Lesson 4

Inequalities and Absolute Values

CHAPTER 7 / THE SAT MATH TEST: THE HEART OF ALGEBRA 307

Ski l l 3 : Worki ng with I neq ua l ities a nd

Absol ute Va l ues
Lesson 8: Understa nding i nequalities and absol ute va l ues

On the real number line, a number, b, is more than (Medium-hard) We can use this definition to translate
twice as far from -3 as it is from 3. Which of the fol­ the problem. The key is to translate the statement "b
lowing equations can be solved to find all possible is more than twice as far from -3 as it is from 3" into
values of b? a statement about distances: "The distance between b
and -3 is more than twice the distance between b and
A) l b - 3 1 > 2 lb + 3 1 3." Notice how easily this translates into a n inequality:
B) lb + 3 1 > 2 lb - 3 1 (The distance between b and -3) is more than (twice
the distance between b and 3)
C) 2l b - 3 1 > l b + 3 1
D) 2 lb + 3 1 > l b - 3 1 lb - (-3) 1 > 2 lb - 3 1

l b + 3 1 > 2l b - 3 1
Distance and absolute value
which is choice (B).
The absolute value of a number x, written as lxl,
means its distance from 0 on the number line. In
fact, we can use absolute value to represent the
distance between any two numbers.

Ix - a l means the distance between x and a on

the number line.

Notice that this works no matter which number is

greater. For instance, the distance between 2 and
7 is 12 - 7 1 = I - S I = S, which is the same as the
distance between 7 and 2: 1 7 - 21 = ISi = S.
Notice that an expression like Ix + al is equiva­
lent to Ix - (-a)I, which means that Ix + a l can
be translated as the distance between x and -a.
308 McGraw-Hill Education: SAT

Lesson 9: Solving inequalities with the Laws of lneguality

I f _ 2_ < - 2x + 1 < _ 2_ , what i s one p o s s ible value So we can solve the sandwich inequality by applying
2 3
of x? the correct laws of inequality: - -1 < - 2x + l < - -1
2 3

I I I I I
Multiply by - 6 (the common
denominator) and "switch:" 3 > 1 2x - 6 > 2

Add 6: 9 > 1 2x > 8

(Easy) This kind of inequality is called a "sandwich
inequality" because the expression in the middle is Divide by 1 2 : 0.75 > x > 0.66 . .
.

between the other two, like meat between slices of

Therefore, any value greater than 0.666 but less than
bread. Working with inequalities like this one requ ires
0.750 is correct.
understanding the Laws of Inequality. a
Which of the following must be true if -< - 3?
-

h
The L aws of lnequality A) a S -3h
Every inequality is a "tipped" scale, and the Laws B) a 2:'. -3h
o f lnequality are simply the rules for "keeping t h e
C) a ::; -3h < 0 or a 2:: -3h > 0
scale tipped the right way," that is, deducing other
true inequalities that follow from the original D) a s -3h < 0 or a 2:: -3h > 0
one. I n a nutshell, the Laws of Inequality say that
(Hard ) We might be tempted to multiply both sides of
1 . You may make changes to any inequality, as the inequality by h and get the i nequality in (A). But
long as you follow rules 2, 3 and 4 . this would be incorrect because it would ignore rule 4.
2 . Whatever y o u do to one side of the inequality, We need to consider the possibility that h might he nega­
you must do to the other. tive. Let's think about possible solutions to the original
3. You may not perform undefined operations inequality. Notice that a = J O and h = -2 gives a possible
(like d ividing by 0), or operations that h ave solution, because 1 0/(-2) = -5 s -3. But this would not
more than one possible result (like taking a satisfy the inequality in (A): 10 is not less than or equal to
square root) . (-3)(-2) = 6.
4. I f you multiply or d ivide both sides by a nega­ To solve this inequality, we will need to consider two
tive number, you must "switch" the direction distinct possible conditions:
of the inequality. This is because multiplying
or dividing by a negative number involves a Condition 1 : I f h > 0, then a s - 3h and t herefore
reflection over the origin on the number line, a S -3h < 0
and this reflection requires the "switch": Condition 2: I f h < 0, then a 2:: -3h and therefore

�
a 2:: -3h > 0

which is the answer in choice (D).

