 Question ID 18087

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear functions 4. Make Calculator
connections
between verbal,
tabular, algebraic,
and graphical
representations of
a linear function,
by:
a. deriving one
representation
from the other;
b. identifying
features of one
representation
given another
representation;
c. determining
how a graph is
affected by a
change to its
equation.

Questions 15 and 16 refer to the following information.

The graph above displays the total cost C, in dollars, of renting a boat for h hours.

Which of the following represents the relationship between h and C ?

A.
B.

C.
D.
Rationale
Choice C is correct. If m is the slope and b is the C-intercept of the line, the relationship between h and C can be represented by

. The C-intercept of the line is 5. Since the points and lie on the line, the slope of the line is .

Therefore, the relationship between h and C can be represented by , the slope-intercept equation of the line.
Choices A and D are incorrect because each of these equations represents a line that passes through the origin . However, C is
not equal to zero when . Choice B is incorrect and may result from errors made when reading the scale on each axis as related
to calculating the slope.
 

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 18493

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear inequalities 4. Make Calculator
connections
in one or two between tabular,
variables algebraic, and
graphical
representations of
linear inequalities
in one or two
variables by
deriving one from
the other.
5. Given a linear
inequality or
system of linear
inequalities,
interpret a point in
the solution set.

If the system of inequalities and is graphed in the xy-plane above, which quadrant contains no

solutions to the system?

A. Quadrant II
B. Quadrant III
C. Quadrant IV
D. There are solutions in all four quadrants.
Rationale
Choice C is correct. To determine which quadrant does not contain any solutions to the system of inequalities, graph the
inequalities. Graph the inequality by drawing a line through the y-intercept and the point , as shown. The

solutions to this inequality are all points contained on and above this line. Graph the inequality by drawing a dashed

line through the y-intercept and the point , as shown. The solutions to this inequality are all points above this dashed
line.

The solution to the system of inequalities is the intersection of the regions above the graphs of both lines. It can be seen that the
solutions only include points in quadrants I, II, and III and do not include any points in quadrant IV.
Choices A and B are incorrect because quadrants II and III contain solutions to the system of inequalities, as shown in the figure
above. Choice D is incorrect because there are no solutions in quadrant IV.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 19646

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Additional Topics Additional Topics Lines, angles, and 4. Know and No Calculator
in Math directly apply
in Math triangles relevant theorems
such as:
a. the vertical
angle theorem;
b. triangle
similarity and
congruence
criteria;
c. triangle
angle sum
theorem;
d. the
relationship of
angles formed
when a
transversal
cuts parallel
lines.
 Question ID 19649

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Analysis in Additional Topics Area and volume 1. Solve real- Calculator
Science, world and
Additional Topics in Math mathematical
in Math problems about a
geometric figure
or an object that
can be modeled
by a geometric
figure using given
information such
as length, area,
surface area, or
volume.

A grain silo is built from two right circular cones and a right circular cylinder with internal measurements represented by the
figure above. Of the following, which is closest to the volume of the grain silo, in cubic feet?

A. 261.8
B. 785.4
C. 916.3
D. 1,047.2
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The volume of the grain silo can be found by adding the volumes of all the solids of which it is composed. The
silo is made up of a cylinder with height 10 feet (ft) and base radius 5 ft and two cones, each having height 5 ft and base radius 5 ft.

The formulas and can be used to determine the total volume of the silo. Since the two cones have

identical dimensions, the total volume, in cubic feet, of the silo is given by , which is

approximately equal to 1,047.2 cubic feet.

Choice A is incorrect because this is the volume of only the two cones. Choice B is incorrect because this is the volume of only the
cylinder. Choice C is incorrect because this is the volume of only one of the cones plus the cylinder.
 

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 19869

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear functions 4. Make No Calculator
connections
between verbal,
tabular, algebraic,
and graphical
representations of
a linear function,
by:
a. deriving one
representation
from the other;
b. identifying
features of one
representation
given another
representation;
c. determining
how a graph is
affected by a
change to its
equation.

The line , where k is a constant, is graphed in the xy-plane. If the line contains the point , where and
, what is the slope of the line in terms of c and d ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The linear equation is in slope-intercept form, and so the slope of the line is k. Since the line
contains the point , the coordinates of this point satisfy the equation ; therefore, . Solving this equation for

the slope, k, gives .

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in substituting the coordinates of in or of errors in
solving for k in the resulting equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 19943

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Additional Topics Additional Topics Lines, angles, and 4. Know and No Calculator
in Math directly apply
in Math triangles relevant theorems
such as:
a. the vertical
angle theorem;
b. triangle
similarity and
congruence
criteria;
c. triangle
angle sum
theorem;
d. the
relationship of
angles formed
when a
transversal
cuts parallel
lines.

