Question ID b0e72232

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: b0e72232

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: b0e72232 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution when the lines in the xy-plane
representing the equations are parallel and distinct. Two lines are parallel and distinct if their slopes are the same and their y-
intercepts are different. The slope of the graph of the given equation, 3𝑥 = 36𝑦 - 45, in the xy-plane can be found by rewriting
the equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the graph and 0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept. Adding 45 to each side of
1 5 1 5
the given equation yields 3𝑥 + 45 = 36𝑦. Dividing each side of this equation by 36 yields 𝑥 + = 𝑦, or 𝑦 = 𝑥 + . It follows
12 4 12 4
1 5
that the slope of the graph of the given equation isand the y-intercept is 0, . Therefore, the graph of the second equation
12 4
1 5
in the system must also have a slope of , but must not have a y-intercept of 0, . Multiplying each side of the equation given
12 4
1 1 1 1
in choice B by yields 𝑥 = 𝑦, or 𝑦 = 𝑥. It follows that the graph representing the equation in choice B has a slope of and
4 12 12 12
a y-intercept of 0, 0. Since the slopes of the graphs of the two equations are equal and the y-intercepts of the graphs of the
two equations are different, the equation in choice B could be the second equation in the system.

1 1
Choice A is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑦 = 𝑥. It follows that the graph of this equation has a slope of 4 , so
4
the system consisting of this equation and the given equation has exactly one solution, rather than no solution.

1
Choice C is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑦 =
12
𝑥 + 54 . It follows that the graph of this equation has a slope of
1 5
and a y-intercept of 0, , so the system consisting of this equation and the given equation has infinitely many solutions,
12 4
rather than no solution.

1
Choice D is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑦 =
36
𝑥 + 54 . It follows that the graph of this equation has a slope of
1
, so the system consisting of this equation and the given equation has exactly one solution, rather than no solution.
36

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 43e69f94
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions Hard

ID: 43e69f94

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 43e69f94 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It's given that the cost of renting a backhoe for up to 10 days is $ 270 for the first day and $ 135 for each
additional day. Therefore, the cost 𝑦, in dollars, for 𝑥 days, where 𝑥 ≤ 10, is the sum of the cost for the first day, $ 270, and the
cost for the additional 𝑥 - 1 days, $ 135𝑥 - 1. It follows that 𝑦 = 270 + 135𝑥 - 1, which is equivalent to 𝑦 = 270 + 135𝑥 - 135, or
𝑦 = 135𝑥 + 135.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the cost of renting a backhoe is $ 135 for the first day and
$ 270 for each additional day.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8d93d73a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities Hard

in one or two
variables

ID: 8d93d73a

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8d93d73a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Substituting 3 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 53 + 6, or 𝑦 < 21. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 3, the
corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 21. Substituting 5 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 55 + 6, or 𝑦 < 31. Therefore,
when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 31. Substituting 7 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 57 + 6, or 𝑦 < 41
. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 7, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 41. For the table in choice A, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding
value of 𝑦 is 17, which is less than 21; when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 27, which is less than 31; and when 𝑥 = 7,
the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 37, which is less than 41. Therefore, the table in choice A gives values of 𝑥 and their
corresponding values of 𝑦 that are all solutions to the given inequality.

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 9609a243
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 9609a243

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9609a243 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines represented by the
equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. The graphs of two lines in the xy-plane represented by equations in the
form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are proportional
to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation. The first equation in the given system can be written in the form
𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 by subtracting 9𝑦 from both sides of the equation to yield 4𝑥 - 18𝑦 = 5. The second equation in the given system
can be written in the form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 by subtracting 4𝑥 from both sides of the equation to yield -4𝑥 + ℎ𝑦 = 2. The
coefficient of 𝑥 in this second equation, -4, is -1 times the coefficient of 𝑥 in the first equation, 4. For the lines to be parallel,
the coefficient of 𝑦 in the second equation, ℎ, must also be -1 times the coefficient of 𝑦 in the first equation, -18. Thus,
ℎ = - 1 ( - 18 ) , or ℎ = 18. Therefore, if the given system has no solution, the value of ℎ is 18.

Choice A is incorrect. If the value of ℎ is -9, then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.

Choice B is incorrect. If the value of ℎ is 0, then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.

Choice C is incorrect. If the value of ℎ is 9, then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0876dbef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 0876dbef

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

ID: 0876dbef Answer

Correct Answer: 3.5, 7/2

Rationale

7
The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines represented by
2
the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. Two lines represented by equations in standard form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶,
where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are proportional to the
7 5 4 7
corresponding coefficients in the other equation. The first equation in the given system, 𝑦 - 𝑥 = - 𝑦, can be written in
8 8 7 8
7
standard form by adding 𝑦 to both sides of the equation, which yields 14 𝑦 - 5 𝑥 = 4 , or - 5 𝑥 + 14 𝑦 = 4 . Multiplying each term in
8 8 8 7 8 8 7
32 5 7 15
this equation by -8 yields 5𝑥 - 14𝑦 = - . The second equation in the given system, 𝑥 + = 𝑝𝑦 + , can be written in
7 4 4 4
7 5 8
standard form by subtracting and 𝑝𝑦 from both sides of the equation, which yields 𝑥 - 𝑝𝑦 = . Multiplying each term in this
4 4 4
32
equation by 4 yields 5𝑥 - 4𝑝𝑦 = 8. The coefficient of 𝑥 in the first equation, 5𝑥 - 14𝑦 = - , is equal to the coefficient of 𝑥 in the
7
second equation, 5𝑥 - 4𝑝𝑦 = 8. For the lines to be parallel, and for the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation to be
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation, the coefficient of 𝑦 in the second equation must also be
- 4𝑝. Dividing both sides of this equation by -4 yields -14 = 𝑝
equal to the coefficient of 𝑦 in the first equation. Therefore, -14 =
-4
7 7
, or 𝑝 = . Therefore, if the given system of equations has no solution, the value of 𝑝 is . Note that 7/2 and 3.5 are examples
2 2
of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c5526332
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions Hard

