Question ID beca03de

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: beca03de

A rectangle has a length that is times its width. The function represents this situation, where is the
area, in square feet, of the rectangle and . Which of the following is the best interpretation of in this context?

A. The length of the rectangle, in feet

B. The area of the rectangle, in square feet

C. The difference between the length and the width of the rectangle, in feet

D. The width of the rectangle, in feet

ID: beca03de Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that a rectangle has a length that is 15 times its width. It's also given that the function
𝑦 = 15𝑤𝑤 represents this situation, where 𝑦 is the area, in square feet, of the rectangle and 𝑦 > 0. The area of a rectangle
can be calculated by multiplying the rectangle's length by its width. Since the rectangle has a length that is 15 times its
width, it follows that 𝑤 represents the width of the rectangle, in feet, and 15𝑤 represents the length of the rectangle, in
feet. Therefore, the best interpretation of 15𝑤 in this context is that it's the length of the rectangle, in feet.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the best interpretation of 𝑦, not 15𝑤, in the given function.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the best interpretation of 𝑤, not 15𝑤, in the given function.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 4e18fc5d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

ID: 4e18fc5d

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4e18fc5d Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that 𝑥 is positive. Therefore, multiplying each side of the given equation by -150𝑥 yields
-150𝑥𝑣 = 𝑤, which is equivalent to 𝑤 = -150𝑣𝑥. Thus, the equation 𝑤 = -150𝑣𝑥 correctly expresses 𝑤 in terms of 𝑣 and 𝑥.

𝑤𝑥
Choice B is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑣 = - 150 .

𝑥
Choice C is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑣 = - 150𝑤 .

Choice D is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑣 = 𝑤 - 150𝑥.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f5c3e3b8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: f5c3e3b8

Which expression is equivalent to , where , , and are positive?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f5c3e3b8 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Applying the commutative property of multiplication, the expression 𝑚4 𝑞4 𝑧-1 𝑚𝑞5 𝑧3 can be rewritten
as 𝑚4 𝑚𝑞4 𝑞5 𝑧-1 𝑧3 . For positive values of 𝑥, 𝑥𝑎 𝑥𝑏 = 𝑥𝑎 + 𝑏 . Therefore, the expression 𝑚4 𝑚𝑞4 𝑞5 𝑧-1 𝑧3 can be rewritten as
𝑚4 + 1 𝑞4 + 5 𝑧-1 + 3 , or 𝑚5 𝑞9 𝑧2 .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying, not adding, the exponents.

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 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
Choice A is correct. It is given that y = x + 1 and y = x2 + x. Setting the values for y equal to each other yields x + 1 = x2 +
x. Subtracting x from each side of this equation yields x2 = 1. Therefore, x can equal 1 or –1. Of these, only –1 is given as
a choice.

Choice B is incorrect. If x = 0, then x + 1 = 1, but x2 + x = 02 + 0 = 0 ≠︀1. Choice C is incorrect. If x = 2, then x + 1 = 3, but x2

+ x = 22 + 2 = 6 ≠︀3. Choice D is incorrect. If x = 3, then x + 1 = 4, but x2 + x = 32 + 3 = 12 ≠︀4.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 72ebc024
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 72ebc024

Which expression is equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 72ebc024 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since 2𝑥𝑦 is a common factor of each term in the given expression, the expression can be rewritten
as 2𝑥𝑦8𝑥2 𝑦 + 7.

Choice A is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 16𝑥2 𝑦2 + 14𝑥𝑦.

Choice C is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 28𝑥3 𝑦2 + 14𝑥𝑦.

Choice D is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 112𝑥3 𝑦2 + 14𝑥𝑦.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID dd4ab4c4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: dd4ab4c4

Which of the following is a factor of

the polynomial above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: dd4ab4c4 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The first and last terms of the polynomial are both squares such that and
. The second term is twice the product of the square root of the first and last terms: . Therefore, the

polynomial is the square of a binomial such that , and is a factor.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly factoring the polynomial. Choice C is incorrect and may be the
result of dividing the second and third terms of the polynomial by their greatest common factor. Choice D is incorrect and
may be the result of not factoring the coefficients.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID b8caaf84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: b8caaf84

If and , which of the following is

equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b8caaf84 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that and . Substituting the values for p and v into the expression
yields . Multiplying the terms yields

. Using the distributive property to rewrite yields . Therefore, the entire

expression can be represented as . Combining like terms yields .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting, instead of adding, the term . Choice C is incorrect. This is the
result of multiplying the terms . Choice D is incorrect and may result from distributing 2, instead of , to
the term .

