Answer Explanations

SAT Practice Test #3

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Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because each provides a statement that
does not logically connect to the examples that follow.

QUESTION 43.
Choice D is the best answer. It accurately states that the information in the
proposed additional sentence is not related to formal portraits of cats, the
main topic of the paragraph.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each fails to recognize that the
proposed sentence interrupts the logical development of the paragraph.

QUESTION 44.
Choice D is the best answer. The tone corresponds with that established in
the passage, and the phrasing appropriately focuses on the cats’ contribution
to protecting artwork rather than on simply killing rodents.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because none makes explicit the link
between the cats’ hunting activities and the service to the museum.

Section 3: Math Test — No Calculator

QUESTION 1.
Choice C is correct. The painter’s fee is given by nKℓh, where n is the number
of walls, K is a constant with units of dollars per square foot, ℓ is the length
of each wall in feet, and h is the height of each wall in feet. Examining this
equation shows that ℓ and h will be used to determine the area of each wall.
The variable n is the number of walls, so n times the area of the walls will
give the amount of area that will need to be painted. The only remaining
variable is K, which represents the cost per square foot and is determined by
the painter’s time and the price of paint. Therefore, K is the only factor that
will change if the customer asks for a more expensive brand of paint.

Choice A is incorrect because a more expensive brand of paint would not

cause the height of each wall to change. Choice B is incorrect because a more
expensive brand of paint would not cause the length of each wall to change.
Choice D is incorrect because a more expensive brand of paint would not
cause the number of walls to change.

QUESTION 2.
Choice D is correct. Dividing each side of the equation 3r = 18 by 3 gives
r = 6. Substituting 6 for r in the expression 6r + 3 gives 6(6) + 3 = 39.

Alternatively, the expression 6r + 3 can be rewritten as 2(3r) + 3. Substituting

18 for 3r in the expression 2(3r) + 3 yields 2(18) + 3 = 36 + 3 = 39.

21
 Choice A is incorrect because 6 is the value of r; however, the question asks
for the value of the expression 6r + 3. Choices B and C are incorrect because
if 6r + 3 were equal to either of these values, then it would not be possible for
3r to be equal to 18, as stated in the question.

QUESTION 3.
m
_ n _
Choice D is correct. By definition, ​a_
​​  n ​ ​= ​√am ​ for any positive integers m
2
_ 3
and n. It follows, therefore, that ​a​ ​3 ​ ​= ​√a2 ​.
1
_ n _
Choice A is incorrect. By definition, a​ ​​  n ​​ = ​√a ​ for any positive integer n.
Applying this
_definition
_as well as the power property of _ exponents to the
1
​_ 1
_
( )
_ 1 ​
expression ​√​a​3 ​​ ​ yields ​√​a​​ 3 ​​ ​ = ​​ ​a​​ 3 ​​  ​​2​= ​a​​ 6 ​ ​. Because ​a​​ 6 ​ ​≠ ​a​​ 3 ​​, ​√​a​​ 3 ​​ ​is not the correct
1 ​ _ 1
_ 1
_ 2
_ 1
_

1
_ n _
answer. Choice B is incorrect. By definition, a​ n​ ​  ​​= ​√a ​ for any positive integer n.
Applying this definition as well as the power property of exponents to
_ _ 1
​ _​ 3 3 2 _
the expression ​√​a​3​ ​ yields ​√​a​3​ ​ = ​​( ​a​3​  )​​ 2 ​ = ​a​2 ​. Because ​a​​  2 ​ ​≠ ​a​​  3 ​​, ​√​a​3​ ​is not the
​ _​ _ _

1
_ n _
correct answer. Choice C is incorrect. By definition, ​a​​ n ​ ​= ​ √a ​ for any positive
integer n. Applying this _
definition _
as well as the power property of expo- _
( )
3 3 1 2 3
nents to the expression ​√​a​2 ​ ​ yields ​√​a​2 ​ ​ = ​​ a​ ​2 ​  ​​ 3 ​= ​a​6 ​. Because ​a​6 ​ ≠ ​a​3 ​, ​√​a​2 ​ ​ is
1
​ _​
1
​ _​
1 _
​ _​ ​  ​
1
​ _​
1
​ _​ ​ _​
1
​ _​

not the correct answer.

QUESTION 4.
Choice B is correct. To fit the scenario described, 30 must be twice as large
as x. This can be written as 2x = 30.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. These equations do not correctly relate

the numbers and variables described in the stem. For example, the expres-
sion in choice C states that 30 is half as large as x, not twice as large as x.

QUESTION 5.
5 15
Choice C is correct. Multiplying each side of ​ _ ​ = ​ _ ​ by x(x + 20) gives
x x + 20
15x = 5(x + 20). Distributing the 5 over the values within the parenthe-
ses yields 15x = 5x + 100, and then subtracting 5x from each side gives
10x = 100. Finally, dividing both sides by 10 gives x = 10. Therefore, the
x 10
value of ​ _ ​ is ​ _ ​= 2.
5 5
x
Choice A is incorrect because it is the value of x, not ​ _ ​. Choices B and D
5
are incorrect and may be the result of errors in arithmetic operations on the
given equation.

22
QUESTION 6.
Choice C is correct. Multiplying each side of the equation 2x − 3y = −14 by
3 gives 6x − 9y = −42. Multiplying each side of the equation 3x − 2y = −6 by
2 gives 6x − 4y = −12. Then, subtracting the sides of 6x − 4y = −12 from the
corresponding sides of 6x − 9y = −42 gives −5y = −30. Dividing each side
of the equation −5y = −30 by −5 gives y = 6. Finally, substituting 6 for y in
2x − 3y = −14 gives 2x − 3(6) = −14, or x = 2. Therefore, the value of x − y is
2 − 6 = −4.

