Question ID 3f5a3602

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 3f5a3602

What system of linear equations is represented by the lines shown?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3f5a3602 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. A line in the xy-plane that passes through the points and has slope , where
, and can be defined by an equation of the form . One of the lines shown in the graph
passes through the points and . Substituting for , for , for , and for in the equation
yields , or . Substituting for , for and for in the equation
yields , which is equivalent to . Adding to both sides of
this equation yields . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields .
Therefore, an equation of this line is . Similarly, the other line shown in the graph passes through the
points and . Substituting for , for , for , and for in the equation yields
, or . Substituting for , for , and for in the equation yields
, which is equivalent to . Adding to both sides of this equation yields
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, an equation of this line is
. So, the system of linear equations represented by the lines shown is and
.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3008cfc3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 3008cfc3

The table gives the coordinates of two points on a line in the xy-plane. The y-intercept of the line is , where
and are constants. What is the value of ?

ID: 3008cfc3 Answer

Correct Answer: 33

Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given in the table that the coordinates of two points on a line in the xy-plane are and
. The y-intercept is another point on the line. The slope computed using any pair of points from the line will
be the same. The slope of a line, , between any two points, and , on the line can be calculated using
the slope formula, . It follows that the slope of the line with the given points from the table, and
, is , which is equivalent to , or . It's given that the y-intercept of the line is
. Substituting for and the coordinates of the points and into the slope formula yields
, which is equivalent to , or . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation
by yields . Therefore, the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d1b66ae6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: d1b66ae6

If satisfies the system of equations

above, what is the value of y ?

ID: d1b66ae6 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . One method for solving the system of equations for y is to add corresponding sides of the two
equations. Adding the left-hand sides gives , or 4y. Adding the right-hand sides yields

. It follows that . Finally, dividing both sides of by 4 yields or . Note that 3/2 and 1.5 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3cdbf026
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 3cdbf026

The graph of the equation is a line in the xy-plane, where a and k are

constants. If the line contains the points and , what is the value
of k ?

A.

B.

C. 2

D. 3

ID: 3cdbf026 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The value of k can be found using the slope-intercept form of a linear equation, , where
m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The equation can be rewritten in the form

. One of the given points, , is the y-intercept. Thus, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept must be

equal to . Multiplying both sides by k gives . Dividing both sides by gives .

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made rewriting the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ff501705
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: ff501705

In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?

ID: ff501705 Answer

Correct Answer: 6

Rationale
The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines
represented by the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct. Lines represented by equations in standard form,
and , are parallel if the coefficients for and in one equation are proportional to the
corresponding coefficients in the other equation, meaning ; and the lines are distinct if the constants are not
proportional, meaning is not equal to or . The first equation in the given system is .
Multiplying each side of this equation by yields . Adding to each side of this equation
yields , or . The second equation in the given system is . Multiplying
each side of this equation by yields . Subtracting from each side of this equation yields
. Subtracting from each side of this equation yields . Therefore, the two equations in
the given system, written in standard form, are and . As previously stated, if this system
has no solution, the lines represented by the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct, meaning the proportion
, or , is true and the proportion is not true. The proportion is not true.
Multiplying each side of the true proportion, , by yields . Therefore, if the system has no solution,
then the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8c5e6702
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 8c5e6702

A window repair specialist charges for the first two hours of repair plus an hourly fee for each additional hour. The
total cost for hours of repair is . Which function gives the total cost, in dollars, for hours of repair, where
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8c5e6702 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the window repair specialist charges for the first two hours of repair plus an
hourly fee for each additional hour. Let represent the hourly fee for each additional hour after the first two hours. Since
it’s given that is the number of hours of repair, it follows that the charge generated by the hourly fee after the first two
hours can be represented by the expression . Therefore, the total cost, in dollars, for hours of repair is
. It’s given that the total cost for hours of repair is . Substituting for and for
into the equation yields , or . Subtracting
from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Substituting
for in the equation yields , which is equivalent to
, or . Therefore, the total cost, in dollars, for hours of repair is
.

Choice B is incorrect. This function represents the total cost, in dollars, for hours of repair where the specialist charges
, rather than , for the first two hours of repair.

Choice C is incorrect. This function represents the total cost, in dollars, for hours of repair where the specialist charges
, rather than , for the first two hours of repair, and an hourly fee of , rather than , after the first two
hours.

Choice D is incorrect. This function represents the total cost, in dollars, for hours of repair where the specialist charges
, rather than , for the first two hours of repair, and an hourly fee of , rather than , after the first two
hours.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2937ef4f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 2937ef4f

Hector used a tool called an auger to remove corn from a storage bin at a
constant rate. The bin contained 24,000 bushels of corn when Hector began to
use the auger. After 5 hours of using the auger, 19,350 bushels of corn remained
in the bin. If the auger continues to remove corn at this rate, what is the total
number of hours Hector will have been using the auger when 12,840 bushels of
corn remain in the bin?

A. 3

B. 7

C. 8

D. 12

ID: 2937ef4f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. After using the auger for 5 hours, Hector had removed 24,000 – 19,350 = 4,650 bushels of corn from

the storage bin. During the 5-hour period, the auger removed corn from the bin at a constant rate of
bushels per hour. Assuming the auger continues to remove corn at this rate, after x hours it will have removed 930x
bushels of corn. Because the bin contained 24,000 bushels of corn when Hector started using the auger, the equation
24,000 – 930x = 12,840 can be used to find the number of hours, x, Hector will have been using the auger when 12,840
bushels of corn remain in the bin. Subtracting 12,840 from both sides of this equation and adding 930x to both sides of
the equation yields 11,160 = 930x. Dividing both sides of this equation by 930 yields x = 12. Therefore, Hector will have
been using the auger for 12 hours when 12,840 bushels of corn remain in the storage bin.

Choice A is incorrect. Three hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 3(930) = 21,210 bushels of corn
remained, not 12,840. Choice B is incorrect. Seven hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 7(930) = 17,490
bushels of corn will remain, not 12,840. Choice C is incorrect. Eight hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 –
8(930) = 16,560 bushels of corn will remain, not 12,840.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9bbce683
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9bbce683

For line , the table shows three values of and their corresponding values of . Line is the result of translating line
down units in the xy-plane. What is the x-intercept of line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9bbce683 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The equation of line can be written in slope-intercept form , where is the slope of
the line and is the y-intercept of the line. It’s given that line contains the points , , and
. Therefore, its slope can be found as , or . Substituting for in the equation yields
. Substituting for and for in this equation yields , or .
Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Substituting for in yields
. Since line is the result of translating line down units, an equation of line is , or .
Substituting for in this equation yields . Solving this equation for yields . Therefore, the x-
intercept of line is .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2b15d65f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 2b15d65f

An economist modeled the demand Q for a certain product as a linear function

of the selling price P. The demand was 20,000 units when the selling price was
$40 per unit, and the demand was 15,000 units when the selling price was $60
per unit. Based on the model, what is the demand, in units, when the selling price
is $55 per unit?

A. 16,250

B. 16,500

C. 16,750

D. 17,500

ID: 2b15d65f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Let the economist’s model be the linear function , where Q is the demand, P is the
selling price, m is the slope of the line, and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line in the xy-plane, where .
Two pairs of the selling price P and the demand Q are given. Using the coordinate pairs , two points that satisfy the
function are and . The slope m of the function can be found using the formula

. Substituting the given values into this formula yields , or .

Therefore, . The value of b can be found by substituting one of the points into the function. Substituting
the values of P and Q from the point yields , or . Adding
10,000 to both sides of this equation yields . Therefore, the linear function the economist used as the model
is . Substituting 55 for P yields . It follows that when the
selling price is $55 per unit, the demand is 16,250 units.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation or conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 686b7244
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 686b7244

A certain apprentice has enrolled in hours of training courses. The equation represents this
situation, where is the number of on-site training courses and is the number of online training courses this apprentice
has enrolled in. How many more hours does each online training course take than each on-site training course?

ID: 686b7244 Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the equation represents the situation, where is the number of
on-site training courses, is the number of online training courses, and is the total number of hours of training
courses the apprentice has enrolled in. Therefore, represents the number of hours the apprentice has enrolled in on-
site training courses, and represents the number of hours the apprentice has enrolled in online training courses.
Since is the number of on-site training courses and is the number of online training courses the apprentice has
enrolled in, is the number of hours each on-site course takes and is the number of hours each online course takes.
Subtracting these numbers gives , or more hours each online training course takes than each on-site training
course.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1b1deebe
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 1b1deebe

In the given system of equations, and are constants. The graphs of these equations in the xy-plane intersect at the
point . What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1b1deebe Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the graphs of the given system of equations intersect at the point . Therefore,
is the solution to the given system. Multiplying the first equation in the given system by yields
. Adding this equation to the second equation in the system yields
, or . Since is the solution to the system, the
value of can be found by substituting for in this equation, which yields . Dividing both sides
of this equation by yields . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .
Dividing both sides of this equation by yields .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID be9cb6a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: be9cb6a2

The cost of renting a backhoe for up to days is for the first day and for each additional day. Which of the
following equations gives the cost , in dollars, of renting the backhoe for days, where is a positive integer and
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: be9cb6a2 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that the cost of renting a backhoe for up to days is for the first day and for
each additional day. Therefore, the cost , in dollars, for days, where , is the sum of the cost for the first day,
, and the cost for the additional days, . It follows that , which is
equivalent to , or .

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the cost of renting a backhoe is for the first day
and for each additional day.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID db422e7f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: db422e7f

Line is defined by . Line is perpendicular to line in the xy-plane. What is the slope of line ?

ID: db422e7f Answer

Correct Answer: .5, 1/2

Rationale
The correct answer is . For an equation in slope-intercept form , represents the slope of the line in the
xy-plane defined by this equation. It's given that line is defined by . Subtracting from both sides of this
equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields , or .
Thus, the slope of line is . If line is perpendicular to line , then the slope of line is the negative reciprocal of the
slope of line . The negative reciprocal of is . Note that 1/2 and .5 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 45cfb9de
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 45cfb9de

Adam’s school is a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride away from his house.
The bus runs once every 30 minutes, and the number of minutes, w, that Adam
waits for the bus varies between 0 and 30. Which of the following inequalities
gives the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to walk to school?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 45cfb9de Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It is given that w is the number of minutes that Adam waits for the bus. The total time it takes Adam
to get to school on a day he takes the bus is the sum of the minutes, w, he waits for the bus and the 5 minutes the bus
ride takes; thus, this time, in minutes, is w + 5. It is also given that the total amount of time it takes Adam to get to school
on a day that he walks is 20 minutes. Therefore, w + 5 > 20 gives the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to
walk to school.

