, the question says he wants to reduce his weekly expenditure by $5.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 95cad55f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 95cad55f
A laundry service is buying detergent and fabric softener from its supplier. The
supplier will deliver no more than 300 pounds in a shipment. Each container of
detergent weighs 7.35 pounds, and each container of fabric softener weighs
6.2 pounds. The service wants to buy at least twice as many containers of
detergent as containers of fabric softener. Let d represent the number of
containers of detergent, and let s represent the number of containers of fabric
softener, where d and s are nonnegative integers. Which of the following systems
of inequalities best represents this situation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 95cad55f Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The number of containers in a shipment must have a weight less than or equal to 300 pounds. The total
weight, in pounds, of detergent and fabric softener that the supplier delivers can be expressed as the weight of each
container multiplied by the number of each type of container, which is 7.35d for detergent and 6.2s for fabric softener. Since
this total cannot exceed 300 pounds, it follows that . Also, since the laundry service wants to buy at
least twice as many containers of detergent as containers of fabric softener, the number of containers of detergent should
be greater than or equal to two times the number of containers of fabric softener. This can be expressed by the inequality
.
Choice B is incorrect because it misrepresents the relationship between the numbers of each container that the laundry
service wants to buy. Choice C is incorrect because the first inequality of the system incorrectly doubles the weight per
container of detergent. The weight of each container of detergent is 7.35, not 14.7 pounds. Choice D is incorrect because it
doubles the weight per container of detergent and transposes the relationship between the numbers of containers.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID bf36c815
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: bf36c815
The function g is defined by .
What is the value of ?
A.
B. 0
C. 4
D. 8
ID: bf36c815 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The value of is found by substituting 0 for x in the function g. This yields , which can
be rewritten as .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the equation as instead of . Choice
B is incorrect. This is the value of x, not . Choice C is incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 968e9e51
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 968e9e51
Which of the following ordered pairs is a solution to
the system of inequalities above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 968e9e51 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The solutions to the given system of inequalities is the set of all ordered pairs that satisfy both
inequalities in the system. For an ordered pair to satisfy the inequality , the value of the ordered pair’s y-coordinate
must be less than or equal to the value of the ordered pair’s x-coordinate. This is true of the ordered pair , because
. To satisfy the inequality , the value of the ordered pair’s y-coordinate must be less than or equal to the value
of the additive inverse of the ordered pair’s x-coordinate. This is also true of the ordered pair . Because 0 is its own
additive inverse, is the same as . Therefore, the ordered pair is a solution to the given system of
inequalities.
Choice A is incorrect. This ordered pair satisfies only the inequality in the given system, not both inequalities. Choice B
incorrect. This ordered pair satisfies only the inequality in the system, but not both inequalities. Choice C is
incorrect. This ordered pair satisfies neither inequality.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID aa85b138
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: aa85b138
A tree had a height of 6 feet when it was planted. The equation above can be used
to find how many years n it took the tree to reach a height of 14 feet. Which of the
following is the best interpretation of the number 2 in this context?
A. The number of years it took the tree to double its height
B. The average number of feet that the tree grew per year
C. The height, in feet, of the tree when the tree was 1 year old
D. The average number of years it takes similar trees to grow 14 feet
ID: aa85b138 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The height of the tree at a given time is equal to its height when it was planted plus the number of feet
that the tree grew. In the given equation, 14 represents the height of the tree at the given time, and 6 represents the height of
the tree when it was planted. It follows that represents the number of feet the tree grew from the time it was planted until
the time it reached a height of 14 feet. Since n represents the number of years between the given time and the time the tree
was planted, 2 must represent the average number of feet the tree grew each year.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from interpreting the coefficient 2 as doubling instead of as increasing by 2 each year.
Choice C is incorrect. The height of the tree when it was 1 year old was feet, not 2 feet. Choice D is incorrect.
No information is given to connect the growth of one particular tree to the growth of similar trees.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 15daa8d6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 15daa8d6
In the given equation, is a constant. If the equation has infinitely many solutions, what is the value of ?
ID: 15daa8d6 Answer
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale
The correct answer is . An equation with one variable, , has infinitely many solutions only when both sides of the equation
are equal for any defined value of . It's given that , where is a constant. This equation can be
rewritten as . If this equation has infinitely many solutions, then both sides of this equation are equal
for any defined value of . Both sides of this equation are equal for any defined value of when . Therefore, if the
equation has infinitely many solutions, the value of is .
Alternate approach: If the given equation, , has infinitely many solutions, then both sides of this
equation are equal for any value of . If , then substituting for in yields
, or . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 12ee1edc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 12ee1edc
In the given equation, b is a constant. If the equation has no
solution, what is the value of b ?
i had a different approach, where i just
A. 2 substituted for b, where it will equal to zero
which then yields "0=8" which is a wrong
B. 4 statement which means no solutions
C. 6
D. 10
ID: 12ee1edc Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. This equation has no solution when there is no value of x that produces a true statement. Solving the
given equation for x by dividing both sides by gives . When , the right-hand side of this
equation will be undefined, and the equation will have no solution. Therefore, when , there is no value of x that satisfies
the given equation.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Substituting 4, 6, and 10 for b in the given equation yields exactly one solution, rather than
no solution, for x. For example, substituting 4 for b in the given equation yields , or . Dividing both sides of
by 2 yields . Similarly, if or , and , respectively.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID c6b151d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: c6b151d4
A total of paper straws of equal length were used to construct two types of polygons: triangles and rectangles. The
triangles and rectangles were constructed so that no two polygons had a common side. The equation
represents this situation, where is the number of triangles constructed and is the number of rectangles constructed.
What is the best interpretation of in this context?
A. If triangles were constructed, then rectangles were constructed.
B. If triangles were constructed, then paper straws were used.
C. If triangles were constructed, then rectangles were constructed.
D. If triangles were constructed, then paper straws were used.
ID: c6b151d4 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that paper straws of equal length were used to construct triangles and rectangles, where
no two polygons had a common side. It's also given that the equation represents this situation, where is
the number of triangles constructed and is the number of rectangles constructed. The equation means
that if , then . Substituting for and for in yields , or
, which is true. Therefore, in this context, the equation means that if triangles were
constructed, then rectangles were constructed.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ee2f611f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: ee2f611f
A local transit company sells a monthly pass for $95 that allows an unlimited
number of trips of any length. Tickets for individual trips cost $1.50, $2.50, or
$3.50, depending on the length of the trip. What is the minimum number of trips
per month for which a monthly pass could cost less than purchasing individual
tickets for trips?
ID: ee2f611f Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 28. The minimum number of individual trips for which the cost of the monthly pass is less than the
cost of individual tickets can be found by assuming the maximum cost of the individual tickets, $3.50. If n tickets costing
$3.50 each are purchased in one month, the inequality 95 < 3.50n represents this situation. Dividing both sides of the
inequality by 3.50 yields 27.14 < n, which is equivalent to n > 27.14. Since only a whole number of tickets can be purchased, it
follows that 28 is the minimum number of trips.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8c98c834
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 8c98c834
The equation models the relationship between the number of different
pieces of music a certain pianist practices, y, during an x-minute practice session.
How many pieces did the pianist practice if the session lasted 30 minutes?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 10
D. 30
ID: 8c98c834 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the equation models the relationship between the number of different pieces of
music a certain pianist practices, y, and the number of minutes in a practice session, x. Since it’s given that the session
lasted 30 minutes, the number of pieces the pianist practiced can be found by substituting 30 for x in the given equation,
which yields , or .
Choices A and C are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the values in the equation. Choice D is incorrect. This is
the given value of x, not the value of y.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 563407e5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 563407e5
A bakery sells trays of cookies. Each tray contains at least 50 cookies but no more
than 60. Which of the following could be the total number of cookies on 4 trays of
cookies?
A. 165
B. 205
C. 245
D. 285
ID: 563407e5 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. If each tray contains the least number of cookies possible, 50 cookies, then the least number of cookies
possible on 4 trays is 50 × 4 = 200 cookies. If each tray contains the greatest number of cookies possible, 60 cookies, then
the greatest number of cookies possible on 4 trays is 60 × 4 = 240 cookies. If the least number of cookies on 4 trays is 200
and the greatest number of cookies is 240, then 205 could be the total number of cookies on these 4 trays of cookies
because .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. The least number of cookies on 4 trays is 200 cookies, and the greatest number of cookies
on 4 trays is 240 cookies. The choices 165, 245, and 285 are each either less than 200 or greater than 240; therefore, they
cannot represent the total number of cookies on 4 trays.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 3f5375d9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 3f5375d9
The line graphed in the xy-plane below models the total cost, in dollars, for a cab ride, y, in a certain city during nonpeak
hours based on the number of miles traveled, x.
According to the graph, what is the cost for each additional mile traveled, in dollars,
of a cab ride?
A. $2.00
B. $2.60
C. $3.00
D. $5.00
ID: 3f5375d9 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The cost of each additional mile traveled is represented by the slope of the given line. The slope of the
line can be calculated by identifying two points on the line and then calculating the ratio of the change in y to the change in x
between the two points. Using the points and , the slope is equal to , or 2. Therefore, the cost for each
additional mile traveled of the cab ride is $2.00.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from calculating the slope of the line that passes through the points and .
However, does not lie on the line shown. Choice C is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph
and represents the flat fee for a cab ride before the charge for any miles traveled is added. Choice D is incorrect. This value
represents the total cost of a 1-mile cab ride.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID fdee0fbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: fdee0fbf
In the xy-plane, line k intersects the y-axis at the point and passes through
the point . If the point lies on line k, what is the value of w ?
ID: fdee0fbf Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 74. The y-intercept of a line in the xy-plane is the ordered pair of the point of intersection of the
line with the y-axis. Since line k intersects the y-axis at the point , it follows that is the y-intercept of this line.
An equation of any line in the xy-plane can be written in the form , where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept. Therefore, the equation of line k can be written as , or . The value of
m can be found by substituting the x- and y-coordinates from a point on the line, such as , for x and y, respectively. This
results in . Solving this equation for m gives . Therefore, an equation of line k is . The value of w
can be found by substituting the x-coordinate, 20, for x in the equation of line k and solving this equation for y. This gives
, or . Since w is the y-coordinate of this point, .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 620fe971
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 620fe971
A team of workers has been moving cargo off of a ship. The equation below models the approximate number of tons of
cargo, y, that remains to be moved x hours after the team started working.
The graph of this equation in the xy-plane is a line. What is the best interpretation
of the x-intercept in this context?
A. The team will have moved all the cargo in about 4.8 hours.
B. The team has been moving about 4.8 tons of cargo per hour.
C. The team has been moving about 25 tons of cargo per hour.
D. The team started with 120 tons of cargo to move.
ID: 620fe971 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The x-intercept of the line with equation y = 120 – 25x can be found by substituting 0 for y and finding
the value of x. When y = 0, x = 4.8, so the x-intercept is at (4.8, 0). Since y represents the number of tons of cargo remaining
to be moved x hours after the team started working, it follows that the x-intercept refers to the team having no cargo
remaining to be moved after 4.8 hours. In other words, the team will have moved all of the cargo after about 4.8 hours.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from incorrectly interpreting the value 4.8. Choices C and D are incorrect and may result
from misunderstanding the x-intercept. These statements are accurate but not directly relevant to the x-intercept.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b2845d88
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: b2845d88
Which of the following is an equation of the graph
shown in the xy-plane above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b2845d88 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The slope of the line can be found by choosing any two points on the line, such as (4, –2) and (0, –1).
Subtracting the y-values results in –2 – (–1) = –1, the change in y. Subtracting the x-values results in 4 – 0 = 4, the change in
x. Dividing the change in y by the change in x yields , the slope. The line intersects the y-axis at (0, –1), so –1
is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. This information can be expressed in slope-intercept form as the equation
Choice B is incorrect and may result from incorrectly calculating the slope and then misidentifying the slope as the y-
intercept. Choice C is incorrect and may result from misidentifying the slope as the y-intercept. Choice D is incorrect and
may result from incorrectly calculating the slope.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 6ac23de7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 6ac23de7
In the equation above, what is the
value of x ?
A. 25
B. 24
C. 16
D. 15
ID: 6ac23de7 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Multiplying both sides of the equation by 5 results in . Dividing both sides of the resulting
equation by 4 results in .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from adding 20 and 4. Choice C is incorrect and may result from dividing 20 by 5 and
then multiplying the result by 4. Choice D is incorrect and may result from subtracting 5 from 20.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 6e6a3241
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 6e6a3241
Which of the following graphs in the xy-plane could be used to
solve the system of equations above?
A.
B.
i used another approach as i isolated y, which gave
me b which is the y-intercept
C.
D.
ID: 6e6a3241 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The graph of a system of equations is the graph that shows the lines represented by each of the
equations in the system. The x-intercept of the graph of each given equation can be found by substituting 0 for y in each
equation: , or , and , or . The y-intercept of the graph of each equation can be found
by substituting 0 for x in each equation: , or , and or . Using these x- and y- intercept
values, the line that has equation passes through the points and , and the line that has equation
passes through the points and . Only the lines in choice C pass through these points and can be
used to solve the given system of equations.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. In choices A and B, neither line passes through and or and . In
choice D, although one line passes through and the other line doesn’t pass through and .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e6cb2402
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: e6cb2402
In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has no solution. What is the value of ?
ID: e6cb2402 Answer
Correct Answer: .9411, .9412, 16/17
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the equation has no solution. A linear equation in the
form , where , , , and are constants, has no solution only when the coefficients of on each side of
the equation are equal and the constant terms aren't equal. Dividing both sides of the given equation by yields
, or . Since the coefficients of on each side of the equation must be equal, it
follows that the value of is . Note that 16/17, .9411, .9412, and 0.941 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7392dfc1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 7392dfc1
Which of the following is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 7392dfc1 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Dividing each side of the original equation by yields , which simplifies to .
Choice A is incorrect. Dividing each side of the original equation by gives , which is not equivalent to
. Choice B is incorrect. Dividing each side of the original equation by gives , which is not equivalent to
. Choice C is incorrect. Dividing each side of the original equation by gives , which is not equivalent to
.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 93954cfa
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 93954cfa
One pound of grapes costs $2. At this rate, how many
dollars will c pounds of grapes cost?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 93954cfa Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. If one pound of grapes costs $2, two pounds of grapes will cost 2 times $2, three pounds of grapes will
cost 3 times $2, and so on. Therefore, c pounds of grapes will cost c times $2, which is 2c dollars.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from incorrectly adding instead of multiplying. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
assuming that c pounds cost $2, and then finding the cost per pound. Choice D is incorrect and could result from incorrectly
assuming that 2 pounds cost $c, and then finding the cost per pound.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 5cf1bbc9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 5cf1bbc9
The graph of the function , where , gives the total cost , in dollars, for a certain video game system and
games. What is the best interpretation of the slope of the graph in this context?
A. Each game costs .
B. The video game system costs .
C. The video game system costs .
D. Each game costs .
ID: 5cf1bbc9 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given graph is a line, and the slope of a line is defined as the change in the value of for each
increase in the value of by . It’s given that represents the total cost, in dollars, and that represents the number of
games. Therefore, the change in the value of for each increase in the value of by represents the change in total cost, in
dollars, for each increase in the number of games by . In other words, the slope represents the cost, in dollars, per game.
The graph shows that when the value of increases from to , the value of increases from to . It follows that the
slope is , or the cost per game is . Thus, the best interpretation of the slope of the graph is that each game costs .
Choice B is incorrect. This is an interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph rather than the slope of the graph.
Choice C is incorrect. The slope of the graph is the cost per game, not the cost of the video game system.
Choice D is incorrect. Each game costs , not .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 9c7741c6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 9c7741c6
On a 210-mile trip, Cameron drove at an average speed of 60 miles per hour for the
first x hours. He then completed the trip, driving at an average speed of 50 miles
per hour for the remaining y hours. If , what is the value of y ?
ID: 9c7741c6 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 3. It’s given that Cameron drove 60 miles per hour for x hours; therefore, the distance driven at this
speed can be represented by . He then drove 50 miles per hour for y hours; therefore, the distance driven at this speed
can be represented by . Since Cameron drove 210 total miles, the equation represents this situation.
If , substitution yields , or . Subtracting 60 from both sides of this equation yields
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 50 yields .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 8abed0fb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 8abed0fb
What is the solution to the given
system of equations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 8abed0fb Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since it’s given that , substituting 1 for x in the first equation yields . Simplifying the
right-hand side of this equation yields , or . Therefore, the ordered pair is a solution to the given system
of equations.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from a calculation error when substituting 1 for x in the first equation. Choices C and D
are incorrect. Because it’s given that , x cannot equal 2 as stated in these ordered pairs.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e1259a5a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: e1259a5a
A system of two linear equations is graphed in the xy-plane below.
Which of the following points is the solution to
the system of equations?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e1259a5a Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The solution to this system of linear equations is the point that lies on both lines graphed, or the point of
intersection of the two lines. According to the graphs, the point of intersection occurs when and , or at the point
.
Choices B and D are incorrect. Each of these points lies on one line, but not on both lines in the xy-plane. Choice C is
incorrect. This point doesn’t lie on either of the lines graphed in the xy-plane.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b988eeec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: b988eeec
The functions and are defined as and . If the function is defined as
, what is the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?
ID: b988eeec Answer
Correct Answer: -12
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the functions and are defined as and . If
the function is defined as , then substituting for and for in this
function yields . This can be rewritten as , or . The x-
intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point on the graph where . The equation representing the graph of
is . Substituting for in this equation yields . Subtracting from both sides of this equation
yields , or . Therefore, the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3d04de9c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 3d04de9c
A principal used a total of flags that were either blue or yellow for field day. The principal used blue flags. How many
yellow flags were used?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 3d04de9c Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that a principal used a total of blue flags and yellow flags. It's also given that of the flags
used, flags were blue. Subtracting the number of blue flags used from the total number of flags used results in the
number of yellow flags used. It follows that the number of yellow flags used is , or .
Choice B is incorrect. This is the number of blue flags used. Choice C is incorrect. This is the total number of flags used.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 70feb725
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 70feb725
During a month, Morgan ran r miles at 5 miles per hour and biked b miles at
10 miles per hour. She ran and biked a total of 200 miles that month, and she biked
for twice as many hours as she ran. What is the total number of miles that Morgan
biked during the month?
A. 80
B. 100
C. 120
D. 160
ID: 70feb725 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of hours Morgan spent running or biking can be calculated by dividing the distance she
traveled during that activity by her speed, in miles per hour, for that activity. So the number of hours she ran can be
represented by the expression , and the number of hours she biked can be represented by the expression . It’s given
that she biked for twice as many hours as she ran, so this can be represented by the equation , which can be
rewritten as . It’s also given that she ran r miles and biked b miles, and that she ran and biked a total of 200 miles.
This can be represented by the equation . Substituting for b in this equation yields , or .
Solving for r yields . Determining the number of miles she biked, b, can be found by substituting 40 for r in
, which yields . Solving for b yields .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they don’t satisfy that Morgan biked for twice as many hours as she ran. In choice
A, if she biked 80 miles, then she ran 120 miles, which means she biked for 8 hours and ran for 24 hours. In choice B, if she
biked 100 miles, then she ran 100 miles, which means she biked for 10 hours and ran for 20 hours. In choice C, if she biked
120 miles, then she ran for 80 miles, which means she biked for 12 hours and ran for 16 hours.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 60f71697
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 60f71697
What value of is the solution to the given equation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 60f71697 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Dividing both sides of the given equation by yields . Therefore, is the solution to the given
equation.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the solution to the equation .
Choice C is incorrect. This is the solution to the equation .
Choice D is incorrect. This is the solution to the equation .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ed92fb68
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: ed92fb68
If the system of equations above has solution ,
what is the value of ?
A. 0
B. 9
C. 18
D. 38
ID: ed92fb68 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Adding the given equations yields 9x + 9y = 162. Dividing each side of the equation 9x + 9y = 162 by 9
gives x + y = 18.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly adding the equations. Choice B is incorrect and may result from
conceptual or computational errors. Choice D is incorrect. This value is equivalent to y – x.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1a621af4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 1a621af4
A number is at most less than times the value of . If the value of is , what is the greatest possible value of ?
ID: 1a621af4 Answer
Correct Answer: -14
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that a number is at most less than times the value of . Therefore, is less than
or equal to less than times the value of . The expression represents times the value of . The expression
represents less than times the value of . Therefore, is less than or equal to . This can be shown by the
inequality . Substituting for in this inequality yields or, . Therefore, if the value of
is , the greatest possible value of is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID af2ba762
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: af2ba762
According to data provided by the US Department of Energy, the average price per gallon of regular gasoline in the
United States from September 1, 2014, to December 1, 2014, is modeled by the function F defined below, where is
the average price per gallon x months after September 1.
The constant 2.74 in this function estimates which of the following?
A. The average monthly decrease in the price per gallon
B. The difference in the average price per gallon from September 1, 2014, to December 1, 2014
C. The average price per gallon on September 1, 2014
D. The average price per gallon on December 1, 2014
ID: af2ba762 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 2.74 is a constant term, it represents an actual price of gas rather than a measure of change in gas
price. To determine what gas price it represents, find x such that F(x) = 2.74, or 2.74 = 2.74 – 0.19(x – 3). Subtracting 2.74
from both sides gives 0 = –0.19(x – 3). Dividing both sides by –0.19 results in 0 = x – 3, or x = 3. Therefore, the average price
of gas is $2.74 per gallon 3 months after September 1, 2014, which is December 1, 2014.
Choice A is incorrect. Since 2.74 is a constant, not a multiple of x, it cannot represent a rate of change in price. Choice B is
incorrect. The difference in the average price from September 1, 2014, to December 1, 2014, is F(3) – F(0) = 2.74 – 0.19(3 –
3) – (2.74 – 0.19(0 – 3)) = 2.74 – (2.74 + 0.57) = –0.57, which is not 2.74. Choice C is incorrect. The average price per gallon
on September 1, 2014, is F(0) = 2.74 – 0.19(0 – 3) = 2.74 + 0.57 = 3.31, which is not 2.74.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 19fdf387
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 19fdf387
In the xy-plane, the graph of intersects the graph of at
the point . What is the value of a ?
A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 12
ID: 19fdf387 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since the graph of intersects the graph of at the point , the ordered pair
is the solution to the system of linear equations consisting of and , and the value of a is the value of x
in the solution of this system. Since both and are equal to y, it follows that . Subtracting x from
and adding 6 to both sides of the equation yields . Therefore, the value of a is 9.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from a calculation or conceptual error in solving the system of equations
consisting of and . Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of b, not a.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID df32b09c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: df32b09c
Tom scored 85, 78, and 98 on his first three exams in history class. Solving which
inequality gives the score, G, on Tom’s fourth exam that will result in a mean score
on all four exams of at least 90 ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: df32b09c Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The mean of the four scores (G, 85, 78, and 98) can be expressed as . The inequality
that expresses the condition that the mean score is at least 90 can therefore be written as .
Choice A is incorrect. The sum of the scores (G, 85, 78, and 98) isn’t divided by 4 to express the mean. Choice B is incorrect
and may be the result of an algebraic error when multiplying both sides of the inequality by 4. Choice D is incorrect because
it doesn’t include G in the mean with the other three scores.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e1248a5c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: e1248a5c
In the system of equations below, a and c are constants.
If the system of equations has an infinite number of solutions , what is the
value of a ?
A.
B. 0
C.
D.
ID: e1248a5c Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations has infinitely many solutions if one equation is equivalent to the other.
This means that when the two equations are written in the same form, each coefficient or constant in one equation is equal
to the corresponding coefficient or constant in the other equation multiplied by the same number. The equations in the given
system of equations are written in the same form, with x and y on the left-hand side and a constant on the right-hand side of
the equation. The coefficient of y in the second equation is equal to the coefficient of y in the first equation multiplied by 3.
Therefore, a, the coefficient of x in the second equation, must be equal to 3 times the coefficient of x in the first equation:
, or .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. When , , or , the given system of equations has one solution.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID dae126d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: dae126d7
The boiling point of water at sea level is 212 degrees Fahrenheit . For every
550 feet above sea level, the boiling point of water is lowered by about . Which
of the following equations can be used to find the boiling point B of water, in ,x
feet above sea level?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: dae126d7 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the boiling point of water at sea level is 212°F and that for every 550 feet above sea level,
the boiling point of water is lowered by about 1°F. Therefore, the change in the boiling point of water x feet above sea level is
represented by the expression . Adding this expression to the boiling point of water at sea level gives the equation
for the boiling point B of water, in °F, x feet above sea level: , or .
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from using the boiling point of water at sea level as the rate of change and the
rate of change as the initial boiling point of water at sea level. Choice C is incorrect and may result from representing the
change in the boiling point of water as an increase rather than a decrease.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID bf5f80c6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: bf5f80c6
Which point ( , ) is a solution to the given inequality in the -plane?
A. ( , )
B. ( , )
C. ( , )
D. ( , )
ID: bf5f80c6 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice D is correct. For a point to be a solution to the given inequality in the xy-plane, the value of the point’s y-
coordinate must be less than the value of , where is the value of the x-coordinate of the point. This is true of the
point because , or . Therefore, the point is a solution to the given inequality.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. None of these points are a solution to the given inequality because each point’s y-
coordinate is greater than the value of for the point’s x-coordinate.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 12983c1e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 12983c1e
Some values of the linear function f are shown in the table above.
Which of the following defines f ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 12983c1e Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Because f is a linear function of x, the equation , where m and b are constants, can be
used to define the relationship between x and f (x). In this equation, m represents the increase in the value of f (x) for every
increase in the value of x by 1. From the table, it can be determined that the value of f (x) increases by 8 for every increase in
the value of x by 2. In other words, for the function f the value of m is , or 4. The value of b can be found by substituting
the values of x and f (x) from any row of the table and the value of m into the equation and solving for b. For
example, using , , and yields . Solving for b yields . Therefore, the equation defining
the function f can be written in the form .
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Any equation defining the linear function f must give values of f (x) for corresponding
values of x, as shown in each row of the table. According to the table, if , . However, substituting into
the equation given in choice A gives , or , not 13. Similarly, substituting into the equation
given in choice B gives , or , not 13.
Lastly, substituting into the equation given in choice D gives , or , not 13. Therefore, the
equations in choices A, B, and D cannot define f.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ae2287e2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: ae2287e2
A certain product costs a company $65 to make. The product is sold by a
salesperson who earns a commission that is equal to 20% of the sales price of the
product. The profit the company makes for each unit is equal to the sales price
minus the combined cost of making the product and the commission. If the sales
price of the product is $100, which of the following equations gives the number of
units, u, of the product the company sold to make a profit of $6,840 ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ae2287e2 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The sales price of one unit of the product is given as $100. Because the salesperson is awarded a
commission equal to 20% of the sales price, the expression 100(1 – 0.2) gives the sales price of one unit after the
commission is deducted. It is also given that the profit is equal to the sales price minus the combined cost of making the
product, or $65, and the commission: 100(1 – 0.2) – 65. Multiplying this expression by u gives the profit of u units: (100(1 –
0.2) – 65)u. Finally, it is given that the profit for u units is $6,840; therefore (100(1 – 0.2) – 65)u = $6,840.
Choice B is incorrect. In this equation, cost is subtracted before commission and the equation gives the commission, not
what the company retains after commission. Choice C is incorrect because the number of units is multiplied only by the cost
but not by the sale price. Choice D is incorrect because the value 0.2 shows the commission, not what the company retains
after commission.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 52cb8ea4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 52cb8ea4
If is the solution to the system of equations above,
what is the value of ?
A.
B.
C. 5
D. 13
ID: 52cb8ea4 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting the second equation, , from the first equation, , results in
, or . Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields
.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from miscalculating as . Choice C is incorrect and may result from
miscalculating as 5. Choice D is incorrect and may result from adding 9 to 4 instead of subtracting 9 from 4.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8adf1335
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 8adf1335
A city’s total expense budget for one year was x million dollars. The city budgeted
y million dollars for departmental expenses and 201 million dollars for all other
expenses. Which of the following represents the relationship between x and y in
this context?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 8adf1335 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Of the city’s total expense budget for one year, the city budgeted y million dollars for departmental
expenses and 201 million dollars for all other expenses. This means that the expression represents the total
expense budget, in millions of dollars, for one year. It’s given that the total expense budget for one year is x million dollars. It
follows then that the expression is equivalent to x, or . Subtracting y from both sides of this equation
yields . By the symmetric property of equality, this is the same as .
Choices A and C are incorrect. Because it’s given that the total expense budget for one year, x million dollars, is comprised of
the departmental expenses, y million dollars, and all other expenses, 201 million dollars, the expressions and
both must be equivalent to a value greater than 201 million dollars. Therefore, the equations and
aren’t true. Choice D is incorrect. The value of x must be greater than the value of y. Therefore, can’t represent
this relationship.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 80da233d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 80da233d
A certain elephant weighs 200 pounds at birth and gains more than 2 but less than
3 pounds per day during its first year. Which of the following inequalities
represents all possible weights w, in pounds, for the elephant 365 days after birth?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 80da233d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the elephant weighs 200 pounds at birth and gains more than 2 pounds but less than 3
pounds per day during its first year. The inequality represents this situation, where d is the
number of days after birth. Substituting 365 for d in the inequality gives , or
.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving the inequality . Choice B is incorrect and may result
from solving the inequality for a weight range of more than 1 pound but less than 2 pounds:
. Choice C is incorrect and may result from calculating the possible weight gained by the
elephant during the first year without adding the 200 pounds the elephant weighed at birth.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 271f7e3f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 271f7e3f
For the function f defined above, what is the
value of ?
A. 1
B. 2
C.
D.
ID: 271f7e3f Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The value of can be calculated by finding the values of and . The value of
can be found by substituting 9 for x in the given function: . This equation can be rewritten as , or
4. Then, the value of can be found by substituting 1 for x in the given function: . This equation can be
rewritten as , or 2. Therefore, , which is equivalent to 2.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly substituting values of x in the given function or making
computational errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 70e29454
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 70e29454
In the equation above, a and b are constants. If the equation has infinitely many
solutions, what are the values of a and b ?
A. and
B. and
C. and
D. and
ID: 70e29454 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Distributing the a on the left-hand side of the equation gives 3a – b – ax = –1 – 2x. Rearranging the
terms in each side of the equation yields –ax + 3a – b = –2x –1. Since the equation has infinitely many solutions, it follows
that the coefficients of x and the free terms on both sides must be equal. That is, –a = –2, or a = 2, and 3a – b = –1.
Substituting 2 for a in the equation 3a – b = –1 gives 3(2) – b = –1, so b = 7.
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of a conceptual error when finding the value of b. Choices C and D are incorrect
and may result from making a sign error when simplifying.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 0b46bad5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 0b46bad5
In the equation above, a and b are constants and . Which of the following
could represent the graph of the equation in the xy-plane?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0b46bad5 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The given equation can be rewritten in slope-intercept form, , where m
represents the slope of the line represented by the equation, and k represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line.
Subtracting ax from both sides of the equation yields , and dividing both sides of this equation by b yields
, or . With the equation now in slope-intercept form, it shows that , which means the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept is 1. It’s given that a and b are both greater than 0 (positive) and that . Since ,
the slope of the line must be a value between and 0. Choice C is the only graph of a line that has a y-value of the y-
intercept that is 1 and a slope that is between and 0.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the slopes of the lines in these graphs aren’t between and 0.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b31c3117
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: b31c3117
The Karvonen formula above shows the relationship between Alice’s target heart
rate H, in beats per minute (bpm), and the intensity level p of different activities.
When , Alice has a resting heart rate. When , Alice has her maximum
heart rate. It is recommended that p be between 0.5 and 0.85 for Alice when she
trains. Which of the following inequalities describes Alice’s target training heart
rate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b31c3117 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. When Alice trains, it’s recommended that p be between 0.5 and 0.85. Therefore, her target training heart
rate is represented by the values of H corresponding to . When , , or .
When , , or . Therefore, the inequality that describes Alice’s target training heart rate
is .
Choice B is incorrect. This inequality describes Alice’s target heart rate for . Choice C is incorrect. This
inequality describes her target heart rate for . Choice D is incorrect. This inequality describes her target heart
rate for .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f09097b1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: f09097b1
An agricultural scientist studying the growth of corn plants recorded the height of a
corn plant at the beginning of a study and the height of the plant each day for the
next 12 days. The scientist found that the height of the plant increased by an
average of 1.20 centimeters per day for the 12 days. If the height of the plant on
the last day of the study was 36.8 centimeters, what was the height, in centimeters,
of the corn plant at the beginning of the study?
ID: f09097b1 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 22.4. If the height of the plant increased by an average of 1.20 centimeters per day for 12 days, then its
total growth over the 12 days was centimeters. The plant was 36.8 centimeters tall after 12 days, so at
the beginning of the study its height was centimeters. Note that 22.4 and 112/5 are examples of ways
to enter a correct answer.
Alternate approach: The equation can be used to represent this situation, where h is the height of the
plant, in centimeters, at the beginning of the study. Solving this equation for h yields 22.4 centimeters.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID c362c210
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: c362c210
The points plotted in the coordinate plane above represent the possible numbers
of wallflowers and cornflowers that someone can buy at the Garden Store in order
to spend exactly $24.00 total on the two types of flowers. The price of each
wallflower is the same and the price of each cornflower is the same. What is the
price, in dollars, of 1 cornflower?
ID: c362c210 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 1.5. The point corresponds to the situation where 16 cornflowers and 0 wallflowers are
purchased. Since the total spent on the two types of flowers is $24.00, it follows that the price of 16 cornflowers is $24.00,
and the price of one cornflower is $1.50. Note that 1.5 and 3/2 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1035faea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 1035faea
A psychologist set up an experiment to study the tendency of a person to select
the first item when presented with a series of items. In the experiment, 300 people
were presented with a set of five pictures arranged in random order. Each person
was asked to choose the most appealing picture. Of the first 150 participants,
36 chose the first picture in the set. Among the remaining 150 participants, p
people chose the first picture in the set. If more than 20% of all participants chose
the first picture in the set, which of the following inequalities best describes the
possible values of p ?
A. , where
B. , where
C. , where
D. , where
ID: 1035faea Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Of the first 150 participants, 36 chose the first picture in the set, and of the 150 remaining participants, p
chose the first picture in the set. Hence, the proportion of the participants who chose the first picture in the set is .
Since more than 20% of all the participants chose the first picture, it follows that .
This inequality can be rewritten as . Since p is a number of people among the remaining 150
participants, .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of some incorrect interpretations of the given information or of
computational errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c5082ce3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: c5082ce3
The score on a trivia game is obtained by subtracting the number of incorrect
answers from twice the number of correct answers. If a player answered
40 questions and obtained a score of 50, how many questions did the player
answer correctly?
ID: c5082ce3 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 30. Let x represent the number of correct answers from the player and y represent the number of
incorrect answers from the player. Since the player answered 40 questions in total, the equation represents this
situation. Also, since the score is found by subtracting the number of incorrect answers from twice the number of correct
answers and the player received a score of 50, the equation represents this situation. Adding the equations in
the system of two equations together yields . This can be rewritten as . Finally, solving
for x by dividing both sides of the equation by 3 yields .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID dd797fe2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: dd797fe2
Mario purchased 4 binders that cost x dollars each and 3 notebooks that cost y
dollars each. If the given equation represents this situation, which of the following
is the best interpretation of 24 in this context?
A. The total cost, in dollars, for all binders purchased
B. The total cost, in dollars, for all notebooks purchased
C. The total cost, in dollars, for all binders and notebooks purchased
D. The difference in the total cost, in dollars, between the number of binders and notebooks purchased
ID: dd797fe2 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since Mario purchased 4 binders that cost x dollars each, the expression represents the total cost, in
dollars, of the 4 binders he purchased. Since Mario purchased 3 notebooks that cost y dollars each, the expression
represents the total cost, in dollars, of the 3 notebooks he purchased. Therefore, the expression represents the total
cost, in dollars, for all binders and notebooks he purchased. In the given equation, the expression is equal to 24.
Therefore, it follows that 24 is the total cost, in dollars, for all binders and notebooks purchased.
Choice A is incorrect. This is represented by the expression in the given equation. Choice B is incorrect. This is
represented by the expression in the given equation. Choice D is incorrect. This is represented by the expression
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 550b352c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 550b352c
How many solutions exist to the
equation shown above?
A. None
B. Exactly 1
C. Exactly 3
D. Infinitely many
ID: 550b352c Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting 4 from each side of the given equation yields , or , so the equation has a unique
solution of .
Choice A is incorrect. Since 3 is a value of x that satisfies the given equation, the equation has at least 1 solution. Choice C is
incorrect. Linear equations can have 0, 1, or infinitely many solutions; no linear equation has exactly 3 solutions. Choice D is
incorrect. If a linear equation has infinitely many solutions, it can be reduced to . This equation reduces to , so
there is only 1 solution.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 16889ef3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 16889ef3
Oil and gas production in a certain area dropped from 4 million barrels in 2000 to
1.9 million barrels in 2013. Assuming that the oil and gas production decreased at
a constant rate, which of the following linear functions f best models the
production, in millions of barrels, t years after the year 2000?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 16889ef3 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is assumed that the oil and gas production decreased at a constant rate. Therefore, the function f that
best models the production t years after the year 2000 can be written as a linear function, , where m is the rate
of change of the oil and gas production and b is the oil and gas production, in millions of barrels, in the year 2000. Since
there were 4 million barrels of oil and gas produced in 2000, . The rate of change, m, can be calculated as
, which is equivalent to , the rate of change in choice C.
Choices A and B are incorrect because each of these functions has a positive rate of change. Since the oil and gas
production decreased over time, the rate of change must be negative. Choice D is incorrect. This model may result from
misinterpreting 1.9 million barrels as the amount by which the production decreased.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c651cc56
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: c651cc56
Some values of the linear function f are shown in the table
above. What is the value of ?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
ID: c651cc56 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A linear function has a constant rate of change, and any two rows of the table shown can be used to
calculate this rate. From the first row to the second, the value of x is increased by 2 and the value of is increased by
. So the values of increase by 3 for every increase by 1 in the value of x. Since , it follows that
. Therefore, .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the third x-value in the table, not . Choices C and D are incorrect and may result from errors
when calculating the function’s rate of change.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID c22b5f25
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: c22b5f25
In the xy-plane, the points and lie on the graph of
which of the following linear functions?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c22b5f25 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. A linear function can be written in the form , where m is the slope and b is the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. The slope of the graph can be found using the formula . Substituting
the values of the given points into this formula yields or , which simplifies to . Only
choice C shows an equation with this slope.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from computation errors or misinterpreting the given information.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d7bf55e1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: d7bf55e1
A movie theater sells two types of tickets, adult tickets for $12 and child tickets for
$8. If the theater sold 30 tickets for a total of $300, how much, in dollars, was
spent on adult tickets? (Disregard the $ sign when gridding your answer.)
ID: d7bf55e1 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 180. Let a be the number of adult tickets sold and c be the number of child tickets sold. Since the
theater sold a total of 30 tickets, a + c = 30. The price per adult ticket is $12, and the price per child ticket is $8. Since the
theater received a total of $300 for the 30 tickets sold, it follows that 12a + 8c = 300. To eliminate c, the first equation can be
multiplied by 8 and then subtracted from the second equation:
Because the question asks for the amount spent on adult tickets, which is 12a dollars, the resulting equation can be
multiplied by 3 to give 3(4a) = 3(60) = 180. Therefore, $180 was spent on adult tickets.
Alternate approach: If all the 30 tickets sold were child tickets, their total price would be 30($8) = $240. Since the actual total
price of the 30 tickets was $300, the extra $60 indicates that a certain number of adult tickets, a, were sold. Since the price
of each adult ticket is $4 more than each child ticket, 4a = 60, and it follows that 12a = 180.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 771bd0ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 771bd0ca
What value of is the solution to the given equation?
ID: 771bd0ca Answer
Correct Answer: -22
Rationale
The correct answer is . The given equation can be rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this equation by
yields . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Therefore, is the value of
that is the solution to the given equation.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 11e1ab81
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 11e1ab81
The graph above shows the distance traveled d, in feet, by a product on a conveyor
belt m minutes after the product is placed on the belt. Which of the following
equations correctly relates d and m ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 11e1ab81 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The line passes through the origin. Therefore, this is a relationship of the form , where k is a
constant representing the slope of the graph. To find the value of k, choose a point on the graph of the line other than
the origin and substitute the values of m and d into the equation. For example, if the point is chosen, then , and
. Therefore, the equation of the line is .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from calculating the slope of the line as the change in time over the change in distance
traveled instead of the change in distance traveled over the change in time. Choices C and D are incorrect because each of
these equations represents a line with a d-intercept of 2. However, the graph shows a line with a d-intercept of 0.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 4fe4fd7c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 4fe4fd7c
A company’s total cost , in dollars, to produce x shirts is given by the function
above, where m is a constant and . The total cost to produce 100 shirts is
$800. What is the total cost, in dollars, to produce 1000 shirts? (Disregard the $
sign when gridding your answer.)
ID: 4fe4fd7c Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 3500. The given information includes a cost, $800, to produce 100 shirts. Substituting and
into the given equation yields . Subtracting 500 from both sides of the equation yields
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 100 yields . Substituting the value of m into the given equation
yields . Substituting 1000 for x in this equation and solving for gives the cost of 1000 shirts:
, or 3500.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 789975b7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 789975b7
A gardener buys two kinds of fertilizer. Fertilizer A contains 60% filler materials by
weight and Fertilizer B contains 40% filler materials by weight. Together, the
fertilizers bought by the gardener contain a total of 240 pounds of filler materials.
Which equation models this relationship, where x is the number of pounds of
Fertilizer A and y is the number of pounds of Fertilizer B?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 789975b7 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since Fertilizer A contains 60% filler materials by weight, it follows that x pounds of Fertilizer A consists
of 0.6x pounds of filler materials. Similarly, y pounds of Fertilizer B consists of 0.4y pounds of filler materials. When x pounds
of Fertilizer A and y pounds of Fertilizer B are combined, the result is 240 pounds of filler materials. Therefore, the total
amount, in pounds, of filler materials in a mixture of x pounds of Fertilizer A and y pounds of Fertilizer B can be expressed as
.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice transposes the percentages of filler materials for Fertilizer A and Fertilizer B. Fertilizer A
consists of 0.6x pounds of filler materials and Fertilizer B consists of 0.4y pounds of filler materials. Therefore,
is equal to 240, not . Choice C is incorrect. This choice transposes the percentages of filler materials for
Fertilizer A and Fertilizer B and incorrectly represents how to take the percentage of a value mathematically. Choice D is
incorrect. This choice incorrectly represents how to take the percentage of a value mathematically. Fertilizer A consists of
0.6x pounds of filler materials, not 60x pounds of filler materials, and Fertilizer B consists of 0.4y pounds of filler materials,
not 40y pounds of filler materials.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 2554b413
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 2554b413
In the xy-plane, a line has a slope of 6 and passes through the point . Which
of the following is an equation of this line?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2554b413 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The slope-intercept form of an equation for a line is , where m is the slope of the line and b
is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. It’s given that the slope is 6, so . It’s also given that the line passes
through the point on the y-axis, so . Substituting and into the equation gives
.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the slope-intercept form of an equation of a line.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID d62ad380
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: d62ad380
An artist paints and sells square tiles. The selling price P, in dollars, of a painted tile is a linear function of the side length
of the tile s, in inches, as shown in the table below.
Side length, s (inches) Price, P (dollars)
3 8.00
6 18.00
9 28.00
Which of the following could define the relationship between s and P ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d62ad380 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The relationship between s and P can be modeled by a linear equation of the form P = ks + a, where k
and a are constants. The table shows that P increases by 10 when s increases by 3, so k = . To solve for a, substitute
one of the given pairs of values for s and P: when s = 3, P = 8, so , which yields a = –2. The solution is
therefore .
Choice A is incorrect. When s = 3, P = 8, but 3(3) + 10 = 19 ≠︀8. Choice B is incorrect. This may result from using the first
number given for P in the table as the constant term a in the linear equation P = ks + a, which is true only when s = 0. Choice
D is incorrect and may result from using the reciprocal of the slope of the line.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ed18c4f7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: ed18c4f7
Cathy has n CDs. Gerry has 3 more than twice the number of CDs that Cathy has. In
terms of n, how many CDs does Gerry have?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ed18c4f7 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The term 2n represents twice the number of CDs that Cathy has, and adding 3 represents 3 more than
that amount.
Choices A and B are incorrect. The expression 3n represents three times the number of CDs that Cathy has. Choice C is
incorrect. Subtracting 3 represents 3 fewer than twice the number of CDs that Cathy has.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 3462d850
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 3462d850
Marisol drove 3 hours from City A to City B. The equation below estimates the distance d, in miles, Marisol traveled after
driving for t hours.
Which of the following does 45 represent in the equation?
A. Marisol took 45 trips from City A to City B.
B. The distance between City A and City B is 45 miles.
C. Marisol drove at an average speed of about 45 miles per hour.
D. It took Marisol 45 hours to drive from City A to City B.
ID: 3462d850 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that d is the distance, in miles, Marisol traveled after driving for t hours. Therefore, 45
represents the distance in miles traveled per hour, which is the speed she drove in miles per hour.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from misidentifying speed as the number of trips. Choice B is incorrect and may result
from misidentifying speed as the total distance. Choice D is incorrect and may result from misidentifying the speed as the
time, in hours.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 90095507
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 90095507
Townsend Realty Group Investments
Property Purchase price Monthly rental
address (dollars) price (dollars)
Clearwater
128,000 950
Lane
Driftwood
176,000 1,310
Drive
Edgemont
70,000 515
Street
Glenview
140,000 1,040
Street
Hamilton
450,000 3,365
Circle
The Townsend Realty Group invested in the five different properties listed in the
table above. The table shows the amount, in dollars, the company paid for each
property and the corresponding monthly rental price, in dollars, the company
charges for the property at each of the five locations. Townsend Realty purchased
the Glenview Street property and received a 40% discount off the original price
along with an additional 20% off the discounted price for purchasing the property
in cash. Which of the following best approximates the original price, in dollars, of
the Glenview Street property?
A. $350,000
B. $291,700
C. $233,300
D. $175,000
ID: 90095507 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let x be the original price, in dollars, of the Glenview Street property. After the 40% discount, the price of
the property became dollars, and after the additional 20% off the discounted price, the price of the property became
. Thus, in terms of the original price of the property, x, the purchase price of the property is . It follows that
. Solving this equation for x gives . Therefore, of the given choices, $291,700 best
approximates the original price of the Glenview Street property.
Choice A is incorrect because it is the result of dividing the purchase price of the property by 0.4, as though the purchase
price were 40% of the original price. Choice C is incorrect because it is the closest to dividing the purchase price of the
property by 0.6, as though the purchase price were 60% of the original price. Choice D is incorrect because it is the result of
dividing the purchase price of the property by 0.8, as though the purchase price were 80% of the original price.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID d9d83c02
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: d9d83c02
For what value of w does
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d9d83c02 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. To solve the equation, use the distributive property to multiply on the right-hand side of the equation
which gives w – 10 = 2w + 10. Subtract w from both sides of the equation, which gives –10 = w + 10. Finally, subtract 10
from both sides of the equation, which gives –20 = w.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from making sign errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
incompletely distributing the 2 in the expression 2(w + 5).
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 98d3393a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 98d3393a
Line in the xy-plane is perpendicular to the line with equation
. What is the slope of line ?
A. 0
B.
C.
D. The slope of line is undefined.
ID: 98d3393a Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It is given that line is perpendicular to a line whose equation is x = 2. A line whose equation is a
constant value of x is vertical, so must therefore be horizontal. Horizontal lines have a slope of 0, so has a slope of 0.
Choice B is incorrect. A line with slope is perpendicular to a line with slope 2. However, the line with equation x = 2 is
vertical and has undefined slope (not slope of 2). Choice C is incorrect. A line with slope –2 is perpendicular to a line with
slope . However, the line with equation x = 2 has undefined slope (not slope of ). Choice D is incorrect; this is the
slope of the line x = 2 itself, not the slope of a line perpendicular to it.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 4f669597
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 4f669597
What value of p is the solution of
the equation above?
ID: 4f669597 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 1.2. One way to solve the equation is to first distribute the terms outside the
parentheses to the terms inside the parentheses: . Next, combine like terms on the left side of the
equal sign: . Subtracting 10p from both sides yields . Finally, dividing both sides by gives
, which is equivalent to . Note that 1.2 and 6/5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 255996a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 255996a6
In the equation above, T represents Brittany’s total take-home pay, in dollars, for her
first week of work, where h represents the number of hours she worked that week
and 1,000 represents a sign-on bonus. If Brittany’s total take-home pay was $1,576,
for how many hours was Brittany paid for her first week of work?
A. 16
B. 32
C. 55
D. 88
ID: 255996a6 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since Brittany’s total take-home pay was $1,576, the value 1,576 can be substituted for T in the given
equation to give . Subtracting 1,000 from both sides of this equation gives
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 18 gives . Therefore, Brittany was paid for 32 hours for her first
week of work.
Choice A is incorrect. This is half the number of hours Brittany was paid for. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
dividing 1,000 by 18. Choice D is incorrect and may result from dividing 1,576 by 18.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a1696f3e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: a1696f3e
The function is defined as , where a is a constant. If
, what is the value of a ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a1696f3e Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Substituting 4 for x in g(x) = 5x + a gives g(4) = 5(4) + a. Since g(4) = 31, the equation g(4) = 5(4) + a
simplifies to 31 = 20 + a. It follows that a = 11.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from arithmetic errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID dfa45424
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: dfa45424
Tony spends $80 per month on public transportation. A 10-ride pass costs $12.50,
and a single-ride pass costs $1.50. If g represents the number of 10-ride passes
Tony buys in a month and t represents the number of single-ride passes Tony buys
in a month, which of the following equations best represents the relationship
between g and t ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: dfa45424 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since a 10-ride pass costs $12.50 and g is the number of 10-ride passes Tony buys in a month, the
expression represents the amount Tony spends on 10-ride passes in a month. Since a single-ride pass costs $1.50
and t is the number of single-ride passes Tony buys in a month, the expression represents the amount Tony spends on
single-ride passes in a month. Therefore, the sum represents the amount he spends on the two types of
passes in a month. Since Tony spends a total of $80 on passes in a month, this expression can be set equal to 80, producing
.