Alternatively, adding the corresponding sides of 2x − 3y = −14 and

3x − 2y = −6 gives 5x − 5y = −20, from which it follows that x − y = −4.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of an arithmetic

error when solving the system of equations.

QUESTION 7.
Choice C is correct. If x − b is a factor of f(x), then f(b) must equal 0. Based
on the table, f(4) = 0. Therefore, x − 4 must be a factor of f(x).

Choice A is incorrect because f(2) ≠ 0; choice B is incorrect because no

information is given about the value of f(3), so x − 3 may or may not be a
factor of f(x); and choice D is incorrect because f(5) ≠ 0.

QUESTION 8.
Choice A is correct. The linear equation y = kx + 4 is in slope-intercept form,
and so the slope of the line is k. Since the line contains the point (c, d), the
coordinates of this point satisfy the equation y = kx + 4: d = kc + 4. Solving
d−4
this equation for the slope, k, gives k = _
​  c ​.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in substi-
tuting the coordinates of (c, d) in y = kx + 4 or of errors in solving for k in
the resulting equation.

QUESTION 9.
Choice A is correct. If a system of two linear equations has no solution, then
the lines represented by the equations in the coordinate plane are parallel.
k k
4 ​, where ​ _
The equation kx − 3y = 4 can be rewritten as y = ​ _ ​x − ​ _  ​is the slope
3 3 3
7
4  ​x − ​ _
of the line, and the equation 4x − 5y = 7 can be rewritten as y = ​ _  ​,
5 5
4
where ​ _ ​is the slope of the line. If two lines are parallel, then the slopes of
5
k
4 ​ = ​ _ 12 ​. (Since the y-intercepts of the
the line are equal. Therefore, ​ _  ​, or k = ​ _
5 3 5
4 ​and − ​ _7
lines represented by the equations are − ​ _  ​, the lines are parallel, not
3 5
identical.)

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of a computational

error when rewriting the equations or solving the equation representing the
equality of the slopes for k. 23
 QUESTION 10.
Choice A is correct. Substituting 25 for y in the equation ​y = (x − 11)​2​ gives
25 = ​(x − 11)​2​. It follows that x − 11 = 5 or x − 11 = −5, so the x-coordinates
of the two points of intersection are x = 16 and x = 6, respectively. Since
both points of intersection have a y-coordinate of 25, it follows that the two
points are (16, 25) and (6, 25). Since these points lie on the horizontal line
y = 25, the distance between these points is the positive difference of the
x-coordinates: 16 − 6 = 10.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of an error in solv-
ing the quadratic equation that results when substituting 25 for y in the
given quadratic equation.

QUESTION 11.
Choice B is correct. Since the angles marked y° and u° are vertical angles,
y = u. Subtracting the sides of y = u from the corresponding sides of x + y
= u + w gives x = w. Since the angles marked w° and z° are vertical angles,
w = z. Therefore, x = z, and so I must be true.

The equation in II need not be true. For example, if x = w = z = t = 70 and

y = u = 40, then all three pairs of vertical angles in the figure have equal
measure and the given condition x + y = u + w holds. But it is not true in this
case that y is equal to w. Therefore, II need not be true.

Since the top three angles in the figure form a straight angle, it follows that
x + y + z = 180. Similarly, w + u + t = 180, and so x + y + z = w + u + t.
Subtracting the sides of the given equation x + y = u + w from the corre-
sponding sides of x + y + z = w + u + t gives z = t. Therefore, III must be true.
Since only I and III must be true, the correct answer is choice B.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because each of these choices includes II,
which need not be true.

QUESTION 12.
Choice A is correct. The parabola with equation y = a(x − 2)(x + 4) crosses
the x-axis at the points (−4, 0) and (2, 0). The x-coordinate of the vertex
of the parabola is halfway between the x-coordinates of (−4, 0) and (2, 0).
−4 + ​
Thus, the x-coordinate of the vertex is ​ _ 2 = −1. This is the value of c. To
2
find the y-coordinate of the vertex, substitute −1 for x in y = a(x − 2)(x + 4):
y = a(x − 2)(x + 4) = a(−1 − 2)(−1 + 4) = a(−3)(3) = −9a.
Therefore, the value of d is −9a.

24
Choice B is incorrect because the value of the constant term in the equa-
tion is not the y-coordinate of the vertex, unless there were no linear terms
in the quadratic. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of a sign error
in finding the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice D is incorrect because
the negative of the coefficient of the linear term in the quadratic is not the
y-coordinate of the vertex.

QUESTION 13.
Choice B is correct. Since ​24x​2​+ 25x − 47 divided by ax − 2 is equal to
−8x −3 with remainder −53, it is true that (−8x − 3)(ax − 2) − 53 = ​24x​2​ +
25x −47. (This can be seen by multiplying each side of the given equation by
ax − 2). This can be rewritten as ​−8ax​2​+ 16x − 3ax = ​24x​2​+ 25x − 47. Since
the coefficients of the x2-term have to be equal on both sides of the equation,
−8a = 24, or a = −3.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of either a concep-
tual misunderstanding or a computational error when trying to solve for the
value of a.