• I I I I I I I I I �

-4 <-2 0 2 < 4
CHAPTER 7 I THE SAT MATH TEST: THE HEART OF ALGEBRA 309

Les so n 1 0: Graphing inegua lities

O n the real number line, a number, b, is more than twice lb + 31 > 2 lb - 3 1 . How do we translate this i nto a graph?
as far from -3 as it is from 3. Which of the following The simplest way to start i s to visualize the number line,
graphs represents all possible values of b? and to think about a related, but simpler, question: What
if b is exactly twice as far from -3 as it is from 3? A little
A) guessing and checking should reveal that two points
work:
--? I I I ; I I
Exactly twice a s fa r from - 3 a s from 3
-3 0 1 3 9 /' ""
• + I I + I + I + I "
-3 0 1 3 9
B)
Notice that 9 works because 3 is the m idpoint between
...-.: I I I ? I .. -3 and 9, and 1 works because it is 2/3 of the way from -3
-3 0 1 3 9 to 3 . Also, you can confirm that both numbers satisfy the
equation lb + 3 1 = 2lb - 31. These two points now divide
the line into three parts: everything less than 1, every­
C) thing between 1 and 9, and everything greater than 9. A
little bit of checking (just pick a number from each por­
-3 0 1 3 9 tion and plug it i nto our inequality) confirms that only
the numbers i n the m iddle portion satisfy our inequality,
so the correct graph is the one in choice (D).
D)
When graphing inequalities, it often helps to start
with the graph of the corresponding equation
-3 0 1 3 9
and work from there. The graph of the equation
usually provides the boundaries for the graph
(Medium) We saw this scenario i n Lesson 8, but now of the inequality.
we are asked to graph the solution. Recall from Lesson
8 that this relationship is expressed by the inequality
310 McGraw-Hill Education: SAT

Exerc ise¥ Set 4 (No Calcu lator) MM ¥ FEW !1 flii Mi t l &12' &b i' Ht "

• Ill
What positive number is twice as fa r from 1 0 as it is Which of the following statements is equivalent to
from 1 ? the statement -4 < 2x � 2?
A) x > -2 and x � 1

I I I I I B) x < -2 or x 2'. 1
C) x 2: -2 and x < 1

n D) x � -2 or x > 1

I f the points (2, a) and (14, b) are 20 units apart, what

is la - W B
The annual profit from the sales of an item is equal

I I I I
to the annual revenue minus the annual cost for
that item. The revenue from that item is equal to the
number of units sold times the price per unit. I f n
u n its of a portable heart monitor were sold i n 201 2 at
.. a price of $65 each, and the annual cost to produce n
What is the least integer n for which O < � < � ? units was $(20,000 l On), then which of the follow­
n 9
ing statements indicates that the total profit for this
heart monitor in 2 0 1 2 was greater than $500,000?
I I I I A) 500,000 < 55n - 20,000
B) 500,000 > 55n - 20,000
II C) 500,000 < 55n + 20,000n
I f Ix + 4 1 = Ix - 51, what is the value of x?
D) 500,000 < 75n - 20,000n

I I I I I Colin can read a maximum of 25 pages an hou r. I f he

.. has been reading a 250 page book for h hours, where
h < 10, and has p pages left to read, which of the fol­
What is the greatest integer value of n such that lowing expresses the relat ionship between p and h?
n 1 25
-- > - -?
21 2 A) 250 - p � h

I I I I I 25
>p+-
B) 250 -
h
• C) 250 - p � 25h
1 3 D) 250 + 25h � p
What is the only integer b for which - > - and
3b 2: 7. 5? b 11

m
On the real number l ine, a number, x, is more than
4 times as far from 1 0 as it is from 40. Which of
the following statements describes all possible val­
ues of x?
•
A) x < 34 or x > 50
I f (b + 2)2 = (b - 5)2, what is the value of b?
B) x > 40
C) 34 < x < 50

I I D) 32.5 < x < 1 60

CHAPTER 7 I THE SAT MATH TEST: THE HEART OF ALGEBRA 31 1

Exerc ise Set 4 (Ca lc u lator)

1111
If a < 0 and la - 51 = 7, what is lal? If the average (arithmetic mean) of a and b is greater
than the average (arithmetic mean) of c and 2b,
which of the following must b e true?

I I I I I A) b > O
B) a > b

111 C) a > b + c
If n i s a positive i nteger and 16 > 1 6 - 3nl > 19, what D) a + c > b
is the value of n?
Ill

I I I I I
Of the statements below, which is equivalent to the
statement "The distance from x to 1 i s greater than
the distance from x to 3?
A) 1 <x<3
ID
B) x > 2
What is the only integer n such that 20 - 2n > 5 and
2n C) x < 2
- > 4?
3 D) x - 1 > 3

m
Which of the following is equivalent to the statement
4x2 2: 9?
DI
A) 2x > 3
What i s the smallest number that is as far from 9.25
as 3 i s from - 1 .5? B) x 2: 1 . 5 or x :::; - 1 .5
C) lxl > 2

I I
D) - 1 . 5 S x S 1 . 5

•
If l2x + I I = 2lk - 4 for all values of x, what is the 0 6
value of lkl?
The graph above indicates the complete solution set
to which of the following statements?

