Question ID 002dba45

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 002dba45 2.1

Line is defined by . Line is perpendicular to line in the xy-plane. What is the slope of line ?
ID: 002dba45 Answer
Correct Answer: .1764, .1765, 3/17

Rationale

The correct answer is . It’s given that line is perpendicular to line in the xy-plane. This means that the
slope of line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of line . The equation of line , , is written
in slope-intercept form , where is the slope of the line and is the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of the line. It follows that the slope of line is . The negative reciprocal of a number is
divided by the number. Therefore, the negative reciprocal of is , or . Thus, the slope of line is .

Note that 3/17, .1764, .1765, and 0.176 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9c7741c6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9c7741c6 2.2

On a 210-mile trip, Cameron drove at an average speed of 60 miles per

hour for the first x hours. He then completed the trip, driving at an average
speed of 50 miles per hour for the remaining y hours. If , what is the
value of y ?
ID: 9c7741c6 Answer
Rationale

The correct answer is 3. It’s given that Cameron drove 60 miles per hour for x hours; therefore, the distance
driven at this speed can be represented by . He then drove 50 miles per hour for y hours; therefore, the
distance driven at this speed can be represented by . Since Cameron drove 210 total miles, the equation
represents this situation. If , substitution yields , or .

Subtracting 60 from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 50
yields .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d62ad380
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: d62ad380 2.3

An artist paints and sells square tiles. The selling price P, in dollars, of a painted tile is a linear function of
the side length of the tile s, in inches, as shown in the table below.
Side length, s (inches) Price, P (dollars)
3 8.00
6 18.00
9 28.00
Which of the following could define the relationship between s and P ?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d62ad380 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The relationship between s and P can be modeled by a linear equation of the form P = ks +

a, where k and a are constants. The table shows that P increases by 10 when s increases by 3, so k = . To

solve for a, substitute one of the given pairs of values for s and P: when s = 3, P = 8, so , which

yields a = –2. The solution is therefore .

Choice A is incorrect. When s = 3, P = 8, but 3(3) + 10 = 19 ≠︀8. Choice B is incorrect. This may result from
using the first number given for P in the table as the constant term a in the linear equation P = ks + a, which is
true only when s = 0. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using the reciprocal of the slope of the line.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 431c3038
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 431c3038 2.4

In an article about exercise, it is estimated that a 160-pound adult uses 200

calories for every 30 minutes of hiking and 150 calories for every
30 minutes of bicycling. An adult who weighs 160 pounds has completed
1 hour of bicycling. Based on the article, how many hours should the adult
hike to use a total of 1,900 calories from bicycling and hiking?
A. 9.5
B. 8.75
C. 6
D. 4

ID: 431c3038 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Since a 160-pound adult uses 200 calories for every 30 minutes of hiking, then the same
adult uses calories after hiking for h 30-minute periods. Similarly, the same adult uses calories

after bicycling for b 30-minute periods. Therefore, the equation represents the situation
where a 160-pound adult uses a total of 1,900 calories from hiking for h 30-minute periods and bicycling for b
30-minute periods. It’s given that the adult completes 1 hour, or 2 30-minute periods, of bicycling. Substituting
2 for b in the equation yields , or .
Subtracting 300 from both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides by 200 yields .
Since h represents the number of 30-minute periods spent hiking and there are 2 30-minute periods in every

hour, it follows that the adult will need to hike for , or 4 hours to use a total of 1,900 calories from bicycling
and hiking.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving the equation . This represents 0 30-minute
periods bicycling instead of 2. Choice B is incorrect and may result from solving the equation
. This represents 1 30-minute period of bicycling instead of 2. Choice C is incorrect. This
may result from determining that the number of 30-minute periods the adult should hike is 8, but then
subtracting 2 from 8, rather than dividing 8 by 2, to find the number of hours the adult should hike.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 265f2a53
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 265f2a53 2.5

When line is graphed in the xy-plane, it has an x-intercept of and a y-intercept of . What is the
slope of line ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

ID: 265f2a53 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that when line is graphed in the xy-plane, it has an x-intercept of and a
y-intercept of . The slope, , of a line can be found using any two points on the line, and
, and the slope formula . Substituting the points and for and
, respectively, in the slope formula yields , or . Therefore, the slope of line is .

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the slope of a line that has an x-intercept of and a y-intercept of .