QUESTION 14.
Choice A is correct. Dividing each side of the given equation by 3 gives
the equivalent
_
equation ​x​2​+ 4x + 2 = 0. Then using the quadratic formula,
−b ± ​√​b​2​− 4ac ​ _
__
​   ​ , with a = 1, b = 4, and c = 2, gives the solutions x = −2 ± ​√2 ​.
2a
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors when
applying the quadratic formula.

QUESTION 15.
Choice D is correct. If C is graphed against F, the slope of the graph is equal
5
to ​ _ ​degrees Celsius/degrees Fahrenheit, which means that for an increase of
9
5
1 degree Fahrenheit, the increase is ​ _ ​of 1 degree Celsius. Thus, statement I
9
is true. This is the equivalent to saying that an increase of 1 degree Celsius
9 9
is equal to an increase of ​ _ ​degrees Fahrenheit. Since ​ _ ​= 1.8, statement II
5 5
is true. On the other hand, statement III is not true, since a temperature
9 5
increase of ​ _ ​degrees Fahrenheit, not ​ _ ​degree Fahrenheit, is equal to a tem-
5 9
perature increase of 1 degree Celsius.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each of these choices omits a true
statement or includes a false statement.

25
 QUESTION 16.
The correct answer is either 1 or 2. The given equation can be rewritten as
x5 − 5x3 + 4x = 0. Since the polynomial expression on the left has no constant
term, it has x as a factor: x(x4 − 5x2 + 4) = 0. The expression in parentheses is
a quadratic equation in x2 that can be factored, giving x(x2 − 1)(x2 − 4) = 0.
This further factors as x(x − 1)(x + 1)(x − 2)(x + 2) = 0. The solutions for
x are x = 0, x = 1, x = −1, x = 2, and x = −2. Since it is given that x > 0, the
possible values of x are x = 1 and x = 2. Either 1 or 2 may be gridded as the
correct answer.

QUESTION 17.
The correct answer is 2. First, clear the fractions from the given equation by
multiplying each side of the equation by 36 (the least common multiple of 4,
9, and 12). The equation becomes 28x − 16x = 9 + 15. Combining like terms
on each side of the equation yields 12x = 24. Finally, dividing both sides of
the equation by 12 yields x = 2.

7 3
4 ​x = ​ _ 1 ​x and ​ _ 5 _
1 ​ + ​ _ 3 5 8 2
Alternatively, since ​ _ ​x − ​ _  ​x = ​ _  ​ = ​   ​ + ​ _ ​ = ​ _ ​ = ​ _ ​, the
9 9 9 3 4 12 12 12 12 3
given equation simplifies to ​ _ 2  ​. Multiplying each side of ​ _
1  ​x = ​ _ 1  ​x = ​ _
2  ​by 3
3 3 3 3
yields x = 2.

QUESTION 18.
The correct answer is 105. Since 180 − z = 2y and y = 75, it follows that
180 − z = 150, and so z = 30. Thus, each of the base angles of the isosceles
180° − 30°
triangle on the right has measure _
​   ​= 75°. Therefore, the measure of
2
the angle marked x° is 180° − 75° = 105°, and so the value of x is 105.

QUESTION 19.
The correct answer is 370. A system of equations can be used where h rep-
resents the number of calories in a hamburger and f represents the number
of calories in an order of fries. The equation 2h + 3f = 1700 represents the
fact that 2 hamburgers and 3 orders of fries contain a total of 1700 calories,
and the equation h = f + 50 represents the fact that one hamburger contains
50 more calories than an order of fries. Substituting f + 50 for h in 2h + 3f =
1700 gives 2(f + 50) + 3f = 1700. This equation can be solved as follows:
2f + 100 + 3f = 1700
5f + 100 = 1700
5f = 1600
f = 320

The number of calories in an order of fries is 320, so the number of calories

in a hamburger is 50 more than 320, or 370.

26
QUESTION 20.
3
The correct answer is ​ _  ​ or .6. Triangle ABC is a right triangle with its right
_ 5 _
angle at B. Thus, ​AC​ is the hypotenuse of right triangle ABC, and ​AB​ and​
_
BC​ are the legs of right triangle ABC. By the Pythagorean theorem, AB =​
_ _ _
√​20​2​ − ​16​2​ ​ = ​√400 − 256 ​ = ​√144 ​= 12. Since triangle DEF is similar to tri-
angle ABC, with vertex F corresponding to vertex C, the measure of angle
F equals the measure of angle C. Thus, sinF = sinC. From the side lengths
opposite side AB _ 3 3
of triangle ABC, sinC = ​ _ ​ = ​ _  ​ = ​ 12  ​ = ​ _ ​. Therefore, sinF = ​ _ ​.
hypotenuse AC 20 5 5
3
_
Either ​   ​or its decimal equivalent, .6, may be gridded as the correct answer.
5

Section 4: Math Test – Calculator

QUESTION 1.
Choice C is correct. Marilyn’s distance from her campsite remained the same
during the time she ate lunch. This is represented by a horizontal segment in
the graph. The only horizontal segment in the graph starts at a time of about
1:10 p.m. and ends at about 1:40 p.m. Therefore, Marilyn finished her lunch
and continued her hike at about 1:40 p.m.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of a misinterpre-

tation of the graph. For example, choice B is the time Marilyn started her
lunch, and choice D is the time Marilyn was at the maximum distance from
her campsite.