I I I I I A) Ix - 3 1 > 3
B) lxl < 6
C) Ix - 6 1 < 6
Ill
D) Ix - 3 1 < 3
Which of the following is equivalent to the statement
Ix - 21 < I?
m
A) x<3 Which of the following is true for all real values of x?
B) x < -l A) lxl > 0
C) l <x<3 B) x < 2 or x > 1
D) -1 < x < 3 C) x > -2 or x < -3
D ) x2 - 1 > 0
312 McGraw-Hill Education: SAT

EXERCISE SET 4 ANSW E R KEY

No Calculator 6. 3 3b � 7.5

1. 4 It is helpful to plot these values on the number Divide by 3: b � 2.5

line and think: 1 3
->­
I- 3 --+-- 6 --j b 11
Since b is greater than or equal to 2.5, it is positive, so we
-8 01 4 10 can multiply both sides by l l b without "swapping" the
� 9 -----i inequality:
>--��� i s-����
1 1 > 3b
The distance between 1 and 10 is 9, so clea rly the number
that is 9 more units to the left of 1 1 namely - 8, is twice Divide by 3: 3.67 > b
as far from 10 as it is from 1. However, this is a negative The only integer between 2 . 5 and 3.67 is 3 .
number so it ca n't be our answer. There is one other
number that is twice as fa r from 10 as it is from 1: the
number that is 1 /3 the distance from 1 to 10. Th is number 7 . 3/2 o r 1 . 5 ( b + 2)2 = ( b - 5)2
is 4, which is 3 units from 1 and 6 units from 10. FOIL: b2 + 4b + 4 = b2 - l O b + 25
Subtract b2: 4b + 4 = - lOb + 25
2 . 16 From the Distance Formula, Add lOb: 14b + 4 = 25
(2 - 14)2 + (a - b)2 = 202 Subtract 4: l4b = 2 1
Simplify: 144 + (a - b)2 = 400 Divide by 14: b = 1.5

Subtract 144: (a - b)2 = 256

8. A - 4 < 2x ::; 2
Square root: l a - bl = 16
Divide by 2 : -2 < x ::; 1
3. 8 4 5
0<-<- which is equivalent to -2 < x and x ::; 1 .
n 9
Since n must be positive for this statement to be true, we 9. A The profit is the revenue minus t h e cost:
can multiply by 9n without having to "swap" the inequal­ 65n - (20,000 + lOn) = 55n - 20,000.
ity symbols:
0 < 36 < 5n 10. C I f Colin can read a maximum of 25 pages an
hour, then in h hours he can read a maximum of 25h
Divide by 5: 0 < 7.2 < n pages. I f he has p pages left in a 250-page book, he has
Therefore, the smallest integer value of n is 8. read 250 - p pages. Since it has taken him h hours to read
these 250 - p pages, 250 - p ::; 25h.
4 . V2 o r . 5 T\.vo numbers, a and b, have the same 11. c Ix - 1 0 1 > 4 lx - 401
absolute value only if they are equal or opposites. Clearly
x + 4 and x - 5 cannot be equal, since x - 5 is 9 less than It helps to sketch the number line and divide is i nto
x + 4 . Therefore they must b e opposites. three sections: the numbers less than 10, the numbers
between 10 and 40, and the numbers greater than 40.
x + 4 = -(x - 5) CASE 1 : x < 10. It should be clear that all numbers less
Distribute: x + 4 = -x + 5 than 10 are closer to 10 than they are to 40, so this set
Add x: 2x + 4 = 5 conta ins no solutions.
Subtract 4: 2x = 1 CASE 2 : 10 < x ::; 40. I f x is between 10 and 40, x - 1 0 i s
positive and x - 4 0 is negative, so Ix - 1 0 1 = x - 10 a n d
Divide by 2: x = 1/2
Ix - 401 = - (x - 40).
Ix - 10 1 > 4lx - 401
5. 1 0 n 1
-- > - - Substitute: x - 10 > - 4 (x - 40)
21 2
Multiply by -4 2 and "swap:" 2n < 2 1 Distribute: x - 10 > - 4x + 160
Add 4x: 5x - 10 > 160
Divide by 2 : n < 10.5
Add 10: 5x > 170
Therefore, the greatest possible integer value of n is 10.
Divide by 5: x > 34
CHAPTER 7 I THE SAT MATH TEST: THE HEART OF ALGEBRA 313

