Chapter 19

Heart of Algebra
Heart of Algebra focuses on the mastery of linear equations, systems of
linear equations, and linear functions. The ability to analyze and create
linear equations, inequalities, and functions is essential for success in college
and careers, as is the ability to solve linear equations and systems fluently.
The questions in Heart of Algebra include both multiple-choice questions
and student-produced response questions. On some questions, the use of
a calculator is not permitted; on other questions, the use of a calculator
is allowed.
The questions in Heart of Algebra vary significantly in form and appearance.
They may be straightforward fluency exercises or pose challenges of strategy
or understanding, such as interpreting the relationship between graphical
and algebraic representations or solving as a process of reasoning. You will
be required to demonstrate both procedural skill and a deep understanding
of concepts.
Lets explore the content and skills assessed by Heart of Algebra questions.

REMEMBER
The SAT Math Test will require
you to demonstrate a deep
understanding of several core
algebra topics, namely linear
equations, systems of linear
equations, and linear functions.
These topics are fundamental
to the learning and work often
required in college and career.

Linear Equations, Linear Inequalities, and

Linear Functions in Context
When you use algebra to analyze and solve a problem in real life, a key step
is to represent the context of the problem algebraically. To do this, you may
need to define one or more variables that represent quantities in the context.
Then you need to write one or more expressions, equations, inequalities,
or functions that represent the relationships described in the context. For
example, once you write an equation that represents the context, you solve
the equation. Then you interpret the solution to the equation in terms of the
context. Questions on the SAT Math Test may assess your ability to accom
plish any or all of these steps.

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ExamplE 1
In 2014, County X had 783 miles of paved roads. Starting in 2015, the
county has been building 8 miles of new paved roads each year. At this
rate, how many miles of paved road will County X have in 2030?
(Assume that no paved roads go out of service.)

PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
Many Heart of Algebra
questions such as this one will
require you to accomplish the
following steps:
1. Define one or more variables
that represent quantities in
the question.
2. Write one or more equations,
expressions, inequalities, or
functions that represent the
relationships described in
the question.
3. Solve the equation, and
interpret the solution in terms of
what the question is asking.
Ample practice with each of
these steps will help you develop
your math skills and knowledge.

The first step in answering this question is to decide what variable or vari
ables you need to define. The question is asking how the number of miles
of paved road in County X depends on the year. This can be represented
using n, the number of years after 2014. Then, since the question says that
County X had 783 miles of paved road in 2014 and is building 8 miles of new
paved roads each year, the expression 783 + 8n gives the number of miles of
paved roads in County X in year n. The year 2030 is 2030 2014 = 16 years
after 2014; thus, the year 2030 corresponds to n = 16. Hence, to find the
number of miles of paved roads in County X in 2030, substitute 16 for n in
the expression 783 + 8n, giving 783 + 8(16) = 783 + 128 = 911. Therefore,
at the given rate of building, County X will have 911 miles of paved roads
in 2030.
There are different questions that can be asked about the same context.

ExamplE 2
In 2014, County X had 783 miles of paved roads. Starting in 2015, the
county has been building 8 miles of new paved roads each year. At this
rate, if n is the number of years after 2014, which of the following
functions f gives the number of miles of paved road there will be in
County X? (Assume that no paved roads go out of service.)
A)
B)
C)
D)

REMEMBER
There are several different ways
you can be tested on the same
underlying algebra concepts.
Practicing a variety of questions,
with different contexts, is a good
way to ensure you'll be ready for
the questions youll come across
on the SAT.

f(n) = 8 + 783n

f(n) = 2,014 + 783n

f(n) = 783 + 8n

f(n) = 2,014 + 8n

This question already defines the variable and asks you to create a function
that describes the context. The discussion in Example 1 shows that the cor
rect answer is choice C.

ExamplE 3
In 2014, County X had 783 miles of paved roads. Starting in 2015, the
county has been building 8 miles of new paved roads each year. At this
rate, in which year will County X first have at least 1,000 miles of
paved roads? (Assume that no paved roads go out of service.)