QUESTION 2.
Choice B is correct. Of the 25 people who entered the contest, there are
8 females under age 40 and 2 males age 40 or older. Therefore, the probabil-
ity that the contest winner will be either a female under age 40 or a male age
8 10
2  ​ = ​ _
40 or older is ​ _ ​ + ​ _  ​.
25 25 25
Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of dividing 8 by 2, instead of
adding 8 to 2, to find the probability. Choice C is incorrect; it is the probabil-
ity that the contest winner will be either a female under age 40 or a female
age 40 or older. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of multiplying 8
and 2, instead of adding 8 and 2, to find the probability.

QUESTION 3.
Choice C is correct. Based on the graph, sales increased in the first 3 years
since 1997, which is until year 2000, and then generally decreased thereafter.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect; each of these choices contains inaccura-

cies in describing the general trend of music album sales from 1997 to 2000.
27
 QUESTION 4.
Choice C is correct. The graph of y = f(n) in the coordinate plane is a line
that passes through each of the points given in the table. From the table, one
can see that an increase of 1 unit in n results in an increase of 3 units in f(n);
for example, f(2) − f(1) = 1 − (−2) = 3. Therefore, the graph of y = f(n) in the
coordinate plane is a line with slope 3. Only choice C is a line with slope 3.
The y-intercept of the line is the value of f(0). Since an increase of 1 unit in
n results in an increase of 3 units in f(n), it follows that f(1) − f(0) = 3. Since
f(1) = −2, it follows that f(0) = f(1) − 3 = −5. Therefore, the y-intercept of the
graph of f(n) is −5, and the slope-intercept equation for f(n) is f(n) = 3n − 5.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because each equation has the incorrect
slope of the line (the y-intercept in each equation is also incorrect).

QUESTION 5.
Choice B is correct. Since 7 percent of the 562 juniors is 0.07(562) and 5 percent
of the 602 seniors is 0.05(602), the expression 0.07(562) + 0.05(602) can be eval-
uated to determine the total number of juniors and seniors inducted into the
honor society. Of the given choices, 69 is closest to the value of the expression.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of adding the number of juniors
and seniors and the percentages given and then using the expression
(0.07 + 0.05)(562 + 602). Choices C and D are incorrect and may be the
result of finding either only the number of juniors inducted or only the
number of seniors inducted.

QUESTION 6.
Choice A is correct. The sum of the two polynomials is ​( ​3x​2​− 5x + 2 )​ +​
( 5​ x​2​− 2x − 6 )​. This can be rewritten by combining like terms:
(​ ​3x​2​− 5x + 2 )​+ (​ ​5x​2​− 2x − 6 )​= (​ ​3x​2​ + 5​ x​2​  )​+ (​ −5x − 2x )​+ (​ 2 − 6 )​ = 8​ x​2​− 7x − 4.

Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of a sign error when combining
the coefficients of the x-term. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of
adding the exponents, as well as the coefficients, of like terms. Choice D is
incorrect and may be the result of a combination of the errors described in
B and C.

QUESTION 7.
Choice D is correct. To solve the equation for w, multiply both sides of the
3 5 5 3
equation by the reciprocal of ​ _ ​, which is ​ _ ​. This gives ​ ​ _ ​  · _ ​w = ​ _
20
5 3 3 5 ()
5 3
5
4  ​· ​ ​ _  ​  ​, ()
which simplifies to w = ​ _ ​.
9
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of errors in arithme-
tic when simplifying the given equation.
28
QUESTION 8.
Choice C is correct. In the equation y = 0.56x + 27.2, the value of x increases
by 1 for each year that passes. Each time x increases by 1, y increases by
0.56 since 0.56 is the slope of the graph of this equation. Since y represents
the average number of students per classroom in the year represented by
x, it follows that, according to the model, the estimated increase each year
in the average number of students per classroom at Central High School
is 0.56.

Choice A is incorrect because the total number of students in the school in

2000 is the product of the average number of students per classroom and
the total number of classrooms, which would appropriately be approximated
by the y-intercept (27.2) times the total number of classrooms, which is not
given. Choice B is incorrect because the average number of students per
classroom in 2000 is given by the y-intercept of the graph of the equation,
but the question is asking for the meaning of the number 0.56, which is the
slope. Choice D is incorrect because 0.56 represents the estimated yearly
change in the average number of students per classroom. The estimated dif-
ference between the average number of students per classroom in 2010 and
2000 is 0.56 times the number of years that have passed between 2000 and
2010, that is, 0.56 × 10 = 5.6.

QUESTION 9.
Choice B is correct. Because Nate walks 25 meters in 13.7 seconds, and
25 meters x meters
4 minutes is equal to 240 seconds, the proportion ​ _ ​ = ​  _ ​
13.7 sec 240 sec
can be used to find out how many meters, x, Nate walks in 4 minutes. The
25 x
proportion can be simplified to ​ _ ​ = ​ _ ​, because the units of meters per
13.7 240
second cancel, and then each side of the equation can be multiplied by 240,
(240)(25)
giving ​  _  ​ = x ≈ 438. Therefore, of the given options, 450 meters is
13.7
closest to the distance Nate will walk in 4 minutes.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of setting up the proportion

13.7 sec x meters
as ​  _  ​ = ​  _ ​and finding that x ≈ 132, which is close to 150.
25 meters 240 sec
Choices C and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in calculation.

QUESTION 10.
Choice D is correct. On Mercury, the acceleration due to gravity is
3.6 m/sec2. Substituting 3.6 for g and 90 for m in the formula W = mg gives
W = 90(3.6) = 324 newtons.

29
 Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of dividing 90 by 3.6. Choice B
is incorrect and may be the result of subtracting 3.6 from 90 and rounding
to the nearest whole number. Choice C is incorrect because an object with
a weight of 101 newtons on Mercury would have a mass of about 28 kilo-
grams, not 90 kilograms.