So this gives us 34 < x :::; 40. like x = 1. l2x + l l = 2lk - xi

CASE 3 : x > 40. If x is greater than 40, then both x - 10 Substitute x = 1 : 12(1) + l l = 2lk - l l
and x - 40 are positive, so Ix - 1 0 1 = x - 10 and Ix - 401 = Simplify: 3 = 2lk - l l
1.5 = lk - ll
x - 40.
Divide by 2:
lx - 101 > 4 lx - 401
Therefore ± 1 .5 = k - 1
Substitute: x - 10 > 4(x - 40)
Add 1 : k = 2 . 5 or - 0 . 5
12(0) + l l = 2 l k - 0 1
Distribute: x - 10 > 4x - 1 6 0
Now try x = 0 :
Add 10: x > 4x - 150
Simplify: 1 = 2 l kl
Subtract 4x: -3x > - 1 50
Divide by 2: 0.5 = lkl
Divide by -3 and "swap: " x < 50
Therefore ±0.5 = k
So this gives us 40 < x < 50. When we combine this with
Therefore, k = - 0 . 5 and so lkl = l - 0. 5 1 = 0.5.
the solutions from CASE 2, we get 34 < x < 50.

17. C Recall that the expression Ix - 2 1 means "the

distance from x to 2," so the statement Ix - 2 1 < 1 means
Calculator "The distance from x to 2 is less than l ." Therefore, the
solution set is all of the numbers that are less than 1 u n it
12. 2 I f l a - 5 1 = 7, then either a - 5 = 7 or a - 5 = - 7, away from 2, which are all the numbers between 1 and 3 .
so either a = 1 2 or a = -2. Since a < 0, a must be -2, and
1 -2 1 =2. a + b c + 2b
18. c -- > --
2 2
1 3 . 8 CASE 1: I f 6 - 3n is positive, then Multiply by 2 : a + b > c + 2b
1 6 - 3nl = 6 - 3n, so 1 6 > 6 - 3n > 19 Subtract b: a > c+b
Subtract 6: 10 > -3n > 1 3
Divide by -3 and "swap:" - 1 0/3 < n < - 1 3/3 19. B The formal translation of this statement i s
But this contradicts the fact that n is positive. Ix - l l > Ix - 3 1 , which w e can solve algebraically b y con­
sidering three cases: (I) x :::; l , (II) 1 < x :S 3, and (II I) x >
CASE 2 : If 6 - 3n is negative, then
3, but it is probably easier to just graph the number line
1 6 - 3nl = - (6 - 3n), so 1 6 > - (6 - 3n) > 19 and notice that the midpoint between 1 and 3, that is, 2,
Distribute: 1 6 > - 6 + 3n > 1 9 is the point at which the distance to 1 and the distance
Add 6: 22 > 3n > 25 to 3 are equal. Therefore, the points that are farther from
1 than from 3 are simply the points to the right of this
Divide by 3: 7. 33 > n > 8.33
midpoint, or x > 2.
And the only integer i n this range is n = 8.
20. B 4x2 2 9
14. 7 20 - 2n > 5 Take square root: l2xl 2 3
Subtract 20: -2n > - 1 5 I f x > 0: 2x 2 3
D ivide by -2 and "swap: " n < 7. 5 Divide by 2: x 2 1.5
2n I f x < 0: 2x :::; - 3
->4
3
Divide by 2: x :S - 1 . 5
Multiply by 3: 2n > 1 2
D ivide by 2 : n>6 2 1 . D Notice that t h e midpoint o f t h e segment shown
Since n must be an i nteger between 6 and 7. 5, n = 7. is 3, and the graph shows all points that are less than 3
units in either direction. Therefore, Ix - 3 1 < 3 .
1 5 . 4.75 The distance from 3 to - 1 . 5 is 13 - (- 1 . 5) 1
= 4.5. Therefore t h e two numbers that a r e 4.5 away from 22. B (A) is untrue if x = 0 , (C) is untrue for x = -2,
9.25 are 9.25 + 4.5 = 1 3 .75 and 9.25 - 4 . 5 = 4.75. and (D) is untrue if x = 0.5. But (B) is true for any real
number.
1 6 . Y2 o r . 5 If the equation is true for all values of x,
let's choose a convenient value for x,
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 2

5. More than 450 students traveled to a state park for a field trip. The school allowed 6 students
to travel by car, and the rest traveled on 11 buses, each of which held the same number of
students. If there were s students in each bus, which inequality best represents this situation?
A. 11s + 6 > 450
B. 11s + 6 < 450
C. 6s + 11 > 450
D. 6s + 11 < 450

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 2

6. A barber charges $12 for a haircut. His operating expenses are, on average, $37 per day. He
calculates his profit by subtracting his operating costs from the money he earns from the
haircuts he gives. In a given day, the barber expects to make a profit of at least $86. If the
barber gives h haircuts in a day, which inequality best models this situation?
A. 12h − 37 ≥ 86
B. 12(h − 37) ≥ 86
C. 12h + 37 ≥ 86
D. 12(h + 37) ≥ 86

