Question ID a5663025

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: a5663025

A system of equations consists of a quadratic equation and a linear equation. The

equations in this system are graphed in the xy-plane above. How many solutions
does this system have?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

ID: a5663025 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The solutions to a system of two equations correspond to points where the graphs of the
equations intersect. The given graphs intersect at 2 points; therefore, the system has 2 solutions.

Choice A is incorrect because the graphs intersect. Choice B is incorrect because the graphs intersect more than
once. Choice D is incorrect. It’s not possible for the graph of a quadratic equation and the graph of a linear equation
to intersect more than twice.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3c95093c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3c95093c

Which of the following inequalities is equivalent

to the inequality above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3c95093c Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Both sides of the given inequality can be divided by 3 to yield .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they are not equivalent to (do not have the same solution set as) the given
inequality. For example, the ordered pair is a solution to the given inequality, but it is not a solution to any

of the inequalities in choices A, C, or D.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID d0a7871e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: d0a7871e

If is a solution to the system of equations above, which of the

following could be the value of x ?

A. –1

B. 0

C. 2

D. 3

ID: d0a7871e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

2
Choice A is correct. It is given that y = x + 1 and y = x + x. Setting the values for y equal to each other yields x + 1 =
2 2
x + x. Subtracting x from each side of this equation yields x = 1. Therefore, x can equal 1 or –1. Of these, only –1 is
given as a choice.

2 2
Choice B is incorrect. If x = 0, then x + 1 = 1, but x + x = 0 + 0 = 0 ≠︀1. Choice C is incorrect. If x = 2, then x + 1 = 3, but
2 2 2 2
x + x = 2 + 2 = 6 ≠︀3. Choice D is incorrect. If x = 3, then x + 1 = 4, but x + x = 3 + 3 = 12 ≠︀4.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7f81d0c3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 7f81d0c3

What values satisfy the

equation above?

A. and

B. and

C. and

D. and

ID: 7f81d0c3 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Using the quadratic formula to solve the given expression yields

. Therefore, and satisfy the given

equation.

Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from incorrectly factoring or incorrectly applying the quadratic
formula. Choice D is incorrect and may result from a sign error.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1e003284
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 1e003284

The graphs of the given equations intersect at the point in the xy-plane. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1e003284 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that the graphs of the given equations intersect at the point 𝑥, 𝑦 in the xy-plane. It
follows that 𝑥, 𝑦 represents a solution to the system consisting of the given equations. The first equation given is
𝑥 = 49. Substituting 49 for 𝑥 in the second equation given, 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 9, yields 𝑦 = √49 + 9, which is equivalent to
𝑦 = 7 + 9, or 𝑦 = 16. It follows that the graphs of the given equations intersect at the point 49, 16. Therefore, the value
of 𝑦 is 16.

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: Easy

Question ID 3a9d60b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3a9d60b2

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

ID: 3a9d60b2 Answer

Correct Answer: 9

Rationale

The correct answer is 9. The given equation can be rewritten as 54 - 𝑥 = 25. Dividing each side of this equation by 5
yields 4 - 𝑥 = 5. By the definition of absolute value, if 4 - 𝑥 = 5, then 4 - 𝑥 = 5 or 4 - 𝑥 = - 5. Subtracting 4 from each
side of the equation 4 - 𝑥 = 5 yields -𝑥 = 1. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 𝑥 = - 1. Similarly,
subtracting 4 from each side of the equation 4 - 𝑥 = - 5 yields -𝑥 = - 9. Dividing each side of this equation by -1
yields 𝑥 = 9. Therefore, since the two solutions to the given equation are -1 and 9, the positive solution to the given
equation is 9.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ba0edc30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ba0edc30

One solution to the given equation can be written as , where is a constant. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ba0edc30 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Adding 9 to each side of the given equation yields 𝑥2 - 2𝑥 = 9. To complete the square, adding 1 to
2
each side of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 2𝑥 + 1 = 9 + 1, or 𝑥 - 1 = 10. Taking the square root of each side of this equation
yields 𝑥 - 1 = ± √10 . Adding 1 to each side of this equation yields 𝑥 = 1 ± √10 . Since it's given that one of the
solutions to the equation can be written as 1 + √𝑘 , the value of 𝑘 must be 10.

Alternate approach: It's given that 1 + √𝑘 is a solution to the given equation. It follows that 𝑥 = 1 + √𝑘 . Substituting
2
1 + √𝑘 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 1 + √𝑘 - 21 + √𝑘 - 9 = 0, or 1 + √𝑘 1 + √𝑘 - 21 + √𝑘 - 9 = 0. Expanding the
products on the left-hand side of this equation yields 1 + 2√𝑘 + 𝑘 - 2 - 2√𝑘 - 9 = 0, or 𝑘 - 10 = 0. Adding 10 to each side
of this equation yields 𝑘 = 10.

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 fc3d783a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fc3d783a

In the -plane, a line with equation intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the parabola has equation
, where is a positive constant, what is the value of ?

ID: fc3d783a Answer

Correct Answer: 6

Rationale

The correct answer is 6. It’s given that a line with equation 2𝑦 = 4 . 5 intersects a parabola with equation
𝑦 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥, where 𝑏 is a positive constant, at exactly one point in the xy-plane. It follows that the system of
equations consisting of 2𝑦 = 4 . 5 and 𝑦 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 has exactly one solution. Dividing both sides of the equation of
the line by 2 yields 𝑦 = 2 . 25. Substituting 2.25 for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields 2 . 25 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥. Adding
4𝑥2 and subtracting 𝑏𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 4𝑥2 - 𝑏𝑥 + 2 . 25 = 0. A quadratic equation in the form of
2
𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to
2
zero. Substituting 4 for 𝑎 and 2.25 for 𝑐 in the expression 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 and setting this expression equal to 0 yields
2 2 2
𝑏 - 4 ( 4 ) ( 2 . 25 ) = 0, or 𝑏 - 36 = 0. Adding 36 to each side of this equation yields 𝑏 = 36. Taking the square root of
each side of this equation yields 𝑏 = ± 6. It’s given that 𝑏 is positive, so the value of 𝑏 is 6.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4661e2a9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 4661e2a9

Which ordered pair is a solution to the

system of equations above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4661e2a9 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The solution to the given system of equations can be found by solving the first equation for x,
which gives , and substituting that value of x into the second equation which gives .

Rewriting this equation by adding like terms and expanding gives . Subtracting from

both sides of this equation gives . Adding to 2 to both sides of this equation gives . Therefore, it
follows that . Substituting for y in the first equation yields . Adding to both sides of

this equation yields . Therefore, the ordered pair is a solution to the given system of
equations.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the first equation yields , or

, which isn’t a true statement. Choice C is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the second equation

yields , or , which isn’t a true statement. Choice D is incorrect.

Substituting for x and for y in the second equation yields , or

, which isn’t a true statement.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ad03127d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ad03127d

The given equation relates the variables , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ad03127d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Subtracting 𝑡 from both sides of the given equation yields 6𝑟 - 𝑡 = 7𝑠. Dividing both sides of this
6𝑟 - 𝑡 6𝑟 - 𝑡
equation by 7 yields = 𝑠. Therefore, the equation 𝑠 = correctly expresses 𝑠 in terms of 𝑟 and 𝑡.
7 7

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: Easy

Question ID f65288e8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f65288e8

If x is a solution to the given equation, which of the

following is a possible value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f65288e8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The given equation can be rewritten as . Multiplying both sides of this equation by

yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields . Taking the square root of

both sides of this equation yields or . Therefore, a possible value of is .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f2f3fa00
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f2f3fa00

During a 5-second time interval, the average acceleration a, in meters per second
squared, of an object with an initial velocity of 12 meters per second is defined by

the equation , where vf is the final velocity of the object in

meters per second. If the equation is rewritten in the form vf = xa + y, where x and
y are constants, what is the value of x ?

ID: f2f3fa00 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. The given equation can be rewritten in the form , like so:

It follows that the value of x is 5 and the value of y is 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 84e5e36c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 84e5e36c

The graphs of the given equations in the xy-plane intersect at the point . What is a possible value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 84e5e36c Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Since the point 𝑥, 𝑦 is an intersection point of the graphs of the given equations in the xy-plane,
the pair 𝑥, 𝑦 should satisfy both equations, and thus is a solution of the given system. According to the first equation,
𝑦 = 76. Substituting 76 in place of 𝑦 in the second equation yields 𝑥2 - 5 = 76. Adding 5 to both sides of this equation
yields 𝑥2 = 81. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields two solutions: 𝑥 = 9 and 𝑥 = - 9. Of these
two solutions, only -9 is given as a choice.