Choices A and B are incorrect because w – 5 is not the total length of time for Adam to wait for and then take the bus to
school. Choice C is incorrect because the inequality should be true when walking 20 minutes is faster than the time it
takes Adam to wait for and ride the bus, not less.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 797a81fb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 797a81fb

How many solutions does the given system of equations have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 797a81fb Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has zero solutions if the lines
representing the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. Two lines are distinct and parallel if they have the
same slope but different y-intercepts. Each equation in the given system can be written in slope-intercept form
, where is the slope of the line representing the equation in the xy-plane and is the y-intercept.
Adding to both sides of the first equation in the given system of equations, , yields
. Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . It follows that the first equation in the
given system of equations has a slope of and a y-intercept of . Adding to both sides of the second
equation in the given system of equations, , yields . Dividing both sides of this
equation by yields . It follows that the second equation in the given system of equations has a slope of
and a y-intercept of . Since the slopes of these lines are the same and the y-intercepts are different, it
follows that the given system of equations has zero solutions.

Alternate approach: To solve the system by elimination, multiplying the second equation in the given system of
equations, , by yields . Adding this equation to the first equation in the given
system of equations, , yields , or . Since this
equation isn't true, the given system of equations has zero solutions.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b5f62071
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: b5f62071

In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?

ID: b5f62071 Answer

Correct Answer: -28

Rationale
The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines
represented by the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. The graphs of two lines in the xy-plane represented
by equations in the form , where , , and are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for and in
one equation are proportional to the corresponding coefficients for and in the other equation. The first equation in the
given system, , can be written in the form by subtracting from both sides of
the equation to yield . The second equation in the given system, , can be written in the
form by adding to both sides of the equation to yield . The coefficient of in the
second equation is times the coefficient of in the first equation. That is, . For the lines to be parallel, the
coefficient of in the second equation must also be times the coefficient of in the first equation. Therefore,
, or . Thus, if the given system has no solution, the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 38bf4e04
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 38bf4e04

A factory makes -inch, -inch, and -inch concrete screws. During a certain day, the number of -inch concrete screws
that the factory makes is times the number of -inch concrete screws, and the number of -inch concrete screws is
. During this day, the factory makes concrete screws total. Which equation represents this situation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 38bf4e04 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that during a certain day at a factory, the number of -inch concrete screws the factory
makes is and the number of -inch concrete screws the factory makes is . It's also given that during this day the
number of -inch concrete screws the factory makes is times the number of -inch concrete screws, or . Therefore,
the total number of -inch, -inch, and -inch concrete screws is , or . It's given that during this day,
the factory makes concrete screws total. Thus, the equation represents this situation.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the total length, in inches, of all the concrete screws,
rather than the total number of concrete screws, is .

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

Choice C is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the total number of -inch concrete screws and -inch
concrete screws, not including the -inch concrete screws, is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b7e6394d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: b7e6394d

Alan drives an average of 100 miles each week. His car can travel an average of
25 miles per gallon of gasoline. Alan would like to reduce his weekly expenditure
on gasoline by $5. Assuming gasoline costs $4 per gallon, which equation can
Alan use to determine how many fewer average miles, m, he should drive each
week?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b7e6394d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since gasoline costs $4 per gallon, and since Alan’s car travels an average of 25 miles per gallon, the

expression gives the cost, in dollars per mile, to drive the car. Multiplying by m gives the cost for Alan to drive

m miles in his car. Alan wants to reduce his weekly spending by $5, so setting m equal to 5 gives the number of
miles, m, by which he must reduce his driving.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Choices A and B transpose the numerator and the denominator in the fraction. The

fraction would result in the unit miles per dollar, but the question requires a unit of dollars per mile. Choices A and C
set the expression equal to 95 instead of 5, a mistake that may result from a misconception that Alan wants to reduce
his driving by 5 miles each week; instead, the question says he wants to reduce his weekly expenditure by $5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ee2f611f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: ee2f611f

A local transit company sells a monthly pass for $95 that allows an unlimited
number of trips of any length. Tickets for individual trips cost $1.50, $2.50, or
$3.50, depending on the length of the trip. What is the minimum number of trips
per month for which a monthly pass could cost less than purchasing individual
tickets for trips?

ID: ee2f611f Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 28. The minimum number of individual trips for which the cost of the monthly pass is less than the
cost of individual tickets can be found by assuming the maximum cost of the individual tickets, $3.50. If n tickets costing
$3.50 each are purchased in one month, the inequality 95 < 3.50n represents this situation. Dividing both sides of the
inequality by 3.50 yields 27.14 < n, which is equivalent to n > 27.14. Since only a whole number of tickets can be
purchased, it follows that 28 is the minimum number of trips.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 95cad55f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 95cad55f

A laundry service is buying detergent and fabric softener from its supplier. The
supplier will deliver no more than 300 pounds in a shipment. Each container of
detergent weighs 7.35 pounds, and each container of fabric softener weighs
6.2 pounds. The service wants to buy at least twice as many containers of
detergent as containers of fabric softener. Let d represent the number of
containers of detergent, and let s represent the number of containers of fabric
softener, where d and s are nonnegative integers. Which of the following
systems of inequalities best represents this situation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 95cad55f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The number of containers in a shipment must have a weight less than or equal to 300 pounds. The
total weight, in pounds, of detergent and fabric softener that the supplier delivers can be expressed as the weight of each
container multiplied by the number of each type of container, which is 7.35d for detergent and 6.2s for fabric softener.
Since this total cannot exceed 300 pounds, it follows that . Also, since the laundry service wants to
buy at least twice as many containers of detergent as containers of fabric softener, the number of containers of
detergent should be greater than or equal to two times the number of containers of fabric softener. This can be
expressed by the inequality .

Choice B is incorrect because it misrepresents the relationship between the numbers of each container that the laundry
service wants to buy. Choice C is incorrect because the first inequality of the system incorrectly doubles the weight per
container of detergent. The weight of each container of detergent is 7.35, not 14.7 pounds. Choice D is incorrect because
it doubles the weight per container of detergent and transposes the relationship between the numbers of containers.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 25e1cfed
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 25e1cfed

How many solutions does the equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 25e1cfed Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Applying the distributive property to each side of the given equation yields
. Applying the commutative property of addition to the right-hand side of this equation yields
. Since the two sides of the equation are equivalent, this equation is true for any value of .
Therefore, the given equation has infinitely many solutions.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fdee0fbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: fdee0fbf

In the xy-plane, line k intersects the y-axis at the point and passes
through the point . If the point lies on line k, what is the value of w
?

ID: fdee0fbf Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 74. The y-intercept of a line in the xy-plane is the ordered pair of the point of intersection of

the line with the y-axis. Since line k intersects the y-axis at the point , it follows that is the y-intercept of
this line. An equation of any line in the xy-plane can be written in the form , where m is the slope of the line
and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Therefore, the equation of line k can be written as , or
. The value of m can be found by substituting the x- and y-coordinates from a point on the line, such as ,
for x and y, respectively. This results in . Solving this equation for m gives . Therefore, an equation of
line k is . The value of w can be found by substituting the x-coordinate, 20, for x in the equation of line k and
solving this equation for y. This gives , or . Since w is the y-coordinate of this point, .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 541bef2f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 541bef2f

Which point is a solution to the given system of inequalities in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 541bef2f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A point is a solution to a system of inequalities in the xy-plane if substituting the x-coordinate
and the y-coordinate of the point for and , respectively, in each inequality makes both of the inequalities true.
Substituting the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of choice D, and , for and , respectively, in the first inequality in
the given system, , yields , or , which is true. Substituting for and for in the
second inequality in the given system, , yields , or , which is true. Therefore, the
point is a solution to the given system of inequalities in the xy-plane.

Choice A is incorrect. Substituting for and for in the inequality yields , or ,

which is not true.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting for and for in the inequality yields , or

, which is not true.

Choice C is incorrect. Substituting for and for in the inequality yields , or , which
is not true.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f75bd744
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: f75bd744

In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?

ID: f75bd744 Answer

Correct Answer: 8

Rationale
The correct answer is . The given system of equations can be solved using the elimination method. Multiplying both
sides of the second equation in the given system by yields , or . Adding this
equation to the first equation in the given system, , yields
, or . Subtracting from both sides of
this equation yields , or . If the given system
has no solution, then the equation has no solution. If this equation has no solution, the
coefficients of on each side of the equation, and , must be equal, which yields the equation .
Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Thus, if the system has no solution, the value of is .

Alternate approach: A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines represented by
the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct. Lines represented by equations in the form , where
, , and are constant terms, are parallel if the ratio of the x-coefficients is equal to the ratio of the y-coefficients, and
distinct if the ratio of the x-coefficients are not equal to the ratio of the constant terms. Subtracting from both sides
of the first equation in the given system yields , or .
Subtracting from both sides of the second equation in the given system yields , or
. The ratio of the x-coefficients for these equations is , or . The ratio of the y-coefficients for
these equations is . The ratio of the constant terms for these equations is , or . Since the ratio of the x-
coefficients, , is not equal to the ratio of the constants, , the lines represented by the equations are distinct. Setting
the ratio of the x-coefficients equal to the ratio of the y-coefficients yields . Multiplying both sides of this
equation by yields , or . Therefore, when , the lines represented by these
equations are parallel. Thus, if the system has no solution, the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d0e614a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: d0e614a6

Which table gives three values of and their corresponding values of for the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d0e614a6 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Each of the tables gives the same three values of : , , and . Substituting for in the given
equation yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .
Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, when , the corresponding value of for the
given equation is . Substituting for in the given equation yields , or .
Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields
. Therefore, when , the corresponding value of for the given equation is . Substituting for in the
given equation yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, when , the corresponding value
of for the given equation is . The table in choice D gives x-values of , , and and corresponding y-values of ,
, and , respectively. Therefore, the table in choice D gives three values of and their corresponding values of for
the given equation.

Choice A is incorrect. This table gives three values of and their corresponding values of for the equation
.

Choice B is incorrect. This table gives three values of and their corresponding values of for the equation
.

Choice C is incorrect. This table gives three values of and their corresponding values of for the equation
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b3abf40f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: b3abf40f

The function gives the temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, that corresponds to a temperature of kelvins. If a
temperature increased by kelvins, by how much did the temperature increase, in degrees Fahrenheit?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b3abf40f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the function gives the temperature, in degrees
Fahrenheit, that corresponds to a temperature of kelvins. A temperature that increased by kelvins means that the
value of increased by kelvins. It follows that an increase in by increases by , or .
Therefore, if a temperature increased by kelvins, the temperature increased by degrees Fahrenheit.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e6cb2402
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: e6cb2402

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has no solution. What is the value of ?