In the figure above, lines k, , and m intersect at a point. If , which of the following must be true?

I.
II.
III.

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since the angles marked y° and u° are vertical angles, . Substituting y for u in the equation
gives . Since the angles marked w° and z° are vertical angles, . Therefore, by the transitive property, , and so I must
be true.
The equation in II need not be true. For example, if and , then all three pairs of vertical angles in the
figure have equal measure and the given condition holds. But it is not true in this case that y is equal to w. Therefore,
II need not be true.
Since the top three angles in the figure form a straight angle, it follows that . Similarly, , and so
. Subtracting the sides of the given equation from the corresponding sides of
gives . Therefore, III must be true. Since only I and III must be true, the correct answer is choice B.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because each of these choices includes II, which need not be true.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 20154

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Analysis in Heart of Algebra Linear functions 3. For a linear No Calculator
Science, Heart of function that
Algebra represents a
context a.
interpret the
meaning of an
input/output pair,
constant, variable,
factor, term, or
graph based on
the context,
including
situations where
seeing structure
provides an
advantage;

The equation above shows how a temperature F, measured in degrees Fahrenheit, relates to a temperature C, measured in
degrees Celsius. Based on the equation, which of the following must be true?

I. A temperature increase of 1 degree Fahrenheit is equivalent to a temperature increase of degree Celsius.

II. A temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius is equivalent to a temperature increase of 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

III. A temperature increase of degree Fahrenheit is equivalent to a temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius.

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
Rationale
Choice D is correct. If C is graphed against F, the slope of the line is equal to degrees Celsius/degrees Fahrenheit, which means

that for an increase of 1 degree Fahrenheit, the increase is of 1 degree Celsius. Thus, statement I is true. This is the equivalent to

saying that an increase of 1 degree Celsius is equal to an increase of degrees Fahrenheit.

Since , statement II is true. On the other hand, statement III is not true, since a temperature increase of degrees

Fahrenheit, not degree Fahrenheit, is equal to a temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each of these choices omits a true statement or includes a false statement.
 

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 422005

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Additional Topics Additional Topics Lines, angles, and 4. Know and No Calculator
in Math directly apply
in Math triangles relevant theorems
such as:
a. the vertical
angle theorem;
b. triangle
similarity and
congruence
criteria;
c. triangle
angle sum
theorem;
d. the
relationship of
angles formed
when a
transversal
cuts parallel
lines.

Intersecting lines r, s, and t are shown below.

What is the value of x ?

 Question ID 422453

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Additional Topics Additional Topics Right triangles 1. Solve problems No Calculator
in Math in a variety of
in Math and trigonometry contexts using a.
the Pythagorean
theorem;
1. Solve problems
in a variety of
contexts using b.
right triangle
trigonometry;
1. Solve problems
in a variety of
contexts using c.
properties of
special right
triangles.
5. Fluently apply
properties of
special right
triangles to
determine side-
lengths and
calculate
trigonometric
ratios of 30, 45,
and 60 degrees.

In the figure above, is parallel to . What is the length of ?

 Question ID 423141

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Analysis in Heart of Algebra Linear functions 3. For a linear No Calculator
Science, Heart of function that
Algebra represents a
context a.
interpret the
meaning of an
input/output pair,
constant, variable,
factor, term, or
graph based on
the context,
including
situations where
seeing structure
provides an
advantage;

In air, the speed of sound S, in meters per second, is a linear function of the air temperature T, in degrees Celsius, and is
given by . Which of the following statements is the best interpretation of the number 331.4 in this
context?

A. The speed of sound, in meters per second, at

B. The speed of sound, in meters per second, at 
C. The increase in the speed of sound, in meters per second, that corresponds to an increase of 
D. The increase in the speed of sound, in meters per second, that corresponds to an increase of 
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The constant term 331.4 in is the value of S when . The value corresponds to a
temperature of . Since S(T) represents the speed of sound, 331.4 is the speed of sound, in meters per second, when the
temperature is .
Choice B is incorrect. When , , not 331.4, meters per second. Choice C is incorrect. Based on
the given function, the speed of sound increases by 0.6 meters per second for every increase of temperature by , as shown by
the equation . Choice D is incorrect. An increase in the speed of sound, in meters per second,
that corresponds to an increase of is .
 

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 1474933

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra, Heart of Algebra Linear functions 2. Create a linear No Calculator
Analysis in function to model
History/ Social a relationship
Studies between two
quantities.

Oil and gas production in a certain area dropped from 4 million barrels in 2000 to 1.9 million barrels in 2013. Assuming that
the oil and gas production decreased at a constant rate, which of the following linear functions f best models the production,
in millions of barrels, t years after the year 2000?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is assumed that the oil and gas production decreased at a constant rate. Therefore, the function f that best
models the production t years after the year 2000 can be written as a linear function, , where m is the rate of change of
the oil and gas production and b is the oil and gas production, in millions of barrels, in the year 2000. Since there were 4 million

barrels of oil and gas produced in 2000, . The rate of change, m, can be calculated as , which is equivalent to

, the rate of change in choice C.