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 301faf80
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 301faf80

The product of two positive integers is . If the first integer is greater than twice the second integer, what is the
smaller of the two integers?

ID: 301faf80 Answer

Correct Answer: 14

Rationale
The correct answer is 14. Let 𝑥 represent the first integer and 𝑦 represent the second integer. If the first integer is 5
greater than twice the second integer, then 𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 5. It's given that the product of the two integers is 462; therefore
𝑥𝑦 = 462. Substituting 2𝑦 + 5 for 𝑥 in this equation yields ( 2𝑦 + 5 ) ( 𝑦 ) = 462, which can be written as 2𝑦2 + 5𝑦 = 462.
Subtracting 462 from each side of this equation yields 2𝑦2 + 5𝑦 - 462 = 0. The left-hand side of this equation can be
factored by finding two values whose product is 2 ( - 462 ) , or -924, and whose sum is 5. The two values whose product
is -924 and whose sum is 5 are 33 and -28. Thus, the equation 2𝑦2 + 5𝑦 - 462 = 0 can be rewritten as
2𝑦2 - 28𝑦 + 33𝑦 - 462 = 0, which is equivalent to 2𝑦 ( 𝑦 - 14 ) + 33 ( 𝑦 - 14 ) = 0, or ( 2𝑦 + 33 ) ( 𝑦 - 14 ) = 0. By the zero
product property, it follows that 2𝑦 + 33 = 0 or 𝑦 - 14 = 0. Subtracting 33 from both sides of the equation 2𝑦 + 33 = 0
33
yields 2𝑦 = - 33. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = - . Since 𝑦 is a positive integer, the value of 𝑦 isn't
2
33
- . Adding 14 to both sides of the equation 𝑦 - 14 = 0 yields 𝑦 = 14. Substituting 14 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑥𝑦 = 462 yields
2
𝑥 ( 14 ) = 462. Dividing both sides of this equation by 14 yields 𝑥 = 33. Therefore, the two integers are 14 and 33, so the
smaller of the two integers is 14.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e312081b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: e312081b

Which of the following is equivalent to

the given expression?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e312081b Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Using the associative and commutative properties of addition, the given expression
can be rewritten as . Adding these like terms results in .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from adding . Choice C is incorrect and may result from adding
. Choice D is incorrect and may result from adding .

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 02060533
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 02060533

The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where and is a linear function.
What is the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 02060533 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
𝑓𝑥
Choice A is correct. It's given that the table shows values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑔𝑥, where 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥+3
. It's
also given that 𝑓 is a linear function. It follows that an equation that defines 𝑓 can be written in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏,
where 𝑚 represents the slope and 𝑏 represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept 0, 𝑏 of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-
plane. The slope of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 can be found using two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , that are on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥,
𝑦 -𝑦
and the formula 𝑚 = 2 1 . Since the table shows values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑔𝑥, substituting values of
𝑥2 - 𝑥1
𝑓𝑥
𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥+3
can be used to define function 𝑓. Using the first pair of values from the table, 𝑥 = - 27
𝑓-27 𝑓-27
and 𝑔𝑥 = 3, yields 3 = -27 + 3
, or 3 = -24
. Multiplying each side of this equation by -24 yields -72 = 𝑓-27, so the point
𝑓-9
-27, - 72 is on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥. Using the second pair of values from the table, 𝑥 = - 9 and 𝑔𝑥 = 0, yields 0 = , or
-9 + 3
𝑓-9
0= . Multiplying each side of this equation by -6 yields 0 = 𝑓-9, so the point -9, 0 is on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥.
-6
𝑦2 - 𝑦1 0 - -72
Substituting -27, - 72 and -9, 0 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the formula 𝑚 = 𝑥2 - 𝑥1
yields 𝑚 = -9 - -27
, or 𝑚 = 4.
Substituting 4 for 𝑚 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 𝑏. Since 0 = 𝑓-9, substituting -9 for 𝑥 and 0 for 𝑓𝑥 in the
equation 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 0 = 4-9 + 𝑏, or 0 = - 36 + 𝑏. Adding 36 to both sides of this equation yields 36 = 𝑏. It follows
that 36 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept 0, 𝑏 of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is
0, 36.

Choice B is incorrect. 12 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥.