ID: c5526332

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: c5526332 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The table gives that 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 0 when 𝑥 = 2. Substituting 0 for 𝑓𝑥 and 2 for 𝑥 into the equation
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 0 = 2𝑎 + 𝑏. Subtracting 2𝑎 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑏 = - 2𝑎. The table gives that
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = - 64 when 𝑥 = 1. Substituting -2𝑎 for 𝑏, -64 for 𝑓𝑥, and 1 for 𝑥 into the equation 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields -64 = 𝑎1 + -2𝑎.
Combining like terms yields -64 = - 𝑎, or 𝑎 = 64. Since 𝑏 = - 2𝑎, substituting 64 for 𝑎 into this equation gives 𝑏 = -264, which
yields 𝑏 = - 128. Thus, the value of 𝑎 - 𝑏 can be written as 64 - ( - 128 ) , which is 192.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏, not 𝑎 - 𝑏.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 - 2, not 𝑎 - 𝑏.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of 2𝑎, not 𝑎 - 𝑏.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4a2f9ba8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 4a2f9ba8

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4a2f9ba8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Dividing both sides of the second equation in the given system by 3 yields 8𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 9, which is the first
equation in the given system. Therefore, the first and second equations represent the same line in the xy-plane. If the x- and
y-coordinates of a point satisfy an equation, the point lies on the graph of the equation in the xy-plane. Choice A is a point
8𝑟
with x-coordinate 𝑟 and y-coordinate -
7
+ 97 . Substituting 𝑟 for 𝑥 and - 8𝑟7 + 97 for 𝑦 in the equation 8𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 9 yields
8𝑟 + 7- 87 𝑟 + 97 = 9. Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of this equation yields 8𝑟 - 8𝑟 + 9 = 9. Combining like
8 9
terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields 9 = 9, so the coordinates of the point 𝑟, - 𝑟 + satisfy both equations in
7 7
8 9
the given system. Therefore, for each real number 𝑟, the point 𝑟, - 𝑟 + lies on the graph of each equation in the xy-plane for
7 7
the given system.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 252d6b8a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 252d6b8a

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 252d6b8a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Two lines are perpendicular if their slopes are negative reciprocals, meaning that the slope of the first
line is equal to -1 divided by the slope of the second line. Each equation in the given pair of equations can be written in slope-
intercept form, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the graph of the equation in the xy-plane and 0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept. For the
first equation, 5𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 1, subtracting 5𝑥 from both sides gives 7𝑦 = - 5𝑥 + 1, and dividing both sides of this equation by 7
gives 𝑦 = - 57 𝑥 + 17 . Therefore, the slope of the graph of this equation is - 57 . For the second equation, 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 1, subtracting
𝑎𝑥 from both sides gives 𝑏𝑦 = -𝑎𝑥 + 1, and dividing both sides of this equation by 𝑏 gives 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑏 𝑥 + 𝑏1 . Therefore, the slope of
𝑎
the graph of this equation is - . Since the graph of the given pair of equations is a pair of perpendicular lines, the slope of the
𝑏
𝑎 5
graph of the second equation, - , must be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the graph of the first equation, - . The
𝑏 7
5 -1 7 𝑎 7 𝑎 7
negative reciprocal of - is 5 , or . Therefore, - = , or = - . Similarly, rewriting the equations in choice B in slope-intercept
7 - 5 𝑏 5 𝑏 5
7
10 1 𝑎 1 10
form yields 𝑦 = - 𝑥 + and 𝑦
= - 2𝑏 𝑥 + 2𝑏 . It follows that the slope of the graph of the first equation in choice B is - 7 and
7 7
𝑎 𝑎 7 𝑎 1 7 7 7
the slope of the graph of the second equation in choice B is - . Since = - , - is equal to - - , or . Since is the negative
2𝑏 𝑏 5 2𝑏 2 5 10 10
10
reciprocal of - , the pair of equations in choice B represents a pair of perpendicular lines.
7

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 52007f35
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 52007f35

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

ID: 52007f35 Answer

Correct Answer: 6

Rationale

The correct answer is 6. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines represented by
the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct. Lines represented by equations in standard form, 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 and
𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐹, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are proportional to the corresponding coefficients in
𝐷 𝐸 𝐹
the other equation, meaning = ; and the lines are distinct if the constants are not proportional, meaning is not equal to
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
𝐷 𝐸 3 1 2 3
or . The first equation in the given system is 𝑦 - 𝑥 = - 𝑦. Multiplying each side of this equation by 12 yields
𝐴 𝐵 2 4 3 2
18𝑦 - 3𝑥 = 8 - 18𝑦. Adding 18𝑦 to each side of this equation yields 36𝑦 - 3𝑥 = 8, or -3𝑥 + 36𝑦 = 8. The second equation in the
1 3 9
given system is 𝑥 + = 𝑝𝑦 + . Multiplying each side of this equation by 2 yields 𝑥 + 3 = 2𝑝𝑦 + 9. Subtracting 2𝑝𝑦 from each
2 2 2
side of this equation yields 𝑥 + 3 - 2𝑝𝑦 = 9. Subtracting 3 from each side of this equation yields 𝑥 - 2𝑝𝑦 = 6. Therefore, the
two equations in the given system, written in standard form, are -3𝑥 + 36𝑦 = 8 and 𝑥 - 2𝑝𝑦 = 6. As previously stated, if this
system has no solution, the lines represented by the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct, meaning the
1 -2𝑝 1 𝑝 6 1 6 1
proportion
-3
= 36
, or -
= - 18 , is true and the proportion 8 = -3 is not true. The proportion 8 = -3 is not true. Multiplying each
3
1 𝑝
side of the true proportion, - = - , by -18 yields 6 = 𝑝. Therefore, if the system has no solution, then the value of 𝑝 is 6.
3 18

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b1047a54
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: b1047a54

In the given system of equations, and are constants. The system has infinitely many solutions. What is
the value of ?