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. This is the value of coordinate 𝑦, rather than 𝑥, of the intersection point 𝑥, 𝑦.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID ff2c1431
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ff2c1431

The given equation relates the positive numbers , , and . Which equation correctly gives in terms of and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ff2c1431 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given that the equation 7𝑚 = 5𝑛 + 𝑝 relates the positive numbers 𝑚, 𝑛, and 𝑝. Dividing both
7𝑚 7𝑚
sides of the given equation by 5 yields = 𝑛 + 𝑝. Subtracting 𝑝 from both sides of this equation yields - 𝑝 = 𝑛, or
5 5
7𝑚 7𝑚
𝑛= - 𝑝. It follows that the equation 𝑛 = - 𝑝 correctly gives 𝑛 in terms of 𝑚 and 𝑝.
5 5

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: Medium

Question ID 6ce95fc8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 6ce95fc8

Which of the following is a solution to

the equation above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6ce95fc8 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. A quadratic equation in the form , where a, b, and c are constants, can be

solved using the quadratic formula: . Subtracting from both sides of the given equation

yields . Applying the quadratic formula, where , , and , yields

. This can be rewritten as . Since , or , the

equation can be rewritten as . Dividing 2 from both the numerator and denominator yields

or . Of these two solutions, only is present among the choices. Thus, the correct choice is D.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from a computational or conceptual error. Choice B is incorrect and may result

from using instead of as the quadratic formula. Choice C is incorrect

and may result from rewriting as instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f5aa5040
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f5aa5040

In the xy-plane, a line with equation for some constant intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the parabola
has equation , what is the value of ?

ID: f5aa5040 Answer

Correct Answer: 20.25, 81/4

Rationale

81 𝑐
The correct answer is . The given linear equation is 2𝑦 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = .
4 2
𝑐 𝑐
Substituting for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields = - 2𝑥2 + 9𝑥. Adding 2𝑥2 and -9𝑥 to both sides of this
2 2
𝑐
equation yields 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0. Since it’s given that the line and the parabola intersect at exactly one point, the
2
𝑐
equation 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0 must have exactly one solution. An equation of the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶
2
𝑐
are constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶, is equal to 0. In the equation 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0,
2
𝑐 2 𝑐 2 𝑐
where 𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = - 9, and 𝐶 = , the discriminant is -9 - 42 . Setting the discriminant equal to 0 yields -9 - 42 = 0,
2 2 2
or 81 - 4𝑐 = 0. Adding 4𝑐 to both sides of this equation yields 81 = 4𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields
81
𝑐= . Note that 81/4 and 20.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
4

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4ca30186
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 4ca30186

The graph of a system of a linear equation and a nonlinear equation is shown. What is the solution to this system?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4ca30186 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The solution to the system of two equations corresponds to the point where the graphs of the
equations intersect. The graphs of the linear equation and the nonlinear equation shown intersect at the point 2, 4.
Thus, the solution to the system is 2, 4.

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: Easy

Question ID 911383f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 911383f2

What is the product of the solutions to

the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 911383f2 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. By the zero-product property, if , then , , or .

Solving each of these equations for yields , , or . The product of these solutions is

Choice A is incorrect and may result from sign errors made when solving the given equation. Choice B is incorrect
and may result from finding the sum, not the product, of the solutions. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
finding the sum, not the product, of the solutions in addition to making sign errors when solving the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID b80d10d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b80d10d7

What is the solution to the

equation above?

A. 0

B. 2

C. 3

D. 5

ID: b80d10d7 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Since is equivalent to 1, the right-hand side of the given equation can be rewritten as

, or . Since the left- and right-hand sides of the equation have the same
denominator, it follows that . Applying the distributive property of multiplication to the expression

yields , or . Therefore, . Subtracting x and 2 from both sides of this equation

yields .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. If , then . This can be rewritten as , which is a

false statement. Therefore, 0 isn’t a solution to the given equation. Substituting 3 and 5 into the given equation
yields similarly false statements.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d0a53ef5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: d0a53ef5

What is the smallest solution to the given equation?

ID: d0a53ef5 Answer

Correct Answer: -3

Rationale

2
The correct answer is -3. Squaring both sides of the given equation yields 𝑥 - 2 = 3𝑥 + 34, which can be rewritten as
𝑥2 - 4𝑥 + 4 = 3𝑥 + 34. Subtracting 3𝑥 and 34 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 7𝑥 - 30 = 0. This quadratic
equation can be rewritten as 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 3 = 0. According to the zero product property, 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 3 equals zero when
either 𝑥 - 10 = 0 or 𝑥 + 3 = 0. Solving each of these equations for 𝑥 yields 𝑥 = 10 or 𝑥 = - 3. Therefore, the given
equation has two solutions, 10 and -3. Of these two solutions, -3 is the smallest solution to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fcdf87b7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fcdf87b7

If the ordered pair satisfies the system of equations above,

what is one possible value of x ?

ID: fcdf87b7 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is either 0 or 3. For an ordered pair to satisfy a system of equations, both the x- and y-values of
the ordered pair must satisfy each equation in the system. Both expressions on the right-hand side of the given
equations are equal to y, therefore it follows that both expressions on the right-hand side of the equations are equal
to each other: . This equation can be rewritten as , and then through factoring, the

equation becomes . Because the product of the two factors is equal to 0, it can be concluded that either

or , or rather, or . Note that 0 and 3 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 652054da
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 652054da

An oceanographer uses the equation to model the speed s, in knots, of

an ocean wave, where p represents the period of the wave, in seconds. Which of
the following represents the period of the wave in terms of the speed of the wave?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 652054da Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that p represents the period of the ocean wave, so the equation can be solved

for p to represent the period of the wave in terms of the speed of the wave. Multiplying both sides of the equation by

the reciprocal of will isolate p. This yields , which simplifies to . Therefore, .

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when rearranging the equation to solve for p.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3de7a7d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3de7a7d7

Which of the following is a solution to the

equation ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

ID: 3de7a7d7 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

2 2
Choice B is correct. Subtracting x from both sides of the given equation yields x – 4 = 0. Adding 4 to both sides of
2
the equation gives x = 4. Taking the square root of both sides of the equation gives x = 2 or x = –2. Therefore, x = 2 is
one solution to the original equation.

2 2
Alternative approach: Subtracting x from both sides of the given equation yields x – 4 = 0. Factoring this
2
equation gives x – 4 = (x + 2)(x – 2) = 0, such that x = 2 or x = –2. Therefore, x = 2 is one solution to the original
equation.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of computation errors.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 70f98ab4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 70f98ab4

The given equation relates the positive numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 70f98ab4 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Adding 29𝑟 to each side of the given equation yields 𝑞 = 𝑠 + 29𝑟. Therefore, the equation
𝑞 = 𝑠 + 29𝑟 correctly expresses 𝑞 in terms of 𝑟 and 𝑠.

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: Easy

Question ID 2c05d312
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2c05d312

In the given equation, and are positive constants. The product of the solutions to the given equation is , where is a
constant. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2c05d312 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The left-hand side of the given equation is the expression 57𝑥2 + 57𝑏 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏. Applying the
distributive property to this expression yields 57𝑥2 + 57𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏. Since the first two terms of this expression
have a common factor of 57𝑥 and the last two terms of this expression have a common factor of 𝑎, this expression
can be rewritten as 57𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Since the two terms of this expression have a common factor of 𝑥 + 𝑏, it can be
rewritten as 𝑥 + 𝑏57𝑥 + 𝑎. Therefore, the given equation can be rewritten as 𝑥 + 𝑏57𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0. By the zero product
property, it follows that 𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 or 57𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0. Subtracting 𝑏 from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 yields 𝑥 = - 𝑏.
Subtracting 𝑎 from both sides of the equation 57𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0 yields 57𝑥 = - 𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 57
-𝑎 -𝑎
yields 𝑥 = 57 . Therefore, the solutions to the given equation are -𝑏 and 57 . It follows that the product of the solutions
-𝑎 𝑎𝑏
of the given equation is -𝑏 57 , or 57
. It’s given that the product of the solutions of the given equation is 𝑘𝑎𝑏. It follows
𝑎𝑏 1
that 57
= 𝑘𝑎𝑏, which can also be written as 𝑎𝑏 57 = 𝑎𝑏𝑘. It’s given that 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive constants. Therefore,
1 1 1
dividing both sides of the equation 𝑎𝑏 57 = 𝑎𝑏𝑘 by 𝑎𝑏 yields 57
= 𝑘. Thus, the value of 𝑘 is 57
.

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 1fe32f7d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 1fe32f7d

In the given equation, is a positive integer. The equation has no real solution. What is the greatest possible value of ?

ID: 1fe32f7d Answer

Correct Answer: 51

Rationale

The correct answer is 51. A quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no
real solution if and only if its discriminant, -4𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏2 , is negative. In the given equation, 𝑎 = - 1 and 𝑐 = - 676.
2 2
Substituting -1 for 𝑎 and -676 for 𝑐 in this expression yields a discriminant of 𝑏 - 4-1-676, or 𝑏 - 2,704. Since this
value must be negative, 𝑏2 - 2,704 < 0, or 𝑏2 < 2,704. Taking the positive square root of each side of this inequality
yields 𝑏 < 52. Since 𝑏 is a positive integer, and the greatest integer less than 52 is 51, the greatest possible value of 𝑏
is 51.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 95ed0b69
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 95ed0b69

The given equation relates the distinct positive numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of
and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 95ed0b69 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. To express 4𝑗 + 9 in terms of 𝑝 and 𝑘, the given equation must be solved for 4𝑗 + 9. Since it's
given that 𝑗 is a positive number, 4𝑗 + 9 is not equal to zero. Therefore, multiplying both sides of the given equation
by 4𝑗 + 9 yields the equivalent equation 𝑝4𝑗 + 9 = 𝑘. Since it's given that 𝑝 is a positive number, 𝑝 is not equal to zero.
𝑘
Therefore, dividing each side of the equation 𝑝4𝑗 + 9 = 𝑘 by 𝑝 yields the equivalent equation 4𝑗 + 9 = 𝑝 .

