PrepPros Complete Guide To Digital SAT Math (2) - 181-203
PrepPros Complete Guide To Digital SAT Math (2) - 181-203
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Watermark PDFelement
Slope
Given any two points on a line (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) and (𝑥% , 𝑦% ), 1
𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝟏 − 𝐲𝟐
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 = =
𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐱𝟏 − 𝐱𝟐
The slope measures how steep a line is. A line with a higher slope is steeper while a line with a lower slope is
flatter. The rise is the change in the 𝑦-coordinates, and the run is the change in the 𝑥-coordinates. For
$
example, if a line has a slope of , the line will go up 1 unit for every 2 units we move to the right, or it will go
%
down 1 unit for every 2 units we move to the left. Lines with a positive slope go up and to the right, and lines
with a negative slope go down and to the right.
Example 1: Line 𝑙 passes through points (9, 𝑦) and (−1, 3) and has a slope of 3. What is the value of 𝑦? 1
Solution: To solve, plug the given values into the slope equation
/+!
Slope = 8+(+$) = 3
,+!
=3
$(
𝑦 − 3 = 30
𝑦 = 33
The answer is 33.
Solution: To find the slope, we need to pick two points on the line. We can pick any 2 points on the graph, so
here let’s use (−10, 0) and (0, 2).
(+% +% $
Slope = +$(+( = +$( = &
The answer is A.
*Test-Taking Tip – Never count squares to find the slope! The graphs on the SAT often have different
scales on the 𝑥-axis and 𝑦-axis. In the graph above, each box on the 𝑥-axis represents 5 units, and each box in
the 𝑦-axis represents 1 unit. If you counted boxes to find the slope from (−10, 0) to (0, 2), you would count 2
boxes up and 2 boxes to the right. So, you would think the slope is 1 and would get this question wrong!
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1-2
Slopes of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
If two lines are parallel, the lines have the same slope. For example, if lines A and B are parallel and line A
has a slope of 3, line B also has a slope of 3.
If two lines are perpendicular, the slopes of the lines are the negative reciprocals of one another. To find
the negative reciprocal, take the slope of the initial line, flip the fraction, and make it negative. For example, if
! %
lines A and B are perpendicular and line A has a slope of % , the slope of line B is − ! .
Example 3: Points (4, 10) and (1, 31) are located on line 𝑞. If line 𝑝 is perpendicular to line 𝑞, which of
1 the following equations could be the equation of line 𝑝?
$ & $
A) 𝑦 = 7𝑥 + 28 B) 𝑦 = 𝑥 − C) 𝑦 = −7𝑥 + 10 D) 𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 2
3 % 3
Slope = −7
$
Line q has a slope of −7. Line 𝑝 is perpendicular to line 𝑞, so line 𝑝 must have a slope of . The answer is B.
3
! 8
Example 4: In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, line 𝑑 is parallel to line 𝑓. Line 𝑑 has an equation of 𝑦 = 𝑥 + . Which of
& %
2 the following could be the equation of line 𝑓?
A) 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 20 B) 10𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 3 C) 9𝑥 − 15𝑦 = 40 D) −5𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 18
!
Solution: Line 𝑑 has a slope of &. Since lines 𝑑 and 𝑓 are parallel, they must have the same slopes, so line 𝑓
! !
must have a slope of &. To find which answer choice has a slope of &, we must convert the answer choices
from standard form to slope-intercept form by isolating 𝑦. If you have not learned how to do this, we will
learn this later in this chapter on page 135.
Let’s start with answer choice A. To convert to slope-intercept form, we must isolate 𝑦. To do so, we must
subtract 3𝑥 and then divide by 5.
3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 20
5𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 20
!
𝑦 = −&𝑥 + 4
!
Answer choice A has as slope of − , so A is incorrect. We can repeat this process with the remaining answer
&
choices. In the last step of each answer choice below, we simplify the fractions.
For answer choice B: For answer choice C: For answer choice D:
10𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 3 9𝑥 − 15𝑦 = 40 −5𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 18
−6𝑦 = −10𝑥 + 3 −15𝑦 = −9𝑥 + 40 3𝑦 = 5𝑥 + 18
$( ! 8 '( & $6
𝑦= 5
𝑥−5 𝑦= 𝑥− 𝑦 = !𝑥 +
$& $& !
& $ 𝟑 𝟖 &
𝑦= 𝑥− 𝒚 = 𝟓𝒙−𝟑 𝑦 = 𝑥+6
! % !
!
Answer choice C has a slope of &, so the answer is C.
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Slope-Intercept Form 1
Slope-intercept form is the simplest form of a line and the one that you are likely most comfortable with.
𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃
where 𝒎 is the slope and 𝒃 is the 𝒚-intercept.
We can see both the slope and the 𝑦-intercept on the graph. The 𝑦-intercept is where the line crosses the
y-axis, which we can clearly see at the point (0, −2). We can also see the slope is 2 by tracing how the line
moves: for every 2 units we move up (the rise), the graph moves one unit to the right (the run). You need to
be comfortable identifying the 𝒚-intercept and slope of a line from a graph.
Example 5: Which of the following is the correct equation for the graph pictured in the 𝑥𝑦-plane below?