ID: b1047a54 Answer

Correct Answer: .2857, 2/7

Rationale

2
The correct answer is . It’s given that the system has infinitely many solutions. A system of two linear equations has
7
infinitely many solutions if and only if the two linear equations are equivalent. Multiplying each side of the first equation in
35 35 2
the system by yields
4
𝑥 + 7 𝑦 = 35 2 , or 7 𝑥 + 49 𝑦 = 5 . Since this equation is equivalent to the second equation and has the
45 5 47 2 4 2
same right side as the second equation, the coefficients of 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, should also be the same. It follows that
7
𝑔 = 72 and 𝑘 = 494 . Therefore, the value of 𝑘𝑔 is 2 2
49 , or 7 . Note that 2/7, .2857, 0.285, and 0.286 are examples of ways to enter a
4
correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 900234f1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 900234f1

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

ID: 900234f1 Answer

Correct Answer: 40

Rationale

The correct answer is 40. It's given that 5𝐺 + 45𝑅 = 380, where 𝐺 is the number of green tokens and 𝑅 is the number of red
tokens won by one student and these tokens are worth a total of 380 points. Since the equation represents the situation
where the student won points with green tokens and red tokens for a total of 380 points, each term on the left-hand side of
the equation represents the number of points won for one of the colors. Since the coefficient of 𝐺 in the given equation is 5, a
green token must be worth 5 points. Similarly, since the coefficient of 𝑅 in the given equation is 45, a red token must be worth
45 points. Therefore, a red token is worth 45 - 5 points, or 40 points, more than a green token.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 005e9982
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 005e9982

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: 005e9982 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 68298043
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 68298043

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

ID: 68298043 Answer

Correct Answer: 17.5, 35/2

Rationale

35
The correct answer is . Subtracting the second equation from the first equation yields 𝑦 + 𝑘 - 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑥 + 26 - 𝑥2 - 5𝑥, or
2
2𝑘 = - 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 26. This is equivalent to 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 + 2𝑘 - 26 = 0. It's given that the system has exactly one distinct real solution;
therefore, this equation has exactly one distinct real solution. An equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are
2
constants, has exactly one distinct real solution when the discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to 0. The equation
𝑥2 - 6𝑥 + ( 2𝑘 - 26 ) = 0 is of this form, where 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = - 6, and 𝑐 = 2𝑘 - 26. Substituting these values into the discriminant,
2
𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, yields -62 - 412𝑘 - 26. Setting the discriminant equal to 0 yields -62 - 412𝑘 - 26 = 0, or -8𝑘 + 140 = 0. Subtracting 140
35
from both sides of this equation yields -8𝑘 = - 140. Dividing both sides of this equation by -8 yields 𝑘 = . Note that 35/2
2
and 17.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 65244c8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 65244c8d

What is the smallest solution to the given equation?

ID: 65244c8d Answer

Correct Answer: -3

Rationale

The correct answer is -3. Squaring both sides of the given equation yields 𝑥 - 22 = 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 5822c232
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: 5822c232

Which expression is equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5822c232 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

𝑦 + 12 𝑦𝑥 - 8
Choice C is correct. Factoring the denominator in the second term of the given expression gives
𝑥-8
+ 𝑥𝑦𝑥 - 8 . This
𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑦𝑦 + 12 𝑦𝑥 - 8
expression can be rewritten with common denominators by multiplying the first term by , giving
𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑦𝑥 - 8
+ 𝑥𝑦𝑥 -8
. Adding
𝑥𝑦𝑦 + 12 + 𝑦𝑥 - 8 2
𝑥𝑦 + 12𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 - 8𝑦
these two terms yields . Using the distributive property to rewrite this expression gives . Combining
𝑥𝑦𝑥 - 8 𝑥2 𝑦 - 8𝑥𝑦
𝑥𝑦2 + 13𝑥𝑦 - 8𝑦
the like terms in the numerator of this expression gives .
𝑥2 𝑦 - 8𝑥𝑦

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 fe81a236
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: fe81a236

The function is defined by . The value of is , where is a constant.

What is the sum of all possible values of ?

ID: fe81a236 Answer

Correct Answer: 25

Rationale

The correct answer is 25. The value of 𝑔7 - 𝑤 is the value of 𝑔𝑥 when 𝑥 = 7 - 𝑤, where 𝑤 is a constant. Substituting 7 - 𝑤 for 𝑥
in the given equation yields 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤7 - 𝑤 - 27 - 𝑤 + 62 , which is equivalent to 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤2 . It’s given that the
value of 𝑔7 - 𝑤 is 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑔7 - 𝑤 in the equation 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤2 yields 0 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤2 . Since the
product of the three factors on the right-hand side of this equation is equal to 0, at least one of these three factors must be
equal to 0. Therefore, the possible values of 𝑤 can be found by setting each factor equal to 0. Setting the first factor equal to
0 yields 7 - 𝑤 = 0. Adding 𝑤 to both sides of this equation yields 7 = 𝑤. Therefore, 7 is one possible value of 𝑤. Setting the
second factor equal to 0 yields 5 - 𝑤 = 0. Adding 𝑤 to both sides of this equation yields 5 = 𝑤. Therefore, 5 is a second
possible value of 𝑤. Setting the third factor equal to 0 yields 13 - 𝑤2 = 0. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation
yields 13 - 𝑤 = 0. Adding 𝑤 to both sides of this equation yields 13 = 𝑤. Therefore, 13 is a third possible value of 𝑤. Adding
the three possible values of 𝑤 yields 7 + 5 + 13, or 25. Therefore, the sum of all possible values of 𝑤 is 25.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 54bf74ea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 54bf74ea

The given function models the population of Lowell years after a census. Which of the following functions
best models the population of Lowell months after the census?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 54bf74ea Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the function 𝑝 models the population of Lowell 𝑡 years after a census. Since there are 12
𝑚 𝑚
months in a year, 𝑚 months after the census is equivalent to years after the census. Substituting for 𝑡 in the equation
𝑚 12 12
𝑝𝑡 = 90,0001.06𝑡 yields 𝑝 𝑚 = 90,0001.06 12 . Therefore, the function 𝑟 that best models the population of Lowell 𝑚 months after
12 𝑚
the census is 𝑟𝑚 = 90,0001.06 12 .