4𝑗 + 9
Choice B is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑝 = 𝑘
.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑝 = 𝑘 - 4𝑗 - 9.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑝 = 𝑘4𝑗 + 9.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c303ad23
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c303ad23

If , what is the value of ?

ID: c303ad23 Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. Dividing each side of the given equation by 3 yields 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 - 5 = 0. Adding 5 to each side of
this equation yields 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 = 5. Therefore, if 3𝑥2 - 18𝑥 - 15 = 0, the value of 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 is 5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6e02cd78
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 6e02cd78

In the xy-plane, what is the y-coordinate of the point of intersection of the

graphs of and ?

ID: 6e02cd78 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 1. The point of intersection of the graphs of the given equations is the solution to the system
of the two equations. Since and , it follows that , or .

Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of this equation yields . Subtracting

from and adding 3 to both sides of this equation yields . Factoring the left-hand side of this equation

yields . By the zero product property, if , it follows that . Adding 2 to both

sides of yields . Substituting 2 for x in either of the given equations yields . For example,

substituting 2 for x in the second given equation yields , or . Therefore, the point of intersection of

the graphs of the given equations is . The y-coordinate of this point is 1.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7bd10ef3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 7bd10ef3

In the equation above, t is a constant. If the equation has no real solutions, which
of the following could be the value of t ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7bd10ef3 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The number of solutions to any quadratic equation in the form , where a, b, and

c are constants, can be found by evaluating the expression , which is called the discriminant. If the value of

is a positive number, then there will be exactly two real solutions to the equation. If the value of is

zero, then there will be exactly one real solution to the equation. Finally, if the value of is negative, then

there will be no real solutions to the equation.

The given equation is a quadratic equation in one variable, where t is a constant. Subtracting t from

both sides of the equation gives . In this form, , , and . The values of t for which

the equation has no real solutions are the same values of t for which the discriminant of this equation is a negative
value. The discriminant is equal to ; therefore, . Simplifying the left side of the

inequality gives . Subtracting 16 from both sides of the inequality and then dividing both sides by 8 gives

. Of the values given in the options, is the only value that is less than . Therefore, choice A must be the

correct answer.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from a misconception about how to use the discriminant to
determine the number of solutions of a quadratic equation in one variable.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 11ccf3e1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 11ccf3e1

The given equation relates the numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 11ccf3e1 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Subtracting 14𝑗 from each side of the given equation results in 5𝑘 = 𝑚 - 14𝑗. Dividing each side of
𝑚 - 14𝑗
this equation by 5 results in 𝑘 = .
5

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: Medium

Question ID 03ff48d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 03ff48d2

In the given equation, is an integer constant. If the equation has no real solution, what is the least possible value of ?

ID: 03ff48d2 Answer

Correct Answer: 50

Rationale

The correct answer is 50. An equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no real
solutions if and only if its discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is negative. Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side
of the equation 𝑥𝑘𝑥 - 56 = - 16 yields 𝑘𝑥2 - 56𝑥 = - 16. Adding 16 to each side of this equation yields 𝑘𝑥2 - 56𝑥 + 16 = 0.
2
Substituting 𝑘 for 𝑎, -56 for 𝑏, and 16 for 𝑐 in 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields a discriminant of -56 - 4𝑘16, or 3,136 - 64𝑘. If the given
equation has no real solution, it follows that the value of 3,136 - 64𝑘 must be negative. Therefore, 3,136 - 64𝑘 < 0.
Adding 64𝑘 to both sides of this inequality yields 3,136 < 64𝑘. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 64 yields
49 < 𝑘, or 𝑘 > 49. Since it's given that 𝑘 is an integer, the least possible value of 𝑘 is 50.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 13e57f0a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 13e57f0a

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 13e57f0a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Multiplying each side of the given equation by -16 yields 64𝑥2 + 112𝑥 = 576. To complete the
square, adding 49 to each side of this equation yields 64𝑥2 + 112𝑥 + 49 = 576 + 49, or 8𝑥 + 72 = 625. Taking the square
root of each side of this equation yields two equations: 8𝑥 + 7 = 25 and 8𝑥 + 7 = - 25. Subtracting 7 from each side of
18 9 9
the equation 8𝑥 + 7 = 25 yields 8𝑥 = 18. Dividing each side of this equation by 8 yields 𝑥 = , or 𝑥 = . Therefore, is
8 4 4
a solution to the given equation. Subtracting 7 from each side of the equation 8𝑥 + 7 = - 25 yields 8𝑥 = - 32. Dividing
9 9
each side of this equation by 8 yields 𝑥 = - 4. Therefore, the given equation has two solutions, and -4. Since is
4 4
9
positive, it follows that 4
is the positive solution to the given equation.

Alternate approach: Adding 4𝑥2 and 7𝑥 to each side of the given equation yields 0 = 4𝑥2 + 7𝑥 - 36. The right-hand
side of this equation can be rewritten as 4𝑥2 + 16𝑥 - 9𝑥 - 36. Factoring out the common factor of 4𝑥 from the first two
terms of this expression and the common factor of -9 from the second two terms yields 4𝑥𝑥 + 4 - 9𝑥 + 4. Factoring
out the common factor of 𝑥 + 4 from these two terms yields the expression 4𝑥 - 9𝑥 + 4. Since this expression is equal
to 0, it follows that either 4𝑥 - 9 = 0 or 𝑥 + 4 = 0. Adding 9 to each side of the equation 4𝑥 - 9 = 0 yields 4𝑥 = 9.
9 9
Dividing each side of this equation by 4 yields 𝑥 = 4 . Therefore, 4 is a positive solution to the given equation.
Subtracting 4 from each side of the equation 𝑥 + 4 = 0 yields 𝑥 = - 4. Therefore, the given equation has two solutions,
9 9 9
4
and -4. Since 4 is positive, it follows that 4 is the positive solution to the given equation.

7 49
Choice A is incorrect. Substituting for 𝑥 in the given equation yields - = - 36, which is false.
4 2

Choice C is incorrect. Substituting 4 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields -92 = - 36, which is false.

Choice D is incorrect. Substituting 7 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields -245 = - 36, which is false.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 17d0e87d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 17d0e87d

The given equation relates the distinct positive real numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of
and ?

A.

B.

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 17d0e87d Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

14𝑥 2√𝑤 + 19 𝑥
Choice C is correct. Dividing each side of the given equation by 2 yields = , or = √𝑤 + 19 . Because it's
14𝑦 2 𝑦
given that each of the variables is positive, squaring each side of this equation yields the equivalent equation
𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2
𝑦
= 𝑤 + 19. Subtracting 19 from each side of this equation yields 𝑦
- 19 = 𝑤, or 𝑤 = 𝑦
- 19.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation isn't equivalent to the given equation.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation isn't equivalent to the given equation.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation isn't equivalent to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 802549ac
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 802549ac

Which of the following is a solution to

the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 802549ac Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Applying the distributive property on the left- and right-hand sides of the given equation yields
, or . Subtracting from and adding to both

sides of this equation yields . Subtracting 6 from both sides of this equation and then dividing both
sides by 10 yields .

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Substituting 0, , or for x in the given equation will result in a false

statement. If , the given equation becomes ; if , the given equation becomes ; and if

, the given equation becomes . Therefore, the values 0, , and aren’t solutions to the given

equation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a4f61d75
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: a4f61d75

In the equation above, a is a constant and . If the equation has two integer
solutions, what is a possible value of a ?

ID: a4f61d75 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is either 7, 8, or 13. Since the given equation has two integer solutions, the expression on the left-
hand side of this equation can be factored as , where c and d are also integers. The product of c and d

must equal the constant term of the original quadratic expression, which is 12. Additionally, the sum of c and d must
be a negative number since it’s given that , but the sign preceding a in the given equation is negative. The

possible pairs of values for c and d that satisfy both of these conditions are and , and , and and

. Since the value of is the sum of c and d, the possible values of are , ,

and . It follows that the possible values of a are 7, 8, and 13. Note that 7, 8, and 13 are examples of

ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 66bce0c1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 66bce0c1

What is the solution set of the

equation above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 66bce0c1 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Subtracting 4 from both sides of isolates the radical expression on the left

side of the equation as follows: . Squaring both sides of yields .