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 2

7. A distributor ships DVDs to several stores. The shipping boxes contain several DVDs (in their
cases) plus a layer of padding at each end of the box. The DVD cases and layers of padding
can be arranged neatly inside each box. Each DVD case is 14 mm (millimeters) thick, each
layer of padding is 10 mm thick, and the length of the interior of the box is 132 mm. If d
represents the number of DVDs that the distributor can fit into one box with two layers of
padding, which of the following inequalities best models the situation?
A. 10! + 14 ≤ 132
B. 14! + 20 ≤ 132
C. 20! + 14 ≤ 132
D. 14! + 10 ≤ 132

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 2

8. To rent a car for one week, a car rental company charges a $200 base price as well as $0.45
per mile. Jennifer will rent a vehicle at this company, but she has a $275 budget. Which of the
following is a possible number of miles that Jennifer can drive without exceeding her budget?
A. 166 miles
B. 167 miles
C. 168 miles
D. 169 miles
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 2

9. Woo-Jin would like to bring several books from his favorite series in his backpack. The
!
backpack can hold up to a depth of 10 inches of materials. Woo-Jin's laptop and a notebook
!

fill a total of 3 inches of that depth. Each book would fill 1.5 inches of the depth of the
backpack. Only one stack of books can fit the height and width of the backpack. If x
represents the number of books that Woo-Jin could carry in his backpack, which of the
following inequalities best models the situation described above?
A. 3 + 1.5! < 10.5
B. 3 + 1.5! ≤ 10.5
C. 3! + 1.5 < 10.5
D. 3! + 1.5 ≤ 10.5

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 2

10. In the year 2000, the average American consumed 8.3 gallons of whole milk per year. This
amount has been decreasing by 0.3 gallons per year. Which inequality can be used to find the
number of years, t, since 2000 when whole milk consumption was greater than 6.0 gallons per
person per year?
A. 8.3 − 0.3t > 6.0
B. 8.3 − 0.3(t − 2000) > 6.0
C. 8.3 − 0.3t < 6.0
D. 8.3 − 0.3(t − 2000) < 6.0

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 3

11. An amusement center charges a $45 flat fee for any birthday party plus $3.50 for each guest
after the first one. Josiah wants to spend no more than $200 for his birthday party. If there are
x guests, which of the following inequalities best models the situation above?
A. 45 + 3.50! ≤ 200
B. 45 + 3.50(! − 1) ≤ 200
C. 45! + 3.50 ≤ 200
D. 45 ! − 1 + 3.50 ≤ 200

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 3

12. Hamadi is renting a car. With his extreme coupons, the rental charge is $17.50 per day plus
$0.16 per mile. His company will reimburse Hamadi for $33 of this portion of the travel
expenses. If he rents the car for one day, what is one possible number of miles paid for by the
company?
A. 53
B. 97
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
C. 110
D. 150

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 3

13. To get to school, Da'Quon walks 0.6 miles from his house to the bus stop. He then takes the
bus for 3.9 miles. After he gets off the bus, he can choose one of several walking routes to
school. The total amount of miles he travels, via walking and bus, does not exceed 5.4. What
is the greatest possible number of miles he walks after getting off the bus?
A. 0.0 miles
B. 0.3 miles
C. 0.9 miles
D. 1.5 miles

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 3

14. Karim has a $35 gift card to his favorite restaurant. Meal tax in his area is 14.3%. Karim
would also like to leave a $5 tip. If c represents Karim's pre-tax bill, and he wants to pay the
entire meal amount, including tip and tax, using the gift card, which of the following
inequalities best models the situation described above?
A. 1.143c − 5 ≥ 35
B. 1.143c + 5 ≤ 35
C. 0.143c − 5 ≤ 35
D. 0.143c + 5 ≥ 35

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 3

15. One of the rules in a public speaking contest requires contestants to speak for as close to 3
minutes (180 seconds) as possible. Contestants lose 2 points for each second they speak either
over or under the 3 minutes. If a contestant lost 18 points, what are the possible lengths of
time they spoke?
A. 171 and 186 seconds
B. 174 and 186 seconds
C. 171 and 189 seconds
D. 174 and 189 seconds

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 1

16. A gemologist determines that a gemstone weighs 1.235 carats. Guidelines allow a maximum
weighing error of 0.001 carats in reporting gemstone weight. Which of the following
equations can be used to determine the smallest and largest possible true weights, c, of the
gemstone?
A. |c − 0.001| = 1.235
B. |c − 1.235| = 0.1235
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
C. |c − 0.001| = 0.01
D. |c − 1.235| = 0.001