QUESTION 11.
Choice B is correct. On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/sec2.
Thus, for an object with a weight of 150 newtons, the formula W = mg
becomes 150 = m(9.8), which shows that the mass of an object with a weight
of 150 newtons on Earth is about 15.3 kilograms. Substituting this mass
into the formula W = mg and now using the weight of 170 newtons gives
170 = 15.3g, which shows that the second planet’s acceleration due to gravity
is about 11.1 m/sec2. According to the table, this value for the acceleration
due to gravity holds on Saturn.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Using the formula W = mg and the values
for g in the table shows that an object with a weight of 170 newtons on these
planets would not have the same mass as an object with a weight of 150 new-
tons on Earth.

QUESTION 12.
Choice D is correct. A zero of a function corresponds to an x-intercept of
the graph of the function in the xy-plane. Therefore, the complete graph
of the function f, which has five distinct zeros, must have five x-intercepts.
Only the graph in choice D has five x-intercepts, and therefore, this is the
only one of the given graphs that could be the complete graph of f in the
xy-plane.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The number of x-intercepts of each of

these graphs is not equal to five; therefore, none of these graphs could be the
complete graph of f, which has five distinct zeros.

QUESTION 13.
Choice D is correct. Starting with the original equation, h = −​16t​2​ + vt + k,
in order to get v in terms of the other variables, −16t2 and k need to be
subtracted from each side. This yields vt = h + ​16t​2​ − k, which when
divided by t will give v in terms of the other variables. However, the equa-
h + ​16t​2​ − k
tion v = _
​   ​ is not one of the options, so the right side needs to
t
be further simplified. Another way to write the previous equation is
h−k _ ​16t​2​ h−k
v=_ ​   ​ + ​   ​ , which can be simplified to v = _
​   ​+ 16t.
t t t
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of arithmetic errors
when rewriting the original equation to express v in terms of h, t, and k.
30
QUESTION 14.
Choice A is correct. The hotel charges $0.20 per minute to use the meeting-
room phone. This per-minute rate can be converted to the hourly rate using
the conversion 1 hour = 60 minutes, as shown below.
$0.20 60 minutes _ $(0.20 × 60)
​ _ ​ × ​ _  ​ = ​   ​
minute 1 hour hour
Thus, the hotel charges $(0.20 × 60) per hour to use the meeting-room
phone. Therefore, the cost c, in dollars, for h hours of use is c = (0.20 × 60)h,
which is equivalent to c = 0.20(60h).

Choice B is incorrect because in this expression the per-minute rate is mul-

tiplied by h, the number of hours of phone use. Furthermore, the equation
indicates that there is a flat fee of $60 in addition to the per-minute or per-
hour rate. This is not the case. Choice C is incorrect because the expression

( ) 60
indicates that the hotel charges $​ ​ _  ​  ​per hour for use of the meeting-
0.20
room phone, not $0.20(60) per hour. Choice D is incorrect because the
1  ​times the per-minute rate, not
expression indicates that the hourly rate is ​ _
60
60 times the per-minute rate.

QUESTION 15.
Choice A is the correct answer. Experimental research is a method used
to study a small group of people and generalize the results to a larger
population. However, in order to make a generalization involving cause
and effect:
„„ The population must be well defined.

„„ The participants must be selected at random.

„„ The participants must be randomly assigned to treatment groups.

When these conditions are met, the results of the study can be generalized
to the population with a conclusion about cause and effect. In this study,
all conditions are met and the population from which the participants were
selected are people with poor eyesight. Therefore, a general conclusion can
be drawn about the effect of Treatment X on the population of people with
poor eyesight.

Choice B is incorrect. The study did not include all available treatments,
so no conclusion can be made about the relative effectiveness of all avail-
able treatments. Choice C is incorrect. The participants were selected at
random from a large population of people with poor eyesight. Therefore,
the results can be generalized only to that population and not to anyone in
general. Also, the conclusion is too strong: an experimental study might
show that people are likely to be helped by a treatment, but it cannot show
that anyone who takes the treatment will be helped. Choice D is incorrect.
31
 This conclusion is too strong. The study shows that Treatment X is likely to
improve the eyesight of people with poor eyesight, but it cannot show that
the treatment definitely will cause improvement in eyesight for every per-
son. Furthermore, since the people undergoing the treatment in the study
were selected from people with poor eyesight, the results can be generalized
only to this population, not to all people.

QUESTION 16.
Choice B is correct. For any value of x, say x = x0, the point (x 0, f(x0)) lies
on the graph of f and the point (x0, g(x0)) lies on the graph of g. Thus, for
any value of x, say x = x0, the value of f(x0) + g(x0) is equal to the sum of the
y-coordinates of the points on the graphs of f and g with x-coordinate equal
to x0. Therefore, the value of x for which f(x) + g(x) is equal to 0 will occur
when the y-coordinates of the points representing f(x) and g(x) at the same
value of x are equidistant from the x-axis and are on opposite sides of the
x-axis. Looking at the graphs, one can see that this occurs at x = −2: the
point (−2, −2) lies on the graph of f, and the point (−2, 2) lies on the graph of
g. Thus, at x = −2, the value of f(x) + g(x) is −2 + 2 = 0.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because none of these x-values satisfy the
given equation, f(x) + g(x) = 0.