Choices A and B are incorrect. The expression represents the total number of the two types of passes Tony buys in a
month, not the amount Tony spends, which is equal to 80, nor the cost of one of each pass, which is equal to .
Choice C is incorrect and may result from reversing the cost for each type of pass Tony buys in a month.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 868fc236
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 868fc236
The table above gives the typical amounts of energy per gram, expressed in both
food calories and kilojoules, of the three macronutrients in food. If x food calories
is equivalent to k kilojoules, of the following, which best represents the relationship
between x and k ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 868fc236 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The relationship between x food calories and k kilojoules can be modeled as a proportional relationship.
Let and represent the values in the first two rows in the table: and . The rate of
change, or , is ; therefore, the equation that best represents the relationship between x and k is
.
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of calculating the rate of change using . Choice C is incorrect because
the number of kilojoules is greater than the number of food calories. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of an error
when setting up the equation.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 431c3038
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 431c3038
In an article about exercise, it is estimated that a 160-pound adult uses 200
calories for every 30 minutes of hiking and 150 calories for every 30 minutes of
bicycling. An adult who weighs 160 pounds has completed 1 hour of bicycling.
Based on the article, how many hours should the adult hike to use a total of
1,900 calories from bicycling and hiking?
A. 9.5
B. 8.75
C. 6
D. 4
ID: 431c3038 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since a 160-pound adult uses 200 calories for every 30 minutes of hiking, then the same adult uses
calories after hiking for h 30-minute periods. Similarly, the same adult uses calories after bicycling for b 30-
minute periods. Therefore, the equation represents the situation where a 160-pound adult uses a
total of 1,900 calories from hiking for h 30-minute periods and bicycling for b 30-minute periods. It’s given that the adult
completes 1 hour, or 2 30-minute periods, of bicycling. Substituting 2 for b in the equation yields
, or . Subtracting 300 from both sides of this equation yields .
Dividing both sides by 200 yields . Since h represents the number of 30-minute periods spent hiking and there are 2 30-
minute periods in every hour, it follows that the adult will need to hike for , or 4 hours to use a total of 1,900 calories from
bicycling and hiking.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving the equation . This represents 0 30-minute periods bicycling
instead of 2. Choice B is incorrect and may result from solving the equation . This represents 1 30-
minute period of bicycling instead of 2. Choice C is incorrect. This may result from determining that the number of 30-minute
periods the adult should hike is 8, but then subtracting 2 from 8, rather than dividing 8 by 2, to find the number of hours the
adult should hike.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e8f9e117
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: e8f9e117
The formula above is Ohm’s law for an electric circuit with current I, in amperes,
potential difference V, in volts, and resistance R, in ohms. A circuit has a resistance
of 500 ohms, and its potential difference will be generated by n six-volt batteries
that produce a total potential difference of volts. If the circuit is to have a
current of no more than 0.25 ampere, what is the greatest number, n, of six-volt
batteries that can be used?
ID: e8f9e117 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 20. For the given circuit, the resistance R is 500 ohms, and the total potential difference V generated
by n batteries is volts. It’s also given that the circuit is to have a current of no more than 0.25 ampere, which can be
expressed as . Since Ohm’s law says that , the given values for V and R can be substituted for I in this
inequality, which yields . Multiplying both sides of this inequality by 500 yields , and dividing both
sides of this inequality by 6 yields . Since the number of batteries must be a whole number less than 20.833, the
greatest number of batteries that can be used in this circuit is 20.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID ce314070
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: ce314070
If , what is the
value of ?
A. 2
B.
C.
D.
ID: ce314070 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Multiplying the given equation by 2 on each side yields . Applying the distributive
property, this equation can be rewritten as , or .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from calculation errors in solving the given equation for and then
substituting that value of x in the expression .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f718c9cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: f718c9cf
The solution to the given system of equations is . What is the value of ?
ID: f718c9cf Answer
Correct Answer: 1.8, 9/5
Rationale
The correct answer is . Multiplying the first equation in the given system by yields . Subtracting the
second equation in the given system, , from yields
, which is equivalent to , or . Dividing both
sides of this equation by yields . The value of can be found by substituting for in either of the two given
equations. Substituting for in the equation yields , or . Subtracting
from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields , or .
Therefore, the value of is , or . Note that 9/5 and 1.8 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 915463e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 915463e0
Normal body temperature for an adult is between and , inclusive. If
Kevin, an adult male, has a body temperature that is considered to be normal,
which of the following could be his body temperature?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 915463e0 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Normal body temperature must be greater than or equal to 97.8°F but less than or equal to 99°F. Of the
given choices, 97.9°F is the only temperature that fits these restrictions.
Choices A and B are incorrect. These temperatures are less than 97.8°F, so they don’t fit the given restrictions. Choice D is
incorrect. This temperature is greater than 99°F, so it doesn’t fit the given restrictions.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 520e6f5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 520e6f5b
Characteristics for Rock Types
Weight per volume Cost per
Rock type
(lb/ft3) pound
Basalt 180 $0.18
Granite 165 $0.09
Limestone 120 $0.03
Sandstone 135 $0.22
A city is planning to build a rock retaining wall, a monument, and a garden in a
park. The table above shows four rock types that will be considered for use in the
project. Also shown for each rock type is its weight per volume, in pounds per
cubic foot (lb/ft3), and the cost per pound, in dollars. The equation
gives the total cost, in dollars,
of the rocks used in the project in terms of the number of ft3 of limestone, w, and
the number of ft3 of basalt, z. All four rock types are used in the project. Which of
the following is the best interpretation of 3,385.80 in this context?
A. The cost of the granite and sandstone needed for the project
B. The cost of the basalt and limestone needed for the project
C. The cost of the basalt needed for the project
D. The cost of the sandstone needed for the project
ID: 520e6f5b Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The table shows the cost of limestone is $0.03/lb, and the weight per volume for limestone is 120 lb/ft3.
Therefore, the term represents the cost, in dollars, of w ft3 of limestone. Similarly, the term
represents the cost, in dollars, of z ft3 of basalt. The given equation shows that the total cost of all the rocks used in the
project is $7,576.20. Since it’s given that all four rock types are used in the project, the remaining term, 3,385.80, represents
the cost, in dollars, of the granite and sandstone needed for the project.
Choice B is incorrect. The cost of basalt and limestone needed for the project can be represented by
. Choice C is incorrect. The cost of the basalt needed for the project can be represented by the
expression . Choice D is incorrect and may result from neglecting to include granite in the rock types used for
the project.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 89541f9b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 89541f9b
Which of the following ordered pairs satisfies
the inequality ?
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only
ID: 89541f9b Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Substituting into the inequality gives , or , which is a true statement.
Substituting into the inequality gives , or , which is a true statement. Substituting into the
inequality gives , or , which is not a true statement. Therefore, and are the only ordered pairs
shown that satisfy the given inequality.
Choice A is incorrect because the ordered pair also satisfies the inequality. Choice B is incorrect because the ordered
pair also satisfies the inequality. Choice D is incorrect because the ordered pair does not satisfy the inequality.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ee031767
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: ee031767
A dance teacher ordered outfits for students for a dance recital. Outfits for boys
cost $26, and outfits for girls cost $35. The dance teacher ordered a total of 28
outfits and spent $881. If b represents the number of outfits the dance teacher
ordered for boys and g represents the number of outfits the dance teacher ordered
for girls, which of the following systems of equations can be solved to find b and g
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ee031767 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Outfits for boys cost $26 each and the teacher ordered b outfits for boys, so the teacher spent 26b
dollars on outfits for boys. Similarly, outfits for girls cost $35 each and the teacher ordered g outfits for girls, so the teacher
spent 35g dollars on outfits for girls. Since the teacher spent a total of $881 on outfits for boys and girls, the equation 26b +
35g = 881 must be true. And since the teacher ordered a total of 28 outfits, the equation b + g = 28 must also be true.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from switching the constraint on the total number of outfits with the constraint on the
cost of the outfits. Choice C is incorrect and may result from switching the constraint on the total number of outfits with the
constraint on the cost of the outfits, as well as switching the cost of the outfits for boys with the cost of the outfits for girls.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from switching the cost of the outfits for boys with the cost of the outfits for girls.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 466b87e3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 466b87e3
In the system of equations above, c is a constant. If the system has
no solution, what is the value of c ?
ID: 466b87e3 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations has no solution when the graphs of the equations have the
same slope and different y-intercepts. Each of the given linear equations is written in the slope-intercept form, ,
where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the equation. For these two linear equations,
the y-intercepts are and . Thus, if the system of equations has no solution, the slopes of the graphs of the two
linear equations must be the same. The slope of the graph of the first linear equation is . Therefore, for the system of
equations to have no solution, the value of c must be . Note that 1/2 and .5 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 84d0d07e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 84d0d07e
A clothing store is having a sale on shirts and pants. During the sale, the cost of
each shirt is $15 and the cost of each pair of pants is $25. Geoff can spend at
most $120 at the store. If Geoff buys s shirts and p pairs of pants, which of the
following must be true?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 84d0d07e Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since the cost of each shirt is $15 and Geoff buys s shirts, the expression represents the amount
Geoff spends on shirts. Since the cost of each pair of pants is $25 and Geoff buys p pairs of pants, the expression
represents the amount Geoff spends on pants. Therefore, the sum represents the total amount Geoff spends at
the store. Since Geoff can spend at most $120 at the store, the total amount he spends must be less than or equal to 120.
Thus, .
Choice B is incorrect. This represents the situation in which Geoff spends at least, rather than at most, $120 at the store.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from reversing the cost of a shirt and that of a pair of paints. Choice D is incorrect and
may result from both reversing the cost of a shirt and that of a pair of pants and from representing a situation in which Geoff
spends at least, rather than at most, $120 at the store.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID aee9fd2d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: aee9fd2d
If , the value of is between which of the following pairs of values?
A. and
B. and
C. and
D. and
ID: aee9fd2d Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by , or , yields , or
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides
of this equation by yields . Therefore, if , then the value of is . It follows that of the given
choices, the value of is between and .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7a987ae4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 7a987ae4
If , what is the
value of ?
A. 24
B. 49
C. 50
D. 99
ID: 7a987ae4 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by 5 yields . Substituting 50 for in the
expression yields .
Alternate approach: Dividing both sides of by 2 yields . Evaluating the expression for yields
.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the value of instead of . Choice C is incorrect and may result
from finding the value of instead of . Choice D is incorrect and may result from finding the value of instead
of .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 0366d965
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 0366d965
x y
3 7
k 11
12 n
The table above shows the coordinates of three points on a line in the xy-plane,
where k and n are constants. If the slope of the line is 2, what is the value of
?
ID: 0366d965 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 30. The slope of a line can be found by using the slope formula, . It’s given that the slope of
the line is 2; therefore, . According to the table, the points and lie on the line. Substituting the
coordinates of these points into the equation gives . Multiplying both sides of this equation by gives
, or . Solving for k gives . According to the table, the points and also lie
on the line. Substituting the coordinates of these points into gives . Solving for n gives .
Therefore, , or 30.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 963da34c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 963da34c
A shipping service restricts the dimensions of the boxes it will ship for a certain
type of service. The restriction states that for boxes shaped like rectangular
prisms, the sum of the perimeter of the base of the box and the height of the box
cannot exceed 130 inches. The perimeter of the base is determined using the
width and length of the box. If a box has a height of 60 inches and its length is
2.5 times the width, which inequality shows the allowable width x, in inches, of the
box?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 963da34c Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. If x is the width, in inches, of the box, then the length of the box is 2.5x inches. It follows that the
perimeter of the base is , or 7x inches. The height of the box is given to be 60 inches. According to the
restriction, the sum of the perimeter of the base and the height of the box should not exceed 130 inches. Algebraically, this
can be represented by , or . Dividing both sides of the inequality by 7 gives . Since x represents
the width of the box, x must also be a positive number. Therefore, the inequality represents all the allowable
values of x that satisfy the given conditions.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors or misreading the given information.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b2de69bd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: b2de69bd
x y
1 5
2 7
3 9
4 11
The table above shows some pairs of x values and y values. Which of the following
equations could represent the relationship between x and y ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b2de69bd Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Each of the choices is a linear equation in the form y = mx + b, where m and b are constants. In this
equation, m represents the change in y for each increase in x by 1. From the table, it can be determined that the value of y
increases by 2 for each increase in x by 1. In other words, for the pairs of x and y in the given table, m = 2. The value of b can
be found by substituting the values of x and y from any row of the table and substituting the value of m into the equation y =
mx + b and then solving for b. For example, using x = 1, y = 5, and m = 2 yields 5 = 2(1) + b. Solving for b yields b = 3.
Therefore, the equation y = 2x + 3 could represent the relationship between x and y in the given table.
Alternatively, if an equation represents the relationship between x and y, then when each pair of x and y from the table is
substituted into the equation, the result will be a true statement. Of the equations given, the equation y = 2x + 3 in choice A is
the only equation that results in a true statement when each of the pairs of x and y are substituted into the equation.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because when at least one pair of x and y from the table is substituted into the equations
given in these choices, the result is a false statement. For example, when the pair x = 4 and y = 11 is substituted into the
equation in choice B, the result is 11 = 3(4) – 2, or 11 = 10, which is false.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 28c2253f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 28c2253f
Characteristics for Rock Types
Weight per volume Cost per
Rock type
(lb/ft3) pound
Basalt 180 $0.18
Granite 165 $0.09
Limestone 120 $0.03
Sandstone 135 $0.22
A city is planning to build a rock retaining wall, a monument, and a garden in a
park. The table above shows four rock types that will be considered for use in the
project. Also shown for each rock type is its weight per volume, in pounds per
cubic foot (lb/ft3), and the cost per pound, in dollars. Only basalt, granite, and
limestone will be used in the garden. The rocks in the garden will have a total
weight of 1,000 pounds. If 330 pounds of granite is used, which of the following
equations could show the relationship between the amounts, x and y, in ft3, for
each of the other rock types used?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 28c2253f Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the weight of the granite used in the garden is 330 pounds. The weight of the limestone
used in the garden is a product of its weight per volume, in lb/ft3, and its volume, in ft3. Therefore, the weight of the
limestone used in the garden can be represented by , where x is the volume, in ft3, of the limestone used. Similarly, the
weight of the basalt used in the garden can be represented by , where y is the volume, in ft3, of the basalt used. It’s
given that the total weight of the rocks used in the garden will be 1,000 pounds. Thus, the sum of the weights of the three
rock types used is 1,000 pounds, which can be represented by the equation . Subtracting 330
from both sides of this equation yields .
Choice A is incorrect. This equation uses the weight per volume of granite instead of limestone. Choice B is incorrect. This
equation uses the weight per volume of granite instead of basalt, and doesn’t take into account the 330 pounds of granite
that will be used in the garden. Choice D is incorrect. This equation doesn’t take into account the 330 pounds of granite that
will be used in the garden.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID cd33b015
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: cd33b015
If is the solution to the given system of
equations, what is the value of y ?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 60
D. 65
ID: cd33b015 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Substituting 20 for in the second equation in the system yields , or .
Subtracting 40 from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 3 yields .
Choice A is incorrect. If , then since . However, substituting 10 for both x and y in the second
equation yields , which is a false statement. Choice C is incorrect. If , then since .
However, substituting these values for x and y in the second equation yields , which is a false statement. Choice D
is incorrect. If , then since . However, substituting these values for x and y in the second
equation yields , which is a false statement.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 042aa429
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 042aa429
If and , what is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 042aa429 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The value of can be found by substituting for in the given equation , which yields
, or . The value of can be found by substituting for in the given equation , which
yields , or . The value of the expression can be found by substituting the
corresponding values into the expression, which gives . This expression is equivalent to , or .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of , not .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from calculating as , rather than
.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e2e3942f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: e2e3942f
In the system of equations above, a is a constant. If the system of equations
has no solution, what is the value of a ?
A.
B. 0
C. 1
D. 2
ID: e2e3942f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations has no solution when the graphs of the equations have the same slope
and different y-coordinates of the y-intercepts. Each of the given equations is written in the slope-intercept form of a linear
equation, , where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the equation. For
these two linear equations, the y-coordinates of the y-intercepts are different: and . Thus, if the system of equations
has no solution, the slopes of the two linear equations must be the same. The slope of the first linear equation is 2.
Therefore, for the system of equations to have no solution, the value of a must be 2.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual and computational errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID de6fe450
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: de6fe450
On January 1, 2015, a city’s minimum hourly wage was $9.25. It will increase by
$0.50 on the first day of the year for the next 5 years. Which of the following
functions best models the minimum hourly wage, in dollars, x years after January
1, 2015, where ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: de6fe450 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the city’s minimum hourly wage will increase by $0.50 on the first day of the year for the 5
years after January 1, 2015. Therefore, the total increase, in dollars, in the minimum hourly wage x years after January 1,
2015, is represented by . Since the minimum hourly wage on January 1, 2015, was $9.25, it follows that the minimum
hourly wage, in dollars, x years after January 1, 2015, is represented by . Therefore, the function
best models this situation.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. In choice A, the function models a situation where the minimum hourly wage is $9.25 on
January 1, 2015, but decreases by $0.50 on the first day of the year for the next 5 years. The functions in choices B and D
both model a situation where the minimum hourly wage is increasing by $9.25 on the first day of the year for the 5 years
after January 1, 2015.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 1e11190a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 1e11190a
Store A sells raspberries for per pint and blackberries for per pint. Store B sells raspberries for per pint
and blackberries for per pint. A certain purchase of raspberries and blackberries would cost at Store A or
at Store B. How many pints of blackberries are in this purchase?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 1e11190a Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that store A sells raspberries for per pint and blackberries for per pint, and a
certain purchase of raspberries and blackberries at store A would cost . It’s also given that store B sells raspberries
for per pint and blackberries for per pint, and this purchase of raspberries and blackberries at store B would
cost . Let represent the number of pints of raspberries and represent the number of pints of blackberries in this
purchase. The equation represents this purchase of raspberries and blackberries from store A
and the equation represents this purchase of raspberries and blackberries from store B. Solving
the system of equations by elimination gives the value of and the value of that make the system of equations true.
Multiplying both sides of the equation for store A by yields , or
. Multiplying both sides of the equation for store B by yields
, or . Subtracting both sides of the equation for
store A, , from the corresponding sides of the equation for store B, , yields
, or . Dividing both sides of this equationby
yields . Thus, pints of blackberries are in
this purchase.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is the number
of pints of raspberries, not blackberries, in the purchase.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9ff10b3b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 9ff10b3b
If , what is
the value of x ?
A.
B.
C. 3
D. 6
ID: 9ff10b3b Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. To make it easier to add like terms on the left-hand side of the given equation, both sides of the equation
can be multiplied by 6, which is the lowest common denominator of and . This yields , which can be
rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting the denominators instead of numerators with common denominators
to get , rather than , on the left-hand side of the equation. Choice B is incorrect and may result from rewriting the
given equation as instead of . Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational
errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 78391fcc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 78391fcc
f(x) 21 18 15 12
The table above shows some values of x and their corresponding values for
the linear function f. What is the x-intercept of the graph of in the xy-
plane?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 78391fcc Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The equation of a linear function can be written in the form , where , m is the slope
of the graph of , and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph. The value of m can be found using the
slope formula, . According to the table, the points and lie on the graph of .
Using these two points in the slope formula yields , or . Substituting for m in the slope-intercept form
of the equation yields . The value of b can be found by substituting values from the table and solving; for
example, substituting the coordinates of the point into the equation gives ,
which yields . This means the function given by the table can be represented by the equation . The
value of the x-intercept of the graph of can be determined by finding the value of x when . Substituting
into yields , or . This corresponds to the point .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from substituting the value of the slope for the x-coordinate of the x-intercept. Choice C
is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice D is incorrect and may result from substituting the y-coordinate
of the y-intercept for the x-coordinate of the x-intercept.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b8e73b5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: b8e73b5b
Ken is working this summer as part of a crew on a farm. He earned $8 per hour for
the first 10 hours he worked this week. Because of his performance, his crew
leader raised his salary to $10 per hour for the rest of the week. Ken saves 90% of
his earnings from each week. What is the least number of hours he must work the
rest of the week to save at least $270 for the week?
A. 38
B. 33
C. 22
D. 16
ID: b8e73b5b Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Ken earned $8 per hour for the first 10 hours he worked, so he earned a total of $80 for the first 10 hours
he worked. For the rest of the week, Ken was paid at the rate of $10 per hour. Let x be the number of hours he will work for
the rest of the week. The total of Ken’s earnings, in dollars, for the week will be . He saves 90% of his earnings each
week, so this week he will save dollars. The inequality represents the condition that he
will save at least $270 for the week. Factoring 10 out of the expression gives . The product of 10 and 0.9
is 9, so the inequality can be rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this inequality by 9 yields , so
. Therefore, the least number of hours Ken must work the rest of the week to save at least $270 for the week is 22.
Choices A and B are incorrect because Ken can save $270 by working fewer hours than 38 or 33 for the rest of the week.
Choice D is incorrect. If Ken worked 16 hours for the rest of the week, his total earnings for the week will be
, which is less than $270. Since he saves only 90% of his earnings each week, he would save even
less than $240 for the week.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 830120b0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 830120b0
Which of the following consists of the y-coordinates of all the points that
satisfy the system of inequalities above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 830120b0 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting the same number from each side of an inequality gives an equivalent inequality. Hence,
subtracting 1 from each side of the inequality gives . So the given system of inequalities is equivalent to
the system of inequalities and , which can be rewritten as . Using the transitive property
of inequalities, it follows that .
Choice A is incorrect because there are points with a y-coordinate less than 6 that satisfy the given system of inequalities.
For example, satisfies both inequalities. Choice C is incorrect. This may result from solving the inequality for
x, then replacing x with y. Choice D is incorrect because this inequality allows y-values that are not the y-coordinate of any
point that satisfies both inequalities. For example, is contained in the set ; however, if 2 is substituted into the
first inequality for y, the result is . This cannot be true because the second inequality gives .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c4ea43ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: c4ea43ef
To earn money for college, Avery works two part-time jobs: A and B. She earns $10
per hour working at job A and $20 per hour working at job B. In one week, Avery
earned a total of s dollars for working at the two part-time jobs. The graph above
represents all possible combinations of numbers of hours Avery could have
worked at the two jobs to earn s dollars. What is the value of s ?
A. 128
B. 160
C. 200
D. 320
ID: c4ea43ef Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Avery earns $10 per hour working at job A. Therefore, if she works a hours at job A, she will earn
dollars. Avery earns $20 per hour working at job B. Therefore, if she works b hours at job B, she will earn dollars. The
graph shown represents all possible combinations of the number of hours Avery could have worked at the two jobs to earn s
dollars. Therefore, if she worked a hours at job A, worked b hours at job B, and earned s dollars from both jobs, the following
equation represents the graph: , where s is a constant. Identifying any point from the graph and
substituting the values of the coordinates for a and b, respectively, in this equation yield the value of s. For example, the point
, where and , lies on the graph. Substituting 16 for a and 0 for b in the equation yields
, or . Similarly, the point , where and , lies on the graph. Substituting 0 for a and
8 for b in the equation yields , or .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. If the value of s is 128, 200, or 320, then no points on the graph will satisfy this
equation. For example, if the value of s is 128 (choice A), then the equation becomes .
The point , where and , lies on the graph. However, substituting 16 for a and 0 for b in
yields , or , which is false. Therefore, doesn’t satisfy the equation, and so the value
of s can’t be 128. Similarly, if (choice C) or (choice D), then substituting 16 for a and 0 for b yields
and , respectively, which are both false.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 113b938e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 113b938e
The equation above represents the speed y, in feet per second, of Sheila’s bicycle x
seconds after she applied the brakes at the end of a ride. If the equation is graphed
in the xy-plane, which of the following is the best interpretation of the x-coordinate
of the line’s x-intercept in the context of the problem?
A. The speed of Sheila’s bicycle, in feet per second, before Sheila applied the brakes
B. The number of feet per second the speed of Sheila’s bicycle decreased each second after Sheila applied the brakes
C. The number of seconds it took from the time Sheila began applying the brakes until the bicycle came to a complete stop
The number of feet Sheila’s bicycle traveled from the time she began applying the brakes until the bicycle came to a
D. complete stop
ID: 113b938e Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that for each point on the graph of the given equation, the x-coordinate represents the
number of seconds after Sheila applied the brakes, and the y-coordinate represents the speed of Sheila’s bicycle at that
moment in time. For the graph of the equation, the y-coordinate of the x-intercept is 0. Therefore, the x-coordinate of the x-
intercept of the graph of the given equation represents the number of seconds it took from the time Sheila began applying
the brakes until the bicycle came to a complete stop.
Choice A is incorrect. The speed of Sheila’s bicycle before she applied the brakes is represented by the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of the graph of the given equation, not the x-coordinate of the x-intercept. Choice B is incorrect. The number of feet
per second the speed of Sheila’s bicycle decreased each second after Sheila applied the brakes is represented by the slope
of the graph of the given equation, not the x-coordinate of the x-intercept. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
misinterpreting x as the distance, in feet, traveled after applying the brakes, rather than the time, in seconds, after applying
the brakes.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 5e422ff9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 5e422ff9
In the solution to the system of equations
above, what is the value of y ?
A.
B.
C. 9
D. 15
ID: 5e422ff9 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Multiplying both sides of by 5 results in . Multiplying both sides of by
2 results in . Subtracting the resulting equations yields , which simplifies to
. Dividing both sides of by results in .
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from incorrectly subtracting the transformed equation. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from finding the value of x instead of the value of y.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 2e1a7f66
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 2e1a7f66
Figure A and figure B are both regular polygons. The sum of the perimeter of figure A and the perimeter of figure B is
inches. The equation represents this situation, where is the number of sides of figure A and is the
number of sides of figure B. Which statement is the best interpretation of in this context?
A. Each side of figure B has a length of inches.
B. The number of sides of figure B is .
C. Each side of figure A has a length of inches.
D. The number of sides of figure A is .
ID: 2e1a7f66 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that figure A and figure B (not shown) are both regular polygons and the sum of the perimeters
of the two figures is . It’s also given that is the number of sides of figure A and is the number of sides of figure
B, and that the equation represents this situation. Thus, and represent the perimeters, in inches, of
figure A and figure B, respectively. Since represents the perimeter, in inches, of figure B and is the number of sides of
figure B, it follows that each side of figure B has a length of .
Choice B is incorrect. The number of sides of figure B is , not .
Choice C is incorrect. Since the perimeter, in inches, of figure A is represented by , each side of figure A has a length of
, not .
Choice D is incorrect. The number of sides of figure A is , not .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e744499e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: e744499e
An elementary school teacher is ordering x workbooks and y sets of flash cards for
a math class. The teacher must order at least 20 items, but the total cost of the
order must not be over $80. If the workbooks cost $3 each and the flash cards cost
$4 per set, which of the following systems of inequalities models this situation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e744499e Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The total number of workbooks and sets of flash cards ordered is represented by x + y. Since the teacher
must order at least 20 items, it must be true that x + y ≥ 20. Each workbook costs $3; therefore, 3x represents the cost, in
dollars, of x workbooks. Each set of flashcards costs $4; therefore, 4y represents the cost, in dollars, of y sets of flashcards.
It follows that the total cost for x workbooks and y sets of flashcards is 3x + 4y. Since the total cost of the order must not be
over $80, it must also be true that 3x + 4y ≤ 80. Of the choices given, these inequalities are shown only in choice A.
Choice B is incorrect. The second inequality says that the total cost must be greater, not less than or equal to $80. Choice C
incorrectly limits the cost by the minimum number of items and the number of items with the maximum cost. Choice D is
incorrect. The first inequality incorrectly says that at most 20 items must be ordered, and the second inequality says that the
total cost of the order must be at least, not at most, $80.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 36ab4122
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 36ab4122
Megan’s regular wage at her job is p dollars per hour for the first 8 hours of work in
a day plus 1.5 times her regular hourly wage for work in excess of 8 hours that day.
On a given day, Megan worked for 10 hours, and her total earnings for that day
were $137.50. What is Megan’s regular hourly wage?
A. $11.75
B. $12.50
C. $13.25
D. $13.75
ID: 36ab4122 Answer
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since p represents Megan’s regular pay per hour, 1.5p represents the pay per hour in excess of 8 hours.
Since Megan worked for 10 hours, she must have been paid p dollars per hour for 8 of the hours plus 1.5p dollars per hour
for the remaining 2 hours. Therefore, since Megan earned $137.50 for the 10 hours, the situation can be represented by the
equation 137.5 = 8p + 2(1.5)p. Distributing the 2 in the equation gives 137.5 = 8p + 3p, and combining like terms gives 137.5
= 11p. Dividing both sides by 11 gives p = 12.5. Therefore, Megan’s regular wage is $12.50.
Choices A and C are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from finding
the average hourly wage that Megan earned for the 10 hours of work.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1efd8202
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 1efd8202
Which table gives three values of and their corresponding values of for the given equation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 1efd8202 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Each of the given choices gives three values of : , , and . Substituting for in the given equation
yields , or . Therefore, when , the corresponding value of for the given equation is .
Substituting for in the given equation yields , or . Therefore, when , the corresponding
value of for the given equation is . Substituting for in the given equation yields , or .
Therefore, when , the corresponding value of for the given equation is . Thus, if the three values of are , , and
, then their corresponding values of are , , and , respectively, for the given equation.
Choice B is incorrect. This table gives three values of and their corresponding values of for the equation .
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 4f7981a0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 4f7981a0
If , what is the
value of ?
ID: 4f7981a0 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 24. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by 3 yields . Using the distributive
property to rewrite the left-hand side of this equation yields .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e9ef0e6b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: e9ef0e6b
A model estimates that whales from the genus Eschrichtius travel to miles in the ocean each day during their
migration. Based on this model, which inequality represents the estimated total number of miles, , a whale from the genus
Eschrichtius could travel in days of its migration?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e9ef0e6b Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that the model estimates that whales from the genus Eschrichtius travel to miles in the
ocean each day during their migration. If one of these whales travels miles each day for days, then the whale travels
miles total. If one of these whales travels miles each day for days, then the whale travels miles total.
Therefore, the model estimates that in days of its migration, a whale from the genus Eschrichtius could travel at least
and at most miles total. Thus, the inequality represents the estimated total
number of miles, , a whale from the genus Eschrichtius could travel in days of its migration.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID cb58833c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: cb58833c
The line with the equation is graphed in the xy‑plane. What is the
x-coordinate of the x‑intercept of the line?
ID: cb58833c Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 1.25. The y-coordinate of the x-intercept is 0, so 0 can be substituted for y, giving .
This simplifies to . Multiplying both sides of by 5 gives . Dividing both sides of by 4 gives
, which is equivalent to 1.25. Note that 1.25 and 5/4 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 567ac7ab
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 567ac7ab
One of the two equations in a linear system is . The system has no
solution. Which of the following could be the other equation in the system?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 567ac7ab Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations written in standard form has no solution when the equations are
distinct and the ratio of the x-coefficient to the y-coefficient for one equation is equivalent to the ratio of the x-coefficient to
the y-coefficient for the other equation. This ratio for the given equation is 2 to 6, or 1 to 3. Only choice B is an equation that
isn’t equivalent to the given equation and whose ratio of the x-coefficient to the y-coefficient is 1 to 3.
Choice A is incorrect. Multiplying each of the terms in this equation by 2 yields an equation that is equivalent to the given
equation. This system would have infinitely many solutions. Choices C and D are incorrect. The ratio of the x-coefficient to
the y-coefficient in (choice C) is to 2, or to 1. This ratio in (choice D) is 6 to 2, or 3 to 1.
Since neither of these ratios is equivalent to that for the given equation, these systems would have exactly one solution.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a04050d8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: a04050d8
The table above gives the typical amounts of energy per gram, expressed in both
food calories and kilojoules, of the three macronutrients in food. If the 180 food
calories in a granola bar come entirely from p grams of protein, f grams of fat, and
c grams of carbohydrate, which of the following expresses f in terms of p and c ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a04050d8 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It is given that there are 4.0 food calories per gram of protein, 9.0 food calories per gram of fat, and 4.0
food calories per gram of carbohydrate. If 180 food calories in a granola bar came from p grams of protein, f grams of fat,
and c grams of carbohydrate, then the situation can be represented by the equation . The equation can
then be rewritten in terms of f by subtracting 4p and 4c from both sides of the equation and then dividing both sides of the
equation by 9. The result is the equation .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of not representing the situation with the correct equation or
incorrectly rewriting the equation in terms of f.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2704399f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 2704399f
Which of the following systems of equations has the same solution as the
system of equations graphed above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2704399f Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The solution to a system of equations is the coordinates of the intersection point of the graphs of the
equations in the xy-plane. Based on the graph, the solution to the given system of equations is best approximated as .
In the xy-plane, the graph of is a horizontal line on which every y-coordinate is 0, and the graph of is a vertical
line on which every x-coordinate is . These graphs intersect at the point . Therefore, the system of equations in
choice A has the same solution as the given system.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. If graphed in the xy-plane, these choices would intersect at the points , , and
, respectively, not .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID daad7c32
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: daad7c32
An object hangs from a spring. The formula relates the length , in
centimeters, of the spring to the weight w, in newtons, of the object. Which of the
following describes the meaning of the 2 in this context?
A. The length, in centimeters, of the spring with no weight attached
B. The weight, in newtons, of an object that will stretch the spring 30 centimeters
C. The increase in the weight, in newtons, of the object for each one-centimeter increase in the length of the spring
D. The increase in the length, in centimeters, of the spring for each one-newton increase in the weight of the object
ID: daad7c32 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The value 2 is multiplied by w, the weight of the object. When the weight is 0, the length is 30 + 2(0) = 30
centimeters. If the weight increases by w newtons, the length increases by 2w centimeters, or 2 centimeters for each one-
newton increase in weight.
Choice A is incorrect because this describes the value 30. Choice B is incorrect because 30 represents the length of the
spring before it has been stretched. Choice C is incorrect because this describes the value w.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3f8a701b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 3f8a701b
The equation , where a and b are constants, has no solutions.
Which of the following must be true? I. II. III.
A. None
B. I only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only
ID: 3f8a701b Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. For a linear equation in a form to have no solutions, the x-terms must have equal
coefficients and the remaining terms must not be equal. Expanding the right-hand side of the given equation yields
. Inspecting the x-terms, 9 must equal a, so statement I must be true. Inspecting the remaining terms, 5
can’t equal . Dividing both of these quantities by 9 yields that b can’t equal . Therefore, statement III must be true.
Since b can have any value other than , statement II may or may not be true.
Choice A is incorrect. For the given equation to have no solution, both and must be true. Choice B is incorrect
because it must also be true that . Choice C is incorrect because when , there are many values of b that lead to
an equation having no solution. That is, b might be 5, but b isn’t required to be 5.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 0d1dca87
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 0d1dca87
If is the solution to the given system of
equations, what is the value of y ?
ID: 0d1dca87 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 23. Since it’s given that , the value of y can be found by substituting 2 for x in the first equation
and solving for y. Substituting 2 for x yields , or . Subtracting 6 from both sides of this equation
yields .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b9839f9e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: b9839f9e
In the equation above, F represents the total amount of money, in dollars, a food
truck charges for x drinks and y salads. The price, in dollars, of each drink is the
same, and the price, in dollars, of each salad is the same. Which of the following is
the best interpretation for the number 7.00 in this context?
A. The price, in dollars, of one drink
B. The price, in dollars, of one salad
C. The number of drinks bought during the day
D. The number of salads bought during the day
ID: b9839f9e Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that is equal to the total amount of money, in dollars, a food truck charges for x
drinks and y salads. Since each salad has the same price, it follows that the total charge for y salads is dollars. When
, the value of the expression is , or 7.00. Therefore, the price for one salad is 7.00 dollars.
Choice A is incorrect. Since each drink has the same price, it follows that the total charge for x drinks is dollars.
Therefore, the price, in dollars, for one drink is 2.50, not 7.00. Choices C and D are incorrect. In the given equation, F
represents the total charge, in dollars, when x drinks and y salads are bought at the food truck. No information is provided
about the number of drinks or the number of salads that are bought during the day. Therefore, 7.00 doesn’t represent either
of these quantities.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 023c0a8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 023c0a8d
For the function f, if for all values of x,
what is the value of ?
A.
B.
C. 0
D. 2
ID: 023c0a8d Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that for all values of x. If , then will equal . Dividing both sides
of by 3 gives . Therefore, substituting 2 for x in the given equation yields , which can be
rewritten as .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of the constant in the given equation for f. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
substituting , rather than , into the given equation. Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of x that yields for
the left-hand side of the given equation; it’s not the value of .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a7a14e87
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: a7a14e87
In the xy-plane, line k is defined by . Line j is perpendicular to line k, and
the y-intercept of line j is . Which of the following is an equation of line j ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a7a14e87 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that line j is perpendicular to line k and that line k is defined by the equation . This
equation can be rewritten in slope-intercept form, , where m represents the slope of the line and b represents
the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line, by subtracting x from both sides of the equation, which yields . Thus,
the slope of line k is . Since line j and line k are perpendicular, their slopes are opposite reciprocals of each other. Thus,
the slope of line j is 1. It’s given that the y-intercept of line j is . Therefore, the equation for line j in slope-intercept form
is , which can be rewritten as .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 90bd9ef8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 90bd9ef8
The average annual energy cost for a certain home is $4,334. The homeowner
plans to spend $25,000 to install a geothermal heating system. The homeowner
estimates that the average annual energy cost will then be $2,712. Which of the
following inequalities can be solved to find t, the number of years after installation
at which the total amount of energy cost savings will exceed the installation cost?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 90bd9ef8 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The savings each year from installing the geothermal heating system will be the average annual energy
cost for the home before the geothermal heating system installation minus the average annual energy cost after the
geothermal heating system installation, which is dollars. In t years, the savings will be
dollars. Therefore, the inequality that can be solved to find the number of years after installation at which the total amount of
energy cost savings will exceed (be greater than) the installation cost, $25,000, is .
Choice A is incorrect. It gives the number of years after installation at which the total amount of energy cost savings will be
less than the installation cost. Choice C is incorrect and may result from subtracting the average annual energy cost for the
home from the onetime cost
of the geothermal heating system installation. To find the predicted total savings, the predicted average cost should be
subtracted from the average annual energy cost before the installation, and the result should be multiplied by the number of
years, t. Choice D is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding the context. The ratio compares the average
energy cost before installation and the average energy cost after installation; it does not represent the savings.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 5ad9eff0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 5ad9eff0
The width of a rectangular dance floor is w feet. The length of the floor is 6 feet
longer than its width. Which of the following expresses the perimeter, in feet, of the
dance floor in terms of w ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 5ad9eff0 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It is given that the width of the dance floor is w feet. The length is 6 feet longer than the width; therefore,
the length of the dance floor is . So the perimeter is .
Choice A is incorrect because it is the sum of one length and one width, which is only half the perimeter. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from using the formula for the area instead of the formula for the perimeter and making a
calculation error. Choice D is incorrect because this is the area, not the perimeter, of the dance floor.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 2eef7e61
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 2eef7e61
The graph of the function f is a line in the xy-plane. If the line has slope and
, which of the following defines f?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2eef7e61 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The equation for the function f in the xy-plane can be represented by , where m is the
slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Since it’s given that the line has a slope of , it follows that in
, which yields . It’s given that . This implies that the graph of the function f in the xy-
plane passes through the point . Thus, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph is 3, so in ,
which yields . Therefore, the equation defines the function f.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from a sign error for the y-intercept. Choice C is incorrect and may result from using the
denominator of the given slope as m in , in addition to a sign error for the y-intercept. Choice D is incorrect
and may result from using the denominator of the given slope as m in .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 46f68129
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 46f68129
A librarian has 43 books to distribute to a group of children. If he gives each child 2
books, he will have 7 books left over. How many children are in the group?
A. 15
B. 18
C. 25
D. 29
ID: 46f68129 Answer
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting the number of books left over from the total number of books results in , which
is the number of books distributed. Dividing the number of books distributed by the number of books given to each child
results in .
Choice A is incorrect and results from dividing the total number of books by the number of books given to each child,
, then subtracting the number of books left over from the result, . Choice C is incorrect and results
from adding the number of books left over to the total number of books, , then dividing the result by the number
of books given to each child, . Choice D is incorrect and results from dividing the total number of books by the
number of books given to each child, , then adding the number of books left over, .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 0ea7ef01
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 0ea7ef01
Oxygen gas is placed inside a tank with a constant volume. The graph shows the estimated temperature , in kelvins, of the
oxygen gas when its pressure is atmospheres.
What is the estimated temperature, in kelvins, of the oxygen gas when its pressure is atmospheres?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0ea7ef01 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. For the graph shown, the x-axis represents pressure, in atmospheres, and the y-axis represents
temperature, in kelvins. Therefore, the estimated temperature, in kelvins, of the oxygen gas when its pressure is
atmospheres is represented by the y-coordinate of the point on the graph that has an x-coordinate of . The point on the
graph with an x-coordinate of has a y-coordinate of approximately . Therefore, the estimated temperature, in kelvins, of
the oxygen gas when its pressure is atmospheres is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the pressure, in atmospheres, not the estimated temperature, in kelvins, of the oxygen gas when
its pressure is atmospheres.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 0df106df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 0df106df
An online bookstore sells novels and magazines. Each novel sells for $4, and each
magazine sells for $1. If Sadie purchased a total of 11 novels and magazines that
have a combined selling price of $20, how many novels did she purchase?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
ID: 0df106df Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let n be the number of novels and m be the number of magazines that Sadie purchased. If Sadie
purchased a total of 11 novels and magazines, then . It is given that the combined price of 11 novels and
magazines is $20. Since each novel sells for $4 and each magazine sells for $1, it follows that . So the system
of equations below must hold.
Subtracting corresponding sides of the second equation from the first equation yields , so . Therefore, Sadie
purchased 3 novels.
Choice A is incorrect. If 2 novels were purchased, then a total of $8 was spent on novels. That leaves $12 to be spent on
magazines, which means that 12 magazines would have been purchased. However, Sadie purchased a total of 11 novels and
magazines. Choices C and D are incorrect. If 4 novels were purchased, then a total of $16 was spent on novels. That leaves
$4 to be spent on magazines, which means that 4 magazines would have been purchased. By the same logic, if Sadie
purchased 5 novels, she would have no money at all ($0) to buy magazines. However, Sadie purchased a total of 11 novels
and magazines.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e53870b6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: e53870b6
In the given equation, k is a constant. If the equation has infinitely
many solutions, what is the value of k ?
ID: e53870b6 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 5. Subtracting from both sides of the given equation gives , so for any value of x,
if and only if . Therefore, if the given equation has infinitely many solutions, the value of k is 5.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a1fd2304
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: a1fd2304
How many liters of a 25% saline solution must be added to 3 liters of a 10% saline
solution to obtain a 15% saline solution?
ID: a1fd2304 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 1.5. The total amount, in liters, of a saline solution can be expressed as the liters of each type of saline
solution multiplied by the percent concentration of the saline solution. This gives , , and ,
where x is the amount, in liters, of 25% saline solution and 10%, 15%, and 25% are represented as 0.10, 0.15, and 0.25,
respectively. Thus, the equation must be true. Multiplying 3 by 0.10 and distributing 0.15 to
yields . Subtracting 0.15x and 0.30 from each side of the equation gives
. Dividing each side of the equation by 0.10 yields . Note that 1.5 and 3/2 are examples of ways to
enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b544a348
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: b544a348
In the solution to the system of equations
above, what is the value of x ?
ID: b544a348 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 7. Subtracting the second equation from the first equation eliminates the variable y.
Dividing both sides of the resulting equation by 4 yields x = 7.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 628300a9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 628300a9
A science teacher is preparing the 5 stations of a science laboratory. Each station
will have either Experiment A materials or Experiment B materials, but not both.
Experiment A requires 6 teaspoons of salt, and Experiment B requires 4 teaspoons
of salt. If x is the number of stations that will be set up for Experiment A and the
remaining stations will be set up for Experiment B, which of the following
expressions represents the total number of teaspoons of salt required?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 628300a9 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is given that x represents the number of stations that will be set up for Experiment A and that there will
be 5 stations total, so it follows that 5 – x is the number of stations that will be set up for Experiment B. It is also given that
Experiment A requires 6 teaspoons of salt and that Experiment B requires 4 teaspoons of salt, so the total number of
teaspoons of salt required is 6x + 4(5 – x), which simplifies to 2x + 20.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of not understanding the description of the context.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9ed4c1a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 9ed4c1a2
What is the slope of the graph of in the xy-plane?
ID: 9ed4c1a2 Answer
Correct Answer: 13.75, 55/4
Rationale
The correct answer is . In the xy-plane, the graph of an equation in the form , where and are constants,
has a slope of and a y-intercept of . Applying the distributive property to the right-hand side of the given equation
yields . Combining like terms yields . This equation is in the form , where
and . It follows that the slope of the graph of in the xy-plane is . Note that 55/4
and 13.75 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 45bba652
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: 45bba652
If , what is
the value of ?
A. 2
B. 5
C. 7
D. 12
ID: 45bba652 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Adding the like terms on the left-hand side of the given equation yields . Dividing both
sides of this equation by 5 yields .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from subtracting 5, not dividing by 5, on both sides of the equation .
Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of x, not the value of . Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of , not the
value of .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b75f7812
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: b75f7812
Maria plans to rent a boat. The boat rental costs $60 per hour, and she will also
have to pay for a water safety course that costs $10. Maria wants to spend no
more than $280 for the rental and the course. If the boat rental is available only for
a whole number of hours, what is the maximum number of hours for which Maria
can rent the boat?
ID: b75f7812 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 4. The equation , where h is the number of hours the boat has been rented, can be
written to represent the situation. Subtracting 10 from both sides and then dividing by 60 yields . Since the boat can
be rented only for whole numbers of hours, the maximum number of hours for which Maria can rent the boat is 4.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 1ecaa9c0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 1ecaa9c0
Robert rented a truck to transport materials he purchased from a hardware store.
He was charged an initial fee of $20.00 plus an additional $0.70 per mile driven. If
the truck was driven 38 miles, what was the total amount Robert was charged?
A. $46.60
B. $52.90
C. $66.90
D. $86.50
ID: 1ecaa9c0 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that Robert was charged an initial fee of $20.00 to rent the truck plus an additional $0.70 per
mile driven. Let m represent the number of miles the truck was driven. Since the rental charge is $0.70 per mile driven,
represents the amount Robert was charged for m miles driven. Let c equal the total amount, in dollars, Robert was
charged to rent the truck. The total amount can be represented by the equation . It’s given that the truck
was driven 38 miles, thus . Substituting 38 into the equation gives . Multiplying
gives . Adding these values gives , so the total amount Robert was charged is $46.60.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from setting up the equation incorrectly or from making calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID fb43b85f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: fb43b85f
A line passes through the points and in the xy-plane. What is the slope of the line?
ID: fb43b85f Answer
Correct Answer: 1.636, 18/11
Rationale
The correct answer is . For a line that passes through the points and in the xy-plane, the slope of the
line can be calculated using the slope formula, . It's given that a line passes through the points and
in the xy-plane. Substituting for and for in the slope formula, , yields
, or . Therefore, the slope of the line is . Note that 18/11 and 1.636 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 7d89376f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 7d89376f
A discount airline sells a certain number of tickets, x, for a flight for $90 each. It
sells the number of remaining tickets, y, for $250 each. For a particular flight, the
airline sold 120 tickets and collected a total of $27,600 from the sale of those
tickets. Which system of equations represents this relationship between x and y ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 7d89376f Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The airline sold two types of tickets for this flight: x tickets at $90 each and the remaining tickets, y, at
$250 each. Because the airline sold a total of 120 tickets for this flight, it must be true that x + y = 120. The amount, in
dollars, collected from the sale of x tickets at $90 each is represented by 90x. The amount, in dollars, collected from the sale
of the remaining y tickets at $250 each is represented by 250y. It is given that a total of $27,600 was collected from the sale
of all tickets. Therefore, it must also be true that 90x + 250y = 27,600.
Choice B is incorrect. The total number of tickets sold is represented correctly as x + y = 120. The total amount, in dollars,
collected from the sale of the x tickets at $90 each and the remaining tickets, y, at $250 has been correctly represented as
90x + 250y. However, according to the information given, this total should be equal to 27,600, not 120(27,600) dollars.
Choice C is incorrect. The total number of tickets sold has been correctly represented as x + y. However, according to the
information given, this total should be equal to 120, not 27,600, as shown in choice C. The total amount, in dollars, collected
from the sale of the x tickets at $90 each and the remaining tickets, y, at $250 has been correctly represented as 90x + 250y.
However, according to the information given, this total should be equal to 27,600, not 120(27,600) dollars. Choice D is
incorrect. The two equations given in choice D have no meaning in this context.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 17f176ec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 17f176ec
A movie theater charges $11 for each full-price ticket and $8.25 for each reduced-
price ticket. For one movie showing, the theater sold a total of 214 full-price and
reduced-price tickets for $2,145. Which of the following systems of equations
could be used to determine the number of full-price tickets, f, and the number of
reduced-price tickets, r, sold?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 17f176ec Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The movie theater sells f full-price tickets and r reduced-price tickets, so the total number of tickets sold
is f + r. Since the movie theater sold a total of 214 full-price and reduced-price tickets for one movie showing, it follows that f
+ r = 214. The movie theater charges $11 for each full-price ticket; thus, the sales for full-price tickets, in dollars, is given by
11f. The movie theater charges $8.25 for each reduced-price ticket; thus, the sales for reduced-price tickets, in dollars, is
given by 8.25r. Therefore, the total sales, in dollars, for the movie showing is given by 11f + 8.25r. Since the total sales for all
full-price and reduced-price tickets is $2,145, it follows that 11f + 8.25r = 2,145.
Choice A is incorrect. This system of equations suggests that the movie theater sold a total of 2,145 full-price and reduced-
price tickets for a total of $214. Choice C is incorrect. This system suggests that the movie theater charges $8.25 for each
full-price ticket and $11 for each reduced-price ticket. Choice D is incorrect. This system suggests that the movie theater
charges $8.25 for each full-price ticket and $11 for each reduced-price ticket and sold a total of 2,145 tickets for a total of
$214.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 8a6de407
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 8a6de407
The function f is defined by , where m and b are constants. If
and , what is the value of m ?
ID: 8a6de407 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 2. The slope-intercept form of an equation for a line is , where m is the slope and b is the
y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Two ordered pairs, and , can be used to compute the slope using the formula
. It’s given that and ; therefore, the two ordered pairs for this line are and .
