Question ID 9bf4c545

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Evaluating statistical

Data Analysis claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments

ID: 9bf4c545

The members of a city council wanted to assess the opinions of all city
residents about converting an open field into a dog park. The council surveyed a
sample of 500 city residents who own dogs. The survey showed that the
majority of those sampled were in favor of the dog park. Which of the following
is true about the city council’s survey?

A. It shows that the majority of city residents are in favor of the dog park.

B. The survey sample should have included more residents who are dog owners.

C. The survey sample should have consisted entirely of residents who do not own dogs.

D. The survey sample is biased because it is not representative of all city residents.

ID: 9bf4c545 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The members of the city council wanted to assess opinions of all city residents. To gather an
unbiased sample, the council should have used a random sampling design to select subjects from all city residents. The
given survey introduced a sampling bias because the 500 city residents surveyed were all dog owners. This sample is not
representative of all city residents because not all city residents are dog owners.

Choice A is incorrect because when the sampling method isn’t random, there is no guarantee that the survey results will
be reliable; hence, they cannot be generalized to the entire population. Choice B is incorrect because a larger sample of
residents who are dog owners would not correct the sampling bias. Choice C is incorrect because a survey sample of
entirely non–dog owners would likely have a biased opinion, just as a sample of dog owners would likely have a biased
opinion.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 82dfb646
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Evaluating statistical

Data Analysis claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments

ID: 82dfb646

A market researcher selected 200 people at random from a group of people who
indicated that they liked a certain book. The 200 people were shown a movie
based on the book and then asked whether they liked or disliked the movie. Of
those surveyed, 95% said they disliked the movie. Which of the following
inferences can appropriately be drawn from this survey result?

A. At least 95% of people who go see movies will dislike this movie.

B. At least 95% of people who read books will dislike this movie.

C. Most people who dislike this book will like this movie.

D. Most people who like this book will dislike this movie.

ID: 82dfb646 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The sample was selected from a group of people who indicated that they liked the book. It is
inappropriate to generalize the result of the survey beyond the population from which the participants were selected.
Choice D is the most appropriate inference from the survey results because it describes a conclusion about people who
liked the book, and the results of the survey indicate that most people who like the book disliked the movie.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because none of these inferences can be drawn from the survey results. Choices A and
B need not be true. The people surveyed all liked the book on which the movie was based, which is not necessarily true of
all people who go see movies or all people who read books. Thus, the people surveyed are not representative of all
people who go see movies or all people who read books. Therefore, the results of this survey cannot appropriately be
extended to at least 95% of people who go see movies or to at least 95% of people who read books. Choice C need not
be true because the sample includes only people who liked the book, and so the results do not extend to people who
dislike the book.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID affb2315
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: affb2315

There are students in Spanish club. A sample of the Spanish club students was selected at random and asked
whether they intend to enroll in a new study program. Of those surveyed, responded that they intend to enroll in the
study program. Based on this survey, which of the following is the best estimate of the total number of Spanish club
students who intend to enroll in the study program?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: affb2315 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that 20% of the students surveyed responded that they intend to enroll in the study
program. Therefore, the proportion of students in Spanish club who intend to enroll in the study program, based on the
survey, is 0.20. Since there are 55 total students in Spanish club, the best estimate for the total number of these students
who intend to enroll in the study program is 550.20, or 11.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the best estimate for the percentage, rather than the total number, of students in Spanish
club who intend to enroll in the study program.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the best estimate for the total number of Spanish club students who do not intend to enroll
in the study program.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the total number of students in Spanish club.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 90eed2e5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 90eed2e5

A city has 50 city council members. A reporter polled a random sample of 20 city
council members and found that 6 of those polled supported a specific bill.
Based on the sample, which of the following is the best estimate of the number
of city council members in the city who support the bill?

A. 6

B. 9

C. 15

D. 30

ID: 90eed2e5 Answer

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Because a random sample of the city council was polled, the proportion of the sample who
supported the bill is expected to be approximately equal to the proportion of the total city council who supports the bill.
Since 6 of the 20 polled, or 30%, supported the bill, it can be estimated that , or 15, city council members support
the bill.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the number of city council members in the sample who supported the bill. Choice B is
incorrect and may result from a computational error. Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of city council members in
the sample of city council members who were not polled.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID e7d9649f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: e7d9649f

A random sample of 50 people from a town with a population of 14,878 were

asked to name their favorite flavor of ice cream. If 7 people in the sample named
chocolate as their favorite ice‑cream flavor, about how many people in the town
would be expected to name chocolate?