This equation can be rewritten as a quadratic equation in standard form: . One way to solve this

quadratic equation is to factor the expression by identifying two numbers with a sum of and a

product of . These numbers are and 1. So the quadratic equation can be factored as . It

follows that 5 and are the solutions to the quadratic equation. However, the solutions must be verified by

checking whether 5 and satisfy the original equation, . When , the original equation

gives , or , which is false. Therefore, does not satisfy the original equation. When

, the original equation gives , or , which is true. Therefore, is the only solution

to the original equation, and so the solution set is .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because each of these sets contains at least one value that results in a false
statement when substituted into the given equation. For instance, in choice D, when 0 is substituted for x into the
given equation, the result is , or . This is not a true statement, so 0 is not a solution

to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 97e50fa2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 97e50fa2

The graph of the function f, defined by , is shown in the

xy-plane above. If the function g (not shown) is defined by , what

is one possible value of a such that ?

ID: 97e50fa2 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is either 2 or 8. Substituting in the definitions for f and g gives

and , respectively. If , then . Subtracting 10 from both sides

of this equation gives . Multiplying both sides by gives . Expanding

gives . Combining the like terms on one side of the equation gives . One way to

solve this equation is to factor by identifying two numbers with a sum of and a product of 16.

These numbers are and , so the quadratic equation can be factored as . Therefore, the

possible values of a are either 2 or 8. Note that 2 and 8 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Alternate approach: Graphically, the condition implies the graphs of the functions and

intersect at . The graph is given, and the graph of may be sketched as a line with y-intercept

10 and a slope of (taking care to note the different scales on each axis). These two graphs intersect at and

.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID ebb717ab
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ebb717ab

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has no real solutions if . What is the least possible value of ?

ID: ebb717ab Answer

Correct Answer: 289

Rationale

The correct answer is 289. A quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no
real solutions when the value of the discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is less than 0. In the given equation, 𝑥2 - 34𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑎 = 1
and 𝑏 = - 34. Therefore, the discriminant of the given equation can be expressed as -342 - 41𝑐, or 1,156 - 4𝑐. It follows
that the given equation has no real solutions when 1,156 - 4𝑐 < 0. Adding 4𝑐 to both sides of this inequality yields
1,156 < 4𝑐. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 4 yields 289 < 𝑐, or 𝑐 > 289. It's given that the equation
𝑥2 - 34𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has no real solutions when 𝑐 > 𝑛. Therefore, the least possible value of 𝑛 is 289.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7cb3a8ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 7cb3a8ee

What is one possible solution to the given equation?

ID: 7cb3a8ee Answer

Correct Answer: 15, -5

Rationale

The correct answer is 15 or -5. By the definition of absolute value, if 𝑥 - 5 = 10, then 𝑥 - 5 = 10 or 𝑥 - 5 = - 10. Adding 5
to both sides of the first equation yields 𝑥 = 15. Adding 5 to both sides of the second equation yields 𝑥 = - 5. Thus,
the given equation has two possible solutions, 15 and -5. Note that 15 and -5 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 3d12b1e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3d12b1e0

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the value of ?

ID: 3d12b1e0 Answer

Correct Answer: -1

Rationale

The correct answer is -1. A quadratic equation in the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has
exactly one solution when its discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to 0. In the given equation, -16𝑥2 - 8𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑎 = - 16
2 2
and 𝑏 = - 8. Substituting -16 for 𝑎 and -8 for 𝑏 in 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields -8 - 4-16𝑐, or 64 + 64𝑐. Since the given equation has
exactly one solution, 64 + 64𝑐 = 0. Subtracting 64 from both sides of this equation yields 64𝑐 = - 64. Dividing both
sides of this equation by 64 yields 𝑐 = - 1. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is -1.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 062f86db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 062f86db

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 062f86db Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The left-hand side of the given equation can be factored as 5𝑥 + 3𝑥 - 8. Therefore, the given
equation, 5𝑥2 - 37𝑥 - 24 = 0, can be written as 5𝑥 + 3𝑥 - 8 = 0. Applying the zero product property to this equation
yields 5𝑥 + 3 = 0 and 𝑥 - 8 = 0. Subtracting 3 from both sides of the equation 5𝑥 + 3 = 0 yields 5𝑥 = - 3. Dividing both
3
sides of this equation by 5 yields 𝑥 = - . Adding 8 to both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 8 = 0 yields 𝑥 = 8. Therefore, the
5
3
two solutions to the given equation, 5𝑥2 - 37𝑥 - 24 = 0, are - 5 and 8. It follows that 8 is the positive solution to the
given equation.

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: Medium

Question ID 71014fb1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 71014fb1

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 71014fb1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Any quantity that is positive or negative in value has a positive value when squared. Therefore,
the left-hand side of the given equation is either positive or zero for any value of 𝑥. Since the right-hand side of the
given equation is negative, there is no value of 𝑥 for which the given equation is true. Thus, the number of distinct
real solutions for the given equation is zero.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 717a1964
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 717a1964

What is one of the solutions to the given equation?

ID: 717a1964 Answer

Correct Answer: 2, -12

Rationale

The correct answer is either 2 or -12. The left-hand side of the given equation can be rewritten by factoring. The two
values that multiply to -24 and add to 10 are 12 and -2. It follows that the given equation can be rewritten as
𝑧 + 12𝑧 - 2 = 0. Setting each factor equal to 0 yields two equations: 𝑧 + 12 = 0 and 𝑧 - 2 = 0. Subtracting 12 from both
sides of the equation 𝑧 + 12 = 0 results in 𝑧 = - 12. Adding 2 to both sides of the equation 𝑧 - 2 = 0 results in 𝑧 = 2.
Note that 2 and -12 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2cd6b22d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2cd6b22d

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 2cd6b22d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The number of solutions of a quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are
2
constants, can be determined by the value of the discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐. If the value of the discriminant is positive,
then the quadratic equation has exactly two distinct real solutions. If the value of the discriminant is equal to zero,
then the quadratic equation has exactly one real solution. If the value of the discriminant is negative, then the
quadratic equation has zero real solutions. In the given equation, 5𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 16 = 0, 𝑎 = 5, 𝑏 = 10, and 𝑐 = 16.
Substituting these values for 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 in 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields 102 - 4516, or -220. Since the value of its discriminant is
negative, the given equation has zero real solutions. Therefore, the number of distinct real solutions the given
equation has is zero.

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 e9349667
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: e9349667

If and are the two solutions to the system of equations

above, what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e9349667 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The system of equations can be solved using the substitution method. Solving the second
2
equation for y gives y = –x – 1. Substituting the expression –x – 1 for y into the first equation gives –x – 1 = x + 2x +
2
1. Adding x + 1 to both sides of the equation yields x + 3x + 2 = 0. The left-hand side of the equation can be factored
by finding two numbers whose sum is 3 and whose product is 2, which gives (x + 2)(x + 1) = 0. Setting each factor
equal to 0 yields x + 2 = 0 and x + 1 = 0, and solving for x yields x = –2 or x = –1. These values of x can be substituted
for x in the equation y = –x – 1 to find the corresponding y-values: y = –(–2) – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1 and y = –(–1) – 1 = 1 – 1 = 0.
It follows that (–2, 1) and (–1, 0) are the solutions to the given system of equations. Therefore, (x1, y1) = (–2, 1), (x2,
y2) = (–1, 0), and y1 + y2 = 1 + 0 = 1.

Choice A is incorrect. The solutions to the system of equations are (x1, y1) = (–2, 1) and (x2, y2) = (–1, 0). Therefore, –
3 is the sum of the x-coordinates of the solutions, not the sum of the y-coordinates of the solutions. Choices B and C
are incorrect and may be the result of computation or substitution errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b03adde3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b03adde3

If , what is t

in terms of u ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b03adde3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by yields . Dividing both sides

of this equation by yields . Adding 2 to both sides of this equation yields , which

can be rewritten as . Since the fractions on the right-hand side of this equation have a

common denominator, adding the fractions yields . Applying the distributive property to the

numerator on the right-hand side of this equation yields , which is equivalent to .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from various misconceptions or miscalculations.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1ce9ffcd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 1ce9ffcd

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1ce9ffcd Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that the equation -9𝑥2 + 30𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has exactly one solution. A quadratic equation of
the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has exactly one solution if and only if its discriminant, -4𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏2 , is equal to zero. It follows
that for the given equation, 𝑎 = - 9 and 𝑏 = 30. Substituting -9 for 𝑎 and 30 for 𝑏 into 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields 302 - 4-9𝑐, or
900 + 36𝑐. Since the discriminant must equal zero, 900 + 36𝑐 = 0. Subtracting 36𝑐 from both sides of this equation
yields 900 = -36𝑐. Dividing each side of this equation by -36 yields -25 = 𝑐. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is -25.

Choice A is incorrect. If the value of 𝑐 is 3, this would yield a discriminant that is greater than zero. Therefore, the
given equation would have two solutions, rather than exactly one solution.

Choice B is incorrect. If the value of 𝑐 is 0, this would yield a discriminant that is greater than zero. Therefore, the
given equation would have two solutions, rather than exactly one solution.