Choices A and B are incorrect because each of these functions has a positive rate of change. Since the oil and gas production
decreased over time, the rate of change must be negative. Choice D is incorrect. This model may result from misinterpreting 1.9
million barrels as the amount by which the production decreased.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 5094280

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear functions 4. Make No Calculator
connections
between verbal,
tabular, algebraic,
and graphical
representations of
a linear function,
by:
a. deriving one
representation
from the other;
b. identifying
features of one
representation
given another
representation;
c. determining
how a graph is
affected by a
change to its
equation.

x
   2   4

The table shown gives some values of x and the corresponding values of , where f is a linear function. If is
graphed in the xy-plane, what is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The slope of a linear function can be calculated using two points and slope formula . Substituting

the given x- and y-values for the two points in the table into this formula yields , or 2. The slope-intercept form of a

linear equation is , where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph. Substituting the
coordinate pair and the slope 2 into this equation yields , or . Solving this equation for b results in .
Therefore, 0 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph.
Alternate approach: A linear function has a constant rate of change. Using the values from the table, the change in x from to 2
is 3, and the change in from to 4 is 6. The ratio of the change in x to its corresponding change in is 3 to 6, which is
equivalent to 1 to 2. This means that every increase of 1 in x results in an increase of 2 in . Since the y-intercept of the line
occurs when , 1 can be added to the first x-coordinate in the table to get , and its corresponding value of can
be found by adding 2 to the first y-coordinate in the table. This results in , meaning that the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of the graph is 0.
Choices A and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors. Choice B is incorrect and may result from dividing the
difference in x-coordinates by the difference in y-coordinates, which gives the reciprocal of the slope.
 

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 5094911

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra, Heart of Algebra Linear equations 3. For a linear No Calculator
Analysis in equation in two
History/ Social in two variables variables that
Studies represents a
context a.
interpret a
solution,
constant, variable,
factor, term, or
graph based on
the context,
including
situations where
seeing structure
provides an
advantage;

To earn money for college, Avery works two part-time jobs: A and B. She earns $10 per hour working at job A and $20 per
hour working at job B. In one week, Avery earned a total of s dollars for working at the two part-time jobs. The graph above
represents all possible combinations of numbers of hours Avery could have worked at the two jobs to earn s dollars. What is
the value of s ?

A. 128
B. 160
C. 200
D. 320
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Avery earns $10 per hour working at job A. Therefore, if she works a hours at job A, she will earn dollars.
Avery earns $20 per hour working at job B. Therefore, if she works b hours at job B, she will earn dollars. The graph shown
represents all possible combinations of the number of hours Avery could have worked at the two jobs to earn s dollars. Therefore, if
she worked a hours at job A, worked b hours at job B, and earned s dollars from both jobs, the following equation represents the
graph: , where s is a constant. Identifying any point from the graph and substituting the values of the
coordinates for a and b, respectively, in this equation yield the value of s. For example, the point , where and , lies
on the graph. Substituting 16 for a and 0 for b in the equation yields , or . Similarly, the point
, where and , lies on the graph. Substituting 0 for a and 8 for b in the equation yields , or
.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. If the value of s is 128, 200, or 320, then no points on the graph will satisfy this equation. For
example, if the value of s is 128 (choice A), then the equation becomes . The point , where
and , lies on the graph. However, substituting 16 for a and 0 for b in yields , or , which
is false. Therefore, doesn’t satisfy the equation, and so the value of s can’t be 128. Similarly, if (choice C) or
(choice D), then substituting 16 for a and 0 for b yields and , respectively, which are both false.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 5095434

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear equations 4. Make No Calculator
connections
in two variables between tabular,
algebraic, and
graphical
representations of
a linear equation
in two variables
by:
a. deriving one
representation
from the other;
b. identifying
features of one
representation
given the other
representation;
c. determining
how a graph is
affected by a
change to its
equation.

Which of the following is the graph of in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The given equation can be converted to slope-intercept form, , where m is the slope of the line and b
is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Adding to both sides of the equation yields . Therefore, the slope of the line is 5
and the y-intercept is . The slope of each graph can be determined by substituting the coordinates of two given points in the

formula . The graph in choice B contains the points and . Therefore, , or . Only the graph in

choice B shows a line with a slope of 5 and a y-intercept of .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the graph of . Choice C is incorrect. This is the graph of . Choice D is incorrect.