Substituting these values for and gives , or 2.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 8643d906
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 8643d906
The population of snow leopards in a certain area can be modeled by the function
P defined above, where is the population t years after 1990. Of the following,
which is the best interpretation of the equation ?
A. The snow leopard population in this area is predicted to be 30 in the year 2020.
B. The snow leopard population in this area is predicted to be 30 in the year 2030.
C. The snow leopard population in this area is predicted to be 550 in the year 2020.
D. The snow leopard population in this area is predicted to be 550 in the year 2030.
ID: 8643d906 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that represents the population of snow leopards t years after 1990.
corresponds to and . It follows that corresponds to 30 years after 1990, or 2020. Thus, the best
interpretation of is that the snow leopard population in this area is predicted to be 550 in the year 2020.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from reversing the interpretations of t and . Choice D is incorrect and may
result from determining that 30 years after 1990 is 2030, not 2020.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 44d65912
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 44d65912
Angela is playing a video game. In this game, players can score points only by collecting coins and stars. Each coin is
worth c points, and each star is worth s points.
The first time she played, Angela scored 700 points. She collected 20 coins and 10 stars.
The second time she played, Angela scored 850 points. She collected 25 coins and 12 stars.
Which system of equations can be used to correctly determine the values of c and
s?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 44d65912 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The number of coins collected can be multiplied by c to give the score from the points earned from
coins. Similarly, the number of stars collected can be multiplied by s to give the score from the points earned from the stars.
Therefore, the total score each time Angela played is , and the total score the second time she played is
.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from misidentifying the terms of the equation. Choice A switches coins and
stars, choice C switches stars and points, and choice D misidentifies coins, stars, and points.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 41fdc0b8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: 41fdc0b8
The table above shows the population of Greenleaf, Idaho, for the years 2000 and 2010. If the relationship between
population and year is linear, which of the following functions P models the population of Greenleaf t years after 2000?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 41fdc0b8 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It is given that the relationship between population and year is linear; therefore, the function that models
the population t years after 2000 is of the form , where m is the slope and b is the population when . In
the year 2000, . Therefore, . The slope is given by .
Therefore, , which is equivalent to the equation in choice A.
Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly calculating the slope as just the change in the value of P. Choice C
is incorrect and may be the result of the same error as in choice B, in addition to incorrectly using t to represent the year,
instead of the number of years after 2000. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly using t to represent the
year instead of the number of years after 2000.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 8b2a2a63
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 8b2a2a63
The y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane is . What is the value of ?
ID: 8b2a2a63 Answer
Correct Answer: -32
Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of is . Substituting for in this
equation yields , or . Therefore, the value of that corresponds to the y-intercept of the graph of
in the xy-plane is .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 8a1544f1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
two variables
ID: 8a1544f1
What is the equation of the line shown
in the xy-plane above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 8a1544f1 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Any line in the xy-plane can be defined by an equation in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope of the
line and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. From the graph, the y-intercept of the line is (0, 3). Therefore, b = 3.
The slope of the line is the change in the value of y divided by the change in the value of x for any two points on the line. The
line shown passes through (0, 3) and (1, 0), so , or m = –3. Therefore, the equation of the line is y = –3x + 3.
Choices A and C are incorrect because the equations given in these choices represent a line with a positive slope. However,
the line shown has a negative slope. Choice D is incorrect because the equation given in this choice represents a line with
slope of . However, the line shown has a slope of –3.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a9c04a21
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in
one variable
ID: a9c04a21
What is the solution to the
equation ?
A. 1
B. 1.5
C. 2
D. 4
ID: a9c04a21 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Subtracting 3 from both sides of the given equation yields . Dividing both sides by 2 results in
.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from computational errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 4b76c7f1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Systems of two
linear equations in
two variables
ID: 4b76c7f1
In the given system of equations, a is a constant. If the system has infinitely
many solutions, what is the value of a ?
A. 4
B. 9
C. 36
D. 54
ID: 4b76c7f1 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. A system of two linear equations has infinitely many solutions if one equation is equivalent to the other.
This means that when the two equations are written in the same form, each coefficient or constant in one equation is equal
to the corresponding coefficient or constant in the other equation multiplied by the same number. The equations in the given
system of equations are written in the same form, with x and y on the left-hand side of the equation and a constant on the
right-hand side of the equation. The coefficients of x and y in the second equation are equal to the coefficients of x and y,
respectively, in the first equation multiplied by 4: and . Therefore, the constant in the second equation
must be equal to 4 times the constant in the first equation: , or .
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. When , , or , the given system of equations has no solution.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a8e6bd75
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear functions
ID: a8e6bd75
Which of the following is the graph of the equation
in the xy-plane?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a8e6bd75 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. In the xy-plane, the graph of the equation , where m and b are constants, is a line with slope
m and y-intercept . Therefore, the graph of in the xy-plane is a line with slope 2 and a y-intercept .
Having a slope of 2 means that for each increase in x by 1, the value of y increases by 2. Only the graph in choice D has a
slope of 2 and crosses the y-axis at . Therefore, the graph shown in choice D must be the correct answer.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The graph of in the xy-plane is a line with slope 2 and a y-intercept at .
The graph in choice A crosses the y-axis at the point , not , and it has a slope of , not 2. The graph in
choice B crosses the y-axis at ; however, the slope of this line is , not 2. The graph in choice C has a slope of 2;
however, the graph crosses the y-axis at , not .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 948087f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities
in one or two
variables
ID: 948087f2
Which of the following ordered pairs (x, y) satisfies the
system of inequalities above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 948087f2 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Any point (x, y) that is a solution to the given system of inequalities must satisfy both inequalities in the
system. The second inequality in the system can be rewritten as . Of the given answer choices, only choice D
satisfies this inequality, because inequality is a true statement. The point also satisfies the first
inequality.
Alternate approach: Substituting into the first inequality gives , or , which is a true statement.
Substituting into the second inequality gives , or , which is a true statement. Therefore, since
satisfies both inequalities, it is a solution to the system.
Choice A is incorrect because substituting −2 for x and −1 for y in the first inequality gives , or ,
which is false. Choice B is incorrect because substituting −1 for x and 3 for y in the first inequality gives , or
, which is false. Choice C is incorrect because substituting 1 for x and 5 for y in the first inequality gives ,
or , which is false.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID a5663025
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: a5663025
A system of equations consists of a quadratic equation and a linear equation. The
equations in this system are graphed in the xy-plane above. How many solutions
does this system have?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
ID: a5663025 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The solutions to a system of two equations correspond to points where the graphs of the equations
intersect. The given graphs intersect at 2 points; therefore, the system has 2 solutions.
Choice A is incorrect because the graphs intersect. Choice B is incorrect because the graphs intersect more than once.
Choice D is incorrect. It’s not possible for the graph of a quadratic equation and the graph of a linear equation to intersect
more than twice.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3c95093c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 3c95093c
Which of the following inequalities is equivalent
to the inequality above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 3c95093c Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Both sides of the given inequality can be divided by 3 to yield .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they are not equivalent to (do not have the same solution set as) the given
inequality. For example, the ordered pair is a solution to the given inequality, but it is not a solution to any of the
inequalities in choices A, C, or D.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID d0a7871e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: d0a7871e
If is a solution to the system of equations above, which of the
following could be the value of x ?
A. –1
B. 0
C. 2
D. 3
ID: d0a7871e Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It is given that y = x + 1 and y = x2 + x. Setting the values for y equal to each other yields x + 1 = x2 + x.
Subtracting x from each side of this equation yields x2 = 1. Therefore, x can equal 1 or –1. Of these, only –1 is given as a
choice.
Choice B is incorrect. If x = 0, then x + 1 = 1, but x2 + x = 02 + 0 = 0 ≠︀1. Choice C is incorrect. If x = 2, then x + 1 = 3, but x2 + x
= 22 + 2 = 6 ≠︀3. Choice D is incorrect. If x = 3, then x + 1 = 4, but x2 + x = 32 + 3 = 12 ≠︀4.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID dd4ab4c4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: dd4ab4c4
Which of the following is a factor of
the polynomial above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: dd4ab4c4 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The first and last terms of the polynomial are both squares such that and .
The second term is twice the product of the square root of the first and last terms: . Therefore, the
polynomial is the square of a binomial such that , and is a factor.
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly factoring the polynomial. Choice C is incorrect and may be the
result of dividing the second and third terms of the polynomial by their greatest common factor. Choice D is incorrect and
may be the result of not factoring the coefficients.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b8caaf84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: b8caaf84
If and , which of the following is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b8caaf84 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that and . Substituting the values for p and v into the expression
yields . Multiplying the terms yields .
Using the distributive property to rewrite yields . Therefore, the entire expression can be represented as
. Combining like terms yields .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting, instead of adding, the term . Choice C is incorrect. This is the
result of multiplying the terms . Choice D is incorrect and may result from distributing 2, instead of , to the
term .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 7f81d0c3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 7f81d0c3
What values satisfy the
equation above?
A. and
B. and
C. and
D. and
ID: 7f81d0c3 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Using the quadratic formula to solve the given expression yields
. Therefore, and satisfy the given equation.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from incorrectly factoring or incorrectly applying the quadratic formula. Choice
D is incorrect and may result from a sign error.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e312081b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: e312081b
Which of the following is equivalent to
the given expression?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e312081b Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Using the associative and commutative properties of addition, the given expression
can be rewritten as . Adding these like terms results in .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from adding . Choice C is incorrect and may result from adding
. Choice D is incorrect and may result from adding .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 91e7ea5e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 91e7ea5e
The quadratic function h is defined as shown. In the xy-plane, the graph of
intersects the x-axis at the points and , where t is a constant.
What is the value of t ?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 8
ID: 91e7ea5e Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the graph of intersects the x-axis at and , where t is a constant. Since
this graph intersects the x-axis when or when , it follows that and . If , then
. Adding 32 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2
yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields . Adding 4 to both sides of this
equation yields . Therefore, the value of t is 8.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID fc3d783a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: fc3d783a
In the -plane, a line with equation intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the parabola has equation
, where is a positive constant, what is the value of ?
ID: fc3d783a Answer
Correct Answer: 6
Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given that a line with equation intersects a parabola with equation ,
where is a positive constant, at exactly one point in the xy-plane. It follows that the system of equations consisting of
and has exactly one solution. Dividing both sides of the equation of the line by yields
. Substituting for in the equation of the parabola yields . Adding and subtracting
from both sides of this equation yields . A quadratic equation in the form of ,
where , , and are constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, , is equal to zero. Substituting for
and for in the expression and setting this expression equal to yields , or
. Adding to each side of this equation yields . Taking the square root of each side of this equation
yields . It’s given that is positive, so the value of is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a9084ca4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: a9084ca4
The given function models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year, where represents the
number of years since , and . If is graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following is the best
interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?
A. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .
B. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .
C. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .
D. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .
ID: a9084ca4 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point where . For the given function , the y-
intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane can be found by substituting for in the equation ,
which gives . This is equivalent to , or . Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of
is . It’s given that the function models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients
each year. Therefore, represents the estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients each year. It's
also given that represents the number of years since . Therefore, represents years since , or .
Thus, the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of is that the estimated number of advertisements the
company sent to its clients in was .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 4661e2a9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 4661e2a9
Which ordered pair is a solution to the
system of equations above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 4661e2a9 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The solution to the given system of equations can be found by solving the first equation for x, which
gives , and substituting that value of x into the second equation which gives . Rewriting this
equation by adding like terms and expanding gives . Subtracting from both sides of this
equation gives . Adding to 2 to both sides of this equation gives . Therefore, it follows that .
Substituting for y in the first equation yields . Adding to both sides of this equation yields .
Therefore, the ordered pair is a solution to the given system of equations.
Choice B is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the first equation yields , or ,
which isn’t a true statement. Choice C is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the second equation yields
, or , which isn’t a true statement. Choice D is incorrect. Substituting
for x and for y in the second equation yields , or , which isn’t a
true statement.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 6abec9a8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 6abec9a8
What is the -intercept of the graph shown?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 6abec9a8 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point on the graph where . At , the
corresponding value of is . Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph shown is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at , not .
Choice D is incorrect. This is the y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at , not .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ad2ec615
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: ad2ec615
Which of the following is equivalent to the
expression ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ad2ec615 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The term x4 can be factored as . Factoring –6 as yields values that add to –1, the
coefficient of x2 in the expression.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from finding factors of –6 that don’t add to the coefficient of x2 in the
original expression.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 42c71eb5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 42c71eb5
Which of the following is equivalent to
the expression above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 42c71eb5 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given expression can be rewritten as . Applying the distributive
property, the expression can be rewritten as , or .
Adding like terms yields . Substituting for in the given expression yields
. By the rules of exponents, the expression is equivalent to . Applying the
distributive property, this expression can be rewritten as , or . Adding
like terms gives . Substituting for in the rewritten expression yields
, and adding like terms yields .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choices C and D may result from rewriting the expression as , instead
of as . Choices B and C may result from rewriting the expression as , instead of .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 371cbf6b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 371cbf6b
The equation above is true for all x, where a and b are
constants. What is the value of ab ?
A. 18
B. 20
C. 24
D. 40
ID: 371cbf6b Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If the equation is true for all x, then the expressions on both sides of the equation will be equivalent.
Multiplying the polynomials on the left-hand side of the equation gives . On the right-
hand side of the equation, the only -term is . Since the expressions on both sides of the equation are equivalent, it
follows that , which can be rewritten as . Therefore, , which
gives .
Choice A is incorrect. If , then the coefficient of on the left-hand side of the equation would be ,
which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the right-hand side. Choice B is incorrect. If , then the coefficient
of on the left-hand side of the equation would be , which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the
right-hand side. Choice D is incorrect. If , then the coefficient of on the left-hand side of the equation would be
, which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the right-hand side.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a05bd3a4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: a05bd3a4
Which of the following expressions is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a05bd3a4 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The expression can be written as a difference of squares x2 – y2, which can be factored as (x + y)(x – y).
Here, y2 = 5, so , and the expression therefore factors as .
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from misunderstanding how to factor a difference of squares. Choice D is
incorrect; (x + 5)(x – 1) can be rewritten as x2 + 4x – 5, which is not equivalent to the original expression.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 40c09d66
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 40c09d66
If for all positive values of x,
what is the value of ?
ID: 40c09d66 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . The value of can be found by first rewriting the left-hand side of the given equation as .
Using the properties of exponents, this expression can be rewritten as . This expression can be rewritten by
subtracting the fractions in the exponent, which yields . Thus, is . Note that 7/6, 1.166, and 1.167 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID f65288e8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: f65288e8
If x is a solution to the given equation, which of the
following is a possible value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: f65288e8 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given equation can be rewritten as . Multiplying both sides of this equation by
yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields . Taking the square root of both sides of
this equation yields or . Therefore, a possible value of is .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from computational or conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 788bfd56
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 788bfd56
The function is defined by . What is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 788bfd56 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The value of is the value of when . It's given that the function is defined by
. Substituting for in this equation yields . Since the positive square root of
is , it follows that this equation can be rewritten as , or . Therefore, the value of is
.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of , not .
Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of , not .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID f89af023
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: f89af023
A rectangular volleyball court has an area of 162 square meters. If the length of the
court is twice the width, what is the width of the court, in meters?
A. 9
B. 18
C. 27
D. 54
ID: f89af023 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the volleyball court is rectangular and has an area of 162 square meters. The formula for
the area of a rectangle is , where A is the area, is the length, and w is the width of the rectangle. It’s also given
that the length of the volleyball court is twice the width, thus . Substituting the given value into the formula for the
area of a rectangle and using the relationship between length and width for this rectangle yields . This
equation can be rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields . Taking the square root of
both sides of this equation yields . Since the width of a rectangle is a positive number, the width of the volleyball
court is 9 meters.
Choice B is incorrect because this is the length of the rectangle. Choice C is incorrect because this is the result of using 162
as the perimeter rather than the area. Choice D is incorrect because this is the result of calculating w in the equation
instead of .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e53add44
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: e53add44
The function S above models the annual salary, in dollars, of an employee n years
after starting a job, where a is a constant. If the employee’s salary increases by 4%
each year, what is the value of a ?
A. 0.04
B. 0.4
C. 1.04
D. 1.4
ID: e53add44 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. A model for a quantity S that increases by a certain percentage per time period n is an exponential
function in the form , where I is the initial value at time for r% annual increase. It’s given that the
annual increase in an employee’s salary is 4%, so . The initial value can be found by substituting 0 for n in the given
function, which yields . Therefore, . Substituting these values for r and I into the form of the
exponential function yields , or . Therefore, the
value of a in the given function is 1.04.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly representing the annual increase in the exponential
function.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f2f3fa00
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: f2f3fa00
During a 5-second time interval, the average acceleration a, in meters per second
squared, of an object with an initial velocity of 12 meters per second is defined by
the equation , where vf is the final velocity of the object in
meters per second. If the equation is rewritten in the form vf = xa + y, where x and y
are constants, what is the value of x ?
ID: f2f3fa00 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 5. The given equation can be rewritten in the form , like so:
It follows that the value of x is 5 and the value of y is 12.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 876a731c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 876a731c
If (x, y) is a solution of the system of equations above and
x > 0, what is the value of xy ?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 9
ID: 876a731c Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Substituting for y in the second equation gives . This equation can be solved as
follows:
Apply the distributive property.
Subtract 2x and 6 from both sides of the equation.
Combine like terms.
Factor both terms on the left side of the equation
by 2x.
Thus, and are the solutions to the system. Since , only needs to be considered. The value of y when
is . Therefore, the value of xy is .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and likely result from a computational or conceptual error when solving this system of
equations.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d9137a84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: d9137a84
Which expression represents the product of and ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d9137a84 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The product of and can be represented by the expression
. Applying the distributive property to this expression yields
, or . This expression is equivalent to
, or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 2f958af9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 2f958af9
The formula above expresses the square of the speed v of a wave moving along a
string in terms of tension T, mass m, and length L of the string. What is T in terms
of m, v, and L ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2f958af9 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. To write the formula as T in terms of m, v, and L means to isolate T on one side of the equation. First,
multiply both sides of the equation by m, which gives , which simplifies to mv2 = LT. Next, divide both sides of
the equation by L, which gives , which simplifies to .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly applying operations to each side of the equation.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 16de54c7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 16de54c7
If the given expression is rewritten in the form , where k
is a constant, what is the value of k ?
ID: 16de54c7 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 4. It’s given that can be rewritten as ; it follows that
. Expanding the left-hand side of this equation yields
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Using properties of equality,
and . Either equation can be solved for k. Dividing both sides of by yields
. The equation can be rewritten as . It follows that . Solving this equation for
k also yields . Therefore, the value of k is 4.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID dba7432e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: dba7432e
x f(x)
0 5
The table above gives the values of the function f for some values of x. Which
of the following equations could define f ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: dba7432e Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Each choice has a function with coefficient 5 and base 2, so the exponents must be analyzed. When the
input value of x increases, the output value of f(x) decreases, so the exponent must be negative. An exponent of –x yields
the values in the table: , , , and .
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from choosing equations that yield an increasing, rather than decreasing,
output value of f(x) when the input value of x increases. Choice C is incorrect and may result from choosing an equation that
doesn’t yield the values in the table.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 911c415b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 911c415b
The expression above can be written in the form , where a and b are
constants. What is the value of ?
ID: 911c415b Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 6632. Applying the distributive property to the expression yields .
Then adding together and and collecting like terms results in . This is written
in the form , where and . Therefore .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c3a72da5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: c3a72da5
Which of the following is equivalent to the sum of
and ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c3a72da5 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Adding the two expressions yields . Because the pair of terms and and
the pair of terms and each contain the same variable raised to the same power, they are like terms and can be
combined as and , respectively. The sum of the given expressions therefore simplifies to .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from adding the coefficients and the exponents in the given expressions. Choice B is
incorrect and may result from adding the exponents as well as the coefficients of the like terms in the given expressions.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from multiplying, rather than adding, the coefficients of the like terms in the given
expressions.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 89fc23af
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 89fc23af
Which of the following expressions is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 89fc23af Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The numerator of the given expression can be rewritten in terms of the denominator, , as follows:
, which is equivalent to . So the given expression is equivalent to
. Since the given expression is defined for , the expression can
be rewritten as .
Long division can also be used as an alternate approach. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from errors made
when dividing the two polynomials or making use of structure.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 12e7faf8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 12e7faf8
The equation is true for all , where a and d
are integers. What is the value of ?
A.
B.
C. 0
D. 1
ID: 12e7faf8 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since the expression can be factored as , the given equation can be rewritten
as . Since , is also not equal to 0, so both the numerator and denominator of
can be divided by . This gives . Equating the coefficient of x on each side of the equation
gives . Equating the constant terms gives . The sum is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly simplifying the equation. Choices B and D are incorrect. They are the
values of d and a, respectively, not .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 84e8cc72
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 84e8cc72
A quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms of the time, in seconds, after the
object is launched off an elevated surface. The model indicates the object has an initial height of feet above the ground
and reaches its maximum height of feet above the ground seconds after being launched. Based on the model, what
is the height, in feet, of the object above the ground seconds after being launched?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 84e8cc72 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that a quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms of
the time, in seconds, after the object is launched off an elevated surface. This quadratic function can be defined by an
equation of the form , where is the height of the object seconds after it was launched, and ,
, and are constants such that the function reaches its maximum value, , when . Since the model indicates the
object reaches its maximum height of feet above the ground seconds after being launched, reaches its
maximum value, , when . Therefore, and . Substituting for and for in the function
yields . Since the model indicates the object has an initial height of
feet above the ground, the value of is when . Substituting for and for in the equation
yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of
this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the model can be
represented by the equation . Substituting for in this equation yields
, or . Therefore, based on the model, seconds after being launched, the
height of the object above the ground is feet.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 97158b3a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 97158b3a
The area A, in square centimeters, of a rectangular painting can be represented by the expression , where is
the width, in centimeters, of the painting. Which expression represents the length, in centimeters, of the painting?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 97158b3a Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that the expression represents the area, in square centimeters, of a rectangular
painting, where is the width, in centimeters, of the painting. The area of a rectangle can be calculated by multiplying its
length by its width. It follows that the length, in centimeters, of the painting is represented by the expression .
Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the width, in centimeters, of the painting, not its length, in centimeters.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the difference between the length, in centimeters, and the width, in centimeters, of the painting,
not its length, in centimeters.
Choice D is incorrect. This expression represents the area, in square centimeters, of the painting, not its length, in
centimeters.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1178f2df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 1178f2df
The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where and is a quadratic function.
What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?
ID: 1178f2df Answer
Correct Answer: -2112
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that is a quadratic function. It follows that can be defined by an equation of the
form , where , , and are constants. It's also given that the table shows three values of and
their corresponding values of , where . Substituting for in this equation yields
. This equation represents a quadratic relationship between and , where is either the
maximum or the minimum value of , which occurs when . For quadratic relationships between and , the maximum
or minimum value of occurs at the value of halfway between any two values of that have the same corresponding
value of . The table shows that x-values of and correspond to the same y-value, . Since is halfway between
and , the maximum or minimum value of occurs at an x-value of . The table shows that when , . It
follows that and . Subtracting from both sides of the equation yields . Substituting
for and for in the equation yields , or . The
value of can be found by substituting any x-value and its corresponding y-value for and , respectively, in this equation.
Substituting for and for in this equation yields , or . Subtracting from
both sides of this equation yields , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields .
Substituting for , for , and for in the equation yields .
The y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane is the point on the graph where . Substituting for in the
equation yields , or . This is equivalent to
, so the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane is . Thus, the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2683b5db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 2683b5db
In a city, the property tax T, in dollars, is calculated using the formula above, where
P is the value of the property, in dollars. Which of the following expresses the value
of the property in terms of the property tax?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2683b5db Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. To express the value of the property in terms of the property tax, the given equation must be solved for P.
Multiplying both sides of the equation by 100 gives . Adding 40,000 to both sides of the equation gives
. Therefore, .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying 40,000 by 0.01, then subtracting 400 from, instead of adding 400 to,
the left-hand side of the equation. Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying 40,000 by 0.01. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from subtracting instead of adding 40,000 from the left-hand side of the equation.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID de39858a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: de39858a
The function is defined by , where and are positive constants. The graph of in the -plane
passes through the points ( , ) and ( , ). What is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: de39858a Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the function is defined by and that the graph of in the xy-
plane passes through the points and . Substituting for and for in the equation
yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .
Substituting for and for in the equation yields . Subtracting from both
sides of this equation yields , which can be rewritten as . Taking the square root of both sides of this
equation yields and , but because it’s given that is a positive constant, must equal . Because the value of
is and the value of is , the value of is , or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the value of rather than the value of .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly finding the value of as , but multiplying it by the y-value in the first
ordered pair rather than by the value of .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 70ebd3d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 70ebd3d0
The function N defined above can be used to model the number of species of
brachiopods at various ocean depths d, where d is in hundreds of meters. Which of
the following does the model predict?
A. For every increase in depth by 1 meter, the number of brachiopod species decreases by 115.
B. For every increase in depth by 1 meter, the number of brachiopod species decreases by 10%.
C. For every increase in depth by 100 meters, the number of brachiopod species decreases by 115.
D. For every increase in depth by 100 meters, the number of brachiopod species decreases by 10%.
ID: 70ebd3d0 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The function N is exponential, so it follows that changes by a fixed percentage for each increase in
d by 1. Since d is measured in hundreds of meters, it also follows that the number of brachiopod species changes by a fixed
percentage for each increase in ocean depth by 100 meters. Since the base of the exponent in the model is 0.90, which is
less than 1, the number of brachiopod species decreases as the ocean depth increases. Specifically, the number of
brachiopod species at a depth of meters is 90% of the number of brachiopod species at a depth of d meters. This
means that for each increase in ocean depth by 100 meters, the number of brachiopod species decreases by 10%.
Choices A and C are incorrect. These describe situations where the number of brachiopod species are decreasing linearly
rather than exponentially. Choice B is incorrect and results from interpreting the decrease in the number of brachiopod
species as 10% for every 1-meter increase in ocean depth rather than for every 100-meter increase in ocean depth.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 5bf0f84a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 5bf0f84a
The function above models the height h, in feet, of an object above ground
t seconds after being launched straight up in the air. What does the number 72
represent in the function?
A. The initial height, in feet, of the object
B. The maximum height, in feet, of the object
C. The initial speed, in feet per second, of the object
D. The maximum speed, in feet per second, of the object
ID: 5bf0f84a Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The variable t represents the seconds after the object is launched. Since , this means that the
height, in feet, at 0 seconds, or the initial height, is 72 feet.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of misinterpreting the function in context.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1697ffcf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 1697ffcf
In the xy-plane, the graph of intersects the graph of at the
points and . What is the value of a ?
ID: 1697ffcf Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 5. The intersection points of the graphs of and can be found by solving the
system consisting of these two equations. To solve the system, substitute x for y in the first equation. This gives
. Subtracting x from both sides of the equation gives . Factoring out of each term on the
left-hand side of the equation gives . Therefore, the possible values for x are 0 and 5. Since , the two
intersection points are and . Therefore, .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID d46da42c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: d46da42c
The function f is defined as shown. Which of the following graphs in the xy-
plane could be the graph of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d46da42c Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. For the quadratic function , the vertex of the graph is , and because the term is
positive, the vertex is the minimum of the function. Choice D is the only option that meets these conditions.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The vertex of each of these graphs doesn’t correspond to the minimum of the given
function.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 87a3de81
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 87a3de81
If a is a solution of the equation above and
, what is the value of a ?
ID: 87a3de81 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 3. The solution to the given equation can be found by factoring the quadratic expression. The factors
can be determined by finding two numbers with a sum of 1 and a product of . The two numbers that meet these
constraints are 4 and . Therefore, the given equation can be rewritten as . It follows that the solutions
to the equation are or . Since it is given that , a must equal 3.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e1391dd6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: e1391dd6
According to Moore’s law, the number of transistors included on microprocessors
doubles every 2 years. In 1985, a microprocessor was introduced that had 275,000
transistors. Based on this information, in which of the following years does
Moore’s law estimate the number of transistors to reach 1.1 million?
A. 1987
B. 1989
C. 1991
D. 1994
ID: e1391dd6 Answer
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let x be the number of years after 1985. It follows that represents the number of 2-year periods that
will occur within an x-year period. According to Moore’s law, every 2 years, the number of transistors included on
microprocessors is estimated to double. Therefore, x years after 1985, the number of transistors will double times. Since
the number of transistors included on a microprocessor was 275,000, or .275 million, in 1985, the estimated number of
transistors, in millions, included x years after 1985 can be modeled as . The year in which the number of
transistors is estimated to be 1.1 million is represented by the value of x when . Dividing both sides of this
equation by .275 yields , which can be rewritten as . Since the exponential equation has equal bases on
each side, it follows that the exponents must also be equal: . Multiplying both sides of the equation by 2
yields . Therefore, according to Moore’s law, 4 years after 1985, or in 1989, the number of transistors included on
microprocessors is estimated to reach 1.1 million.
Alternate approach: According to Moore’s law, 2 years after 1985 (in 1987), the number of transistors included on a
microprocessor is estimated to be , or 550,000, and 2 years after 1987 (in 1989), the number of transistors
included on microprocessors is estimated to be , or 1,100,000. Therefore, the year that Moore’s law estimates
the number of transistors on microprocessors to reach 1.1 million is 1989.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. According to Moore’s law, the number of transistors included on microprocessors is
estimated to reach 550,000 in 1987, 2.2 million in 1991, and about 6.2 million in 1994.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 0980fcdd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 0980fcdd
A solution to the given system of equations is . Which of the
following is a possible value of xy ?
A. 0
B. 6
C. 12
D. 36
ID: 0980fcdd Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Solutions to the given system of equations are ordered pairs that satisfy both equations in the
system. Adding the left-hand and right-hand sides of the equations in the system yields , or
. Subtracting y from both sides of this equation yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this
equation yields and . Therefore, there are two solutions to this system of equations, one with an x-coordinate
of 6 and the other with an x-coordinate of . Substituting 6 for x in the second equation yields , or ;
therefore, one solution is . Similarly, substituting for x in the second equation yields , or ;
therefore, the other solution is . It follows then that if is a solution to the system, then possible values of
are and . Only 0 is among the given choices.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the x-coordinate of one of the solutions, . Choice C is incorrect and may result from
conceptual or computational errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is the square of the x-coordinate of one of the solutions,
.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 635f54ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 635f54ee
The surface area of a cube is , where a is a positive constant. Which of the
following gives the perimeter of one face of the cube?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 635f54ee Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A cube has 6 faces of equal area, so if the total surface area of a cube is , then the area of one
face is . Likewise, the area of one face of a cube is the square of one of its edges; therefore, if the area of one face is
, then the length of one edge of the cube is . Since the perimeter of one face of a cube is four times the length of
one edge, the perimeter is .
Choice A is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is , then the total surface area of the cube is
, which is not . Choice C is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is 4a, then
the total surface area of the cube is , which is not . Choice D is incorrect because if the perimeter of
one face of the cube is 6a, then the total surface area of the cube is , which is not .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID ebe4bde0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: ebe4bde0
The quadratic function graphed above models a particular measure of plant
diversity as a function of the elevation in a region of Switzerland. According to the
model, which of the following is closest to the elevation, in meters, at which plant
diversity is greatest?
A. 13,500
B. 3,000
C. 1,250
D. 250
ID: ebe4bde0 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Each point on the graph represents the elevation x, in meters, and the corresponding measure of
plant diversity y in a region of Switzerland. Therefore, the point on the graph with the greatest y-coordinate represents the
location that has the greatest measure of plant diversity in the region. The greatest y-coordinate of any point on the graph is
approximately 13,500. The x-coordinate of that point is approximately 1,250. Therefore, the closest elevation at which the
plant diversity is the greatest is 1,250 meters.
Choice A is incorrect. This value is closest to the greatest y-coordinate of any point on the graph and therefore represents
the greatest measure of plant diversity, not the elevation where the greatest measure of plant diversity occurs. Choice B is
incorrect. At an elevation of 3,000 meters the measure of plant diversity is approximately 4,000. Because there are points on
the graph with greater y-coordinates, 4,000 can’t be the greatest measure of plant diversity, and 3,000 meters isn’t the
elevation at which the greatest measure of plant diversity occurs. Choice D is incorrect. At an elevation of 250 meters, the
measure of plant diversity is approximately 11,000. Because there are points on the graph with greater y-coordinates, 11,000
can’t be the greatest measure of plant diversity and 250 meters isn’t the elevation at which the greatest measure of plant
diversity occurs.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID c7a187a7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: c7a187a7
If the given function is graphed in the xy-plane, where , what is an x-intercept of the graph?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c7a187a7 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that . The x-intercepts of a graph in the xy-plane are the points where . Thus, for
an x-intercept of the graph of function , . Substituting for in the equation yields
. Factoring the right-hand side of this equation yields . By the zero product
property, and . Subtracting from both sides of the equation yields .
Adding to both sides of the equation yields . Therefore, the x-intercepts of the graph of
are and . Of these two x-intercepts, only is given as a choice.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ad038c19
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: ad038c19
Which of the following is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ad038c19 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The expression can be rewritten as . Using the distributive property, the
expression yields . Combining like terms gives .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from errors using the distributive property on the given expression or
combining like terms.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 6e06a0a7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 6e06a0a7
Which of the following expressions is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 6e06a0a7 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Expanding the given expression using the distributive property yields . Combining like
terms yields , or , which is equivalent to .
Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from incorrectly combining like terms. Choice C is incorrect and may result
from distributing only to a, and not to 3, in the given expression.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 5910bfff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 5910bfff
The formula above can be used to approximate the dew point D, in degrees
Fahrenheit, given the temperature T, in degrees Fahrenheit, and the relative
humidity of H percent, where . Which of the following expresses the relative
humidity in terms of the temperature and the dew point?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 5910bfff Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that . Solving this formula for H expresses the relative humidity in
terms of the temperature and the dew point. Subtracting T from both sides of this equation yields .
Multiplying both sides by yields . Subtracting 100 from both sides yields
. Multiplying both sides by results in the formula .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when rewriting the given formula.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 100030d9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 100030d9
A rubber ball bounces upward one-half the height that it falls each time it hits the
ground. If the ball was originally dropped from a distance of 20.0 feet above the
ground, what was its maximum height above the ground, in feet, between the third
and fourth time it hit the ground?
ID: 100030d9 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 2.5. After hitting the ground once, the ball bounces to feet. After hitting the ground a
second time, the ball bounces to feet. After hitting the ground for the third time, the ball bounces to
feet. Note that 2.5 and 5/2 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 364a2d25
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 364a2d25
If one solution to the system of equations above is ,
what is one possible value of x ?
ID: 364a2d25 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is either 8 or 9. The first equation can be rewritten as . Substituting for y in the second
equation gives . By applying the distributive property, this can be rewritten as . Subtracting 72
from both sides of the equation yields . Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields
. Applying the Zero Product Property, it follows that and . Solving each equation for x
yields and respectively. Note that 8 and 9 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b76a2815
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: b76a2815
The power P produced by a machine is represented by the equation above, where
W is the work performed during an amount of time t. Which of the following
correctly expresses W in terms of P and t ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b76a2815 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Multiplying both sides of the equation by t yields , or , which expresses W in
terms of P and t. This is equivalent to W = Pt.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Each of the expressions given in these answer choices gives W in terms of P and t but
doesn’t maintain the given relationship between W, P, and t. These expressions may result from performing different
operations with t on each side of the equation. In choice B, W has been multiplied by t, and P has been divided by t. In choice
C, W has been multiplied by t, and the quotient of P divided by t has been reciprocated. In choice D, W has been multiplied by
t, and P has been added to t. However, in order to maintain the relationship between the variables in the given equation, the
same operation must be performed with t on each side of the equation.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID c77ef2fb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: c77ef2fb
Blood volume, , in a human can be determined using the equation ,
where is the plasma volume and H is the hematocrit (the fraction of blood
volume that is red blood cells). Which of the following correctly expresses the
hematocrit in terms of the blood volume and the plasma volume?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c77ef2fb Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The hematocrit can be expressed in terms of the blood volume and the plasma volume by solving the
given equation for H. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Dividing both
sides by yields . Subtracting 1 from both sides yields . Dividing both sides by yields
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when manipulating the equation.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID a391ed22
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: a391ed22
The expression above is equivalent to , where a, b, and c
are constants. What is the value of b?
ID: a391ed22 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . The expression can be written in the form , where a, b, and c
are constants, by multiplying out the expression using the distributive property of multiplication over addition. The result is
. This expression can be rewritten by multiplying as indicated to give
, which can be simplified to , or . This is in the form
, where the value of b is . Note that 5/2 and 2.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 281a4f3b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 281a4f3b
A certain college had 3,000 students enrolled in 2015. The college predicts that
after 2015, the number of students enrolled each year will be 2% less than the
number of students enrolled the year before. Which of the following functions
models the relationship between the number of students enrolled, , and the
number of years after 2015, x ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 281a4f3b Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Because the change in the number of students decreases by the same percentage each year, the
relationship between the number of students and the number of years can be modeled with a decreasing exponential
function in the form , where is the number of students, a is the number of students in 2015, r is the rate
of decrease each year, and x is the number of years since 2015. It’s given that 3,000 students were enrolled in 2015 and that
the rate of decrease is predicted to be 2%, or 0.02. Substituting these values into the decreasing exponential function yields
, which is equivalent to .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual errors when translating the given information into a
decreasing exponential function.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f237ccfc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: f237ccfc
The sum of and can be written in the form ,
where a, b, and c are constants. What is the value of ?
ID: f237ccfc Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 32. The sum of the given expressions is . Combining like terms
yields . Based on the form of the given equation, , , and . Therefore, .
Alternate approach: Because is the value of when , it is possible to first make that substitution
into each polynomial before adding them. When , the first polynomial is equal to and the second
polynomial is equal to . The sum of 30 and 2 is 32.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 59d1f4b5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 59d1f4b5
The equation above models the number of members, M, of a gym t years after the
gym opens. Of the following, which equation models the number of members of
the gym q quarter years after the gym opens?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 59d1f4b5 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. In 1 year, there are 4 quarter years, so the number of quarter years, q, is 4 times the number of years, t ;
that is, . This is equivalent to , and substituting this into the expression for M in terms of t gives
Choices B and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly using instead of . (Choices B and D are
nearly the same since is equivalent to , which is approximately .) Choice C is incorrect and may be
the result of incorrectly using and unnecessarily dividing 0.02 by 4.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 84dd43f8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 84dd43f8
For the function , , and for each increase in by , the value of decreases by . What is the value of
?
ID: 84dd43f8 Answer
Correct Answer: 3.44, 86/25
Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given that and that for each increase in by , the value of decreases by
. Because the output of the function decreases by a constant percentage for each -unit increase in the value of , this
relationship can be represented by an exponential function of the form , where represents the initial value of
the function and represents the rate of decay,
expressed as a decimal. Because , the value of must be . Because the value of decreases by for
each -unit increase in , the value of must be , or . Therefore, the function can be defined by
. Substituting for in this function yields , which is equivalent to ,
or . Either or may be entered as the correct answer.
Alternate approach: It’s given that and that for each increase in by , the value of decreases by .
Therefore, when , the value of is , or , of , which can be expressed as . Since
, the value of is . Similarly, when , the value of is of , which can be
expressed as . Since , the value of is . Either or may be entered
as the correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 294db8ec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 294db8ec
Which of the following is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 294db8ec Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The expression has two terms, and 4. The greatest common factor of these two terms is 2.
Factoring 2 from each of these terms yields , or .
Choices A and B are incorrect because 4 is not a factor of the term . Choice C is incorrect and may result from factoring
2 from but not from 4.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 30281058
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 30281058
In the xy-plane, the graph of intersects line p at and , where a
and b are constants. What is the slope of line p ?
A. 6
B. 2
C.
D.
ID: 30281058 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the graph of and line p intersect at and . Therefore, the value of y
when is the value of a, and the value of y when is the value of b. Substituting 1 for x in the given equation yields
, or . Similarly, substituting 5 for x in the given equation yields , or . Therefore, the
intersection points are and . The slope of line p is the ratio of the change in y to the change in x between these
two points: , or 6.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors in determining the values of a, b, or
the slope of line p.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9ed9f54d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 9ed9f54d
Which of the following is equivalent to
?
A.
B.
C. 5x
D. 5x2
ID: 9ed9f54d Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since is a common term in the original expression, like terms can be added:
. Distributing the constant term 5 yields .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from not distributing the negative signs in the expressions within the parentheses.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from not distributing the negative signs in the expressions within the parentheses and
from incorrectly eliminating the -term. Choice D is incorrect and may result from incorrectly eliminating the x-term.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 58dcc59f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 58dcc59f
A landscaper is designing a rectangular garden. The length of the garden is to be 5
feet longer than the width. If the area of the garden will be 104 square feet, what
will be the length, in feet, of the garden?
ID: 58dcc59f Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 13. Let w represent the width of the rectangular garden, in feet. Since the length of the garden will be 5
feet longer than the width of the garden, the length of the garden will be feet. Thus the area of the garden will be
. It is also given that the area of the garden will be 104 square feet. Therefore, , which is equivalent
to . Factoring this equation results in . Therefore, and . Because
width cannot be negative, the width of the garden must be 8 feet. This means the length of the garden must be
feet.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID dd8ac009
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: dd8ac009
Time (years) Total amount (dollars)
Sara opened a savings account at a bank. The table shows the exponential relationship between the time , in years, since
Sara opened the account and the total amount , in dollars, in the account. If Sara made no additional deposits or
withdrawals, which of the following equations best represents the relationship between and ?
A. msup
B. msup
C. msup
D. msup
ID: dd8ac009 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the relationship between and is exponential. The table shows that the value of
increases as the value of increases. Therefore, the relationship between and can be represented by an increasing
exponential equation of the form , where and are positive constants. The table shows that when ,
. Substituting for and for in the equation yields , which is equivalent to
, or . Substituting for in the equation yields . The table also
shows that when , . Substituting for and for in the equation yields
, or . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields .
Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Substituting for in the equation
yields . Therefore, of the choices, choice B best represents the relationship between and .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 6676f055
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 6676f055
An engineer wanted to identify the best angle for a cooling fan in an engine in order
to get the greatest airflow. The engineer discovered that the function above models
the airflow , in cubic feet per minute, as a function of the angle of the fan , in
degrees. According to the model, what angle, in degrees, gives the greatest
airflow?
A. –0.28
B. 0.28
C. 27
D. 880
ID: 6676f055 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The function f is quadratic, so it will have either a maximum or a minimum at the vertex of the graph.
Since the coefficient of the quadratic term (–0.28) is negative, the vertex will be at a maximum. The equation f( ) = –0.28(
– 27)2 + 880 is given in vertex form, so the vertex is at = 27. Therefore, an angle of 27 degrees gives the greatest airflow.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may be the result of misidentifying which value in a quadratic equation in vertex form
represents the vertex. Choice D is incorrect. This choice identifies the maximum value of f( ) rather than the value of for
which f( ) is maximized.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 568aaf27
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 568aaf27
If is a solution to the system of equations above, which of the
following is a possible value of x?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
ID: 568aaf27 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Substituting from the second equation for y in the first equation yields . Subtracting 12
from both sides of this equation and rewriting the equation results in . Factoring the left-hand side of this
equation yields . Using the zero product property to solve for x, it follows that and .
Solving each equation for x yields and , respectively. Thus, two possible values of x are 3 and . Of the
choices given, 3 is the only possible value of x.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Substituting 0 for x in the first equation gives , or ; then, substituting 12
for y and 0 for x in the second equation gives , or , which is false. Similarly, substituting 1 or 2 for x in the first
equation yields or , respectively; then, substituting 11 or 10 for y in the second equation yields a false
statement.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 70753f99
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 70753f99
The function f is defined by . The graph of f in the xy-plane is
a parabola. Which of the following intervals contains the x-coordinate of the vertex
of the graph of f ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 70753f99 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The graph of a quadratic function in the xy-plane is a parabola. The axis of symmetry of the parabola
passes through the vertex of the parabola. Therefore, the vertex of the parabola and the midpoint of the segment between
the two x-intercepts of the graph have the same x-coordinate. Since , the x-coordinate of the vertex is
. Of the shown intervals, only the interval in choice B contains –2. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and
may result from either calculation errors or misidentification of the graph’s x-intercepts.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 630897df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 630897df
The speed of sound in dry air, v, can be modeled by the formula
, where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius and v is
measured in meters per second. Which of the following correctly expresses T in
terms of v ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 630897df Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. To express T in terms of v, subtract 331.3 from both sides of the equation, which gives v – 331.3 =
0.606T. Dividing both sides of the equation by 0.606 gives .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and are the result of incorrect steps while solving for T.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d71f6dbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: d71f6dbf
The height, in feet, of an object x seconds after it is thrown straight up in the air can
be modeled by the function . Based on the model, which
of the following statements best interprets the equation ?
A. The height of the object 1.4 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is 1.64 feet.
B. The height of the object 1.64 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is 1.4 feet.
The height of the object 1.64 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is approximately 1.4 times as great as its
C. initial height.
D. The speed of the object 1.4 seconds after being thrown straight up in the air is approximately 1.64 feet per second.
ID: d71f6dbf Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The value 1.4 is the value of x, which represents the number of seconds after the object was thrown
straight up in the air. When the function h is evaluated for x = 1.4, the function has a value of 1.64, which is the height, in feet,
of the object.
Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from misidentifying seconds as feet and feet as seconds. Additionally, choice
C may result from incorrectly including the initial height of the object as the input x. Choice D is incorrect and may result
from misidentifying height as speed.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 0121a235
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 0121a235
x p(x)
The table above gives selected values of a polynomial function p. Based on the
values in the table, which of the following must be a factor of p ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0121a235 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. According to the table, when x is or 2, . Therefore, two x-intercepts of the graph of p are
and . Since and are x-intercepts, it follows that and are factors of the polynomial
equation. This is because when , the value of is 0. Similarly, when , the value of is 0. Therefore, the
product is a factor of the polynomial function p.
Choice A is incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice B is
incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice C is incorrect.
The factors and correspond to x-intercepts and , respectively, which aren’t present in the table.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID f44a29a8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: f44a29a8
An object’s kinetic energy, in joules, is equal to the product of one-half the object’s
mass, in kilograms, and the square of the object’s speed, in meters per second.
What is the speed, in meters per second, of an object with a mass of 4 kilograms
and kinetic energy of 18 joules?
A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 36
ID: f44a29a8 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that an object’s kinetic energy, in joules, is equal to the product of one-half the object’s mass, in
kilograms, and the square of the object’s speed, in meters per second. This relationship can be represented by the equation
, where K is the kinetic energy, m is the mass, and v is the speed. Substituting a mass of 4 kilograms for m and a
kinetic energy of 18 joules for K results in the equation , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by
2 yields . Taking the square root of both sides yields and . Since speed can’t be expressed as a negative
number, the speed of the object is 3 meters per second.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from computation errors. Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of rather than v.
Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of rather than v.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 75915e3c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 75915e3c
For the function f defined above, what
is the value of ?
A. 9
B. 12
C. 18
D. 36
ID: 75915e3c Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The value of is found by evaluating the expression when . Substituting 2 for x in the
given equation yields . Simplifying in the equation results in . Evaluating the right-hand side of
the equation yields . Therefore, the value of is 18.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from evaluating the expression as . Choice B is incorrect and may result from
evaluating the expression as . Choice D is incorrect and may result from evaluating the expression as .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b03adde3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: b03adde3
If , what is t
in terms of u ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b03adde3 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by yields . Dividing both sides of this
equation by yields . Adding 2 to both sides of this equation yields , which can be rewritten
as . Since the fractions on the right-hand side of this equation have a common denominator, adding
the fractions yields . Applying the distributive property to the numerator on the right-hand side of this
equation yields , which is equivalent to .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from various misconceptions or miscalculations.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 49efde89
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 49efde89
The expression is equivalent to for some
constant a. What is the value of a ?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 7
ID: 49efde89 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that is equivalent to for some constant a. Distributing the x over each term
in the parentheses gives , which is in the same form as the first given expression, . The coefficient of the
second term in is 7. Therefore, the value of a is 7.
Choice A is incorrect. If the value of a were 2, then would be equivalent to , which isn’t equivalent to
. Choice B is incorrect. If the value of a were 3, then would be equivalent to , which isn’t
equivalent to . Choice C is incorrect. If the value of a were 4, then would be equivalent to , which
isn’t equivalent to .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e9349667
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: e9349667
If and are the two solutions to the system of equations
above, what is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e9349667 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The system of equations can be solved using the substitution method. Solving the second equation for y
gives y = –x – 1. Substituting the expression –x – 1 for y into the first equation gives –x – 1 = x2 + 2x + 1. Adding x + 1 to
both sides of the equation yields x2 + 3x + 2 = 0. The left-hand side of the equation can be factored by finding two numbers
whose sum is 3 and whose product is 2, which gives (x + 2)(x + 1) = 0. Setting each factor equal to 0 yields x + 2 = 0 and x +
1 = 0, and solving for x yields x = –2 or x = –1. These values of x can be substituted for x in the equation y = –x – 1 to find the
corresponding y-values: y = –(–2) – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1 and y = –(–1) – 1 = 1 – 1 = 0. It follows that (–2, 1) and (–1, 0) are the
solutions to the given system of equations. Therefore, (x1, y1) = (–2, 1), (x2, y2) = (–1, 0), and y1 + y2 = 1 + 0 = 1.
Choice A is incorrect. The solutions to the system of equations are (x1, y1) = (–2, 1) and (x2, y2) = (–1, 0). Therefore, –3 is the
sum of the x-coordinates of the solutions, not the sum of the y-coordinates of the solutions. Choices B and C are incorrect
and may be the result of computation or substitution errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 5377d9cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 5377d9cf
If ,
what is ?
A. –5
B. –2
C. 2
D. 5
ID: 5377d9cf Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Substituting –1 for x in the equation that defines f gives . Simplifying the
expressions in the numerator and denominator yields , which is equal to or –5.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from misapplying the order of operations when substituting –1 for x.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a0b4103e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: a0b4103e
The expression can be rewritten as , where k is a
positive constant. What is the value of k ?
A. 2
B. 6
C.
D.