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 1

17. A company's unit cost for producing x units is a minimum when x=2,000 units are produced.
The unit cost increases $0.25 for every unit more or less than 2,000 produced. Which of the
following could be the number of units for which the unit cost increases by $7.50 from the
minimum?
A. 1,700 or 2,300
B. 1,975 or 2,025
C. 1,997 or 2,003
D. 1,970 or 2,030

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 1

18. Felipe has a 15 gallon gas tank in his car. He fills his tank, and then drives the x miles back to
college. Upon his arrival, he fills his tank for $20.91. If his car averages 24 miles per gallon
(mpg), and at the time, gas costs $2.46 per gallon, which of the following best approximates
x?
A. 128
B. 204
C. 360
D. 502

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 1

19. In 2005, approximately 16.5% of seats in national parliaments were held by women. Between
2005 and 2014, this percentage increased at a constant rate of about 3 percentage points every
5 years. If t is the year when approximately 19% of the seats in national parliaments were held
by women, which of the following equations best models the situation?
A. 16.5 + 3! = 19
!
B. 16.5 + ! = 19
!

C. 16.5 + 3(! − 2005) = 19

!
D. 16.5 + (! − 2005) = 19
!

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 1

20. Ella needs a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution as an antiseptic. She has a 100 milliliter (ml)
container of 90% isopropyl alcohol solution. Approximately how much water should Ella add
to dilute it to a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution? Round to the nearest tenth.
% ml of water
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%

Correct answer: 28.6 Difficulty level: 1

21. For many trees, the approximate age of the tree (in years) is equal to the diameter of the tree
(in inches) times the tree's growth factor. Deniz estimates that a certain red maple tree in her
yard is about 80 years old. If red maple trees have a growth factor of 4.5, which of the
following equations could be used to find x, the diameter of the tree in feet?
A. 80 = 12(4.5!)
!.!!
B. 80 =
!"

!"!
C. 80 =
!.!

!
D. 80 =
(!")(!.!)

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 1

22. The property taxes in a town decrease as the distance from the town hall increases. For every
5 miles from the town hall, property taxes decrease by 0.2 percentage points. Which of the
following equations can be used to determine how far north or south of the town hall a house
is whose property taxes are 0.76 percentage points less than the taxes at the town hall?
Note: y is the position of a house that is directly north or south of the town hall, with y>0
representing north and y<0 representing south.
A. 0.04|! − 5| = 0.76!
B. 0.04|!| = 0.76!
C. 4|! − 5| = 0.76!
D. 4|!| = 0.76!

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 1

23. Josie's hair currently falls about 16 centimeters (cm) below her shoulder and grows about 5
cm every 4 months. Josie plans to grow her hair and donate about 21 cm of her hair to charity
after her next haircut. If Josie would like to have her hair fall about 5 cm below her shoulders
after her next haircut, which of the following equations could be used to find the number of
months, mmm, for which Josie must grow her hair?
A. 1.25! = 5!
B. 1.25! = 21!
C. 16 + 1.25! − 21 = 5!
D. 5 + 1.25! − 16 = 21!

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 1

24. Melissa has an 80 inch (in) piece of wrought iron that she wishes to use to make a rectangular
piece of art. She wants the length of the rectangular piece of art to be 12 inches longer than
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
the width. What is the largest length possible?
A. 14 in
B. 26 in
C. 34 in
D. 46 in

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 1

25. Yong needs to cut a 3 foot long board into several 2 inch lengths. With each cut, his saw blade
!
shaves off an additional inch of the board. What is the maximum number of full 2 inch
!

lengths that Yong can cut from his board?

% lengths

Correct answer: 17 Difficulty level: 1

26. Aria is buying refreshments for a birthday party. She intends to get an ice cream cake for $23
and some cupcakes for $2 each. Aria has a $45 budget but does not have to spend the entire
amount. Which inequality best represents the number of cupcakes, c, that Aria can purchase?
A. c > 11!
B. c < 11 !
C. c ≥ 11
D. c ≤ 11

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 2

27. Stan is crocheting scarves to sell at a craft fair. He will give away the first 2 scarves that he
crochets and will sell the rest at the craft fair for $8 each. His scarves are very popular and
people always buy all that he is willing to sell. Stan's goal is to earn at least $75 at the craft
fair. If n represents the number of scarves which Stan needs to crochet to meet his goal, which
of the following inequalities best models the situation described above?
A. 8! − 2 ≥ 75
B. 8! ≥ 75 − 2
C. 8(! − 2) ≥ 75
D. (8 − 2)! ≥ 75

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 2

28. In golf, someone who completes a course in fewer strokes beats someone who completes it
with more strokes. Par means the standard number of strokes it takes to complete a specific
course. Amateurs generally require more strokes.
Ayumi averages 1.5 times par strokes per game, but her brother Daiki averages 1.75 times par
strokes per game. To make the game more even, Ayumi adds 18 strokes to her total when she
plays against Daiki.
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
Assuming both Ayumi and Daiki play average games, which inequality best represents the par,
p, in a golf game where Ayumi beats her brother Daiki?
A. p > 41!
B. p > 54!
C. p > 72!
D. p > 90!