ID: e6cb2402 Answer

Correct Answer: .9411, .9412, 16/17

Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the equation has no solution. A linear equation in the
form , where , , , and are constants, has no solution only when the coefficients of on each side
of the equation are equal and the constant terms aren't equal. Dividing both sides of the given equation by yields
, or . Since the coefficients of on each side of the equation must be
equal, it follows that the value of is . Note that 16/17, .9411, .9412, and 0.941 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 415ab1d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 415ab1d2

The graph of the linear function is shown. If and are positive constants, which equation could define
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 415ab1d2 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the graph of the linear function is shown. This means that the graph of
can be translated down units to create the graph of and the y-coordinate of every point on
the graph of can be decreased by to find the resulting point on the graph of . The y-
intercept of the graph of is . Translating the graph of down units results in a y-
intercept of the graph of at the point , or . The graph of slants down from
left to right, so the slope of the graph is negative. The translation of a linear graph changes its position, but does not
change its slope. It follows that the slope of the graph of is also negative. The equation of a linear function
can be written in the form , where is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept and is the slope of the graph
of . It's given that and are positive constants. Since the y-coordinate of the y-intercept and the slope of the
graph of are both negative, it follows that could define .

Choice B is incorrect. This could define a linear function where its graph has a positive, not negative, y-intercept.

Choice C is incorrect. This could define a linear function where its graph has a positive, not negative, slope.

Choice D is incorrect. This could define a linear function where its graph has a positive, not negative, y-intercept and a
positive, not negative, slope.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6c71f3ec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 6c71f3ec

A salesperson’s total earnings consist of a base salary of dollars per year, plus commission earnings of of the
total sales the salesperson makes during the year. This year, the salesperson has a goal for the total earnings to be at
least times and at most times the base salary. Which of the following inequalities represents all possible values of
total sales , in dollars, the salesperson can make this year in order to meet that goal?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6c71f3ec Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that a salesperson's total earnings consist of a base salary of dollars per year plus
commission earnings of of the total sales the salesperson makes during the year. If the salesperson makes
dollars in total sales this year, the salesperson’s total earnings can be represented by the expression . It’s also
given that the salesperson has a goal for the total earnings to be at least times and at most times the base salary,
which can be represented by the expressions and , respectively. Therefore, this situation can be represented by the
inequality . Subtracting from each part of this inequality yields . Dividing
each part of this inequality by yields . Therefore, the inequality represents
all possible values of total sales , in dollars, the salesperson can make this year in order to meet their goal.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation in which the total sales, rather than the total earnings, are at
least times and at most times, rather than at least times and at most times, the base salary.

Choice C is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation in which the total sales, rather than the total earnings, are at
least times and at most times the base salary.

Choice D is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation in which the total earnings are at least times and at most
times, rather than at least times and at most times, the base salary.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9aaf7786
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9aaf7786

In the xy-plane, line has a slope of and an x-intercept of . What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line
?

ID: 9aaf7786 Answer

Correct Answer: -10

Rationale
The correct answer is . A line in the xy-plane can be represented by the equation , where is the slope
of the line and is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. It's given that line has a slope of . Therefore, . It's
also given that line has an x-intercept of . Therefore, when , . Substituting for , for ,
and for in the equation yields , which is equivalent to . Subtracting
from both sides of this equation yields . Therefore, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b988eeec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: b988eeec

The functions and are defined as and . If the function is defined as

, what is the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: b988eeec Answer

Correct Answer: -12

Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that the functions and are defined as and .
If the function is defined as , then substituting for and for in this
function yields . This can be rewritten as , or . The x-
intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point on the graph where . The equation representing the graph of
is . Substituting for in this equation yields . Subtracting from both sides of this
equation yields , or . Therefore, the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of in the xy-
plane is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 70feb725
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 70feb725

During a month, Morgan ran r miles at 5 miles per hour and biked b miles at
10 miles per hour. She ran and biked a total of 200 miles that month, and she
biked for twice as many hours as she ran. What is the total number of miles that
Morgan biked during the month?

A. 80

B. 100

C. 120

D. 160

ID: 70feb725 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of hours Morgan spent running or biking can be calculated by dividing the distance she
traveled during that activity by her speed, in miles per hour, for that activity. So the number of hours she ran can be

represented by the expression , and the number of hours she biked can be represented by the expression . It’s

given that she biked for twice as many hours as she ran, so this can be represented by the equation , which
can be rewritten as . It’s also given that she ran r miles and biked b miles, and that she ran and biked a total of 200
miles. This can be represented by the equation . Substituting for b in this equation yields , or
. Solving for r yields . Determining the number of miles she biked, b, can be found by substituting 40 for r
in , which yields . Solving for b yields .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they don’t satisfy that Morgan biked for twice as many hours as she ran. In
choice A, if she biked 80 miles, then she ran 120 miles, which means she biked for 8 hours and ran for 24 hours. In choice
B, if she biked 100 miles, then she ran 100 miles, which means she biked for 10 hours and ran for 20 hours. In choice C, if
she biked 120 miles, then she ran for 80 miles, which means she biked for 12 hours and ran for 16 hours.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1a621af4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 1a621af4

A number is at most less than times the value of . If the value of is , what is the greatest possible value of ?

ID: 1a621af4 Answer

Correct Answer: -14

Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that a number is at most less than times the value of . Therefore, is less
than or equal to less than times the value of . The expression represents times the value of . The expression
represents less than times the value of . Therefore, is less than or equal to . This can be shown by
the inequality . Substituting for in this inequality yields or, . Therefore, if the
value of is , the greatest possible value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID af2ba762
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: af2ba762
According to data provided by the US Department of Energy, the average price per gallon of regular gasoline in the
United States from September 1, 2014, to December 1, 2014, is modeled by the function F defined below, where
is the average price per gallon x months after September 1.

The constant 2.74 in this function estimates which of the following?

A. The average monthly decrease in the price per gallon

B. The difference in the average price per gallon from September 1, 2014, to December 1, 2014

C. The average price per gallon on September 1, 2014

D. The average price per gallon on December 1, 2014

ID: af2ba762 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 2.74 is a constant term, it represents an actual price of gas rather than a measure of change in
gas price. To determine what gas price it represents, find x such that F(x) = 2.74, or 2.74 = 2.74 – 0.19(x – 3). Subtracting
2.74 from both sides gives 0 = –0.19(x – 3). Dividing both sides by –0.19 results in 0 = x – 3, or x = 3. Therefore, the
average price of gas is $2.74 per gallon 3 months after September 1, 2014, which is December 1, 2014.

Choice A is incorrect. Since 2.74 is a constant, not a multiple of x, it cannot represent a rate of change in price. Choice B
is incorrect. The difference in the average price from September 1, 2014, to December 1, 2014, is F(3) – F(0) = 2.74 –
0.19(3 – 3) – (2.74 – 0.19(0 – 3)) = 2.74 – (2.74 + 0.57) = –0.57, which is not 2.74. Choice C is incorrect. The average
price per gallon on September 1, 2014, is F(0) = 2.74 – 0.19(0 – 3) = 2.74 + 0.57 = 3.31, which is not 2.74.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b9835972
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: b9835972

In the xy-plane, line 𝓁 passes through the point and is parallel to the line represented by the equation .
If line 𝓁 also passes through the point , what is the value of ?

ID: b9835972 Answer

Correct Answer: 24

Rationale
The correct answer is . A line in the xy-plane can be defined by the equation , where is the slope of the
line and is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. It's given that line 𝓁 passes through the point . Therefore,
the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line 𝓁 is . It's given that line 𝓁 is parallel to the line represented by the equation
. Since parallel lines have the same slope, it follows that the slope of line 𝓁 is . Therefore, line 𝓁 can be
defined by an equation in the form , where and . Substituting for and for in
yields the equation , or . If line 𝓁 passes through the point , then when ,
for the equation . Substituting for and for in the equation yields , or .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e1248a5c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: e1248a5c

In the system of equations below, a and c are constants.

If the system of equations has an infinite number of solutions , what is the
value of a ?

A.

B. 0

C.

D.

ID: e1248a5c Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations has infinitely many solutions if one equation is equivalent to the
other. This means that when the two equations are written in the same form, each coefficient or constant in one equation
is equal to the corresponding coefficient or constant in the other equation multiplied by the same number. The equations
in the given system of equations are written in the same form, with x and y on the left-hand side and a constant on the
right-hand side of the equation. The coefficient of y in the second equation is equal to the coefficient of y in the first
equation multiplied by 3. Therefore, a, the coefficient of x in the second equation, must be equal to 3 times the coefficient

of x in the first equation: , or .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. When , , or , the given system of equations has one solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 05bb1af9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 05bb1af9

The graph of is shown. Which equation defines function ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 05bb1af9 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. An equation for the graph shown can be written in slope-intercept form , where is the
slope of the graph and its y-intercept is . Since the y-intercept of the graph shown is , the value of is . Since
the graph also passes through the point , the slope can be calculated as , or . Therefore, the value of is
. Substituting for and for in the equation yields . It’s given that an equation
for the graph shown is . Substituting for in the equation yields
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cc7ffe02
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: cc7ffe02

Keenan made cups of vegetable broth. Keenan then filled small jars and large jars with all the vegetable broth he
made. The equation represents this situation. Which is the best interpretation of in this context?

A. The number of large jars Keenan filled

B. The number of small jars Keenan filled

C. The total number of cups of vegetable broth in the large jars

D. The total number of cups of vegetable broth in the small jars

ID: cc7ffe02 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the equation represents the situation where Keenan filled small jars
and large jars with all the vegetable broth he made, which was cups. Therefore, represents the total number of
cups of vegetable broth in the small jars and represents the total number of cups of vegetable broth in the large jars.

Choice A is incorrect. The number of large jars Keenan filled is represented by , not .

Choice B is incorrect. The number of small jars Keenan filled is represented by , not .

Choice D is incorrect. The total number of cups of vegetable broth in the small jars is represented by , not .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ae2287e2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: ae2287e2

A certain product costs a company $65 to make. The product is sold by a

salesperson who earns a commission that is equal to 20% of the sales price of
the product. The profit the company makes for each unit is equal to the sales
price minus the combined cost of making the product and the commission. If
the sales price of the product is $100, which of the following equations gives the
number of units, u, of the product the company sold to make a profit of $6,840 ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ae2287e2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The sales price of one unit of the product is given as $100. Because the salesperson is awarded a
commission equal to 20% of the sales price, the expression 100(1 – 0.2) gives the sales price of one unit after the
commission is deducted. It is also given that the profit is equal to the sales price minus the combined cost of making the
product, or $65, and the commission: 100(1 – 0.2) – 65. Multiplying this expression by u gives the profit of u units: (100(1
– 0.2) – 65)u. Finally, it is given that the profit for u units is $6,840; therefore (100(1 – 0.2) – 65)u = $6,840.