ID: a0b4103e Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Factoring out the coefficient , the given expression can be rewritten as . The expression
can be approached as a difference of squares and rewritten as . Therefore, k must be .
Choice A is incorrect. If k were 2, then the expression given would be rewritten as , which is equivalent to
, not .
Choice B is incorrect. This may result from incorrectly factoring the expression and finding as the factored
form of the expression. Choice C is incorrect. This may result from incorrectly distributing the and rewriting the
expression as .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID d675744f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: d675744f
Which of the following is the graph in the xy-
plane of the given equation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d675744f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of an equation is the point , where b is the value of y when . For
the given equation, when . It follows that the y-intercept of the graph of the given equation is . Additionally,
for the given equation, the value of y doubles for each increase of 1 in the value of x. Therefore, the graph contains the points
, , , and . Only the graph shown in choice D passes through these points.
Choices A and B are incorrect because these are graphs of decreasing, not increasing, exponential functions. Choice C is
incorrect because the value of y increases by a growth factor greater than 2 for each increase of 1 in the value of x.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 78d5f91a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 78d5f91a
For the function f defined above, what is
the value of ?
A.
B.
C. 7
D. 11
ID: 78d5f91a Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Substituting for x in the given function f gives , which
simplifies to . This further simplifies to , or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from correctly substituting for x in the function but incorrectly simplifying the
resulting expression to , or . Choice B is incorrect and may result from arithmetic errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly substituting for x in the function but incorrectly simplifying the
expression to , or 11.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 22fd3e1f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 22fd3e1f
Which of the following expressions is
equivalent to , for ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 22fd3e1f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since and , the fraction can be written as
. It is given that , so the common factor is not equal to 0. Therefore, the fraction can be further
simplified to .
Choice A is incorrect. The expression is not equivalent to because at , as a value of 1 and
has a value of 0.
Choice B is incorrect and results from omitting the factor x in the factorization of . Choice C is incorrect and may result
from incorrectly factoring as instead of .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 71014fb1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 71014fb1
How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?
A. Exactly one
B. Exactly two
C. Infinitely many
D. Zero
ID: 71014fb1 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Any quantity that is positive or negative in value has a positive value when squared. Therefore, the left-
hand side of the given equation is either positive or zero for any value of . Since the right-hand side of the given equation is
negative, there is no value of for which the given equation is true. Thus, the number of distinct real solutions for the given
equation is zero.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2c88af4d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 2c88af4d
The expression , where and , is
equivalent to which of the following?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2c88af4d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. For and , and are equivalent to and , respectively. Also, and are
equivalent to and , respectively. Therefore, the given expression can be rewritten as .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because these choices are not equivalent to the given expression for and .
For example, for and , the value of the given expression is ; the values of the choices, however, are ,
, and 1, respectively.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c4cd5bcc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: c4cd5bcc
In the xy-plane, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the function f is c.
Which of the following must be equal to c ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c4cd5bcc Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. A y-intercept is the point in the xy-plane where the graph of the function crosses the y-axis, which is
where . It’s given that the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of function f is c. It follows that the coordinate
pair representing the y-intercept must be . Therefore, c must equal .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because , , and would represent the y-value of the coordinate where ,
, and , respectively.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3d12b1e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 3d12b1e0
In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the value of ?
ID: 3d12b1e0 Answer
Correct Answer: -1
Rationale
The correct answer is . A quadratic equation in the form , where , , and are constants, has exactly
one solution when its discriminant, , is equal to . In the given equation, , and
. Substituting for and for in yields , or . Since the given
equation has exactly one solution, . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .
Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the value of is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 60fdb4d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 60fdb4d4
Which expression is equivalent to
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 60fdb4d4 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given expression can be rewritten as .
Combining like terms yields .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors when applying the distributive property.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 9afe2370
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 9afe2370
The population P of a certain city y years after the last census is modeled by the equation below, where r is a constant
and is the population when .
If during this time the population of the city decreases by a fixed percent each year,
which of the following must be true?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 9afe2370 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The term (1 + r) represents a percent change. Since the population is decreasing, the percent change
must be between 0% and 100%. When the percent change is expressed as a decimal rather than as a percent, the percentage
change must be between 0 and 1. Because (1 + r) represents percent change, this can be expressed as 0 < 1 + r < 1.
Subtracting 1 from all three terms of this compound inequality results in –1 < r < 0.
Choice A is incorrect. If r < –1, then after 1 year, the population P would be a negative value, which is not possible. Choices C
and D are incorrect. For any value of r > 0, 1 + r > 1, and the exponential function models growth for positive values of the
exponent. This contradicts the given information that the population is decreasing.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 97e50fa2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 97e50fa2
The graph of the function f, defined by , is shown in the
xy-plane above. If the function g (not shown) is defined by , what is
one possible value of a such that ?
ID: 97e50fa2 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is either 2 or 8. Substituting in the definitions for f and g gives and
, respectively. If , then . Subtracting 10 from both sides of this
equation gives . Multiplying both sides by gives . Expanding gives
. Combining the like terms on one side of the equation gives . One way to solve this
equation is to factor by identifying two numbers with a sum of and a product of 16. These numbers are
and , so the quadratic equation can be factored as . Therefore, the possible values of a are either 2
or 8. Note that 2 and 8 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Alternate approach: Graphically, the condition implies the graphs of the functions and
intersect at . The graph is given, and the graph of may be sketched as a line with y-intercept 10 and
a slope of (taking care to note the different scales on each axis). These two graphs intersect at and .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 66bce0c1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 66bce0c1
What is the solution set of the
equation above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 66bce0c1 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting 4 from both sides of isolates the radical expression on the left side of
the equation as follows: . Squaring both sides of yields . This
equation can be rewritten as a quadratic equation in standard form: . One way to solve this quadratic
equation is to factor the expression by identifying two numbers with a sum of and a product of . These
numbers are and 1. So the quadratic equation can be factored as . It follows that 5 and are the
solutions to the quadratic equation. However, the solutions must be verified by checking whether 5 and satisfy the
original equation, . When , the original equation gives , or ,
which is false. Therefore, does not satisfy the original equation. When , the original equation gives
, or , which is true. Therefore, is the only solution to the original equation, and so the
solution set is .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because each of these sets contains at least one value that results in a false statement
when substituted into the given equation. For instance, in choice D, when 0 is substituted for x into the given equation, the
result is , or . This is not a true statement, so 0 is not a solution to the given equation.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a31417d1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: a31417d1
From 2005 through 2014, the number of music CDs sold in the United States
declined each year by approximately 15% of the number sold the preceding year. In
2005, approximately 600 million CDs were sold in the United States. Of the
following, which best models C, the number of millions of CDs sold in the United
States, t years after 2005?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a31417d1 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A model for a quantity C that decreases by a certain percentage per time period t is an exponential
equation in the form , where I is the initial value at time for r% annual decline. It’s given that C is the
number of millions of CDs sold in the United States and that t is the number of years after 2005. It’s also given that 600
million CDs were sold at time , so . This number declines by 15% per year, so . Substituting these values
into the equation produces , or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from errors made when representing the percent decline. Choices C and D are incorrect.
These equations model exponential increases in CD sales, not exponential decreases.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID a4f61d75
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: a4f61d75
In the equation above, a is a constant and . If the equation has two integer
solutions, what is a possible value of a ?
ID: a4f61d75 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is either 7, 8, or 13. Since the given equation has two integer solutions, the expression on the left-hand
side of this equation can be factored as , where c and d are also integers. The product of c and d must equal
the constant term of the original quadratic expression, which is 12. Additionally, the sum of c and d must be a negative
number since it’s given that , but the sign preceding a in the given equation is negative. The possible pairs of values for
c and d that satisfy both of these conditions are and , and , and and . Since the value of is the
sum of c and d, the possible values of are , , and . It follows
that the possible values of a are 7, 8, and 13. Note that 7, 8, and 13 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 802549ac
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 802549ac
Which of the following is a solution to
the given equation?
A. 1
B. 0
C.
D.
ID: 802549ac Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Applying the distributive property on the left- and right-hand sides of the given equation yields
, or . Subtracting from and adding to both
sides of this equation yields . Subtracting 6 from both sides of this equation and then dividing both sides by 10
yields .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Substituting 0, , or for x in the given equation will result in a false statement. If
, the given equation becomes ; if , the given equation becomes ; and if , the given
equation becomes . Therefore, the values 0, , and aren’t solutions to the given equation.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID c81b6c57
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: c81b6c57
In the expression , p is a constant. This expression
is equivalent to the expression . What is the value of p ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c81b6c57 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Using the distributive property, the first given expression can be rewritten as 6x2 + 3px + 24 – 16px – 64x
+ 24, and then rewritten as 6x2 + (3p – 16p – 64)x + 24. Since the expression 6x2 + (3p – 16p – 64)x + 24 is equivalent to 6x2
– 155x + 24, the coefficients of the x terms from each expression are equivalent to each other; thus 3p – 16p – 64 = –155.
Combining like terms gives –13p – 64 = –155. Adding 64 to both sides of the equation gives –13p = –71. Dividing both
sides of the equation by –13 yields p = 7.
Choice A is incorrect. If p = –3, then the first expression would be equivalent to 6x2 – 25x + 24. Choice C is incorrect. If p =
13, then the first expression would be equivalent to 6x2 – 233x + 24. Choice D is incorrect. If p = 155, then the first
expression would be equivalent to 6x2 – 2,079x + 24.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a1bf1c4e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: a1bf1c4e
Which of the following is equivalent to
the expression above?
A. (x + 3)2 + 5
B. (x + 3)2 – 5
C. (x – 3)2 + 5
D. (x – 3)2 – 5
ID: a1bf1c4e Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The given quadratic expression is in standard form, and each answer choice is in vertex form.
Completing the square converts the expression from standard form to vertex form. The first step is to rewrite the expression
as follows: . The first three terms of the revised expression can be rewritten as a perfect
square as follows: . Combining the constant terms gives .
Choice A is incorrect. Squaring the binomial and simplifying the expression in choice A gives . Combining like
terms gives , not . Choice C is incorrect. Squaring the binomial and simplifying the expression in
choice C gives . Combining like terms gives , not . Choice D is incorrect. Squaring
the binomial and simplifying the expression in choice D gives . Combining like terms gives , not
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 5355c0ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 5355c0ef
The given expression can be rewritten as , where is a constant. What is the value of ?
ID: 5355c0ef Answer
Correct Answer: .09, 9/100
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the expression can be rewritten as .
Applying the distributive property to the expression yields . Therefore,
can be rewritten as . It follows that in the expressions
and , the coefficients of are equivalent, the coefficients of are equivalent,
and the constant terms are equivalent. Therefore, , , and . Solving any of these equations
for yields the value of . Dividing both sides of the equation by yields . Therefore, the value of is
. Note that .09 and 9/100 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 50e40f08
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 50e40f08
If the given function is graphed in the xy-plane, where , what is the x-coordinate of an x-intercept of the graph?
ID: 50e40f08 Answer
Correct Answer: -6, 4
Rationale
The correct answer is either or . The x-intercepts of a graph in the xy-plane are the points where . Thus, for an x-
intercept of the graph of , . Substituting for in the equation yields
. By the zero product property, and . Subtracting from both sides of the
equation yields . Adding to both sides of the equation yields . Therefore, the x-
coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of are and . Note that -6 and 4 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 7bd10ef3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 7bd10ef3
In the equation above, t is a constant. If the equation has no real solutions, which
of the following could be the value of t ?
A.
B.
C. 1
D. 3
ID: 7bd10ef3 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The number of solutions to any quadratic equation in the form , where a, b, and c are
constants, can be found by evaluating the expression , which is called the discriminant. If the value of is a
positive number, then there will be exactly two real solutions to the equation. If the value of is zero, then there will
be exactly one real solution to the equation. Finally, if the value of is negative, then there will be no real solutions to
the equation.
The given equation is a quadratic equation in one variable, where t is a constant. Subtracting t from both sides
of the equation gives . In this form, , , and . The values of t for which the equation has
no real solutions are the same values of t for which the discriminant of this equation is a negative value. The discriminant is
equal to ; therefore, . Simplifying the left side of the inequality gives .
Subtracting 16 from both sides of the inequality and then dividing both sides by 8 gives . Of the values given in the
options, is the only value that is less than . Therefore, choice A must be the correct answer.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from a misconception about how to use the discriminant to determine the
number of solutions of a quadratic equation in one variable.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 6e02cd78
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 6e02cd78
In the xy-plane, what is the y-coordinate of the point of intersection of the
graphs of and ?
ID: 6e02cd78 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 1. The point of intersection of the graphs of the given equations is the solution to the system of the
two equations. Since and , it follows that , or . Applying the
distributive property to the left-hand side of this equation yields . Subtracting from and adding 3 to
both sides of this equation yields . Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields . By
the zero product property, if , it follows that . Adding 2 to both sides of yields .
Substituting 2 for x in either of the given equations yields . For example, substituting 2 for x in the second given
equation yields , or . Therefore, the point of intersection of the graphs of the given equations is . The
y-coordinate of this point is 1.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 463eec13
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 463eec13
If , which of the following expressions is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 463eec13 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Taking the square root of an exponential expression halves the exponent, so ,
which further reduces to . This can be rewritten as .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from neglecting the denominator of the given expression and from incorrectly
calculating the square root of 16. Choice B is incorrect and may result from rewriting as rather than . Choice C is
incorrect and may result from taking the square root of the variables in the numerator twice instead of once.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3de7a7d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 3de7a7d7
Which of the following is a solution to the
equation ?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
ID: 3de7a7d7 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting x2 from both sides of the given equation yields x2 – 4 = 0. Adding 4 to both sides of the
equation gives x2 = 4. Taking the square root of both sides of the equation gives x = 2 or x = –2. Therefore, x = 2 is one
solution to the original equation.
Alternative approach: Subtracting x2 from both sides of the given equation yields x2 – 4 = 0. Factoring this equation gives x2
– 4 = (x + 2)(x – 2) = 0, such that x = 2 or x = –2. Therefore, x = 2 is one solution to the original equation.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of computation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a255ae72
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: a255ae72
If and , which of the
following is equal to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a255ae72 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that and . Using the distributive property, the expression can
be rewritten as . Substituting and for and , respectively, in this expression yields
. Expanding this expression yields
. Combining like terms, this expression can be rewritten as
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from an error in using the distributive property, substituting, or combining
like terms.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 652054da
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 652054da
An oceanographer uses the equation to model the speed s, in knots, of an
ocean wave, where p represents the period of the wave, in seconds. Which of the
following represents the period of the wave in terms of the speed of the wave?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 652054da Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that p represents the period of the ocean wave, so the equation can be solved for p to
represent the period of the wave in terms of the speed of the wave. Multiplying both sides of the equation by the reciprocal
of will isolate p. This yields , which simplifies to . Therefore, .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when rearranging the equation to solve for p.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID a520ba07
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: a520ba07
Which of the following expressions is equivalent
to the expression above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a520ba07 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. One of the properties of radicals is . Thus, the given expression can be rewritten as
. Simplifying by taking the cube root of each part gives x1 ⋅ y2, or xy2.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrect application of the properties of exponents and radicals.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID fcdf87b7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: fcdf87b7
If the ordered pair satisfies the system of equations above,
what is one possible value of x ?
ID: fcdf87b7 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is either 0 or 3. For an ordered pair to satisfy a system of equations, both the x- and y-values of the
ordered pair must satisfy each equation in the system. Both expressions on the right-hand side of the given equations are
equal to y, therefore it follows that both expressions on the right-hand side of the equations are equal to each other:
. This equation can be rewritten as , and then through factoring, the equation becomes
. Because the product of the two factors is equal to 0, it can be concluded that either or , or
rather, or . Note that 0 and 3 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b80d10d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: b80d10d7
What is the solution to the
equation above?
A. 0
B. 2
C. 3
D. 5
ID: b80d10d7 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since is equivalent to 1, the right-hand side of the given equation can be rewritten as
, or . Since the left- and right-hand sides of the equation have the same
denominator, it follows that . Applying the distributive property of multiplication to the expression
yields , or . Therefore, . Subtracting x and 2 from both sides of this equation yields .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. If , then . This can be rewritten as , which is a false
statement. Therefore, 0 isn’t a solution to the given equation. Substituting 3 and 5 into the given equation yields similarly
false statements.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d8789a4c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: d8789a4c
In the expression above, b and c are positive integers. If the expression is
equivalent to and , which of the following could be the value of c ?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 8
D. 10
ID: d8789a4c Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. If the given expression is equivalent to , then , where x isn’t equal to b. Multiplying
both sides of this equation by yields . Since the right-hand side of this equation is in factored
form for the difference of squares, the value of c must be a perfect square. Only choice A gives a perfect square for the value
of c.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. None of these values of c produces a difference of squares. For example, when 6 is
substituted for c in the given expression, the result is . The expression can’t be factored with integer values,
and therefore isn’t equivalent to .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 911383f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 911383f2
What is the product of the solutions to
the given equation?
A. 8
B. 3
C.
D.
ID: 911383f2 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. By the zero-product property, if , then , , or . Solving
each of these equations for yields , , or . The product of these solutions is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from sign errors made when solving the given equation. Choice B is incorrect and may
result from finding the sum, not the product, of the solutions. Choice C is incorrect and may result from finding the sum, not
the product, of the solutions in addition to making sign errors when solving the given equation.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 4ca30186
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 4ca30186
The graph of a system of a linear equation and a nonlinear equation is shown. What is the solution to this system?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 4ca30186 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The solution to the system of two equations corresponds to the point where the graphs of the equations
intersect. The graphs of the linear equation and the nonlinear equation shown intersect at the point . Thus, the solution
to the system is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 1d3fee25
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 1d3fee25
Which of the following is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 1d3fee25 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Using the distributive property to multiply 3 and gives , which can be rewritten as
.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from rewriting the given expression as . Choice B is incorrect and may
result from incorrectly rewriting the expression as . Choice D is incorrect and may result from incorrectly
rewriting the expression as .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b39d74a0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: b39d74a0
x y
0 0
1 1
2 8
3 27
The table shown includes some values of x and their corresponding values of y.
Which of the following graphs in the xy-plane could represent the relationship
between x and y ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b39d74a0 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Each pair of values shown in the table gives the ordered pair of coordinates for a point that lies on the
graph that represents the relationship between x and y in the xy-plane: , , , and . Only the graph in
choice B passes through the points listed in the table that are visible in the given choices.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. None of these graphs passes through the point .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ea6d05bb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: ea6d05bb
The expression is equivalent to the expression , where , , and are constants. What
is the value of ?
ID: ea6d05bb Answer
Correct Answer: -419
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the expression is equivalent to the expression
, where , , and are constants. Applying the distributive property to the given expression,
, yields , which can be rewritten as
. Combining like terms yields . Since this expression is equivalent to
, it follows that the value of is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 6ce95fc8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 6ce95fc8
Which of the following is a solution to
the equation above?
A. 2
B.
C.
D.
ID: 6ce95fc8 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. A quadratic equation in the form , where a, b, and c are constants, can be solved
using the quadratic formula: . Subtracting from both sides of the given equation yields
. Applying the quadratic formula, where , , and , yields
. This can be rewritten as . Since , or , the
equation can be rewritten as . Dividing 2 from both the numerator and denominator yields or
. Of these two solutions, only is present among the choices. Thus, the correct choice is D.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from a computational or conceptual error. Choice B is incorrect and may result from
using instead of as the quadratic formula. Choice C is incorrect and may
result from rewriting as instead of .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 137cc6fd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 137cc6fd
For what value of is the given expression equivalent to , where ?
ID: 137cc6fd Answer
Correct Answer: .0177, .0178, 4/225
Rationale
The correct answer is . An expression of the form , where is an integer greater than and , is equivalent to
. Therefore, the given expression, where , is equivalent to . Applying properties of exponents,
this expression can be rewritten as , or , which can be rewritten as , or .
It's given that the expression is equivalent to , where . It follows that is equivalent
to . Therefore, . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields , or . Thus, the value
of for which the given expression is equivalent to , where , is . Note that 4/225, .0177, .0178, 0.017, and
0.018 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 926c246b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 926c246b
The equation above estimates the global data traffic D, in terabytes, for the year
that is t years after 2010. What is the best interpretation of the number 5,640 in
this context?
A. The estimated amount of increase of data traffic, in terabytes, each year
B. The estimated percent increase in the data traffic, in terabytes, each year
C. The estimated data traffic, in terabytes, for the year that is t years after 2010
D. The estimated data traffic, in terabytes, in 2010
ID: 926c246b Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since t represents the number of years after 2010, the estimated data traffic, in terabytes, in 2010 can be
calculated using the given equation when . Substituting 0 for t in the given equation yields , or
. Thus, 5,640 represents the estimated data traffic, in terabytes, in 2010.
Choice A is incorrect. Since the equation is exponential, the amount of increase of data traffic each year isn’t constant.
Choice B is incorrect. According to the equation, the percent increase in data traffic each year is 90%. Choice C is incorrect.
The estimated data traffic, in terabytes, for the year that is t years after 2010 is represented by D, not the number 5,640.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 263f9937
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 263f9937
Growth of a Culture of Bacteria
Number of bacteria per
Day
milliliter at end of day
A culture of bacteria is growing at an exponential rate, as shown in the table above.
At this rate, on which day would the number of bacteria per milliliter reach
?
A. Day 5
B. Day 9
C. Day 11
D. Day 12
ID: 263f9937 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of bacteria per milliliter is doubling each day. For example, from day 1 to day 2, the number
of bacteria increased from 2.5 × 105 to 5.0 × 105. At the end of day 3 there are 106 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 4,
there will be 106 × 2 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 5, there will be (106 × 2) × 2, or 106 × (22) bacteria per milliliter,
and so on. At the end of day d, the number of bacteria will be 106 × (2d – 3). If the number of bacteria per milliliter will reach
5.12 × 108 at the end of day d, then the equation must hold. Since 5.12 × 108 can be rewritten
as 512 × 106, the equation is equivalent to . Rewriting 512 as 29 gives d – 3 = 9, so d = 12. The number of
bacteria per milliliter would reach 5.12 × 108 at the end of day 12.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Given the growth rate of the bacteria, the number of bacteria will not reach 5.12 × 108 per
milliliter by the end of any of these days.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID cc776a04
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: cc776a04
Which of the following is an equivalent form of
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: cc776a04 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The first expression can be rewritten as . Applying the
distributive property to this product yields . This difference can be rewritten
as . Distributing the factor of through the second expression
yields . Regrouping like terms, the expression becomes
. Combining like terms yields .
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and likely result from errors made when applying the distributive property or combining the
resulting like terms.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 34847f8a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 34847f8a
The equation above is true for all , where r and t are positive
constants. What is the value of rt ?
A.
B. 15
C. 20
D. 60
ID: 34847f8a Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. To express the sum of the two rational expressions on the left-hand side of the equation as the single
rational expression on the right-hand side of the equation, the expressions on the left-hand side must have the same
denominator. Multiplying the first expression by results in , and multiplying the second expression by
results in , so the given equation can be rewritten as
, or . Since the two
rational expressions on the left-hand side of the equation have the same denominator as the rational expression on the right-
hand side of the equation, it follows that . Combining like terms on the left-hand side yields
, so it follows that and . Therefore, the value of is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error when determining the sign of either r or t. Choice B is incorrect and may
result from not distributing the 2 and 3 to their respective terms in .
Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9654add7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 9654add7
The revenue , in dollars, that a company receives from sales of a product is
given by the function f above, where x is the unit price, in dollars, of the product.
The graph of in the xy-plane intersects the x-axis at 0 and a. What does a
represent?
A. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0
B. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue
C. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0
D. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make
ID: 9654add7 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. By definition, the y-value when a function intersects the x-axis is 0. It’s given that the graph of the
function intersects the x-axis at 0 and a, that x is the unit price, in dollars, of a product, and that , where , is the
revenue, in dollars, that a company receives from the sales of the product. Since the value of a occurs when , a is the
unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0.
Choice A is incorrect. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0 is represented by , when .
Choice B is incorrect. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue is represented by the x-
coordinate of the maximum of f. Choice D is incorrect. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make is
represented by the y-coordinate of the maximum of f.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID f89e1d6f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: f89e1d6f
If , which of the following is equivalent to the
expression ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: f89e1d6f Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Factoring –1 from the second, third, and fourth terms gives x2 – c2 – 2cd – d2 = x2 – (c2 + 2cd + d2). The
expression c2 + 2cd + d2 is the expanded form of a perfect square: c2 + 2cd + d2 = (c + d)2. Therefore, x2 – (c2 + 2cd + d2) =
x2 – (c + d)2. Since a = c + d, x2 – (c + d)2 = x2 – a2. Finally, because x2 – a2 is the difference of squares, it can be expanded
as x2 – a2 = (x + a)(x – a).
Choices A and B are incorrect and may be the result of making an error in factoring the difference of squares x2 – a2. Choice
D is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly combining terms.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID df0ef054
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: df0ef054
Which of the following is equivalent to
the expression above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: df0ef054 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Using the distributive property to multiply the terms in the parentheses yields
, which is equivalent to . Combining like terms
results in .
Choices A and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual errors when multiplying the terms in the given expression.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from adding, instead of multiplying, and .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 4b642eef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 4b642eef
The total distance d, in meters, traveled by an object moving in a straight line can
be modeled by a quadratic function that is defined in terms of t, where t is the time
in seconds. At a time of 10.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by the object is
50.0 meters, and at a time of 20.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by the
object is 200.0 meters. If the object was at a distance of 0 meters when , then
what is the total distance traveled, in meters, by the object after 30.0 seconds?
ID: 4b642eef Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 450. The quadratic equation that models this situation can be written in the form ,
where a, b, and c are constants. It’s given that the distance, d, the object traveled was 0 meters when seconds. These
values can be substituted into the equation to solve for a, b, and c: . Therefore, , and it follows that
. Since it’s also given that d is 50 when t is 10 and d is 200 when t is 20, these values for d and t can be
substituted to create a system of two linear equations: and , or
and . Subtracting the first equation from the second equation yields , or . Substituting for a
in the first equation and solving for b yields . Therefore, the equation that represents this situation is .
Evaluating this function when seconds yields , or meters.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3e9cc0c2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 3e9cc0c2
Which of the following is equivalent to
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 3e9cc0c2 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Multiplying (1 – p) by each term of the polynomial within the second pair of parentheses gives (1 – p)1 =
1 – p; (1 – p)p = p – p2; (1 – p)p2 = p2 – p3; (1 – p)p3 = p3 – p4; (1 – p)p4 = p4 – p5; (1 – p)p5 = p5 – p6; and (1 – p)p6 = p6 –
p7. Adding these seven expressions together and combining like terms gives 1 + (p – p) + (p2 – p2) + (p3 – p3) + (p4 – p4) +
(p5 – p5) + (p6 – p6) – p7, which can be simplified to 1 – p7.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly identifying the highest power of p in the expressions or
incorrectly combining like terms.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 2c5c22d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 2c5c22d0
How many solutions are there to the
system of equations above?
A. There are exactly 4 solutions.
B. There are exactly 2 solutions.
C. There is exactly 1 solution.
D. There are no solutions.
ID: 2c5c22d0 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The second equation of the system can be rewritten as . Substituting for y in the first
equation gives . This equation can be solved as shown below:
Substituting 1 for x in the equation gives . Therefore, is the only solution to the system of
equations.
Choice A is incorrect. In the xy-plane, a parabola and a line can intersect at no more than two points. Since the graph of the
first equation is a parabola and the graph of the second equation is a line, the system cannot have more than 2 solutions.
Choice B is incorrect. There is a single ordered pair that satisfies both equations of the system. Choice D is incorrect
because the ordered pair satisfies both equations of the system.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7348f046
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 7348f046
Which of the following is equivalent to
the given expression?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 7348f046 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Distributing the negative sign to the terms in the second parentheses yields . This
expression can be rewritten as . Combining like terms results in .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from not distributing the negative sign to the 7. Choice B is incorrect and may result
from adding to instead of subtracting . Choice D is incorrect and may result from adding the product of
and x to the product of 3 and 7.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 928498f3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 928498f3
What are the solutions to the
given equation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 928498f3 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The quadratic formula, , can be used to find the solutions to an equation in the
form . In the given equation, , , and . Substituting these values into the quadratic
formula gives , or .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from using as the quadratic formula. Choice C is incorrect and may
result from using as the quadratic formula. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using
as the quadratic formula.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID b47419f4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: b47419f4
Which of the following is equivalent to
the expression above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b47419f4 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. By distributing the minus sign through the expression , the given expression can be rewritten
as , which is equivalent to . Combining like terms gives , or
Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of failing to distribute the minus sign appropriately through the second term and
simplifying the expression . Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of multiplying the expressions
and . Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of multiplying the expressions and
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID fc3dfa26
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: fc3dfa26
What value of x satisfies the
equation above?
A.
B.
C.
D. 3
ID: fc3dfa26 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Each fraction in the given equation can be expressed with the common denominator . Multiplying
by yields , and multiplying by yields . Therefore, the given equation can be
written as . Multiplying each fraction by the denominator results in the equation
, or . This equation can be solved by setting a quadratic expression equal to 0,
then solving for x. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . The expression
can be factored, resulting in the equation . By the zero product property, or . To solve
for x in , 1 can be added to both sides of the equation, resulting in . Dividing both sides of this equation by
2 results in . Solving for x in yields . However, this value of x would result in the second fraction of
the original equation having a denominator of 0. Therefore, is an extraneous solution. Thus, the only value of x that
satisfies the given equation is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving but not realizing that this solution is extraneous because it
would result in a denominator of 0 in the second fraction. Choice B is incorrect and may result from a sign error when solving
for x. Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8838a672
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 8838a672
Which of the following expressions is equivalent
to the expression above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 8838a672 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Using the distributive property, the given expression can be rewritten as .
Combining like terms, this expression can be rewritten as , which is equivalent to
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from an error when applying the distributive property or an error when
combining like terms.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID eb268057
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: eb268057
Which of the following values of x
satisfies the given equation?
A.
B. 4
C. 32
D. 128
ID: eb268057 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Solving for x by taking the square root of both sides of the given equation yields or . Of the
choices given, satisfies the given equation.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error when solving for x. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
dividing 64 by 2 instead of taking the square root. Choice D is incorrect and may result from multiplying 64 by 2 instead of
taking the square root.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 9f2ecade
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 9f2ecade
The function h is defined above, where a, b, and c are integer constants. If the zeros
of the function are 6, and 7, what is the value of c ?
ID: 9f2ecade Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 210. Since , 6, and 7 are zeros of the function, the function can be rewritten as
. Expanding the function yields . Thus, , , and
. Therefore, the value of c is 210.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 0b3d25c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 0b3d25c5
Which of the following is equivalent to
, where ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0b3d25c5 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The given expression can also be written as . The trinomial can be
rewritten in factored form as . Thus, the entire expression can be rewritten as . Simplifying the
exponents yields .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from errors made when simplifying the exponents in the expression
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e117d3b8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: e117d3b8
If a and c are positive numbers, which of the following is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e117d3b8 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Using the property that for positive numbers x and y, with x = (a + c)3 and y = a + c, it
follows that . By rewriting (a + c)4 as ((a + c)2)2, it is possible to simplify the square root
expression as follows: .
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of . Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of
incorrectly rewriting (a + c)2 as a2 + c2. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly applying properties of
exponents.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 98f735f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 98f735f2
The total revenue from sales of a product can be calculated using the formula
, where T is the total revenue, P is the price of the product, and Q is the
quantity of the product sold. Which of the following equations gives the quantity of
product sold in terms of P and T ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 98f735f2 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Solving the given equation for Q gives the quantity of the product sold in terms of P and T. Dividing both
sides of the given equation by P yields , or . Therefore, gives the quantity of product sold in terms
of P and T.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error when dividing both sides of the given equation by P. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from multiplying, rather than dividing, both sides of the given equation by P. Choice D is incorrect and may
result from subtracting P from both sides of the equation rather than dividing both sides by P.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 6f5540a5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 6f5540a5
Kao measured the temperature of a cup of hot chocolate placed in a room with a
constant temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The temperature of the hot
chocolate was 185°F at 6:00 p.m. when it started cooling. The temperature of the
hot chocolate was 156°F at 6:05 p.m. and 135°F at 6:10 p.m. The hot chocolate’s
temperature continued to decrease. Of the following functions, which best models
the temperature , in degrees Fahrenheit, of Kao’s hot chocolate m minutes
after it started cooling?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 6f5540a5 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The hot chocolate cools from 185°F over time, never going lower than the room temperature, 70°F. Since
the base of the exponent in this function, 0.75, is less than 1, decreases as time increases. Using the function, the
temperature, in °F, at 6:00 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to . The temperature, in °F, at
6:05 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which is approximately 156°F. Finally, the
temperature, in °F, at 6:10 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which is approximately 135°F.
Since these three given values of m and their corresponding values for can be verified using the function
, this is the best function out of the given choices to model the temperature of Kao’s hot
chocolate after m minutes.
Choice A is incorrect because the base of the exponent, , results in the value of increasing over time rather than
decreasing. Choice B is incorrect because when m is large enough, becomes less than 70. Choice C is incorrect
because the maximum value of at 6:00 p.m. is 115°F, not 185°F.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 50418728
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 50418728
The graph of the polynomial function , where , is shown. The y-intercept of the graph is . What is the value
of ?
ID: 50418728 Answer
Correct Answer: -3
Rationale
The correct answer is . The y-intercept of the graph of a function in the xy-plane is the point where the graph crosses the
y-axis. The graph of the polynomial function shown crosses the y-axis at the point . It's given that the y-intercept of
the graph is . Thus, the value of is .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID f5e8ccf1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: f5e8ccf1
The function f is defined above. Which of the following is NOT an x-intercept of
the graph of the function in the xy-plane?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: f5e8ccf1 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The graph of the function f in the xy-plane has x-intercepts at the points , where .
Substituting 0 for in the given equation yields . By the zero product property, if
, then , , or . Solving each of these linear equations for x, it follows
that , , and , respectively. This means that the graph of the function f in the xy-plane has three x-
intercepts: , , and . Therefore, isn’t an x-intercept of the graph of the function f.
Alternate approach: Substitution may be used. Since by definition an x-intercept of any graph is a point in the form
where k is a constant, and since all points in the options are in this form, it need only be checked whether the points in the
options lie on the graph of the function f. Substituting for x and 0 for in the given equation yields
, or . Therefore, the point doesn’t lie on the graph of the
function f and can’t be an x-intercept of the graph.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because each of these points is an x-intercept of the graph of the function f in the xy-plane.
By definition, an x-intercept is a point on the graph of the form , where k is a constant. Substituting for x and 0 for
in the given equation yields , or . Since this is a true statement, the point
lies on the graph of the function f and is an x-intercept of the graph. Performing similar substitution using the points
and also yields the true statement , illustrating that these points also lie on the graph of the function f and
are x-intercepts of the graph.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID fb96a5b3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: fb96a5b3
Which of the following expressions is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: fb96a5b3 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Applying the distributive property to the given expression yields , or .
Adding the like terms and 2 results in the expression .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying by 2 without multiplying by 2 when applying the distributive
property. Choices C and D are incorrect and may result from computational or conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b73ee6cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: b73ee6cf
The population of a town is currently 50,000, and the population is estimated to
increase each year by 3% from the previous year. Which of the following equations
can be used to estimate the number of years, t, it will take for the population of the
town to reach 60,000 ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b73ee6cf Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Stating that the population will increase each year by 3% from the previous year is equivalent to saying
that the population each year will be 103% of the population the year before. Since the initial population is 50,000, the
population after t years is given by 50,000(1.03)t. It follows that the equation 60,000 = 50,000(1.03)t can be used to estimate
the number of years it will take for the population to reach 60,000.
Choice A is incorrect. This equation models how long it will take the population to decrease from 60,000 to 50,000, which is
impossible given the growth factor. Choice B is incorrect and may result from misinterpreting a 3% growth as growth by a
factor of 3. Additionally, this equation attempts to model how long it will take the population to decrease from 60,000 to
50,000. Choice C is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding how to model percent growth by multiplying the initial
amount by a factor greater than 1.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID e597050f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: e597050f
Which expression is equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e597050f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Combining like terms in the given expression yields , or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 7eed640d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 7eed640d
The quadratic function above models the height above the ground h, in feet, of a
projectile x seconds after it had been launched vertically. If is graphed in
the xy-plane, which of the following represents the real-life meaning of the positive
x-intercept of the graph?
A. The initial height of the projectile
B. The maximum height of the projectile
C. The time at which the projectile reaches its maximum height
D. The time at which the projectile hits the ground
ID: 7eed640d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The positive x-intercept of the graph of is a point for which . Since models
the height above the ground, in feet, of the projectile, a y-value of 0 must correspond to the height of the projectile when it is
0 feet above ground or, in other words, when the projectile is on the ground. Since x represents the time since the projectile
was launched, it follows that the positive x-intercept, , represents the time at which the projectile hits the ground.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from misidentifying the y-intercept as a positive x-intercept. Choice B is incorrect and
may result from misidentifying the y-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from misidentifying the x-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2d2ab76b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 2d2ab76b
When the equations above are graphed in the xy-plane, what are the coordinates (x,
y) of the points of intersection of the two graphs?
A. and
B. and
C. and
D. and
ID: 2d2ab76b Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The two equations form a system of equations, and the solutions to the system correspond to the points
of intersection of the graphs. The solutions to the system can be found by substitution. Since the second equation gives y =
3, substituting 3 for y in the first equation gives 3 = x2 – 1. Adding 1 to both sides of the equation gives 4 = x2. Solving by
taking the square root of both sides of the equation gives x = ±2. Since y = 3 for all values of x for the second equation, the
solutions are (2, 3) and (–2, 3). Therefore, the points of intersection of the two graphs are (2, 3) and (–2, 3).
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 43926bd9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 43926bd9
For the exponential function f, the table above shows several values of x and their corresponding values of , where a
is a constant greater than 1. If k is a constant and , what is the value of k ?
ID: 43926bd9 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 8. The values of for the exponential function f shown in the table increase by a factor of for
each increase of 1 in x. This relationship can be represented by the equation , where b is a constant. It’s given
that when , . Substituting 2 for x and for into yields . Since
, it follows that . Thus, an equation that defines the function f is . It follows that the value
of k such that can be found by solving the equation , which yields .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 0354c7de
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 0354c7de
Which of the following is equivalent to
the given expression?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0354c7de Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since 5 is a factor of both terms, and 15, the given expression can be factored and rewritten as
.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from subtracting 5 from the constant when factoring 5 from the given expression.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from factoring 5 from only the first term, not both terms, of the given expression. Choice
D is incorrect and may result from adding 5 to the constant when factoring 5 from the given expression.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID c602140f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: c602140f
Which of the following is equivalent to
the expression above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c602140f Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Expanding all terms yields (x – 11y)(2x – 3y) – 12y(–2x + 3y), which is equivalent to 2x2 – 22xy – 3xy +
33y2 + 24xy – 36y2. Combining like terms gives 2x2 – xy – 3y2.
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of using the sums of the coefficients of the existing x and y terms as the
coefficients of the x and y terms in the new expressions. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly combining
like terms. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of using the incorrect sign in front of the 12y term.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 4236c5a3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 4236c5a3
If , which of the following is a
possible value of x ?
A. 1
B.
C.
D.
ID: 4236c5a3 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. If , then taking the square root of each side of the equation gives or .
Solving these equations for x gives or . Of these, is the only solution given as a choice.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving the equation and making a sign error. Choice B is incorrect and
may result from solving the equation . Choice C is incorrect and may result from finding a possible value of .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a7711fe8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: a7711fe8
What is the minimum value of the function f
defined by ?
A.
B.
C. 2
D. 4
ID: a7711fe8 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given quadratic function f is in vertex form, , where is the vertex of the
graph of in the xy-plane. Therefore, the vertex of the graph of is . In addition, the y-coordinate of
the vertex represents either the minimum or maximum value of a quadratic function, depending on whether the graph of the
function opens upward or downward. Since the leading coefficient of f (the coefficient of the term ) is 1, which is
positive, the graph of opens upward. It follows that at , the minimum value of the function f is .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from making a sign error and from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice D is incorrect and may result from making a sign
error.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3b4b8831
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 3b4b8831
What is the negative solution to the given equation?
ID: 3b4b8831 Answer
Correct Answer: -3
Rationale
The correct answer is . Dividing both sides of the given equation by yields . Taking the square root of both
sides of this equation yields the solutions and . Therefore, the negative solution to the given equation is .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f5247e52
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: f5247e52
In the equation above, a and c are positive constants. How many times does the
graph of the equation above intersect the graph of the equation in the xy-
plane?
A. Zero
B. One
C. Two
D. More than two
ID: f5247e52 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is given that the constants a and c are both positive; therefore, the graph of the given quadratic
equation is a parabola that opens up with a vertex on the y-axis at a point below the x-axis. The graph of the second equation
provided is a horizontal line that lies above the x-axis. A horizontal line above the x-axis will intersect a parabola that opens
up and has a vertex below the x-axis in exactly two points.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and are the result of not understanding the relationships of the graphs of the two equations
given. Choice A is incorrect because the two graphs intersect. Choice B is incorrect because in order for there to be only one
intersection point, the horizontal line would have to intersect the parabola at the vertex, but the vertex is below the x-axis and
the line is above the x-axis. Choice D is incorrect because a line cannot intersect a parabola in more than two points.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1a722d7d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 1a722d7d
Let the function p be defined as , where c is a constant. If
, what is the value of ?
A. 10.00
B. 10.25
C. 10.75
D. 11.00
ID: 1a722d7d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The value of p(12) depends on the value of the constant c, so the value of c must first be determined. It
is given that p(c) = 10. Based on the definition of p, it follows that:
This means that for all values of x. Therefore:
Choice A is incorrect. It is the value of p(8), not p(12). Choices B and C are incorrect. If one of these values were correct, then
x = 12 and the selected value of p(12) could be substituted into the equation to solve for c. However, the values of c that
result from choices B and C each result in p(c) < 10.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID f11ffa93
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: f11ffa93
What value of x satisfies the
equation above?
ID: f11ffa93 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 117. Squaring both sides of the given equation gives , or . Subtracting 4 from
both sides of this equation gives .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ee05c84e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: ee05c84e
The function f is defined above. What is
the value of ?
A. 250
B. 500
C. 750
D. 2,000
ID: ee05c84e Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Adding the like terms x and yields the equation . Substituting 20 for x
yields . The product is equal to 25, and the difference is equal to 30.
Substituting these values in the given equation gives , and multiplying 25 by 30 results in .
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational errors when finding the value of .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 5c00c2c1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 5c00c2c1
There were no jackrabbits in Australia before 1788 when 24 jackrabbits were
introduced. By 1920 the population of jackrabbits had reached 10 billion. If the
population had grown exponentially, this would correspond to a 16.2% increase, on
average, in the population each year. Which of the following functions best models
the population of jackrabbits t years after 1788?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 5c00c2c1 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. This exponential growth model can be written in the form , where is the population t
years after 1788, A is the initial population, and r is the yearly growth rate, expressed as a decimal. Since there were 24
jackrabbits in Australia in 1788, . Since the number of jackrabbits increased by an average of 16.2% each year,
. Therefore, the equation that best models this situation is .
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the form of an exponential growth model.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 974d33dc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: 974d33dc
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to the sum of
and ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 974d33dc Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Grouping like terms, the given expressions can be rewritten as . This can
be rewritten as .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from adding the two sets of unlike terms, and as well as and , and then
adding the respective exponents. Choice B is incorrect and may result from adding the unlike terms and as if they were
and and adding the unlike terms and as if they were and . Choice C is incorrect and may result from
errors when combining like terms.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID d4d513ff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent
expressions
ID: d4d513ff
Which expression is equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d4d513ff Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Each term in the given expression, , has a common factor of . Therefore, the expression can
be rewritten as , or . Thus, the expression is equivalent to the given expression.
Choice A is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to , not .
Choice B is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to , not .
Choice D is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to , not .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 58b109d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations
in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables
ID: 58b109d4
The solution to the given system of equations is . What is the value of ?
ID: 58b109d4 Answer
Correct Answer: -10
Rationale
The correct answer is . Adding to both sides of the second equation in the given system yields .
Substituting for in the first equation in the given system yields . Subtracting from
both sides of this equation yields . Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields
, or . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields .
Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Therefore, the value of is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 85939da5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 85939da5
Texting Talks on cell Does not talk on
behavior phone daily cell phone daily Total
Light 110 146 256
Medium 139 164 303
Heavy 166 74 240
Total 415 384 799
In a study of cell phone use, 799 randomly selected US teens were asked how
often they talked on a cell phone and about their texting behavior. The data are
summarized in the table above. Based on the data from the study, an estimate of
the percent of US teens who are heavy texters is 30% and the associated margin of
error is 3%. Which of the following is a correct statement based on the given
margin of error?
A. Approximately 3% of the teens in the study who are classified as heavy texters are not really heavy texters.
B. It is not possible that the percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is less than 27%.
C. The percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is 33%.
D. It is doubtful that the percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is 35%.
ID: 85939da5 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The given margin of error of 3% indicates that the actual percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is
likely within 3% of the estimate of 30%, or between 27% and 33%. Therefore, it is unlikely, or doubtful, that the percent of all
US teens who are heavy texters would be 35%.
Choice A is incorrect. The margin of error doesn’t provide any information about the accuracy of reporting in the study.
Choice B is incorrect. Based on the estimate and given margin of error, it is unlikely that the percent of all US teens who are
heavy texters would be less than 27%, but it is possible. Choice C is incorrect. While the percent of all US teens who are
heavy texters is likely between 27% and 33%, any value within this interval is equally likely. We can’t be certain that the value
is exactly 33%.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID e29586d5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: e29586d5
Number of Contestants by Score and Day
5 out 4 out 3 out 2 out 1 out 0 out
Total
of 5 of 5 of 5 of 5 of 5 of 5
Day
2 3 4 6 2 3 20
1
Day
2 3 5 5 4 1 20
2
Day
3 3 4 5 3 2 20
3
Total 7 9 13 16 9 6 60
The same 20 contestants, on each of 3 days, answered 5 questions in order to win a prize. Each contestant received 1 point
for each correct answer. The number of contestants receiving a given score on each day is shown in the table above.
No contestant received the same score on two different days. If a contestant is
selected at random, what is the probability that the selected contestant received a
score of 5 on Day 2 or Day 3, given that the contestant received a score of 5 on one
of the three days?
ID: e29586d5 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . It is given that no contestant received the same score on two different days, so each of the
contestants who received a score of 5 is represented in the “5 out of 5” column of the table exactly once. Therefore, the
probability of selecting a contestant who received a score of 5 on Day 2 or Day 3, given that the contestant received a score
of 5 on one of the three days, is found by dividing the total number of contestants who received a score of 5 on Day 2 or Day
3 by the total number of contestants who received a score of 5, which is given in the table as 7. So the probability
is . Note that 5/7, .7142, .7143, and 0.714 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 954943a4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 954943a4
Jennifer bought a box of Crunchy Grain cereal. The nutrition facts on the box state
that a serving size of the cereal is cup and provides 210 calories, 50 of which
are calories from fat. In addition, each serving of the cereal provides 180
milligrams of potassium, which is 5% of the daily allowance for adults. If p percent
of an adult’s daily allowance of potassium is provided by x servings of Crunchy
Grain cereal per day, which of the following expresses p in terms of x ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 954943a4 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that each serving of Crunchy Grain cereal provides 5% of an adult’s daily allowance of
potassium, so x servings would provide x times 5%. The percentage of an adult’s daily allowance of potassium, p, is 5 times
the number of servings, x. Therefore, the percentage of an adult’s daily allowance of potassium can be expressed as .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly converting 5% to its decimal equivalent, which isn’t
necessary since p is expressed as a percentage. Additionally, choices C and D are incorrect because the context should be
represented by a linear relationship, not by an exponential relationship.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b1b5300b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: b1b5300b
Prices of 14 Different Cars
Priced at no more Priced greater
Type of car Total
than $25,000 than $25,000
Nonhybrid 5 3 8
Hybrid 2 4 6
Total 7 7 14
The table above shows information about 14 cars listed for sale on an auto dealership’s website. If one of the
cars listed for sale is selected at random, what is the probability that the car selected will be a hybrid car
priced at no more than $25,000 ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b1b5300b Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that there are 2 hybrid cars priced at no more than $25,000. It’s also given that there are 14 cars
total for sale. Therefore, the probability of selecting a hybrid priced at no more than $25,000 when one car is chosen at
random is .
Choice B is incorrect. This is the probability of selecting a hybrid car priced greater than $25,000 when choosing one car at
random. Choice C is incorrect. This is the probability, when choosing randomly from only the hybrid cars, of selecting one
priced at no more than $25,000. Choice D is incorrect. This is the probability of selecting a hybrid car when selecting at
random from only the cars priced greater than $25,000.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d28c29e1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: d28c29e1
The International Space Station orbits Earth at an average speed of 4.76 miles per
second. What is the space station’s average speed in miles per hour?
A. 285.6
B. 571.2
C. 856.8
D. 17,136.0
ID: d28c29e1 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 1 minute = 60 seconds and 1 hour = 60 minutes, it follows that 1 hour = (60)(60), or 3,600
seconds. Using this conversion factor, the space station’s average speed of 4.76 miles per second is equal to an average
speed of , or 17,136 miles per hour.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the space station’s average speed in miles per minute. Choice B is incorrect. This is double the
space station’s average speed in miles per minute, or the number of miles the space station travels on average in 2 minutes.
Choice C is incorrect. This is triple the space station’s average speed in miles per minute, or the number of miles the space
station travels on average in 3 minutes.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1adb39f0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 1adb39f0
The scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables, x and y. A line of
best fit for the data is also shown. Which of the following is closest to the
difference between the y-coordinate of the data point with and the y-value
predicted by the line of best fit at ?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 5
D. 12
ID: 1adb39f0 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The data point with has a y-coordinate of 12. The y-value predicted by the line of best fit at
is approximately 11. The difference between the y-coordinate of the data point and the y-value predicted by the line of best fit
at is , or 1.
Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly reading the scatterplot. Choice D is incorrect. This is the y-
coordinate of the data point at .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3f5398a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 3f5398a6
For a person m miles from a flash of lightning, the length of the time interval from
the moment the person sees the lightning to the moment the person hears the
thunder is k seconds. The ratio of m to k can be estimated to be 1 to 5. According
to this estimate, the person is how many miles from a flash of lightning if the time
interval is 25 seconds?