Choice D is incorrect. If the value of 𝑐 is -53, this would yield a discriminant that is less than zero. Therefore, the
given equation would have no real solutions, rather than exactly one solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 104bff62
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 104bff62

In the given equation, is a positive constant. Which of the following is one of the solutions to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 104bff62 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. If 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 ≤ 0, then neither side of the given equation is defined and there can be no solution.
𝑐2 𝑥2 𝑐2
Therefore, 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 > 0. Subtracting from both sides of the given equation yields - = 39, or
√𝑥2 - 𝑐2 √𝑥2 - 𝑐2 √𝑥2 - 𝑐2
2
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
= 39. Squaring both sides of this equation yields = 392 , or 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
= 392 . Since 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 is positive and,
√𝑥2 - 𝑐2 √𝑥2 - 𝑐2
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
therefore, nonzero, the expression
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
is defined and equivalent to 1. It follows that the equation
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
= 392 can
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 2
be rewritten as
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
392 , or 1𝑥2 - 𝑐2 = 392 , which is equivalent to 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 = 392 . Adding 𝑐2 to both sides of this
𝑥 - 𝑐2 =
equation yields 𝑥2 = 𝑐2 + 392 .
Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields two solutions: 𝑥 = √𝑐2 + 392
and 𝑥 = - √𝑐2 + 392 . Therefore, of the given choices, -√𝑐2 + 392 is one of the solutions to the given equation.

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 b8c4a1cd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b8c4a1cd

The given equation relates the distinct positive numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of and
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b8c4a1cd Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. To express 𝑗 in terms of 𝑘 and 𝑚, the given equation must be solved for 𝑗. Dividing each side of
𝑘 + 15𝑚
the given equation by 8 yields 𝑗 = 8 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is equivalent to 8𝑗 = 𝑘 + 120𝑚.

Choice B is incorrect. This is equivalent to 8𝑗 = 8𝑘 + 15𝑚.

𝑗
Choice C is incorrect. This is equivalent to 8
= 𝑘 + 15𝑚.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 7dbd46d9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 7dbd46d9

The graphs of the equations in the given system of equations intersect at the point in the -plane. What is a possible
value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7dbd46d9 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that the graphs of the equations in the given system of equations intersect at the point
𝑥, 𝑦. Therefore, this intersection point is a solution to the given system. The solution can be found by isolating 𝑦 in
each equation. The given equation 8𝑥 + 𝑦 = - 11 can be rewritten to isolate 𝑦 by subtracting 8𝑥 from both sides of the
equation, which gives 𝑦 = - 8𝑥 - 11. The given equation 2𝑥2 = 𝑦 + 341 can be rewritten to isolate 𝑦 by subtracting 341
from both sides of the equation, which gives 2𝑥2 - 341 = 𝑦. With each equation solved for 𝑦, the value of 𝑦 from one
equation can be substituted into the other, which gives 2𝑥2 - 341 = - 8𝑥 - 11. Adding 8𝑥 and 11 to both sides of this
equation results in 2𝑥2 + 8𝑥 - 330 = 0. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 results in 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 - 165 = 0. This
equation can be rewritten by factoring the left-hand side, which yields 𝑥 + 15𝑥 - 11 = 0. By the zero-product property,
if 𝑥 + 15𝑥 - 11 = 0, then 𝑥 + 15 = 0, or 𝑥 - 11 = 0. It follows that 𝑥 = - 15, or 𝑥 = 11. Since only -15 is given as a choice, a
possible value of 𝑥 is -15.

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 630897df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 630897df

The speed of sound in dry air, v, can be modeled by the formula

, where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius and v is

measured in meters per second. Which of the following correctly expresses T in

terms of v ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 630897df Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. To express T in terms of v, subtract 331.3 from both sides of the equation, which gives v – 331.3 =

0.606T. Dividing both sides of the equation by 0.606 gives .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and are the result of incorrect steps while solving for T.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 158591f0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 158591f0

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

ID: 158591f0 Answer

Correct Answer: 29/3, 9.666, 9.667

Rationale

29
The correct answer is 3
. Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of the given equation, 𝑥𝑥 + 1 - 56,
yields 𝑥2 + 𝑥 - 56. Applying the distributive property to the right-hand side of the given equation, 4𝑥𝑥 - 7, yields
4𝑥2 - 28𝑥. Thus, the equation becomes 𝑥2 + 𝑥 - 56 = 4𝑥2 - 28𝑥. Combining like terms on the left- and right-hand sides
of this equation yields 0 = 4𝑥2 - 𝑥2 + -28𝑥 - 𝑥 + 56, or 3𝑥2 - 29𝑥 + 56 = 0. For a quadratic equation in the form
𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the quadratic formula gives the solutions to the equation in the form
-𝑏 ± √𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= 2𝑎
. Substituting 3 for 𝑎, -29 for 𝑏, and 56 for 𝑐 from the equation 3𝑥2 - 29𝑥 + 56 = 0 into the quadratic
29 ± √-292 - 4356 29 13 29 13
formula yields 𝑥 = 23
, or 𝑥 = 6
± 6
. It follows that the solutions to the given equation are 6
+ 6
and
29 13 29 13 29 13 29 29 29
- . Adding these two solutions gives the sum of the solutions: + + - , which is equivalent to + , or .
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 3
Note that 29/3, 9.666, and 9.667 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 568aaf27
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 568aaf27

If is a solution to the system of equations above, which of the

following is a possible value of x?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

ID: 568aaf27 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Substituting from the second equation for y in the first equation yields .

Subtracting 12 from both sides of this equation and rewriting the equation results in . Factoring the

left-hand side of this equation yields . Using the zero product property to solve for x, it follows that

and . Solving each equation for x yields and , respectively. Thus, two possible values

of x are 3 and . Of the choices given, 3 is the only possible value of x.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Substituting 0 for x in the first equation gives , or ; then,

substituting 12 for y and 0 for x in the second equation gives , or , which is false. Similarly,

substituting 1 or 2 for x in the first equation yields or , respectively; then, substituting 11 or 10 for y in

the second equation yields a false statement.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 29ed5d39
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 29ed5d39

The given equation relates the numbers and , where is not equal to and . Which equation correctly expresses
in terms of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 29ed5d39 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. To express 𝑛 in terms of 𝑝, the given equation must be solved for 𝑛. Subtracting 9 from both sides
14
of the given equation yields 𝑝 - 9 = 𝑛
. Since 𝑛 is not equal to 0, multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑛 yields
𝑝 - 9𝑛 = 14. It's given that 𝑝 > 9, which means 𝑝 - 9 is not equal to 0. Therefore, dividing both sides of 𝑝 - 9𝑛 = 14 by
𝑝 - 9𝑛 14 14
𝑝 - 9 yields 𝑝-9
= 𝑝-9
, or 𝑛 = 𝑝-9
.

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: Medium

Question ID 895628b5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 895628b5

Which ordered pair is the solution to the given system of equations?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 895628b5 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The second equation in the given system of equations is 𝑦 = 6𝑥 - 12. Substituting 6𝑥 - 12 for 𝑦 in
the first equation of the given system yields 6𝑥 - 12 = 𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 4. Factoring 6 out of the left-hand side of this equation
yields 6𝑥 - 2 = 𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 4. An expression with a factor of the form 𝑥 - 𝑎 is equal to zero when 𝑥 = 𝑎. Each side of this
equation has a factor of 𝑥 - 2, so each side of the equation is equal to zero when 𝑥 = 2. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 into the
equation 6𝑥 - 2 = 𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 4 yields 62 - 2 = 2 - 22 + 4, or 0 = 0, which is true. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 into the second
equation in the given system of equations yields 𝑦 = 62 - 12, or 𝑦 = 0. Therefore, the solution to the system of
equations is the ordered pair 2, 0.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from switching the order of the solutions for 𝑥 and 𝑦.

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: Medium

Question ID 8f65cddc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 8f65cddc

The given equation relates the positive numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8f65cddc Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

𝑦
Choice C is correct. Multiplying each side of the given equation by 𝑦 yields the equivalent equation 7𝑏
= 11𝑥.
𝑦 𝑦
Dividing each side of this equation by 11 yields 77𝑏
= 𝑥, or 𝑥 = 77𝑏
.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation is not equivalent to the given equation.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation is not equivalent to the given equation.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation is not equivalent to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 30281058
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 30281058

In the xy-plane, the graph of intersects line p at and , where

a and b are constants. What is the slope of line p ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 30281058 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the graph of and line p intersect at and . Therefore, the value
of y when is the value of a, and the value of y when is the value of b. Substituting 1 for x in the given

equation yields , or . Similarly, substituting 5 for x in the given equation yields , or

. Therefore, the intersection points are and . The slope of line p is the ratio of the change in y to

the change in x between these two points: , or 6.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors in determining the values of a,
b, or the slope of line p.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c77ef2fb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c77ef2fb

Blood volume, , in a human can be determined using the equation

, where is the plasma volume and H is the hematocrit (the fraction of blood

volume that is red blood cells). Which of the following correctly expresses the
hematocrit in terms of the blood volume and the plasma volume?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c77ef2fb Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The hematocrit can be expressed in terms of the blood volume and the plasma volume by

solving the given equation for H. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields

. Dividing both sides by yields . Subtracting 1 from both sides yields

. Dividing both sides by yields .