QUESTION 17.
Choice B is correct. The quantity of the product supplied to the market is
given by the function S(P) = ​ _ 1 ​P + 40. If the price P of the product increases
2
by $10, the effect on the quantity of the product supplied can be determined
by substituting P + 10 for P as the argument in the function. This gives
1 ​(P + 10) + 40 = ​ _
S(P + 10) = ​ _ 1 ​P + 45, which shows that S(P + 10) = S(P) + 5.
2 2
Therefore, the quantity supplied to the market will increase by 5 units when
the price of the product is increased by $10.

Alternatively, look at the coefficient of P in the linear function S. This is the

slope of the graph of the function, where P is on the horizontal axis and S(P)
1 ​, for every increase of 1 in P, there
is on the vertical axis. Since the slope is ​ _
2
will be an increase of ​ _1  ​ in S(P), and therefore, an increase of 10 in P will
2
yield an increase of 5 in S(P).

Choice A is incorrect. If the quantity supplied decreases as the price of the

product increases, the function S(P) would be decreasing, but S(P) = _ ​ 1 ​P + 40 is
2
an increasing function. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of assum-
ing the slope of the graph of S(P) is equal to 1. Choice D is incorrect and may
be the result of confusing the y-intercept of the graph of S(P) with the slope,
and then adding 10 to the y-intercept.

32
QUESTION 18.
Choice B is correct. The quantity of the product supplied to the market will
equal the quantity of the product demanded by the market if S(P) is equal to
1 ​P + 40 = 220 − P. Solving this equation gives P = 120, and
D(P), that is, if ​ _
2
so $120 is the price at which the quantity of the product supplied will equal
the quantity of the product demanded.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. At these dollar amounts, the quantities

given by S(P) and D(P) are not equal.

QUESTION 19.
Choice C is correct. It is given that 1 ounce of graphene covers 7 football
fields. Therefore, 48 ounces can cover 7 × 48 = 336 football fields. If each
1 ​acres, than 336 football fields have a total area
football field has an area of 1​ _
3
1 ​ = 448 acres. Therefore, of the choices given, 450 acres is closest
of 336 × 1​ _
3
to the number of acres 48 ounces of graphene could cover.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of dividing, instead of multiply-

1 ​. Choice B is incorrect and may be
ing, the number of football fields by 1​ _
3
the result of finding the number of football fields, not the number of acres,
that can be covered by 48 ounces of graphene. Choice D is incorrect and
7 × 48 × 4
may be the result of setting up the expression ​ _  ​and then finding
3
only the numerator of the fraction.

QUESTION 20.
Choice B is correct. To answer this question, find the point in the graph
that represents Michael’s 34-minute swim and then compare the actual
heart rate for that swim with the expected heart rate as defined by the line
of best fit. To find the point that represents Michael’s swim that took 34
minutes, look along the vertical line of the graph that is marked “34” on
the horizontal axis. That vertical line intersects only one point in the scat-
terplot, at 148 beats per minute. On the other hand, the line of best fit
intersects the vertical line representing 34 minutes at 150 beats per min-
ute. Therefore, for the swim that took 34 minutes, Michael’s actual heart
rate was 150 − 148 = 2 beats per minute less than predicted by the line of
best fit.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of misreading the
scale of the graph.

33
 QUESTION 21.
Choice C is correct. Let I be the initial savings. If each successive year, 1% of the
current value is added to the value of the account, then after 1 year, the amount
in the account will be I + 0.01I = I(1 + 0.01); after 2 years, the amount in the
account will be I(1 + 0.01) + 0.01I(1 + 0.01) = (1 + 0.01)I(1 + 0.01) = I(1 + 0.​01)​2;​
and after t years, the amount in the account will be I​(1 + 0.01)​t​. This is exponen-
tial growth of the money in the account.

Choice A is incorrect. If each successive year, 2% of the initial savings, I,

is added to the value of the account, then after t years, the amount in the
account will be I + 0.02It, which is linear growth. Choice B is incorrect.
If each successive year, 1.5% of the initial savings, I, and $100 is added to
the value of the the account, then after t years the amount in the account
will be I + (0.015I + 100)t, which is linear growth. Choice D is incorrect.
If each successive year, $100 is added to the value of the account, then
after t years the amount in the account will be I + 100t, which is linear
growth.

QUESTION 22.
Choice B is correct. One of the three numbers is x; let the other two numbers
be y and z. Since the sum of three numbers is 855, the equation x + y + z = 855
is true. The statement that x is 50% more than the sum of the other two
x x
numbers can be represented as x = 1.5(y + z), or ​ _ ​ = y + z. Substituting ​ _ ​
1.5 1.5
x
for y + z in x + y + z = 855 gives x + ​ _ ​= 855. This last equation can be
1.5
2x 5x 3
rewritten as x + ​ _ ​= 855, or ​ _ ​= 855. Therefore, x equals ​ _ ​× 855 = 513.
3 3 5
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors.

QUESTION 23.
Choice C is correct. Since the angles are acute and sin(a°) = cos(b°), it follows
from the complementary angle property of sines and cosines that a + b = 90.
Substituting 4k − 22 for a and 6k − 13 for b gives (4k − 22) + (6k − 13) = 90,
which simplifies to 10k − 35 = 90. Therefore, 10k = 125, and k = 12.5.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of mistakenly assuming that

a + b and making a sign error. Choices B and D are incorrect because they
result in values for a and b such that sin(a°) ≠ cos(b°).