A. 10
B. 9
C. 6
D. 5
ID: 3f5398a6 Answer
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the ratio of m to k is estimated to be 1 to 5. Therefore, when , the relationship
between these ratios can be expressed by the proportion . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 25 yields
.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b4912cc5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: b4912cc5
The population density of Iceland, in people per square kilometer of land area,
increased from 2.5 in 1990 to 3.3 in 2014. During this time period, the land area of
Iceland was 100,250 square kilometers. By how many people did Iceland’s
population increase from 1990 to 2014?
A. 330,825
B. 132,330
C. 125,312
D. 80,200
ID: b4912cc5 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The increase in Iceland’s population can be found by multiplying the increase in population density, in
people per square kilometer, by the area, in square kilometers. It’s given that the population density of Iceland was 2.5 people
per square kilometer in 1990 and 3.3 people per square kilometer in 2014. The increase in population density can be found
by subtracting 2.5 from 3.3, which yields 0.8. It’s given that the land area of Iceland was 100,250 square kilometers. Thus, the
increase in population is , or 80,200.
Alternate approach: It’s given that the population density of Iceland, in people per square kilometer of land area, in 1990 was
2.5. Since the land area of Iceland was 100,250 square kilometers, it follows that the population of Iceland in 1990 was
, or 250,625. Similarly, the population of Iceland in 2014 was , or 330,825. The population
increase is the difference in the population from 1990 to 2014, or , which yields 80,200. Therefore,
Iceland’s population increased by 80,200 from 1990 to 2014.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the population of Iceland in 2014. Choice B is incorrect and may result from dividing 3.3 by 2.5,
instead of subtracting 2.5 from 3.3. Choice C is incorrect and may result from dividing the population of Iceland in 1990 by 2.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID c7e73ece
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: c7e73ece
Views on Nuclear Energy
Use
Response Frequency
Strongly favor 56
Somewhat
214
favor
Somewhat
104
oppose
Strongly
37
oppose
A researcher interviewed 411 randomly selected US residents and asked about their views on the use of nuclear energy. The
table above summarizes the responses of the interviewees. If the population of the United States was 300 million when the
survey was given, based on the sample data for the 411 US residents, what is the best estimate, in millions, of the difference
between the number of US residents who somewhat favor or strongly favor the use of nuclear energy and the number of
those who somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it? (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.)
ID: c7e73ece Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 94. Of those interviewed, “strongly favor” or “somewhat favor” the use of nuclear
energy, and interviewees “somewhat oppose” or “strongly oppose” the use of nuclear energy. The difference
between the sizes of the two surveyed groups is . The proportion of this difference among the entire group
of interviewees is . Because the sample of interviewees was selected at random from US residents, it is reasonable to
assume that the proportion of this difference is the same among all US residents as in the sample. Therefore, the best
estimate, in millions, of the difference between the number of US residents who somewhat favor or strongly favor the use of
nuclear energy and the number of those who somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it is , which to the nearest
million is 94.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID f890dc20
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: f890dc20
What is the median of the seven
data values shown?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 9
ID: f890dc20 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. When a data set has an odd number of values, the median can be found by ordering the values from
least to greatest and determining the value in the middle. Since the values are already presented in order from least to
greatest and there are 7 values, the median is the fourth value in the list. Therefore, the median is 3.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the mode. Choice C is incorrect. This is the mean. Choice D is incorrect. This is the range.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 65c49824
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 65c49824
A school district is forming a committee to discuss plans for the construction of a
new high school. Of those invited to join the committee, 15% are parents of
students, 45% are teachers from the current high school, 25% are school and
district administrators, and the remaining 6 individuals are students. How many
more teachers were invited to join the committee than school and district
administrators?
ID: 65c49824 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 8. The 6 students represent of those invited to join the committee. If
x people were invited to join the committee, then . Thus, there were people invited to join the
committee. It follows that there were teachers and school and district administrators invited
to join the committee. Therefore, there were 8 more teachers than school and district administrators invited to join the
committee.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1ea09200
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 1ea09200
A sample of 40 fourth-grade students was selected at random from a certain
school. The 40 students completed a survey about the morning announcements,
and 32 thought the announcements were helpful. Which of the following is the
largest population to which the results of the survey can be applied?
A. The 40 students who were surveyed
B. All fourth-grade students at the school
C. All students at the school
D. All fourth-grade students in the county in which the school is located
ID: 1ea09200 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Selecting a sample of a reasonable size at random to use for a survey allows the results from that survey
to be applied to the population from which the sample was selected, but not beyond this population. In this case, the
population from which the sample was selected is all fourth-grade students at a certain school. Therefore, the results of the
survey can be applied to all fourth-grade students at the school.
Choice A is incorrect. The results of the survey can be applied to the 40 students who were surveyed. However, this isn’t the
largest group to which the results of the survey can be applied. Choices C and D are incorrect. Since the sample was
selected at random from among the fourth-grade students at a certain school, the results of the survey can’t be applied to
other students at the school or to other fourth-grade students who weren’t represented in the survey results. Students in
other grades in the school or other fourth-grade students in the country may feel differently about announcements than the
fourth-grade students at the school.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 82aaa0a1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 82aaa0a1
Of the following, which is the best model for
the data in the scatterplot?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 82aaa0a1 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The graphical model that most closely fits the data in the scatterplot is a model in which the number of
data points above and below the model are approximately balanced. Fitting a graphical model to the data shown results in
an upward-facing parabola with a y-intercept near and a vertex with an approximate x-value of 2.5. Of the given
choices, only choice B gives an equation of an upward-facing parabola with a y-intercept at . Furthermore, substituting
2.5 for x into the equation in choice B yields . This is approximately the y-value of the vertex of the model.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. These equations don’t give a graphical model that best fits the data. At , they have y-
values of , , and 3, respectively. At , they have y-values of , , and 3, respectively.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 37930b2a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 37930b2a
Residents of a town were surveyed to determine whether they are satisfied with the
concession stand at the local park. A random sample of 200 residents was
selected. All 200 responded, and 87% said they are satisfied. Based on this
information, which of the following statements must be true?
I. Of all the town residents, 87% would say they are satisfied with the concession stand at the local park.
II. If another random sample of 200 residents were surveyed, 87% would say they are satisfied.
A. Neither
B. I only
C. II only
D. I and II
ID: 37930b2a Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The purpose of surveying a random sample of residents is to approximate the percent of the town
residents that are satisfied with the concession stand. The sample doesn’t necessarily get the same result as surveying
every resident of the town, nor would another sample necessarily have identical results. Therefore, although it’s possible that
either statement I or statement II could prove true by surveying every resident of the town, these statements cannot be
proven true solely based on the results of the sample.
Choice B is incorrect because surveying a sample of the town residents may not have the same result as surveying all the
town residents. Choices C and D are incorrect because surveying a different sample of residents could yield different results.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 83272c51
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 83272c51
In an experiment, a heated cup of coffee is removed from a heat source, and the
cup of coffee is then left in a room that is kept at a constant temperature. The
graph above shows the temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit (°F), of the coffee
immediately after being removed from the heat source and at 10-minute intervals
thereafter. During which of the following 10-minute intervals does the temperature
of the coffee decrease at the greatest average rate?
A. Between 0 and 10 minutes
B. Between 30 and 40 minutes
C. Between 50 and 60 minutes
D. Between 90 and 100 minutes
ID: 83272c51 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The average rate of change in temperature of the coffee in degrees Fahrenheit per minute is calculated
by dividing the difference between two recorded temperatures by the number of minutes in the corresponding interval of
time. Since the time intervals given are all 10 minutes, the average rate of change is greatest for the points with the greatest
difference in temperature. Of the choices, the greatest difference in temperature occurs between 0 and 10 minutes.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the average rate of change from the graph.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 4c774b00
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 4c774b00
Ages of 20 Students Enrolled in a College Class
Age Frequency
18 6
19 5
20 4
21 2
22 1
23 1
30 1
The table above shows the distribution of ages of the 20 students enrolled in a
college class. Which of the following gives the correct order of the mean, median,
and mode of the ages?
A. mode < median < mean
B. mode < mean < median
C. median < mode < mean
D. mean < mode < median
ID: 4c774b00 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The mode is the data value with the highest frequency. So for the data shown, the mode is 18. The
median is the middle data value when the data values are sorted from least to greatest. Since there are 20 ages ordered, the
median is the average of the two middle values, the 10th and 11th, which for these data are both 19. Therefore, the median is
19. The mean is the sum of the data values divided by the number of the data values. So for these data, the mean is
Since the mode is 18, the median is 19, and the mean is 20, .
Choices B and D are incorrect because the mean is greater than the median. Choice C is incorrect because the median is
greater than the mode.
Alternate approach: After determining the mode, 18, and the median, 19, it remains to determine whether the mean is less
than 19 or more than 19. Because the mean is a balancing point, there is as much deviation below the mean as above the
mean. It is possible to compare the data to 19 to determine the balance of deviation above and below the mean. There is a
total deviation of only 6 below 19 (the 6 values of 18); however, the data value 30 alone deviates by 11 above 19. Thus the
mean must be greater than 19.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1353b86e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 1353b86e
Colors of
Marbles in a
Bag
Color Number
Red 8
Blue 10
Green 22
Total 40
The table shows the number of different colors of marbles in a bag. If a marble is
chosen at random from the bag, what is the probability that the marble will be
blue?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 1353b86e Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. If a marble is chosen at random from the bag, the probability of choosing a marble of a certain color is
the number of marbles of that color divided by the total number of marbles in the bag. Since there are 10 blue marbles in the
bag, and there are 40 total marbles in the bag, the probability that the marble chosen will be blue is .
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. These represent the probability that the marble chosen won’t be blue (choice A), will be
green (choice B), and won’t be green (choice C).
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID d89c1513
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: d89c1513
Customer Purchases at a Gas Station
Beverage purchased Beverage not purchased Total
Gasoline purchased 60 25 85
Gasoline not purchased 35 15 50
Total 90 40 135
On Tuesday, a local gas station had 135 customers. The table above summarizes
whether or not the customers on Tuesday purchased gasoline, a beverage, both, or
neither. Based on the data in the table, what is the probability that a gas station
customer selected at random on that day did not purchase gasoline?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d89c1513 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The total number of gas station customers on Tuesday was 135. The table shows that the number of
customers who did not purchase gasoline was 50. Finding the ratio of the number of customers who did not purchase
gasoline to the total number of customers gives the probability that a customer selected at random on that day did not
purchase gasoline, which is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the probability that a customer did not purchase a beverage, given that the
customer did not purchase gasoline. Choice B is incorrect and may result from finding the probability that a customer did not
purchase gasoline, given that the customer did not purchase a beverage. Choice C is incorrect and may result from finding
the probability that a customer did purchase a beverage, given that the customer did not purchase gasoline.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 000259aa
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 000259aa
A group of monarch butterflies migrated from Chicago, Illinois, to Michoacán,
Mexico, flying a total of 2,100 miles. It took a single butterfly in the group 120 days
to travel this route one way. On average, how many miles did the butterfly travel per
day?
A. 0.057
B. 0.729
C. 17.5
D. 24
ID: 000259aa Answer
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If the butterfly traveled 2,100 miles in 120 days, then it traveled, on average, miles
per day.
Choice A is incorrect. This is approximately the average amount of time, in days, it took the butterfly to fly one mile:
days per mile. Choice B is incorrect and may result from an arithmetic error. Choice D is incorrect.
This is the number of hours in a day rather than the number of miles flown per day.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e1ad3d41
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: e1ad3d41
Eye color
Coat color
Deep blue Light brown Total
Cream-tortoiseshell 16 16 32
Chocolate 12 4 16
Total 28 20 48
The data on the coat color and eye color for 48 Himalayan kittens available for
adoption were collected and summarized in the table above. What fraction of the
chocolate-colored kittens has deep blue eyes?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e1ad3d41 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The table shows that there are a total of 16 kittens that have a chocolate-colored coat. Of the 16 with a
chocolate-colored coat, 12 have deep blue eyes. Therefore, the fraction of chocolate-colored kittens with deep blue eyes is
simply the ratio of those two numbers, or .
Choice A is incorrect; this is the fraction of all chocolate-colored kittens. Choice B is incorrect; this is the fraction of kittens
with deep blue eyes that have a chocolate-colored coat. Choice C is incorrect; this is the fraction of cream-tortoiseshell-
colored kittens with deep blue eyes.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ac5b6558
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: ac5b6558
The scatterplot above shows the high temperature on a certain day and the
elevation of 8 different locations in the Lake Tahoe Basin. A line of best fit for the
data is also shown. What temperature is predicted by the line of best fit for a
location in the Lake Tahoe Basin with an elevation of 8,500 feet?
A. 37°F
B. 39°F
C. 41°F
D. 43°F
ID: ac5b6558 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The line of best fit passes through the point . Therefore, the line of best fit predicts a
temperature of 39°F for a location in Lake Tahoe Basin with an elevation of 8,500 feet.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the lowest temperature listed on the scatterplot, and the line of best fit never crosses this value
for any of the elevations shown. Choice C is incorrect. According to the line of best fit, the temperature of 41°F is predicted
for an elevation of slightly greater than 7,500 feet, not an elevation of 8,500 feet. Choice D is incorrect. According to the line
of best fit, the temperature of 43°F is predicted for an elevation of roughly 6,700 feet, not an elevation of 8,500 feet.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 46545dd6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 46545dd6
Number of High School Students Who
Completed Summer Internships
High Year
school 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Foothill 87 80 75 76 70
Valley 44 54 65 76 82
Total 131 134 140 152 152
The table above shows the number of students from two different high schools
who completed summer internships in each of five years. No student attended
both schools. Of the students who completed a summer internship in 2010, which
of the following represents the fraction of students who were from Valley High
School?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 46545dd6 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. According to the table, 140 students from the two high schools completed summer internships in 2010.
Of these, 65 were from Valley High School. Therefore, of the students who completed summer internships in 2010,
represents the fraction who were from Valley High School.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the difference between the numbers of students from the two high schools who completed
internships in 2010 divided by the total number of students from the two schools who completed internships that year.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the fraction of students from Foothill High School who completed internships out of all the
students who completed internships in 2010. Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of students from Valley High School
who completed internships in 2010 divided by the number of students from Foothill High School who completed internships
in 2010.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 16cea46c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 16cea46c
Voice type Number of singers
Countertenor 4
Tenor 6
Baritone 10
Bass 5
A total of 25 men registered for singing lessons. The frequency table shows how
many of these singers have certain voice types. If one of these singers is selected
at random, what is the probability he is a baritone?
A. 0.10
B. 0.40
C. 0.60
D. 0.67
ID: 16cea46c Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. This probability is calculated by dividing the number of baritone singers by the total number of men
registered for singing lessons. It’s given that a total of 25 men registered for singing lessons and that there are 10 baritones.
Therefore, the probability of selecting a baritone from this group at random is , which is equivalent to 0.40.
Choice A is incorrect. This would be the probability of selecting a baritone at random if there were 100 total men who
registered for singing lessons. Choice C is incorrect. This is the probability of selecting a singer at random who isn’t a
baritone. Choice D is incorrect. This would be the probability of selecting a baritone at random if there were 15 total men
registered for singing lessons.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID bd90f87e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: bd90f87e
A table of the US minimum wage for 6 different years is shown below.
US
minimum
Year wage
(dollars
per hour)
1960 1.00
1970 1.60
1980 3.10
1990 3.80
2000 5.15
2010 7.25
What was the percent increase of the minimum
wage from 1960 to 1970?
A. 30%
B. 60%
C. 62.5%
D. 120%
ID: bd90f87e Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. According to the table, the minimum wage in 1960 was $1.00 per hour, and in 1970 it was $1.60 per
hour. The percentage change is therefore .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from averaging the two wages before calculating the percentage change. Choice C is
incorrect. This is the 1960 wage expressed as a percentage of the 1970 wage, not the percentage change between the two.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 0ea56bb2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 0ea56bb2
Subscriptions
Year
sold
2012 5,600
2013 5,880
The manager of an online news service received the report above on the number of
subscriptions sold by the service. The manager estimated that the percent
increase from 2012 to 2013 would be double the percent increase from 2013 to
2014. How many subscriptions did the manager expect would be sold in 2014?
A. 6,020
B. 6,027
C. 6,440
D. 6,468
ID: 0ea56bb2 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The percent increase from 2012 to 2013 was , or 5%. Since the percent increase
from 2012 to 2013 was estimated to be double the percent increase from 2013 to 2014, the percent increase from 2013 to
2014 was expected to be 2.5%.
Therefore, the number of subscriptions sold in 2014 is expected to be the number of subscriptions sold in 2013 multiplied by
, or .
Choice A is incorrect and is the result of adding half of the value of the increase from 2012 to 2013 to the 2013 result.
Choice C is incorrect and is the result adding twice the value of the increase from 2012 to 2013 to the 2013 result. Choice D
is incorrect and is the result of interpreting the percent increase from 2013 to 2014 as double the percent increase from
2012 to 2013.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 90eed2e5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 90eed2e5
A city has 50 city council members. A reporter polled a random sample of 20 city
council members and found that 6 of those polled supported a specific bill. Based
on the sample, which of the following is the best estimate of the number of city
council members in the city who support the bill?
A. 6
B. 9
C. 15
D. 30
ID: 90eed2e5 Answer
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Because a random sample of the city council was polled, the proportion of the sample who supported
the bill is expected to be approximately equal to the proportion of the total city council who supports the bill. Since 6 of the
20 polled, or 30%, supported the bill, it can be estimated that , or 15, city council members support the bill.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the number of city council members in the sample who supported the bill. Choice B is incorrect
and may result from a computational error. Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of city council members in the sample
of city council members who were not polled.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 8e528129
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 8e528129
Pure beeswax has a density of 0.555 ounce per cubic inch. An online company
sells pure beeswax at a price of $8.00 per ounce. What is the selling price, in
dollars per cubic inch, for pure beeswax purchased from this company?
ID: 8e528129 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 4.44. The selling price, in dollars per cubic inch, is found by multiplying the density, in ounces per cubic
inch, by the unit price, in dollars per ounce: yields . Thus, the selling price, in
dollars per cubic inch, is 4.44.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 8736334b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 8736334b
Data set A and data set B each contain 5 numbers. If the mean of data set A is
equal to the mean of data set B, what is the value of x ?
A. 77
B. 85
C. 86
D. 95
ID: 8736334b Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The mean of a data set is found by dividing the sum of the values in the data set by the number of values
in the data set. Therefore, the mean of data set A is , which simplifies to 74. The mean of data set
B is represented by the equation , or . It’s given that the mean of data set A is equal to the
mean of data set B. Therefore, the equation can be used to solve for x. Multiplying both sides of this
equation by 5 yields . Subtracting 284 from both sides of this equation yields .
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 0231050d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 0231050d
The line graph shows the total amount of snow, in inches, recorded each year in
Washington, DC, from 2003 to 2015. If is the percent decrease in the annual
snowfall from 2003 to 2007, what is the value of p ?
ID: 0231050d Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 75. The percent decrease between two values is found by dividing the difference between the two
values by the original value and multiplying by 100. The line graph shows that the annual snowfall in 2003 was 40 inches,
and the annual snowfall in 2007 was 10 inches. Therefore, the percent decrease in the annual snowfall from 2003 to 2007 is
, or 75. It’s given that this is equivalent to , so the value of p is 75.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID be35c117
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: be35c117
A wind turbine completes revolutions in minutes. At this rate, how many revolutions per minute does this turbine
complete?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: be35c117 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Dividing the number of revolutions by the number of minutes gives the number of revolutions the turbine
completes per minute. It’s given that the wind turbine completes revolutions in minutes. Therefore, at this rate, this
turbine completes , or , revolutions per minute.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b680e76d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: b680e76d
A survey taken by 1,000 students at a school asked whether they played school sports. The table below summarizes all
1,000 responses from the students surveyed.
How many of the males surveyed responded that they do not play a school sport?
A. 109
B. 252
C. 468
D. 688
ID: b680e76d Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The table summarizes all 1,000 responses from the students surveyed. If 312 are males who play a
sport, 220 are females who play a sport, and 216 are females who do not play a sport, then 1,000 – 312 – 220 – 216 = 252
males who do not play a sport.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. If 109 males who do not play a sport responded, then the table summary would be 109 +
312 + 220 + 216 = 857 total student responses rather than 1,000. If 468 males who do not play a sport responded, then the
table summary would be 468 + 312 + 220 + 216 = 1,216 total student responses rather than 1,000. If 688 males who do not
play a sport responded, then the table summary would be 688 + 312 + 220 + 216 = 1,436 total student responses rather than
1,000.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 53d97af5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 53d97af5
A study was done on the weights of different types of fish in a pond. A random
sample of fish were caught and marked in order to ensure that none were weighed
more than once. The sample contained 150 largemouth bass, of which 30%
weighed more than 2 pounds. Which of the following conclusions is best
supported by the sample data?
A. The majority of all fish in the pond weigh less than 2 pounds.
B. The average weight of all fish in the pond is approximately 2 pounds.
C. Approximately 30% of all fish in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.
D. Approximately 30% of all largemouth bass in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.
ID: 53d97af5 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The sample of 150 largemouth bass was selected at random from all the largemouth bass in the pond,
and since 30% of the fish in the sample weighed more than 2 pounds, it can be concluded that approximately 30% of all
largemouth bass in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Since the sample contained 150 largemouth bass, of which 30% weighed more than 2
pounds, this result can be generalized only to largemouth bass in the pond, not to all fish in the pond.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d4413871
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: d4413871
Blood type
Rhesus factor A B AB O
33 9 3 37
7 2 1 x
Human blood can be classified into four common blood types—A, B, AB, and O. It is
also characterized by the presence or absence of the rhesus factor. The
table above shows the distribution of blood type and rhesus factor for a group of
people. If one of these people who is rhesus negative is chosen at random, the
probability that the person has blood type B is . What is the value of x ?
ID: d4413871 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 8. In this group, of the people who are rhesus negative have blood type B. The total number of
people who are rhesus negative in the group is , and there are 2 people who are rhesus negative with blood type
B. Therefore, . Combining like terms on the left-hand side of the equation yields .
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 9 yields , and multiplying both sides of this equation by
yields . Subtracting 10 from both sides of this equation yields .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 0301c5dc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 0301c5dc
The table below shows the number of state parks in a certain state that contain camping facilities and bicycle paths.
Has bicycle paths Does not have bicycle paths
Has camping facilities 20 5
Does not have camping facilities 8 4
If one of these state parks is selected at random, what is the probability that it has
camping facilities but does not have bicycle paths?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0301c5dc Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The total number of state parks in the state is . According to the table, 5 of these
have camping facilities but not bicycle paths. Therefore, if a state park is selected at random, the probability that it has
camping facilities but not bicycle paths is .
Choice B is incorrect. This is the probability that a state park selected at random from the state parks with camping facilities
does not have bicycle paths. Choice C is incorrect. This is the probability that a state park selected at random from the state
parks with bicycle paths does not have camping facilities. Choice D is incorrect. This is the probability that a state park
selected at random from the state parks without bicycle paths does have camping facilities.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID c88e0663
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: c88e0663
For a school fund-raiser, 10 students sold a total of 90 boxes of cookies. Which of
the following can be calculated from this information?
A. The average number of boxes sold per student
B. The median number of boxes sold per student
C. The greatest number of boxes sold by one student
D. The least number of boxes sold by one student
ID: c88e0663 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The average can be found by dividing the total number of boxes sold by the number of students, which is
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Each results from choosing measures that require the results of individual students, which
are not given.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 3f2ee20a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 3f2ee20a
The results of two independent surveys are shown in the table below.
Men's Height
Group Sample size Mean (centimeters) Standard deviation (centimeters)
A 2,500 186 12.5
B 2,500 186 19.1
Which statement is true based on the table?
A. The Group A data set was identical to the Group B data set.
B. Group B contained the tallest participant.
C. The heights of the men in Group B had a larger spread than the heights of the men in Group A.
D. The median height of Group B is larger than the median height of Group A.
ID: 3f2ee20a Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Standard deviation is a measure of spread, so data sets with larger standard deviations tend to have
larger spread. The standard deviation of the heights of the men in Group B is larger than the standard deviation of the
heights of the men in Group A. Therefore, the heights of the men in Group B had a larger spread than the heights of the men
in Group A.
Choice A is incorrect. If two data sets are identical, they will have equivalent means and equivalent standard deviations.
Since the two data sets have different standard deviations, they cannot be identical. Choice B is incorrect. Without knowing
the maximum value for each data set, it’s impossible to know which group contained the tallest participant. Choice D is
incorrect. Since the means of the two groups are equivalent, the medians could also be the same or could be different, but
it's impossible to tell from the given information.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d0efc1dd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: d0efc1dd
15, 14, 18, 17, x
The mean and the median of the five numbers above are equal. Which of the
following is NOT a possible value of x ?
A. 6
B. 11
C. 16
D. 21
ID: d0efc1dd Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. If x is 6, then the five numbers in the given list are 15, 14, 18, 17, 6. The mean of these five numbers is the
sum of all the values divided by the number of values, or . The median of these five
numbers can be found by ordering the numbers from least to greatest and determining the middle value. When ordered from
least to greatest, the numbers in the given list are 6, 14, 15, 17, 18, and the middle value is 15. Since the mean is 14 and the
median is 15, the mean and median aren’t equal when x is 6.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. If any of these values is substituted for x, the mean and median of the data set would be
equal.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3f236a64
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 3f236a64
x y
1 4
3 12
5 20
40 k
In the table above, the ratio of y to x for each ordered pair is
constant. What is the value of k ?
A. 28
B. 36
C. 80
D. 160
ID: 3f236a64 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since the ratio of y to x is constant for each ordered pair in the table, the first row can be used to
determine that the ratio of y to x is 4 to 1. The proportion can be used to solve for k. Multiplying each side of the
equation by 40 yields .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of y when the value of x is 7, not 40. Choice B is incorrect and may result from
subtracting 4 from 40 instead of multiplying 40 by 4. Choice C is incorrect and may result from incorrectly setting up the
proportion.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 8705ecba
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 8705ecba
The cost of a certain shirt is $20 before a 5% sales tax is added. What is the total
cost, including sales tax, to purchase the shirt?
A. $20.05
B. $20.50
C. $21.00
D. $25.00
ID: 8705ecba Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The total cost to purchase the shirt is the $20 cost of the shirt plus the 5% sales tax. The value of the 5%
sales tax on the $20 shirt is equivalent to , or $1. Therefore, the total cost to purchase the shirt is , or
$21.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from neglecting to multiply by $20 when finding the value of the sales tax. Choice B is
incorrect and may result from dividing by 10, instead of by 100, and then neglecting to multiply by $20 when finding the sales
tax. Choice D is incorrect and may result from interpreting the sales tax of 5% as $5.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID f8f79e11
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: f8f79e11
A park ranger asked a random sample of visitors how far they hiked during their
visit. Based on the responses, the estimated mean was found to be 4.5 miles, with
an associated margin of error of 0.5 miles. Which of the following is the best
conclusion from these data?
A. It is likely that all visitors hiked between 4 and 5 miles.
B. It is likely that most visitors hiked exactly 4.5 miles.
C. It is not possible that any visitor hiked less than 3 miles.
D. It is plausible that the mean distance hiked for all visitors is between 4 and 5 miles.
ID: f8f79e11 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The given estimated mean has an associated margin of error because from sample data, the population
mean can’t be determined precisely. Rather, from the sample mean, an interval can be determined within which it’s plausible
that the population’s mean is likely to lie. Since the estimated mean is 4.5 miles with an associated margin of error of 0.5
miles, it follows that between miles and miles, or between 4 and 5 miles, is plausibly the mean distance
hiked for all visitors.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Based on the estimated mean, no determination can be made about the number of miles
hiked for all visitors to the park.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 707db2d3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 707db2d3
For the finale of a TV show, viewers could use either social media or a text
message to vote for their favorite of two contestants. The contestant receiving
more than 50% of the vote won. An estimated 10% of the viewers voted, and 30%
of the votes were cast on social media. Contestant 2 earned 70% of the votes cast
using social media and 40% of the votes cast using a text message. Based on this
information, which of the following is an accurate conclusion?
A. If all viewers had voted, Contestant 2 would have won.
B. Viewers voting by social media were likely to be younger than viewers voting by text message.
C. If all viewers who voted had voted by social media instead of by text message, Contestant 2 would have won.
D. Viewers voting by social media were more likely to prefer Contestant 2 than were viewers voting by text message.
ID: 707db2d3 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It is given that Contestant 2 earned 70% of the votes cast using social media and 40% of the votes cast
using a text message. Based on this information, viewers voting by social media were more likely to prefer Contestant 2 than
were viewers voting by text message.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. There is not enough information about the viewers to reach these conclusions.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 9a144a01
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 9a144a01
Which of the following is true about the values of and
for ?
A. For all , it is true that .
B. For all , it is true that .
C. There is a constant c such that if , then , but if , then .
D. There is a constant c such that if , then , but if , then .
ID: 9a144a01 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. At , the value of is less than the value of , which is equivalent to . As
the value of x increases, the value of remains less than the value of until , which is when the two values are
equal: , which is equivalent to . Then, for , the value of is greater than the value of . So
there is a constant, 3, such that when , then , but when , then .
Choice A is incorrect because when . Choice B is incorrect because when . Choice D
is incorrect because when and when .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 457d2f2c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 457d2f2c
A data set of 27 different numbers has a mean of 33 and a median of 33. A new
data set is created by adding 7 to each number in the original data set that is
greater than the median and subtracting 7 from each number in the original data
set that is less than the median. Which of the following measures does NOT have
the same value in both the original and new data sets?
A. Median
B. Mean
C. Sum of the numbers
D. Standard deviation
ID: 457d2f2c Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. When a data set has an odd number of elements, the median can be found by ordering the values from
least to greatest and determining the middle value. Out of the 27 different numbers in this data set, 13 numbers are below
the median, one number is exactly 33, and 13 numbers are above the median. When 7 is subtracted from each number below
the median and added to each number above the median, the data spread out from the median. Since the median of this
data set, 33, is equivalent to the mean of the data set, the data also spread out from the mean. Since standard deviation is a
measure of how spread out the data are from the mean, a greater spread from the mean indicates an increased standard
deviation.
Choice A is incorrect. All the numbers less than the median decrease and all the numbers greater than the median increase,
but the median itself doesn’t change. Choices B and C are incorrect. The mean of a data set is found by dividing the sum of
the values by the number of values. The net change from subtracting 7 from 13 numbers and adding 7 to 13 numbers is
zero. Therefore, neither the mean nor the sum of the numbers changes.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c9fb15ad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: c9fb15ad
Species of Growth
tree factor
Red maple 4.5
River birch 3.5
Cottonwood 2.0
Black walnut 4.5
White birch 5.0
American elm 4.0
Pin oak 3.0
Shagbark
7.5
hickory
One method of calculating the approximate age, in years, of a tree of a particular
species is to multiply the diameter of the tree, in inches, by a constant called the
growth factor for that species. The table above gives the growth factors for eight
species of trees. If a white birch tree and a pin oak tree each now have a diameter
of 1 foot, which of the following will be closest to the difference, in inches, of their
diameters 10 years from now? (1 foot = 12 inches)
A. 1.0
B. 1.2
C. 1.3
D. 1.4
ID: c9fb15ad Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. According to the given information, multiplying a tree species’ growth factor by the tree’s diameter is a
method to approximate the age of the tree. A white birch with a diameter of 12 inches (or 1 foot) has a given growth factor of
5 and is approximately 60 years old. A pin oak with a diameter of 12 inches (or 1 foot) has a given growth factor of 3 and is
approximately 36 years old. The diameters of the two trees 10 years from now can be found by dividing each tree’s age in 10
years, 70 years, and 46 years, by its respective growth factor. This yields 14 inches and inches. The difference between
and 14 is , or approximately 1.3 inches.
Alternate approach: Since a white birch has a growth factor of 5, the age increases at a rate of 5 years per inch or,
equivalently, the diameter increases at a rate of of an inch per year. Likewise, the pin oak has a growth factor of 3, so its
diameter increases at a rate of of an inch per year. Thus, the pin oak grows of an inch per year more than the white
birch. In 10 years it will grow of an inch more, which is approximately 1.3 inches.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and a result of incorrectly calculating the diameters of the two trees in 10 years.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 6310adbc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 6310adbc
The ratio of t to u is 1 to 2, and .
What is the value of u ?
A. 2
B. 5
C. 10
D. 20
ID: 6310adbc Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the ratio of t to u is 1 to 2. Since , it follows that the ratio of 10 to u is also 1 to 2. The
relationship between these ratios can be represented by the proportion . Multiplying both sides of this equation by
2 and then by u yields .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of u when . Choice B is incorrect. This would be the value of u if the ratio of t to u
were 2 to 1. Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of t, not u.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 63573fea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 63573fea
During the first month of sales, a company sold 1,300,000 units of a certain type of
smartphone. During the same month, 15% of the units sold were returned. If sales
and the return rate remain the same for each of the next 5 months, about how
many units of this smartphone will be returned to the company during this 6-month
period?
A. 195,000
B. 975,000
C. 1,170,000
D. 6,630,000
ID: 63573fea Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Of the 1,300,000 units sold during the first month, 15% were returned, so
units were returned during the first month. If the units were sold and returned at the same rate for the next 5 months, then a
total of smartphone units were returned during the 6-month period.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the number of units that were returned in 1 month. Choice B is incorrect. This is the number of
units that were returned in 5 months. Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of units sold and not returned during the first
6 months.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 191d167b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 191d167b
Last year, students enrolled in an interior design program. This year, the number of students enrolled is of last
year’s number. How many students are enrolled in the interior design program this year?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 191d167b Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that the number of students enrolled in an interior design program this year is of last
year's number, which is . of can be expressed as , or , which is equivalent to .
Therefore, students are enrolled in the interior design program this year.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 03a16790
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 03a16790
The scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables, and . A line of best fit is also shown.
Which of the following is closest to the slope of the line of best fit shown?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 03a16790 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A line of best fit is shown in the scatterplot such that as the value of increases, the value of
decreases. Thus, the slope of the line of best fit shown is negative. The slope of a line passing through two points,
and , can be calculated as . The line of best fit shown passes approximately through the points and
. Substituting and for and , respectively, in gives , which is equivalent to
, or . Therefore, of the given choices, is closest to the slope of the line of best fit shown.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect. The line of best fit shown has a negative slope, not a positive slope.
Choice D is incorrect. The line of best fit shown has a negative slope, not a positive slope.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 60caadfd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 60caadfd
Each rock in a collection of rocks was classified as either igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary, as shown in the
frequency table.
Classification Frequency
igneous
metamorphic
sedimentary
If one of these rocks is selected at random, what is the probability of selecting a rock that is igneous?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 60caadfd Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. If one of the rocks in the collection is selected at random, the probability of selecting a rock that is
igneous is equal to the number of igneous rocks in the collection divided by the total number of rocks in the collection.
According to the table, there are igneous rocks in the collection, and it's given that there's a total of rocks in the
collection. Therefore, if one of the rocks in the collection is selected at random, the probability of selecting a rock that is
igneous is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the number of igneous rocks in the collection divided by the number of sedimentary rocks in the
collection, not divided by the total number of rocks in the collection.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the number of igneous rocks in the collection divided by the number of metamorphic rocks in
the collection, not divided by the total number of rocks in the collection.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the number of igneous rocks in the collection divided by the number of rocks in the collection
that aren't igneous, not divided by the total number of rocks in the collection.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b4f5a7ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: b4f5a7ca
A survey was conducted using a sample of history professors selected at random
from the California State Universities. The professors surveyed were asked to
name the publishers of their current texts. What is the largest population to which
the results of the survey can be generalized?
A. All professors in the United States
B. All history professors in the United States
C. All history professors at all California State Universities
D. All professors at all California State Universities
ID: b4f5a7ca Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Selecting a sample at random when conducting a survey allows the results to be generalized to the
population from which the sample was selected, but not beyond this population. In this situation, the population that the
sample was selected from is history professors from the California State Universities. Therefore, the largest population to
which the results of the survey can be generalized is all history professors at all California State Universities.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Since the sample was selected at random from history professors from the California
State Universities, the results of the survey can’t be generalized to all professors in the United States, all history professors in
the United States, or all professors at all California State Universities. All three of these populations may use different texts
and therefore may name different publishers.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d6af3572
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: d6af3572
The scatterplot above shows the federal-mandated minimum wage every 10 years
between 1940 and 2010. A line of best fit is shown, and its equation is
. What does the line of best fit predict about the increase in the
minimum wage over the 70-year period?
A. Each year between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.096 dollars.
B. Each year between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.49 dollars.
C. Every 10 years between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.096 dollars.
D. Every 10 years between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.488 dollars.
ID: d6af3572 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given equation is in slope-intercept form, or , where m is the value of the slope of the
line of best fit. Therefore, the slope of the line of best fit is 0.096. From the definition of slope, it follows that an increase of 1
in the x-value corresponds to an increase of 0.096 in the y-value. Therefore, the line of best fit predicts that for each year
between 1940 and 2010, the minimum wage will increase by 0.096 dollar per hour.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from using the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the average increase, instead of the
slope. Choice C is incorrect and may result from using the 10-year increments given on the x-axis to incorrectly interpret the
slope of the line of best fit. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the average
increase, instead of the slope, and from using the 10-year increments given on the x-axis to incorrectly interpret the slope of
the line of best fit.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 74dee52b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 74dee52b
The line graph shows the number of graduates from the classes of 2001 through
2007 at a certain school who enrolled in college within 24 months of graduation.
Of the following, which class had the fewest graduates who enrolled in college
within 24 months of graduation?
A. 2002
B. 2004
C. 2005
D. 2007
ID: 74dee52b Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The year with the fewest graduates who enrolled in college within 24 months of graduation is the point
with the lowest value on the vertical axis. This occurs at 2002.
Choice B, C, and D are incorrect. The years 2004, 2005, and 2007 each had a greater number of graduates who enrolled in
college within 24 months of graduation than did the year 2002.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID fea831fc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: fea831fc
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere set off on his midnight ride from Charlestown to
Lexington. If he had ridden straight to Lexington without stopping, he would have
traveled 11 miles in 26 minutes. In such a ride, what would the average speed of
his horse have been, to the nearest tenth of a mile per hour?
ID: fea831fc Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 25.4. The average speed is the total distance divided by the total time. The total distance is 11 miles
and the total time is 26 minutes. Thus, the average speed is miles per minute. The question asks for the average speed
in miles per hour, and there are 60 minutes in an hour; converting miles per minute to miles per hour gives the following:
Therefore, to the nearest tenth of a mile per hour, the average speed of Paul Revere’s ride would have been 25.4 miles per
hour. Note that 25.4 and 127/5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 9d88a3e3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 9d88a3e3
Theresa ran on a treadmill for thirty minutes, and her time and speed are shown on
the graph above. According to the graph, which of the following statements is NOT
true concerning Theresa’s run?
A. Theresa ran at a constant speed for five minutes.
B. Theresa’s speed was increasing for a longer period of time than it was decreasing.
C. Theresa’s speed decreased at a constant rate during the last five minutes.
D. Theresa’s speed reached its maximum during the last ten minutes.
ID: 9d88a3e3 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Theresa’s speed was increasing from 0 to 5 minutes and from 20 to 25 minutes, which is a total of 10
minutes. Theresa’s speed was decreasing from 10 minutes to 20 minutes and from 25 to 30 minutes, which is a total of 15
minutes. Therefore, Theresa’s speed was NOT increasing for a longer period of time than it was decreasing.
Choice A is incorrect. Theresa ran at a constant speed for the 5-minute period from 5 to 10 minutes. Choice C is incorrect.
Theresa’s speed decreased at a constant rate during the last 5 minutes, which can be seen since the graph is linear during
that time. Choice D is incorrect. Theresa’s speed reached its maximum at 25 minutes, which is within the last 10 minutes.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e03f3477
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: e03f3477
A sample consisting of adults who own televisions was selected at random for a study. Based on the sample, it is
estimated that of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows, with an associated margin
of error of . Which of the following is the most plausible conclusion about all adults who own televisions?
A. More than of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows.
B. Between and of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows.
Since the sample included adults who own televisions and not just those who use their televisions to watch nature
C. shows, no conclusion can be made.
D. Since the sample did not include all the people who watch nature shows, no conclusion can be made.
ID: e03f3477 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that based on a sample selected at random, it's estimated that of all adults who own
televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows, with an associated margin of error of . Subtracting the margin
of error from the estimate and adding the margin of error to the estimate gives an interval of plausible values for the true
percentage of adults who own televisions who use their televisions to watch nature shows. This means it's plausible that
between , or , and , or , of all adults who own televisions use their televisions
to watch nature shows. Therefore, of the given choices, the most plausible conclusion is that between and
of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Choice C is incorrect. To make a plausible conclusion about all adults who own televisions, the sample must be selected at
random from all adults who own televisions, not just those who use their televisions to watch nature shows.
Choice D is incorrect. Since the sample was selected at random from all adults who own televisions, a plausible conclusion
can be made about all adults who own televisions.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 07f2829b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 07f2829b
International Tourist
Arrivals, in millions
Country 2012 2013
France 83.0 84.7
United
66.7 69.8
States
Spain 57.5 60.7
China 57.7 55.7
Italy 46.4 47.7
Turkey 35.7 37.8
Germany 30.4 31.5
United
26.3 32.2
Kingdom
Russia 24.7 28.4
The table above shows the number of international tourist arrivals, rounded to the
nearest tenth of a million, to the top nine tourist destinations in both 2012 and
2013. Based on the information given in the table, how much greater, in millions,
was the median number of international tourist arrivals to the top nine tourist
destinations in 2013 than the median number in 2012, to the nearest tenth of a
million?
ID: 07f2829b Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 1.3. The median number of tourists is found by ordering the number of tourists from least to greatest
and determining the middle value from this list. When the number of tourists in 2012 is ordered from least to greatest, the
middle value, or the fifth number, is 46.4 million. When the number of tourists in 2013 is ordered from least to greatest, the
middle value, or the fifth number, is 47.7 million. The difference between these two medians is
. Note that 1.3 and 13/10 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e5b5fbdd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: e5b5fbdd
Of the 8 planets in our solar system, 4 are considered rocky. If a student randomly
selects 1 of those 8 planets as a topic for a report, what is the probability that the
selected planet will be rocky?
A.
B.
C.
D. 2
ID: e5b5fbdd Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If one of these planets is selected at random, the probability that the selected planet will be rocky is
calculated by dividing the number of planets that are considered rocky by the total number of planets. It’s given that 4 of the
8 total planets are considered rocky. Therefore, the probability that the selected planet will be rocky is , which is
equivalent to .
Choices A and B are incorrect. These represent the probability if 1 of the 8 planets was considered rocky (choice A) and if 2
of the 8 planets were considered rocky (choice B). Choice D is incorrect and may result from dividing the total number of
planets by the number of planets that are considered rocky.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 7ac5d686
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 7ac5d686
An inspector begins a day of work with a large sample of shirts that need to be
checked for defects. The inspector works at a constant rate throughout the
morning. What type of model is best to model the number of shirts remaining to be
checked for defects at any given time throughout the morning?
A. A linear model with a positive slope
B. A linear model with a negative slope
C. An exponential growth model
D. An exponential decay model
ID: 7ac5d686 Answer
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since the work is done at a constant rate, a linear model best models the situation. The number of shirts
remaining is dependent on the length of time the inspector has worked; therefore, if the relationship were graphed, time
would be the variable of the horizontal axis and the number of remaining shirts would be the variable of the vertical axis.
Since the number of shirts decreases as the time worked increases, it follows that the slope of this graph is negative.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly reasoning about the slope. Choices C and D are incorrect and may
result from not identifying the constant rate of work as a characteristic of a linear model.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 181cc4d6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 181cc4d6
Rectangle A has length 15 and width w. Rectangle B has length 20 and the same
length-to-width ratio as rectangle A. What is the width of rectangle B in terms
of w ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 181cc4d6 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that rectangle A has length 15 and width w. Therefore, the length-to-width ratio of rectangle A is
15 to w. It’s also given that rectangle B has length 20 and the same length-to-width ratio as rectangle A. Let x represent the
width of rectangle B. The proportion can be used to solve for x in terms of w. Multiplying both sides of this
equation by x yields , and then multiplying both sides of this equation by w yields . Dividing both
sides of this equation by 15 yields . Simplifying this fraction yields .
Choices B and D are incorrect and may result from interpreting the difference in the lengths of rectangle A and rectangle B as
equivalent to the difference in the widths of rectangle A and rectangle B. Choice C is incorrect and may result from using a
length-to-width ratio of w to 15, instead of 15 to w.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e9841407
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: e9841407
Shaquan has 7 red cards and 28 blue cards. What is the ratio of red
cards to blue cards that Shaquan has?
A. 1 to 4
B. 4 to 1
C. 1 to 7
D. 7 to 1
ID: e9841407 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that Shaquan has 7 red cards and 28 blue cards. Therefore, the ratio of red cards to blue cards
that Shaquan has is 7 to 28. This ratio can be reduced by dividing both parts of the ratio by 7, which yields the ratio 1 to 4.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the ratio of blue cards to red cards that Shaquan has. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
a calculation error when reducing the ratio. Choice D is incorrect. This may result from finding the ratio of blue cards to red
cards, or 28 to 7, and then making a calculation error when reducing the ratio.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 7fd284ac
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 7fd284ac
The scatterplot above shows data for ten charities along with the line of best fit. For the charity with the greatest percent of
total expenses spent on programs, which of the following is closest to the difference of the actual percent and the percent
predicted by the line of best fit?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 7fd284ac Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The charity with the greatest percent of total expenses spent on programs is represented by the highest
point on the scatterplot; this is the point that has a vertical coordinate slightly less than halfway between 90 and 95 and a
horizontal coordinate slightly less than halfway between 3,000 and 4,000. Thus, the charity represented by this point has a
total income of about $3,400 million and spends about 92% of its total expenses on programs. The percent predicted by the
line of best fit is the vertical coordinate of the point on the line of best fit with horizontal coordinate $3,400 million; this
vertical coordinate is very slightly more than 85. Thus, the line of best fit predicts that the charity with the greatest percent of
total expenses spent on programs will spend slightly more than 85% on programs. Therefore, the difference between the
actual percent (92%) and the prediction (slightly more than 85%) is slightly less than 7%.
Choice A is incorrect. There is no charity represented in the scatterplot for which the difference between the actual percent
of total expenses spent on programs and the percent predicted by the line of best fit is as much as 10%. Choices C and D are
incorrect. These choices may result from misidentifying in the scatterplot the point that represents the charity with the
greatest percent of total expenses spent on programs.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID e7d9649f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: e7d9649f
A random sample of 50 people from a town with a population of 14,878 were
asked to name their favorite flavor of ice cream. If 7 people in the sample named
chocolate as their favorite ice‑cream flavor, about how many people in the town
would be expected to name chocolate?
A. 350
B. 2,100
C. 7,500
D. 10,500
ID: e7d9649f Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let x be the number of people in the entire town that would be expected to name chocolate. Since the
sample of 50 people was selected at random, it is reasonable to expect that the proportion of people who named chocolate
as their favorite ice-cream flavor would be the same for both the sample and the town population. Symbolically, this can be
expressed as . Using cross multiplication, ; solving for x yields 2,083. The choice
closest to the value of 2,083 is choice B, 2,100.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors when setting up the proportion, solving for the unknown, or
incorrectly comparing the choices to the number of people expected to name chocolate, 2,083.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 2df8f293
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 2df8f293
Each vertex of a -sided polygon is labeled with one of the letters through , with a different letter at each vertex. If
one vertex is selected at random, what is the probability that the letter will be at the selected vertex? (Express your answer
as a decimal or fraction, not as a percent.)
ID: 2df8f293 Answer
Correct Answer: .0714, 1/14
Rationale
The correct answer is . If one vertex of the polygon is selected at random, the probability that the letter will be at the
selected vertex is equal to the number of vertices labeled with the letter divided by the total number of vertices. It's given
that each vertex is labeled with one of the letters through , with a different letter at each vertex. It follows that there
is vertex labeled with the letter . It's also given that the polygon is -sided. It follows that there are a total of vertices.
Thus, the probability that the letter will be at the selected vertex is . Note that 1/14, .0714, and 0.071 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ec7b0eb8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: ec7b0eb8
Texting Talks on cell Does not talk on
behavior phone daily cell phone daily Total
Light 110 146 256
Medium 139 164 303
Heavy 166 74 240
Total 415 384 799
In a study of cell phone use, 799 randomly selected US teens were asked how
often they talked on a cell phone and about their texting behavior. The data are
summarized in the table above. If one of the 799 teens surveyed is selected at
random, what is the probability that the teen talks on a cell phone daily?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ec7b0eb8 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. If one of the teens surveyed is selected at random, the probability that the teen talks on a cell phone
daily is equal to the quotient of the total number of teens who reported that they talk on a cell phone daily, 415, and the total
number of teens surveyed, 799. Therefore, this probability is equal to .
Choice A is incorrect. This fraction represents the probability of selecting at random any one of the 799 teens surveyed.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect. This fraction represents the probability of
selecting at random one of the 799 teens surveyed who doesn’t talk on a cell phone daily.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 3638f413
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 3638f413
Jeremy deposited x dollars in his investment account on January 1, 2001. The
amount of money in the account doubled each year until Jeremy had 480 dollars in
his investment account on January 1, 2005. What is the value of x ?
ID: 3638f413 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 30. The situation can be represented by the equation , where the 2 represents the fact
that the amount of money in the account doubled each year and the 4 represents the fact that there are 4 years between
January 1, 2001, and January 1, 2005. Simplifying gives . Therefore, .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1142af44
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 1142af44
Value Frequency
1 a
2 2a
3 3a
4 2a
5 a
The frequency distribution above summarizes a set of data, where a is a positive
integer. How much greater is the mean of the set of data than the median?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
ID: 1142af44 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since the frequencies of values less than the middle value, 3, are the same as the frequencies of the
values greater than 3, the set of data has a symmetric distribution. When a set of data has a symmetric distribution, the
mean and median values are equal. Therefore, the mean is 0 greater than the median.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the set of data.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 445dd032
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 445dd032
Tanya earns $13.50 per hour at her part-time job. When she works z hours, she
earns dollars. Which of the following expressions gives the amount, in
dollars, Tanya will earn if she works hours?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 445dd032 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that when Tanya works z hours, she earns dollars. Since her hourly rate is constant, if
she works 3 times as many hours, or hours, she will earn 3 times as many dollars, or .
Choice B is incorrect. This expression represents adding 3 dollars to the dollars Tanya will earn. Choice C is
incorrect. This expression can be rewritten as , which implies that Tanya earns $16.50 per hour, not $13.50. Choice D
is incorrect. This expression adds 3 to the number of hours Tanya works, rather than multiplying the hours she works by 3.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 651d83bb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 651d83bb
Two different teams consisting of 10 members each ran in a race. Each member’s completion time of the race was
recorded. The mean of the completion times for each team was calculated and is shown below.
Team A: 3.41 minutes
Team B: 3.79 minutes
Which of the following MUST be true?
Every member of team A completed the race in less time than any member of team B.
The median time it took the members of team B to complete the race is greater than the median time it took the
members of team A to complete the race.
There is at least one member of team B who took more time to complete the race than some member of team A.
A. III only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
ID: 651d83bb Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since the average time for the 10 members of team A is 3.41 minutes, the sum of the 10 times for team
A is equal to minutes. Since the average time for the 10 members of team B is 3.79 minutes, the sum of
the 10 times for team B is equal to minutes. Since the sum of the 10 times for team B is greater than the
sum of the 10 times for team A, it must be true that at least one of the times for team B must be greater than one of the
times for team A. Thus, statement III is true. However, it’s possible that at least some of the times for team A were greater
than some of the times for team B. For example, all of team A’s times could be 3.41 minutes, and team B could have 1 time
of 3.34 minutes and 9 times of 3.84 minutes. Thus, statement I need not be true. It’s also possible that the median of the
times for team B is less than the median of the times for team A. For example, all of team A’s times could be 3.41 minutes,
and team B could have 6 times of 3.37 minutes and 4 times of 4.42 minutes; then the median of team B’s times would be
3.37 minutes and the median of team A’s times would be 3.41 minutes. Thus, statement II need not be true.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because neither statement I nor statement II must be true.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1e8ccffd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 1e8ccffd
The mean score of 8 players in a basketball game was 14.5 points. If the highest
individual score is removed, the mean score of the remaining 7 players becomes
12 points. What was the highest score?
A. 20
B. 24
C. 32
D. 36
ID: 1e8ccffd Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If the mean score of 8 players is 14.5, then the total of all 8 scores is . If the mean of 7
scores is 12, then the total of all 7 scores is . Since the set of 7 scores was made by removing the highest score
of the set of 8 scores, then the difference between the total of all 8 scores and the total of all 7 scores is equal to the
removed score: .
Choice A is incorrect because if 20 is removed from the group of 8 scores, then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is
is approximately 13.71, not 12. Choice B is incorrect because if 24 is removed from the group of 8 scores,
then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is is approximately 13.14, not 12. Choice D is incorrect
because if 36 is removed from the group of 8 scores, then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is or
approximately 11.43, not 12.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1e1027a7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 1e1027a7
The scatterplot above shows a company’s ice cream sales d, in dollars, and the
high temperature t, in degrees Celsius (°C), on 12 different days. A line of best fit
for the data is also shown. Which of the following could be an equation of the line
of best fit?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 1e1027a7 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. On the line of best fit, d increases from approximately 480 to 880 between and . The slope
of the line of best fit is the difference in d-values divided by the difference in t-values, which gives , or
approximately 33. Writing the equation of the line of best fit in slope-intercept form gives , where b is the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept. This equation is satisfied by all points on the line, so when . Thus,
, which is equivalent to . Subtracting 396 from both sides of this equation gives .
Therefore, an equation for the line of best fit could be .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error in calculating the slope and misidentifying the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of the graph as the value of d at rather than the value of d at . Choice B is incorrect and may result
from using the smallest value of t on the graph as the slope and misidentifying the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the
graph as the value of d at rather than the value of d at . Choice C is incorrect and may result from misidentifying
the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the smallest value of d on the graph.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID ba62b0b0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: ba62b0b0
A kangaroo has a mass of kilograms. What is the kangaroo's mass, in grams?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ba62b0b0 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that a kangaroo has a mass of kilograms and that kilogram is equal to grams.
Therefore, the kangaroo's mass, in grams, is , which is equivalent to grams.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 939c46d1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 939c46d1
The glass pictured above can hold a maximum volume of 473 cubic centimeters,
which is approximately 16 fluid ounces. Jenny has a pitcher that contains 1 gallon
of water. How many times could Jenny completely fill the glass with 1 gallon of
water?
A. 16
B. 8
C. 4
D. 3
ID: 939c46d1 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It is given that the volume of the glass is approximately 16 fluid ounces. If Jenny has 1 gallon of water,
which is 128 fluid ounces, she could fill the glass times.
Choice A is incorrect because Jenny would need fluid ounces = 256 fluid ounces, or 2 gallons, of water to fill the
glass 16 times. Choice C is incorrect because Jenny would need only fluid ounces = 64 fluid ounces of water to fill
the glass 4 times. Choice D is incorrect because Jenny would need only fluid ounces = 48 fluid ounces to fill the glass
3 times.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID fc46af57
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: fc46af57
A bag containing 10,000 beads of assorted colors is purchased from a craft store.
To estimate the percent of red beads in the bag, a sample of beads is selected at
random. The percent of red beads in the bag was estimated to be 15%, with an
associated margin of error of 2%. If r is the actual number of red beads in the bag,
which of the following is most plausible?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: fc46af57 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It was estimated that 15% of the beads in the bag are red. Since the bag contains 10,000 beads, it
follows that there are an estimated red beads. It’s given that the margin of error is 2%, or
beads. If the estimate is too high, there could plausibly be red beads. If the
estimate is too low, there could plausibly be red beads. Therefore, the most plausible statement of the
actual number of red beads in the bag is .
Choices A and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the margin of error. It’s unlikely that more than 1,700
beads or fewer than 1,300 beads in the bag are red. Choice C is incorrect because 200 is the margin of error for the number
of red beads, not the lower bound of the range of red beads.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 7b65bb28
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 7b65bb28
Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5
$3.699 $3.609 $3.729 $3.679 $3.729
In the table above, Melissa recorded the price of one gallon of regular gas from five
different local gas stations on the same day. What is the median of the gas prices
Melissa recorded?
A. $3.679
B. $3.689
C. $3.699
D. $3.729
ID: 7b65bb28 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The median of a data set is the middle value when the data is in ascending or descending order. In
ascending order, the gas prices are $3.609, $3.679, $3.699, $3.729, and $3.729. The middle number of this list is 3.699, so it
follows that $3.699 is the median gas price.
Choice A is incorrect. When the gas prices are listed in ascending order, this value isn’t the middle number. Choice B is
incorrect. This value represents the mean gas price. Choice D is incorrect. This value represents both the mode and the
maximum gas price.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 8a714fa1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 8a714fa1
Which of the following represents the result of increasing the
quantity x by 9%, where ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 8a714fa1 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Increasing the positive quantity x by 9% is the result of adding 9% of x to x. 9% of x can be represented
algebraically as , or . Adding this expression to x yields , or .
Choice B is incorrect. This represents 9% of x. Choice C is incorrect. This represents increasing x by 9, not by 9%. Choice D is
incorrect. This represents increasing x by 0.09, not by 9%.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3f775bbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 3f775bbf
Power capacity
State
Low Medium High Total
Texas 4 2 3 9
California 1 0 1 2
Oregon 1 0 1 2
Indiana 0 2 0 2
Colorado 1 1 0 2
Iowa 2 0 0 2
Oklahoma 1 0 0 1
Total 10 5 5 20
The table shows the distribution, by location and power capacity (maximum rate of
power generation) of the twenty largest wind projects in the United States in 2013.
The total power capacity of the nine wind projects located in Texas was 4,952
megawatts (MW), and the total power capacity of the twenty wind projects was
11,037 MW in 2013. The amount of energy produced in one hour at a rate of one
megawatt is one megawatt-hour. If each of the nine Texas wind projects in 2013
had operated continuously for 24 hours at the maximum rate of power generation,
approximately how many megawatt-hours of energy would the nine projects have
produced?
A. 200
B. 5,000
C. 11,000
D. 120,000
ID: 3f775bbf Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the total power capacity of the nine wind projects in Texas was 4,952 megawatts.
Therefore, if all nine Texas projects operated continuously for 1 hour, the amount of energy produced would be 4,952
megawatt-hours. It follows that, if all nine Texas projects operated continuously for 24 hours, the amount of energy
produced, in megawatt-hours, would be , which is closest to 120,000.
Choice A is incorrect. This is approximately the amount of energy produced for the nine projects divided by 24 hours. Choice
B is incorrect. This is approximately the amount of energy produced for the nine projects. Choice C is incorrect. This is
approximately the given amount of energy produced for all twenty projects in the table.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8637294f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 8637294f
If and , what is the value of ?
ID: 8637294f Answer
Correct Answer: .0625, 1/16
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that and . The equation can be rewritten as
. Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . The equation can be rewritten as
. Substituting for in this equation yields , or . Multiplying both
sides of this equation by yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields .
Therefore, the value of is . Note that .0625, 0.062, 0.063, and 1/16 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8e2e424e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 8e2e424e
The number k is 36% greater than 50. If k is the product of
50 and r, what is the value of r ?
A. 36
B. 3.6
C. 1.36
D. 0.36
ID: 8e2e424e Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the number k is 36% greater than 50. Therefore, the value of k is the number 50 plus 36%
of 50. This can be rewritten as . Multiplying the terms yields 18, so , or
. It’s also given that k is the product of 50 and r, which can be rewritten as . Substituting 68 for k yields
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 50 yields .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the percentage that k is greater than 50. Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation
error. Choice D is incorrect. This would be the value of r if k were 36% of 50, instead of 36% greater than 50.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 24ad9dcb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 24ad9dcb
The weight of an object on Venus is approximately of its weight on Earth. The
weight of an object on Jupiter is approximately of its weight on Earth. If an
object weighs 100 pounds on Earth, approximately how many more pounds does it
weigh on Jupiter than it weighs on Venus?
A. 90
B. 111
C. 140
D. 230
ID: 24ad9dcb Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The weight of an object on Venus is approximately of its weight on Earth. If an object weighs 100
pounds on Earth, then the object’s weight on Venus is approximately pounds. The same object’s weight on
Jupiter is approximately of its weight on Earth; therefore, the object weighs approximately pounds on
Jupiter. The difference between the object’s weight on Jupiter and the object’s weight on Venus is approximately
pounds. Therefore, an object that weighs 100 pounds on Earth weighs 140 more pounds on Jupiter than it
weighs on Venus.
Choice A is incorrect because it is the weight, in pounds, of the object on Venus. Choice B is incorrect because it is the
weight, in pounds, of an object on Earth if it weighs 100 pounds on Venus. Choice D is incorrect because it is the weight, in
pounds, of the object on Jupiter.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID be00d896
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: be00d896
For which of the following data sets is the mean
greater than the median?
A. 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
B. 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80
C. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512
D. 7, 107, 107, 207, 207, 207, 307, 307, 307
ID: be00d896 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If the values in a data set are ordered from least to greatest, the median of the data set will be the middle
value. Since each data set in the choices is ordered and contains exactly 9 data values, the 5th value in each is the median. It
follows that the median of the data set in choice C is 32. The sum of the positive differences between 32 and each of the
values that are less than 32 is significantly smaller than the sum of the positive differences between 32 and each of the
values that are greater than 32. If 32 were the mean, these sums would have been equal to each other. Therefore, the mean
of this data set must be greater than 32. This can also be confirmed by calculating the mean as the sum of the values
divided by the number of values in the data set: .
Choices A and B are incorrect. Each of the data sets in these choices is symmetric with respect to its median, so the mean
and the median for each of these choices are equivalent. Choice D is incorrect. The median of this data set is 207. Since the
sum of the positive differences between 207 and each of the values less than 207 is greater than the sum of the positive
differences between 207 and each value greater than 207 in this data set, the mean must be less than the median.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 6626cac3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 6626cac3
Phone Email
Dinner
55% 80%
dance
Football
20% 10%
game
Picnic 20% 5%
Pool party 5% 5%
Total 100% 100%
An alumni association survey asked each high school graduate to select the one activity he or she preferred
for the association’s next event. Some of the people responded by phone, and the others responded by email.
The table above shows the distribution of preferred activity, in percent, for each response type used. For the
survey, the number of email responses was twice the number of phone responses. If a person who preferred
a picnic is selected at random, what is the probability that the person responded by email?
ID: 6626cac3 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given that the number of email responses is twice the number of phone responses. Therefore,
if the number of phone responses is p, then the number of email responses is . The table shows that 20% of people who
responded by phone preferred a picnic. It follows that the expression represents the number of these people. The
table also shows that 5% of the people who responded by email preferred a picnic. The expression , or ,
represents the number of these people. Therefore, a total of , or people preferred a picnic. Thus, the
probability of selecting at random a person who responded by email from the people who preferred a picnic is , or
. Note that 1/3, .3333, and 0.333 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3d985614
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 3d985614
Each dot in the scatterplot above represents the height x, in feet, in the high jump,
and the distance y, in feet, in the long jump, made by each student in a group of
twenty students. The graph of which of the following equations is a line that most
closely fits the data?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 3d985614 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. A line that most closely fits the data is a line with an approximately balanced number of data points
above and below the line. Fitting a line to the data shown results in a line with an approximate slope of 3 and a y-intercept
near the point . An equation for the line can be written in slope-intercept form, , where m is the slope and b
is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The equation in choice C fits the data most closely.
Choices A and B are incorrect because the slope of the lines of these equations is 0.82, which is a value that is too small to
be the slope of the line that fits the data shown. Choice D is incorrect. The graph of this equation has a y-intercept at
, not . This line would lie below all of the data points, and therefore would not closely fit the data.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 308084c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 308084c5
Sample Percent in favor Margin of error
A 52% 4.2%
B 48% 1.6%
The results of two random samples of votes for a proposition are shown above.
The samples were selected from the same population, and the margins of error
were calculated using the same method. Which of the following is the most
appropriate reason that the margin of error for sample A is greater than the margin
of error for sample B?
A. Sample A had a smaller number of votes that could not be recorded.
B. Sample A had a higher percent of favorable responses.
C. Sample A had a larger sample size.
D. Sample A had a smaller sample size.
ID: 308084c5 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Sample size is an appropriate reason for the margin of error to change. In general, a smaller sample size
increases the margin of error because the sample may be less representative of the whole population.
Choice A is incorrect. The margin of error will depend on the size of the sample of recorded votes, not the number of votes
that could not be recorded. In any case, the smaller number of votes that could not be recorded for sample A would tend to
decrease, not increase, the comparative size of the margin of error. Choice B is incorrect. Since the percent in favor for
sample A is the same distance from 50% as the percent in favor for sample B, the percent of favorable responses doesn’t
affect the comparative size of the margin of error for the two samples. Choice C is incorrect. If sample A had a larger margin
of error than sample B, then sample A would tend to be less representative of the population. Therefore, sample A is not
likely to have a larger sample size.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7d721177
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 7d721177
The density of a certain type of wood is kilograms per cubic meter. A sample of this type of wood is in the shape of a
cube and has a mass of kilograms. To the nearest hundredth of a meter, what is the length of one edge of this sample?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 7d721177 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the density of a certain type of wood is kilograms per cubic meter , and a
sample of this type of wood has a mass of . Let represent the volume, in , of the sample. It follows that the
relationship between the density, mass, and volume of this sample can be written
as , or . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Dividing both sides of
this equation by yields . Therefore, the volume of this sample is . Since it’s given that the sample of this
type of wood is a cube, it follows that the length of one edge of this sample can be found using the volume formula for a
cube, , where represents the volume, in , and represents the length, in m, of one edge of the cube.
Substituting for in this formula yields . Taking the cube root of both sides of this equation yields
, or . Therefore, the length of one edge of this sample to the nearest hundredth of a meter is .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c9dd92b1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: c9dd92b1
The densities of different concentrations of grape juice are shown in the
scatterplot above. According to the trend shown by the data, which of the following
is closest to the predicted density, in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3), for grape
juice with a concentration of 60%?
A. 1,200
B. 1,250
C. 1,300
D. 1,350
ID: c9dd92b1 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The data in the scatterplot show an increasing linear trend. The density when the juice concentration is
60% will be between the densities shown at about 53% and 67% concentration, or between about 1,255 and 1,340 kg/m3. Of
the choices given, only 1,300 falls within this range.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. These are the approximate densities of grape juice with a concentration of 45%, 55%, and
70%, respectively.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 9bf4c545
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 9bf4c545
The members of a city council wanted to assess the opinions of all city residents
about converting an open field into a dog park. The council surveyed a sample of
500 city residents who own dogs. The survey showed that the majority of those
sampled were in favor of the dog park. Which of the following is true about the city
council’s survey?
A. It shows that the majority of city residents are in favor of the dog park.
B. The survey sample should have included more residents who are dog owners.
C. The survey sample should have consisted entirely of residents who do not own dogs.
D. The survey sample is biased because it is not representative of all city residents.
ID: 9bf4c545 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The members of the city council wanted to assess opinions of all city residents. To gather an unbiased
sample, the council should have used a random sampling design to select subjects from all city residents. The given survey
introduced a sampling bias because the 500 city residents surveyed were all dog owners. This sample is not representative
of all city residents because not all city residents are dog owners.
Choice A is incorrect because when the sampling method isn’t random, there is no guarantee that the survey results will be
reliable; hence, they cannot be generalized to the entire population. Choice B is incorrect because a larger sample of
residents who are dog owners would not correct the sampling bias. Choice C is incorrect because a survey sample of
entirely non–dog owners would likely have a biased opinion, just as a sample of dog owners would likely have a biased
opinion.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID fa7a0164
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: fa7a0164
The table below shows the high and low temperatures in Houston, Texas, during a five-day period.
What was the mean low temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, during
the five-day period?
A. 48.8
B. 49
C. 59
D. 59.1
ID: fa7a0164 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The mean low temperature can be calculated by finding the sum of the low temperatures for all the days
shown in the table, 49 + 37 + 41 + 54 + 63 = 244, and then dividing the sum by the number of days the temperature was
recorded, .
Choice B is incorrect. This may be the result of choosing the median rather than calculating the mean. Choices C and D are
incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 708590d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 708590d7
Which of the following statements correctly compares the
means of data set A and data set B?
A. The mean of each data set is 2.
B. The mean of each data set is 4.
C. The mean of data set A is less than the mean of data set B.
D. The mean of data set A is greater than the mean of data set B.
ID: 708590d7 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The mean of a data set is found by dividing the sum of the values in the data set by the number of values
in the data set. Therefore, the mean of data set A is , or 4. The mean of data set B is
, or approximately 2.2857. Therefore, the mean of data set A is greater than the mean of
data set B.
Alternate approach: Data set A and data set B are both ordered from least to greatest value. Besides the first value in each
data set, which is 1, each value in ordered data set B is less than the respective value in ordered data set A. Therefore,
conceptually, the mean of data set A must be greater than the mean of data set B.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from various misconceptions or miscalculations.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a6b2fcce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: a6b2fcce
According to the line graph above, between which two consecutive years was there
the greatest change in the number of 3‑D movies released?
A. 2003–2004
B. 2008–2009
C. 2009–2010
D. 2010–2011
ID: a6b2fcce Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The change in the number of 3-D movies released between any two consecutive years can be found by
first estimating the number of 3-D movies released for each of the two years and then finding the positive difference
between these two estimates. Between 2003 and 2004, this change is approximately movies; between 2008 and
2009, this change is approximately movies; between 2009 and 2010, this change is approximately
movies; and between 2010 and 2011, this change is approximately movies. Therefore, of the pairs of
consecutive years in the choices, the greatest increase in the number of 3-D movies released occurred during the time period
between 2010 and 2011.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Between 2010 and 2011, approximately 20 more 3-D movies were released. The change in
the number of 3-D movies released between any of the other pairs of consecutive years is significantly smaller than 20.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 06a152cd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 06a152cd
To make a bakery’s signature chocolate muffins, a baker needs 2.5 ounces of
chocolate for each muffin. How many pounds of chocolate are needed to make
48 signature chocolate muffins? (1 pound = 16 ounces)
A. 7.5
B. 10
C. 50.5
D. 120
ID: 06a152cd Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. If 2.5 ounces of chocolate are needed for each muffin, then the number of ounces of chocolate needed
to make 48 muffins is ounces. Since 1 pound = 16 ounces, the number of pounds that is equivalent to 120
ounces is pounds. Therefore, 7.5 pounds of chocolate are needed to make the 48 muffins.
Choice B is incorrect. If 10 pounds of chocolate were needed to make 48 muffins, then the total number of ounces of
chocolate needed would be ounces. The number of ounces of chocolate per muffin would then be
ounces per muffin, not 2.5 ounces per muffin. Choices C and D are also incorrect. Following the same
procedures as used to test choice B gives 16.8 ounces per muffin for choice C and 40 ounces per muffin for choice D, not 2.5
ounces per muffin. Therefore, 50.5 and 120 pounds cannot be the number of pounds needed to make 48 signature chocolate
muffins.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 7d68096f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 7d68096f
A trivia tournament organizer wanted to study the relationship between the number of points a team scores in a trivia round
and the number of hours that a team practices each week. For the study, the organizer selected teams at random from all
trivia teams in a certain tournament. The table displays the information for the teams in the sample that practiced for at
least hours per week.
Number of points per round
Hours practiced
6 to 13 points 14 or more points Total
3 to 5 hours
More than 5 hours
Total
Which of the following is the largest population to which the results of the study can be generalized?
A. All trivia teams in the tournament that scored or more points in the round
B. The trivia teams in the sample
C. The trivia teams in the sample that practiced for at least hours per week
D. All trivia teams in the tournament
ID: 7d68096f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that the organizer selected teams at random from all trivia teams in the tournament. A table
is also given displaying the information for the teams in the sample that practiced for at least hours per week. Selecting
a sample of a reasonable size at random to use for a survey allows the results from that survey to be applied to the
population from which the sample was selected, but not beyond this population. Thus, only the sampling method
information is necessary to determine the largest population to which the results of the study can be generalized. Since the
organizer selected the sample at random from all trivia teams in the tournament, the largest population to which the results
of the study can be generalized is all trivia teams in the tournament.
Choice A is incorrect. The sample was selected at random from all trivia teams in the tournament, not just from the teams
that scored an average of or more points per round.
Choice B is incorrect. If a study uses a sample selected at random from a population, the results of the study can be
generalized to the population, not just the sample.
Choice C is incorrect. If a study uses a sample selected at random from a population, the results of the study can be
generalized to the population, not just a subset of the sample.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8917ce38
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 8917ce38
Which of the following speeds is equivalent to 90 kilometers per
hour? (1 kilometer = 1,000 meters)
A. 25 meters per second
B. 32 meters per second
C. 250 meters per second
D. 324 meters per second
ID: 8917ce38 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since 1 kilometer is equal to 1,000 meters, it follows that 90 kilometers is equal to
meters. Since 1 hour is equal to 60 minutes and 1 minute is equal to 60 seconds, it follows that 1 hour is equal to
seconds. Now is equal to , which reduces to or 25 meters
per second.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f4b3672a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: f4b3672a
A certain forest is 253 acres. To estimate the number of trees in the forest, a
ranger randomly selects 5 different 1-acre parcels in the forest and determines the
number of trees in each parcel. The numbers of trees in the sample acres are 51,
59, 45, 52, and 73. Based on the mean of the sample, which of the following ranges
contains the best estimate for the number of trees in the entire forest?
A. 11,000 to 12,000
B. 12,500 to 13,500
C. 13,500 to 14,500
D. 18,000 to 19,000
ID: f4b3672a Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The mean of the 5 samples is trees per acre. The best estimate for the
total number of trees in the forest is the product of the mean number of trees per acre in the sample and the total number of
acres in the forest. This is (56)(253) = 14,168, which is between 13,500 and 14,500.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying the minimum number of trees per acre in the sample, 45, by the
number of acres, 253. Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying the median number of trees per acre in the
sample, 52, by the number of acres, 253. Choice D is incorrect and may result from multiplying the maximum number of
trees per acre in the sample, 73, by the number of acres, 253.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 374b18f9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 374b18f9
The number of acres of useful timberland in 13 counties in California is
summarized in the box plot above. Which of the following is closest to the median
number of acres?
A. 4,399
B. 7,067
C. 8,831
D. 10,595
ID: 374b18f9 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The median of the data summarized by a box plot is the value associated with the vertical line segment
within the box. According to the box plot shown, this value is slightly greater than 7,000. Therefore, the closest value for the
median number of acres is 7,067.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value associated with the vertical line segment forming the left-hand side of the box. Choice
C is incorrect. This value is greater than the value associated with the vertical line segment within the box. Choice D is
incorrect. This is the value associated with the vertical line segment forming the right-hand side of the box.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 585de39a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 585de39a
On May 10, 2015, there were 83 million Internet subscribers in Nigeria. The major
Internet providers were MTN, Globacom, Airtel, Etisalat, and Visafone. By
September 30, 2015, the number of Internet subscribers in Nigeria had increased
to 97 million. If an Internet subscriber in Nigeria on September 30, 2015, is selected
at random, the probability that the person selected was an MTN subscriber is 0.43.
There were p million MTN subscribers in Nigeria on September 30, 2015. To the
nearest integer, what is the value of p ?
ID: 585de39a Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 42. It’s given that in Nigeria on September 30, 2015, the probability of selecting an MTN subscriber
from all Internet subscribers is 0.43, that there were p million, or , MTN subscribers, and that there were 97
million, or 97,000,000, Internet subscribers. The probability of selecting an MTN subscriber from all Internet subscribers can
be found by dividing the number of MTN subscribers by the total number of Internet subscribers. Therefore, the equation
can be used to solve for p. Dividing 1,000,000 from the numerator and denominator of the
expression on the left-hand side yields . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 97 yields
, which, to the nearest integer, is 42.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 4ff597db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 4ff597db
The mean amount of time that the 20 employees of a construction company have
worked for the company is 6.7 years. After one of the employees leaves the
company, the mean amount of time that the remaining employees have worked for
the company is reduced to 6.25 years. How many years did the employee who left
the company work for the company?
A. 0.45
B. 2.30
C. 9.00
D. 15.25
ID: 4ff597db Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The mean amount of time that the 20 employees worked for the company is 6.7 years. This means that
the total number of years all 20 employees worked for the company is (6.7)(20) = 134 years. After the employee left, the
mean amount of time that the remaining 19 employees worked for the company is 6.25 years. Therefore, the total number of
years all 19 employees worked for the company is (6.25)(19) = 118.75 years. It follows that the number of years that the
employee who left had worked for the company is 134 – 118.75 = 15.25 years.
Choice A is incorrect; this is the change in the mean, which isn’t the same as the amount of time worked by the employee
who left. Choice B is incorrect and likely results from making the assumption that there were still 20 employees, rather than
19, at the company after the employee left and then subtracting the original mean of 6.7 from that result. Choice C is
incorrect and likely results from making the assumption that there were still 20 employees, rather than 19, at the company
after the employee left.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7e6c745f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 7e6c745f
Food Protein Cost
1 large egg 6 grams $0.36
1 cup of milk 8 grams $0.24
The table above shows the amount of protein in two foods and the cost of each
food. Based on the table, what is the ratio of the cost per gram of protein in a large
egg to the cost per gram of protein in a cup of milk?
A. 1 : 2
B. 2 : 3
C. 3 : 4
D. 2 : 1
ID: 7e6c745f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The cost per gram of protein in 1 large egg is $0.36 ÷ 6 = $0.06. The cost per gram of protein in 1 cup of
milk is $0.24 ÷ 8 = $0.03. It follows that the ratio of the cost per gram of protein in a large egg to the cost per gram of protein
in a cup of milk is 0.06:0.03, which can be rewritten as 2:1.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the ratio of the cost per gram of protein in a cup of milk to the cost per
gram of protein in a large egg (the reciprocal of the ratio specified in the question). Choices B and C are incorrect and may
result from incorrectly calculating the unit rates or from errors made when simplifying the ratio.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 7b52985c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 7b52985c
The scatterplot shows the relationship between the length of time , in hours, a certain bird spent in flight and the number of
days after January , .
What is the average rate of change, in hours per day, of the length of time the bird spent in flight on January to the length
of time the bird spent in flight on January ?
ID: 7b52985c Answer
Correct Answer: 4.5, 9/2
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the scatterplot shows the relationship between the length of time , in hours, a
certain bird spent in flight and the number of days after January , . Since January is days after January , it
follows that January corresponds to an x-value of in the scatterplot. In the scatterplot, when , the corresponding
value of is . In other words, on January , the bird spent hours in flight. Since January is days after January , it
follows that January corresponds to an x-value of in the scatterplot. In the scatterplot, when , the corresponding
value of is . In other words, on January , the bird spent hours in flight. Therefore, the average rate of change, in
hours per day, of the length of time the bird spent in flight on January to the length of time the bird spent in flight on
January is the difference in the length of time, in hours, the bird spent in flight divided by the difference in the number of
days after January , or , which is equivalent to . Note that 9/2 and 4.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7ce2830a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 7ce2830a
A psychologist designed and conducted a study to determine whether playing a
certain educational game increases middle school students’ accuracy in adding
fractions. For the study, the psychologist chose a random sample of 35 students
from all of the students at one of the middle schools in a large city. The
psychologist found that students who played the game showed significant
improvement in accuracy when adding fractions. What is the largest group to
which the results of the study can be generalized?
A. The 35 students in the sample
B. All students at the school
C. All middle school students in the city
D. All students in the city
ID: 7ce2830a Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The largest group to which the results of a study can be generalized is the population from which the
random sample was chosen. In this case, the psychologist chose a random sample from all students at one particular
middle school. Therefore, the largest group to which the results can be generalized is all the students at the school.
Choice A is incorrect because this isn’t the largest group the results can be generalized to. Choices C and D are incorrect
because these groups are larger than the population from which the random sample was chosen. Therefore, the sample isn’t
representative of these groups.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 12dbe3de
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 12dbe3de
A store received a shipment of 1,000 MP3 players, 4 of which were defective. If an
MP3 player is randomly selected from this shipment, what is the probability that it
is defective?
A. 0.004
B. 0.04
C. 0.4
D. 4
ID: 12dbe3de Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The probability of randomly selecting a defective MP3 player from the shipment is equal to the number
of defective MP3 players divided by the total number of MP3 players in the shipment. Therefore, the probability is ,
which is equivalent to 0.004.
Choice B is incorrect because 0.04 represents 4 defective MP3 players out of 100 rather than out of 1,000. Choice C is
incorrect because 0.4 represents 4 defective MP3 players out of 10 rather than out of 1,000. Choice D is incorrect. This is the
number of defective MP3 players in the shipment.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 642519d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 642519d7
A polling agency recently surveyed 1,000 adults who were selected at random from
a large city and asked each of the adults, “Are you satisfied with the quality of air in
the city?” Of those surveyed, 78 percent responded that they were satisfied with the
quality of air in the city. Based on the results of the survey, which of the following
statements must be true?
Of all adults in the city, 78 percent are satisfied with the quality of air in the city.
If another 1,000 adults selected at random from the city were surveyed, 78 percent of them would report they are
satisfied with the quality of air in the city.
If 1,000 adults selected at random from a different city were surveyed, 78 percent of them would report they are
satisfied with the quality of air in the city.
A. None
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only
ID: 642519d7 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Statement I need not be true. The fact that 78% of the 1,000 adults who were surveyed responded that
they were satisfied with the air quality in the city does not mean that the exact same percentage of all adults in the city will
be satisfied with the air quality in the city. Statement II need not be true because random samples, even when they are of the
same size, are not necessarily identical with regard to percentages of people in them who have a certain opinion. Statement
III need not be true for the same reason that statement II need not be true: results from different samples can vary. The
variation may be even bigger for this sample since it would be selected from a different city. Therefore, none of the
statements must be true.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because none of the statements must be true.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 0108ac2d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 0108ac2d
At a large high school, 300 students were selected at random and were asked in a
survey about a menu change in the school cafeteria. All 300 students completed
the survey. It was estimated that 38% of the students were in support of a menu
change, with a margin of error of 5.5%. Which of the following is the best
interpretation of the survey results?
A. The percent of the students at the school who support a menu change is 38%.
B. The percent of the students at the school who support a menu change is greater than 38%.
C. Plausible values of the percent of the students at the school who support a menu change are between 32.5% and 43.5%.
D. Plausible values of the number of the students at the school who support a menu change are between 295 and 305.
ID: 0108ac2d Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that an estimated 38% of sampled students at the school were in support of a menu change,
with a margin of error of 5.5%. It follows that the percent of the students at the school who support a menu change is 38%
plus or minus 5.5%. The lower bound of this estimation is , or 32.5%. The upper bound of this estimation is
, or 43.5%. Therefore, plausible values of the percent of the students at the school who support a menu change are between
32.5% and 43.5%.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the percent of the sampled students at the school who support a menu change. Choices B and
D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the margin of error.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 28c6bd8c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 28c6bd8c
The table above shows a summary of 1,200 responses to a survey question. Based
on the table, how many of those surveyed get most of their medical information
from either a doctor or the Internet?
A. 865
B. 887
C. 912
D. 926
ID: 28c6bd8c Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. According to the table, 63% of survey respondents get most of their medical information from a doctor
and 13% get most of their medical information from the Internet. Therefore, 76% of the 1,200 survey respondents get their
information from either a doctor or the Internet, and 76% of 1,200 is 912.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. According to the table, 76% of survey respondents get their information from either a
doctor or the Internet. Choice A is incorrect because 865 is about 72% (the percent of survey respondents who get most of
their medical information from a doctor or from magazines/brochures), not 76%, of 1,200. Choice B is incorrect because 887
is about 74%, not 76%, of 1,200. Choice D is incorrect because 926 is about 77%, not 76%, of 1,200.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 912cd125
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 912cd125
For a science project, Anka recorded whether it rained each weekday and weekend day for 12 weeks. Her results are
summarized in the table below.
Weekday and Weekend Day Rain for 12 Weeks
Rain No rain Total
Number of weekdays 12 48 60
Number of weekend days 8 16 24
Total 20 64 84
If one of the days on which there was no rain is selected at random, what is the
probability the day was a weekend day?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 912cd125 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. There were 64 days with no rain. It was a weekend day for 16 of those 64 days. So 16 out of 64 of the
days with no rain were weekend days. Because the day is selected at random, each day has an equal chance of being
selected, so the probability is .
Choice A is incorrect. It is the probability that a day selected at random from any one of the days during the 12 weeks is a
weekend day with no rain. Choice C is incorrect. It is the probability that a day selected at random from the weekend days
has no rain. Choice D is incorrect. It is the probability that a day selected at random from the days with no rain is a weekday.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 6a715bed
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 6a715bed
The table summarizes the distribution of age and assigned group for participants in a study.
– years – years years Total
Group A
Group B
Group C
Total
One of these participants will be selected at random. What is the probability of selecting a participant from group A, given
that the participant is at least years of age? (Express your answer as a decimal or fraction, not as a percent.)
ID: 6a715bed Answer
Correct Answer: .3833, 23/60
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that one of the participants will be selected at random. The probability of selecting a
participant from group A given that the participant is at least years of age is the number of participants in group A who
are at least years of age divided by the total number of participants who are at least years of age. The table shows
that in group A, there are participants who are – years of age and participants who are years of age.
Therefore, there are , or , participants in group A who are at least years of age. The table also shows that there
are a total of participants who are – years of age and participants who are years of age. Therefore, there
are a total of , or , participants who are at least years of age. It follows that the probability of selecting a
participant from group A given that the participant is at least years of age is . Note that 23/60, .3833, and 0.383 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8cbf1415
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 8cbf1415
In a group, % of the items are red. Of all the red items in the group, % also have stripes. What percentage of the items in
the group are red with stripes?
A. %
B. %
C. %
D. %
ID: 8cbf1415 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that in a group, of the items are red. It follows that the number of red items in the group
can be represented by , where represents the total number of items in the group. It’s also given that of all the red
items in the group, also have stripes. It follows that the number of items in the group that are red and have stripes can
be represented by , or . The expression represents of . Since represents the total number
of items in the group, it follows that of the items in the group are red and have stripes.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting from rather than calculating of .
Choice C is incorrect and may result from adding and rather than calculating of .
Choice D is incorrect and may result from calculating the percentage that is of rather than calculating of
.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID c54b92a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: c54b92a2
A study was conducted on the production rates for a company that produces tractor wheels. The table below shows the
number of wheels made during 11 consecutive one-hour production periods.
Number
One- of
hour wheels
period made
A 24
B 24
C 21
D 21
E 21
F 19
G 24
H 24
I 19
J 22
K 23
What is the range of the number of wheels made for the 11 one-hour periods?
A. 5.5
B. 5.0
C. 4.5
D. 4.0
ID: c54b92a2 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Range is defined as the difference between the greatest and least values from a set of data. The
greatest number of wheels made during a one-hour period was 24 wheels. The least number of wheels was 19. Hence, the
range is , or 5.0.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of arithmetic errors or incorrectly identifying the greatest or least
number of wheels made during a one-hour period.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 3c5b19ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 3c5b19ef
The scatterplot above shows the number of visitors to a railroad museum in
Pennsylvania each year from 1968 to 1980, where t is the number of years since
1968 and n is the number of visitors. A line of best fit is also shown. Which of the
following could be an equation of the line of best fit shown?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 3c5b19ef Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. An equation of a line of best fit can be written in the form , where a is the y-intercept of the
line and b is the slope. In the scatterplot shown, the line of best fit intersects the y-axis just over halfway between 10,000 and
20,000, or approximately 16,000. The line of best fit also intersects the graph at . Using the slope formula
and two points that lie on the graph such as and , the slope can be approximated as
, or 4,800. Only choice A has a y-intercept near the estimate of 16,000 and a slope near the estimate of
4,800. Therefore, an equation of the line of best fit could be .
Choice B is incorrect because the values for the slope and the y-coordinate of the y-intercept are switched. Choice C is
incorrect because the value for the slope is approximately double the actual slope. Choice D is incorrect because the values
for the slope and the y-intercept are switched and because the slope is approximately double the actual slope.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 96a45430
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 96a45430
A number n is increased 6%. If the result is
318, what is the value of n ?
A. 199
B. 299
C. 300
D. 337
ID: 96a45430 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The decimal equivalent of 6% is 0.06. Since increasing the number n by 6% yields the number 318, this
situation can be represented by the equation , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by
1.06 yields .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the result when n is increased by 60%, not by 6%. Choice B is incorrect. This is the approximate
result of decreasing 318 by 6%. Choice D is incorrect. This is the approximate result of increasing 318 by 6%.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 82dfb646
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 82dfb646
A market researcher selected 200 people at random from a group of people who
indicated that they liked a certain book. The 200 people were shown a movie based
on the book and then asked whether they liked or disliked the movie. Of those
surveyed, 95% said they disliked the movie. Which of the following inferences can
appropriately be drawn from this survey result?
A. At least 95% of people who go see movies will dislike this movie.
B. At least 95% of people who read books will dislike this movie.
C. Most people who dislike this book will like this movie.
D. Most people who like this book will dislike this movie.
ID: 82dfb646 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The sample was selected from a group of people who indicated that they liked the book. It is
inappropriate to generalize the result of the survey beyond the population from which the participants were selected. Choice
D is the most appropriate inference from the survey results because it describes a conclusion about people who liked the
book, and the results of the survey indicate that most people who like the book disliked the movie.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because none of these inferences can be drawn from the survey results. Choices A and B
need not be true. The people surveyed all liked the book on which the movie was based, which is not necessarily true of all
people who go see movies or all people who read books. Thus, the people surveyed are not representative of all people who
go see movies or all people who read books. Therefore, the results of this survey cannot appropriately be extended to at
least 95% of people who go see movies or to at least 95% of people who read books. Choice C need not be true because the
sample includes only people who liked the book, and so the results do not extend to people who dislike the book.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 5c3c2e3c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 5c3c2e3c
The weights, in pounds, for 15 horses in a stable were reported, and the mean,
median, range, and standard deviation for the data were found. The horse with the
lowest reported weight was found to actually weigh 10 pounds less than its
reported weight. What value remains unchanged if the four values are reported
using the corrected weight?
A. Mean
B. Median
C. Range
D. Standard deviation
ID: 5c3c2e3c Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The median weight is found by ordering the horses’ weights from least to greatest and then determining
the middle value from this list of weights. Decreasing the value for the horse with the lowest weight doesn’t affect the
median since it’s still the lowest value.
Choice A is incorrect. The mean is calculated by finding the sum of all the weights of the horses and then dividing by the
number of horses. Decreasing one of the weights would decrease the sum and therefore decrease the mean. Choice C is
incorrect. Range is the difference between the highest and lowest weights, so decreasing the lowest weight would increase
the range. Choice D is incorrect. Standard deviation is calculated based on the mean weight of the horses. Decreasing one of
the weights decreases the mean and therefore would affect the standard deviation.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 30db8f77
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 30db8f77
At a conference, there are a total of attendees. Each attendee is assigned to either group A, group B, or group C. If one
of these attendees is selected at random, the probability of selecting an attendee who is assigned to group A is and the
probability of selecting an attendee who is assigned to group B is . How many attendees are assigned to group C?
ID: 30db8f77 Answer
Correct Answer: 88
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that there are a total of attendees and each attendee is assigned to either group A,
group B, or group C. It's also given that if one of these attendees is selected at random, the probability of selecting an
attendee who is assigned to group A is and the probability of selecting an attendee who is assigned to group B is .
It follows that there are , or , attendees who are assigned to group A and , or , attendees who are
assigned to group B. The number of attendees who are assigned to group C is the number of attendees who are not
assigned to group A or group B. In other words, the number of attendees who are assigned to group C is the total number of
attendees minus the number of attendees who are assigned to group A and group B. Therefore, the number of attendees
who are assigned to group C is , or .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 3ac09984
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 3ac09984
Marta has 7,500 pesos she will convert to US dollars using a currency exchange
service. At this time, the currency exchange rate is 1 peso = 0.075 US dollars. The
exchange service will charge Marta a 2% fee on the converted US dollar amount.
How many US dollars will Marta receive from the currency exchange after the 2%
fee is applied?
A. $551.25
B. $562.50
C. $5,625.00
D. $98,000.00
ID: 3ac09984 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. At the exchange rate of 1 peso = 0.075 US dollars, 7,500 pesos would be converted to 7,500 × 0.075 =
$562.50. However, since Maria pays a 2% fee on the converted US dollar amount, she receives only (100 – 2)%, or 98%, of the
converted US dollars, and 562.50 × 0.98 = $551.25.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the number of US dollars Maria would receive if the exchange service did not charge a 2% fee.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from a decimal point error made when calculating the conversion to US dollars and
from not assessing the 2% fee. Choice D is incorrect and may result from reversing the units of the exchange rate.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID d0430601
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: d0430601
Each dot in the scatterplot above represents the temperature and the number of
people who visited a beach in Lagos, Nigeria, on one of eleven different days. The
line of best fit for the data is also shown. The line of best fit for the data has a
slope of approximately 57. According to this estimate, how many additional people
per day are predicted to visit the beach for each 5°C increase in average
temperature?
ID: d0430601 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 285. The number of people predicted to visit the beach each day is represented by the y-values of the
line of best fit, and the average temperature, in degrees Celsius ( ), is represented by the x-values. Since the slope of the
line of best fit is approximately 57, the y-value, or the number of people predicted to visit the beach each day, increases by 57
for every x-value increase of 1, or every increase in average temperature. Therefore, an increase of in average
temperature corresponds to a y-value increase of additional people per day predicted to visit the beach.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9110c120
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 9110c120
Which of the following statements about the means and medians
of data set A and data set B is true?
A. Only the means are different.
B. Only the medians are different.
C. Both the means and the medians are different.
D. Neither the means nor the medians are different.
ID: 9110c120 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The mean of a data set is the sum of the values divided by the number of values. The mean of data set A
is , or 5. The mean of data set B is , or 14.5. Thus, the means are different. The median of a data set is the middle
value when the values are ordered from least to greatest. The medians of data sets A and B are both 5. Therefore, the
medians are the same, so only the means are different.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 9296553d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 9296553d
Which of the following could be an equation for a line of best
fit for the data in the scatterplot?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 9296553d Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. A line of best fit for the data in a scatterplot is a line that follows the trend of the data with approximately
half the data points above and half the data points below the line. Based on the given data, a line of best fit will have a
positive y-intercept on or near the point and a negative slope. All of the choices are in slope-intercept form
, where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Only choice A is an equation of a line with a
positive y-intercept at and a negative slope, .
Choice B is incorrect. This equation is for a line that has a negative y-intercept, not a positive y-intercept. Choices C and D are
incorrect and may result from one or more sign errors and from switching the values of the y-intercept and the slope in the
equation.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID b2f6f17d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: b2f6f17d
A customer’s monthly water bill was $75.74. Due to a rate increase, her monthly bill
is now $79.86. To the nearest tenth of a percent, by what percent did the amount of
the customer’s water bill increase?
A. 4.1%
B. 5.1%
C. 5.2%
D. 5.4%
ID: b2f6f17d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. To find the percent increase of the customer’s water bill, the absolute increase of the bill, in dollars, is
divided by the original amount of the bill, and the result is multiplied by 100%, as follows: ;
.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice is the difference rounded to the nearest tenth, which is the (absolute)
increase of the bill’s amount, not its percent increase. Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of some calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and is the result of dividing the difference between the two bill amounts by the new bill amount instead
of the original bill amount.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d6121490
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: d6121490
The graph above shows the relationship between the speed of a particular car, in
miles per hour, and its corresponding braking distance, in feet. Approximately how
many feet greater will the car’s braking distance be when the car is traveling at 50
miles per hour than when the car is traveling at 30 miles per hour?
A. 75
B. 125
C. 175
D. 250
ID: d6121490 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. According to the graph, when the car is traveling at 50 miles per hour, the braking distance is
approximately 225 feet, and when the car is traveling at 30 miles per hour, the braking distance is approximately 100 feet.
The difference between these braking distances is , or 125 feet.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the braking distance for 20 miles per hour, the difference between the given
speeds. Choice C is incorrect and may result from subtracting the speed from the braking distance at 50 miles per hour.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from finding the difference in the braking distances at 60 and 20 miles per hour.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ab7740a8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: ab7740a8
In which of the following tables is the relationship between the values of x and
their corresponding y-values nonlinear?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ab7740a8 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The relationship between the values of x and their corresponding y-values is nonlinear if the rate of
change between these pairs of values isn’t constant. The table for choice D gives four pairs of values: , , ,
and . Finding the rate of change, or slope, between and by using the slope formula, , yields
, or 6. Finding the rate of change between and yields , or 12. Finding the rate of change
between and yields , or 24. Since the rate of change isn’t constant for these pairs of values, this table
shows a nonlinear relationship.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The rate of change between the values of x and their corresponding y-values in each of
these tables is constant, being 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Therefore, each of these tables shows a linear relationship.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 2a08d878
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 2a08d878
There are n nonfiction books and 12 fiction books on a bookshelf. If one of these
books is selected at random, what is the probability of selecting a nonfiction book,
in terms of n ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2a08d878 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since there are n nonfiction and 12 fiction books on the bookshelf, represents the total number of
books. If one of these books is selected at random, the probability of selecting a nonfiction book is equivalent to the number
of nonfiction books divided by the total number of books. Therefore, the probability of selecting a nonfiction book, in terms
of n, is .
Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the number of nonfiction books divided by the number of fiction books.
Choice C is incorrect. This expression represents the number of fiction books divided by the number of nonfiction books.
Choice D is incorrect. This expression represents the probability of selecting a fiction book.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 38a9ac45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 38a9ac45
If 1,200 customers register for new accounts at a social media website every day,
what fraction of the first 60,000 new accounts are registered in the first 5 days?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 38a9ac45 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. If 1,200 customers register for new accounts every day, then (1,200)(5) = 6,000 customers registered for
new accounts in the first 5 days. Therefore, of the first 60,000 new accounts that were registered, , or , were
registered in the first 5 days.
Choice A is incorrect. The fraction represents the fraction of accounts registered in 1 of the first 5 days. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from conceptual or computation errors. Choice D is incorrect. The fraction represents the
fraction of the first 60,000 accounts that were registered in 1 day.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID eb672707
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: eb672707
How many tablespoons are equivalent to teaspoons?
ID: eb672707 Answer
Correct Answer: 14/3, 4.666, 4.667
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that teaspoons is equivalent to tablespoon. Therefore, teaspoons is equivalent to
, or tablespoons. Note that 14/3, 4.666, and 4.667 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 881ef5f5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 881ef5f5
If a is the mean and b is the median of nine consecutive
integers, what is the value of ?
ID: 881ef5f5 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 0. Any nine consecutive integers can be written as , , , , , , , ,
. The mean of the integers is their sum divided by 9: , which simplifies to
. So . Since there is an odd number of integers (nine), the median is the integer in the middle when all the
integers are ordered from least to greatest: . So . Therefore, , which is 0.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 55818046
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 55818046
According to the 2010 Census, the adult population aged 18 years or greater of the United States in 2010 was 234,564,071.
In 2010, a survey was conducted among a randomly chosen sample of adults aged 18 years or greater in the United States
about their preference to live in a warm climate or a cool climate. The table below displays a summary of the survey results.
Climate Preferences
No
Warm Cool Total
preference
18–35 years old 295 168 45 508
36–50 years old 246 123 41 410
51–65 years old 238 117 48 403
Greater than 65
137 78 64 279
years old
Total 916 486 198 1,600
Which of the following is closest to the difference between the percentage of
adults aged 18–50 years who responded “warm” and the percentage of adults
aged 51 years or greater who responded “warm”?
A. 4%
B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 18%
ID: 55818046 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The percentage of adults aged 18–50 who responded “warm” is , or about 58.9%.
The percentage of adults aged 51 years or greater who responded “warm” is , or about 55.0%. The
difference between 58.9% and 55.0% is 3.9%. Of the answer choices, 4% is closest to this number.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7ed0d098
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 7ed0d098
Lani spent 15% of her 8-hour workday in meetings. How many minutes of
her workday did she spend in meetings?
A. 1.2
B. 15
C. 48
D. 72
ID: 7ed0d098 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. There are 60 minutes in one hour, so an 8-hour workday has minutes. To calculate 15% of
480, multiply 0.15 by 480: . Therefore, Lani spent 72 minutes of her workday in meetings.