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5ae186b4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 5ae186b4

What is the solution to the given equation?

ID: 5ae186b4 Answer

Correct Answer: -9

Rationale

The correct answer is -9. Since 𝑤 is in the denominator of a fraction in the given equation, 𝑤 can't be equal to 0.
Since 𝑤 isn't equal to 0, multiplying both sides of the given equation by 𝑤 yields an equivalent equation, -54 = 6𝑤.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 6 yields -9 = 𝑤. Therefore, -9 is the solution to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID b76a2815
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b76a2815

The power P produced by a machine is represented by the equation above, where

W is the work performed during an amount of time t. Which of the following
correctly expresses W in terms of P and t ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b76a2815 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Multiplying both sides of the equation by t yields , or , which expresses
W in terms of P and t. This is equivalent to W = Pt.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Each of the expressions given in these answer choices gives W in terms of P and
t but doesn’t maintain the given relationship between W, P, and t. These expressions may result from performing
different operations with t on each side of the equation. In choice B, W has been multiplied by t, and P has been
divided by t. In choice C, W has been multiplied by t, and the quotient of P divided by t has been reciprocated. In
choice D, W has been multiplied by t, and P has been added to t. However, in order to maintain the relationship
between the variables in the given equation, the same operation must be performed with t on each side of the
equation.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 364a2d25
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 364a2d25

If one solution to the system of equations above is ,

what is one possible value of x ?

ID: 364a2d25 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is either 8 or 9. The first equation can be rewritten as . Substituting for y in the

second equation gives . By applying the distributive property, this can be rewritten as .

Subtracting 72 from both sides of the equation yields . Factoring the left-hand side of this equation

yields . Applying the Zero Product Property, it follows that and . Solving each

equation for x yields and respectively. Note that 8 and 9 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5910bfff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 5910bfff

The formula above can be used to approximate the dew point D, in degrees
Fahrenheit, given the temperature T, in degrees Fahrenheit, and the relative
humidity of H percent, where . Which of the following expresses the relative

humidity in terms of the temperature and the dew point?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5910bfff Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that . Solving this formula for H expresses the relative humidity
in terms of the temperature and the dew point. Subtracting T from both sides of this equation yields

. Multiplying both sides by yields . Subtracting 100 from

both sides yields . Multiplying both sides by results in the formula

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fbb96bb1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fbb96bb1

Which of the following are solutions to the given equation, where is a constant and ?
I.
II.
III.

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II, and III

ID: fbb96bb1 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Subtracting the expression 𝑥 - 29 from both sides of the given equation yields
0 = 𝑥 - 𝑎𝑥 - 29 - 𝑥 - 29, which can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 - 𝑎𝑥 - 29 + -1𝑥 - 29. Since the two terms on the right-hand side of
this equation have a common factor of 𝑥 - 29, it can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 + -1, or 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 - 1. Since
𝑥 - 𝑎 - 1 is equivalent to 𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1, the equation 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 - 1 can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1. By the zero
product property, it follows that 𝑥 - 29 = 0 or 𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1 = 0. Adding 29 to both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 29 = 0 yields
𝑥 = 29. Adding 𝑎 + 1 to both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1 = 0 yields 𝑥 = 𝑎 + 1. Therefore, the two solutions to the
given equation are 29 and 𝑎 + 1. Thus, only 𝑎 + 1 and 29, not 𝑎, are solutions to the given equation.

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 77c0cced
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 77c0cced

In the given system of equations, is a constant. The graphs of the equations in the given system intersect at exactly one
point, , in the xy-plane. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 77c0cced Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that the graphs of the equations in the given system intersect at exactly one point, 𝑥, 𝑦,
in the xy-plane. Therefore, 𝑥, 𝑦 is the only solution to the given system of equations. The given system of equations
can be solved by subtracting the second equation, 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 𝑎, from the first equation, 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 - 21𝑥 + 64. This yields
𝑦 - 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 - 21𝑥 + 64 - 3𝑥 + 𝑎, or 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 64 - 𝑎. Since the given system has only one solution, this equation has
only one solution. A quadratic equation in the form 𝑟𝑥2 + 𝑠𝑥 + 𝑡 = 0, where 𝑟, 𝑠, and 𝑡 are constants, has one solution
if and only if the discriminant, 𝑠2 - 4𝑟𝑡, is equal to zero. Substituting 2 for 𝑟, -24 for 𝑠, and -𝑎 + 64 for 𝑡 in the
2 2
expression 𝑠2 - 4𝑟𝑡 yields -24 - 4264 - 𝑎. Setting this expression equal to zero yields -24 - 4264 - 𝑎 = 0, or 8𝑎 + 64 = 0.
Subtracting 64 from both sides of this equation yields 8𝑎 = - 64. Dividing both sides of this equation by 8 yields
𝑎 = - 8. Substituting -8 for 𝑎 in the equation 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 64 - 𝑎 yields 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 64 + 8, or 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 72.
Factoring 2 from the right-hand side of this equation yields 0 = 2𝑥2 - 12𝑥 + 36. Dividing both sides of this equation
by 2 yields 0 = 𝑥2 - 12𝑥 + 36, which is equivalent to 0 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 6, or 0 = 𝑥 - 62 . Taking the square root of both sides of
this equation yields 0 = 𝑥 - 6. Adding 6 to both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = 6.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎, not 𝑥.

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 0980fcdd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 0980fcdd

A solution to the given system of equations is . Which of the

following is a possible value of xy ?

A. 0

B. 6

C. 12

D. 36

ID: 0980fcdd Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Solutions to the given system of equations are ordered pairs that satisfy both equations in
the system. Adding the left-hand and right-hand sides of the equations in the system yields
, or . Subtracting y from both sides of this equation yields . Taking

the square root of both sides of this equation yields and . Therefore, there are two solutions to this

system of equations, one with an x-coordinate of 6 and the other with an x-coordinate of . Substituting 6 for x in

the second equation yields , or ; therefore, one solution is . Similarly, substituting for x

in the second equation yields , or ; therefore, the other solution is . It follows then

that if is a solution to the system, then possible values of are and . Only 0 is

among the given choices.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the x-coordinate of one of the solutions, . Choice C is incorrect and may result

from conceptual or computational errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is the square of the x-coordinate of one of the
solutions, .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 87a3de81
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 87a3de81

If a is a solution of the equation above and

, what is the value of a ?

ID: 87a3de81 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 3. The solution to the given equation can be found by factoring the quadratic expression. The
factors can be determined by finding two numbers with a sum of 1 and a product of . The two numbers that

meet these constraints are 4 and . Therefore, the given equation can be rewritten as . It follows

that the solutions to the equation are or . Since it is given that , a must equal 3.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1697ffcf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 1697ffcf

In the xy-plane, the graph of intersects the graph of at the

points and . What is the value of a ?

ID: 1697ffcf Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. The intersection points of the graphs of and can be found by solving

the system consisting of these two equations. To solve the system, substitute x for y in the first equation. This gives
. Subtracting x from both sides of the equation gives . Factoring out of each term on

the left-hand side of the equation gives . Therefore, the possible values for x are 0 and 5. Since ,

the two intersection points are and . Therefore, .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a67a439d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: a67a439d

Which ordered pair is a solution to the given system of equations?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a67a439d Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The solution to a system of equations is the ordered pair 𝑥, 𝑦 that satisfies all equations in the
system. It's given by the first equation in the system that 𝑥 + 7 = 10. Substituting 10 for 𝑥 + 7 into the second
equation yields 10 = 𝑦, or 𝑦 = 100. The x-coordinate of the solution to the system of equations can be found by
2

subtracting 7 from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 7 = 10, which yields 𝑥 = 3. Therefore, the ordered pair 3, 100 is a
solution to the given system of equations.

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: Easy

Question ID 2683b5db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2683b5db

In a city, the property tax T, in dollars, is calculated using the formula above, where
P is the value of the property, in dollars. Which of the following expresses the value
of the property in terms of the property tax?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2683b5db Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. To express the value of the property in terms of the property tax, the given equation must be
solved for P. Multiplying both sides of the equation by 100 gives . Adding 40,000 to both sides of

the equation gives . Therefore, .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying 40,000 by 0.01, then subtracting 400 from, instead of adding
400 to, the left-hand side of the equation. Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying 40,000 by 0.01.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from subtracting instead of adding 40,000 from the left-hand side of the
equation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ce940f80
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ce940f80

What is a solution to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ce940f80 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Multiplying the left- and right-hand sides of the given equation by 25 yields 𝑥2 = 900. Taking the
square root of the left- and right-hand sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = 30 or 𝑥 = - 30. Of these two solutions, only 30
is given as a choice.

Choice A is incorrect. This is a solution to the equation 𝑥2 = 36.

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: Easy

Question ID 2f958af9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2f958af9

The formula above expresses the square of the speed v of a wave moving along a
string in terms of tension T, mass m, and length L of the string. What is T in terms
of m, v, and L ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2f958af9 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. To write the formula as T in terms of m, v, and L means to isolate T on one side of the equation.
2
First, multiply both sides of the equation by m, which gives , which simplifies to mv = LT. Next,

divide both sides of the equation by L, which gives , which simplifies to .