Choice B is incorrect. In this equation, cost is subtracted before commission and the equation gives the commission, not
what the company retains after commission. Choice C is incorrect because the number of units is multiplied only by the
cost but not by the sale price. Choice D is incorrect because the value 0.2 shows the commission, not what the company
retains after commission.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1362ccde
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 1362ccde

The solution to the given system of equations is . What is the value of ?

ID: 1362ccde Answer

Correct Answer: 35

Rationale
The correct answer is . The first equation in the given system of equations defines as . Substituting
for in the second equation in the given system of equations yields . Applying the distributive
property on the left-hand side of this equation yields . Subtracting from each side of this
equation yields . Subtracting from each side of this equation yields . Substituting for in
the first equation of the given system of equations yields , or . Substituting for and
for into the expression yields , or .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 52cb8ea4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 52cb8ea4

If is the solution to the system of equations above,

what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C. 5

D. 13

ID: 52cb8ea4 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting the second equation, , from the first equation, , results in
, or . Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation
yields .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from miscalculating as . Choice C is incorrect and may result from
miscalculating as 5. Choice D is incorrect and may result from adding 9 to 4 instead of subtracting 9 from 4.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7866a908
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 7866a908

A sample of a certain alloy has a total mass of grams and is silicon by mass. The sample was created by
combining two pieces of different alloys. The first piece was silicon by mass and the second piece was
silicon by mass. What was the mass, in grams, of the silicon in the second piece?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7866a908 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let represent the total mass, in grams, of the first piece, and let represent the total mass, in
grams, of the second piece. It's given that the sample has a total mass of grams. Therefore, the equation
represents this situation. It's also given that the sample is silicon by mass. Therefore, the total
mass of the silicon in the sample is , or , grams. It's also given that the first piece was silicon by
mass and the second piece was silicon by mass. Therefore, the masses, in grams, of the silicon in the first and
second pieces can be represented by the expressions and , respectively. Since the sample was created by
combining the first and second pieces, and the total mass of the silicon in the sample is grams, the equation
represents this situation. Subtracting from both sides of the equation yields
. Substituting for in the equation yields
. Distributing on the left-hand side of this equation yields
. Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of
this equation by yields . Substituting for in the expression representing the mass, in grams, of the
silicon in the second piece, , yields , or . Therefore, the mass, in grams, of the silicon in the
second piece is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the mass, in grams, of the silicon in the first piece, not the second piece.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the total mass, in grams, of the second piece, not the mass, in grams, of the silicon in the
second piece.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the total mass, in grams, of the first piece, not the mass, in grams, of the silicon in the
second piece.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0b46bad5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 0b46bad5

In the equation above, a and b are constants and . Which of the

following could represent the graph of the equation in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0b46bad5 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The given equation can be rewritten in slope-intercept form, , where m
represents the slope of the line represented by the equation, and k represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the
line. Subtracting ax from both sides of the equation yields , and dividing both sides of this equation by b

yields , or . With the equation now in slope-intercept form, it shows that , which
means the y-coordinate of the y-intercept is 1. It’s given that a and b are both greater than 0 (positive) and that .

Since , the slope of the line must be a value between and 0. Choice C is the only graph of a line that has a
y-value of the y-intercept that is 1 and a slope that is between and 0.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the slopes of the lines in these graphs aren’t between and 0.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7d5d1b32
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 7d5d1b32

In the given equation, and are constants and . The equation has no solution. What is the value of ?

ID: 7d5d1b32 Answer

Correct Answer: -.9333, -14/15

Rationale
The correct answer is . A linear equation in the form has no solution only when the coefficients
of on each side of the equation are equal and the constant terms are not equal. Dividing both sides of the given
equation by yields , or . Since it’s given that the equation has no
solution, the coefficient of on both sides of this equation must be equal, and the constant terms on both sides of this
equation must not be equal. Since , and it's given that , the second condition is true. Thus, must be equal
to . Note that -14/15, -.9333, and -0.933 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c362c210
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: c362c210

The points plotted in the coordinate plane above represent the possible numbers
of wallflowers and cornflowers that someone can buy at the Garden Store in
order to spend exactly $24.00 total on the two types of flowers. The price of
each wallflower is the same and the price of each cornflower is the same. What
is the price, in dollars, of 1 cornflower?

ID: c362c210 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 1.5. The point corresponds to the situation where 16 cornflowers and 0 wallflowers are
purchased. Since the total spent on the two types of flowers is $24.00, it follows that the price of 16 cornflowers is
$24.00, and the price of one cornflower is $1.50. Note that 1.5 and 3/2 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ee7b1de1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: ee7b1de1

A small business owner budgets to purchase candles. The owner must purchase a minimum of candles to
maintain the discounted pricing. If the owner pays per candle to purchase small candles and per candle to
purchase large candles, what is the maximum number of large candles the owner can purchase to stay within the budget
and maintain the discounted pricing?

ID: ee7b1de1 Answer

Correct Answer: 182

Rationale
The correct answer is . Let represent the number of small candles the owner can purchase, and let 𝓁 represent the
number of large candles the owner can purchase. It’s given that the owner pays per candle to purchase small
candles and per candle to purchase large candles. Therefore, the owner pays dollars for small candles
and 𝓁 dollars for 𝓁 large candles, which means the owner pays a total of 𝓁 dollars to purchase
candles. It’s given that the owner budgets to purchase candles. Therefore, 𝓁 . It’s also
given that the owner must purchase a minimum of candles. Therefore, 𝓁 . The inequalities
𝓁 and 𝓁 can be combined into one compound inequality by rewriting the second
inequality so that its left-hand side is equivalent to the left-hand side of the first inequality. Subtracting 𝓁 from both sides
of the inequality 𝓁 yields 𝓁. Multiplying both sides of this inequality by yields
𝓁 , or 𝓁. Adding 𝓁 to both sides of this inequality yields
𝓁 𝓁 𝓁, or 𝓁 𝓁. This inequality can be combined with
the inequality 𝓁 , which yields the compound inequality
𝓁 𝓁 . It follows that 𝓁 . Subtracting from both sides of
this inequality yields 𝓁 . Dividing both sides of this inequality by yields approximately 𝓁 .
Since the number of large candles the owner purchases must be a whole number, the maximum number of large candles
the owner can purchase is the largest whole number less than , which is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 94b48cbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 94b48cbf

The graph of in the -plane has an -intercept at and a -intercept at , where and are
constants. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 94b48cbf Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The x-coordinate of the x-intercept can be found by substituting for in the given equation,
which gives , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the
value of is . The y-coordinate of the y-intercept can be found by substituting for in the given equation,
which gives , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the
value of is . It follows that the value of is , which is equivalent to , or .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1035faea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 1035faea

A psychologist set up an experiment to study the tendency of a person to select

the first item when presented with a series of items. In the experiment,
300 people were presented with a set of five pictures arranged in random order.
Each person was asked to choose the most appealing picture. Of the first
150 participants, 36 chose the first picture in the set. Among the remaining
150 participants, p people chose the first picture in the set. If more than 20% of
all participants chose the first picture in the set, which of the following
inequalities best describes the possible values of p ?

A. , where

B. , where

C. , where

D. , where

ID: 1035faea Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Of the first 150 participants, 36 chose the first picture in the set, and of the 150 remaining
participants, p chose the first picture in the set. Hence, the proportion of the participants who chose the first picture in

the set is . Since more than 20% of all the participants chose the first picture, it follows that .

This inequality can be rewritten as . Since p is a number of people among the remaining 150
participants, .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of some incorrect interpretations of the given information or of
computational errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 45a534d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 45a534d0

In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?

ID: 45a534d0 Answer

Correct Answer: -34

Rationale
The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines
represented by the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. Two lines represented by equations in standard
form , where , , and are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for and in one equation are
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation. The first equation in the given system can be written
in standard form by subtracting from both sides of the equation to yield . The second equation in
the given system can be written in standard form by adding to both sides of the equation to yield .
The coefficient of in this second equation, , is times the coefficient of in the first equation, . For the lines to
be parallel the coefficient of in the second equation, , must also be times the coefficient of in the first equation,
. Thus, , or . Therefore, if the given system has no solution, the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 50f4cb9c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 50f4cb9c

For the linear function , the table shows three values of and their corresponding values of . Function is defined
by , where and are constants. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 50f4cb9c Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The table gives that when . Substituting 0 for and for into the equation
yields . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . The table gives
that when . Substituting for , for , and for into the equation
yields . Combining like terms yields , or . Since , substituting for
into this equation gives , which yields . Thus, the value of can be written as
, which is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of , not . Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of , not .

Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of , not .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 16889ef3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 16889ef3

Oil and gas production in a certain area dropped from 4 million barrels in 2000 to
1.9 million barrels in 2013. Assuming that the oil and gas production decreased
at a constant rate, which of the following linear functions f best models the
production, in millions of barrels, t years after the year 2000?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 16889ef3 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is assumed that the oil and gas production decreased at a constant rate. Therefore, the function f
that best models the production t years after the year 2000 can be written as a linear function, , where m is
the rate of change of the oil and gas production and b is the oil and gas production, in millions of barrels, in the year
2000. Since there were 4 million barrels of oil and gas produced in 2000, . The rate of change, m, can be calculated

as , which is equivalent to , the rate of change in choice C.

Choices A and B are incorrect because each of these functions has a positive rate of change. Since the oil and gas
production decreased over time, the rate of change must be negative. Choice D is incorrect. This model may result from
misinterpreting 1.9 million barrels as the amount by which the production decreased.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID adb0c96c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: adb0c96c

The solution to the given system of equations is . What is the value of ?

ID: adb0c96c Answer

Correct Answer: 80

Rationale
The correct answer is . Subtracting the second equation in the given system from the first equation yields
, which is equivalent to , or . Dividing each
side of this equation by yields . Substituting for in the second equation yields . Adding
to both sides of this equation yields .

Alternate approach: Multiplying each side of the second equation in the given system by yields .
Subtracting the first equation in the given system from this equation yields ,
which is equivalent to , or . Dividing each side of this equation by yields
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d7bf55e1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: d7bf55e1

A movie theater sells two types of tickets, adult tickets for $12 and child tickets
for $8. If the theater sold 30 tickets for a total of $300, how much, in dollars, was
spent on adult tickets? (Disregard the $ sign when gridding your answer.)