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heart of algebra

In this question, you must solve an inequality. As in Example 1, let n be the

number of years after 2014. Then the expression 783 + 8n gives the num
ber of miles of paved roads in County X. The question is asking when there
will first be at least 1,000 miles of paved roads in County X. This condition
can be represented by the inequality 783 + 8n 1,000. To find the year in
which there will first be at least 1,000 miles of paved roads, you solve this
inequality for n. Subtracting 783 from each side of 783 + 8n 1,000 gives
8n 217. Then dividing each side of 8n 217 gives n 27.125. Note that an
important part of relating the inequality 783 + 8n 1,000 back to the con
text is to notice that n is counting calendar years and so it must be an integer.
The least value of n that satisfies 783 + 8n 1,000 is 27.125, but the year
2014 + 27.125 = 2041.125 does not make sense as an answer, and in 2041,
there would be only 783 + 8(27) = 999 miles of paved roads in the county.
Therefore, the variable n needs to be rounded up to the next integer, and so
the least possible value of n is 28. Therefore, the year that County X will first
have at least 1,000 miles of paved roads is 28 years after 2014, or 2042.

PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
Solving an equation or inequality
is often only part of the problemsolving process. You must also
interpret the solution in the
context of the question, so
be sure to remind yourself of
the question's context and the
meaning of the variables you
solved for before selecting your
answer.

In Example 1, once the variable n was defined, you needed to find an expres
sion that represents the number of miles of paved road in terms of n. In
other questions, creating the correct expression, equation, or function may
require a more insightful understanding of the context.

ExamplE 4
To edit a manuscript, Miguel charges $50 for the first 2 hours and
$20per hour after the first 2 hours. Which of the following expresses
the amount in dollars, C, Miguel charges if it takes him x hours to edit
a manuscript, where x > 2?
A)
B)
C)
D)

C = 20x
C = 20x + 10
C = 20x + 50
C = 20x + 90

The question defines the variables C and x and asks you to express C in terms
of x. To create the correct expression, you must note that since the $50 that
Miguel charges pays for his first 2 hours of editing, he charges $20 per hour
only after the first 2 hours. Thus, if it takes x hours for Miguel to edit a man
uscript, he charges $50 for the first 2 hours and $20 per hour for the remain
ing time, which is x 2 hours. Thus, his total charge, C, can be written as
C = 50 + 20(x 2). This does not match any of the choices. But when the
right-hand side of C = 50 + 20(x 2) is expanded, you get C = 50 + 20x 40,
or C = 20x + 10, which is choice B.
As with Examples 1 to 3, there are different questions that could be asked
about this context. For example, you could be asked to find how long it took
Miguel to edit a manuscript if he charged $370.

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PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
When the solution you arrive at
doesn't match any of the answer
choices, consider if expanding,
simplifying, or rearranging your
solution will cause it to match an
answer choice. Often, this extra
step is needed to arrive at the
correct answer.

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Absolute Value
Absolute value expressions, inequalities, and equations are included in
Heart of Algebra. (Graphs of absolute value equations and functions are in
Passport to Advanced Math.) One definition of absolute value is
x, if x 0
|x|= x, if x < 0
The absolute value of any real number is nonnegative. An important con
sequence of this definition is that |x| = |x| for any real number x. Another
important consequence of this definition is that if a and b are any two
real numbers, then |a b| is equal to the distance between a and b on the
number line.

ExamplE 5
REMEMBER
The SAT Math Test will
require you to have a deep
understanding of absolute value,
not simply that the absolute
value of any real number is
nonnegative. Example 5, for
instance, requires you to apply
your knowledge of two concepts,
absolute value and inequality,
to represent the relationship
described in a specific context.

The stratosphere is the layer of the Earths atmosphere that is more

than 10 kilometers (km) and less than 50 km above the Earths surface.
Which of the following inequalities describes all possible heights x, in
km, above the Earths surface that are in the stratosphere?
A)
B)
C)
D)

|x + 10| < 50

|x 10| < 50

|x + 30| < 20

|x 30| < 20

The question states that the stratosphere is the layer of the Earths atmo
sphere that is greater than 10 km and less than 50 km above the Earths sur
face. Thus, the possible heights x, in km, above the Earths surface that are
in the stratosphere are given by the inequality 10 < x < 50. To answer the
question, you need to find an absolute value inequality that is equivalent to
10 < x < 50.
The inequality 10 < x < 50 describes the open interval (10, 50). To describe
an interval with an absolute value inequality, use the midpoint and the size
10 + 50
of the interval. The midpoint of (10, 50) is = 30. Then observe that
2
the interval (10, 50) consists of all points that are within 20 of the midpoint.
That is, (10, 50) consists of x, whose distance from 30 on the number line is
less than 20. The distance between x and 30 on the number line is |x 30|.
Therefore, the possible values of x are described by |x 30| < 20, which is
choice D.