This is the graph of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 5095525

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear equations 4. Make No Calculator
connections
in two variables between tabular,
algebraic, and
graphical
representations of
a linear equation
in two variables
by:
a. deriving one
representation
from the other;
b. identifying
features of one
representation
given the other
representation;
c. determining
how a graph is
affected by a
change to its
equation.

In the equation above, a and b are constants and . Which of the following could represent the graph of the equation
in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The given equation can be rewritten in slope-intercept form, , where m represents the
slope of the line represented by the equation, and k represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. Subtracting ax from

both sides of the equation yields , and dividing both sides of this equation by b yields , or .

With the equation now in slope-intercept form, it shows that , which means the y-coordinate of the y-intercept is 1. It’s given
that a and b are both greater than 0 (positive) and that . Since , the slope of the line must be a value between and

0. Choice C is the only graph of a line that has a y-value of the y-intercept that is 1 and a slope that is between and 0.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the slopes of the lines in these graphs aren’t between and 0.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 5207467

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Additional Topics Additional Topics Right triangles 1. Solve problems No Calculator
in Math in a variety of
in Math and trigonometry contexts using a.
the Pythagorean
theorem;
1. Solve problems
in a variety of
contexts using b.
right triangle
trigonometry;
1. Solve problems
in a variety of
contexts using c.
properties of
special right
triangles.
5. Fluently apply
properties of
special right
triangles to
determine side-
lengths and
calculate
trigonometric
ratios of 30, 45,
and 60 degrees.

Triangle PQR has right angle Q. If , what is the value of ?

Rationale
The correct answer is , or .75. By definition of the sine ratio, since , . Therefore, if , then , where

n is a positive constant. Then , where k is another positive constant. Applying the Pythagorean theorem, the following
relationship holds: , or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields .
 Question ID 5209577

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear inequalities 4. Make No Calculator
connections
in one or two between tabular,
variables algebraic, and
graphical
representations of
linear inequalities
in one or two
variables by
deriving one from
the other.
5. Given a linear
inequality or
system of linear
inequalities,
interpret a point in
the solution set.

In which of the following does the shaded region represent the solution set in the xy-plane to the system of inequalities
above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The solutions of the first inequality, , lie on or above the line , which is the line that passes
through and . The second inequality can be rewritten in slope-intercept form by dividing the second inequality,

, by 3 on both sides, which yields , and then subtracting from both sides, which yields . The

solutions to this inequality lie on or below the line , which is the line that passes through and . The only

graph in which the shaded region meets these criteria is choice B.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from reversing the inequality sign in the first inequality. Choice C is incorrect and may result
from reversing the inequality sign in the second inequality. Choice D is incorrect and may result from reversing the inequality
signs in both inequalities.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 5308679

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear equations 4. Make No Calculator
connections
in two variables between tabular,
algebraic, and
graphical
representations of
a linear equation
in two variables
by:
a. deriving one
representation
from the other;
b. identifying
features of one
representation
given the other
representation;
c. determining
how a graph is
affected by a
change to its
equation.

A line in the xy-plane has a slope of 0. Which of the following could be an equation of the line?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Rationale
Choice B is correct. An equation of a line in slope-intercept form can be written as , where m is the slope and b is the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. It’s given that the line in the xy-plane has a slope of 0, thus . Substituting 0 for m in
yields , or , where b is a constant. Any equation in this form could be an equation of this line. Only
choice B satisfies this condition.
Choice A is incorrect. The slope of this line is undefined. Choice C is incorrect. The slope of this line is 1, not 0. Choice D is
incorrect. The slope of this line is , not 0.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 19491

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Systems of two 4. Solve a system No Calculator
of two linear
linear equations equations in two
in two variables variables making
strategic use of
algebraic
structure.

According to the system of equations above, what is the value of x ?

Rationale
The correct answer is 7. Subtracting the left and right sides of from the corresponding sides of gives
which is equivalent to Substituting for y in gives which is
 Question ID 5207803

Assessment Test Cross-Test and Difficulty Primary Secondary Tertiary Calculator

Subscore Dimension Dimension Dimension
SAT Math Heart of Algebra Heart of Algebra Linear equations 4. For a linear No Calculator
equation in one
in one variable variable, b.
determine the
conditions under
which the
equation has no
solution, a unique
solution, or
infinitely many
solutions.

In the equation above, a is a constant. If no value of x satisfies the equation, what is the value of a ?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 8
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Applying the distributive property of multiplication to the right-hand side of the given equation gives
, or . An equation in the form will have no solutions if and . Therefore, it follows that
the equation will have no solutions if , or .
Choice A is incorrect. If , then the given equation could be written as . Since , this equation has exactly
one solution. Choice B is incorrect. If , then the given equation could be written as . Since , this equation
has exactly one solution. Choice D is incorrect. If , then the given equation could be written as . Since ,
this equation has exactly one solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard