Question ID 3f5a3602

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 3f5a3602

What system of linear equations is represented by the lines shown?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3f5a3602 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A line in the xy-plane that passes through the points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) has slope 𝑚, where
𝑦 − 𝑦1
𝑚= 2 , and can be defined by an equation of the form 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ). One of the lines shown in the graph
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
𝑦 − 𝑦1
passes through the points (8, 0) and (3, 4). Substituting 8 for 𝑥1 , 0 for 𝑦1 , 3 for 𝑥2 , and 4 for 𝑦2 in the equation 𝑚 = 2
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
4−0 4 4
yields 𝑚 = , or 𝑚 = − . Substituting − for 𝑚, 8 for 𝑥1 and 0 for 𝑦1 in the equation 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) yields
3−8 5 5
4 4 32 4 4 32
𝑦 − 0 = − (𝑥 − 8), which is equivalent to 𝑦 = − 𝑥 + . Adding 𝑥 to both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 + 𝑦 = .
5 5 5 5 5 5
Multiplying both sides of this equation by −10 yields − 8𝑥 − 10𝑦 = − 64. Therefore, an equation of this line is
− 8𝑥 − 10𝑦 = − 64. Similarly, the other line shown in the graph passes through the points (8, 0) and (3, 2). Substituting 8
𝑦 − 𝑦1 2−0 2 2
for 𝑥1 , 0 for 𝑦1 , 3 for 𝑥2 , and 2 for 𝑦2 in the equation 𝑚 = 2 yields 𝑚 = , or 𝑚 = − . Substituting − for 𝑚, 8
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 3−8 5 5
2 2 16
for 𝑥1 , and 0 for 𝑦1 in the equation 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) yields 𝑦 − 0 = − (𝑥 − 8), which is equivalent to 𝑦 = − 𝑥 + .
5 5 5
2 2 16
Adding 𝑥 to both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 + 𝑦 = . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 10 yields
5 5 5
4𝑥 + 10𝑦 = 32. Therefore, an equation of this line is 4𝑥 + 10𝑦 = 32. So, the system of linear equations represented by the
lines shown is 4𝑥 + 10𝑦 = 32 and − 8𝑥 − 10𝑦 = − 64.

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 edc1b7b7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: edc1b7b7

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

ID: edc1b7b7 Answer

Correct Answer: 3

Rationale

The correct answer is 3. Adding the second equation to the first equation in the given system of equations yields
(2(8𝑥) − 2(8𝑥)) + (4(7𝑦) + 4(7𝑦)) = 12 + 12, or 8(7𝑦) = 24. Dividing both sides of this equation by 8 yields 7𝑦 = 3.
Substituting 3 for 7𝑦 in the first equation, 2(8𝑥) + 4(7𝑦) = 12, yields 2(8𝑥) + 4(3) = 12, or 2(8𝑥) + 12 = 12. Subtracting 12
from both sides of this equation yields 2(8𝑥) = 0. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 8𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0
for 8𝑥 and 3 for 7𝑦 in the expression 8𝑥 + 7𝑦 yields 0 + 3, or 3. Therefore, the value of 8𝑥 + 7𝑦 is 3.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3008cfc3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 3008cfc3

The table gives the coordinates of two points on a line in the xy-plane. The y-intercept of the line is , where
and are constants. What is the value of ?

ID: 3008cfc3 Answer

Correct Answer: 33

Rationale

The correct answer is 33. It’s given in the table that the coordinates of two points on a line in the xy-plane are (𝑘, 13) and
(𝑘 + 7, − 15). The y-intercept is another point on the line. The slope computed using any pair of points from the line will
be the same. The slope of a line, 𝑚, between any two points, (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ), on the line can be calculated using the
(𝑦 − 𝑦1 )
slope formula, 𝑚 = 2 . It follows that the slope of the line with the given points from the table, (𝑘, 13) and
(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )
−15 − 13 −28
(𝑘 + 7, − 15), is 𝑚 = , which is equivalent to 𝑚 = , or 𝑚 = − 4. It's given that the y-intercept of the line is
𝑘+7−𝑘 7
(𝑘 − 5, 𝑏). Substituting −4 for 𝑚 and the coordinates of the points (𝑘 − 5, 𝑏) and (𝑘, 13) into the slope formula yields
13 − 𝑏 13 − 𝑏 13 − 𝑏
−4 = , which is equivalent to −4 = , or −4 = . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 5 yields
𝑘 − (𝑘 − 5) 𝑘−𝑘+5 5
−20 = 13 − 𝑏. Subtracting 13 from both sides of this equation yields −33 = − 𝑏. Dividing both sides of this equation by
−1 yields 𝑏 = 33. Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is 33.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4becad44
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 4becad44