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 8217606b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 8217606b

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: 8217606b Answer

Correct Answer: .0625, 1/16

Rationale

1
The correct answer is . Let 𝑝 and 𝑞 represent the solutions to the given equation. Then, the given equation can be rewritten
16
as 64𝑥 - 𝑝𝑥 - 𝑞 = 0, or 64𝑥2 - 64𝑝 + 𝑞 + 𝑝𝑞 = 0. Since this equation is equivalent to the given equation, it follows that
-16𝑎 + 4𝑏 = - 64𝑝 + 𝑞. Dividing both sides of this equation by -64 yields 16𝑎64+ 4𝑏 = 𝑝 + 𝑞, or 161 4𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑝 + 𝑞. Therefore, the
1
sum of the solutions to the given equation, 𝑝 + 𝑞, is equal to 4𝑎 + 𝑏. Since it's given that the sum of the solutions to the
16
1
given equation is 𝑘4𝑎 + 𝑏, where 𝑘 is a constant, it follows that 𝑘 = . Note that 1/16, .0625, 0.062, and 0.063 are examples
16
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 constants.
𝑎𝑏
Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 16𝑥2 - 4𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + = 0. The solutions for a quadratic equation in the form
4
√𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶
𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, can be calculated using the quadratic formula, 𝑥 = -𝐵 + 2𝐴
and
√𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶
𝑥 = -𝐵 - 2𝐴
. It follows that the sum of the solutions to a quadratic equation in the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0 is
-𝐵 + √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶 √𝐵2 √𝐵2 √𝐵2
+ -𝐵 - - 4𝐴𝐶 , which can be rewritten as -𝐵 + - 𝐵 + - 4𝐴𝐶 - - 4𝐴𝐶 , which is equivalent to -2𝐵 , or - 𝐵 . In the equation
2𝐴 2𝐴 2𝐴 2𝐴 𝐴
16𝑥2 - 4𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏4 = 0, 𝐴 = 16, 𝐵 = - 4𝑎 + 𝑏, and 𝐶 = 𝑎𝑏4 . Substituting 16 for 𝐴 and -4𝑎 + 𝑏 for 𝐵 in - 𝐴𝐵 yields - -4𝑎16+ 𝑏 , which can
1 1
be rewritten as 4𝑎 + 𝑏. Thus, the sum of the solutions to the given equation is 4𝑎 + 𝑏. Since it's given that the sum of the
16 16
1
solutions to the given equation is 𝑘4𝑎 + 𝑏, where 𝑘 is a constant, it follows that 𝑘 = .
16

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a51ff0d6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: a51ff0d6

The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?

ID: a51ff0d6 Answer

Correct Answer: -7

Rationale

2
The correct answer is -7. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are
constants and 𝑎 > 0, the function reaches its minimum when 𝑥 = ℎ. In the given function, 𝑎 = 1, ℎ = - 7, and 𝑘 = 4. Therefore,
the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum is -7.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0e4cd7da
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 0e4cd7da

Which quadratic equation has no real solutions?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0e4cd7da Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The number of solutions to a quadratic equation in 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 greater than zero,
then the quadratic equation has 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 less than zero, then the quadratic equation has no
real solutions. For the quadratic equation in choice D, 5𝑥2 - 14𝑥 + 49 = 0, 𝑎 = 5, 𝑏 = - 14, and 𝑐 = 49. Substituting 5 for 𝑎, -14
for 𝑏, and 49 for 𝑐 in 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields -142 - 4549, or -784. Since -784 is less than zero, it follows that the quadratic equation
5𝑥2 - 14𝑥 + 49 = 0 has no real solutions.

Choice A is incorrect. The value of the discriminant for this quadratic equation is 392. Since 392 is greater than zero, it
follows that this quadratic equation has two real solutions.

Choice B is incorrect. The value of the discriminant for this quadratic equation is 0. Since zero is equal to zero, it follows that
this quadratic equation has exactly one real solution.

Choice C is incorrect. The value of the discriminant for this quadratic equation is 1,176. Since 1,176 is greater than zero, it
follows that this quadratic equation has two real solutions.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4443355f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: 4443355f

The expression , where is a constant, can be rewritten as , where , ,

and are integer constants. Which of the following must be an integer?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4443355f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It's given that 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 - 45 can be rewritten as ℎ𝑥 + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑗. The expression ℎ𝑥 + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑗 can be rewritten
as ℎ𝑥2 + 𝑗ℎ𝑥 + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑘𝑗, or ℎ𝑥2 + 𝑗ℎ + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑘𝑗. Therefore, ℎ𝑥2 + 𝑗ℎ + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑘𝑗 is equivalent to 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 - 45. It follows that
𝑘𝑗 = - 45. Dividing each side of this equation by 𝑘 yields 𝑗 = -45
𝑘
45
. Since 𝑗 is an integer, - must be an integer. Therefore,
𝑘
45
𝑘
must also be an integer.

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 deb47fce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume Hard

Trigonometry

ID: deb47fce

Square A has side lengths that are times the side lengths of square B. The area of square A is times
the area of square B. What is the value of ?

ID: deb47fce Answer

Correct Answer: 27556

Rationale

The correct answer is 27,556. The area of a square is 𝑠2 , where 𝑠 is the side length of the square. Let 𝑥 represent the length of
each side of square B. Substituting 𝑥 for 𝑠 in 𝑠2 yields 𝑥2 . It follows that the area of square B is 𝑥2 . It’s given that square A has
side lengths that are 166 times the side lengths of square B. Since 𝑥 represents the length of each side of square B, the
length of each side of square A can be represented by the expression 166𝑥. It follows that the area of square A is 166𝑥2 , or
27,556𝑥2 . It’s given that the area of square A is 𝑘 times the area of square B. Since the area of square A is equal to 27,556𝑥2 ,
and the area of square B is equal to 𝑥2 , an equation representing the given statement is 27,556𝑥2 = 𝑘𝑥2 . Since 𝑥 represents
the length of each side of square B, the value of 𝑥 must be positive. Therefore, the value of 𝑥2 is also positive, so it does not
equal 0. Dividing by 𝑥2 on both sides of the equation 27,556𝑥2 = 𝑘𝑥2 yields 27,556 = 𝑘. Therefore, the value of 𝑘 is 27,556.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 220e72c1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume Hard

Trigonometry

ID: 220e72c1

The line segment shown in the xy-plane represents one of the legs of a right triangle. The area of this triangle
is square units. What is the length, in units, of the other leg of this triangle?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 220e72c1 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The length of a segment in the xy-plane can be found using the distance formula, 𝑥 2 - 𝑥 1 2 + 𝑦2 - 𝑦1 2 ,
√
where 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 are the endpoints of the segment. The segment shown has endpoints at -6, 4 and 3, 10. Substituting
-6, 4 and 3, 10 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the distance formula yields √3 - -62 + 10 - 42 , or √92 + 62 , which is
equivalent to √81 + 36 , or √117 . Let 𝑥 represent the length, in units, of the other leg of this triangle. The area, 𝐴, of a right
1
triangle can be calculated using the formula 𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 and ℎ are the lengths of the legs of the triangle. It's given that
2
 1
the area of the triangle is 36√13 square units. Substituting 36√13 for 𝐴, √117 for 𝑏, and 𝑥 for ℎ in the formula 𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ
2
yields 36√13 = 12 √117 𝑥. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 2 yields 72√13 = 𝑥√117 . Dividing both sides of this
72√13
equation by √117 yields = 𝑥. Multiplying the numerator and denominator on the left-hand side of this equation by
√117
72√1,521
√117 yields 117
= 𝑥, or 7239
117
= 𝑥, which is equivalent to 2,808
117
= 𝑥, or 24 = 𝑥. Therefore, the length, in units, of the other leg
of this triangle is 24.

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

Choice C is incorrect. 3√13 is equivalent to √117 , which is the length, in units, of the line segment shown in the xy-plane,
not the length, in units, of the other leg of the triangle.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID aac770b4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and Hard

Trigonometry triangles

ID: aac770b4

In triangles and , angles and each have measure , , and . Which

additional piece of information is sufficient to prove that triangle is similar to triangle ?
A. and

B. and

C. The measures of angles and are and , respectively.

D. The measures of angles and are and , respectively.

ID: aac770b4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Two triangles are similar if they have three pairs of congruent corresponding angles. It’s given that
angles 𝐿 and 𝑅 each measure 60°, and so these corresponding angles are congruent. If angle 𝑀 is 70°, then angle 𝑁 must be
50° so that the sum of the angles in triangle 𝐿𝑀𝑁 is 180°. If angle 𝑇 is 50°, then angle 𝑆 must be 70° so that the sum of the
angles in triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is 180°. Therefore, if the measures of angles 𝑀 and 𝑇 are 70° and 50°, respectively, then corresponding
angles 𝑀 and 𝑆 are both 70°, and corresponding angles 𝑁 and 𝑇 are both 50°. It follows that triangles 𝐿𝑀𝑁 and 𝑅𝑆𝑇 have
three pairs of congruent corresponding angles, and so the triangles are similar. Therefore, the additional piece of information
that is sufficient to prove that triangle 𝐿𝑀𝑁 is similar to triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is that the measures of angles 𝑀 and 𝑇 are 70° and 50°,
respectively.

Choice A is incorrect. If the measures of two sides in one triangle are proportional to the corresponding sides in another
triangle and the included angles are congruent, then the triangles are similar. However, the two sides given are not
proportional and the angle given is not included by the given sides.

Choice B is incorrect. If the measures of two sides in one triangle are proportional to the corresponding sides in another
triangle and the included angles are congruent, then the triangles are similar. However, the angle given is not included
between the proportional sides.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3e05efb1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles Hard

Trigonometry

ID: 3e05efb1

A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. Line segments and are tangent to the
circle at points and , respectively. If the radius of the circle is millimeters and the perimeter of
quadrilateral is millimeters, what is the distance, in millimeters, between points and ?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3e05efb1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It's given that the radius of the circle is 168 millimeters. Since points 𝑀 and 𝑁 both lie on the circle,
segments 𝐺𝑀 and 𝐺𝑁 are both radii. Therefore, segments 𝐺𝑀 and 𝐺𝑁 each have length 168 millimeters. Two segments that
are tangent to a circle and have a common exterior endpoint have equal length. Therefore, segment 𝑀𝐻 and segment 𝑁𝐻
have equal length. Let 𝑥 represent the length of segment 𝑀𝐻. Then 𝑥 also represents the length of segment 𝑁𝐻. It's given
that the perimeter of quadrilateral 𝐺𝑀𝐻𝑁 is 3,856 millimeters. Since the perimeter of a quadrilateral is equal to the sum of
the lengths of the sides of the quadrilateral, 3,856 = 168 + 168 + 𝑥 + 𝑥, or 3,856 = 336 + 2𝑥. Subtracting 336 from both sides of
this equation yields 3,520 = 2𝑥, and dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 1,760 = 𝑥. Therefore, the length of
segment 𝑀𝐻 is 1,760 millimeters. A line segment that's tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the
point of tangency. Therefore, segment 𝐺𝑀 is perpendicular to segment 𝑀𝐻. Since perpendicular segments form right angles,
angle 𝐺𝑀𝐻 is a right angle. Therefore, triangle 𝐺𝑀𝐻 is a right triangle with legs of length 1,760 millimeters and 168
millimeters, and hypotenuse 𝐺𝐻. By the Pythagorean theorem, if a right triangle has a hypotenuse with length 𝑐 and legs with
lengths 𝑎 and 𝑏, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 . Substituting 1,760 for 𝑎 and 168 for 𝑏 in this equation yields 1,7602 + 1682 = 𝑐2 , or
3,125,824 = 𝑐2 . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields ±1,768 = 𝑐. Since 𝑐 represents a length, which
must be positive, the value of 𝑐 is 1,768. Therefore, the length of segment 𝐺𝐻 is 1,768 millimeters, so the distance between
points 𝐺 and 𝐻 is 1,768 millimeters.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the distance between points 𝐺 and 𝑀 and between points 𝐺 and 𝑁, not the distance between
points 𝐺 and 𝐻.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the distance between points 𝑀 and 𝐻 and between points 𝑁 and 𝐻, not the distance between
points 𝐺 and 𝐻.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 082dcfa7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and Hard

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 082dcfa7

In the figure shown, and intersect at point . , , , and .

What is the length of ?

ID: 082dcfa7 Answer

Correct Answer: 54

Rationale

The correct answer is 54. The figure shown includes two triangles, triangle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 and triangle 𝑌𝑄𝑍, such that angle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 and
angle 𝑌𝑄𝑍 are vertical angles. It follows that angle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 is congruent to angle 𝑌𝑄𝑍. It’s also given in the figure that the
measures of angle 𝑊 and angle 𝑌 are 𝑎°. Therefore angle 𝑊 is congruent to angle 𝑌. Since triangle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 and triangle 𝑌𝑄𝑍
¯
have two pairs of congruent angles, triangle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 is similar to triangle 𝑌𝑄𝑍 by the angle-angle similarity postulate, where 𝑌𝑍
¯ ¯ ¯
corresponds to 𝑊𝑋 , and 𝑌𝑄 corresponds to 𝑊𝑄 . Since the lengths of corresponding sides in similar triangles are
𝑌𝑍 𝑌𝑄
proportional, it follows that
𝑊𝑋
= . It’s given that 𝑌𝑄 = 63, 𝑊𝑄 = 70, and 𝑊𝑋 = 60. Substituting 63 for 𝑌𝑄, 70 for 𝑊𝑄, and 60
𝑊𝑄
𝑌𝑍
for 𝑊𝑋 in the equation
𝑊𝑋
= 𝑊𝑄 yields 𝑌𝑍
𝑌𝑄
60
= 63
70
63
. Multiplying each side of this equation by 60 yields 𝑌𝑍 = 60, or 𝑌𝑍 = 54.
70
¯
Therefore, the length of 𝑌𝑍 is 54.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID db84ccdc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles Hard

Trigonometry

ID: db84ccdc

A circle in the xy-plane has a diameter with endpoints and . An equation of this circle is
, where is a positive constant. What is the value of ?

ID: db84ccdc Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale

2 2
The correct answer is 5. The standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane is 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where ℎ, 𝑘, and 𝑟
are constants, the coordinates of the center of the circle are ℎ, 𝑘, and the length of the radius of the circle is 𝑟. It′s given that
an equation of the circle is 𝑥 - 22 + 𝑦 - 92 = 𝑟2 . Therefore, the center of this circle is 2, 9. It’s given that the endpoints of a
diameter of the circle are 2, 4 and 2, 14. The length of the radius is the distance from the center of the circle to an endpoint of
a diameter of the circle, which can be found using the distance formula, 𝑥1 - 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 - 𝑦2 2 . Substituting the center of the
√
circle 2, 9 and one endpoint of the diameter 2, 4 in this formula gives a distance of √2 - 22 + 9 - 42 , or √02 + 52 , which is
equivalent to 5. Since the distance from the center of the circle to an endpoint of a diameter is 5, the value of 𝑟 is 5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9ca6e7b4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles Hard

Trigonometry

ID: 9ca6e7b4

A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. The measure of arc is and the length of
arc is inches. What is the circumference, in inches, of the circle?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9ca6e7b4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the measure of arc 𝐴𝐵 is 45° and the length of arc 𝐴𝐵 is 3 inches. The arc measure of the
45°
full circle is 360°. If 𝑥 represents the circumference, in inches, of the circle, it follows that
360°
= 𝑥3 inches
inches
. This equation is
45 3 1 3
equivalent to
360
= 𝑥 , or 8 = 𝑥 . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 8𝑥 yields 1 ( 𝑥 ) = 3 ( 8 ) , or 𝑥 = 24. Therefore, the
circumference of the circle is 24 inches.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of arc 𝐴𝐵.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying the length of arc 𝐴𝐵 by 2.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from squaring the length of arc 𝐴𝐵.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3dd4aa7b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and Hard

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 3dd4aa7b

In triangle , angle is a right angle, point lies on , and point lies on such that is
parallel to . If the measure of angle is , what is the measure, in degrees, of angle ?

ID: 3dd4aa7b Answer

Correct Answer: 153

Rationale

¯ ¯
The correct answer is 153. Since it's given that 𝑃𝑄 is parallel to 𝑋𝑌 and angle 𝑌 is a right angle, angle 𝑍𝑄𝑃 is also a right
angle. Angle 𝑍𝑃𝑄 is complementary to angle 𝑋𝑍𝑌, which means its measure, in degrees, is 90 - 63, or 27. Since angle 𝑋𝑃𝑄 is
supplementary to angle 𝑍𝑃𝑄, its measure, in degrees, is 180 - 27, or 153.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3a95868c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles Hard

Trigonometry

ID: 3a95868c

Point is the center of a circle. The measure of arc on this circle is . What is the measure, in
degrees, of its associated angle ?

ID: 3a95868c Answer

Correct Answer: 100

Rationale

The correct answer is 100. It's given that point 𝑂 is the center of a circle and the measure of arc 𝑅𝑆 on the circle is 100°. It
¯ ¯
follows that points 𝑅 and 𝑆 lie on the circle. Therefore, 𝑂𝑅 and 𝑂𝑆 are radii of the circle. A central angle is an angle formed by
two radii of a circle, with its vertex at the center of the circle. Therefore, ∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is a central angle. Because the degree
measure of an arc is equal to the measure of its associated central angle, it follows that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is
100.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2b1b9792
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and Hard

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 2b1b9792

In the figure shown, units, units, and units. What is the area, in square units,
of triangle ?