A) 𝑦 =𝑥+5
B) 𝑦 =𝑥−5
C) 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 5 1
D) 𝑦 = −𝑥 − 5
Solution: To solve, we need to find the 𝑦-intercept and the slope. The 𝑦-intercept is at 𝑦 = 5. To find the
slope, we can pick two points on the line. Here, we will use (0, 5) and (1, 4).
&+' $
Slope = = = −1
(+$ +$
The answer is C.
Example 6: There is a linear relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑓(𝑥). The table 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
shows three values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑓(𝑥) in terms of a 0 𝑝
constant 𝑝. Which of the following equations could represent 𝑓(𝑥) ? 3
& % 2
4 𝑝 + 10
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑝𝑥 B) 𝑓(𝑥) = % 𝑥 + 𝑝 C) 𝑓(𝑥) = & 𝑥 + 𝑝 D) 𝑓(𝑥) = 10𝑥 + ' 8 𝑝 + 20
Solution: Method #1 – “Math Teacher Way”: First, it is important to understand that 𝑓(𝑥) is the same as
𝑦, so we can use the values in the 𝑓(𝑥) column as the 𝑦-values. The values in the table tell us that three
points on the linear function 𝑓(𝑥) are (0, 𝑝), (4, 𝑝 + 10), and (8, 𝑝 + 20).
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To find the equation of 𝑓(𝑥), we need to find the slope and the 𝑦-intercept. We see that when 𝑥 = 0,
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑝, so we can tell that the 𝑦-intercept of the graph is at (0, 𝑝). We know that A and D are incorrect.
2
A has a 𝑦-intercept at (0, 0), and D has a 𝑦-intercept at (0, ). B and C have 𝑦-intercepts at (0, 𝑝), so we
'
next must find the slope.
To find the slope, we can select two points and use the slope equation. Let’s use points (0, 𝑝) and
(4, 𝑝 + 10).
2+( 2#$() 2+2+$( +$( $( &
Slope = (+'
= +'
= +'
= '
=%
&
The slope of 𝑓(𝑥) is , so the answer is B.
%
Method #2 – Plugging In Test Points: Anytime we have a point or points that are on a graph, or in this
case on a function, the points must make the equation of the graph true. If we plug the point(s) back into
the equation of the graph, the equation must be true! Plugging test point(s) into an equation of a line, or
any other type of graph or function, is a great method for solving questions that seem difficult to solve
mathematically.
For Example 6, we use (0, 𝑝), (4, 𝑝 + 10), and (8, 𝑝 + 20) as test points. To solve, we can plug these points
into the answer choices to test which answer choices work. It is best to start with 1 point, plug it into all the
answer choices, eliminate any answer choices that do not make the equation true, and then repeat with a
second test point (if necessary).
Let’s start with (0, 𝑝) as a test point. We plug in 0 for 𝑥 and the equation must equal 𝑝.
Both B and C work for (0, 𝑝), so we need to use a second test point. Let’s use point (4, 𝑝 + 10). We plug
in 4 for 𝑥 and the equation must equal 𝑝 + 10.
& &
For answer choice B: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 𝑝 → 𝑓(𝑥) = (4) + 𝑝 = 10 + 𝑝 (B works)
% %
% % 6
For answer choice C: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 𝑝 → 𝑓(𝑥) = (4) + 𝑝 = + 𝑝 (C is incorrect)
& & &
Using the plugging in test points method, only answer choice B works for both points we tested, so B is
correct. Anytime you have the opportunity to plug in test points, you should do it! Plugging in points can
allow you to find the correct answer on very difficult questions that you may not be able to solve the “Math
Teacher Way.”
2-4
Point-Slope Form
If we only know the slope of a line and a point on the line, we will need to use point-slope form:
𝒚 − 𝒚𝟏 = 𝒎(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟏 )
where (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ) is a point on the line and 𝒎 is the slope. Once we plug in the slope and point to point-slope
form, we can then turn the equation back into slope-intercept form by solving for 𝑦.
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Example 7: Line 𝑤 passes through points (2, 10) and (5, −2). What is the 𝑦-intercept of line 𝑤? 2
Solution: To start, we need to find the slope of line 𝑤.
$(+(+%) $%
Slope = = = −4
%+& +!
Now that we know the slope, we can use point-slope form. We can use either point. For this example, we will
use the point (2, 10).
𝑦 − 10 = −4(𝑥 − 2)
𝑦 − 10 = −4𝑥 + 8
𝑦 = −4𝑥 + 18
Once we have the equation in slope-intercept form, we see that the 𝑦-intercept is 18. The answer is 18.
Standard Form
1
Lines can also appear in standard form:
𝑨𝒙 + 𝑩𝒚 = 𝑪
The coefficients in this form do not show the slope or the 𝑦-intercept. They actually show nothing, so standard
form is not particularly useful. To turn standard form into slope-intercept form, solve for 𝒚. Once you
have the equation in slope-intercept form, you can find the slope and the 𝑦-intercept for the line.
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' '
After putting line 𝑛 in slope-intercept form, we see the slope is !, so 𝑎 = !, and the value of the 𝑦-intercept is
5, so 𝑏 = 5. So, we can solve.