A. 350

B. 2,100

C. 7,500

D. 10,500

ID: e7d9649f Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Let x be the number of people in the entire town that would be expected to name chocolate. Since
the sample of 50 people was selected at random, it is reasonable to expect that the proportion of people who named
chocolate as their favorite ice-cream flavor would be the same for both the sample and the town population.

Symbolically, this can be expressed as . Using cross multiplication, ; solving for x

yields 2,083. The choice closest to the value of 2,083 is choice B, 2,100.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors when setting up the proportion, solving for the unknown,
or incorrectly comparing the choices to the number of people expected to name chocolate, 2,083.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 0108ac2d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 0108ac2d

At a large high school, 300 students were selected at random and were asked in
a survey about a menu change in the school cafeteria. All 300 students
completed the survey. It was estimated that 38% of the students were in support
of a menu change, with a margin of error of 5.5%. Which of the following is the
best interpretation of the survey results?

A. The percent of the students at the school who support a menu change is 38%.

B. The percent of the students at the school who support a menu change is greater than 38%.

C. Plausible values of the percent of the students at the school who support a menu change are between 32.5% and
43.5%.

D. Plausible values of the number of the students at the school who support a menu change are between 295 and 305.

ID: 0108ac2d Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that an estimated 38% of sampled students at the school were in support of a menu
change, with a margin of error of 5.5%. It follows that the percent of the students at the school who support a menu
change is 38% plus or minus 5.5%. The lower bound of this estimation is , or 32.5%. The upper bound of this
estimation is , or 43.5%. Therefore, plausible values of the percent of the students at the school who support a
menu change are between 32.5% and 43.5%.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the percent of the sampled students at the school who support a menu change. Choices B
and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the margin of error.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID f4b3672a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: f4b3672a

A certain forest is 253 acres. To estimate the number of trees in the forest, a
ranger randomly selects 5 different 1-acre parcels in the forest and determines
the number of trees in each parcel. The numbers of trees in the sample acres are
51, 59, 45, 52, and 73. Based on the mean of the sample, which of the following
ranges contains the best estimate for the number of trees in the entire forest?

A. 11,000 to 12,000

B. 12,500 to 13,500

C. 13,500 to 14,500

D. 18,000 to 19,000

ID: f4b3672a Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The mean of the 5 samples is trees per acre. The best estimate for
the total number of trees in the forest is the product of the mean number of trees per acre in the sample and the total
number of acres in the forest. This is (56)(253) = 14,168, which is between 13,500 and 14,500.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying the minimum number of trees per acre in the sample, 45, by the
number of acres, 253. Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying the median number of trees per acre in the
sample, 52, by the number of acres, 253. Choice D is incorrect and may result from multiplying the maximum number of
trees per acre in the sample, 73, by the number of acres, 253.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 6a305cd0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 6a305cd0

In a study, the data from a random sample of a population had a mean of 37,
with an associated margin of error of 3. Which of the following is the most
appropriate conclusion that can be made about the population mean?

A. It is less than 37.

B. It is greater than 37.

C. It is between 34 and 40.

D. It is less than 34 or greater than 40.

ID: 6a305cd0 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the mean of the data from a random sample of a population is 37, with an associated
margin of error of 3. The most appropriate conclusion that can be made is that the mean of the entire population will fall
between 37, plus or minus 3. Therefore, the population mean is between and .

Choice A is incorrect. While it’s an appropriate conclusion that the population mean is as low as , or 34, it isn’t
appropriate to conclude that the population mean is less than 34. Choice B is incorrect. While it’s an appropriate
conclusion that the population mean is as high as , or 40, it isn’t appropriate to conclude that the population mean
is greater than 40. Choice D is incorrect. It isn’t an appropriate conclusion that the population mean is less than 34 or
greater than 40.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 1dcea480
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Probability and

Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: 1dcea480

A bag contains a total of 60 marbles. A marble is to be chosen at random from

the bag. If the probability that a blue marble will be chosen is 0.35, how many
marbles in the bag are blue?