Choice C is incorrect. 4 is the slope of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥.

Choice D is incorrect. -9 is the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 52931bfa
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 52931bfa

Which expression is equivalent to , where ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 52931bfa Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The given expression has a common factor of 2 in the denominator, so the expression can be
8𝑥𝑥 - 7 - 3𝑥 - 7
rewritten as . The three terms in this expression have a common factor of 𝑥 - 7. Since it's given that 𝑥 > 7, 𝑥
2𝑥 - 7
8𝑥𝑥 - 7 - 3𝑥 - 7
can't be equal to 7, which means 𝑥 - 7 can't be equal to 0. Therefore, each term in the expression, 2𝑥 - 7
, can be
8𝑥 - 3
divided by 𝑥 - 7, which gives 2
.

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 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 91e7ea5e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 91e7ea5e

The quadratic function h is defined as shown. In the xy-plane, the graph of

intersects the x-axis at the points and , where t is a constant.
What is the value of t ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 4

D. 8

ID: 91e7ea5e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the graph of intersects the x-axis at and , where t is a constant.
Since this graph intersects the x-axis when or when , it follows that and . If ,

then . Adding 32 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this

equation by 2 yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields . Adding 4 to both
sides of this equation yields . Therefore, the value of t is 8.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 358f18bc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 358f18bc

What is the minimum value of the given function?

ID: 358f18bc Answer

Correct Answer: 1728

Rationale
2
The correct answer is 1,728. The given function can be rewritten in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎 is a positive
constant and the minimum value, 𝑘, of the function occurs when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. By completing the square,
48 2 48 2 2
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 - 48𝑥 + 2,304 can be written as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 - 48𝑥 + + 2,304 - , or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 24 + 1,728. This equation is in the
2 2
2
form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎 = 1, ℎ = 24, and 𝑘 = 1,728. Therefore, the minimum value of the given function is 1,728.

Question Difficulty: Hard

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 8490cc45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 8490cc45

The function is defined by . What is the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8490cc45 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occurs at the point on the graph where 𝑥 = 0. In
other words, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the
0
given equation yields 𝑓0 = -82 + 22, which is equivalent to 𝑓0 = -81 + 22, or 𝑓0 = 14. Thus, when 𝑥 = 0, the
corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is 14. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, 14.

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

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

𝑥 𝑥
Choice D is incorrect. This could be the y-intercept for 𝑓𝑥 = -82 , not 𝑓𝑥 = -82 + 22.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4fbffc0a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 4fbffc0a

The graph shows the height above ground, in meters, of a ball seconds after the ball was launched upward from a
platform. Which statement is the best interpretation of the marked point in this context?

A. second after being launched, the ball's height above ground is meters.

B. seconds after being launched, the ball's height above ground is meter.

C. The ball was launched from an initial height of meter with an initial velocity of meters per second.

D. The ball was launched from an initial height of meters with an initial velocity of meter per second.

ID: 4fbffc0a Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that the graph shows the height above ground, in meters, of a ball 𝑥 seconds after the ball
was launched upward from a platform. In the graph shown, the x-axis represents time, in seconds, and the y-axis
represents the height of the ball above ground, in meters. It follows that for the marked point 1.0, 4.8, 1.00 represents the
time, in seconds, after the ball was launched upward from a platform and 4.80 represents the height of the ball above
ground, in meters. Therefore, the best interpretation of the marked point 1.0, 4.8 is 1.00 second after being launched, the
ball's height above ground is 4.80 meters.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Easy

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
each side of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 2𝑥 + 1 = 9 + 1, or 𝑥 - 12 = 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 39714777
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 39714777

The given equation relates the value of and its corresponding value of for the function . What is the minimum
value of the function ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 39714777 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑝𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are
constants and 𝑎 > 0, the minimum value of the function is 𝑘. Subtracting 57 from both sides of the given equation yields
𝑝𝑥 = 𝑥2 - 57. This function is in the form 𝑝𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎 = 1, ℎ = 0, and 𝑘 = -57. Therefore, the minimum value
of the function 𝑝 is -57.

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 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 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏,
2
and 𝑐 are constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to zero. Substituting 4 for 𝑎 and
2.25 for 𝑐 in the expression 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 and setting this expression equal to 0 yields 𝑏2 - 4 ( 4 ) ( 2 . 25 ) = 0, or 𝑏2 - 36 = 0.
2
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 a9084ca4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: a9084ca4

The given function models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year, where represents
the number of years since , and . If is graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following is the
best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?

A. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

B. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

C. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

D. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

ID: a9084ca4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point where 𝑥 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 9,0000.66𝑥 , which
gives 𝑦 = 9,0000.660 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 9,0001, or 𝑦 = 9,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is
0, 9,000. It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year.
Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 represents the estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients each year. It's also
given that 𝑥 represents the number of years since 1997. Therefore, 𝑥 = 0 represents 0 years since 1997, or 1997. Thus,
the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is that the estimated number of advertisements the
company sent to its clients in 1997 was 9,000.

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 2c6f214f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 2c6f214f

The first term of a sequence is . Each term after the first is times the preceding term. If represents the th term of
the sequence, which equation gives in terms of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2c6f214f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 𝑤 represents the 𝑛th term of the sequence and 9 is the first term of the sequence, the value of
𝑤 is 9 when the value of 𝑛 is 1. Since each term after the first is 4 times the preceding term, the value of 𝑤 is 94 when the
value of 𝑛 is 2. Therefore, the value of 𝑤 is 944, or 942 , when the value of 𝑛 is 3. More generally, the value of 𝑤 is 94𝑛 - 1 for
a given value of 𝑛. Therefore, the equation 𝑤 = 94𝑛 - 1 gives 𝑤 in terms of 𝑛.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9, and each term after
the first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 4, rather than 9, and each term after
the first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9.

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 6abec9a8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 6abec9a8

What is the -intercept of the graph shown?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6abec9a8 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point 𝑥, 𝑦 on the graph where 𝑥 = 0. At 𝑥 = 0, the
corresponding value of 𝑦 is -5. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph shown is 0, - 5.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at 𝑦 = - 4, not 𝑦 = - 5.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at 𝑦 = 0, not 𝑦 = - 5.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID ad2ec615
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: ad2ec615

Which of the following is equivalent to the

expression ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ad2ec615 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The term x4 can be factored as . Factoring –6 as yields values that add to –1, the
coefficient of x2 in the expression.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from finding factors of –6 that don’t add to the coefficient of x2 in the
original expression.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 42c71eb5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 42c71eb5

Which of the following is equivalent to

the expression above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 42c71eb5 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The given expression can be rewritten as . Applying the

distributive property, the expression can be rewritten as , or
. Adding like terms yields . Substituting for in the given expression

yields . By the rules of exponents, the expression is equivalent to . Applying

the distributive property, this expression can be rewritten as , or .

Adding like terms gives . Substituting for in the rewritten expression yields

, and adding like terms yields .

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choices C and D may result from rewriting the expression as ,

instead of as . Choices B and C may result from rewriting the expression as , instead of
.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 52b1700c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 52b1700c

Time (years) Total amount (dollars)

Rosa opened a savings account at a bank. The table shows the exponential relationship between the time , in years,
since Rosa opened the account and the total amount , in dollars, in the account. If Rosa made no additional deposits or
withdrawals, which of the following equations best represents the relationship between and ?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 52b1700c Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the relationship between 𝑡 and 𝑛 is exponential. The table shows that the value of 𝑛
increases as the value of 𝑡 increases. Therefore, the relationship between 𝑡 and 𝑛 can be represented by an increasing
𝑡
exponential equation of the form 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏 , where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive constants. The table shows that when 𝑡 = 0,
𝑛 = 604. Substituting 0 for 𝑡 and 604 for 𝑛 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏𝑡 yields 604 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏0 , which is equivalent to
604 = 𝑎1, or 604 = 𝑎. Substituting 604 for 𝑎 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏𝑡 yields 𝑛 = 6041 + 𝑏𝑡 . The table also shows that
𝑡 1
when 𝑡 = 1, 𝑛 = 606.42. Substituting 1 for 𝑡 and 606.42 for 𝑛 in the equation 𝑛 = 6041 + 𝑏 yields 606.42 = 6041 + 𝑏 , or
606.42 = 6041 + 𝑏. Dividing both sides of this equation by 604 yields approximately 1.004 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from
both sides of this equation yields that the value of 𝑏 is approximately 0.004. Substituting 0.004 for 𝑏 in the equation
𝑡 𝑡
𝑛 = 6041 + 𝑏 yields 𝑛 = 6041 + 0.004 . Therefore, of the choices, choice C best represents the relationship between 𝑡
and 𝑛.

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