'
𝑎+𝑏 =!+5
$8
𝑎+𝑏 = !
= 6.33
𝟏𝟗
The answer is or 6.33.
𝟑
The 𝑦-intercept is the point where the line crosses the 𝑦-axis. To solve for the 𝒚-intercept, set 𝒙 = 𝟎 and
solve for 𝒚.
1 Example 9: For the line 10 − 2𝑦 = 5𝑥, what is the sum of the 𝑥-intercept and the 𝑦-intercept?
Example 10: The graph of 3𝑥 + 6𝑦 − 30 = 0 is translated up 4 units in the 𝑥𝑦-plane. What is the
3 𝑥-coordinate of the 𝑥-intercept of the resulting graph?
Solution: To start, we need to turn the graph into slope-intercept form. We are asked to find the 𝑥-intercept
of the graph after it is translated up 4 units, so finding the 𝑥-intercept of the current graph is not helpful. To
turn the graph into slope-intercept form, we isolate 𝑦.
3𝑥 + 6𝑦 − 30 = 0
6𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 30
! !(
𝑦=− 𝑥+
5 5
$
𝑦 = −%𝑥 + 5
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Now that we know have the graph in slope-intercept form, we can translate the graph up 4 units by increasing
the 𝑦-intercept, the 𝑏-value in 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 form, by 4. So, after translating the graph up 4 units, the graph has
$
an equation of 𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 9.
%
𝑥 = 18
The answer is 18.
Midpoint Formula
1-4
Given any two points on a line (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) and (𝑥% , 𝑦% ),
𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒚𝟐
𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 = h , i
𝟐 𝟐
Example 11: C is the midpoint of 𝐴𝐵. If point A is at (3, 6) and point C is at (5, 2), which of the
following is point B?
1
A) (4, 4) B) (6, 0) C) (7, −2) D) (8, −1)
Solution: We are given the midpoint, point C, and one of the endpoints, point A. We can plug the values into
the midpoint formula to solve for the coordinates of point B.
To solve for the 𝑥-coordinate of point B, plug in the 𝑥-coordinates that we are given for the midpoint (𝑥 = 5)
and the endpoint at point A (𝑥 = 3) to the midpoint formula.
!#"
5=
%
10 = 3 + 𝑥
𝑥=7
The 𝑥-coordinate of point B is 7. If we look at the answer choices, we can already tell that the answer is C.
Make sure that you always check the answer choices on questions like this. If we could not tell which answer
is correct at this point, we would still need to solve for 𝑦, which we do below.
To solve for the 𝑦-coordinate of point B, plug in the 𝑦-coordinates that we are given for the midpoint (𝑦 = 2)
and the endpoint at point A (𝑦 = 6) to the midpoint formula.
5#,
2=
%
4=6+𝑦
𝑦 = −2
The 𝑦-coordinate is −2. The answer is C.
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1-4
Distance Formula
Given any two points (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) and (𝑥% , 𝑦% ),
If you do not like the distance formula, you can also use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance
between two points. To do so, sketch a coordinate plane and draw a triangle, and solve for the hypotenuse.
You can see how this works in the example below.
Example 12: The endpoints of line 𝑋 are at (−2, 1) and (5, 4). The length, in coordinate units, of line
2
𝑋 can be expressed as √𝑎. What is the value of 𝑎?
Solution: Method #1 – Distance Formula: We can use the distance formula with (−2, 1) as (𝑥$ , 𝑦$ ) and
(5, 4) as (𝑥% , 𝑦% ) .
Distance = ](−2 − 5)% + (1 − 4)%
Using the triangle, we see that the base has a length of 7 and the height has a length of 3. To find the length of
line 𝑋, use the Pythagorean Theorem:
7% + 3% = 𝑐 %
58 = 𝑐 %
𝑐 = √58
Since the distance can be expressed as √𝑎, we see that 𝑎 = 58. The answer is 58.
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A) Negative
B) Positive
C) Zero
D) Undefined
3. Which of the following statements is true 7. When the point 𝑌 (2, 4) is graphed in the
1 1
about the graph of the equation 3𝑦 − 4𝑥 = −6 standard 𝑥𝑦-plane, the midpoint of 𝑋𝑌 is at
in the 𝑥𝑦-plane? (−2, 3). What are the coordinates of point 𝑋?
A) 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 2
5. In the standard 𝑥𝑦-plane, what is the slope 1 "
of a line perpendicular to 6𝑥 = 4𝑦 + 10? B) 𝑦 = − % + 4
C) 𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 4
A) −1
% D) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 4
B) !
!
C) %
%
D) − !
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1 11. Line 𝑘 is defined by 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 24. Line 𝑎 is 16. Line k passes through the points (−2, 10) and
perpendicular to line 𝑘 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane. What 2
(4, 28). Which of the following is the
is the slope of line 𝑎? equation for line k?
A) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 16
B) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 4
$
C) 𝑦 = !
𝑥 + 12
1 12. The graph below shows the function 𝑓(𝑥). $
𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) (not shown) are perpendicular D) 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 15
!
lines. Which of the following could define
𝑔(𝑥)? 17. In the linear function 𝑘, 𝑘(1) = 34 and
2
𝑘(2) = 31. Which equation defines 𝑘?