ID: d7bf55e1 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 180. Let a be the number of adult tickets sold and c be the number of child tickets sold. Since the
theater sold a total of 30 tickets, a + c = 30. The price per adult ticket is $12, and the price per child ticket is $8. Since the
theater received a total of $300 for the 30 tickets sold, it follows that 12a + 8c = 300. To eliminate c, the first equation can
be multiplied by 8 and then subtracted from the second equation:

Because the question asks for the amount spent on adult tickets, which is 12a dollars, the resulting equation can be
multiplied by 3 to give 3(4a) = 3(60) = 180. Therefore, $180 was spent on adult tickets.

Alternate approach: If all the 30 tickets sold were child tickets, their total price would be 30($8) = $240. Since the actual
total price of the 30 tickets was $300, the extra $60 indicates that a certain number of adult tickets, a, were sold. Since
the price of each adult ticket is $4 more than each child ticket, 4a = 60, and it follows that 12a = 180.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 771bd0ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 771bd0ca

What value of is the solution to the given equation?

ID: 771bd0ca Answer

Correct Answer: -22

Rationale
The correct answer is . The given equation can be rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this
equation by yields . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Therefore, is
the value of that is the solution to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 69f609b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 69f609b2

How many solutions does the equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 69f609b2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Distributing on the left-hand side and on the right-hand side of the given equation yields
. Adding to each side of this equation yields . Adding to each side of
this equation yields . Dividing each side of this equation by yields . This means that is the only
solution to the given equation. Therefore, the given equation has exactly one solution.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a309803e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: a309803e

One gallon of paint will cover square feet of a surface. A room has a total wall area of square feet. Which equation
represents the total amount of paint , in gallons, needed to paint the walls of the room twice?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a309803e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that represents the total wall area, in square feet. Since the walls of the room will be
painted twice, the amount of paint, in gallons, needs to cover square feet. It’s also given that one gallon of paint will
cover square feet. Dividing the total area, in square feet, of the surface to be painted by the number of square feet
covered by one gallon of paint gives the number of gallons of paint that will be needed. Dividing by yields , or
. Therefore, the equation that represents the total amount of paint , in gallons, needed to paint the walls of the room
twice is .

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

Choice C is incorrect and may result from finding the amount of paint needed to paint the walls once rather than twice.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5bf5136d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 5bf5136d

The triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the
third side. If a triangle has side lengths of and , which inequality represents the possible lengths, , of the third side
of the triangle?

A.

B.

C.

D. or

ID: 5bf5136d Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that a triangle has side lengths of and , and represents the length of the third side of
the triangle. It’s also given that the triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of any two sides of a triangle must be
greater than the length of the third side. Therefore, the inequalities , , and represent
all possible values of . Subtracting from both sides of the inequality yields , or .
Adding and in the inequality yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of the inequality
yields , or . Since all x-values that satisfy the inequality also satisfy the
inequality , it follows that the inequalities and represent the possible values of . Therefore, the
inequality represents the possible lengths, , of the third side of the triangle.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality gives the upper bound for but does not include its lower bound.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 90095507
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 90095507

Townsend Realty Group Investments

Property Purchase price Monthly rental
address (dollars) price (dollars)

Clearwater
128,000 950
Lane

Driftwood
176,000 1,310
Drive

Edgemont
70,000 515
Street

Glenview
140,000 1,040
Street

Hamilton
450,000 3,365
Circle

The Townsend Realty Group invested in the five different properties listed in the
table above. The table shows the amount, in dollars, the company paid for each
property and the corresponding monthly rental price, in dollars, the company
charges for the property at each of the five locations. Townsend Realty
purchased the Glenview Street property and received a 40% discount off the
original price along with an additional 20% off the discounted price for
purchasing the property in cash. Which of the following best approximates the
original price, in dollars, of the Glenview Street property?

A. $350,000

B. $291,700

C. $233,300

D. $175,000

ID: 90095507 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let x be the original price, in dollars, of the Glenview Street property. After the 40% discount, the price
of the property became dollars, and after the additional 20% off the discounted price, the price of the property

became . Thus, in terms of the original price of the property, x, the purchase price of the property is . It

follows that . Solving this equation for x gives . Therefore, of the given choices,
$291,700 best approximates the original price of the Glenview Street property.

Choice A is incorrect because it is the result of dividing the purchase price of the property by 0.4, as though the purchase
price were 40% of the original price. Choice C is incorrect because it is the closest to dividing the purchase price of the
property by 0.6, as though the purchase price were 60% of the original price. Choice D is incorrect because it is the result
of dividing the purchase price of the property by 0.8, as though the purchase price were 80% of the original price.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 36fd6752
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 36fd6752

In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?

ID: 36fd6752 Answer

Correct Answer: 10

Rationale
The correct answer is . Solving by substitution, the given system of equations, where is a constant, can be written so
that the left-hand side of each equation is equal to . Subtracting from each side of the first equation in the given
system, , yields . Adding to each side of the second equation in the given system,
, yields . Since the left-hand side of each equation is equal to , setting the the
right-hand side of the equations equal to each other yields . A linear equation in one variable, ,
has no solution if and only if the equation is false; that is, when there's no value of that produces a true statement. For
the equation , there's no value of that produces a true statement when . Therefore,
for the equation , there's no value of that produces a true statement when the value of is . It
follows that in the given system of equations, the system has no solution when the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 98d3393a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 98d3393a

Line in the xy-plane is perpendicular to the line with equation

. What is the slope of line ?

A. 0

B.

C.

D. The slope of line is undefined.

ID: 98d3393a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It is given that line is perpendicular to a line whose equation is x = 2. A line whose equation is a
constant value of x is vertical, so must therefore be horizontal. Horizontal lines have a slope of 0, so has a slope of 0.

Choice B is incorrect. A line with slope is perpendicular to a line with slope 2. However, the line with equation x = 2
is vertical and has undefined slope (not slope of 2). Choice C is incorrect. A line with slope –2 is perpendicular to a line

with slope . However, the line with equation x = 2 has undefined slope (not slope of ). Choice D is incorrect; this is
the slope of the line x = 2 itself, not the slope of a line perpendicular to it.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6989c80a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 6989c80a

The function gives the temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, that corresponds to a temperature of kelvins. If a
temperature increased by kelvins, by how much did the temperature increase, in degrees Fahrenheit?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6989c80a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the function gives the temperature, in degrees
Fahrenheit, that corresponds to a temperature of kelvins. A temperature that increased by kelvins means that the
value of increased by kelvins. It follows that an increase in by increases by , or .
Therefore, if a temperature increased by kelvins, the temperature increased by degrees Fahrenheit.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0cb57740
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 0cb57740

Each side of a -sided polygon has one of three lengths. The number of sides with length is
times the number of sides with length . There are sides with length . Which equation must be true for the
value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0cb57740 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that each side of a -sided polygon has one of three lengths. It's also given that the
number of sides with length is times the number of sides with length . Therefore, there
are , or , sides with length . It’s also given that there are sides with length . Therefore, the number of
, , and sides are , , and , respectively. Since there are a total of sides, the equation
represents this situation. Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields
. Therefore, the equation that must be true for the value of is .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e8f9e117
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: e8f9e117

The formula above is Ohm’s law for an electric circuit with current I, in amperes,
potential difference V, in volts, and resistance R, in ohms. A circuit has a
resistance of 500 ohms, and its potential difference will be generated by n six-
volt batteries that produce a total potential difference of volts. If the circuit is
to have a current of no more than 0.25 ampere, what is the greatest number, n, of
six-volt batteries that can be used?

ID: e8f9e117 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 20. For the given circuit, the resistance R is 500 ohms, and the total potential difference V
generated by n batteries is volts. It’s also given that the circuit is to have a current of no more than 0.25 ampere,

which can be expressed as . Since Ohm’s law says that , the given values for V and R can be substituted

for I in this inequality, which yields . Multiplying both sides of this inequality by 500 yields , and
dividing both sides of this inequality by 6 yields . Since the number of batteries must be a whole number less
than 20.833, the greatest number of batteries that can be used in this circuit is 20.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d8539e09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: d8539e09

For which of the following tables are all the values of and their corresponding values of solutions to the given
inequality?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d8539e09 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. All the tables in the choices have the same three values of , so each of the three values of can be
substituted in the given inequality to compare the corresponding values of in each of the tables. Substituting for in
the given inequality yields , or . Therefore, when , the corresponding value of is less than
. Substituting for in the given inequality yields , or . Therefore, when , the corresponding
value of is less than . Substituting for in the given inequality yields , or . Therefore, when
, the corresponding value of is less than . For the table in choice C, when , the corresponding value of
is , which is less than ; when , the corresponding value of is , which is less than ; when , the
corresponding value of is , which is less than . Therefore, the table in choice C gives values of and their
corresponding values of that are all solutions to the given inequality.

Choice A is incorrect. In the table for choice A, when , the corresponding value of is , which is not less than ;
when , the corresponding value of is , which is not less than ; when , the corresponding value of is
, which is not less than .

Choice B is incorrect. In the table for choice B, when , the corresponding value of is , which is not less than .

Choice D is incorrect. In the table for choice D, when , the corresponding value of is , which is not less than ;
when , the corresponding value of is , which is not less than ; when , the corresponding value of is
, which is not less than .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f718c9cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: f718c9cf

The solution to the given system of equations is . What is the value of ?

ID: f718c9cf Answer

Correct Answer: 1.8, 9/5

Rationale
The correct answer is . Multiplying the first equation in the given system by yields . Subtracting the
second equation in the given system, , from yields
, which is equivalent to , or . Dividing
both sides of this equation by yields . The value of can be found by substituting for in either of the two
given equations. Substituting for in the equation yields , or .
Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields
, or . Therefore, the value of is , or . Note that 9/5 and 1.8 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cc3e9528
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: cc3e9528

The graph of is translated down units in the xy-plane. What is the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the
resulting graph?

ID: cc3e9528 Answer

Correct Answer: 59/9, 6.555, 6.556

Rationale
The correct answer is . When the graph of an equation in the form , where , , and are constants,
is translated down units in the xy-plane, the resulting graph can be represented by the equation .
It’s given that the graph of is translated down units in the xy-plane. Therefore, the resulting graph can
be represented by the equation , or . Adding to both sides of this
equation yields . The x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of an equation in the xy-plane is the
value of in the equation when . Substituting for in the equation yields , or
. Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the
resulting graph is . Note that 59/9, 6.555, and 6.556 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 48fb34c8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 48fb34c8

For which of the following tables are all the values of and their corresponding values of solutions to the given
inequality?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 48fb34c8 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. All the tables in the choices have the same three values of , so each of the three values of can be
substituted in the given inequality to compare the corresponding values of in each of the tables. Substituting for in
the given inequality yields , or . Therefore, when , the corresponding value of is greater
than . Substituting for in the given inequality yields , or . Therefore, when , the
corresponding value of is greater than . Substituting for in the given inequality yields , or
. Therefore, when , the corresponding value of is greater than . For the table in choice D, when ,
the corresponding value of is , which is greater than ; when , the corresponding value of is , which is
greater than ; when , the corresponding value of is , which is greater than . Therefore, the table in choice
D gives values of and their corresponding values of that are all solutions to the given inequality.