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heart of algebra

Systems of Linear Equations and

Inequalities in Context
You may need to define more than one variable and create more than one
equation or inequality to represent a context and answer a question. There
are questions on the SAT Math Test that require you to create and solve a
system of equations or create a system of inequalities.

ExamplE 6
Maizah bought a pair of pants and a briefcase at a department store.
The sum of the prices before sales tax was $130.00. There was no sales
tax on the pants and a 9% sales tax on the briefcase. The total Maizah
paid, including the sales tax, was $136.75. What was the price, in
dollars, of the pants?

To answer the question, you first need to define the variables. The question
discusses the prices of a pair of pants and a briefcase and asks you to find
the price of the pants. So it is appropriate to let P be the price of the pants,
in dollars, and to let B be the price of the briefcase, in dollars. Since the sum
of the prices before sales tax was $130.00, the equation P + B = 130 is true.
A sales tax of 9% was added to the price of the briefcase. Since 9% is equal to
0.09, the price of the briefcase with tax was B + 0.09B = 1.09B. There was no
sales tax on the pants, and the total Maizah paid, including tax, was $136.75,
so the equation P + 1.09B = 136.75 holds.
Now, you need to solve the system
P + B = 130

P + 1.09B = 136.75

Subtracting the sides of the first equation from the corresponding sides of
the second equation gives you (P + 1.09B) (P + B) = 136.75 130, which
simplifies to 0.09B = 6.75. Now you can divide each side of 0.09B = 6.75 by
6.75
0.09. This gives you = = 75. This is the value of B, the price, in dollars,
0.09
of the briefcase. The question asks for the price, in dollars, of the pants,
which is P. You can substitute 75 for B in the equation P + B = 130,
which gives you P + 75 = 130, or P = 130 75 = 55, so the pants cost $55.
(Note that this example has no choices. It is a student-produced response
question. On the SAT, you would grid your answer in the spaces provided on
the answer sheet.)

PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
You can use either of two
approaches combination or
substitution when solving a
system of linear equations. One
may get you to the answer more
quickly than the other, depending
on the equations youre working
with and what youre solving for.
Practice using both to give you
greater flexibility on test day.

REMEMBER
While this question may seem
complex, as it involves numerous
steps, solving it requires a strong
understanding of the same
underlying principles outlined
above: defining variables,
creating equations to represent
relationships, solving equations,
and interpreting the solution.

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ExamplE 7
Each morning, John jogs at 6 miles per hour and rides a bike at
12miles per hour. His goal is to jog and ride his bike a total of at least 9
miles in less than 1 hour. If John jogs j miles and rides his bike bmiles,
which of the following systems of inequalities represents Johns goal?
j b
<1
A) +
6 12

j + b 9

j b
1
B) +
6 12

j + b < 9

C) 6j + 12b 9

j + b < 1

D) 6j + 12b < 1

j + b 9

PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
In Example 7, the answer
choices each contain two parts.
Use this to your advantage
by tackling one part at a time
and eliminating answers that
dont work.

PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
You should be able to quickly
rearrange three-part equations
such as the rate equation (rate =
distance / time) for any of the
three parts. Example 7 requires
you to solve the equation
for time.

John jogs j miles and rides his bike b miles; his goal to jog and ride his bike
a total of at least 9 miles is represented by the inequality j + b 9. This elim
inates choices B and C.
Since rate time = distance, it follows that time is equal to distance divided
by rate. John jogs j miles at 6 miles per hour, so the time he jogs is equal
j
j miles
to = hours. Similarly, since John rides his bike b miles
6 miles/hour 6
b
at 12 miles per hour, the time he rides his bike is hours. Thus, Johns goal
12
to complete his jog and his bike ride in less than 1 hour can be represented
j
j
b
b
by the inequality + = < 1. The system j + b 9 and + < 1
12
12
6
6
is choice A.

Fluency in Solving Linear Equations, Linear

Inequalities, and Systems of Linear Equations
Creating linear equations, linear inequalities, and systems of linear equa
tions that represent a context is a key skill for success in college and careers.
It is also essential to be able to fluently solve linear equations, linear inequal
ities, and systems of linear equations. Some of the questions in the Heart
of Algebra section of the SAT Math Test present equations, inequalities, or
systems without a context and directly assess your fluency in solving them.