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly applying operations to each side of the
equation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5edc8c98
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 5edc8c98

In the given equation, and are positive constants. The sum of the solutions to the given equation is , where is
a constant. What is the value of ?

ID: 5edc8c98 Answer

Correct Answer: .0625, 1/16

Rationale

1
The correct answer is 16
. Let 𝑝 and 𝑞 represent the solutions to the given equation. Then, the given equation can be
rewritten as 64𝑥 - 𝑝𝑥 - 𝑞 = 0, or 64𝑥2 - 64𝑝 + 𝑞 + 𝑝𝑞 = 0. Since this equation is equivalent to the given equation, it
16𝑎 + 4𝑏 1
follows that -16𝑎 + 4𝑏 = - 64𝑝 + 𝑞. Dividing both sides of this equation by -64 yields = 𝑝 + 𝑞, or 4𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑝 + 𝑞
64 16
1
. Therefore, the sum of the solutions to the given equation, 𝑝 + 𝑞, is equal to 16
4𝑎 + 𝑏. Since it's given that the sum of
1
the solutions to the given equation is 𝑘4𝑎 + 𝑏, where 𝑘 is a constant, it follows that 𝑘 = 16
. Note that 1/16, .0625, 0.062,
and 0.063 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Alternate approach: The given equation can be rewritten as 64𝑥2 - 44𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏 = 0, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive
𝑎𝑏
constants. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 16𝑥2 - 4𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 4
= 0. The solutions for a quadratic
equation in the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, can be calculated using the quadratic
-𝐵 + √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶 -𝐵 - √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶
formula, 𝑥 = 2𝐴
and 𝑥 = 2𝐴
. It follows that the sum of the solutions to a quadratic equation in the
2 2
-𝐵 + √𝐵 - 4𝐴𝐶 -𝐵 - √𝐵 - 4𝐴𝐶 -𝐵 + - 𝐵 + √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶 - √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶
form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0 is 2𝐴
+ 2𝐴
, which can be rewritten as 2𝐴
, which is
-2𝐵 𝐵 𝑎𝑏 𝑎𝑏
equivalent to 2𝐴 , or - 𝐴 . In the equation 16𝑥 - 4𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 4 = 0, 𝐴 = 16, 𝐵 = - 4𝑎 + 𝑏, and 𝐶 = 4 . Substituting 16 for 𝐴
2
𝐵 -4𝑎 + 𝑏 1
and -4𝑎 + 𝑏 for 𝐵 in - 𝐴 yields - 16 , which can be rewritten as 16 4𝑎 + 𝑏. Thus, the sum of the solutions to the given
1
equation is 4𝑎 + 𝑏. Since it's given that the sum of the solutions to the given equation is 𝑘4𝑎 + 𝑏, where 𝑘 is a
16
1
constant, it follows that 𝑘 = 16 .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c7789423
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c7789423

What is one possible solution to the given equation?

ID: c7789423 Answer

Correct Answer: 11, -7

Rationale

The correct answer is 11 or -7. By the definition of absolute value, if 𝑥 - 2 = 9, then 𝑥 - 2 = 9 or 𝑥 - 2 = - 9. Adding 2 to
both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 2 = 9 yields 𝑥 = 11. Adding 2 to both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 2 = - 9 yields 𝑥 = - 7.
Thus, the given equation, 𝑥 - 2 = 9, has two possible solutions, 11 and -7. Note that 11 and -7 are examples of ways to
enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 876a731c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 876a731c

If (x, y) is a solution of the system of equations above and

x > 0, what is the value of xy ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 9

ID: 876a731c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Substituting for y in the second equation gives . This equation can be
solved as follows:

Apply the distributive property.

Subtract 2x and 6 from both sides of the equation.

Combine like terms.

Factor both terms on the left side of the equation

by 2x.
Thus, and are the solutions to the system. Since , only needs to be considered. The value of y

when is . Therefore, the value of xy is .

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and likely result from a computational or conceptual error when solving this
system of equations.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID ff2e5c76
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ff2e5c76

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ff2e5c76 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Adding 10 to each side of the given equation yields 𝑥2 - 40𝑥 = 10. To complete the square, adding
40 2 2 2 2 2
2
, or 20 , to each side of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 40𝑥 + 20 = 10 + 20 , or 𝑥 - 20 = 410. Taking the square root of
each side of this equation yields 𝑥 - 20 = ± √410 . Adding 20 to each side of this equation yields 𝑥 = 20 ± √410 .
Therefore, the solutions to the given equation are 𝑥 = 20 + √410 and 𝑥 = 20 - √410 . The sum of these solutions is
20 + √410 + 20 - √410 , or 40.

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 c8bf5313
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c8bf5313

The graphs of the equations in the given system of equations intersect at the point in the xy-plane. What is the value
of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c8bf5313 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Since the graphs of the equations in the given system intersect at the point 𝑥, 𝑦, the point 𝑥, 𝑦
represents a solution to the given system of equations. The first equation of the given system of equations states
that 𝑥 = 8. Substituting 8 for 𝑥 in the second equation of the given system of equations yields 𝑦 = 82 + 8, or 𝑦 = 72.
Therefore, the value of 𝑦 is 72.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥, not 𝑦.

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: Easy

Question ID bef4b1c6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: bef4b1c6

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

ID: bef4b1c6 Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by 𝑥 + 6 results in 55 = 𝑥𝑥 + 6. Applying the
distributive property of multiplication to the right-hand side of this equation results in 55 = 𝑥2 + 6𝑥. Subtracting 55
from both sides of this equation results in 0 = 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 - 55. The right-hand side of this equation can be rewritten by
factoring. The two values that multiply to -55 and add to 6 are 11 and -5. It follows that the equation 0 = 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 - 55
can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 + 11𝑥 - 5. Setting each factor equal to 0 yields two equations: 𝑥 + 11 = 0 and 𝑥 - 5 = 0.
Subtracting 11 from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 11 = 0 results in 𝑥 = - 11. Adding 5 to both sides of the equation
𝑥 - 5 = 0 results in 𝑥 = 5. Therefore, the positive solution to the given equation is 5.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2c5c22d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2c5c22d0

How many solutions are there to the

system of equations above?

A. There are exactly 4 solutions.

B. There are exactly 2 solutions.

C. There is exactly 1 solution.

D. There are no solutions.

ID: 2c5c22d0 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The second equation of the system can be rewritten as . Substituting for y in

the first equation gives . This equation can be solved as shown below:

Substituting 1 for x in the equation gives . Therefore, is the only solution to the system of

equations.

Choice A is incorrect. In the xy-plane, a parabola and a line can intersect at no more than two points. Since the
graph of the first equation is a parabola and the graph of the second equation is a line, the system cannot have more
than 2 solutions. Choice B is incorrect. There is a single ordered pair that satisfies both equations of the

system. Choice D is incorrect because the ordered pair satisfies both equations of the system.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 928498f3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 928498f3

What are the solutions to the

given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 928498f3 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The quadratic formula, , can be used to find the solutions to an equation in

the form . In the given equation, , , and . Substituting these values into the

quadratic formula gives , or .

Choice B is incorrect and may result from using as the quadratic formula. Choice C is incorrect

and may result from using as the quadratic formula. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
using as the quadratic formula.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID fc3dfa26
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fc3dfa26

What value of x satisfies the

equation above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: fc3dfa26 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Each fraction in the given equation can be expressed with the common denominator .

Multiplying by yields , and multiplying by yields . Therefore, the given

equation can be written as . Multiplying each fraction by the denominator results in

the equation , or . This equation can be solved by setting a quadratic

expression equal to 0, then solving for x. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .

The expression can be factored, resulting in the equation . By the zero product
property, or . To solve for x in , 1 can be added to both sides of the equation, resulting in

. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 results in . Solving for x in yields . However,
this value of x would result in the second fraction of the original equation having a denominator of 0. Therefore,

is an extraneous solution. Thus, the only value of x that satisfies the given equation is .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving but not realizing that this solution is extraneous

because it would result in a denominator of 0 in the second fraction. Choice B is incorrect and may result from a
sign error when solving for x. Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6011a3f8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 6011a3f8

In the given equation, is a constant. For which of the following values of will the equation have more than one real
solution?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6011a3f8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. A quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has either no
real solutions, exactly one real solution, or exactly two real solutions. That is, for the given equation to have more
2
than one real solution, it must have exactly two real solutions. When the value of the discriminant, or 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is
greater than 0, the given equation has exactly two real solutions. In the given equation, 64𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 25 = 0, 𝑎 = 64
and 𝑐 = 25. Therefore, the given equation has exactly two real solutions when 𝑏2 - 46425 > 0, or 𝑏2 - 6,400 > 0. Adding
2 2
6,400 to both sides of this inequality yields 𝑏 > 6,400. Taking the square root of both sides of 𝑏 > 6,400 yields two
possible inequalities: 𝑏 < - 80 or 𝑏 > 80. Of the choices, only choice A satisfies 𝑏 < - 80 or 𝑏 > 80.