ID: 2b1b9792 Answer

Correct Answer: 480

Rationale

The correct answer is 480. It's given in the figure that angle 𝐴𝐶𝐵 and angle 𝐴𝐸𝐷 are right angles. It follows that angle 𝐴𝐶𝐵 is
congruent to angle 𝐴𝐸𝐷. It's also given that angle 𝐵𝐴𝐶 and angle 𝐷𝐴𝐸 are the same angle. It follows that angle 𝐵𝐴𝐶 is
congruent to angle 𝐷𝐴𝐸. Since triangles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐴𝐷𝐸 have two pairs of congruent angles, the triangles are similar. Sides 𝐴𝐵
and 𝐴𝐶 in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 correspond to sides 𝐴𝐷 and 𝐴𝐸, respectively, in triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸. Corresponding sides in similar triangles
𝐴𝐷
are proportional. Therefore,
𝐴𝐵
= 𝐴𝐸 . It's given that 𝐴𝐶 = 3 units and 𝐶𝐸 = 21 units. Therefore, 𝐴𝐸 = 24 units. It’s also given
𝐴𝐶
𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐷
that 𝐴𝐵 = √34 units. Substituting 3 for 𝐴𝐶, 24 for 𝐴𝐸, and √34 for 𝐴𝐵 in the equation = yields = 24 , or 𝐴𝐷
= 8.
𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 √34 3 √34
Multiplying each side of this equation by √34 yields 𝐴𝐷 = 8√34 . By the Pythagorean theorem, if a right triangle has a
hypotenuse with length 𝑐 and legs with lengths 𝑎 and 𝑏, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 . Since triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸 is a right triangle, it follows that
𝐴𝐷 represents the length of the hypotenuse, 𝑐, and 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐴𝐸 represent the lengths of the legs, 𝑎 and 𝑏. Substituting 24 for 𝑏
2
and 8√34 for 𝑐 in the equation 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 yields 𝑎2 + 242 = 8√34 , which is equivalent to 𝑎2 + 576 = 6434, or
𝑎2 + 576 = 2,176. Subtracting 576 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑎2 = 1,600. Taking the square root of both sides of
this equation yields 𝑎 = ± 40. Since 𝑎 represents a length, which must be positive, the value of 𝑎 is 40. Therefore, 𝐷𝐸 = 40.
Since 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐴𝐸 represent the lengths of the legs of triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸, it follows that 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐴𝐸 can be used to calculate the
1
area, in square units, of the triangle as 4024, or 480. Therefore, the area, in square units, of triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸 is 480.
2

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 834ac03f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles Hard

Trigonometry

ID: 834ac03f

Circle A (shown) is defined by the equation . Circle B (not shown) is the result of shifting
circle A down units and increasing the radius so that the radius of circle B is times the radius of circle A.
Which equation defines circle B?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 834ac03f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. According to the graph, the center of circle A has coordinates -2, 0, and the radius of circle A is 3. It’s
given that circle B is the result of shifting circle A down 6 units and increasing the radius so that the radius of circle B is 2
times the radius of circle A. It follows that the center of circle B is 6 units below the center of circle A. The point that's 6 units
below -2, 0 has the same x-coordinate as -2, 0 and has a y-coordinate that is 6 less than the y-coordinate of -2, 0. Therefore,
the coordinates of the center of circle B are -2, 0 - 6, or -2, - 6. Since the radius of circle B is 2 times the radius of circle A, the
2 2
radius of circle B is 23. A circle in the xy-plane can be defined by an equation of the form 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where the
coordinates of the center of the circle are ℎ, 𝑘 and the radius of the circle is 𝑟. Substituting -2 for ℎ, -6 for 𝑘, and 23 for 𝑟 in this
equation yields 𝑥 - -22 + 𝑦 - -62 = 232 , which is equivalent to 𝑥 + 22 + 𝑦 + 62 = 22 32 , or 𝑥 + 22 + 𝑦 + 62 = 49. Therefore, the
equation 𝑥 + 22 + 𝑦 + 62 = 49 defines circle B.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation defines a circle that’s the result of shifting circle A up, not down, by 6 units and
increasing the radius.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b869812a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages Hard

and Data Analysis

ID: b869812a

The regular price of a shirt at a store is . The sale price of the shirt is less than the regular price,
and the sale price is greater than the store's cost for the shirt. What was the store’s cost, in dollars, for
the shirt? (Disregard the sign when entering your answer. For example, if your answer is , enter )

ID: b869812a Answer

Correct Answer: 1.8, 9/5

Rationale

The correct answer is 1.8. It’s given that the regular price of a shirt at a store is $ 11.70, and the sale price of the shirt is 80%
80
less than the regular price. It follows that the sale price of the shirt is $ 11.701 - , or $ 11.701 - 0.8, which is equivalent to
100
$ 2.34. It’s also given that the sale price of the shirt is 30% greater than the store’s cost for the shirt. Let 𝑥 represent the
30
store’s cost for the shirt. It follows that 2.34 = 1 + 𝑥, or 2.34 = 1.3𝑥. Dividing both sides of this equation by 1.3 yields
100
𝑥 = 1.80. Therefore, the store’s cost, in dollars, for the shirt is 1.80. Note that 1.8 and 9/5 are examples of ways to enter a
correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ff37e18d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data: Hard

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: ff37e18d

Weight (pounds) Frequency

The frequency table summarizes a data set of the weights, rounded to the nearest pound, of tortoises. A
weight of pounds is added to the original data set, creating a new data set of the weights, rounded to the
nearest pound, of tortoises. Which statement best compares the mean and median of the new data set to
the mean and median of the original data set?
A. The mean of the new data set is greater than the mean of the original data set, and the median of the new
data set is greater than the median of the original data set.

B. The mean of the new data set is greater than the mean of the original data set, and the medians of the
two data sets are equal.

C. The mean of the new data set is less than the mean of the original data set, and the median of the new
data set is less than the median of the original data set.

D. The mean of the new data set is less than the mean of the original data set, and the medians of the two
data sets are equal.