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f81a0503
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: f81a0503 2.6

In the xy-plane, line passes through the points and . Which equation defines line ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

ID: f81a0503 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. An equation defining a line in the xy-plane can be written in the form , where
represents the slope and represents the y-intercept of the line. It’s given that line passes through
the point ; therefore, . The slope, , of a line can be found using any two points on the line,
and , and the slope formula . Substituting the points and for
and , respectively, in the slope formula yields , or . Substituting for
and for in the equation yields .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 28c2253f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 28c2253f 2.7

Characteristics for Rock Types

Rock type Weight(lb/ft
per3volume Cost per
) pound
Basalt 180 $0.18
Granite 165 $0.09
Limestone 120 $0.03
Sandstone 135 $0.22
A city is planning to build a rock retaining wall, a monument, and a garden in
a park. The table above shows four rock types that will be considered for
use in the project. Also shown for each rock type is its weight per volume, in
pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3), and the cost per pound, in dollars. Only
basalt, granite, and limestone will be used in the garden. The rocks in the
garden will have a total weight of 1,000 pounds. If 330 pounds of granite is
used, which of the following equations could show the relationship between
the amounts, x and y, in ft3, for each of the other rock types used?
A.
B.
C.
D.

ID: 28c2253f Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the weight of the granite used in the garden is 330 pounds. The weight of the
3 3
limestone used in the garden is a product of its weight per volume, in lb/ft , and its volume, in ft . Therefore,
3
the weight of the limestone used in the garden can be represented by , where x is the volume, in ft , of
the limestone used. Similarly, the weight of the basalt used in the garden can be represented by , where y
3
 3
is the volume, in ft , of the basalt used. It’s given that the total weight of the rocks used in the garden will be
1,000 pounds. Thus, the sum of the weights of the three rock types used is 1,000 pounds, which can be
represented by the equation . Subtracting 330 from both sides of this equation

yields .

Choice A is incorrect. This equation uses the weight per volume of granite instead of limestone. Choice B is
incorrect. This equation uses the weight per volume of granite instead of basalt, and doesn’t take into account
the 330 pounds of granite that will be used in the garden. Choice D is incorrect. This equation doesn’t take into
account the 330 pounds of granite that will be used in the garden.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2e1a7f66
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 2e1a7f66 2.8

Figure A and figure B are both regular polygons. The sum of the perimeter of figure A and the perimeter of figure
B is inches. The equation represents this situation, where is the number of sides of figure A
and is the number of sides of figure B. Which statement is the best interpretation of in this context?
A. Each side of figure B has a length of inches.
B. The number of sides of figure B is .
C. Each side of figure A has a length of inches.
D. The number of sides of figure A is .

ID: 2e1a7f66 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that figure A and figure B (not shown) are both regular polygons and the sum of
the perimeters of the two figures is . It’s also given that is the number of sides of figure A and is
the number of sides of figure B, and that the equation represents this situation. Thus, and
represent the perimeters, in inches, of figure A and figure B, respectively. Since represents the perimeter, in
inches, of figure B and is the number of sides of figure B, it follows that each side of figure B has a length of
.

Choice B is incorrect. The number of sides of figure B is , not .

Choice C is incorrect. Since the perimeter, in inches, of figure A is represented by , each side of figure A has
a length of , not .

Choice D is incorrect. The number of sides of figure A is , not .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 6f6dfe3e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 6f6dfe3e 2.9

The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where is a constant, for the linear
relationship between and . What is the slope of the line that represents this relationship in the xy-plane?
A.
B.
C.
D.

ID: 6f6dfe3e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The slope, , of a line in the xy-plane can be found using two points on the line,
and , and the slope formula . Based on the given table, the line representing the
relationship between and in the xy-plane passes through the points , , and
, where is a constant. Substituting two of these points, and , for and
, respectively, in the slope formula yields , which is equivalent to , or
. Therefore, the slope of the line that represents this relationship in the xy-plane is .