QUESTION 24.
Choice D is correct. Let c be the number of students in Mr. Kohl’s class. The
conditions described in the question can be represented by the equations
n = 3c + 5 and n + 21 = 4c. Substituting 3c + 5 for n in the second equation
gives 3c + 5 + 21 = 4c, which can be solved to find c = 26.
34
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the values given for the number of
students in the class cannot fulfill both conditions given in the question. For
example, if there were 16 students in the class, then the first condition would
imply that there are 3(16) + 5 = 53 milliliters of solution in the beaker, but
the second condition would imply that there are 4(16) − 21 = 43 milliliters of
solution in the beaker. This contradiction shows that there cannot be 16 stu-
dents in the class.

QUESTION 25.
Choice D is correct. The volume of the grain silo can be found by adding
the volumes of all the solids of which it is composed. The silo is made up
of a cylinder with height 10 feet (ft) and base radius 5 feet and two cones,
each having height 5 ft and base radius 5 ft. The formulas Vcylinder = r2h and
1
Vcone = r2h can be used to determine the total volume of the silo. Since
3
the two cones have identical dimensions, the total volume, in cubic feet, of
the silo is given by Vsilo = (5)2(10) + (2)
1
3 
(5)2(5) =
4
3 
(250), which is
approximately equal to 1,047.2 cubic feet.

Choice A is incorrect because this is the volume of only the two cones.
Choice B is incorrect because this is the volume of only the cylinder. Choice
C is incorrect because this is the volume of only one of the cones plus the
cylinder.

QUESTION 26.
Choice C is correct. The line passes through the origin, (2, k), and (k, 32).
Any two of these points can be used to find the slope of the line. Since the
k−0 _ k
line passes through (0, 0) and (2, k), the slope of the line is equal to _ ​   ​ = ​   ​.
2−0 2
Similarly, since the line passes through (0, 0) and (k, 32), the slope of the line
32 − 0 _ 32
is equal to _
​   ​ = ​   ​. Since each expression gives the slope of the same line,
k−0 k
k _ 32 k 32
it must be true that ​   ​ = ​   ​. Multiplying each side of _
_ ​   ​ = _
​   ​by 2k gives k2 = 64,
2 k 2 k
from which it follows that k = 8 or k = −8. Therefore, of the given choices, only
8 could be the value of k.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors.

QUESTION 27.
Choice C is correct. Let  and w be the length and width, respectively, of the
original rectangle. The area of the original rectangle is A = w. The rectangle
is altered by increasing its length by 10 percent and decreasing its width by
p percent; thus, the length of the altered rectangle is 1.1, and the width of
p
( )
the altered rectangle is 1 − ​ _  ​  ​w. The alterations decrease the area by
100
12 ­percent, so the area of the altered rectangle is (1 − 0.12)A = 0.88A.
35
 The altered rectangle is the product of its length and width, so 0.88A =
p
( )
(1.1)​ 1 − ​ _  ​  ​w. Since A = w, this last equation can be rewritten as
100
P
( ) (
0.88A = (1.1)​ 1 − ​ _ ​  ​w = (1.1)​ 1 − ​ _
100 100 )
P  ​  ​ A, from which it follows that

(
0.88 = (1.1)​ 1 − ​ _
100 )
P  ​  ​, or 0.8 = ​ 1 − _
( 100 )
​  P  ​  ​. Therefore, ​ _P  ​= 0.2, and so the
100
value of p is 20.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of confusing the 12 percent

decrease in area with the percent decrease in width. Choice B is incorrect
because decreasing the width by 15 percent results in a 6.5 percent decrease
in area, not a 12 percent decrease. Choice D is incorrect and may be the
result of adding the percents given in the question (10 + 12).

QUESTION 28.
Choice D is correct. For the present population to decrease by 10 percent,
it must be multiplied by the factor 0.9. Since the engineer estimates that the
population will decrease by 10 percent every 20 years, the present popula-
tion, 50,000, must be multiplied by (0.9)n, where n is the number of 20-year
periods that will have elapsed t years from now. After t years, the number of
t t
20-year periods that have elapsed is ​ _ ​. Therefore, 50,000​(0.9)​​  20 ​​ represents
_

20
the engineer’s estimate of the population of the city t years from now.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each of these choices either con-
fuses the percent decrease with the multiplicative factor that represents the
percent decrease or mistakenly multiplies t by 20 to find the number of
20-year periods that will have elapsed in t years.

QUESTION 29.
Choice A is correct. Let x be the number of left-handed female students and
let y be the number of left-handed male students. Then the number of right-
handed female students will be 5x and the number of right-handed male
students will be 9y. Since the total number of left-handed students is 18 and
the total number of right-handed students is 122, the system of equations
below must be satisfied.

x + y = 18
5 5x + 9y = 122
Solving this system gives x = 10 and y = 8. Thus, 50 of the 122 right-handed
students are female. Therefore, the probability that a right-handed student
50
selected at random is female is _
​   ​, which to the nearest thousandth is 0.410.
122
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrect calcula-
tion of the missing values in the table.
36
QUESTION 30.
Choice A is correct. Subtracting the sides of 3y + c = 5y − 7 from the corre-
sponding sides of 3x + b = 5x − 7 gives (3x − 3y) + (b − c) = (5x − 5y). Since
b = c − ​ _
2
​ 1 ​, it follows that (3x − 3y) + ​ −_
1 ​, or b − c = − _
2 ( ) ​ 1 ​  ​= (5x − 5y). Solving
2
this equation for x in terms of y gives x = y − _ ​ 1 ​. Therefore, x is y minus ​ _ 1 ​.
4 4
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of making a compu-
tational error when solving the equations for x in terms of y.