Choice A is incorrect. In the table for choice A, when , the corresponding value of is , which is not greater than
; when , the corresponding value of is , which is not greater than ; when , the corresponding value
of is , which is not greater than .

Choice B is incorrect. In the table for choice B, when , the corresponding value of is , which is not greater than
; when , the corresponding value of is , which is not greater than .

Choice C is incorrect. In the table for choice C, when , the corresponding value of is , which is not greater than
; when , the corresponding value of is , which is not greater than ; when , the corresponding value
of is , which is not greater than .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 153ee763
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 153ee763

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has no solution. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 153ee763 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. A linear equation in one variable has no solution if and only if the equation is false; that is, when there
is no value of that produces a true statement. It's given that in the equation , is a constant and
the equation has no solution for . Therefore, the value of the constant is one that results in a false equation. Factoring
out the common factor of on the left-hand side of the given equation yields . Dividing both
sides of this equation by yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields
. This equation is false if and only if . Adding to both sides of yields .
Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . It follows that the equation is false if and only if
. Therefore, the given equation has no solution if and only if the value of is .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 466b87e3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 466b87e3

In the system of equations above, c is a constant. If the system has

no solution, what is the value of c ?

ID: 466b87e3 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations has no solution when the graphs of the equations have the
same slope and different y-intercepts. Each of the given linear equations is written in the slope-intercept form,
, where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the equation. For these two
linear equations, the y-intercepts are and . Thus, if the system of equations has no solution, the slopes of

the graphs of the two linear equations must be the same. The slope of the graph of the first linear equation is .

Therefore, for the system of equations to have no solution, the value of c must be . Note that 1/2 and .5 are examples
of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID aee9fd2d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: aee9fd2d

If , the value of is between which of the following pairs of values?

A. and

B. and

C. and

D. and

ID: aee9fd2d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by , or , yields , or
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both
sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, if , then the value of is . It follows that of
the given choices, the value of is between and .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0366d965
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 0366d965

x y

3 7

k 11

12 n

The table above shows the coordinates of three points on a line in the xy-plane,
where k and n are constants. If the slope of the line is 2, what is the value of
?

ID: 0366d965 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 30. The slope of a line can be found by using the slope formula, . It’s given that the slope

of the line is 2; therefore, . According to the table, the points and lie on the line. Substituting the

coordinates of these points into the equation gives . Multiplying both sides of this equation by gives
, or . Solving for k gives . According to the table, the points and also

lie on the line. Substituting the coordinates of these points into gives . Solving for n gives
. Therefore, , or 30.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 963da34c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 963da34c

A shipping service restricts the dimensions of the boxes it will ship for a certain
type of service. The restriction states that for boxes shaped like rectangular
prisms, the sum of the perimeter of the base of the box and the height of the box
cannot exceed 130 inches. The perimeter of the base is determined using the
width and length of the box. If a box has a height of 60 inches and its length is
2.5 times the width, which inequality shows the allowable width x, in inches, of
the box?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 963da34c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. If x is the width, in inches, of the box, then the length of the box is 2.5x inches. It follows that the
perimeter of the base is , or 7x inches. The height of the box is given to be 60 inches. According to the
restriction, the sum of the perimeter of the base and the height of the box should not exceed 130 inches. Algebraically,
this can be represented by , or . Dividing both sides of the inequality by 7 gives . Since x
represents the width of the box, x must also be a positive number. Therefore, the inequality represents all the
allowable values of x that satisfy the given conditions.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors or misreading the given information.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 184ce5aa
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 184ce5aa

Line is defined by . Line is perpendicular to line in the xy-plane. What is the slope of line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 184ce5aa Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that line is defined by . This equation can be written in slope-
intercept form , where is the slope of line and is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line . Adding
to both sides of yields . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the slope of line is
. It’s given that line is perpendicular to line in the xy-plane. Two lines are perpendicular if their slopes are negative
reciprocals, meaning that the slope of the first line is equal to divided by the slope of the second line. Therefore, the
slope of line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of line . The negative reciprocal of is , or . Therefore,
the slope of line is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the slope of a line in the xy-plane that is parallel, not perpendicular, to line .

Choice B is incorrect. This is the reciprocal, not the negative reciprocal, of .

Choice C is incorrect. This is the negative, not the negative reciprocal, of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e2e3942f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: e2e3942f

In the system of equations above, a is a constant. If the system of equations

has no solution, what is the value of a ?

A.

B. 0

C. 1

D. 2

ID: e2e3942f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations has no solution when the graphs of the equations have the same
slope and different y-coordinates of the y-intercepts. Each of the given equations is written in the slope-intercept form of
a linear equation, , where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the
equation. For these two linear equations, the y-coordinates of the y-intercepts are different: and . Thus, if the
system of equations has no solution, the slopes of the two linear equations must be the same. The slope of the first
linear equation is 2. Therefore, for the system of equations to have no solution, the value of a must be 2.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual and computational errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f03465dc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: f03465dc

For each real number , which of the following points lies on the graph of each equation in the xy-plane for the given
system?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f03465dc Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Dividing both sides of the second equation in the given system by yields , which is the
first equation in the given system. Therefore, the first and second equations represent the same line in the xy-plane. If the
x- and y-coordinates of a point satisfy an equation, the point lies on the graph of the equation in the xy-plane. Choice A is
a point with x-coordinate and y-coordinate . Substituting for and for in the equation
yields . Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of this equation
yields . Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields , so the coordinates of
the point satisfy both equations in the given system. Therefore, for each real number , the point
lies on the graph of each equation in the xy-plane for the given system.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a35c7164
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: a35c7164

In the given pair of equations, and are constants. The graph of this pair of equations in the xy-plane is a pair of
perpendicular lines. Which of the following pairs of equations also represents a pair of perpendicular lines?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a35c7164 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Two lines are perpendicular if their slopes are negative reciprocals, meaning that the slope of the first
line is equal to divided by the slope of the second line. Each equation in the given pair of equations can be written in
slope-intercept form, , where is the slope of the graph of the equation in the xy-plane and is the y-
intercept. For the first equation, , subtracting from both sides gives , and dividing both
sides of this equation by gives . Therefore, the slope of the graph of this equation is . For the
second equation, , subtracting from both sides gives , and dividing both sides of this
equation by gives . Therefore, the slope of the graph of this equation is . Since the graph of the
given pair of equations is a pair of perpendicular lines, the slope of the graph of the second equation, , must be the
negative reciprocal of the slope of the graph of the first equation, . The negative reciprocal of is , or .
Therefore, , or . Similarly, rewriting the equations in choice B in slope-intercept form yields
and . It follows that the slope of the graph of the first equation in choice B is
and the slope of the graph of the second equation in choice B is . Since , is equal to , or
. Since is the negative reciprocal of , the pair of equations in choice B represents a pair of perpendicular lines.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2d54c272
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 2d54c272

At a school fair, students can win colored tokens that are worth a different number of points depending on the color. One
student won green tokens and red tokens worth a total of points. The given equation represents this situation.
How many more points is a red token worth than a green token?

ID: 2d54c272 Answer

Correct Answer: 40

Rationale
The correct answer is . It's given that , where is the number of green tokens and is the number
of red tokens won by one student and these tokens are worth a total of points. Since the equation represents the
situation where the student won points with green tokens and red tokens for a total of points, each term on the left-
hand side of the equation represents the number of points won for one of the colors. Since the coefficient of in the
given equation is , a green token must be worth points. Similarly, since the coefficient of in the given equation is ,
a red token must be worth points. Therefore, a red token is worth points, or points, more than a green
token.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1e11190a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 1e11190a

Store A sells raspberries for per pint and blackberries for per pint. Store B sells raspberries for per
pint and blackberries for per pint. A certain purchase of raspberries and blackberries would cost at Store A
or at Store B. How many pints of blackberries are in this purchase?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1e11190a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that store A sells raspberries for per pint and blackberries for per pint, and a
certain purchase of raspberries and blackberries at store A would cost . It’s also given that store B sells
raspberries for per pint and blackberries for per pint, and this purchase of raspberries and blackberries at
store B would cost . Let represent the number of pints of raspberries and represent the number of pints of
blackberries in this purchase. The equation represents this purchase of raspberries and
blackberries from store A and the equation represents this purchase of raspberries and
blackberries from store B. Solving the system of equations by elimination gives the value of and the value of that
make the system of equations true. Multiplying both sides of the equation for store A by yields
, or . Multiplying both sides of the equation
for store B by yields , or . Subtracting both
sides of the equation for store A, , from the corresponding sides of the equation for store B,
, yields , or . Dividing
both sides of this equationby yields . Thus, pints of blackberries are in
this purchase.

Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is the
number of pints of raspberries, not blackberries, in the purchase.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 03503d49
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 03503d49

A business owner plans to purchase the same model of chair for each of the employees. The total budget to spend on
these chairs is , which includes a sales tax. Which of the following is closest to the maximum possible price
per chair, before sales tax, the business owner could pay based on this budget?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 03503d49 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that a business owner plans to purchase chairs. If is the price per chair, the total price
of purchasing chairs is . It’s also given that sales tax is included, which is equivalent to multiplied by
, or . Since the total budget is , the inequality representing the situation is given by
. Dividing both sides of this inequality by and rounding the result to two decimal places
gives . To not exceed the budget, the maximum possible price per chair is .

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the maximum possible price per chair including sales tax, not the maximum possible price
per chair before sales tax.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the maximum possible price if the sales tax is added to the total budget, not the maximum
possible price per chair before sales tax.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 78391fcc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 78391fcc

f(x) 21 18 15 12

The table above shows some values of x and their corresponding values
for the linear function f. What is the x-intercept of the graph of in the xy-
plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 78391fcc Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The equation of a linear function can be written in the form , where , m is the
slope of the graph of , and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph. The value of m can be found

using the slope formula, . According to the table, the points and lie on the graph of

. Using these two points in the slope formula yields , or . Substituting for m in the slope-
intercept form of the equation yields . The value of b can be found by substituting values from the table and

solving; for example, substituting the coordinates of the point into the equation gives
, which yields . This means the function given by the table can be represented by the
equation . The value of the x-intercept of the graph of can be determined by finding the value of x
when . Substituting into yields , or . This corresponds to the point
.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from substituting the value of the slope for the x-coordinate of the x-intercept.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice D is incorrect and may result from substituting the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept for the x-coordinate of the x-intercept.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b8e73b5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: b8e73b5b

Ken is working this summer as part of a crew on a farm. He earned $8 per hour
for the first 10 hours he worked this week. Because of his performance, his crew
leader raised his salary to $10 per hour for the rest of the week. Ken saves 90%
of his earnings from each week. What is the least number of hours he must work
the rest of the week to save at least $270 for the week?