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 9ed4c1a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9ed4c1a2 2.10

What is the slope of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: 9ed4c1a2 Answer
Correct Answer: 13.75, 55/4

Rationale

The correct answer is . In the xy-plane, the graph of an equation in the form , where and are
constants, has a slope of and a y-intercept of . Applying the distributive property to the right-hand
side of the given equation yields . Combining like terms yields . This
equation is in the form , where and . It follows that the slope of the graph of
in the xy-plane is . Note that 55/4 and 13.75 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID fb43b85f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: fb43b85f 2.11

A line passes through the points and in the xy-plane. What is the slope of the line?
ID: fb43b85f Answer
Correct Answer: 1.636, 18/11

Rationale

The correct answer is . For a line that passes through the points and in the xy-plane, the
slope of the line can be calculated using the slope formula, . It's given that a line passes through
the points and in the xy-plane. Substituting for and for in the
slope formula, , yields , or . Therefore, the slope of the line is . Note that 18/11
and 1.636 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 400798d6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 400798d6
2.12

In triangle , sides and each have a length of centimeters and side has a length of centimeters. The
given equation represents this situation. Which of the following is the best interpretation of in this context?

A. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides and

B. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides and

C. The sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of the three sides of the triangle

D. The length, in centimeters, of one of the two sides of equal length

ID: 400798d6 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that in triangle 𝑄𝑅𝑆, sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑅𝑆 each have a length of 𝑥 centimeters. Therefore, the
expression 2𝑥 represents the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑅𝑆. It's also given that side 𝑆𝑄 has a length
of 𝑦 centimeters. Therefore, the expression 2𝑥 + 𝑦 represents the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of sides 𝑄𝑅, 𝑅𝑆, and 𝑆𝑄.
Since 2𝑥 + 𝑦 is the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of the three sides of the triangle and 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 37, it follows that 37 is
the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of the three sides of the triangle.

Choice A is incorrect. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑆𝑄 is 𝑥 - 𝑦, not 37.

Choice B is incorrect. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑅𝑆 is 𝑥 - 𝑥, or 0, not 37.

Choice D is incorrect. The length, in centimeters, of one of the two sides of equal length is 𝑥, not 37.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ca452900
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: ca452900
2.13

What is the slope of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: ca452900 Answer

Correct Answer: .3846, 5/13

Rationale
5
The correct answer is . The graph of a line in the xy-plane can be represented by the equation 𝑦= 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the
13
5
slope of the line and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The given equation can be written as 𝑦 = 𝑥 - 23. Therefore, the
13
5
slope of the graph of this equation in the xy-plane is . Note that 5/13, .3846, 0.385, and 0.384 are examples of ways to
13
enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 62ef6f73
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 62ef6f73
2.14

A total of squares each have side length . A total of equilateral triangles each have side length . None of these squares
and triangles shares a side. The sum of the perimeters of all these squares and triangles is . Which equation represents
this situation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 62ef6f73 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that a total of 2 squares each have side length 𝑟. Therefore, each of the squares has perimeter
4𝑟. Since there are a total of 2 squares, the sum of the perimeters of these squares is 4𝑟 + 4𝑟, which is equivalent to 24𝑟, or 8𝑟.
It’s also given that a total of 6 equilateral triangles each have side length 𝑡. Therefore, each of the equilateral triangles has
perimeter 3𝑡. Since there are a total of 6 equilateral triangles, the sum of the perimeters of these triangles is
3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡, which is equivalent to 63𝑡, or 18𝑡. Since the sum of the perimeters of the squares is 8𝑟 and the sum
of the perimeters of the triangles is 18𝑡, the sum of the perimeters of all these squares and triangles is 8𝑟 + 18𝑡. It’s given that
the sum of the perimeters of all these squares and triangles is 210. Therefore, the equation 8𝑟 + 18𝑡 = 210 represents this
situation.

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 92aa3a94
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 92aa3a94
2.15

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 92aa3a94 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
1
Choice B is correct. It's given that line 𝑘 is defined by 𝑦 = 7𝑥 + . For an equation in slope-intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑚
8
represents the slope of the line defined by this equation in the xy-plane and 𝑏 represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of
this line. Therefore, the slope of line 𝑘 is 7. It’s also given that line 𝑗 is perpendicular to line 𝑘 in the xy-plane. Therefore, the
1
slope of line 𝑗 is the opposite reciprocal of the slope of line 𝑘. The opposite reciprocal of 7 is - . Therefore, the slope of line 𝑗
7
1
is - .
7

Choice A is incorrect. This is the opposite reciprocal of the y-coordinate of the y-intercept, not the slope, of line 𝑘.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line 𝑘, not the slope of line 𝑗.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the slope of a line that is parallel, not perpendicular, to line 𝑘.

Question Difficulty: Medium