A. 21

B. 25

C. 35

D. 39

ID: 1dcea480 Answer

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Multiplying the number of marbles in the bag by the probability of selecting a blue marble gives the
number of blue marbles in the bag. Since the bag contains a total of 60 marbles and the probability that a blue marble
will be selected from the bag is 0.35, there are a total of blue marbles in the bag.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from subtracting 35 from 60. Choice C is incorrect. This would be the number of
blue marbles in the bag if there were a total of 100 marbles, not 60 marbles. Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of
marbles in the bag that aren’t blue.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID b8150b17
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Probability and

Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: b8150b17

For a particular machine that produces beads, out of every beads it produces have a defect. A bead produced by
the machine will be selected at random. What is the probability of selecting a bead that has a defect?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b8150b17 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that 29 out of every 100 beads that the machine produces have a defect. It follows that if
29
the machine produces 𝑘 beads, then the number of beads that have a defect is 100
𝑘, for some constant 𝑘. If a bead
produced by the machine will be selected at random, the probability of selecting a bead that has a defect is given by the
29
number of beads with a defect, 𝑘, divided by the number of beads produced by the machine, 𝑘. Therefore, the
100
29
𝑘 29
probability of selecting a bead that has a defect is 100 , or .
𝑘 100

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational errors.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational errors.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 2a08d878
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Probability and

Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: 2a08d878

There are n nonfiction books and 12 fiction books on a bookshelf. If one of these
books is selected at random, what is the probability of selecting a nonfiction
book, in terms of n ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2a08d878 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Since there are n nonfiction and 12 fiction books on the bookshelf, represents the total
number of books. If one of these books is selected at random, the probability of selecting a nonfiction book is equivalent
to the number of nonfiction books divided by the total number of books. Therefore, the probability of selecting a

nonfiction book, in terms of n, is .

Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the number of nonfiction books divided by the number of fiction books.
Choice C is incorrect. This expression represents the number of fiction books divided by the number of nonfiction books.
Choice D is incorrect. This expression represents the probability of selecting a fiction book.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 12dbe3de
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Probability and

Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: 12dbe3de

A store received a shipment of 1,000 MP3 players, 4 of which were defective. If

an MP3 player is randomly selected from this shipment, what is the probability
that it is defective?

A. 0.004

B. 0.04

C. 0.4

D. 4

ID: 12dbe3de Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The probability of randomly selecting a defective MP3 player from the shipment is equal to the
number of defective MP3 players divided by the total number of MP3 players in the shipment. Therefore, the probability is

, which is equivalent to 0.004.

Choice B is incorrect because 0.04 represents 4 defective MP3 players out of 100 rather than out of 1,000. Choice C is
incorrect because 0.4 represents 4 defective MP3 players out of 10 rather than out of 1,000. Choice D is incorrect. This is
the number of defective MP3 players in the shipment.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 79201024
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Probability and

Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: 79201024

A band with members has members who play saxophone. If one band member is selected at random, what is the
probability of selecting a band member who plays saxophone?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 79201024 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The probability of an event occurring is the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes to the total
number of possible outcomes. It’s given that there are 45 band members, which is the total number of possible
outcomes. It's also given that there are 11 band members who play saxophone. Therefore, the number of favorable
11
outcomes is 11. Thus, the probability of selecting a band member who plays saxophone is . 45

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the probability of selecting a band member who does not play saxophone.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID ec7b0eb8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving and Probability and

Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: ec7b0eb8

Does not talk

Texting Talks on cell on cell phone
behavior phone daily daily Total

Light 110 146 256

Medium 139 164 303

Heavy 166 74 240

Total 415 384 799

In a study of cell phone use, 799 randomly selected US teens were asked how
often they talked on a cell phone and about their texting behavior. The data are
summarized in the table above. If one of the 799 teens surveyed is selected at
random, what is the probability that the teen talks on a cell phone daily?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ec7b0eb8 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. If one of the teens surveyed is selected at random, the probability that the teen talks on a cell phone
daily is equal to the quotient of the total number of teens who reported that they talk on a cell phone daily, 415, and the

total number of teens surveyed, 799. Therefore, this probability is equal to .

Choice A is incorrect. This fraction represents the probability of selecting at random any one of the 799 teens surveyed.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect. This fraction represents the
probability of selecting at random one of the 799 teens surveyed who doesn’t talk on a cell phone daily.
Question Difficulty: Easy