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Some fluency questions allow the use of a calculator; other questions do

not permit the use of a calculator and test your ability to solve equations,
inequalities, and systems of equations by hand. Even for questions where a

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heart of algebra

calculator is allowed, you may be able to answer the question more quickly
without using a calculator, such as in Example 9. Part of what the SAT Math
Test assesses is your ability to decide when using a calculator to answer a
question is appropriate. Example 8 is an example of a question that could
appear on either the calculator or no-calculator portion of the Math Test.

ExamplE 8

( 12 y ) = 53 + 15y

What is the solution to the equation above?

3
Expanding the left-hand side of the equation gives 3y = + 15y, which can
5

3 3

3 3
be rewritten as 18y =
. Multiplying each side of 18y =
by 10, the least
2 5

2
5
30 30

common multiple of 2 and 5, clears the denominators: 180y =

= 15 6 = 9.

2
5

9
1

Therefore, y = _ = .

180 20

ExamplE 9
REMEMBER

2(3x 2.4) = 3(3x 2.4)

What is the solution to the equation above?

You could solve this in the same way as Example 8, by multiplying everything
out and simplifying. But the structure of the equation reveals that 2 times a
quantity, 3x 2.4, is equal to 3 times the same quantity. This is only pos
sible if the quantity 3x 2.4 is equal to zero. Thus, 3x 2.4 = 0, or 3x = 2.4.
Therefore, the solution is x = 0.8.

ExamplE 10
2x = 4y + 6
2(2y + 3) = 3x 5
What is the solution (x, y) to the system of equations above?

This is an example of a system you can solve quickly by substitution. Since

2x = 4y + 6, it follows that x = 2y + 3. Now you can substitute x for 2y + 3 in
the second equation. This gives you 2(x) = 3x 5, which simplifies to 5x = 5,
or x = 1. Substituting 1 for x in the first equation gives you 2 = 4y + 6, which sim
plifies to 4y = 8, or y = 2. Therefore, the solution to the system is (1, 2).

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While a calculator is permitted on

one portion of the SAT Math Test,
its important to not over-rely on
a calculator. Some questions,
such as Example 9, can be solved
more efficiently without using a
calculator. Your ability to choose
when to use and when not to use
a calculator is one of the things
the SAT Math Test assesses,
so be sure to practice this in
your studies.

PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
In Example 6, the combination
approach yields an efficient
solution to the question. In
Example 10, substitution turns
out to be a fast approach. These
examples illustrate the benefits
of knowing both approaches and
thinking critically about which
approach may be faster on a
given question.
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In the preceding examples, you have found a unique solution to linear equa
tions and to systems of two linear equations in two variables. But not all
such equations and systems have solutions, and some have infinitely many
solutions. Some questions on the SAT Math Test assess your ability to deter
mine whether an equation or a system has one solution, no solutions, or
infinitely many solutions.

The Relationships among Linear Equations,

Lines in the Coordinate Plane, and the
Contexts They Describe
A system of two linear equations in two variables can be solved by graphing
the lines in the coordinate plane. For example, you can graph the system of
equations in Example 10 in the xy-plane:
y

O
(1, 2)

The point of intersection gives the solution to the system.

If the equations in a system of two linear equations in two variables are
graphed, each graph will be a line. There are three possibilities:
PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat

1. The lines intersect in one point. In this case, the system has a unique
solution.

Graphing systems of two

linear equations is another
effective approach to solving
them. Practice arranging linear
equations into y = mx + b
form and graphing them in the
coordinate plane.

2. The lines are parallel. In this case, the system has no solution.
3. The lines are identical. In this case, every point on the line is a solution,
and so the system has infinitely many solutions.
By putting the equations in the system into slope-intercept form, the second
and third cases can be identified. If the lines have the same slope and differ
ent y-intercepts, they are parallel; if both the slope and the y-intercept are
the same, the lines are identical.
How are the second and third cases represented algebraically? Examples 11
and 12 concern this question.

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heart of algebra

ExamplE 11
2y + 6x = 3

y + 3x = 2

How many solutions (x, y) are there to the system of equations above?
A)
B)
C)
D)

Zero

One

Two

More than two

If you multiply each side of y + 3x = 2 by 2, you get 2y + 6x = 4. Then

subtracting each side of 2y + 6x = 3 from the corresponding side of
2y + 6x = 4 gives 0 = 1. This is a false statement. Therefore, the system has
zero solutions (x, y).
Alternatively, you could graph the two equations. The graphs are parallel
lines, so there are no points of intersection.
y

REMEMBER

1
O

When the graphs of a system of

two linear equations are parallel
lines, as in Example 11, the
system has zero solutions. If the
question states that a system
of two linear equations has an
infinite number of solutions, as in
Example 12, the equations must
be equivalent.