ID: ff37e18d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The mean of a data set is the sum of the values in the data set divided by the number of values in the
data set. The new data set consists of the weights of the 71 tortoises in the original data set and one additional weight, 39.
Since the additional weight, 39, is greater than any of the values in the original data set, the mean of the new data set is
greater than the mean of the original data set. If a data set contains an odd number of data values, the median is
represented by the middle data value in the list when the data values are listed in ascending or descending order. Since the
original data set consists of the weights of 71 tortoises and is in ascending order, the median of the original data set is
represented by the middle value, or the 36th value. Based on the frequencies shown in the table, the 36th value in this data
set is 17. If a data set contains an even number of data values, the median is between the two middle data values when the
values are listed in ascending or descending order. Since the new data set consists of the weights of 72 tortoises, the
median of the new data set is between the 36th and 37th data values when the values are arranged in ascending order. To
keep the data in ascending order, the additional value of 39 would be placed at the bottom of the frequency table with a
frequency of 1. Therefore, based on the frequencies in the table, the 36th and 37th values in the new data set are both 17. It
follows that the median of the new data set is 17, which is the same as the median of the original data set. Therefore, the
mean of the new data set is greater than the mean of the original data set, and the medians of the two data sets are equal.

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 d0bebb2c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data: Hard

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: d0bebb2c

Data set A consists of the heights of buildings and has a mean of meters. Data set B consists of the
heights of buildings and has a mean of meters. Data set C consists of the heights of the buildings
from data sets A and B. What is the mean, in meters, of data set C?

ID: d0bebb2c Answer

Correct Answer: 44

Rationale

The correct answer is 44. The mean of a data set is computed by dividing the sum of the values in the data set by the
number of values in the data set. It's given that data set A consists of the heights of 75 buildings and has a mean of 32
𝑥
meters. This can be represented by the equation = 32, where 𝑥 represents the sum of the heights of the buildings, in
75
meters, in data set A. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 75 yields 𝑥 = 7532, or 𝑥 = 2,400 meters. Therefore, the sum of
the heights of the buildings in data set A is 2,400 meters. It's also given that data set B consists of the heights of 50 buildings
𝑦
and has a mean of 62 meters. This can be represented by the equation = 62, where 𝑦 represents the sum of the heights of
50
the buildings, in meters, in data set B. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 50 yields 𝑦 = 5062, or 𝑦 = 3,100 meters.
Therefore, the sum of the heights of the buildings in data set B is 3,100 meters. Since it's given that data set C consists of the
heights of the 125 buildings from data sets A and B, it follows that the mean of data set C is the sum of the heights of the
2,400 + 3,100
buildings, in meters, in data sets A and B divided by the number of buildings represented in data sets A and B, or ,
125
which is equivalent to 44 meters. Therefore, the mean, in meters, of data set C is 44.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e5175dad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data: Hard

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: e5175dad

The dot plot represents a data set of the number of bursts for eruptions of a steam vent. If an additional
eruption with bursts is added to this data set to create a new data set of eruptions, which of the
following measures will be greater for the new data set than for the original data set?
I. The median number of bursts
II. The mean number of bursts

A. I and II

B. I only

C. II only

D. Neither I nor II

ID: e5175dad Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the dot plot represents a data set of the number of bursts for 13 eruptions of a steam vent.
The median of a data set with an odd number of elements is the middle element when the elements are in numerical order.
For 13 elements in numerical order, this is the 7th element. For this data set, the first 4 elements have a value of 1, and the
next 5 elements have a value of 2. Thus, the 7th element in the ordered data set is 2 and the median number of bursts for the
original data set is 2. If an additional eruption with 11 bursts is added to this data set to create a new data set of 14 eruptions,
the median of the new data set will be between the 7th and 8th elements in the ordered set, which will also be 2. Therefore,
the median number of bursts for the new data set will be the same as the median number of bursts for the original data set.
The mean number of bursts for the original data set is found by adding the values of all 13 elements and dividing that sum by
the number of elements, 13. Since the data is shown in a dot plot, the sum of the values of the elements can be found by
multiplying each element's value by its frequency: 14 + 25 + 32 + 41 + 51, or 29. Therefore, the mean number of bursts for the
29
original data set is . If an additional eruption with 11 bursts is added to this data set to create a new data set of 14 bursts,
13
 29 + 11 40 40
the mean number of bursts for the new data set is
14
, or . Since
14 14
> 29
13
, the mean number of bursts for the new data set
is greater than the mean number of bursts for the original data set. Therefore, of the median number of bursts and the mean
number of bursts, only the mean number of bursts is greater for the new data set than for the original data set.

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 3f215d34
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages Hard

and Data Analysis

ID: 3f215d34

The value of a collectible comic book increased by from the end of to the end of and then
decreased by from the end of to the end of . What was the net percentage increase in the
value of the collectible comic book from the end of to the end of ?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3f215d34 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the value of the comic book increased by 167% from the end of 2011 to the end of 2012.
Therefore, if the value of the comic book at the end of 2011 was 𝑥 dollars, then the value, in dollars, of the comic book at the
167
end of 2012 was 𝑥 + 𝑥, which can be rewritten as 1𝑥 + 1.67𝑥, or 2.67𝑥. It’s also given that the value of the comic book
100
decreased by 16% from the end of 2012 to the end of 2013. Therefore, the value, in dollars, of the comic book at the end of
2013 was 2.67𝑥 - 2.67𝑥 16 , which can be rewritten as 2.67𝑥 - 2.67𝑥0.16, or 2.2428𝑥. Thus, if the value of the comic book at the
100
end of 2011 was 𝑥 dollars, and the value of the comic book at the end of 2013 was 2.2428𝑥 dollars, then from the end of 2011
to the end of 2013, the value of the comic book increased by 2.2428𝑥 - 1𝑥, or 1.2428𝑥, dollars. Therefore, the increase in the
value of the comic book from the end of 2011 to the end of 2013 is equal to 1.2428 times the value of the comic book at the
end of 2011. It follows that from the end of 2011 to the end of 2013, the net percentage increase in the value of the comic
book was 1.2428100%, or 124.28%.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the difference between the net percentage increase in the value of the comic book from the end
of 2011 to the end of 2012 and the net percentage decrease in the value of the comic book from the end of 2012 to the end of
2013, not the net percentage increase in the value of the comic book from the end of 2011 to the end of 2013.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the net percentage increase in the value of the comic book from the end of 2011 to the end of
2013, if the value of the comic book increased by 167% from the end of 2011 to the end of 2012 and then increased, not
decreased, by 16% from the end of 2012 to the end of 2013.

Question Difficulty: Hard