QUESTION 31.
The correct answer is either 4 or 5. Because each student ticket costs $2 and
each adult ticket costs $3, the total amount, in dollars, that Chris spends on
x student tickets and 1 adult ticket is 2(x) + 3(1). Because Chris spends at
least $11 but no more than $14 on the tickets, one can write the compound
inequality 2x + 3 ≥ 11 and 2x + 3 ≤ 14. Subtracting 3 from each side of both
inequalities and then dividing each side of both inequalities by 2 yields x ≥ 4
and x ≤ 5.5. Thus, the value of x must be an integer that is both greater than
or equal to 4 and less than or equal to 5.5. Therefore, x = 4 or x = 5. Either 4
or 5 may be gridded as the correct answer.

QUESTION 32.
The correct answer is 58.6. The mean of a data set is determined by c­ alculating
the sum of the values and dividing by the number of values in the data set. The
sum of the ages, in years, in the data set is 703, and the number of values in the
data set is 12. Thus, the mean of the ages, in years, of the first 12 United States
703 703
presidents at the beginning of their terms is ​ _ ​. The fraction ​ _ ​cannot be
12 12
entered into the grid, so the decimal equivalent, rounded to the nearest tenth,
is the correct answer. This rounded decimal equivalent is 58.6.

QUESTION 33.
The correct answer is 9. To rewrite the difference (−3​x2​​+ 5x − 2) − 2(​x2​​− 2x − 1)
in the form a​ x​2​ + bx + c, the expression can be simplified by using the distributive
property and combining like terms as follows:
(−3​x​2​+ 5x − 2) − (2​x​2​− 4x − 2)
(−3​x2​ ​− 2​x​2​) + (5x − (−4x)) + (−2 −(−2))
−5​x2​ ​+ 9x + 0

The coefficient of x is the value of b, which is 9.

Alternatively, since b is the coefficient of x in the difference (−3​x​2​+ 5x − 2) −

2(​x2​ ​− 2x − 1), one need only compute the x-term in the difference. The x-term
is 5x − 2(−2x) = 5x + 4x = 9x, so the value of b is 9.

37
 QUESTION 34.
5
The correct answer is ​ _  ​ or .625. A complete rotation around a point is 360°
8
5π
or 2π radians. Since the central angle AOB has measure ​ _ ​radians, it rep-
5π 4
_  ​
5
4  ​ = ​ _
resents ​ _  ​of a complete rotation around point O. Therefore, the sector
2π 8
5
formed by central angle AOB has area equal to ​ _ ​the area of the entire circle.
8
5
Either the fraction ​ _ ​ or its decimal equivalent, .625, may be gridded as the
8
correct answer.

QUESTION 35.
The correct answer is 50. The mean of a data set is the sum of the values
in the data set divided by the number of values in the data set. The mean of
75 is obtained by finding the sum of the first 10 ratings and dividing by 10.
Thus, the sum of the first 10 ratings was 750. In order for the mean of the
first 20 ratings to be at least 85, the sum of the first 20 ratings must be at least
(85)(20) = 1700. Therefore, the sum of the next 10 ratings must be at least
1700 − 750 = 950. The maximum rating is 100, so the maximum possible
value of the sum of the 12th through 20th ratings is 9 × 100 = 900. Therefore,
for the store to be able to have an average of at least 85 for the first 20 ratings,
the least possible value for the 11th rating is 950 − 900 = 50.

QUESTION 36.
The correct answer is 750. The inequalities y ≤ −15x + 3000 and y ≤ 5x
can be graphed in the xy-plane. They are represented by the half-planes
below and include the boundary lines y = −15x + 3000 and y = 5x, respec-
tively. The solution set of the system of inequalities will be the intersection
of these half-planes, including the boundary lines, and the solution (a, b)
with the greatest possible value of b will be the point of intersection of the
boundary lines. The intersection of boundary lines of these inequalities can
be found by setting them equal to each other: 5x = −15x + 3000, which has
solution x = 150. Thus, the x-coordinate of the point of intersection is 150.
Therefore, the y-coordinate of the point of intersection of the boundary lines
is 5(150) = −15(150) + 3000 = 750. This is the maximum possible value of b
for a point (a, b) that is in the solution set of the system of inequalities.

38
QUESTION 37.
The correct answer is 7. The average number of shoppers, N, in the check-
out line at any time is N = rt, where r is the number of shoppers entering
the checkout line per minute and T is the average number of minutes each
shopper spends in the checkout line. Since 84 shoppers per hour make a
purchase, 84 shoppers per hour enter the checkout line. This needs to be
converted to the number of shoppers per minute. Since there are 60 minutes
84 shoppers
in one hour, the rate is ​ _ ​= 1.4 shoppers per minute. Using the
60 minutes
given formula with r = 1.4 and t = 5 yields N = rt = (1.4)(5) = 7. Therefore,
the average number of shoppers, N, in the checkout line at any time during
business hours is 7.

QUESTION 38.
The correct answer is 60. The estimated average number of shoppers in the
original store at any time is 45. In the new store, the manager estimates that
an average of 90 shoppers per hour enter the store, which is equivalent to
1.5 shoppers per minute. The manager also estimates that each shopper stays
in the store for an average of 12 minutes. Thus, by Little’s law, there are, on
average, N = rt = (1.5)(12) = 18 shoppers in the new store at any time. This
45 − 18
is ​  _  ​× 100 = 60 percent less than the average number of shoppers in
45
the original store at any time.

39