A) 𝑘(𝑥) = −3𝑥 + 37
B) 𝑘(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 31
C) 𝑘(𝑥) = −37𝑥
D) 𝑘(𝑥) = 34𝑥
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20. The point with the coordinates (𝑎, 6) lies on 25. The function 𝑓 is linear, and 𝑓(3) = 21.
2 3
the line that contains the points (0,8) and When the value of 𝑥 increases by 2, the value
(7,0). What is the value of 𝑎? of 𝑓(𝑥) increases by 8. Which of the
following equations defines 𝑓 ?
3
A) −
'
'
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 12
B) − 3 B) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 8
3 C) 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 9
C) ' D) 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 21
'
D) 3
26. The graph of a line in the 𝑥𝑦-plane passes 2
through the point (4, 6) and crosses the 𝑦-axis
21. The graph of 9𝑥 = 4𝑦 + 27 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane 2 at the point (0, 10). The line crosses the
has an 𝑥-intercept at (𝐽, 0) and a 𝑦-intercept at
𝑥-axis at the point (𝑎, 0). What is the value of
(0, 𝐾), where 𝐽 and 𝐾 are constants. What is
{ 𝑎?
the value of |?
A) 𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 15
B) 3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 15
24. Lines t and v are perpendicular in the C) 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = −15
2 𝑥+𝑦 =5
𝑥𝑦-plane. The equation of line 𝑡 is D)
4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 10, and line 𝑣 passes through the
point (−3, 3). What is the 𝑦-intercept of line
v?
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A) −3: 1
B) 1: 3
C) 2: 3
D) 3: 1
35. The points (2, 133) and (3, 138) lie on line
31. 𝑦 = 6𝑥 − 4 3
2 𝑘. Line 𝑘 is the result of translating line 𝑎 up
The equation of line m in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is 21 units in the 𝑥𝑦-plane. What is the
shown above. A second line, w, has half the 𝑥-intercept of line 𝑎?
slope of line m and twice the 𝑦-intercept.
Where do lines m and w intersect?
'
A) q , 4r
!
! 8
B) q− ' , − %r
36. The graph of the line 𝑙 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane passes
2
!
C) q' , %r
$ through the point (2, 6) and is perpendicular to
the line 𝑚 with the equation 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 6.
'
D) ( − , −12 ) The line 𝑙 crosses the 𝑦-axis at the point (0, 𝑏).
!
What is the value of 𝑏?
$
3 32. Line 𝑘 in the 𝑥𝑦-plane has a slope of − & and
6
passes through the point (13, ). Which
&
equation defines line 𝑘?
3 33. 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 10 A) 4𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 3 = 0
In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the graph of which of the B) 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 3 = 0
following equations is perpendicular to the C) 3𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 12 = 0
graph of the equation above? D) 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 12 = 0
A) −4𝑦 + 3𝑥 = 3
B) 6𝑥 + 8𝑦 = −7
C) 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 10
D) −4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 10
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38. The variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 are related such that 41. The variables 𝑎 and 𝑏 are related such that 4
each time 𝑥 decreases by 7, 𝑦 increases by 3. 4 each time 𝑎 increases by 5, 𝑏 decreases by 7.
If 𝑦 < 0 when 𝑥 = 0, which of the following Which of the following equations expresses
equations could express the relationship the relationship between 𝑎 and 𝑏?
between 𝑥 and 𝑦?
A) 5𝑎 − 7𝑏 = 9
A) 3𝑥 + 7𝑦 = −21 B) 5𝑎 − 7𝑏 = −56
B) 7𝑥 + 3𝑦 = −30 C) 5𝑎 + 7𝑏 = 56
C) 3𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 14 D) 7𝑎 + 5𝑏 = 45
D) 7𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 9
&
39. Line 𝑘 has a slope of − 5 and an 𝑥-intercept 4
2 42. In the given pair of equations below, 𝑎 and 𝑏
of q% , 0r, where 𝑝 is a constant. What is the 4
are constants. The graph of this pair of
𝑦-coordinate of the 𝑦-intercept of line 𝑘 in equations in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is a pair of
terms of 𝑝? perpendicular lines. Which of the following
pairs of equations also represents a pair of
&2 perpendicular lines?
A) −
$%
&2 3𝑥 + 8𝑦 = 10
B)
$% 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 10
'2
C) − &
'2 A) 3𝑥 − 8𝑦 = 10
D) 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 10
&
B) 6𝑥 − 16𝑦 = 10
40. In the 𝑥𝑦-plane below, lines 𝑎 and 𝑏 are 2𝑎𝑥 + 2𝑏𝑦 = 5
3 C) 3𝑥 + 16𝑦 = 10
perpendicular. Line 𝑎 passes through the
origin. Lines 𝑎 and 𝑏 intersect at point (6, 8). 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 10
What is the 𝑥-coordinate of point 𝑐? D) 3𝑥 + 16𝑦 = 10
𝑎𝑥 + 2𝑏𝑦 = 10
𝑏
𝑎
} }
A) q % + 9, & r
𝑐 &} 8
B) q %
+ % , 𝑟r
%} 8
Note: Figure not drawn to scale. C) q𝑟, − + r
& &
&} 8
D) q𝑟, − + r
% %
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𝑥 −1 1 2
𝑦 −3𝑘 − 6 3𝑘 + 6 6𝑘 + 12
A) 𝑦 = 3(𝑘𝑥 − 2)
45. In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, lines 𝑙 and 𝑘 are parallel. B) 𝑦 = 3(𝑘𝑥 + 2𝑥)
4
Line 𝑙 passes through the points (−1, −7) and C) 𝑦 = 3𝑘𝑥 + 6
(1, 3). If the point (𝑎, 𝑏) lies on line 𝑘, which D) 𝑦 = −3𝑘 − 𝑥 − 2
of the following is another point on line 𝑘?
A) (𝑎 − 1, 𝑏 − 5)
B) (𝑎 − 1, 𝑏 + 5)
C) (𝑎 + 5, 𝑏 + 1) 49. In the given pair of equations below, 𝑎 and 𝑏
4
D) (𝑎 + 5, 𝑏 − 1) are constants. The graph of this pair of
equations in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is a pair of
perpendicular lines. Which of the following
46. In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, the point (𝑎, 𝑐) lies on the line pairs of equations represents a pair of parallel
4
with equation 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑏 is a lines?
constant. The point (3𝑎, 4𝑐) lies on the line 7𝑥 + 11𝑦 = 100
with equation 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 𝑏. If 𝑎 ≠ 0, what is 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 10𝑏
)
the value of . ?
A) 7𝑥 − 11𝑦 = 10
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 10𝑏
B) 7𝑥 + 33𝑦 = 100
2𝑎𝑥 − 3𝑏𝑦 = 50𝑏
C) 33𝑥 − 7𝑦 = 100
3𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑏
D) 11𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 100
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 10𝑏
4 47. For each real number 𝑟, which of the
following points lies on the graph of the
equation 5𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 12 ?
3} $%
A) q− &
+ &
, 𝑟r
&} $%
B) q− − , 𝑟r
3 &
3} $%
C) (𝑟, &
+ &
)
&} $%
D) (𝑟, − 3
− 3
)
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These definitions can be very helpful when it comes to solving interpreting lines questions.
Solution: The 2,200 is the 𝑦-intercept of the given equation, so it represents the initial price when 𝑡 = 0. The
2,200 is equal to the price of the kayak when 𝑡 = 0 years after 2010, which is 2010. The answer is A.
It is important to also understand what each of the numbers in a linear equation represents. The −150 in the
equation above is the slope. The slope of −150 tells us that the price of a kayak will decrease by $150 each
year. If the question above instead asked us, “what is the best interpretation of −150 in this context?” the
answer would have been B.
Example 2: The number of bacteria in a colony is modeled by the equation 𝑏(𝑥) = 12.5 + 0.5𝑥, where
𝑥 represents the number of weeks and 𝑏 represents the thousands of bacteria present in the colony.
What is the best interpretation of the number 0.5 in this context?
A) The number of bacteria in the colony will increase by 50% each week. 2
B) The number of bacteria in the colony will increase by 0.5 bacteria each week.
C) The number of bacteria in the colony will increase by 500 bacteria each week.
D) The initial number of bacteria in the colony is 500 bacteria.
Solution: The 0.5 is the slope in this equation. Since the unit of 𝑥 is in weeks, we know that every 1 week,
the value of 𝑏 increases by 0.5. Since the unit of 𝑏 is thousands of bacteria, the slope 0.5 shows an increase of
0.5 thousand each week. 0.5 × 1000 = 500, so the number of bacteria in the colony will increase by 500 each
week. The answer is C.
For these types of questions, you need to read carefully and keep an eye out for tricks like this one. The SAT
loves to change the units on more difficult questions, just like we saw here, so it is important to make close
reading a habit in the math sections.
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Example 3: The price, 𝑃, of printing one copy of a hardcover book at Printing Express starts at a base
price of $2.45. The base price only includes the hardcover and does not include the pages. Printing
Express charges $0.02 per page, and the book they are currently printing costs $8.98 to print each copy.
If 𝑥 represents the number of pages in the book currently being printed, which of the equations
2 correctly describes this situation?
A) 8.98 = 0.02 + 2.45𝑥
B) 8.98 = 0.02𝑥 + 2.45
C) 8.98 = 0.2𝑥 + 2.45
D) 8.98 = 0.2 + 2.45𝑥
Solution: The rate at which the thickness price increases is $0.02 per 1 page, so 0.02 is the slope. The initial
price to print the book when 𝑥 = 0 (no pages) is $2.45 mm, so the 𝑦-intercept must be 2.45. We are told that
the total price must equal $8.98, so the answer is B.
Okay, so that was a pretty simple example to start. However, these questions can (and will) get much more
challenging on the SAT, so we want to have a method to “cheat” these questions so that we don’t have to rely
on solving the “Math Teacher Way.”
This is an extremely powerful method that we can use to make challenging interpreting lines questions on the
SAT feel easy. To see how this works in practice on more advanced questions, let’s take a look at the next two
examples.