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 eb268057
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: eb268057

Which of the following values of x

satisfies the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: eb268057 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Solving for x by taking the square root of both sides of the given equation yields or

. Of the choices given, satisfies the given equation.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error when solving for x. Choice C is incorrect and may
result from dividing 64 by 2 instead of taking the square root. Choice D is incorrect and may result from multiplying
64 by 2 instead of taking the square root.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID e8779461
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: e8779461

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

ID: e8779461 Answer

Correct Answer: 99

Rationale

The correct answer is 99. In the given system of equations, the second equation is 𝑥 + 8 = 11. Subtracting 8 from
both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = 3. In the given system of equations, the first equation is 𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 14𝑥 + 48.
2
Substituting 3 for 𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑦 = 3 + 143 + 48, or 𝑦 = 99. Therefore, the solution to the given system of
equations is 𝑥, 𝑦 = 3, 99. Thus, the value of 𝑦 is 99.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 98f735f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 98f735f2

The total revenue from sales of a product can be calculated using the formula
, where T is the total revenue, P is the price of the product, and Q is the
quantity of the product sold. Which of the following equations gives the quantity
of product sold in terms of P and T ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 98f735f2 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Solving the given equation for Q gives the quantity of the product sold in terms of P and T.

Dividing both sides of the given equation by P yields , or . Therefore, gives the quantity of

product sold in terms of P and T.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error when dividing both sides of the given equation by P. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from multiplying, rather than dividing, both sides of the given equation by P. Choice D is
incorrect and may result from subtracting P from both sides of the equation rather than dividing both sides by P.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 9cb9beec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 9cb9beec

In the given system of equations, is a positive constant. The system has exactly one distinct real solution. What is the value
of ?

ID: 9cb9beec Answer

Correct Answer: 14.5, 29/2

Rationale

29
The correct answer is 2
. According to the first equation in the given system, the value of 𝑦 is -1.5. Substituting -1.5
for 𝑦 in the second equation in the given system yields -1.5 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎. Adding 1.5 to both sides of this equation
yields 0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5. If the given system has exactly one distinct real solution, it follows that
0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5 has exactly one distinct real solution. A quadratic equation in the form 0 = 𝑝𝑥2 + 𝑞𝑥 + 𝑟, where 𝑝,
𝑞, and 𝑟 are constants, has exactly one distinct real solution if and only if the discriminant, 𝑞2 - 4𝑝𝑟, is equal to 0. The
equation 0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5 is in this form, where 𝑝 = 1, 𝑞 = 8, and 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 1.5. Therefore, the discriminant of the
2
equation 0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5 is 8 - 41𝑎 + 1.5, or 58 - 4𝑎. Setting the discriminant equal to 0 to solve for 𝑎 yields
58 - 4𝑎 = 0. Adding 4𝑎 to both sides of this equation yields 58 = 4𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields
58 29 29
= 𝑎, or = 𝑎. Therefore, if the given system of equations has exactly one distinct real solution, the value of 𝑎 is .
4 2 2
Note that 29/2 and 14.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2d2ab76b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2d2ab76b

When the equations above are graphed in the xy-plane, what are the coordinates
(x, y) of the points of intersection of the two graphs?

A.
and

B.

and

C.
and

D.

and

ID: 2d2ab76b Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The two equations form a system of equations, and the solutions to the system correspond to the
points of intersection of the graphs. The solutions to the system can be found by substitution. Since the second
2
equation gives y = 3, substituting 3 for y in the first equation gives 3 = x – 1. Adding 1 to both sides of the equation
2
gives 4 = x . Solving by taking the square root of both sides of the equation gives x = ±2. Since y = 3 for all values of x
for the second equation, the solutions are (2, 3) and (–2, 3). Therefore, the points of intersection of the two graphs are
(2, 3) and (–2, 3).

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID da602115
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: da602115

If , what is the positive value of ?

ID: da602115 Answer

Correct Answer: 28

Rationale

The correct answer is 28. The given absolute value equation can be rewritten as two linear equations: 4𝑥 - 4 = 112
and -4𝑥 - 4 = 112, or 4𝑥 - 4 = - 112. Adding 4 to both sides of the equation 4𝑥 - 4 = 112 results in 4𝑥 = 116. Dividing
both sides of this equation by 4 results in 𝑥 = 29. Adding 4 to both sides of the equation 4𝑥 - 4 = - 112 results in
4𝑥 = - 108. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 results in 𝑥 = - 27. Therefore, the two values of 𝑥 - 1 are 29 - 1, or
28, and -27 - 1, or -28. Thus, the positive value of 𝑥 - 1 is 28.

Alternate approach: The given equation can be rewritten as 4𝑥 - 1 = 112, which is equivalent to 4𝑥 - 1 = 112. Dividing
both sides of this equation by 4 yields 𝑥 - 1 = 28. This equation can be rewritten as two linear equations: 𝑥 - 1 = 28
and -𝑥 - 1 = 28, or 𝑥 - 1 = - 28. Therefore, the positive value of 𝑥 - 1 is 28.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a54753ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: a54753ca

In the xy-plane, the graph of the equation intersects the line at exactly one point. What is the
value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a54753ca Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. In the xy-plane, the graph of the line 𝑦 = 𝑐 is a horizontal line that crosses the y-axis at 𝑦 = 𝑐 and
the graph of the quadratic equation 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 + 9𝑥 - 100 is a parabola. A parabola can intersect a horizontal line at
exactly one point only at its vertex. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 should be equal to the y-coordinate of the vertex of the
graph of the given equation. For a quadratic equation in vertex form, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, the vertex of its graph in the xy-
2

9 92 92
plane is ℎ, 𝑘. The given quadratic equation, 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 + 9𝑥 - 100, can be rewritten as 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 - 2 2 𝑥 + 2 + 2 - 100, or
92 319 319
𝑦= -𝑥- 2 +- 4
. Thus, the value of 𝑐 is equal to - 4
.

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 fcb78856
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fcb78856

The given equation relates the positive numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in terms of and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: fcb78856 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that the equation 𝑏 = 42𝑐𝑓 relates the positive numbers 𝑏, 𝑐, and 𝑓. Dividing each side
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
of the given equation by 42𝑓 yields 42𝑓
= 𝑐, or 𝑐 = 42𝑓
. Thus, the equation 𝑐 = 42𝑓
correctly expresses 𝑐 in terms of 𝑏
and 𝑓.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑏 = 𝑐𝑓 + 42.

𝑐
Choice C is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑏 = 42𝑓
.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑏 = 42 - 𝑐 - 𝑓.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 4236c5a3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 4236c5a3

If , which of the following is

a possible value of x ?

A. 1

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4236c5a3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. If , then taking the square root of each side of the equation gives or

. Solving these equations for x gives or . Of these, is the only solution given as a
choice.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving the equation and making a sign error. Choice B is

incorrect and may result from solving the equation . Choice C is incorrect and may result from finding a
possible value of .

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 3b4b8831
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3b4b8831

What is the negative solution to the given equation?

ID: 3b4b8831 Answer

Correct Answer: -3

Rationale

The correct answer is -3. Dividing both sides of the given equation by 38 yields 𝑥2 = 9. Taking the square root of both
sides of this equation yields the solutions 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑥 = - 3. Therefore, the negative solution to the given equation is
-3.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f5247e52
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f5247e52

In the equation above, a and c are positive constants. How many times does the
graph of the equation above intersect the graph of the equation in the

xy-plane?

A. Zero

B. One

C. Two

D. More than two

ID: f5247e52 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It is given that the constants a and c are both positive; therefore, the graph of the given quadratic
equation is a parabola that opens up with a vertex on the y-axis at a point below the x-axis. The graph of the second
equation provided is a horizontal line that lies above the x-axis. A horizontal line above the x-axis will intersect a
parabola that opens up and has a vertex below the x-axis in exactly two points.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and are the result of not understanding the relationships of the graphs of the two
equations given. Choice A is incorrect because the two graphs intersect. Choice B is incorrect because in order for
there to be only one intersection point, the horizontal line would have to intersect the parabola at the vertex, but the
vertex is below the x-axis and the line is above the x-axis. Choice D is incorrect because a line cannot intersect a
parabola in more than two points.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f11ffa93
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f11ffa93

What value of x satisfies the

equation above?

ID: f11ffa93 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 117. Squaring both sides of the given equation gives , or . Subtracting 4
from both sides of this equation gives .

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 58b109d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 58b109d4

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

ID: 58b109d4 Answer

Correct Answer: -10

Rationale

The correct answer is -10. Adding 𝑦 to both sides of the second equation in the given system yields 20𝑥 + 100 = 𝑦.
Substituting 20𝑥 + 100 for 𝑦 in the first equation in the given system yields 𝑥2 + 20𝑥 + 100 + 7 = 7. Subtracting 7 from
both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 + 20𝑥 + 100 = 0. Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields
2
𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 10 = 0, or 𝑥 + 10 = 0. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 + 10 = 0. Subtracting 10
from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = - 10. Therefore, the value of 𝑥 is -10.

Question Difficulty: Hard