A. 38

B. 33

C. 22

D. 16

ID: b8e73b5b Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Ken earned $8 per hour for the first 10 hours he worked, so he earned a total of $80 for the first 10
hours he worked. For the rest of the week, Ken was paid at the rate of $10 per hour. Let x be the number of hours he will
work for the rest of the week. The total of Ken’s earnings, in dollars, for the week will be . He saves 90% of his
earnings each week, so this week he will save dollars. The inequality represents the

condition that he will save at least $270 for the week. Factoring 10 out of the expression gives . The
product of 10 and 0.9 is 9, so the inequality can be rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this inequality by 9
yields , so . Therefore, the least number of hours Ken must work the rest of the week to save at least
$270 for the week is 22.

Choices A and B are incorrect because Ken can save $270 by working fewer hours than 38 or 33 for the rest of the week.
Choice D is incorrect. If Ken worked 16 hours for the rest of the week, his total earnings for the week will be
, which is less than $270. Since he saves only 90% of his earnings each week, he would save even
less than $240 for the week.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 830120b0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 830120b0

Which of the following consists of the y-coordinates of all the points that
satisfy the system of inequalities above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 830120b0 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Subtracting the same number from each side of an inequality gives an equivalent inequality. Hence,
subtracting 1 from each side of the inequality gives . So the given system of inequalities is equivalent
to the system of inequalities and , which can be rewritten as . Using the transitive
property of inequalities, it follows that .

Choice A is incorrect because there are points with a y-coordinate less than 6 that satisfy the given system of
inequalities. For example, satisfies both inequalities. Choice C is incorrect. This may result from solving the
inequality for x, then replacing x with y. Choice D is incorrect because this inequality allows y-values that are not

the y-coordinate of any point that satisfies both inequalities. For example, is contained in the set ; however,

if 2 is substituted into the first inequality for y, the result is . This cannot be true because the second inequality

gives .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e86a06fe
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: e86a06fe

Kaylani used fabric measuring yards in length to make each suit for a men's choir. The relationship between the number
of suits that Kaylani made, , and the total length of fabric that she purchased , in yards, is represented by the equation
. What is the best interpretation of in this context?

A. Kaylani made suits.

B. Kaylani purchased a total of yards of fabric.

C. Kaylani used a total of yards of fabric to make the suits.

D. Kaylani purchased yards more fabric than she used to make the suits.

ID: e86a06fe Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the equation represents the relationship between the number of suits that
Kaylani made, , and the total length of fabric she purchased, , in yards. Adding to both sides of the given equation
yields . Since Kaylani made suits and used yards of fabric to make each suit, the expression
represents the total amount of fabric she used to make the suits. Since represents the total length of fabric Kaylani
purchased, in yards, it follows from the equation that Kaylani purchased yards of fabric to make the
suits, plus an additional yards of fabric. Therefore, the best interpretation of in this context is that Kaylani purchased
yards more fabric than she used to make the suits.

Choice A is incorrect. Kaylani made a total of suits, not suits.

Choice B is incorrect. Kaylani purchased a total of yards of fabric, not a total of yards of fabric.

Choice C is incorrect. Kaylani used a total of yards of fabric to make the suits, not a total of yards of fabric.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c4ea43ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: c4ea43ef

To earn money for college, Avery works two part-time jobs: A and B. She earns
$10 per hour working at job A and $20 per hour working at job B. In one week,
Avery earned a total of s dollars for working at the two part-time jobs. The graph
above represents all possible combinations of numbers of hours Avery could
have worked at the two jobs to earn s dollars. What is the value of s ?

A. 128

B. 160

C. 200

D. 320

ID: c4ea43ef Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Avery earns $10 per hour working at job A. Therefore, if she works a hours at job A, she will earn
dollars. Avery earns $20 per hour working at job B. Therefore, if she works b hours at job B, she will earn dollars. The
graph shown represents all possible combinations of the number of hours Avery could have worked at the two jobs to
earn s dollars. Therefore, if she worked a hours at job A, worked b hours at job B, and earned s dollars from both jobs, the
following equation represents the graph: , where s is a constant. Identifying any point from the
graph and substituting the values of the coordinates for a and b, respectively, in this equation yield the value of s. For
example, the point , where and , lies on the graph. Substituting 16 for a and 0 for b in the equation
yields , or . Similarly, the point , where and , lies on the
graph. Substituting 0 for a and 8 for b in the equation yields , or .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. If the value of s is 128, 200, or 320, then no points on the graph will satisfy this
equation. For example, if the value of s is 128 (choice A), then the equation becomes .
The point , where and , lies on the graph. However, substituting 16 for a and 0 for b in
yields , or , which is false. Therefore, doesn’t satisfy the equation, and so the
value of s can’t be 128. Similarly, if (choice C) or (choice D), then substituting 16 for a and 0 for b yields
and , respectively, which are both false.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 59352689
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 59352689

In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?

ID: 59352689 Answer

Correct Answer: 3.5, 7/2

Rationale
The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines
represented by the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. Two lines represented by equations in standard
form , where , , and are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for and in one equation are
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation. The first equation in the given system,
, can be written in standard form by adding to both sides of the equation, which yields
, or . Multiplying each term in this equation by yields . The
second equation in the given system, , can be written in standard form by subtracting and
from both sides of the equation, which yields . Multiplying each term in this equation by yields
. The coefficient of in the first equation, , is equal to the coefficient of in the second
equation, . For the lines to be parallel, and for the coefficients for and in one equation to be
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation, the coefficient of in the second equation must also
be equal to the coefficient of in the first equation. Therefore, . Dividing both sides of this equation by
yields , or . Therefore, if the given system of equations has no solution, the value of is . Note that 7/2
and 3.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 14360f84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 14360f84

In the given system of equations, is a constant. If the system has no solution, what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 14360f84 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines represented by
the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. The graphs of two lines in the xy-plane represented by equations in
the form , where , , and are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for and in one equation are
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation. The first equation in the given system can be written
in the form by subtracting from both sides of the equation to yield . The second
equation in the given system can be written in the form by subtracting from both sides of the
equation to yield . The coefficient of in this second equation, , is times the coefficient of in the
first equation, . For the lines to be parallel, the coefficient of in the second equation, , must also be times the
coefficient of in the first equation, . Thus, , or . Therefore, if the given system has no
solution, the value of is .

Choice A is incorrect. If the value of is , then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.

Choice B is incorrect. If the value of is , then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.

Choice C is incorrect. If the value of is , then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0393ba15
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 0393ba15

How many solutions does the given equation have?

A. Zero

B. Exactly one

C. Exactly two

D. Infinitely many

ID: 0393ba15 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Adding to each side of the given equation yields . Dividing each side of this equation by
yields . This means that is the only solution to the given equation. Therefore, the given equation has exactly
one solution.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a71b1bc1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: a71b1bc1

A piece of wire with a length of inches is cut into two parts. One part has a length of inches, and the other part has a
length of inches. The value of is more than times the value of . What is the value of ?

ID: a71b1bc1 Answer

Correct Answer: 25

Rationale
The correct answer is . It’s given that a piece of wire has a length of inches and is cut into two parts. It’s also given
that one part has a length of inches and the other part has a length of inches. It follows that the equation
represents this situation. It’s also given that the value of is more than times the value of , or
. Substituting for in the equation yields . Combining like terms on
the left-hand side of this equation yields . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .
Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Substituting for in the equation yields
, or . Therefore, the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cb58833c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: cb58833c

The line with the equation is graphed in the xy‑plane. What is the
x-coordinate of the x‑intercept of the line?

ID: cb58833c Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 1.25. The y-coordinate of the x-intercept is 0, so 0 can be substituted for y, giving .

This simplifies to . Multiplying both sides of by 5 gives . Dividing both sides of by 4 gives

, which is equivalent to 1.25. Note that 1.25 and 5/4 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 567ac7ab
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 567ac7ab

One of the two equations in a linear system is . The system has no

solution. Which of the following could be the other equation in the system?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 567ac7ab Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations written in standard form has no solution when the equations are
distinct and the ratio of the x-coefficient to the y-coefficient for one equation is equivalent to the ratio of the x-coefficient
to the y-coefficient for the other equation. This ratio for the given equation is 2 to 6, or 1 to 3. Only choice B is an equation
that isn’t equivalent to the given equation and whose ratio of the x-coefficient to the y-coefficient is 1 to 3.

Choice A is incorrect. Multiplying each of the terms in this equation by 2 yields an equation that is equivalent to the given
equation. This system would have infinitely many solutions. Choices C and D are incorrect. The ratio of the x-coefficient
to the y-coefficient in (choice C) is to 2, or to 1. This ratio in (choice D) is 6 to 2, or 3
to 1. Since neither of these ratios is equivalent to that for the given equation, these systems would have exactly one
solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9d0396d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9d0396d4

The point with coordinates lies on the line shown. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9d0396d4 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given from the graph that the points and lie on the line. For two points on a line,
and , the slope of the line can be calculated using the slope formula . Substituting
for and for in this formula, the slope of the line can be calculated as , or . It's
also given that the point lies on the line. Substituting for , for , and for in the
slope formula yields , or . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields
. Expanding the left-hand side of this equation yields . Adding to both sides of this
equation yields . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Thus, the value of is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of when .

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a04050d8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: a04050d8

The table above gives the typical amounts of energy per gram, expressed in both
food calories and kilojoules, of the three macronutrients in food. If the 180 food
calories in a granola bar come entirely from p grams of protein, f grams of fat,
and c grams of carbohydrate, which of the following expresses f in terms of p
and c ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a04050d8 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It is given that there are 4.0 food calories per gram of protein, 9.0 food calories per gram of fat, and
4.0 food calories per gram of carbohydrate. If 180 food calories in a granola bar came from p grams of protein, f grams
of fat, and c grams of carbohydrate, then the situation can be represented by the equation . The
equation can then be rewritten in terms of f by subtracting 4p and 4c from both sides of the equation and then dividing

both sides of the equation by 9. The result is the equation .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of not representing the situation with the correct equation or
incorrectly rewriting the equation in terms of f.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID daad7c32
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: daad7c32

An object hangs from a spring. The formula relates the length , in

centimeters, of the spring to the weight w, in newtons, of the object. Which of the
following describes the meaning of the 2 in this context?