ExamplE 12

3s 2t = a

15s + bt = 7

In the system of equations above, a and b are constants. If the system has

infinitely many solutions, what is the value of a?

If a system of two linear equations in two variables has infinitely many

solutions, the two equations in the system must be equivalent. Since the
two equations are presented in the same form, the second equation must
be equal to the first equation multiplied by a constant. Since the coefficient

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of s in the second equation is 5 times the coefficient of s in the first equa

tion, multiply each side of the first equation by 5. This gives you the system
15s + 10t = 5a
15s + bt = 7
Since these two equations are equivalent and have the same coefficient of s,
the coefficients of t and the constants on the right-hand side must also be the
7

same. Thus, b = 10 and 5a = 7. Therefore, the value of a is .

There will also be questions on the SAT Math Test that assess your knowl
edge of the relationship between the algebraic and the geometric represen
tations of a line, that is, between an equation of a line and its graph. The key
concepts are:
If the slopes of line and line k are each defined (that is, if neither line

is a vertical line), then

Line and line k are parallel if and only if they have the same slope.
Line and line k are perpendicular if and only if the product of their
slopes is 1.

ExamplE 13
y

REMEMBER
The SAT Math Test will further
assess your understanding of
linear equations by, for instance,
asking you to select a linear
equation that describes a given
graph, select a graph that
describes a given linear equation,
or determine how a graph may
be impacted by a change in
its equation.

1
O

The graph of line k is shown in the xy-plane above. Which of the

following is an equation of a line that is perpendicular to line k?
A) y = 2x + 1
1
B) y = x + 2
2
1

C) y = x + 3
2

D) y = 2x + 4

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heart of algebra

Note that the graph of line k passes through the points (0, 6) and (3, 0).
06
Thus, the slope of line k is _ = 2. Since the product of the slopes of
30
perpendicular lines is 1, a line that is perpendicular to line k will have
1
slope . All the choices are in slope-intercept form, and so the coefficient of
2
x is the slope of the line represented by the equation. Therefore, choice C,
1
1
y = x + 3, is an equation of a line with slope , and thus this line is
2
2
perpendicular to line k.

PRACTICE AT
khanacademy.org/sat
Example 13 requires a strong
understanding of slope as
well as the ability to calculate
slope: slope = rise / run =
change in x / change in y. Parallel
lines have slopes that are equal.
Perpendicular lines have slopes
whose product is 1.

As weve noted, some contexts can be described with a linear equation. The
graph of a linear equation is a line. A line has geometric properties such as
its slope and its y-intercept. These geometric properties can often be inter
preted in terms of the context. The SAT Math Test has questions that assess
your ability to make these interpretations. For example, look back at the
contexts in Examples 1 to 3. You created a linear function, f(n) = 783 + 8n,
that describes the number of miles of paved road County X will have n years
after 2014. This equation can be graphed in the coordinate plane, with n on
the horizontal axis and f(n) on the vertical axis. This graph is a line with
slope 8 and vertical intercept 783. The slope, 8, gives the number of miles of
new paved roads added each year, and the vertical intercept gives the num
ber of miles of paved roads in 2014, the year that corresponds to n = 0.

ExamplE 14
A voter registration drive was held in Town Y. The number of voters,
V, registered T days after the drive began can be estimated by the
equation V = 3,450 + 65T. What is the best interpretation of the
number 65 in this equation?
A) The number of registered voters at the beginning of the registration
drive
B) The number of registered voters at the end of the registration drive
C) The total number of voters registered during the drive
D) The number of voters registered each day during the drive

The correct answer is choice D. For each day that passes, it is the next day
of the registration drive, and so T increases by 1. When T increases by 1, the
value of V = 3,450 + 65T increases by 65. That is, the number of voters regis
tered increased by 65 for each day of the drive. Therefore, 65 is the number
of voters registered each day during the drive.
You should note that choice A describes the number 3,450, and the numbers
described by choices B and C can be found only if you know how many days
the registration drive lasted; this information is not given in the question.
Mastery of linear equations, systems of linear equations, and linear func
tions is built upon key skills such as analyzing rates and ratios. Several key
skills are discussed in the next domain, Problem Solving and Data Analysis.

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