Choice A is incorrect because 1.2 is 15% of 8, which gives the time Lani spent of her workday in meetings in hours, not
minutes. Choices B and C are incorrect and may be the result of computation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 4bb25495
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 4bb25495
Five Smallest Countries in 2016
Land area
Country
(square kilometers)
Monaco 2.0
Nauru 21
San Marino 61
Tuvalu 26
Vatican City 0.44
The table above shows the land area, in square kilometers, of the five smallest
countries of the world in 2016. Based on the table, what is the mean land area of
the 5 smallest countries in 2016, to the nearest square kilometer?
A. 20
B. 22
C. 61
D. 110
ID: 4bb25495 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The mean land area of these 5 countries is equal to the sum of the land areas of these countries, or
, divided by the number of countries in the table, 5, or . Combining
like terms in the numerator yields , which simplifies to 22.088 square kilometers. This value, when rounded to the
nearest square kilometer, is 22.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice C is incorrect. This is the greatest land area of the 5
countries in the table. Choice D is incorrect. This is the sum of the land areas of the 5 countries in the table, rounded to the
nearest square kilometer.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID aa43b41f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: aa43b41f
Near the end of a US cable news show, the host invited viewers to respond to a poll
on the show’s website that asked, “Do you support the new federal policy
discussed during the show?” At the end of the show, the host reported that 28%
responded “Yes,” and 70% responded “No.” Which of the following best explains
why the results are unlikely to represent the sentiments of the population of the
United States?
A. The percentages do not add up to 100%, so any possible conclusions from the poll are invalid.
B. Those who responded to the poll were not a random sample of the population of the United States.
C. There were not 50% “Yes” responses and 50% “No” responses.
D. The show did not allow viewers enough time to respond to the poll.
ID: aa43b41f Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. In order for the poll results from a sample of a population to represent the entire population, the sample
must be representative of the population. A sample that is randomly selected from a population is more likely than a sample
of the type described to represent the population. In this case, the people who responded were people with access to cable
television and websites, which aren’t accessible to the entire population. Moreover, the people who responded also chose to
watch the show and respond to the poll. The people who made these choices aren’t representative of the entire population of
the United States because they were not a random sample of the population of the United States.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they present reasons unrelated to whether the sample is representative of the
population of the United States.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b6569d0e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: b6569d0e
United States
Presidents
from 1789 to
2015
Ages Number
40–44 2
45–49 7
50–54 13
55–59 11
60–64 7
65–69 3
The table above gives the number of United States presidents from 1789 to 2015
whose age at the time they first took office is within the interval listed. Of those
presidents who were at least 50 years old when they first took office, what fraction
were at least 60 years old?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b6569d0e Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The sample space is restricted to the presidents who were at least 50 years old when they first took
office. Therefore, the sum of the values in the final four rows of the table, , is the total number of
presidents in the sample space. The number of presidents who were at least 60 years old is the sum of the values in the final
two rows of the table: . Thus, the fraction of the 34 presidents who were at least 50 years old when they first took
office who were at least 60 years old is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the fraction of all presidents in the table who were at least 60 years old when they first took
office. Choice C is incorrect and may result from treating the number of presidents who were between 50 and 59 years old
when they first took office, instead of the number of presidents who were at least 50 years old, as the sample space. Choice
D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 5dc386fb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 5dc386fb
The table below shows the distribution of US states according to whether they have a state-level sales tax and a state-
level income tax.
2013 State-Level Taxes
State sales tax No state sales tax
State income tax 39 4
No state income tax 6 1
To the nearest tenth of a percent, what percent of states with a state-level sales tax
do not have a state-level income tax?
A. 6.0%
B. 12.0%
C. 13.3%
D. 14.0%
ID: 5dc386fb Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The sum of the number of states with a state-level sales tax is . Of these states, 6 don’t
have a state-level income tax. Therefore, , or about 13.3%, of states with a state-level sales tax don’t have
a state-level income tax.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the number of states that have a state-level sales tax and no state-level income tax. Choice B is
incorrect. This is the percent of states that have a state-level sales tax and no state-level income tax. Choice D is incorrect.
This is the percent of states that have no state-level income tax.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1180401d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 1180401d
The total area of a coastal city is 92.1 square miles, of which 11.3 square miles is
water. If the city had a population of 621,000 people in the year 2010, which of the
following is closest to the population density, in people per square mile of land
area, of the city at that time?
A. 6,740
B. 7,690
C. 55,000
D. 76,000
ID: 1180401d Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The land area of the coastal city can be found by subtracting the area of the water from the total area of
the coastal city; that is, square miles. The population density is the population divided by the land area,
or , which is closest to 7,690 people per square mile.
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of dividing the population by the total area, instead of the land area. Choice C is
incorrect and may be the result of dividing the population by the area of water. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of
making a computational error with the decimal place.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f6cbb04a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: f6cbb04a
The equation above can be used to calculate the distance d, in miles, traveled by a
car moving at a speed of 55 miles per hour over a period of t hours. For any
positive constant k, the distance the car would have traveled after hours is how
many times the distance the car would have traveled after hours?
A. 3
B. 6
C.
D.
ID: f6cbb04a Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since the distance is equal to the amount of time multiplied by a constant, the given equation
represents a proportional relationship between distance and time in this situation. Since , the time when
hours is 3 times the time when hours. Therefore, the distance traveled after hours is 3 times the distance after
hours.
Choices B and D are incorrect and may result from interpreting the proportional relationship between time and distance as
additive rather than multiplicative. Choice C is incorrect and may result from an arithmetic error.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 98958ae8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 98958ae8
Data set A consists of the heights of objects and has a mean of meters. Data set B consists of the heights of
objects and has a mean of meters. Data set C consists of the heights of the objects from data sets A and B. What is
the mean, in meters, of data set C?
ID: 98958ae8 Answer
Correct Answer: 41
Rationale
The correct answer is . The mean of a data set is computed by dividing the sum of the values in the data set by the
number of values in the data set. It’s given that data set A consists of the heights of objects and has a mean of
meters. This can be represented by the equation , where represents the sum of the heights of the objects, in
meters, in data set A. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields , or meters. Therefore, the
sum of the heights of the objects in data set A is meters. It’s also given that data set B consists of the heights of
objects and has a mean of meters. This can be represented by the equation , where represents the sum of the
heights of the objects, in meters, in data set B. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields , or
meters. Therefore, the sum of the heights of the objects in data set B is meters. Since it’s given that data
set C consists of the heights of the objects from data sets A and B, it follows that the mean of data set C is the sum of
the heights of the objects, in meters, in data sets A and B divided by the number of objects represented in data sets A and B,
or , which is equivalent to meters. Therefore, the mean, in meters, of data set C is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2d31caae
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 2d31caae
Call Ratings
1 Star 2 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars Total
Employee A 16 49 72 8 145
Employee B 4 10 22 34 70
Employee C 8 56 45 16 125
Employee D 22 42 84 12 160
Total 50 157 223 70 500
A supervisor at a call center reviewed 500 calls taken by four employees and rated
the employees’ performance on each call on a scale from 1 star to 4 stars. The
ratings for each employee are shown in the table above. According to the table, to
the nearest whole percent, what percent of Employee A’s calls received a rating of
1 star?
A. 3%
B. 11%
C. 16%
D. 32%
ID: 2d31caae Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The percent of Employee A’s calls that received a rating of 1 star is the number of Employee A’s 1-star
calls divided by the total number of Employee A’s calls. This quotient, , is approximately equal to , or .
To the nearest whole percent, this is 11%.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the percent of all calls taken by Employee A that received a rating of 1 star. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from a conceptual error. For example, 16 is the number, not the percent, of calls taken by Employee A that
received a rating of 1 star. Choice D is incorrect. This is the percent of all calls that received a rating of 1 star that were taken
by Employee A.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 4a422e3e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating
and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments
ID: 4a422e3e
To determine the mean number of children per household in a community, Tabitha
surveyed 20 families at a playground. For the 20 families surveyed, the mean
number of children per household was 2.4. Which of the following statements
must be true?
A. The mean number of children per household in the community is 2.4.
A determination about the mean number of children per household in the community should not be made because the
B. sample size is too small.
The sampling method is flawed and may produce a biased estimate of the mean number of children per household in the
C. community.
The sampling method is not flawed and is likely to produce an unbiased estimate of the mean number of children per
D. household in the community.
ID: 4a422e3e Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. In order to use a sample mean to estimate the mean for a population, the sample must be representative
of the population (for example, a simple random sample). In this case, Tabitha surveyed 20 families in a playground. Families
in the playground are more likely to have children than other households in the community. Therefore, the sample isn’t
representative of the population. Hence, the sampling method is flawed and may produce a biased estimate.
Choices A and D are incorrect because they incorrectly assume the sampling method is unbiased. Choice B is incorrect
because a sample of size 20 could be large enough to make an estimate if the sample had been representative of all the
families in the community.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8156d446
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 8156d446
Each dot in the scatterplot above represents the temperature and the number of
people who visited a beach in Lagos, Nigeria, on one of eleven different days. The
line of best fit for the data is also shown. According to the line of best fit, what is
the number of people, rounded to the nearest 10, predicted to visit this beach on a
day with an average temperature of 32°C?
ID: 8156d446 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 480. An average temperature of corresponds to the value 32 on the x-axis. On the line of best fit,
an x-value of 32 corresponds to a y-value of 480. The values on the y-axis correspond to the number of people predicted to
visit this beach. Therefore, 480 people are predicted to visit this beach on a day with an average temperature of .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID e821a26d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: e821a26d
The scatterplot below shows the amount of electric energy generated, in millions of megawatt-hours, by nuclear sources
over a 10‑year period.
Of the following equations, which best models the data in the scatterplot?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: e821a26d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The data in the scatterplot roughly fall in the shape of a downward-opening parabola; therefore, the
coefficient for the term must be negative. Based on the location of the data points, the y-intercept of the parabola should
be somewhere between 740 and 760. Therefore, of the equations given, the best model is
.
Choices A and C are incorrect. The positive coefficient of the term means that these equations each define upward-
opening parabolas, whereas a parabola that fits the data in the scatterplot must open downward. Choice B is incorrect
because it defines a parabola with a y-intercept that has a negative y-coordinate, whereas a parabola that fits the data in the
scatterplot must have a y-intercept with a positive y-coordinate.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9eb896c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 9eb896c5
Which of the following could be the equation for a line of best fit for the
data shown in the scatterplot above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 9eb896c5 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The data show a strong linear relationship between x and y. The line of best fit for a set of data is a linear
equation that minimizes the distances from the data points to the line. An equation for the line of best fit can be written in
slope-intercept form, , where m is the slope of the graph of the line and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept
of the graph. Since, for the data shown, the y-values increase as the x-values increase, the slope of a line of best fit must be
positive. The data shown lie almost in a line, so the slope can be roughly estimated using the formula for slope,
. The leftmost and rightmost data points have coordinates of about and , so the slope is
approximately , which is a little greater than 3. Extension of the line to the left would intersect the y-axis at
about . Only choice A represents a line with a slope close to 3 and a y-intercept close to .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from switching the slope and y-intercept. The line with a y-intercept of and a slope
of 0.8 is farther from the data points than the line with a slope of 3 and a y-intercept of . Choices C and D are
incorrect. They represent lines with negative slopes, not positive slopes.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 194ae3b1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 194ae3b1
There were approximately 113,000 occupational therapy jobs in the United States
in 2012. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that this number will increase
by 29% from 2012 to 2022. Of the following, which is closest to the number of
occupational therapy jobs the bureau has projected for the United States in 2022?
A. 115,900
B. 116,300
C. 142,000
D. 145,800
ID: 194ae3b1 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The decimal equivalent of 29% is 0.29. It’s given that the 113,000 occupational therapy jobs in the United
States in 2012 are projected to increase by 29% by 2022. Increasing 113,000 by 29% can be expressed as
, or . Evaluating this expression yields 145,770. The closest number is 145,800 in
choice D.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from increasing 113,000 by 2,900 instead of by 29%. Choice B is incorrect and may
result from increasing 113,000 by 2.9% instead of by 29%. Choice C is incorrect and may result from increasing 113,000 by
29,000 instead of by 29%.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 79340403
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 79340403
The bar graph shows the distribution of books collected by different groups for a book drive. How many books were
collected by group ?
ID: 79340403 Answer
Correct Answer: 30
Rationale
The correct answer is . The height of each bar in the bar graph shown represents the number of books collected by the
group specified at the bottom of the bar. The bar for group reaches a height of . Therefore, group collected books.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a8fabad0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: a8fabad0
A waiter receives tips from each customer. On average, the tip is 15% of the
customer’s bill. At this rate, which of the following is closest to the tip the waiter
can expect when a customer has a bill that is $78.20?
A. $8.00
B. $10.00
C. $12.00
D. $14.00
ID: a8fabad0 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If the bill is $78.20, 15% of the bill can be found by multiplying 78.20 by the decimal conversion of 15%,
78.20 × 0.15 = $11.73. The exact amount $11.73 is closest in value to $12.00.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors when calculating 15% of the total $78.20.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 99550621
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 99550621
Makayla is planning an event in a 5,400-square-foot room. If there should be at
least 8 square feet per person, what is the maximum number of people that could
attend this event?
A. 588
B. 675
C. 15,274
D. 43,200
ID: 99550621 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the event will be in a 5,400-square-foot room and that there should be at least 8 square
feet per person. The maximum number of people that could attend the event can be found by dividing the total square feet in
the room by the minimum number of square feet needed per person, which gives .
Choices A and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result
from multiplying, rather than dividing, 5,400 by 8.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 9d935bd8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 9d935bd8
A survey was given to residents of all 50 states asking if they had earned a
bachelor’s degree or higher. The results from 7 of the states are given in the table
above. The median percent of residents who earned a bachelor’s degree or higher
for all 50 states was 26.95%. What is the difference between the median percent of
residents who earned a bachelor’s degree or higher for these 7 states and the
median for all 50 states?
A. 0.05%
B. 0.95%
C. 1.22%
D. 7.45%
ID: 9d935bd8 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The median of a set of numbers is the middle value of the set values when ordered from least to
greatest. If the percents in the table are ordered from least to greatest, the middle value is 27.9%. The difference between
27.9% and 26.95% is 0.95%.
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors or not finding the median of the data in the table correctly.
Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of finding the mean instead of the median. Choice D is incorrect and may be the
result of using the middle value of the unordered list.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8c5dbd3e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 8c5dbd3e
The number is greater than the number . The number is less than . What is the value of ?
ID: 8c5dbd3e Answer
Correct Answer: 189/4, 47.25
Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given that the number is greater than the number . It follows that
, or . It’s also given that the number is less than . It follows that ,
or , which yields . Substituting for in the equation yields , which is
equivalent to . Therefore, the value of is . Note that 47.25 and 189/4 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 5c24c861
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 5c24c861
A study was done to determine a new car’s stopping distance when it was traveling at different speeds. The study was
done on a dry road with good surface conditions. The results are shown below, along with the graph of a quadratic
function that models the data.
According to the model, which of the following is the best estimate for the
stopping distance, in feet, if the vehicle was traveling 55 miles per hour?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 210
D. 250
ID: 5c24c861 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Correct Answer Rationale
Choice C is correct. According to the model, the stopping distance, in feet, of a vehicle traveling 55 miles per hour is about
200 feet. Of the choices given, the best estimate of the stopping distance for a car traveling 55 miles per hour is 210 feet.
Incorrect Answer Rationale
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly reading the given quadratic model. The corresponding
x-values to the y-values of 25 and 30 are not part of the model. The corresponding x-value to a y-value of 250 is
approximately 60 mph, not 55 mph.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 9e2bf782
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 9e2bf782
A fish hatchery has three tanks for holding fish before they are introduced into the
wild. Ten fish weighing less than 5 ounces are placed in tank A. Eleven fish
weighing at least 5 ounces but no more than 13 ounces are placed in tank B.
Twelve fish weighing more than 13 ounces are placed in tank C. Which of the
following could be the median of the weights, in ounces, of these 33 fish?
A. 4.5
B. 8
C. 13.5
D. 15
ID: 9e2bf782 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The median of a set of numbers is the middle number when the values in the set are ordered from least
to greatest. There are 33 fish, so in an ordered list of the weights, the 17th value would be the median weight. The 10 fish in
tank A weigh the least, and these 10 weights would be the first 10 values on the ordered list. The 11 fish in tank B have the
next set of higher weights, and so would be the 11th through 21st weights in the ordered list, which includes the median
weight as the 17th value. The fish in tank B weigh at least 5 ounces but no more than 13 ounces; of the given choices, only 8
ounces falls within this range of values.
Choice A is incorrect. It’s given that tank A has ten fish weighing less than 5 ounces. Since there are more than ten fish in
tanks B and C combined, the median weight cannot be less than 5 ounces. Choice C and D are incorrect. It’s given that tank
C has twelve fish weighing more than 13 ounces. There are more than twelve fish in tanks A and B combined, so the median
weight can’t be more than 13 ounces.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 9ba3e283
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 9ba3e283
In State X, Mr. Camp’s eighth-grade class consisting of 26 students was surveyed
and 34.6 percent of the students reported that they had at least two siblings. The
average eighth‑grade class size in the state is 26. If the students in Mr. Camp’s
class are representative of students in the state’s eighth-grade classes and there
are 1,800 eighth-grade classes in the state, which of the following best estimates
the number of eighth‑grade students in the state who have fewer than two
siblings?
A. 16,200
B. 23,400
C. 30,600
D. 46,800
ID: 9ba3e283 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is given that 34.6% of 26 students in Mr. Camp’s class reported that they had at least two siblings.
Since 34.6% of 26 is 8.996, there must have been 9 students in the class who reported having at least two siblings and 17
students who reported that they had fewer than two siblings. It is also given that the average eighth-grade class size in the
state is 26 and that Mr. Camp’s class is representative of all eighth-grade classes in the state. This means that in each
eighth-grade class in the state there are about 17 students who have fewer than two siblings. Therefore, the best estimate of
the number of eighth-grade students in the state who have fewer than two siblings is 17 × (number of eighth-grade classes in
the state), or .
Choice A is incorrect because 16,200 is the best estimate for the number of eighth-grade students in the state who have at
least, not fewer than, two siblings. Choice B is incorrect because 23,400 is half of the estimated total number of eighth-grade
students in the state; however, since the students in Mr. Camp’s class are representative of students in the eighth-grade
classes in the state and more than half of the students in Mr. Camp’s class have fewer than two siblings, more than half of
the students in each eighth-grade class in the state have fewer than two siblings, too. Choice D is incorrect because 46,800
is the estimated total number of eighth-grade students in the state.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a9647302
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: a9647302
For quality control, a company that manufactures lightbulbs conducted five
different trials. In each trial, 500 different lightbulbs were tested. The bar graph
above shows the number of defective lightbulbs found in each trial. What is the
mean number of defective lightbulbs for the five trials?
A. 4.0
B. 4.2
C. 4.6
D. 5.0
ID: a9647302 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The numbers of defective lightbulbs found for the five trials are 4, 7, 1, 3, and 6, respectively. The mean is
therefore .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the median number of defective lightbulbs for the five trials. Choice C is incorrect and may
result from an arithmetic error. Choice D is incorrect and may result from mistaking the number of trials for the number of
defective lightbulbs.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 1c2f50a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 1c2f50a6
During a sale, the original prices of all the items in a clothing store have been
reduced by 20%. What is the sale price of a jacket with an original price of $50 ?
A. $12
B. $30
C. $36
D. $40
ID: 1c2f50a6 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the original price of the jacket has been reduced by 20%. Multiplying the original price, $50,
by 20% gives the amount, in dollars, that the price of the jacket is reduced by: . Subtracting this value from the
original price results in the sale price of the jacket: , or $40.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from a conceptual or calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID cf53cb56
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: cf53cb56
In the xy-plane shown, square ABCD has its diagonals on the x- and y-axes. What
is the area, in square units, of the square?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 50
D. 100
ID: cf53cb56 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The two diagonals of square ABCD divide the square into 4 congruent right triangles, where each triangle
has a vertex at the origin of the graph shown. The formula for the area of a triangle is , where b is the base length
of the triangle and h is the height of the triangle. Each of the 4 congruent right triangles has a height of 5 units and a base
length of 5 units. Therefore, the area of each triangle is , or 12.5 square units. Since the 4 right triangles are
congruent, the area of each is of the area of square ABCD. It follows that the area of the square ABCD is equal to
, or 50 square units.
Choices A and D are incorrect and may result from using 5 or 25, respectively, as the area of one of the 4 congruent right
triangles formed by diagonals of square ABCD. However, the area of these triangles is 12.5. Choice B is incorrect and may
result from using 5 as the length of one side of square ABCD. However, the length of a side of square ABCD is .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 310c87fe
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 310c87fe
A cube has a surface area of 54 square meters. What is the
volume, in cubic meters, of the cube?
A. 18
B. 27
C. 36
D. 81
ID: 310c87fe Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The surface area of a cube with side length s is equal to . Since the surface area is given as 54
square meters, the equation can be used to solve for s. Dividing both sides of the equation by 6 yields .
Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields and . Since the side length of a cube must be a
positive value, can be discarded as a possible solution, leaving . The volume of a cube with side length s is
equal to . Therefore, the volume of this cube, in cubic meters, is , or 27.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 25da87f8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 25da87f8
A triangle with angle measures 30°, 60°, and 90° has a perimeter of .
What is the length of the longest side of the triangle?
ID: 25da87f8 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 12. It is given that the triangle has angle measures of 30°, 60°, and 90°, and so the triangle is a special
right triangle. The side measures of this type of special triangle are in the ratio . If x is the measure of the shortest
leg, then the measure of the other leg is and the measure of the hypotenuse is 2x. The perimeter of the triangle is given
to be , and so the equation for the perimeter can be written as . Combining like terms
and factoring out a common factor of x on the left-hand side of the equation gives . Rewriting the
right-hand side of the equation by factoring out 6 gives . Dividing both sides of the equation by the
common factor gives x = 6. The longest side of the right triangle, the hypotenuse, has a length of 2x, or 2(6), which
is 12.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 459dd6c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 459dd6c5
Triangles and are similar. Each side length of triangle is times the corresponding side length of triangle
. The area of triangle is square inches. What is the area, in square inches, of triangle ?
ID: 459dd6c5 Answer
Correct Answer: 135/8, 16.87, 16.88
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that triangles and are similar and each side length of triangle is
times the corresponding side length of triangle . For two similar triangles, if each side length of the first triangle is
times the corresponding side length of the second triangle, then the area of the first triangle is times the area of the
second triangle. Therefore, the area of triangle is , or , times the area of triangle . It's given that the area of
triangle is square inches. Let represent the area, in square inches, of triangle . It follows that is
times , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields , which is equivalent to . Thus, the
area, in square inches, of triangle is . Note that 135/8, 16.87, and 16.88 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 82c8325f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 82c8325f
A circle in the xy-plane has its center at and the point lies on the circle. Which equation represents this
circle?
A. msup
B. msup
C. msup
D. msup
ID: 82c8325f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. A circle in the xy-plane can be represented by an equation of the form ,
where is the center of the circle and is the length of a radius of the circle. It's given that the circle has its center at
. Therefore, and . Substituting for and for in the equation
yields , or . It's also given that the point lies on the
circle. Substituting for and for in the equation yields , or
, which is equivalent to , or . Substituting for in the equation
yields . Thus, the equation represents
the circle.
Choice A is incorrect. The circle represented by this equation has its center at , not , and the point
doesn't lie on the circle.
Choice B is incorrect. The point doesn't lie on the circle represented by this equation.
Choice C is incorrect. The circle represented by this equation has its center at , not , and the point
doesn't lie on the circle.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 37dde49f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 37dde49f
The glass pictured above can hold a maximum volume of 473 cubic centimeters,
which is approximately 16 fluid ounces. What is the value of k, in centimeters?
A. 2.52
B. 7.67
C. 7.79
D. 10.11
ID: 37dde49f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Using the volume formula and the given information that the volume of the glass is 473
cubic centimeters, the value of k can be found as follows:
Therefore, the value of k is approximately 10.11 centimeters.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Substituting the values of k from these choices in the formula results in volumes of
approximately 7 cubic centimeters, 207 cubic centimeters, and 217 cubic centimeters, respectively, all of which contradict
the given information that the volume of the glass is 473 cubic centimeters.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 6a3fbec3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 6a3fbec3
In the figure above, and .
What is the length of ?
ID: 6a3fbec3 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 4.5. According to the properties of right triangles, BD divides triangle ABC into two similar triangles,
ABD and BCD. The corresponding sides of ABD and BCD are proportional, so the ratio of BD to AD is the same as the ratio of
DC to BD. Expressing this information as a proportion gives . Solving the proportion for DC results in .
Note that 4.5 and 9/2 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 36200a38
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 36200a38
In the figure above, two sides of a triangle are extended. What is the value of x ?
A. 110
B. 120
C. 130
D. 140
ID: 36200a38 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°. The measures of the two interior angles of the given
triangle are shown. Therefore, the measure of the third interior angle is 180° – 70° – 50° = 60°. The angles of measures x°
and 60° are supplementary, so their sum is 180°. Therefore, x = 180 – 60 = 120.
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of misinterpreting x° as supplementary to 70°. Choice C is incorrect and may be
the result of misinterpreting x° as supplementary to 50°. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of a calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a2e76b60
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: a2e76b60
A cylindrical can containing pieces of fruit is filled to the top with syrup before
being sealed. The base of the can has an area of , and the height of the can
is 10 cm. If of syrup is needed to fill the can to the top, which of the
following is closest to the total volume of the pieces of fruit in the can?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a2e76b60 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The total volume of the cylindrical can is found by multiplying the area of the base of the can, ,
by the height of the can, 10 cm, which yields . If the syrup needed to fill the can has a volume of , then the
remaining volume for the pieces of
fruit is .
Choice A is incorrect because if the fruit had a volume of , there would be of syrup needed
to fill the can to the top. Choice B is incorrect because if the fruit had a volume of , there would be
of syrup needed to fill the can to the top. Choice D is incorrect because it is the total volume of the
can, not just of the pieces of fruit.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID d683a9cc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: d683a9cc
The figure shows the lengths, in centimeters (cm), of the edges of a right
rectangular prism. The volume V of a right rectangular prism is , where is
the length of the prism, w is the width of the prism, and h is the height of the prism.
What is the volume, in cubic centimeters, of the prism?
A. 36
B. 24
C. 12
D. 11
ID: d683a9cc Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the volume of a right rectangular prism is . The prism shown has a length of 6 cm, a
width of 2 cm, and a height of 3 cm. Thus, , or 36 cubic centimeters.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the volume of a rectangular prism with edge lengths of 6, 2, and 2. Choice C is incorrect and
may result from only finding the product of the length and width of the base of the prism. Choice D is incorrect and may
result from finding the sum, not the product, of the edge lengths of the prism.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID acd30391
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: acd30391
A circle in the xy-plane has equation . Which of the
following points does NOT lie in the interior of the circle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: acd30391 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The circle with equation has center and radius 5. For a point to be inside
of the circle, the distance from that point to the center must be less than the radius, 5. The distance between and
is , which is greater than 5. Therefore, does NOT lie in the
interior of the circle.
Choice A is incorrect. The distance between and is , which
is less than 5, and therefore lies in the interior of the circle. Choice B is incorrect because it is the center of the circle.
Choice C is incorrect because the distance between and is , which
is less than 5, and therefore in the interior of the circle.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID dba6a25a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: dba6a25a
In the figure above, is parallel to .
What is the length of ?
ID: dba6a25a Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 30. In the figure given, since is parallel to and both segments are intersected by , then
angle BDC and angle AEC are corresponding angles and therefore congruent. Angle BCD and angle ACE are also congruent
because they are the same angle. Triangle BCD and triangle ACE are similar because if two angles of one triangle are
congruent to two angles of another triangle, the triangles are similar. Since triangle BCD and triangle ACE are similar, their
corresponding sides are proportional. So in triangle BCD and triangle ACE, corresponds to and corresponds to
. Therefore, . Since triangle BCD is a right triangle, the Pythagorean theorem can be used to give the value
of CD: . Taking the square root of each side gives . Substituting the values in the proportion
yields . Multiplying each side by CE, and then multiplying by yields . Therefore, the
length of is 30.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3828f53d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 3828f53d
In the figure above, lines m and n are parallel.
What is the value of b ?
A. 40
B. 50
C. 65
D. 80
ID: 3828f53d Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Given that lines m and n are parallel, the angle marked 130° must be supplementary to the
leftmost angle marked a° because they are same-side interior angles. Therefore, 130° + a° = 180°, which yields a = 50°. Lines
and m intersect at a right angle, so lines j, , and m form a right triangle where the two acute angles are a° and b°. The
acute angles of a right triangle are complementary, so a° + b° = 90°, which yields 50° + b° = 90°, and b = 40.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of a, not b. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of dividing 130° by 2. Choice D
is incorrect and may be the result of multiplying b by 2.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 2be01bd9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 2be01bd9
Triangle is similar to triangle , where angle corresponds to angle and angle corresponds to angle .
Angles and are right angles. If , what is the value of ?
ID: 2be01bd9 Answer
Correct Answer: .14, 7/50
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that triangle is similar to triangle , where angle corresponds to angle
and angle corresponds to angle . In similar triangles, the tangents of corresponding angles are equal. Since angle and
angle are corresponding angles, if , then . It's also given that angles and are right
angles. It follows that triangle is a right triangle with acute angles and . The tangent of one acute angle in a right
triangle is the inverse of the tangent of the other acute angle in the triangle. Therefore, . Substituting
for in this equation yields , or . Thus, if , the value of is .
Note that 7/50 and .14 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID f7e626b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: f7e626b2
The dimensions of a right rectangular prism are 4 inches by 5 inches by 6 inches.
What is the surface area, in square inches, of the prism?
A. 30
B. 74
C. 120
D. 148
ID: f7e626b2 Answer
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The surface area is found by summing the area of each face. A right rectangular prism consists of three
pairs of congruent rectangles, so the surface area is found by multiplying the areas of three adjacent rectangles by 2 and
adding these products. For this prism, the surface area is equal to , or ,
which is equal to 148.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the area of one of the faces of the prism. Choice B is incorrect and may result from adding the
areas of three adjacent rectangles without multiplying by 2. Choice C is incorrect. This is the volume, in cubic inches, of the
prism.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 17912810
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 17912810
In the figure, parallel lines and are intersected by lines and . If and , what is the value of ?
ID: 17912810 Answer
Correct Answer: 101/2, 50.5
Rationale
The correct answer is . In the figure, lines , , and form a triangle. One interior angle of this triangle is vertical to the
angle marked ; therefore, the interior angle also has measure . It's given that . Therefore, the interior angle of the
triangle has measure . A second interior angle of the triangle forms a straight line, , with the angle marked .
Therefore, the sum of the measures of these two angles is . It's given that . Therefore, the angle marked has
measure and the second interior angle of the triangle has measure , or . The sum of the interior
angles of a triangle is . Therefore, the measure of the third interior angle of the triangle is , or .
It's given that parallel lines and are intersected by line . It follows that the triangle's interior angle with measure is
congruent to the same side interior angle between lines and formed by lines and . Since this angle is supplementary to
the two angles marked , the sum of , , and is . It follows that , or .
Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields .
Note that 101/2 and 50.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 13d9a1c3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 13d9a1c3
In the right triangle shown above, what
is the length of ?
ID: 13d9a1c3 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 4. Triangle PQR has given angle measures of 30° and 90°, so the third angle must be 60° because the
measures of the angles of a triangle sum to 180°. For any special right triangle with angles measuring 30°, 60°, and 90°, the
length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is 2x, where x is the length of the side opposite the 30° angle.
Segment PQ is opposite the 30° angle. Therefore, 2(PQ) = 8 and PQ = 4.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 92eb236a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 92eb236a
In a right triangle, the tangent of one of the two acute angles is . What
is the tangent of the other acute angle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 92eb236a Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The tangent of a nonright angle in a right triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the leg opposite
the angle to the length of the leg adjacent to the angle. Using that definition for tangent, in a right triangle with legs that have
lengths a and b, the tangent of one acute angle is and the tangent for the other acute angle is . It follows that the
tangents of the acute angles in a right triangle are reciprocals of each other. Therefore, the tangent of the other acute angle
in the given triangle is the reciprocal of or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from assuming that the tangent of the other acute angle is the negative of the tangent
of the angle described. Choice B is incorrect and may result from assuming that the tangent of the other acute angle is the
negative of the reciprocal of the tangent of the angle described. Choice C is incorrect and may result from interpreting the
tangent of the other acute angle as equal to the tangent of the angle described.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID eb70d2d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: eb70d2d0
What is the area, in square units, of the triangle formed by connecting the three points shown?
ID: eb70d2d0 Answer
Correct Answer: 24.5, 49/2
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that a triangle is formed by connecting the three points shown, which are ,
, and . Let this triangle be triangle A. The area of triangle A can be found by calculating the area of the
rectangle that circumscribes it and subtracting the areas of the three triangles that are inside the rectangle but outside
triangle A. The rectangle formed by the points , , , and circumscribes triangle A. The width, in
units, of this rectangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points and . This distance is
, or . The length, in units, of this rectangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points and
. This distance is , or . It follows that the area, in square units, of the rectangle is , or . One of the
triangles that lies inside the rectangle but outside triangle A is formed by the points , , and . The length, in
units, of a base of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points and . This distance
is , or . The corresponding height, in units, of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points
and . This distance is , or . It follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle is , or .
A second triangle that lies inside the rectangle but outside triangle A is formed by the points , , and .
The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points and
. This distance is , or . The corresponding height, in units, of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance
between the points and . This distance is , or . It follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle
is , or . The third triangle that lies inside the rectangle but outside triangle A is formed by the points ,
, and . The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the
points and . This distance is , or . The corresponding height, in units, of this triangle can be
found by calculating the distance between the points and . This distance is , or . It follows that
the area, in square units, of this triangle is , or . Thus, the area, in square units, of the triangle formed by
connecting the three points shown is , or . Note that 24.5 and 49/2 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c6dff223
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: c6dff223
Triangle is similar to triangle , where angle corresponds to angle and angles and are right angles. The
length of is times the length of . If , what is the value of ?
ID: c6dff223 Answer
Correct Answer: .7241, 21/29
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that triangle is similar to triangle , where angle corresponds to angle
and angles and are right angles. In similar triangles, the tangents of corresponding angles are equal. Therefore, if
, then . In a right triangle, the tangent of an acute angle is the ratio of the length of the leg opposite
the angle to the length of the leg adjacent to the angle. Therefore, in triangle , if , the ratio of the length of
to the length of is . If the lengths of and are and , respectively, then the ratio of the length of
to the length of is . In a right triangle, the sine of an acute angle is the ratio of the length of the leg opposite the angle
to the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, the value of is the ratio of the length of to the length of . The
length of can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, which states that if the lengths of the legs of a right triangle
are and and the length of the hypotenuse is , then . Therefore, if the lengths of and are and
, respectively, then , or . Taking the positive square root of both sides of this
equation yields . Therefore, if the lengths of and are and , respectively, then the length of is
and the ratio of the length of to the length of is . Thus, if , the value of is . Note that 21/29,
.7241, and 0.724 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID fb58c0db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: fb58c0db
Points A and B lie on a circle with radius 1, and arc has length . What
fraction of the circumference of the circle is the length of arc ?
ID: fb58c0db Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . The circumference, C, of a circle is , where r is the length of the radius of the circle. For
the given circle with a radius of 1, the circumference is , or . To find what fraction of the circumference
the length of arc is, divide the length of the arc by the circumference, which gives . This division can be
represented by . Note that 1/6, .1666, .1667, 0.166, and 0.167 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID a5aee181
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: a5aee181
The length of a rectangle’s diagonal is , and the length of the rectangle’s shorter side is . What is the length of the
rectangle’s longer side?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: a5aee181 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A rectangle’s diagonal divides a rectangle into two congruent right triangles, where the diagonal is the
hypotenuse of both triangles. It’s given that the length of the diagonal is and the length of the rectangle’s shorter side
is . Therefore, each of the two right triangles formed by the rectangle’s diagonal has a hypotenuse with length , and a
shorter leg with length . To calculate the length of the longer leg of each right triangle, the Pythagorean theorem,
, can be used, where and are the lengths of the legs and is the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle.
Substituting for and for in the equation yields , which is equivalent to
, or . Subtracting from each side of this equation yields . Taking the positive
square root of each side of this equation yields . Therefore, the length of the longer leg of each right triangle formed
by the diagonal of the rectangle is . It follows that the length of the rectangle’s longer side is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from dividing the length of the rectangle’s diagonal by the length of the rectangle’s
shorter side, rather than substituting these values into the Pythagorean theorem.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from using the length of the rectangle’s diagonal as the length of a leg of the right
triangle, rather than the length of the hypotenuse.
Choice D is incorrect. This is the square of the length of the rectangle’s longer side.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f60bb551
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: f60bb551
The area of a rectangle is square inches. The length of the rectangle is inches. What is the width, in inches, of this
rectangle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: f60bb551 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The area , in square inches, of a rectangle is the product of its length 𝓁, in inches, and its width , in
inches; thus, 𝓁 . It's given that the area of a rectangle is square inches and the length of the rectangle is
inches. Substituting for and for 𝓁 in the equation 𝓁 yields . Dividing both sides of this equation
by yields . Therefore, the width, in inches, of this rectangle is .
Choice B is incorrect. This is the length, not the width, in inches, of the rectangle.
Choice C is incorrect. This is half the area, in square inches, not the width, in inches, of the rectangle.
Choice D is incorrect. This is the difference between the area, in square inches, and the length, in inches, of the rectangle, not
the width, in inches, of the rectangle.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 93de3f84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 93de3f84
The volume of right circular cylinder A is 22 cubic centimeters. What is the volume,
in cubic centimeters, of a right circular cylinder with twice the radius and half the
height of cylinder A?
A. 11
B. 22
C. 44
D. 66
ID: 93de3f84 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The volume of right circular cylinder A is given by the expression , where r is the radius of its
circular base and h is its height. The volume of a cylinder with twice the radius and half the height of cylinder A is given by
, which is equivalent to . Therefore, the volume is twice the volume of cylinder A, or
.
Choice A is incorrect and likely results from not multiplying the radius of cylinder A by 2. Choice B is incorrect and likely
results from not squaring the 2 in 2r when applying the volume formula. Choice D is incorrect and likely results from a
conceptual error.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 6dd463ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 6dd463ca
In the figure above, segments AE and BD are parallel. If angle BDC measures 58°
and angle ACE measures 62°, what is the measure of angle CAE ?
A. 58°
B. 60°
C. 62°
D. 120°
ID: 6dd463ca Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that angle ACE measures . Since segments AE and BD are parallel, angles BDC and CEA are
congruent. Therefore, angle CEA measures . The sum of the measures of angles ACE, CEA, and CAE is since the
sum of the interior angles of triangle ACE is equal to . Let the measure of angle CAE be . Therefore,
, which simplifies to . Thus, the measure of angle CAE is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the measure of angle AEC, not that of angle CAE. Choice C is incorrect. This is the measure of
angle ACE, not that of CAE. Choice D is incorrect. This is the sum of the measures of angles ACE and CEA.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 95ba2d09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 95ba2d09
In the xy-plane above, points P, Q, R, and T lie on the circle with center O. The
degree measures of angles and are each 30°. What is the radian
measure of angle ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 95ba2d09 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Because points T, O, and P all lie on the x-axis, they form a line. Since the angles on a line add up to
, and it’s given that angles POQ and ROT each measure , it follows that the measure of angle QOR is
. Since the arc of a complete circle is or radians, a proportion can be set up to convert
the measure of angle QOR from degrees to radians: , where x is the radian measure of
angle QOR. Multiplying each side of the proportion by gives . Solving for x gives , or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting only angle POQ from to get a value of and then finding the
radian measure equivalent to that value. Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice D is incorrect
and may result from calculating the sum of the angle measures, in radians, of angles POQ and ROT.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 7c25b0dc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 7c25b0dc
The length of a rectangle’s diagonal is , and the length of the rectangle’s shorter side is . What is the length of the
rectangle’s longer side?
ID: 7c25b0dc Answer
Correct Answer: 12
Rationale
The correct answer is . The diagonal of a rectangle forms a right triangle, where the shorter side and the longer side of the
rectangle are the legs of the triangle and the diagonal of the rectangle is the hypotenuse of the triangle. It's given that the
length of the rectangle's diagonal is and the length of the rectangle's shorter side is . Thus, the length of the
hypotenuse of the right triangle formed by the diagonal is and the length of one of the legs is . By the Pythagorean
theorem, if a right triangle has a hypotenuse with length and legs with lengths and , then . Substituting
for and for in this equation yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of
this equation yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields , or . Since
represents a length, which must be positive, the value of is . Thus, the length of the rectangle's longer side is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 89661424
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 89661424
A circle in the xy-plane has its center at and has a radius of . An equation of this circle is
, where , , and are constants. What is the value of ?
ID: 89661424 Answer
Correct Answer: -52
Rationale
The correct answer is . The equation of a circle in the xy-plane with its center at and a radius of can be written
in the form . It's given that a circle in the xy-plane has its center at and has a radius of .
Substituting for , for , and for in the equation yields
, or . It's also given that an equation of this circle is
, where , , and are constants. Therefore, can be rewritten in
the form . The equation , or
, can be rewritten as .
Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields . Subtracting from
both sides of this equation yields , which is equivalent to
. This equation is in the form . Therefore, the value of
is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 981275d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 981275d2
In the xy-plane, the graph of the equation above is a circle. Point P is on the circle
and has coordinates . If is a diameter of the circle, what are the
coordinates of point Q ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 981275d2 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The standard form for the equation of a circle is , where are the
coordinates of the center and r is the length of the radius. According to the given equation, the center of the circle is .
Let represent the coordinates of point Q. Since point P and point Q are the endpoints of a diameter
of the circle, the center lies on the diameter, halfway between P and Q. Therefore, the following relationships hold:
and . Solving the equations for and , respectively, yields and .
Therefore, the coordinates of point Q are .
Alternate approach: Since point P on the circle and the center of the circle have the same y-coordinate, it
follows that the radius of the circle is . In addition, the opposite end of the diameter must have the same y-
coordinate as P and be 4 units away from the center. Hence, the coordinates of point Q must be .
Choices B and D are incorrect because the points given in these choices lie on a diameter that is perpendicular to the
diameter . If either of these points were point Q, then would not be the diameter of the circle. Choice C is incorrect
because is the center of the circle and does not lie on the circle.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID bf8d843e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: bf8d843e
In above, what is the
length of ?
A. 4
B. 6
C.
D.
ID: bf8d843e Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Triangles ADB and CDB are both triangles and share . Therefore, triangles ADB
and CDB are congruent by the angle-side-angle postulate. Using the properties of triangles, the length of
is half the length of hypotenuse . Since the triangles are congruent, . So the length of is
Alternate approach: Since angle CBD has a measure of , angle ABC must have a measure of . It follows that triangle
ABC is equilateral, so side AC also has length 12. It also follows that the altitude BD is also a median, and therefore the
length of AD is half of the length of AC, which is 6.
Choice A is incorrect. If the length of were 4, then the length of would be 8. However, this is incorrect because
is congruent to , which has a length of 12. Choices C and D are also incorrect. Following the same procedures as used to
test choice A gives a length of for choice C and for choice D. However, these results cannot be true
because is congruent to , which has a length of 12.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 856372ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 856372ca
In the xy-plane, a circle with radius 5 has center . Which of the
following is an equation of the circle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 856372ca Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. An equation of a circle is , where the center of the circle is and the radius is
r. It’s given that the center of this circle is and the radius is 5. Substituting these values into the equation gives
, or .
Choice A is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that has center . Choice C is incorrect. This is an equation of a
circle that has center and radius . Choice D is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that has radius .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ca2235f6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: ca2235f6
A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. The measure of arc is and the length of arc is
inches. What is the circumference, in inches, of the circle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ca2235f6 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the measure of arc is and the length of arc is . The arc measure of
the full circle is . If represents the circumference, in inches, of the circle, it follows that . This
equation is equivalent to , or . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields , or
. Therefore, the circumference of the circle is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of arc .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying the length of arc by .
Choice C is incorrect and may result from squaring the length of arc .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 5b4757df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 5b4757df
In triangle , angle is a right angle, point lies on , point lies on , and is parallel to . If the length of
is units, the length of is units, and the area of triangle is square units, what is the length of , in
units?
ID: 5b4757df Answer
Correct Answer: 14.66, 14.67, 44/3
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that in triangle , angle is a right angle. The area of a right triangle can be found
using the formula 𝓁 𝓁 , where represents the area of the right triangle, 𝓁 represents the length of one leg of the
triangle, and 𝓁 represents the length of the other leg of the triangle. In triangle , the two legs are and .
Therefore, if the length of is and the area of triangle is , then , or .
Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the length of is . It's also given that point lies
on , point lies on , and is parallel to . It follows that angle is a right angle. Since triangles and
share angle and have right angles and , respectively, triangles and are similar triangles. Therefore,
the ratio of the length of to the length of is equal to the ratio of the length of to the length of . If the length
of is and the length of is , it follows that the ratio of the length of to the length of is , or , so the
ratio of the length of to the length of is . Therefore, . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields
. Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Since the length of , , is the sum of the
length of , , and the length of , it follows that the length of is , or . Note that 44/3, 14.66, and
14.67 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 5733ce30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 5733ce30
In the given figure, extends to point D. If the measure of is equal to the
measure of , what is the value of x ?
A. 110
B. 70
C. 55
D. 40
ID: 5733ce30 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since and form a linear pair of angles, their measures sum to 180°. It’s given that the
measure of is 110°. Therefore, . Subtracting 110° from both sides of this equation gives the
measure of as 70°. It’s also given that the measure of is equal to the measure of . Thus, the
measure of is also 70°. The measures of the interior angles of a triangle sum to 180°. Thus,
. Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields . Subtracting 140° from both sides of
this equation yields , or .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of the measure of . Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of the measure of
each of the other two interior angles, and . Choice C is incorrect and may result from an error made when
identifying the relationship between the exterior angle of a triangle and the interior angles of the triangle.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 1c3d613c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 1c3d613c
Triangle ABC and triangle DEF are shown. The relationship between the side
lengths of the two triangles is such that . If the measure
of angle BAC is 20°, what is the measure, in degrees, of angle EDF ? (Disregard the
degree symbol when gridding your answer.)
ID: 1c3d613c Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 20. By the equality given, the three pairs of corresponding sides of the two triangles are in the same
proportion. By the side-side-side (SSS) similarity theorem, triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF. In similar triangles, the
measures of corresponding angles are congruent. Since angle BAC corresponds to angle EDF, these two angles are
congruent and their measures are equal. It’s given that the measure of angle BAC is 20°, so the measure of angle EDF is also
20°.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 6ab30ce3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 6ab30ce3
Triangle is similar to triangle , where corresponds to and corresponds to . Angles and are right
angles. If and , what is the length of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 6ab30ce3 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Corresponding angles in similar triangles have equal measures. It's given that triangle is similar to
triangle , where corresponds to , so the measure of angle is equal to the measure of angle . Therefore, if
, then . It's given that angles and are right angles, so triangles and are right
triangles. The adjacent side of an acute angle in a right triangle is the side closest to the angle that is not the hypotenuse. It
follows that the adjacent side of angle is side . The opposite side of an acute angle in a right triangle is the side
across from the acute angle. It follows that the opposite side of angle is side . The tangent of an acute angle in a right
triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side. Therefore, . If
, the length of side can be found by substituting for and for in the equation
, which yields . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Since the
length of side is times the length of side , it follows that triangle is a special right triangle with angle
measures , , and . Therefore, the length of the hypotenuse, , is times the length of side , or
. Substituting for in this equation yields , or . Thus, if
and , the length of is .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the length of , not .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 23c5fcce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 23c5fcce
The circle above with center O has a circumference of 36.
What is the length of minor arc ?
A. 9
B. 12
C. 18
D. 36
ID: 23c5fcce Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. A circle has 360 degrees of arc. In the circle shown, O is the center of the circle and is a central
angle of the circle. From the figure, the two diameters that meet to form are perpendicular, so the measure of
is . Therefore, the length of minor arc is of the circumference of the circle. Since the circumference
of the circle is 36, the length of minor arc is .
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. The perpendicular diameters divide the circumference of the circle into four equal arcs;
therefore, minor arc is of the circumference. However, the lengths in choices B and C are, respectively, and
the circumference of the circle, and the length in choice D is the length of the entire circumference. None of these lengths is
the circumference.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 992f4e93
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 992f4e93
In the figure above, lines and k are parallel.
What is the value of a ?
A. 26
B. 64
C. 116
D. 154
ID: 992f4e93 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since lines and k are parallel, corresponding angles formed by the intersection of line j with lines and
k are congruent. Therefore, the angle with measure a° must be the supplement of the angle with measure 64°. The sum of
two supplementary angles is 180°, so a = 180 – 64 = 116.
Choice A is incorrect and likely results from thinking the angle with measure a° is the complement of the angle with measure
64°. Choice B is incorrect and likely results from thinking the angle with measure a° is congruent to the angle with measure
64°. Choice D is incorrect and likely results from a conceptual or computational error.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 6933b3d9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 6933b3d9
In triangle RST above, point W (not shown) lies on . What is the value of
?
ID: 6933b3d9 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 0. Note that no matter where point W is on , the sum of the measures of and is
equal to the measure of , which is . Thus, and are complementary angles. Since the cosine of
an angle is equal to the sine of its complementary angle, . Therefore,
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c88183f7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: c88183f7
A rectangle has a length of and a width of . What is the perimeter of the rectangle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c88183f7 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The perimeter of a quadrilateral is the sum of the lengths of its four sides. It's given that the rectangle
has a length of and a width of . It follows that the rectangle has two sides with length and two sides with length .
Therefore, the perimeter of the rectangle is , or .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the sum of the lengths of the two sides with length , not the sum of the lengths of all four
sides of the rectangle.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the sum of the lengths of the two sides with length , not the sum of the lengths of all four
sides of the rectangle.
Choice D is incorrect. This is the perimeter of a rectangle that has four sides with length , not two sides with length and
two sides with length .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 087cdcfd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 087cdcfd
In the figure, three lines intersect at point P. If and
, what is the value of z ?