A. The length, in centimeters, of the spring with no weight attached

B. The weight, in newtons, of an object that will stretch the spring 30 centimeters

C. The increase in the weight, in newtons, of the object for each one-centimeter increase in the length of the spring

D. The increase in the length, in centimeters, of the spring for each one-newton increase in the weight of the object

ID: daad7c32 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The value 2 is multiplied by w, the weight of the object. When the weight is 0, the length is 30 + 2(0) =
30 centimeters. If the weight increases by w newtons, the length increases by 2w centimeters, or 2 centimeters for each
one-newton increase in weight.

Choice A is incorrect because this describes the value 30. Choice B is incorrect because 30 represents the length of the
spring before it has been stretched. Choice C is incorrect because this describes the value w.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3f8a701b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 3f8a701b

The equation , where a and b are constants, has no solutions.

Which of the following must be true? I. II. III.

A. None

B. I only

C. I and II only

D. I and III only

ID: 3f8a701b Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. For a linear equation in a form to have no solutions, the x-terms must have equal
coefficients and the remaining terms must not be equal. Expanding the right-hand side of the given equation yields
. Inspecting the x-terms, 9 must equal a, so statement I must be true. Inspecting the remaining terms, 5

can’t equal . Dividing both of these quantities by 9 yields that b can’t equal . Therefore, statement III must be true.

Since b can have any value other than , statement II may or may not be true.

Choice A is incorrect. For the given equation to have no solution, both and must be true. Choice B is

incorrect because it must also be true that . Choice C is incorrect because when , there are many values of b
that lead to an equation having no solution. That is, b might be 5, but b isn’t required to be 5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3a84f885
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 3a84f885

The solution to the given system of equations is . What is the value of ?

ID: 3a84f885 Answer

Correct Answer: 1677

Rationale
The correct answer is . Adding the first equation to the second equation in the given system yields
, or . Multiplying both sides of this
equation by yields . Therefore, the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 023c0a8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 023c0a8d

For the function f, if for all values of x,

what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C. 0

D. 2

ID: 023c0a8d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that for all values of x. If , then will equal . Dividing both
sides of by 3 gives . Therefore, substituting 2 for x in the given equation yields , which can
be rewritten as .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of the constant in the given equation for f. Choice C is incorrect and may result
from substituting , rather than , into the given equation. Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of x that yields
for the left-hand side of the given equation; it’s not the value of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 75012ee7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 75012ee7

For each real number , which of the following points lies on the graph of each equation in the xy-plane for the given
system?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 75012ee7 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The two given equations are equivalent because the second equation can be obtained from the first
equation by multiplying each side of the equation by . Thus, the graphs of the equations are coincident, so if a point lies
on the graph of one of the equations, it also lies on the graph of the other equation. A point lies on the graph of an
equation in the xy-plane if and only if this point represents a solution to the equation. It is sufficient, therefore, to find the
point that represents a solution to the first given equation. Substituting the x- and y-coordinates of choice B,
and , for and , respectively, in the first equation yields , which is equivalent to
, or . Therefore, the point represents a solution to the first equation and thus
lies on the graph of each equation in the xy-plane for the given system.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a7a14e87
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: a7a14e87

In the xy-plane, line k is defined by . Line j is perpendicular to line k, and

the y-intercept of line j is . Which of the following is an equation of line j ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a7a14e87 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that line j is perpendicular to line k and that line k is defined by the equation . This
equation can be rewritten in slope-intercept form, , where m represents the slope of the line and b
represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line, by subtracting x from both sides of the equation, which yields
. Thus, the slope of line k is . Since line j and line k are perpendicular, their slopes are opposite reciprocals of
each other. Thus, the slope of line j is 1. It’s given that the y-intercept of line j is . Therefore, the equation for line j in
slope-intercept form is , which can be rewritten as .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5e08a055
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 5e08a055

One of the equations in a system of two linear equations is given. The system has no solution. Which equation could be
the second equation in the system?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5e08a055 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, and , has no solution if the lines represented by
the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct. Lines represented by equations in standard form,
and , are parallel if the coefficients for and in one equation are proportional to the corresponding
coefficients in the other equation, meaning ; and the lines are distinct if the constants are not proportional,
meaning is not equal to or . The given equation, , can be written in standard form by subtracting
from both sides of the equation to yield . Therefore, the given equation can be written in the form
, where , , and . The equation in choice B, , is written in the form
, where , , and . Therefore, , which can be rewritten as ;
, which can be rewritten as ; and , which can be rewritten as . Since , ,
and is not equal to , it follows that the given equation and the equation are parallel and distinct.
Therefore, a system of two linear equations consisting of the given equation and the equation has no
solution. Thus, the equation in choice B could be the second equation in the system.

Choice A is incorrect. The equation and the given equation represent the same line in the xy-plane.
Therefore, a system of these linear equations would have infinitely many solutions, rather than no solution.

Choice C is incorrect. The equation and the given equation represent lines in the xy-plane that are
distinct and not parallel. Therefore, a system of these linear equations would have exactly one solution, rather than no
solution.

Choice D is incorrect. The equation and the given equation represent lines in the xy-plane that are
distinct and not parallel. Therefore, a system of these linear equations would have exactly one solution, rather than no
solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9f70fd47
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9f70fd47

What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: 9f70fd47 Answer

Correct Answer: 189/5, 37.8

Rationale
The correct answer is . A y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is a point where the graph intersects the y-axis, which
is a point with an x-coordinate of . Substituting for in the given equation yields , or
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Multiplying both sides of this
equation by yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the y-coordinate of
the y-intercept of the graph of the given equation in the xy-plane is . Note that 189/5 and 37.8 are examples of ways
to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a1fd2304
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: a1fd2304

How many liters of a 25% saline solution must be added to 3 liters of a 10%
saline solution to obtain a 15% saline solution?

ID: a1fd2304 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 1.5. The total amount, in liters, of a saline solution can be expressed as the liters of each type of
saline solution multiplied by the percent concentration of the saline solution. This gives , , and
, where x is the amount, in liters, of 25% saline solution and 10%, 15%, and 25% are represented as 0.10,

0.15, and 0.25, respectively. Thus, the equation must be true. Multiplying 3 by 0.10 and
distributing 0.15 to yields . Subtracting 0.15x and 0.30 from each side of the
equation gives . Dividing each side of the equation by 0.10 yields . Note that 1.5 and 3/2 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 628300a9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 628300a9

A science teacher is preparing the 5 stations of a science laboratory. Each

station will have either Experiment A materials or Experiment B materials, but
not both. Experiment A requires 6 teaspoons of salt, and Experiment B requires
4 teaspoons of salt. If x is the number of stations that will be set up for
Experiment A and the remaining stations will be set up for Experiment B, which
of the following expressions represents the total number of teaspoons of salt
required?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 628300a9 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is given that x represents the number of stations that will be set up for Experiment A and that there
will be 5 stations total, so it follows that 5 – x is the number of stations that will be set up for Experiment B. It is also
given that Experiment A requires 6 teaspoons of salt and that Experiment B requires 4 teaspoons of salt, so the total
number of teaspoons of salt required is 6x + 4(5 – x), which simplifies to 2x + 20.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of not understanding the description of the context.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5b7599a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 5b7599a6

The graph shows a linear relationship between and . Which equation represents this relationship, where is a
positive constant?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5b7599a6 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The equation representing the linear relationship shown can be written in slope-intercept form
, where is the slope and is the y-intercept of the line. The line shown passes through the points
and . Given two points on a line, and , the slope of the line can be calculated using the
equation . Substituting and for and , respectively, in this equation yields
, which is equivalent to , or . Since is the y-intercept, it follows that .
Substituting for and for in the equation yields . Adding to both sides of this
equation yields . Multiplying this equation by yields . It follows that the equation
, where is a positive constant, represents this relationship.

Choice A is incorrect. The graph of this relationship passes through the point , not .

Choice B is incorrect. The graph of this relationship passes through the point , not .

Choice D is incorrect. The graph of this relationship passes through the point , not .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bbf9e5ce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: bbf9e5ce

For groups of or more people, a museum charges per person for the first people and for each additional
person. Which function gives the total charge, in dollars, for a tour group with people, where ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: bbf9e5ce Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. A tour group with people, where , can be split into two subgroups: the first people and
the additional people. Since the museum charges per person for the first people and for each
additional person, the charge for the first people is and the charge for the additional people is
. Therefore, the total charge, in dollars, is given by the function , or
.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 27f5fff3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 27f5fff3

If a new graph of three linear equations is created using the system of equations shown and the equation
, how many solutions will the resulting system of three equations have?

A. Zero

B. Exactly one

C. Exactly two

D. Infinitely many

ID: 27f5fff3 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. A solution to a system of equations must satisfy each equation in the system. It follows that if an
ordered pair is a solution to the system, the point lies on the graph in the xy-plane of each equation in the
system. The only point that lies on each graph of the system of two linear equations shown is their intersection point
. It follows that if a new graph of three linear equations is created using the system of equations shown and the
graph of , this system has either zero solutions or one solution, the point . Substituting for and
for in the equation yields , or . Since this equation is not true, the point
does not lie on the graph of . Therefore, is not a solution to the system of three equations. It
follows that there are zero solutions to this system.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 49800634
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 49800634

The table shows two values of and their corresponding values of . In the xy-plane, the graph of the linear equation
representing this relationship passes through the point . What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 49800634 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The linear relationship between and can be represented by the equation , where
is the slope of the graph of this equation in the xy-plane and is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The slope of a line
between any two points and on the line can be calculated using the slope formula . Based
on the table, the graph contains the points and . Substituting and for
and , respectively, in the slope formula yields , which is equivalent to , or .
Substituting for , for , and for in the equation yields , or
. Adding to both sides of this equation yields . Therefore, and . Substituting
for and for in the equation yields . Thus, the equation represents the
linear relationship between and . It's also given that the graph of the linear equation representing this relationship in
the xy-plane passes through the point . Substituting for and for in the equation yields
, which is equivalent to , or .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 73b3b7d8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two linear

equations in two
variables

ID: 73b3b7d8

The solution to the given system of equations is . What is the value of ?

ID: 73b3b7d8 Answer

Correct Answer: 20

Rationale
The correct answer is . Adding the first equation to the second equation in the given system yields
, or . Adding to both sides of this equation yields .
Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Therefore, the value of is .

Question Difficulty: Hard