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: 4becad44 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-

and their y-intercepts are different. The slope of the graph of the given equation, 3𝑥 = 36𝑦 − 45, in the xy-plane can be
plane representing the equations are parallel and distinct. Two lines are parallel and distinct if their slopes are the same

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 the given equation yields 3𝑥 + 45 = 36𝑦. Dividing each side of this equation by 36 yields
1 5 1 5 1 5
𝑥 + = 𝑦, or 𝑦 = 𝑥 + . It follows that the slope of the graph of the given equation is and the y-intercept is (0, ).
12 4 12 4 12 4
1
12
5 1 1 1
Therefore, the graph of the second equation 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 in choice B by yields 𝑥 = 𝑦, or 𝑦 = 𝑥. It follows that the graph
4 4 12 12
1
representing the equation in choice B has a slope of and a y-intercept of (0, 0). Since the slopes of the graphs of the
12
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 4
, so the system consisting of this equation and the given equation has exactly one solution, rather than no solution.

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

1 5
Choice D is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑦 = 𝑥 + . It follows that the graph of this equation has a
36 4
1
36
slope of , so the system consisting of this equation and the given equation has exactly one solution, rather than no
solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d1b66ae6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: d1b66ae6

If satisfies the system of equations

above, what is the value of y ?

ID: d1b66ae6 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . One method for solving the system of equations for y is to add corresponding sides of the

two equations. Adding the left-hand sides gives , or 4y. Adding the right-hand sides yields

. It follows that . Finally, dividing both sides of by 4 yields or . Note that 3/2
and 1.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3cdbf026
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 3cdbf026

The graph of the equation is a line in the xy-plane, where a and k

are constants. If the line contains the points and , what is the
value of k ?

A.

B.

C. 2

D. 3

ID: 3cdbf026 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The value of k can be found using the slope-intercept form of a linear equation, , where
m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The equation can be rewritten in the form

. One of the given points, , is the y-intercept. Thus, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept must

be equal to . Multiplying both sides by k gives . Dividing both sides by gives .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 00723d16
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 00723d16

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

ID: 00723d16 Answer

Correct Answer: 0.25, 1/4

1
Rationale

The correct answer is . For an equation in slope-intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑚 represents the slope of the line in the xy-
4
plane defined by this equation. It's given that line 𝓁 is defined by 3𝑦 + 12𝑥 = 5. Subtracting 12𝑥 from both sides of this
12 5 5
equation yields 3𝑦 = − 12𝑥 + 5. Dividing both sides of this equation by 3 yields 𝑦 = − 𝑥 + , or 𝑦 = − 4𝑥 + . Thus, the
3 3 3
slope of line 𝓁 in the xy-plane is − 4. Since line 𝑛 is perpendicular to line 𝓁 in the xy-plane, the slope of line 𝑛 is the
1 1
negative reciprocal of the slope of line 𝓁. The negative reciprocal of − 4 is − = . Note that 1/4 and .25 are
(−4) 4
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 91e7ea5e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 91e7ea5e

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

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

A. 1

B. 2

C. 4

D. 8

ID: 91e7ea5e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 358f18bc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 358f18bc

What is the minimum value of the given function?

ID: 358f18bc Answer

Correct Answer: 1728

Rationale

The correct answer is 1,728. The given function can be rewritten in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘, where 𝑎 is a positive
2

constant and the minimum value, 𝑘, of the function occurs when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. By completing the square,
2 2
48 48
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 48𝑥 + 2,304 can be written as 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 48𝑥 + ( ) + 2,304 − ( ) , or 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 24) + 1,728. This
2
2 2
equation is in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘, where 𝑎 = 1, ℎ = 24, and 𝑘 = 1,728. Therefore, the minimum value of the
2

given function is 1,728.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3a9d60b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3a9d60b2

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

ID: 3a9d60b2 Answer

Correct Answer: 9

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8490cc45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 8490cc45

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8490cc45 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the xy-plane occurs at the point on the graph where 𝑥 = 0.
In other words, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding value of 𝑓(𝑥) is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in
0
the given equation yields 𝑓(0) = (−8)(2) + 22, which is equivalent to 𝑓(0) = (−8)(1) + 22, or 𝑓(0) = 14. Thus, when 𝑥 = 0
, the corresponding value of 𝑓(𝑥) is 14. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the xy-plane is (0, 14).

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

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

Choice D is incorrect. This could be the y-intercept for 𝑓(𝑥) = (−8)(2) , not 𝑓(𝑥) = (−8)(2) + 22.
𝑥 𝑥

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ba0edc30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ba0edc30

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ba0edc30 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

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

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 85939da5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 85939da5

Texting Talks on cell Does not talk on

behavior phone daily cell phone daily Total

Light 110 146 256

Medium 139 164 303

Heavy 166 74 240

Total 415 384 799

In a study of cell phone use, 799 randomly selected US teens were asked how
often they talked on a cell phone and about their texting behavior. The data are
summarized in the table above. Based on the data from the study, an estimate
of the percent of US teens who are heavy texters is 30% and the associated
margin of error is 3%. Which of the following is a correct statement based on
the given margin of error?

A. Approximately 3% of the teens in the study who are classified as heavy texters are not really heavy texters.

B. It is not possible that the percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is less than 27%.

C. The percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is 33%.

D. It is doubtful that the percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is 35%.

ID: 85939da5 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The given margin of error of 3% indicates that the actual percent of all US teens who are heavy
texters is likely within 3% of the estimate of 30%, or between 27% and 33%. Therefore, it is unlikely, or doubtful, that the
percent of all US teens who are heavy texters would be 35%.
Choice A is incorrect. The margin of error doesn’t provide any information about the accuracy of reporting in the study.
Choice B is incorrect. Based on the estimate and given margin of error, it is unlikely that the percent of all US teens who
are heavy texters would be less than 27%, but it is possible. Choice C is incorrect. While the percent of all US teens who
are heavy texters is likely between 27% and 33%, any value within this interval is equally likely. We can’t be certain that
the value is exactly 33%.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e29586d5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and

and Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: e29586d5

Number of Contestants by Score and Day

5 out 4 out 3 out 2 out 1 out 0 out
Total
of 5 of 5 of 5 of 5 of 5 of 5

Day
2 3 4 6 2 3 20
1

Day
2 3 5 5 4 1 20
2

Day
3 3 4 5 3 2 20
3

Total 7 9 13 16 9 6 60
The same 20 contestants, on each of 3 days, answered 5 questions in order to win a prize. Each contestant received 1
point for each correct answer. The number of contestants receiving a given score on each day is shown in the table
above.
No contestant received the same score on two different days. If a contestant is
selected at random, what is the probability that the selected contestant
received a score of 5 on Day 2 or Day 3, given that the contestant received a
score of 5 on one of the three days?

ID: e29586d5 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . It is given that no contestant received the same score on two different days, so each of the
contestants who received a score of 5 is represented in the “5 out of 5” column of the table exactly once. Therefore, the
probability of selecting a contestant who received a score of 5 on Day 2 or Day 3, given that the contestant received a
score of 5 on one of the three days, is found by dividing the total number of contestants who received a score of 5 on
Day 2 or Day 3 by the total number of contestants who received a score of 5, which is given in the table as 7.

So the probability is . Note that 5/7, .7142, .7143, and 0.714 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 954943a4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages

and Data Analysis

ID: 954943a4

Jennifer bought a box of Crunchy Grain cereal. The nutrition facts on the box

state that a serving size of the cereal is cup and provides 210 calories, 50
of which are calories from fat. In addition, each serving of the cereal provides
180 milligrams of potassium, which is 5% of the daily allowance for adults. If p
percent of an adult’s daily allowance of potassium is provided by x servings of
Crunchy Grain cereal per day, which of the following expresses p in terms of x ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 954943a4 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It’s given that each serving of Crunchy Grain cereal provides 5% of an adult’s daily allowance of
potassium, so x servings would provide x times 5%. The percentage of an adult’s daily allowance of potassium, p, is 5
times the number of servings, x. Therefore, the percentage of an adult’s daily allowance of potassium can be expressed
as .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly converting 5% to its decimal equivalent, which isn’t
necessary since p is expressed as a percentage. Additionally, choices C and D are incorrect because the context should
be represented by a linear relationship, not by an exponential relationship.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1baffbcf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages

and Data Analysis

ID: 1baffbcf

The expression represents the result of decreasing a positive quantity by what percent?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1baffbcf Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Let 𝑛 % represent the percent by which the positive quantity 𝑥 is decreased to result in 0.35𝑥. The
𝑛
value of 𝑛 can be found by solving the equation 𝑥 − ( )𝑥 = 0.35𝑥. Since 𝑥 is a common factor of each of the terms on
100
𝑛
the left-hand side of this equation, the equation can be rewritten as 𝑥(1 − ) = 0.35𝑥. Dividing each side of this
100
𝑛
equation by 𝑥 yields 1 − = 0.35. Multiplying each side of this equation by 100 yields 100 − 𝑛 = 35. Subtracting 100
100
from each side of this equation yields − 𝑛 = − 65. Dividing each side of this equation by − 1 yields 𝑛 = 65. Therefore,
the expression 0.35𝑥 represents the result of decreasing the positive quantity 𝑥 by 65 % .

Choice A is incorrect. Decreasing the quantity 𝑥 by 3.5 % yields 𝑥 − 0.035𝑥, or 0.965𝑥, not 0.35𝑥.

Choice B is incorrect. Decreasing the quantity 𝑥 by 35 % yields 𝑥 − 0.35𝑥, or 0.65𝑥, not 0.35𝑥.

Choice C is incorrect. Decreasing the quantity 𝑥 by 6.5 % yields 𝑥 − 0.065𝑥, or 0.935𝑥, not 0.35𝑥.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c7e73ece
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: c7e73ece
Views on Nuclear Energy
Use
Response Frequency

Strongly
56
favor

Somewhat
214
favor

Somewhat
104
oppose

Strongly
37
oppose

A researcher interviewed 411 randomly selected US residents and asked about their views on the use of nuclear energy.
The table above summarizes the responses of the interviewees. If the population of the United States was 300 million
when the survey was given, based on the sample data for the 411 US residents, what is the best estimate, in millions, of
the difference between the number of US residents who somewhat favor or strongly favor the use of nuclear energy and
the number of those who somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it? (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.)

ID: c7e73ece Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 94. Of those interviewed, “strongly favor” or “somewhat favor” the use of nuclear
The correct answer is 94. Of those interviewed, “strongly favor” or “somewhat favor” the use of nuclear
energy, and interviewees “somewhat oppose” or “strongly oppose” the use of nuclear energy. The
difference between the sizes of the two surveyed groups is . The proportion of this difference among

the entire group of interviewees is . Because the sample of interviewees was selected at random from US
residents, it is reasonable to assume that the proportion of this difference is the same among all US residents as in the
sample. Therefore, the best estimate, in millions, of the difference between the number of US residents who somewhat
favor or strongly favor the use of nuclear energy and the number of those who somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it

is , which to the nearest million is 94.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e5c57163
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: e5c57163

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: e5c57163 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
2
of square A is (166𝑥) , 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 983412ea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 983412ea

A right square prism has a height of units. The volume of the prism is cubic units. What is the length, in units,
of an edge of the base?

ID: 983412ea Answer

Correct Answer: 12

Rationale

The correct answer is 12. The volume, 𝑉, of a right square prism can be calculated using the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠2 ℎ, where 𝑠
represents the length of an edge of the base and ℎ represents the height of the prism. It’s given that the volume of the
prism is 2,016 cubic units and the height is 14 units. Substituting 2,016 for 𝑉 and 14 for ℎ in the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠2 ℎ yields
2,016 = (𝑠2 )(14). Dividing both sides of this equation by 14 yields 144 = 𝑠2 . Taking the square root of both sides of this
equation yields two solutions: − 12 = 𝑠 and 12 = 𝑠. The length can't be negative, so 12 = 𝑠. Therefore, the length, in units,
of an edge of the base is 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a4c0547f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: a4c0547f

In triangle , angle is a right angle and the length of is units. If , what is the perimeter, in
units, of triangle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a4c0547f Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given that angle 𝑍 in triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is a right angle. Thus, side 𝑌𝑍 is the leg opposite angle 𝑋 and
side 𝑋𝑍 is the leg adjacent to angle 𝑋. The tangent of an acute angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the leg
𝑌𝑍 12
opposite the angle to the length of the leg adjacent to the angle. It follows that tan𝑋 = . It's given that tan𝑋 =
𝑋𝑍 35
12 𝑌𝑍 12 24
and
the length of side 𝑌𝑍 is 24 units. Substituting for tan𝑋 and 24 for 𝑌𝑍 in the equation tan𝑋 = =
35 𝑋𝑍 35 𝑋𝑍
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 35(𝑋𝑍) yields 12(𝑋𝑍) = 24(35), or 12(𝑋𝑍) = 840. Dividing both sides of this
yields .

equation by 12 yields 𝑋𝑍 = 70. The length 𝑋𝑌 can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, which states that if a
right triangle has legs with lengths of 𝑎 and 𝑏 and a hypotenuse with length 𝑐, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 . Substituting 70 for 𝑎 and
24 for 𝑏 in this equation yields 702 + 242 = 𝑐2 , or 5,476 = 𝑐2 . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields
±74 = 𝑐. Since the length of the hypotenuse must be positive, 74 = 𝑐. Therefore, the length of 𝑋𝑌 is 74 units. The
perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the lengths of all sides. Thus, (74 + 70 + 24) units, or 168 units, is the perimeter of
triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This would be the perimeter, in units, for a right triangle where the length of side 𝑌𝑍 is 12 units, not
24 units.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 947a3cde
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 947a3cde

In the figure above, and intersect at point P, , and

. What is the measure, in degrees, of ? (Disregard the
degree symbol when gridding your answer.)

ID: 947a3cde Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 30. It is given that the measure of is . Angle MPR and are collinear and

therefore are supplementary angles. This means that the sum of the two angle measures is , and so the measure

of is . The sum of the angles in a triangle is . Subtracting the measure of from

yields the sum of the other angles in the triangle MPR. Since , the sum of the measures of and
is . It is given that , so it follows that triangle MPR is isosceles. Therefore and
must be congruent. Since the sum of the measure of these two angles is , it follows that the measure of each angle

is .

An alternate approach would be to use the exterior angle theorem, noting that the measure of is equal to the
sum of the measures of and . Since both angles are equal, each of them has a measure of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 858fd1cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 858fd1cf

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at . Line is tangent to this circle at the point . Which of the
following points also lies on line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 858fd1cf Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the circle has its center at (−1, 1) and that line 𝑡 is tangent to this circle at the point
(5, − 4). Therefore, the points (−1, 1) and (5, − 4) are the endpoints of the radius of the circle at the point of tangency.
𝑑−𝑏
The slope of a line or line segment that contains the points (𝑎, 𝑏) and (𝑐, 𝑑) can be calculated as
𝑐−𝑎
𝑑−𝑏 −4 − 1 5 5
. Substituting
(−1, 1) for (𝑎, 𝑏) and (5, − 4) for (𝑐, 𝑑) in the expression , or − . Thus, the slope of this radius is − .
𝑐−𝑎 5 − (−1) 6 6
yields

A line that’s tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. It follows that line 𝑡 is
perpendicular to the radius at the point (5, − 4), so the slope of line 𝑡 is the negative reciprocal of the slope of this
5 6 6
radius. The negative reciprocal of − is . Therefore, the slope of line 𝑡 is . Since the slope of line 𝑡 is the same between
6 5 5
6
any two points on line 𝑡, a point lies on line 𝑡 if the slope of the line segment connecting the point and (5, − 4) is .
5
𝑑−𝑏 −4 − 2 6
Substituting choice C, (10, 2), for (𝑎, 𝑏) and (5, − 4) for (𝑐, 𝑑) in the expression
𝑐−𝑎 5 − 10 5
yields , or . Therefore, the
point (10, 2) lies on line 𝑡.

6
6 −4 −
Choice A is incorrect. The slope of the line segment connecting (0, ) and (5, − 4) is 5, or − 26, not 6.
5 5−0 25 5

−4 − 7 6
Choice B is incorrect. The slope of the line segment connecting (4, 7) and (5, − 4) is , or −11, not .
5−4 5
−4 − 1 5 6
Choice D is incorrect. The slope of the line segment connecting (11, 1) and (5, − 4) is
5 − 11 6 5
, or , not .

Question Difficulty: Hard