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Example 4: An experiment collected data about the relationship between the pressure within a balloon
and the balloon’s altitude. The scientists found a linear relationship between pressure and altitude. On
the ground, the pressure within the balloon was measured at 14.3 psi. For every 250-meter increase in
elevation, the pressure within the balloon dropped by 1.8 psi. Which of the following equations best
models the pressure within the balloon, 𝑝, at ℎ meters above the ground? 3
A) 𝑝 = 14.3 − 1.8ℎ
B) 𝑝 = 14.3 − 0.0072ℎ
C) 𝑝 = 250 − 0.0572ℎ
D) 𝑝 = 138.8ℎ − 14.3
Solution: This question is clearly more difficult to solve. We cannot easily tell what the slope is without
doing some calculations, so the fastest and easiest way to solve this is using our “Plug In Points” method.
Method 1 – “Plug In Points”: Let’s start with the point (0, 14.3). We know that this point is on the graph
because when the balloon is on the ground (ℎ = 0), the pressure is 14.3 psi (𝑝 = 14.3). We can plug the point
(0, 14.3) into the answer choices to see which answer choices work and which answer choices are incorrect.
A) 𝑝 = 14.3 − 1.8(0) à 𝑝 = 14.3 (A works)
B) 𝑝 = 14.3 − 0.0072(0) à 𝑝 = 14.3 (B works)
C) 𝑝 = 250 − 0.0572(0) à 𝑝 = 250 (C is incorrect)
D) 𝑝 = 138.8(0) − 14.3.3 à 𝑝 = −14.3 (D is incorrect)
Since answer choices A and B both work with our first point, we need to select another point to determine if
the answer is A or B.
For a second test point, we can select (250, 12.5). At a height of 250 meters, we know that the pressure will
have decreased by 1.8 psi from the original value of 14.3 psi, so the pressure at 250 m will be 12.5 psi.
A) 𝑝 = 14.3 − 1.8(250) à 𝑝 = −435.7 (A is incorrect)
B) 𝑝 = 14.3 − 0.0072(250) à 𝑝 = 12.5 (B is correct)
The answer is B. By plugging in points, we can solve this difficult question without doing any difficult math.
Method 2 – “Math Teacher Way”: This question can also be solved using the more traditional approach of
finding the slope and the 𝑦-intercept. Here, the 𝑦-intercept is easiest to find. When ℎ = 0, the pressure is
14.3, so the 𝑦-intercept is 14.3.
The slope is a bit more difficult to find. In this equation, the slope represents the change in pressure per meter
of elevation. We are told that the pressure decreases by 1.8 psi per 250 m of elevation, so the slope would be
~•€•‚ƒ „• …†ƒ‡‡ˆ†ƒ +$.6
= = −0.0072.
~•€•‚ƒ „• ƒ‰ƒŠ€‹„Œ• %&(
The answer is B. As you can see, this method requires more advanced math thinking and understanding of
how slopes work. You are welcome to use this method if you are a more advanced math student, but we still
recommend our “Plug-in Points” method, as it is easier to make sure you find the correct answer on test day.
Example 5: At a parking garage in downtown Baltimore, the first hour of parking is $2. After the first
hour, the rate is $8.25 per hour. Which of the following equations gives the price, 𝑃(ℎ), for parking a
car for ℎ hours?
A) 𝑃(ℎ) = 8.25ℎ + 2 4
B) 𝑃(ℎ) = 8.25(ℎ − 1)
C) 𝑃(ℎ) = 8.25ℎ − 6.25
D) 𝑃(ℎ) = 2(ℎ − 1) + 8.25
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Solution: At first glance, most students think, “Oh this question is easy! The answer is A.” WRONG!! We
like to call questions like this “fake 𝑦-intercept” questions. It is important to understand that the 𝑦-intercept is
not at 2. Remember, the 𝑦-intercept is when 𝑥 = 0, or in this case when ℎ = 0. We are told the first hour of
parking is $2, so when ℎ = 1, 𝑃(ℎ) = 2. Again, this is NOT the 𝑦-intercept.
So, how do we solve this? We recommend using the “Plug In Points” method. We know that when ℎ = 1,
𝑃(ℎ) = 2, so we can plug in ℎ = 1 and test the answer choices and see which one gives us the correct price of
$2.
A) 𝑃(1) = 8.25(1) + 2 à 𝑝 = 10.25 (A is incorrect)
B) 𝑃(1) = 8.25(1 − 1) à 𝑝=0 (B is incorrect)
C) 𝑃(1) = 8.25(1) − 6.25 à 𝑝=2 (C is correct)
D) 𝑃(1) = 2(1 − 1) + 8.25 à 𝑝 = 8.25 (D is incorrect)
The answer is C. All the other answer choices gave us incorrect values. This method is the easiest and most
effective to solve questions like this, so it should be your go-to method on test day.
If you are wondering how we would solve this question algebraically, we would need to set up the equation
like this:
𝑃(ℎ) = 8.25(ℎ − 1) + 2
Since the price is $8.25 per hour, the slope is 8.25. However, since that rate does not start until after the 1st
hour, we subtract 1 from the number of hours and write the term as (ℎ − 1). The first hour is $2, so we have
to add 2 to get the correct price.
If we distribute the 8.25 and combine like terms, we get the same equation as the correct one in answer choice
C.
𝑃(ℎ) = 8.25(ℎ − 1) + 2 à 𝑃(ℎ) = 8.25ℎ − 8.25 + 2 à 𝑃(ℎ) = 8.25ℎ − 6.25
If that seems confusing, do not worry about it! It’s supposed to. That’s why the SAT includes these as
difficult questions on test day. However, they are easy as long as you remember to use the “Plug In Points”
method to solve these “fake 𝑦-intercepts” questions on test day.
A) The number of hours spent fishing each A) The increase in the speed of the car for
year. each 1°C increase in the temperature.
B) The number of hours spent surfing each B) The increase in the speed of the car for
year. each 0.128°C increase in the temperature.
C) The total number of hours spent fishing and C) The speed of the car at 0°C.
surfing each year. D) The speed of the car at 0.128°C.
D) The number of hours spent fishing for each
hour spent surfing.
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3. John makes his surfboard by starting with a 28 7. Julian rents a boat at a cost of $230 per day plus
mm thick piece of foam. He then adds 𝑛 layers 1 a nonrefundable deposit of $85. Which 1
of 2 mm fiberglass. Which of the following equation represents the total cost 𝑐, in dollars,
gives the total thickness, 𝑆, in millimeters for a to rent the boat after putting down the deposit
surfboard with 𝑛 layers of fiberglass? for 𝑑 days?
A) 𝑆 = 2𝑛 + 28 A) 𝑐 = 85(230 + 𝑑)
B) 𝑆 = 𝑛 + 14 B) 𝑐 = 230(𝑑 + 85)
C) 𝑆 = 28𝑛 + 2 C) 𝑐 = 230𝑑 + 85
D) 𝑆 = 2𝑛 + 14 D) 𝑐 = 85𝑑 + 230
this situation?
A) 4𝑤 + 7𝑟 = 17
$ $
B) '
𝑤 + 3 𝑟 = 17
C) 4𝑤 + 7𝑟 = 187
$ $
D) '
𝑤 + 3 𝑟 = 187
Time (hours)
6. To draw a mural, a painter charges a onetime The graph above shows the total cost 𝑐, in
fee and $23 per hour of work. The equation 1 dollars, of renting a kayak for 𝑥 hours. What
23ℎ + 75 = 236 represents this situation, does the 𝑦-intercept on the graph represent?
where ℎ is the number of hours worked. Which
of the following is the best interpretation of the A) The initial cost of renting a kayak.
75 in this context? B) The total number of hours the kayak was
rented.
A) The onetime fee, in dollars. C) The total number of kayaks rented.
B) The number of hours worked. D) The increase in cost to rent the kayak for
C) The charge per hour, in dollars. each additional hour.
D) The total charge, in dollars.
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10. A moving company estimates the price of a job, 2 14. The number of turtles that went to a certain
2 in dollars, using the equation beach in Costa Rica to lay their eggs from 2005
𝑃 = 150 + 25𝑚ℎ, where 𝑚 represents the to 2015 can be modeled by the equation
number of movers and ℎ is the total number of 𝑦 = 5.21𝑥 + 150, where 𝑥 represents the
hours the job will take using 𝑚 movers. Which number of years since 2005 and 𝑦 represents
of the following is the best interpretation of the the total number of turtles each year. Which of
number 25 in the equation? the following best describes the meaning of the
number 5.21 in the equation above?
A) The company charges 25 dollar per hour
for each mover. A) The estimated increase in the number of
B) The price of every job increases by 25 turtles that came to the beach each
dollars each hour. additional year after 2005.
C) Each mover works for an average of 25 B) The total number of turtles who came to the
hours per week. beach in 2005.
D) A maximum of 25 movers can be used for C) The estimated difference between the
the same job. number of turtles in 2005 and in 2015.
D) The average number of turtles who arrived
2 11. Lucia earns 𝑘 dollars for every 𝑎 hours of work. each year.
Which expression represents the amount of
money, in dollars, Lucia earns for 27𝑎 hours of 2 15. Kyle measured the internal temperature of his
work? brisket while it was being smoked. The
temperature of the brisket before being placed
B in the smoker was 48°F. Kyle discovered that
A) %3 the temperature of the brisket rose at a constant
B) 27𝑘 rate. Two and a half hours after being placed in
C) 𝑘 + 27 the smoker, the brisket’s temperature was 93°F.
D) 𝑘 − 27 Four hours after being placed in the smoker, the
brisket’s temperature was 120°F. Which of the
2 12. The Lakewood Country Club plans to increase following equations models the temperature
its membership by a total of 𝑚 families per 𝑇(ℎ) in degrees Fahrenheit h hours after being
year. At the beginning of this year, there were placed in the smoker?
𝑝 families with memberships. Which function
best models the total number of families, 𝑓, the A) 𝑇(ℎ) = 45ℎ + 48
Lakewood Country Club plans to have as B) 𝑇(ℎ) = 30ℎ + 48
members 𝑥 years from now? C) 𝑇(ℎ) = 48ℎ + 45
D) 𝑇(ℎ) = 18ℎ + 48
A) 𝑓 = 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑚
B) 𝑓 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑝 2 16. The amount of juice that the average orange
C) 𝑓 = 𝑚(𝑝)" from Mitch’s farm produces when juiced can be
D) 𝑓 = 𝑚𝑥𝑝 modeled by the equation 𝑥 = −19ℎ + 290,
where 𝑥 is the milliliters of juice produced and
ℎ is the weeks since harvest. Which of the
2 13. A 4,864-piece jigsaw puzzle has 276 edge
following statements is true based on the
pieces, and the rest are pieces inside of the
equation?
puzzle. The equation 74𝑥 + 276 = 4,864
describes this situation, where 𝑥 represents the A) On average, an orange produces 19
number of rows that contain inside pieces. milliliters less juice at harvest than one
Which of the following is the best interpretation week after harvest.
of 74𝑥 in this context? B) Two weeks after harvest, each orange on
average produces 252 milliliters of juice.
A) There are 74𝑥 total pieces. C) Each orange loses exactly 19 milliliters of
B) There are 74𝑥 pieces in each row. juice per week after harvest.
C) There are 74𝑥 edge pieces. D) One week before harvest, each orange
D) There are 74𝑥 inside pieces. would have produced 308 milliliters of
juice.
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3 23. Annie paid $65 to sign up for a food delivery 3 26. Megan is training for her first marathon by
service that sends her ingredients for 5 meals going on a long run every Monday. She will
each week. After the sign-up fee, Annie pays run 4 miles on the first Monday that she is
$200 every 4 weeks for the food. Which of the training. Every Monday after the first, she will
following models how much Annie pays, 𝑚, for run 2.5 more miles than she ran the preceding
𝑘 meals? Monday. Which of the following equations
represent the number of miles 𝑚 Megan will
A) 𝑚 = 65 + 10𝑘 run on the 𝑛th Monday of her training?
B) 𝑚 = 200 + 65𝑘
C) 𝑚 = 5𝑘 + 65 A) 𝑚 = 4 + 2.5𝑛
D) 𝑚 = 65 + 50𝑘 B) 𝑚 = 1.5 + 2.5𝑛
C) 𝑚 = 2.5𝑛 − 4
D) 𝑚 = 2.5* + 4
25. The given linear function 𝑓 models the annual 4 28. Linh ran from her home to her friend’s house in
3
percentage increase in the population over the 1 hour and 15 minutes at an average rate of 7
prior year for Tijuana 𝑡 years since 2010, where miles per hour. If the equation below
0 ≤ 𝑡 < 15. What is the best interpretation of represents this situation, what does 𝑧 represent?
𝑓(10) = 2.5 in this context? $ 3
=
$.%& 7
𝑓(𝑡) = −0.075𝑡 + 3.25
A) 2.5 years after 2010, the percentage A) The distance, in miles, that Linh ran.
increase in the population of Tijuana was B) The time, in hours, that Linh ran.
10% over the previous year. C) Linh’s average speed, in miles per hour.
B) 2.5 years after 2010, Tijuana’s population D) Linh’s average speed, in miles per minute.
was approximately 10 times the amount in
2010.
C) 10 years after 2010, the percentage increase 4 29. A boxing club membership costs $85 per
in the population of Tijuana was 2.5% over month. After 1 year, members receive a
the previous year. discount of $30 off the cost of their monthly
D) 10 years after 2010, Tijuana’s population membership. Which function 𝑐 gives the total
was approximately 2.5 times its population cost 𝑐(𝑡), in dollars, that a new member pays
in 2010. after 𝑡 months of membership, where 𝑡 ≥ 12 ?
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30. Julia and Drew both work at their own constant 32. A company that manufactures crutches
rate, either alone or together. When Julia works 4 calculates its monthly profit by subtracting its 4
alone, she can finish her job 18 minutes faster fixed monthly costs from its monthly revenue
than Drew can. The equation below can be from sales. The equation
used to find the time 𝑥, in minutes, it takes 36,000 = 20𝑥 − 12,000 represents this
Drew to finish the job alone. Which of the situation in June when 𝑥 crutches are
following is the best interpretation of the manufactured and sold. What is the meaning of
number 54 in the equation? !5,(((
in this context?
"
$ $ $
= +
&' "+$6 "
A) The average cost of manufacturing 𝑥
crutches in June.
A) The number of minutes it takes Julia and
B) The profit per crutch sold in June.
Drew to finish the job working together.
C) The revenue for each crutch sold in June.
B) The number of minutes it takes Julia to
D) The total revenue from selling 𝑥 crutches in
complete the Job.
C) The number of minutes it takes Drew to June.
complete the Job.
D) How many fewer minutes it takes Julia to
complete the job than Drew.
A) 𝑐(𝑥) = 12𝑥 + 17
B) 𝑐(𝑥) = 12𝑥 + 50
C) 𝑐(𝑥) = 12𝑥 + 250
D) 𝑐(𝑥) = 12𝑥 + 850
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