A. 140
B. 80
C. 40
D. 20
ID: 087cdcfd Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The angle that is shown as lying between the y° angle and the z° angle is a vertical angle with the x°
angle. Since vertical angles are congruent and , the angle between the y° angle and the z° angle measures 65°. Since
the 65° angle, the y° angle, and the z° angle are adjacent and form a straight angle, it follows that the sum of the measures of
these three angles is 180°, which is represented by the equation . It’s given that y = 75. Substituting 75
for y yields , which can be rewritten as . Subtracting 140° from both sides of this
equation yields . Therefore, .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the value of rather than z. Choices B and D are incorrect and may
result from conceptual or computational errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 410bdbe6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 410bdbe6
In the triangle above, . What
is the value of b ?
A. 52
B. 59
C. 76
D. 104
ID: 410bdbe6 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The sum of the measures of the three interior angles of a triangle is 180°. Therefore, .
Since it’s given that , it follows that , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields
.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of . Choice D is
incorrect. This is the value of .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID dc71597b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: dc71597b
A right circular cone has a volume of cubic feet and a height of 9 feet. What
is the radius, in feet, of the base of the cone?
A.
B.
C.
D. 3
ID: dc71597b Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The equation for the volume of a right circular cone is . It’s given that the volume of the
right circular cone is cubic feet and the height is 9 feet. Substituting these values for V and h, respectively, gives
. Dividing both sides of the equation by gives . Dividing both sides of the equation by 9
gives . Taking the square root of both sides results in two possible values for the radius, or . Since
the radius can’t have a negative value, that leaves as the only possibility. Applying the quotient property of square
roots, , results in , or .
Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly evaluating . Choice D is incorrect and may result from
solving instead of .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 74d8b897
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 74d8b897
An angle has a measure of radians. What is the measure of the angle in degrees?
ID: 74d8b897 Answer
Correct Answer: 81
Rationale
The correct answer is . The measure of an angle, in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in radians, by
. Multiplying the given angle measure, radians, by yields , which is
equivalent to degrees.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 5b2b8866
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 5b2b8866
A rectangular poster has an area of square inches. A copy of the poster is made in which the length and width of the
original poster are each increased by . What is the area of the copy, in square inches?
ID: 5b2b8866 Answer
Correct Answer: 2592/5, 518.4
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the area of the original poster is square inches. Let 𝓁 represent the length, in
inches, of the original poster, and let represent the width, in inches, of the original poster. Since the area of a rectangle is
equal to its length times its width, it follows that 𝓁 . It's also given that a copy of the poster is made in which the
length and width of the original poster are each increased by . It follows that the length of the copy is the length of the
original poster plus of the length of the original poster, which is equivalent to 𝓁 𝓁 inches. This length can be
rewritten as 𝓁 𝓁 inches, or 𝓁 inches. Similarly, the width of the copy is the width of the original poster plus of
the width of the original poster, which is equivalent to inches. This width can be rewritten as inches, or
inches. Since the area of a rectangle is equal to its length times its width, it follows that the area, in square inches, of
the copy is equal to 𝓁 , which can be rewritten as 𝓁 . Since 𝓁 , the area, in square inches,
of the copy can be found by substituting for 𝓁 in the expression 𝓁 , which yields , or
. Therefore, the area of the copy, in square inches, is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID eeb4143c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: eeb4143c
The area of triangle ABC above is at least 48 but no more than 60. If y is an
integer, what is one possible value of x ?
ID: eeb4143c Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is either , , or . The area of triangle ABC can be expressed as or . It’s given
that the area of triangle ABC is at least 48 but no more than 60. It follows that . Dividing by 6 to isolate y in this
compound inequality yields . Since y is an integer, . In the given figure, the two right triangles
shown are similar because they have two pairs of congruent angles: their respective right angles and angle A. Therefore, the
following proportion is true: . Substituting 8 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and
solving for x yields . Substituting 9 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and solving for x yields
. Substituting 10 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and solving for x yields . Note that
10/3, 15/4, 25/6, 3.333, 3.75, 4.166, and 4.167 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9e44284b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 9e44284b
In the xy-plane, the graph of is a
circle. What is the radius of the circle?
A. 5
B. 6.5
C.
D.
ID: 9e44284b Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. One way to find the radius of the circle is to rewrite the given equation in standard form,
, where is the center of the circle and the radius of the circle is r. To do this, divide the original
equation, , by 2 to make the leading coefficients of and each equal to 1:
. Then complete the square to put the equation in standard form. To do so, first rewrite
as . Second, add 2.25 and 0.25 to both
sides of the equation: . Since ,
, and , it follows that . Therefore, the radius of the circle is 5.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in manipulating the equation or of a misconception about
the standard form of the equation of a circle in the xy-plane.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 0837c3b9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 0837c3b9
Triangle ABC and triangle DEF are similar triangles, where and are
corresponding sides. If and the perimeter of triangle ABC is 20, what is
the perimeter of triangle DEF ?
A. 10
B. 40
C. 80
D. 120
ID: 0837c3b9 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since triangles ABC and DEF are similar and , the length of each side of triangle DEF is two
times the length of its corresponding side in triangle ABC. Therefore, the perimeter of triangle DEF is two times the perimeter
of triangle ABC. Since the perimeter of triangle ABC is 20, the perimeter of triangle DEF is 40.
Choice A is incorrect. This is half, not two times, the perimeter of triangle ABC. Choice C is incorrect. This is two times the
perimeter of triangle DEF rather than two times the perimeter of triangle ABC. Choice D is incorrect. This is six times, not two
times, the perimeter of triangle ABC.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID bd7f6e30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: bd7f6e30
In the figure above, .
What is the value of x ?
A. 72
B. 66
C. 64
D. 58
ID: bd7f6e30 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since , it follows that is an isosceles triangle with base RU. Therefore, and
are the base angles of an isosceles triangle and are congruent. Let the measures of both and be
. According to the triangle sum theorem, the sum of the measures of the three angles of a triangle is . Therefore,
, so .
Note that is the same angle as . Thus, the measure of is . According to the triangle exterior
angle theorem, an external angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the opposite interior angles. Therefore, is equal to
the sum of the measures of and ; that is, . Thus, the value of x is 64.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure of , but is not congruent to . Choices A and D are incorrect
and may result from a calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 901e3285
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 901e3285
In triangle ABC, the measure of angle A is . If triangle ABC is isosceles, which
of the following is NOT a possible measure of angle B ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 901e3285 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The sum of the three interior angles in a triangle is . It’s given that angle A measures . If angle
B measured , the measure of angle C would be . Thus, the measures of the angles in the
triangle would be , , and . However, an isosceles triangle has two angles of equal measure. Therefore, angle B
can’t measure .
Choice A is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle C would measure , and , ,
and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle. Choice B is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle
C would measure , and , , and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle.
Choice C is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle C would measure , and , ,
and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID de550be0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: de550be0
For the triangle shown, which expression represents the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: de550be0 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. For the right triangle shown, the lengths of the legs are units and units, and the length of the
hypotenuse is units. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of the
two legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, . Subtracting from both sides
of this equation yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields .
Since is a length, must be positive. Therefore, . Thus, for the triangle shown, represents
the value of .
Choice B is incorrect. For the triangle shown, this expression represents the value of , not .
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID dfc420b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: dfc420b2
In the figure above, intersects at C. If
, what is the value of y ?
A. 100
B. 90
C. 80
D. 60
ID: dfc420b2 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that ; therefore, substituting 100 for x in triangle ABC gives two known angle measures
for this triangle. The sum of the measures of the interior angles of any triangle equals 180°. Subtracting the two known angle
measures of triangle ABC from 180° gives the third angle measure: . This is the measure of angle
BCA. Since vertical angles are congruent, the measure of angle DCE is also 60°. Subtracting the two known angle measures
of triangle CDE from 180° gives the third angle measure: . Therefore, the value of y is 80.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice B is incorrect and may result from classifying angle CDE
as a right angle. Choice D is incorrect and may result from finding the measure of angle BCA or DCE instead of the measure
of angle CDE.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 3563d76d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 3563d76d
At a certain time and day, the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, casts a
shadow that is 300 feet long. At the same time, a nearby cherry tree casts a
shadow that is 16 feet long. Given that the Washington Monument is
approximately 555 feet tall, which of the following is closest to the height, in feet,
of the cherry tree?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 35
ID: 3563d76d Answer
Rationale
Choice C is correct. There is a proportional relationship between the height of an object and the length of its shadow. Let c
represent the height, in feet, of the cherry tree. The given relationship can be expressed by the proportion .
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 16 yields . This height is closest to the value given in choice C, 30.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 8e7689e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 8e7689e0
The number of radians in a 720-degree angle can be written as , where
a is a constant. What is the value of a ?
ID: 8e7689e0 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 4. There are radians in a angle. An angle measure of is 4 times greater than an angle
measure of . Therefore, the number of radians in a angle is .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 55bb437a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 55bb437a
In the figure above, . If and
, what is the length of ?
ID: 55bb437a Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 6. Since , and are both similar to 3-4-5 triangles. This means that they
are both similar to the right triangle with sides of lengths 3, 4, and 5. Since , which is 3 times as long as the
hypotenuse of the 3-4-5 triangle, the similarity ratio of to the 3-4-5 triangle is 3:1. Therefore, the length of (the
side opposite to ) is , and the length of (the side adjacent to ) is . It is also given that
. Since and , it follows that , which means that the similarity ratio of to
the 3-4-5 triangle is 2:1 ( is the side adjacent to ). Therefore, the length of , which is the side opposite to , is
.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b0dc920d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: b0dc920d
A manufacturer determined that right cylindrical containers with a height that is 4
inches longer than the radius offer the optimal number of containers to be
displayed on a shelf. Which of the following expresses the volume, V, in cubic
inches, of such containers, where r is the radius, in inches?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b0dc920d Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The volume, V, of a right cylinder is given by the formula , where r represents the radius of the
base of the cylinder and h represents the height. Since the height is 4 inches longer than the radius, the expression
represents the height of each cylindrical container. It follows that the volume of each container is represented by the
equation . Distributing the expression into each term in the parentheses yields .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from representing the height as instead of . Choice B is incorrect and may result
from representing the height as instead of . Choice C is incorrect and may result from representing the volume of a
right cylinder as instead of .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3e577e4a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 3e577e4a
A circle in the xy-plane has its center at . Line is tangent to this circle at the point . What is the slope of
line ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 3e577e4a Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. A line that's tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. It's
given that the circle has its center at and line is tangent to the circle at the point . The slope of a
radius defined by the points and can be calculated as . The points and define the
radius of the circle at the point of tangency. Therefore, the slope of this radius can be calculated as , or . If a line
and a radius are perpendicular, the slope of the line must be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the radius. The negative
reciprocal of is . Thus, the slope of line is .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the slope of the radius of the circle at the point of tangency, not the slope of line .
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID d3fe472f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: d3fe472f
Triangle is similar to triangle , such that , , and correspond to , , and respectively. The length of
each side of triangle is times the length of its corresponding side in triangle . The measure of side is .
What is the measure of side ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: d3fe472f Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that triangle is similar to triangle , such that , , and correspond to , , and
, respectively. Therefore, side corresponds to side . Since the length of each side of triangle is times the
length of its corresponding side in triangle , it follows that the measure of side is times the measure of side
. Thus, since the measure of side is , then the measure of side is , or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure of side , not side .
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ab176ad6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: ab176ad6
The equation defines a circle in the
xy‑plane. What is the radius of the circle?
ID: ab176ad6 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 11. A circle with equation , where a, b, and r are constants, has center
and radius r. Therefore, the radius of the given circle is , or 11.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 38517165
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 38517165
A circle has a circumference of centimeters. What is the diameter, in centimeters, of the circle?
ID: 38517165 Answer
Correct Answer: 31
Rationale
The correct answer is . The circumference of a circle is equal to centimeters, where represents the radius, in
centimeters, of the circle, and the diameter of the circle is equal to centimeters. It's given that a circle has a
circumference of centimeters. Therefore, . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Since
the diameter of the circle is equal to centimeters, it follows that the diameter, in centimeters, of the circle is .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 740bf79f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 740bf79f
In the figure above, what is the
length of ?
A. 2.2
B. 2.3
C. 2.4
D. 2.5
ID: 740bf79f Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. First, is the hypotenuse of right , whose legs have lengths 3 and 4. Therefore,
, so and . Second, because corresponds to and because
corresponds to , is similar to . The ratio of corresponding sides of similar triangles is constant, so
. Since and it’s given that and , . Solving for NQ results in , or
2.4.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from setting up incorrect ratios.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 933fee1a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 933fee1a
Triangles ABC and DEF are shown above. Which of the
following is equal to the ratio ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 933fee1a Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. In right triangle ABC, the measure of angle B must be 58° because the sum of the measure of angle A,
which is 32°, and the measure of angle B is 90°. Angle D in the right triangle DEF has measure 58°. Hence, triangles ABC and
DEF are similar (by angle-angle similarity). Since is the side opposite to the angle with measure 32° and AB is the
hypotenuse in right triangle ABC, the ratio is equal to .
Alternate approach: The trigonometric ratios can be used to answer this question. In right triangle ABC, the ratio
. The angle E in triangle DEF has measure 32° because . In triangle DEF, the ratio
. Therefore, .
Choice A is incorrect because is the reciprocal of the ratio . Choice C is incorrect because , not
. Choice D is incorrect because , not .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 4c95c7d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 4c95c7d4
A graphic designer is creating a logo for a company. The logo is shown in the figure
above. The logo is in the shape of a trapezoid and consists of three congruent
equilateral triangles. If the perimeter of the logo is 20 centimeters, what is the
combined area of the shaded regions, in square centimeters, of the logo?
A.
B.
C.
D. 16
ID: 4c95c7d4 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the logo is in the shape of a trapezoid that consists of three congruent equilateral
triangles, and that the perimeter of the trapezoid is 20 centimeters (cm). Since the perimeter of the trapezoid is the sum of
the lengths of 5 of the sides of the triangles, the length of each side of an equilateral triangle is . Dividing up one
equilateral triangle into two right triangles yields a pair of congruent 30°-60°-90° triangles. The shorter leg of each right
triangle is half the length of the side of an equilateral triangle, or 2 cm. Using the Pythagorean Theorem, , the
height of the equilateral triangle can be found. Substituting and and solving for b yields
cm. The area of one equilateral triangle is , where and . Therefore, the area
of one equilateral triangle is . The shaded area consists of two such triangles, so its area is
Alternate approach: The area of a trapezoid can be found by evaluating the expression , where is the length
of one base, is the length of the other base, and h is the height of the trapezoid. Substituting , , and
yields the expression , or , which gives an area of for the trapezoid.
Since two-thirds of the trapezoid is shaded, the area of the shaded region is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the height of the trapezoid. Choice B is incorrect. This is the area of one of the equilateral
triangles, not two. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using a height of 4 for each triangle rather than the height of
.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 69b0d79d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 69b0d79d
Point O is the center of the circle above, and the measure of is . If the
length of is 18, what is the length of arc ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 69b0d79d Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Because segments OA and OB are radii of the circle centered at point O, these segments have equal
lengths. Therefore, triangle AOB is an isosceles triangle, where angles OAB and OBA are congruent base angles of the
triangle. It’s given that angle OAB measures . Therefore, angle OBA also measures . Let represent the measure
of angle AOB. Since the sum of the measures of the three angles of any triangle is , it follows that
, or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields , or
radians. Therefore, the measure of angle AOB, and thus the measure of arc , is radians. Since is a radius of the
given circle and its length is 18, the length of the radius of the circle is 18. Therefore, the length of arc can be calculated
as , or .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1429dcdf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 1429dcdf
In the triangle shown, what is the value of ?
ID: 1429dcdf Answer
Correct Answer: .6956, .6957, 16/23
Rationale
The correct answer is . In a right triangle, the sine of an acute angle is defined as the ratio of the length of the side
opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown, the length of the side opposite the angle with
measure is units and the length of the hypotenuse is units. Therefore, the value of is . Note that 16/23,
.6956, .6957, 0.695, and 0.696 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2266984b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: 2266984b
The equation above defines a circle in the xy-plane. What are the
coordinates of the center of the circle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2266984b Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The standard equation of a circle in the xy-plane is of the form , where are
the coordinates of the center of the circle and r is the radius. The given equation can be rewritten in standard form by
completing the squares. So the sum of the first two terms, , needs a 100 to complete the square, and the sum of
the second two terms, , needs a 64 to complete the square. Adding 100 and 64 to both sides of the given equation
yields , which is equivalent to .
Therefore, the coordinates of the center of the circle are .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from computational errors made when attempting to complete the squares
or when identifying the coordinates of the center.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 151eda3c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 151eda3c
A manufacturing company produces two sizes of cylindrical containers that each
have a height of 50 centimeters. The radius of container A is 16 centimeters, and
the radius of container B is 25% longer than the radius of container A. What is the
volume, in cubic centimeters, of container B?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 151eda3c Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. If the radius of container A is 16 centimeters and the radius of container B is 25% longer than the radius
of container A, then the radius of container B is centimeters. The volume of a cylinder is , where
r is the radius of the cylinder and h is its height. Substituting and into yields that the volume of cylinder
B is cubic centimeters.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying the radius of cylinder B by the radius of cylinder A rather than squaring
the radius of cylinder B. Choice C is incorrect and may result from multiplying the radius of cylinder B by 25 rather than
squaring it. Choice D is incorrect and may result from taking the radius of cylinder B to be 25 centimeters rather than 20
centimeters.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID bd87bc09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: bd87bc09
Triangle above is a right triangle, and .
What is the length of side ?
ID: bd87bc09 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 24. The sine of an acute angle in a right triangle is equal to the ratio of the length of the side opposite
the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown, the sine of angle B, or , is equal to the ratio of the
length of side to the length of side . It’s given that the length of side is 26 and that . Therefore,
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 26 yields .
By the Pythagorean Theorem, the relationship between the lengths of the sides of triangle ABC is as follows:
, or . Subtracting 100 from both sides of yields . Taking
the square root of both sides of yields .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c8345903
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Circles
Trigonometry
ID: c8345903
The circle above has center O, the length of arc is , and
. What is the length of arc ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: c8345903 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The ratio of the lengths of two arcs of a circle is equal to the ratio of the measures of the central angles
that subtend the arcs. It’s given that arc is subtended by a central angle with measure 100°. Since the sum of the
measures of the angles about a point is 360°, it follows that arc is subtended by a central angle with measure
. If s is the length of arc , then s must satisfy the ratio . Reducing the fraction
to its simplest form gives . Therefore, . Multiplying both sides of by yields .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of an arc consisting of exactly half of the circle, but arc is greater than half of
the circle. Choice C is incorrect. This is the total circumference of the circle. Choice D is incorrect. This is half the length of
arc , not its full length.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 94364a79
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 94364a79
Two nearby trees are perpendicular to the ground, which is flat. One of these trees is feet tall and has a shadow that is
feet long. At the same time, the shadow of the other tree is feet long. How tall, in feet, is the other tree?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 94364a79 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Each tree and its shadow can be modeled using a right triangle, where the height of the tree and the
length of its shadow are the legs of the triangle. At a given point in time, the right triangles formed by two nearby trees and
their respective shadows will be similar. Therefore, if the height of the other tree is , in feet, the value of can be calculated
by solving the proportional relationship . This equation is equivalent to , or .
Multiplying each side of the equation by yields . Therefore, the other tree is tall.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from calculating the difference between the lengths of the shadows, rather than the
height of the other tree.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from calculating the difference between the height of the -foot-tall tree and the length
of the shadow of the other tree, rather than calculating the height of the other tree.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from a conceptual or calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ec5d4823
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: ec5d4823
What is the volume, in cubic centimeters, of a right rectangular prism that has a
length of 4 centimeters, a width of 9 centimeters, and a height of 10 centimeters?
ID: ec5d4823 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 360. The volume of a right rectangular prism is calculated by multiplying its dimensions: length, width,
and height. Multiplying the values given for these dimensions yields a volume of cubic centimeters.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 902dc959
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and
Trigonometry trigonometry
ID: 902dc959
In the figure above, what is the
value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 902dc959 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Angle A is an acute angle in a right triangle, so the value of tan(A) is equivalent to the ratio of the length
of the side opposite angle A, 20, to the length of the nonhypotenuse side adjacent to angle A, 21. Therefore, .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of sin(A). Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of cos(A). Choice D is incorrect. This
is the value of tan(B).
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 81b664bc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 81b664bc
In the figure above, , , and are parallel. Points B and E lie on and
, respectively. If , and , what is the length of
, to the nearest tenth?
A. 16.8
B. 17.5
C. 18.4
D. 19.6
ID: 81b664bc Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since , , and are parallel, quadrilaterals and are similar. Let x represent the
length of . With similar figures, the ratios of the lengths of corresponding sides are equal. It follows that .
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 18.5 and by x yields , or . Dividing both sides of this
equation by 9 yields , which to the nearest tenth is 17.5.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when setting up the proportion.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID a6dbad6b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: a6dbad6b
In the figure above, lines and m are parallel, , and . What is the
value of x ?
A. 120
B. 100
C. 90
D. 80
ID: a6dbad6b Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let the measure of the third angle in the smaller triangle be . Since lines and m are parallel and cut
by transversals, it follows that the corresponding angles formed are congruent. So . The sum of the measures
of the interior angles of a triangle is , which for the interior angles in the smaller triangle yields . Given
that and , it follows that . Solving for x gives , or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly assuming that angles . Choice C is incorrect and may
result from incorrectly assuming that the smaller triangle is a right triangle, with x as the right angle. Choice D is incorrect
and may result from a misunderstanding of the exterior angle theorem and incorrectly assuming that .
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 947a3cde
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: 947a3cde
In the figure above, and intersect at point P, , and .
What is the measure, in degrees, of ? (Disregard the degree symbol when
gridding your answer.)
ID: 947a3cde Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 30. It is given that the measure of is . Angle MPR and are collinear and therefore
are supplementary angles. This means that the sum of the two angle measures is , and so the measure of is
. The sum of the angles in a triangle is . Subtracting the measure of from yields the sum of the
other angles in the triangle MPR. Since , the sum of the measures of and is . It is
given that , so it follows that triangle MPR is isosceles. Therefore and must be congruent. Since
the sum of the measure of these two angles is , it follows that the measure of each angle is .
An alternate approach would be to use the exterior angle theorem, noting that the measure of is equal to the sum of
the measures of and . Since both angles are equal, each of them has a measure of .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID c8d60e48
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: c8d60e48
In the given triangle, and has a measure
of . What is the value of x ?
A. 36
B. 46
C. 58
D. 70
ID: c8d60e48 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since , the measures of their corresponding angles, and , are equal. Since
has a measure of , the measure of is also . Since the sum of the measures of the interior angles in
a triangle is , it follows that , or . Subtracting by 134 on both sides of this equation
yields .
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 5afbdc8e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 5afbdc8e
What is the length of one side of a square that has the same
area as a circle with radius 2 ?
A. 2
B.
C.
D.
ID: 5afbdc8e Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The area A of a circle with radius r is given by the formula . Thus, a circle with radius 2 has area
, which can be rewritten as . The area of a square with side length s is given by the formula . Thus, if a
square has the same area as a circle with radius 2, then . Since the side length of a square must be a positive
number, taking the square root of both sides of gives . Using the properties of square roots, can
be rewritten as , which is equivalent to . Therefore, .
Choice A is incorrect. The side length of the square isn’t equal to the radius of the circle. Choices B and D are incorrect and
may result from incorrectly simplifying the expression .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f67e4efc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: f67e4efc
A right circular cylinder has a volume of . If the height of the cylinder
is 5, what is the radius of the cylinder?
A. 3
B. 4.5
C. 9
D. 40
ID: f67e4efc Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The volume of a right circular cylinder with a radius of r is the product of the area of the base, , and
the height, h. The volume of the right circular cylinder described is and its height is 5. If the radius is r, it follows that
. Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Taking the square root of both sides yields
or . Since r represents the radius, the value must be positive. Therefore, the radius is 3.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from finding that the square of the radius is 9, but then from dividing 9 by 2, rather than
taking the square root of 9. Choice C is incorrect. This represents the square of the radius. Choice D is incorrect and may
result from solving the equation for , not r, by dividing by on both sides and then by subtracting, not
dividing, 5 from both sides.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID f88f27e5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: f88f27e5
Intersecting lines r, s, and t are shown below.
What is the value of x ?
ID: f88f27e5 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 97. The intersecting lines form a triangle, and the angle with measure of is an exterior angle of this
triangle. The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of the two nonadjacent interior
angles of the triangle. One of these angles has measure of and the other, which is supplementary to the angle with
measure , has measure of . Therefore, the value of x is .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID e10d8313
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and
Trigonometry triangles
ID: e10d8313
In the figure shown, points , , , and lie on line segment , and line segment intersects line segment at
point . The measure of is , the measure of is , the measure of is , and the measure
of is . What is the measure, in degrees, of ?
ID: e10d8313 Answer
Correct Answer: 123
Rationale
The correct answer is . The triangle angle sum theorem states that the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a
triangle is degrees. It's given that the measure of is and the measure of is . Since points , ,
and form a triangle, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees, of is
, or . It's also given that the measure of is . Since and are supplementary
angles, the sum of their measures is degrees. It follows that the measure, in degrees, of is , or .
Since points , , and form a triangle, and is the same angle as , it follows from the triangle angle sum
theorem that the measure, in degrees, of is , or . It's given that the measure of is .
Since and are supplementary angles, the sum of their measures is degrees. It follows that the measure,
in degrees, of is , or . Since points , , and form a triangle, and is the same angle as
, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees, of is , or .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID cf0ae57a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: cf0ae57a
The scatterplot above shows the densities of 7 planetoids, in grams per cubic
centimeter, with respect to their average distances from the Sun in astronomical
units (AU). The line of best fit is also shown. An astronomer has discovered a new
planetoid about 1.2 AU from the Sun. According to the line of best fit, which of the
following best approximates the density of the planetoid, in grams per cubic
centimeter?
A. 3.6
B. 4.1
C. 4.6
D. 5.5
ID: cf0ae57a Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. According to the line of best fit, a planetoid with a distance from the Sun of 1.2 AU has a predicted
density between and . The only choice in this range is 4.6.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from misreading the information in the scatterplot.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID ecd09c38
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: ecd09c38
Employees working for a customer service line at an electric company recorded all the calls last Monday and noted
whether the caller asked for repairs and whether the caller asked about a bill. The results are summarized in the table
below.
Asked for Did not ask
Total
repairs for repairs
Asked
48 623 671
about a bill
Did not ask
130 90 220
about a bill
Total 178 713 891
If a caller last Monday who asked about his or her bill is selected at random, which
of the following is closest to the probability that the customer also asked for
repairs?
A. 0.05
B. 0.07
C. 0.20
D. 0.27
ID: ecd09c38 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. According to the table, a total of 671 customers asked about a bill. Of these, 48 also asked for repairs.
Therefore, if a customer who asked about a bill is selected at random, the probability that the customer also asked for
repairs is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the probability that a customer selected at random from all customers who called on Monday
both asked for repairs and asked about a bill. Choice C is incorrect. This is the probability that a customer selected at
random from all customers who called on Monday asked for repairs, regardless of whether or not the customer asked about
a bill. Choice D is incorrect. This is the probability that a customer selected at random from those who asked for repairs also
asked about a bill.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9d95e7ad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 9d95e7ad
The scatterplot above shows the numbers of grams of both total protein and total fat for eight sandwiches on a restaurant
menu. The line of best fit for the data is also shown. According to the line of best fit, which of the following is closest to the
predicted increase in total fat, in grams, for every increase of 1 gram in total protein?
A. 2.5
B. 2.0
C. 1.5
D. 1.0
ID: 9d95e7ad Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The predicted increase in total fat, in grams, for every increase of 1 gram in total protein is represented
by the slope of the line of best fit. Any two points on the line can be used to calculate the slope of the line as the change in
total fat over the change in total protein. For instance, it can be estimated that the points and are on the line
of best fit, and the slope of the line that passes through them is , or 1.4. Of the choices given, 1.5 is the
closest to the slope of the line of best fit.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly finding ordered pairs that lie on the line of best fit or of
incorrectly calculating the slope.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 94237701
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 94237701
For a certain computer game, individuals receive an integer score that ranges from 2 through 10. The table below shows the
frequency distribution of the scores of the 9 players in group A and the 11 players in group B.
Score
Score Frequencies
Group A Group B
2 1 0
3 1 0
4 2 0
5 1 4
6 3 2
7 0 0
8 0 2
9 1 1
10 0 2
Total 9 11
The median of the scores for group B is how much greater than the median of the
scores for group A?
ID: 94237701 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 1. When there are an odd number of values in a data set, the median of the data set is the middle
number when the data values are ordered from least to greatest. The scores for group A, ordered from least to greatest, are
2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, and 9. The median of the scores for group A is therefore 5. The scores for group B, ordered from least to
greatest, are 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 8, 8, 9, 10, and 10. The median of the scores for group B is therefore 6. The median score for
group B is more than the median score for group A.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 20b69297
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 20b69297
Anita created a batch of green paint by mixing 2 ounces of blue paint with 3
ounces of yellow paint. She must mix a second batch using the same ratio of blue
and yellow paint as the first batch. If she uses 5 ounces of blue paint for the
second batch, how much yellow paint should Anita use?
A. Exactly 5 ounces
B. 3 ounces more than the amount of yellow paint used in the first batch
C. 1.5 times the amount of yellow paint used in the first batch
D. 1.5 times the amount of blue paint used in the second batch
ID: 20b69297 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that Anita used a ratio of 2 ounces of blue paint to 3 ounces of yellow paint for the first batch.
For any batch of paint that uses the same ratio, the amount of yellow paint used will be , or 1.5, times the amount of blue
paint used in the batch. Therefore, the amount of yellow paint Anita will use in the second batch will be 1.5 times the amount
of blue paint used in the second batch.
Alternate approach: It’s given that Anita used a ratio of 2 ounces of blue paint to 3 ounces of yellow paint for the first batch
and that she will use 5 ounces of blue paint for the second batch. A proportion can be set up to solve for x, the amount of
yellow paint she will use for the second batch: . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 3 yields , and
multiplying both sides of this equation by x yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields . Since
Anita will use 7.5 ounces of yellow paint for the second batch, this is times the amount of blue paint (5 ounces)
used in the second batch.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly interpreting the ratio of blue paint to yellow paint used.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 34f8cd89
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 34f8cd89
of the items in a box are green. Of those, are also rectangular. Of the green rectangular items, are also
metal. Which of the following is closest to the percentage of the items in the box that are not rectangular green metal items?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 34f8cd89 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that of the items in a box are green. Let represent the total number of items in the box.
It follows that , or , items in the box are green. It's also given that of those, are also rectangular. Therefore,
, or , items in the box are green rectangular items. It's also given that of the green rectangular items,
are also metal. Therefore, , or , items in the box are rectangular green metal items. The
number of the items in the box that are not rectangular green metal items is the total number of items in the box minus the
number of rectangular green metal items in the box. Therefore, the number of items in the box that are not rectangular green
metal items is , or . The percentage of items in the box that are not rectangular green metal
items is the percentage that is of . If represents this percentage, the value of is , or
. Of the given choices, is closest to the percentage of items in the box that are not rectangular green metal
items.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID f8696cd8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: f8696cd8
Human Resources Accounting
Bachelor’s degree 4 3
Master’s degree 2 6
The table above shows the number of people who work in the Human Resources
and Accounting departments of a company and the highest level of education they
have completed. A person from one of these departments is to be chosen at
random. If the person chosen works in the Human Resources department, what is
the probability that the highest level of education the person completed is a
master’s degree?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: f8696cd8 Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. In total, there are 6 people in the Human Resources department. Of those 6, 2 have a master’s degree as
their highest level of education. Therefore, the probability of an employee selected at random from the Human Resources
department having a master’s degree is , which simplifies to .
Choice A is incorrect; it is the probability that an employee selected at random from either department will be in the Human
Resources department and have a master’s degree. Choice C is incorrect; it is the probability that an employee with a
master’s degree selected at random will be in the Human Resources department. Choice D is incorrect; it is the probability
that an employee selected at random from either department will have a master’s degree.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 8213b1b3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 8213b1b3
According to a set of standards, a certain type of substance can contain a maximum of phosphorus by mass. If a
sample of this substance has a mass of grams, what is the maximum mass, in grams, of phosphorus the sample can
contain to meet these standards?
ID: 8213b1b3 Answer
Correct Answer: .0014
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that a certain type of substance can contain a maximum of phosphorus by
mass to meet a set of standards. If a sample of the substance has a mass of grams, it follows that the maximum mass,
in grams, of phosphorus the sample can contain to meet the standards is of , or , which is
equivalent to , or . Note that .0014 and 0.001 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 46b2e169
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 46b2e169
A box contains red pens and blue pens. If one of these pens is selected at random, what is the probability of selecting
a red pen? (Express your answer as a decimal or fraction, not as a percent.)
ID: 46b2e169 Answer
Correct Answer: .26, 13/50
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that a box contains red pens and blue pens. If one of these pens is selected at
random, the probability of selecting a red pen is the number of red pens in the box divided by the number of red and blue
pens in the box. The number of red and blue pens in the box is , or . Since there are red pens in the box, it
follows that the probability of selecting a red pen is . Note that 13/50 and .26 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 41b71b4e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 41b71b4e
What number is 20%
greater than 60 ?
A. 50
B. 72
C. 75
D. 132
ID: 41b71b4e Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The decimal equivalent of 20% is 0.2. The number that is 20% greater than 60 is also 120% of 60. The
decimal equivalent of 120% is 1.2, and .
Alternate approach: 10% of 60 is 6, and 20% of 60 is double that amount, or 12. It follows that the number that is 20% greater
than 60 is 12 more than 60, or .
Choice A is incorrect and may result from dividing, instead of multiplying, 60 by 1.2. Choice C is incorrect because it’s 25%
greater than 60, rather than 20% greater than 60. Choice D is incorrect and may result from multiplying 60 by 2.2 instead of
1.2.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 9ee22c16
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 9ee22c16
A random sample of 400 town voters were asked if they plan to vote for Candidate A or Candidate B for mayor. The results
were sorted by gender and are shown in the table below.
Plan to vote Plan to vote
for for
Candidate Candidate
A B
Female 202 20
Male 34 144
The town has a total of 6,000 voters. Based on the table, what is the best estimate of the number of voters who plan to vote
for Candidate A?
ID: 9ee22c16 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 3,540. According to the table, of 400 voters randomly sampled, the total number of men and women
who plan to vote for Candidate A is . The best estimate of the total number of voters in the town who plan to
vote for Candidate A is the fraction of voters in the sample who plan to vote for Candidate A, , multiplied by the total
voter population of 6000. Therefore, the answer is .
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 6e4a60dd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 6e4a60dd
Rita’s total bill at a restaurant was $25.00, including tax. If she left a tip of 20% of
the total bill, what was the amount of the tip?
A. $3.50
B. $4.00
C. $4.50
D. $5.00
ID: 6e4a60dd Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The total bill was $25.00. The percentage 20% is equivalent to the decimal 0.2. The tip is the product of
the percentage and the total bill; therefore, , so the tip was $5.00.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly converting the given percentage or a calculation error.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 566759ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages
and Data Analysis
ID: 566759ef
Thomas installed a new stove in his restaurant. At the time of installation, the stove
had a value of $800. Thomas estimates that each year the value of the stove will
depreciate by 20% of the previous year’s estimated value. What is the estimated
value of the stove exactly 2 years after Thomas installed it?
A. $480
B. $512
C. $556
D. $640
ID: 566759ef Answer
Rationale
Choice B is correct. If the stove’s value depreciates by 20% of the previous year’s estimated value, then each year it retains
100% – 20% = 80%, or 0.80, of the previous year’s estimated value. Since the stove’s value was $800 when Thomas installed
it, the estimated value after two years would be (0.80)(0.80)($800) = $512.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of the stove if each year it had depreciated by 20% of the original value rather than by
20% of the previous year’s estimated value. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of a computational error. Choice D is
incorrect. This is the estimated value of the stove 1 year after Thomas installed it, not 2 years.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID af142f8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: af142f8d
Amount invested Balance increase
Account A $500 6% annual interest
Account B $1,000 $25 per year
Two investments were made as shown in the table above. The interest in Account
A is compounded once per year. Which of the following is true about the
investments?
A. Account A always earns more money per year than Account B.
B. Account A always earns less money per year than Account B.
C. Account A earns more money per year than Account B at first but eventually earns less money per year.
D. Account A earns less money per year than Account B at first but eventually earns more money per year.
ID: af142f8d Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Account A starts with $500 and earns interest at 6% per year, so in the first year Account A earns (500)
(0.06) = $30, which is greater than the $25 that Account B earns that year. Compounding interest can be modeled by an
increasing exponential function, so each year Account A will earn more money than it did the previous year. Therefore, each
year Account A earns at least $30 in interest. Since Account B always earns $25 each year, Account A always earns more
money per year than Account B.
Choices B and D are incorrect. Account A earns $30 in the first year, which is greater than the $25 Account B earns in the first
year. Therefore, neither the statement that Account A always earns less money per year than Account B nor the statement
that Account A earns less money than Account B at first can be true. Choice C is incorrect. Since compounding interest can
be modeled by an increasing exponential function, each year Account A will earn more money than it did the previous year.
Therefore, Account A always earns at least $30 per year, which is more than the $25 per year that Account B earns.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 808f7d6c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 808f7d6c
If , which of the following is
equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 808f7d6c Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 2 yields , or .
Choice B is incorrect and may result from dividing, instead of multiplying, the right-hand side of the equation by 2. Choices C
and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 6670e407
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 6670e407
Number of High School Students Who
Completed Summer Internships
High Year
school 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Foothill 87 80 75 76 70
Valley 44 54 65 76 82
Total 131 134 140 152 152
The table above shows the number of students from two different high schools
who completed summer internships in each of five years. No student attended
both schools. Which of the following statements are true about the number of
students who completed summer internships for the 5 years shown?
The mean number from Foothill High School is greater than the mean number
from Valley High School.
The median number from Foothill High School is greater than the median
number from Valley High School.
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II
D. Neither I nor II
ID: 6670e407 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The mean of a data set is found by dividing the sum of the values by the number of values. Therefore,
the mean number of students who completed summer internships from Foothill High School is
, or 77.6. Similarly, the mean number from Valley High School is
, or 64.2. Thus, the mean number from Foothill High School is greater than the mean
number from Valley High School. When a data set has an odd number of elements, the median can be found by ordering the
values from least to greatest and determining the value in the middle. Since there are five values in each data set, the third
value in each ordered list is the median. Therefore, the median number from Foothill High School is 76 and the median
number from Valley High School is 65. Thus, the median number from Foothill High School is greater than the median
number from Valley High School.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from various misconceptions or miscalculations.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID a3384df0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: a3384df0
Penguin Exhibit
Type of penguin Male Female Total
Chinstrap 41 59 100
Emperor 8 27 35
Gentoo 49 54 103
Macaroni 42 40 82
Total 140 180 320
The number of penguins in a zoo exhibit, sorted by gender and type of penguin, is
shown in the table above. Which type of penguin has a female population that is
the closest to being of the total female penguin population in the exhibit?
A. Chinstrap
B. Emperor
C. Gentoo
D. Macaroni
ID: a3384df0 Answer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It is given that there are 180 female penguins in the exhibit. Therefore, of the female penguins is
penguins. According to the table, there are 59 female chinstrap penguins, 27 female emperor penguins, 54
female gentoo penguins, and 40 female macaroni penguins. So the female chinstrap penguin population is the closest to 60,
or of the total female population in the exhibit.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from reading data from the table incorrectly. Since the total female penguin
population is 180, of the total female penguin population is 60. The numbers of female emperor (27), female gentoo
(54), and female macaroni (40) penguins are not as close to 60 as the number of female chinstrap penguins (59).
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 869a32f1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 869a32f1
The high temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit (°F), in a certain city was recorded for each of 5 days. The data are shown
below.
Day 1 2 3 4 5
High temperature (°F) 81 80 81 81 82
Over this 5-day period, which of the following is NOT equal to 81°F?
A. Median of the high temperatures
B. Mean of the high temperatures
C. Mode of the high temperatures
D. Range of the high temperatures
ID: 869a32f1 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The range of a data set is the difference between the maximum and the minimum values in the set. The
maximum value among the high temperatures in the table is 82°F and the minimum value is 80°F. Therefore, the range is
82°F – 80°F = 2°F.
Choice A is incorrect. The median of a data set is the middle value when the values in the set are ordered from least to
greatest. Ordering the high temperatures this way gives the list 80, 81, 81, 81, 82. Therefore, the median high temperature is
81°F. Choice B is incorrect. The mean high temperature is . Choice C is incorrect.
The mode is the value that occurs the greatest number of times. For the set of high temperatures shown, 81 is the value that
occurs 3 times, and therefore, 81°F is the mode of the high temperatures.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 6a305cd0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 6a305cd0
In a study, the data from a random sample of a population had a mean of 37, with
an associated margin of error of 3. Which of the following is the most appropriate
conclusion that can be made about the population mean?
A. It is less than 37.
B. It is greater than 37.
C. It is between 34 and 40.
D. It is less than 34 or greater than 40.
ID: 6a305cd0 Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the mean of the data from a random sample of a population is 37, with an associated
margin of error of 3. The most appropriate conclusion that can be made is that the mean of the entire population will fall
between 37, plus or minus 3. Therefore, the population mean is between and .
Choice A is incorrect. While it’s an appropriate conclusion that the population mean is as low as , or 34, it isn’t
appropriate to conclude that the population mean is less than 34. Choice B is incorrect. While it’s an appropriate conclusion
that the population mean is as high as , or 40, it isn’t appropriate to conclude that the population mean is greater than
40. Choice D is incorrect. It isn’t an appropriate conclusion that the population mean is less than 34 or greater than 40.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 54d93874
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 54d93874
Masses (kilograms)
Andrew 2.4 2.5 3.6 3.1 2.5 2.7
Maria x 3.1 2.7 2.9 3.3 2.8
Andrew and Maria each collected six rocks, and the masses of the rocks are
shown in the table above. The mean of the masses of the rocks Maria collected is
0.1 kilogram greater than the mean of the masses of the rocks Andrew collected.
What is the value of x ?
ID: 54d93874 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 2.6. Since the mean of a set of numbers can be found by adding the numbers together and dividing by
how many numbers there are in the set, the mean mass, in kilograms, of the rocks Andrew collected is
, or 2.8. Since the mean mass of the rocks Maria collected is 0.1 kilogram
greater than the mean mass of rocks Andrew collected, the mean mass of the rocks Maria collected is
kilograms. The value of x can be found by writing an equation for finding the mean: .
Solving this equation gives . Note that 2.6 and 13/5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 89f8d08a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from
and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error
ID: 89f8d08a
A store manager reviewed the receipts from 80 customers who were selected at
random from all the customers who made purchases last Thursday. Of those
selected, 20 receipts showed that the customer had purchased fruit. If
1,500 customers made purchases last Thursday, which of the following is the most
appropriate conclusion?
A. Exactly 75 customers must have purchased fruit last Thursday.
B. Exactly 375 customers must have purchased fruit last Thursday.
C. The best estimate for the number of customers who purchased fruit last Thursday is 75.
D. The best estimate for the number of customers who purchased fruit last Thursday is 375.
ID: 89f8d08a Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the manager took a random selection of the receipts of 80 customers from a total of
1,500. It’s also given that of those 80 receipts, 20 showed that the customer had purchased fruit. This means that an
appropriate estimate of the fraction of customers who purchased fruit is , or . Multiplying this fraction by the total
number of customers yields . Therefore, the best estimate for the number of customers who purchased
fruit is 375.
Choices A and B are incorrect because an exact number of customers can’t be known from taking a random selection.
Additionally, choice A may also be the result of a calculation error. Choice C is incorrect and may result from a calculation
error.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 1dcea480
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and
and Data Analysis conditional
probability
ID: 1dcea480
A bag contains a total of 60 marbles. A marble is to be chosen at random from the
bag. If the probability that a blue marble will be chosen is 0.35, how many marbles
in the bag are blue?
A. 21
B. 25
C. 35
D. 39
ID: 1dcea480 Answer
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Multiplying the number of marbles in the bag by the probability of selecting a blue marble gives the
number of blue marbles in the bag. Since the bag contains a total of 60 marbles and the probability that a blue marble will be
selected from the bag is 0.35, there are a total of blue marbles in the bag.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from subtracting 35 from 60. Choice C is incorrect. This would be the number of blue
marbles in the bag if there were a total of 100 marbles, not 60 marbles. Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of marbles
in the bag that aren’t blue.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 79137c1b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 79137c1b
The scatterplot above shows the size x and the sale price y of 25 houses for sale in
Town H. Which of the following could be an equation for a line of best fit for the
data?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 79137c1b Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. From the shape of the cluster of points, the line of best fit should pass roughly through the points
and . Therefore, these two points can be used to find an approximate equation for the line of best fit. The
slope of this line of best fit is therefore , or 100. The equation for the line of best fit, in slope-
intercept form, is for some value of b. Using the point , 1 can be substituted for x and 200 can be
substituted for y: , or . Substituting this value into the slope-intercept form of the equation gives
.
Choice A is incorrect. The line defined by passes through the points and , both of which
are well above the cluster of points, so it cannot be a line of best fit. Choice C is incorrect. The line defined by
passes through the points and , both of which lie at the bottom of the cluster of points, so it cannot be a line
of best fit. Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly calculating the slope of a line of best fit but incorrectly
assuming the y-intercept is at .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 661dfddd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:
and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots
ID: 661dfddd
The scatterplot above shows the high temperature on a certain day and the
elevation of 8 different locations in the Lake Tahoe Basin. A line of best fit for the
data is also shown. Which of the following statements best describes the
association between the elevation and the temperature of locations in the Lake
Tahoe Basin?
A. As the elevation increases, the temperature tends to increase.
B. As the elevation increases, the temperature tends to decrease.
C. As the elevation decreases, the temperature tends to decrease.
D. There is no association between the elevation and the temperature.
ID: 661dfddd Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The association between the elevation and the temperature of locations in the Lake Tahoe Basin can be
described by looking at the direction of the line of best fit. The line of best fit slopes downward, which corresponds to the
temperature decreasing as the elevation increases.
Choices A and C are incorrect. Both of these choices would be represented by a line of best fit that slopes from the lower left
to the upper right of the graph, which isn’t what’s shown on the graph. Choice D is incorrect. This choice would be
represented by a line of best fit that is horizontal or has a slope very close to 0. This is not what’s shown on the graph.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Question ID 8193e8cd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:
and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread
ID: 8193e8cd
The mean of the list of numbers above is what fraction of
the sum of the five numbers?
ID: 8193e8cd Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is . The mean of the list of numbers is found by dividing the sum of the numbers by the number of
values in the list. Since there are 5 numbers in the list, the mean is of the sum of the numbers. Note that 1/5 and .2 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 89c39d77
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,
and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units
ID: 89c39d77
A competition consisted of four different events. One participant completed the first event with an average speed of
miles per hour. What was this average speed, in yards per hour?
ID: 89c39d77 Answer
Correct Answer: 35728
Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that . It follows that an average speed of miles per
hour is equivalent to , or yards per hour.
Question Difficulty: Medium
You might also like
- Pricing: Marginal Cost Plus Total Variable Cost Special Order Sales PriceNo ratings yetPricing: Marginal Cost Plus Total Variable Cost Special Order Sales Price7 pages
- SAT Math Algebra Suite Question Bank - ResultsNo ratings yetSAT Math Algebra Suite Question Bank - Results200 pages
- SAT Suite Question Bank Algebra Medium and HardNo ratings yetSAT Suite Question Bank Algebra Medium and Hard115 pages
- SAT Suite Question Bank - Results - PDF Math CavablarinNo ratings yetSAT Suite Question Bank - Results - PDF Math Cavablarin328 pages
- SAT Qs Bank Math (All Hard) (With Solution)No ratings yetSAT Qs Bank Math (All Hard) (With Solution)229 pages
- Без Названия - SAT Suite Question Bank - ResultsNo ratings yetБез Названия - SAT Suite Question Bank - Results198 pages
- SAT Suite Question Bank (Hard and Medium Problems)No ratings yetSAT Suite Question Bank (Hard and Medium Problems)61 pages
- SAT - SAT Suite Question Bank - ResultsNo ratings yetSAT - SAT Suite Question Bank - Results24 pages
- Practice Makes Perfect in Mathematics: Algebra (Volume 2 of 2)From EverandPractice Makes Perfect in Mathematics: Algebra (Volume 2 of 2)No ratings yet
- API 5L X52 Pipe Specification (PSL1 & PSL2) - Octal Steel100% (1)API 5L X52 Pipe Specification (PSL1 & PSL2) - Octal Steel11 pages
- Canara - Epassbook - 2024-11-26 200131.879496No ratings yetCanara - Epassbook - 2024-11-26 200131.87949687 pages
- The Kenya Gazette Published by Authority of The Republic of KenyaNo ratings yetThe Kenya Gazette Published by Authority of The Republic of Kenya5 pages
- HUPPERETEZ, Wim. Micro History, Archaeology and The Study of Housing CultureNo ratings yetHUPPERETEZ, Wim. Micro History, Archaeology and The Study of Housing Culture6 pages
- Account Statement 01 Apr 2024-25 Sep 2024No ratings yetAccount Statement 01 Apr 2024-25 Sep 20242 pages
- Final Ex Schedule Semester 1 - 2021/2022: Day Hour Level Nember Group Room ObsNo ratings yetFinal Ex Schedule Semester 1 - 2021/2022: Day Hour Level Nember Group Room Obs5 pages
- Price Action and Path of Least Resistance PDF100% (2)Price Action and Path of Least Resistance PDF122 pages
- MEAN, MEDIAN & MODE Mock Test - SolutionNo ratings yetMEAN, MEDIAN & MODE Mock Test - Solution9 pages
- Home Office and Branch Accounting Covidproject4accountants Aug 2020 PDFNo ratings yetHome Office and Branch Accounting Covidproject4accountants Aug 2020 PDF9 pages
- Revision Questions (Land Law 2 LLBM3007 BSL Jan23)No ratings yetRevision Questions (Land Law 2 LLBM3007 BSL Jan23)6 pages
- Maya University: Temporary Certificate of CompletionNo ratings yetMaya University: Temporary Certificate of Completion5 pages