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 2

29. Arianna and Hannah are conducting an experiment to test the difference threshold for sense of
touch on the forehead. For trial 1, Hannah closes her eyes while Arianna gently touches 2
paperclip points 3 millimeters (mm) apart on Hannah's forehead. Then Hannah reports
whether she could feel 1 or 2 points. For each of the next trials, Arianna and Hannah repeat
this process, each time with the points 2 more mm apart. Hannah reports feeling 1 point until
the points are 15mm apart, when she begins reporting that she feels 2 points. Which inequality
best represents the trial numbers in which Hannah feels 2 points?
A. t > 6!
B. t < 6!
C. t ≥ 7!
D. t ≤ 7!

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 2

!
30. Turkey's government requires at least a majority of Parliament members to approve any
!

constitutional changes. There are 550 seats in the Parliament. Of those, 313 of the seats are
occupied by members who have pledged to support a particular constitutional change. Which
inequality represents the number of additional Parliament members, m, who would need to
support the constitutional change to achieve the required majority?
A. m ≥ 53. 6
B. m ≥ 158
C. m ≥ 303
D. m ≥ 366. 6

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 2

31. In one state, a minimum of 246,400 valid signatures on a petition is required to get a voter
initiative added to a state-wide ballot. The signature collectors can fit 25 signatures per page.
They estimate that 61,600 of the signatures that they collect will not be valid (because of
being duplicates, incomplete, or unregistered voters). If p represents the number of pages of
signatures which the signature collectors should collect in order to get the voter initiative
added to the ballot, which of the following inequalities best models the situation described
above?
A. 25p + 61,600 ≥ 246,400
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
B. 25p + 61,600 ≤ 246,400
C. 25p − 61,600 ≥ 246,400
D. 25p − 61,600 ≤ 246,400

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 2

32. When police analyze the broken glass at a scene, it helps them reconstruct the situation.
Headlight glass is much less dense than the window glass. The headlight glass will be 1.5
grams per milliliter or less. A police officer determines that a fragment of glass displaces
!"##
10.5mLof water. Use the formula density = . Which inequality best shows the
!"#$%&

possible mass, m, in grams of the fragment if it is headlight glass?

A. m ≥ 7
B. m ≤ 7
C. m ≥ 15.75
D. m ≤ 15.75

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 2

33. Jennifer wants to spend no more than $300 on school clothes. She spends $75 on a jacket and
wants to buy some shirts that are on sale for $10 each. Which inequality represents the
number, s, of shirts Jennifer can buy?
A. s < 22!
B. s > 30!
C. s > 37!
D. s < 38!

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 3

34. Teddy is delivering boxes of paper to each floor of an office building. Each box weighs 56
pounds, and Teddy himself weighs 140 pounds. If the maximum capacity of an elevator is
2,000 pounds, or one ton, which of the following inequalities describes how many b boxes
Teddy can safely take on each elevator trip without going over the capacity?
A. b ≥ 32
B. b ≤ 32
C. b ≥ 33
D. b ≤ 33

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 3

35. A small airplane can carry less than 1050 pounds of luggage and mail. Tuesday's load of mail
weighs 490 pounds. If each passenger brings 70 pounds of luggage, what is the greatest
possible number of passengers that can travel on the airplane on Tuesday?
A. 7
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
B. 8
C. 14
D. 15

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 3

36. Trevon is going to buy a coat and a hat. The coat costs 3 times as much as the hat. He must
spend less than $94. If the cost of the hat costs x dollars, which inequality best models this
situation?
A. 3x < 94!
B. 3x > 94!
C. 4x < 94!
D. 4x > 94!

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 3

37. A shipping company charges $3.46 for the first pound of a package and $1.53 for each
additional pound of the package. If Robin wants to spend under $100 on shipping, which
inequality best represents how many pounds, p, Robin can have in her particular package?
A. 3.46 + 1.53p < 100!
B. 3.46 + 1.53(p − 1) < 100!
C. 3.46 + 1.53p − 1 < 100!
D. 3.46(p − 1) + 1.53 < 100!

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 3

38. Members of the wrestling team are planning to sell pre-ordered programs at matches. The cost
to print the programs is $150 plus $0.50 per program. They plan to sell each program for $2.
If profit is the amount of money earned from selling programs minus the expenses of printing
the programs, how many programs must they sell to make a profit of at least $500?
A. 260
B. 261
C. 433
D. 434

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 4

39. Christopher has at most $18.50 to spend at a convenience store. He buys one bag of bananas
for $1.50 and a bottle of apple juice for $1.55. If gasoline at this store costs $2.35 per gallon,
which of the following number of gallons can he buy for his car without exceeding his
budget?
A. 4.23
B. 7.61
C. 10.82
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
D. 15.17

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 4

40. Jonas is traveling by bus to visit a friend who lives 300 miles away. The friend has asked
Jonas to call at least 30 minutes before arriving, so he can pick up Jonas. Jonas's bus travels at
a constant speed of 45 miles per hour. Which inequality shows the number of travel hours, t,
before which Jonas should call his friend?
!
A. t ≤ 6
!

!
B. t ≥ 6
!

!
C. t ≤ 6
!

!
D. t ≥ 6
!

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 4

41. One particular hotel in the downtown area costs $90 a night. An additional 10% tax is added
to the original cost of the hotel room. There is also a one-time $12 parking charge, and a
family can expect to spend $30 on tips during their stay. How many nights can a family spend
at the hotel without exceeding their budget of $600?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 62
D. 66

Correct answer: A Difficulty level: 4

42. An audiologist is testing a patient to determine the softest sound of a specific frequency that
the patient reports hearing. She begins with a 10 decibel (dB) sound for trial 1, then increases
the volume by 2dB for each trial after that. If the patient can hear all sounds of that frequency
that have a volume louder than 26dB, and t represents the trial numbers that the patient can
hear, which of the following inequalities best models the situation described above?
A. 2t + 10 ≥ 26
B. 2t + 10 > 26
C. 2(t − 1) + 10 ≥ 26
D. 2(t − 1) + 10 > 26

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 4

43. A college student has equally weighted exam grades of 71, 83, and 90 on three 100-point
exams. The student has one more 100-point exam that counts toward his grade and wants an
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
exam average of at least 84. Which inequality represents the range of scores the student can
get to achieve this desired exam average?
A. m ≥ 8
B. m ≥ 79
C. m ≥ 81
D. m ≥ 92

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 3

44. Crys began a workout regimen at a local health club. She began her workouts at 45 minutes
each, but has since increased the workouts by 5 minutes per week. Her total workout time
cannot exceed 2 hours. If Crys has workouts for x weeks until she hits 2 hours, which
inequality best models the situation?
A. 45! + 5 ≤ 120
B. 45! + 5 ≥ 120
C. 45 + 5(! − 1) ≤ 120
D. 45 + 5! ≤ 120

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 3

45. Anais donates blood for the first time on May 15th, the 135th day of the year. She may donate
again every 56 days. If n is the number of total times which Anais donates this year, which
equation best models the situation for n ≥ 1?
A. 56n + 135 ≤ 365
B. 56(n − 1) + 135 ≤ 365
C. 56n − 1 + 135 < 365
D. 56 n + 135 < 365

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 3

46. Joanne and Richard volunteer at a hospital. Joanne volunteers 4 hours more per week than
Richard does. In a given week, they do not volunteer for more than a combined total of 16
hours. If x is the number of hours that Richard volunteers, which inequality best models this
situation?
A. ! + 4 ≤ 16
B. 2! + 4 ≤ 16
C. 2! + 8 ≤ 16
D. 2! − 4 ≤ 16

Correct answer: B Difficulty level: 4

47. Mikal has a summer project in which he must complete at least 35 hours of community
service at a city park. Each day that he goes to the park, he volunteers for 7 hours. It takes him
1.5 hours to get to the park each way, which also counts toward his community service hours.
Khan%math% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
%
Which of the following inequalities can be used to find the number of days, d, Mikal must
volunteer at the park to complete his summer project?
A. 7d > 35
B. 7d ≥ 35
C. 7d + 3 > 35
D. 7d + 3d ≥ 35

Correct answer: D Difficulty level: 4

48. An insurance agent sells an insurance policy with an out-of-pocket maximum of $5,000.
Out-of-pocket expenses include any deductibles and coinsurance that the client pays beyond
the normal monthly premium. The client has a deductible of $250. This means that the client
has to pay all of the first $250 of expenses insured by the policy. After that, the client has a 20%
co-insurance, meaning the client pays 20% of the insured expenses and the insurance
company pays the remainder. Which inequality represents how much the total insured
expenses, x, could be if the client has not yet reached the out-of-pocket maximum?
A. x < 26,000
B. x < 25,000
C. x < 24,000
D. x < 23,750

Correct answer: C Difficulty level: 4

SAT