Question ID ae422489

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: ae422489

At how many points do the graphs of the given equations intersect in the xy-plane?

A. Zero

B. Exactly one

C. Exactly two

D. Infinitely many

ID: ae422489 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has zero points of intersection 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 slope-intercept form, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, are distinct if the y-coordinates of their y-
intercepts, 𝑏, are different and are parallel if their slopes, 𝑚, are the same. For the two equations in the given
system, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 10 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 - 1, the values of 𝑏 are 10 and -1, respectively, and the values of 𝑚 are both 2. Since
the values of 𝑏 are different, the graphs of these lines have different y-coordinates of the y-intercept and are
distinct. Since the values of 𝑚 are the same, the graphs of these lines have the same slope and are parallel.
Therefore, the graphs of the given equations are lines that intersect at zero points in the xy-plane.

Choice B is incorrect. The graphs of a system of two linear equations have exactly one point of intersection if the
lines represented by the equations have different slopes. Since the given equations represent lines with the
same slope, there is not exactly one intersection point.

Choice C is incorrect. The graphs of a system of two linear equations can never have exactly two intersection
points.

Choice D is incorrect. The graphs of a system of two linear equations have infinitely many intersection points
when the lines represented by the equations have the same slope and the same y-coordinate of the y-intercept.
Since the given equations represent lines with different y-coordinates of their y-intercepts, there are not
infinitely many intersection points.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 59bebe61
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 59bebe61

In the xy-plane, the graph of intersects the graph of at

the point . What is the value of a ?

A. 3

B. 6

C. 9

D. 12

ID: 59bebe61 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Since the graph of intersects the graph of at the point , the ordered
pair is the solution to the system of linear equations consisting of and , and the value of

a is the value of x in the solution of this system. Since both and are equal to y, it follows that
. Subtracting x from and adding 6 to both sides of the equation yields . Therefore, the value of

a is 9.

Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from a calculation or conceptual error in solving the system of
equations consisting of and . Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of b, not a.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 94855ec8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 94855ec8

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 94855ec8 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

1 1
Choice C is correct. It's given by the first equation in the system that 𝑦 = - 𝑥. Substituting - 𝑥 for 𝑦 in the second
9 9
1 1 2
equation in the system yields - 9 𝑥 = 2 𝑥. Multiplying the left-hand side of this equation by 2
and the right-hand
9 2 9 2 11
side by yields - 𝑥 = 𝑥. Adding 𝑥 to both sides of this equation yields 0 = 𝑥. Multiplying both sides of this
9 18 18 18 18
18
equation by 11
yields 𝑥 = 0.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID da5e343d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: da5e343d

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

ID: da5e343d Answer

Correct Answer: 18

Rationale

The correct answer is 18. It's given by the second equation in the system that 3𝑦 = 11. Substituting 11 for 3𝑦 in
the first equation in the system, 𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 29, yields 𝑥 + 11 = 29. Subtracting 11 from both sides of this equation
yields 𝑥 = 18.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 6f77df1d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 6f77df1d

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6f77df1d Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The given system of linear equations can be solved by the substitution method. Substituting
-3𝑥 for 𝑦 from the first equation in the given system into the second equation yields 4𝑥 + -3𝑥 = 15, or 𝑥 = 15.

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. This is the absolute value of 𝑦, not the value of 𝑥.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f71148ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: f71148ca

Equation 1: 2 x, plus 7 y, equals 9. Equation 2: 8 x, plus 28 y, equals a

In the given system of equations, a is a constant. If the system has infinitely

many solutions, what is the value of a ?

A. 4

B. 9

C. 36

D. 54

ID: f71148ca Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. A system of two linear equations has infinitely many solutions if one equation is equivalent
to the other. This means that when the two equations are written in the same form, each coefficient or constant
in one equation is equal to the corresponding coefficient or constant in the other equation multiplied by the
same number. The equations in the given system of equations are written in the same form, with x and y on the
left-hand side of the equation and a constant on the right-hand side of the equation. The coefficients of x and y
in the second equation are equal to the coefficients of x and y, respectively, in the first equation multiplied by 4:
and . Therefore, the constant in the second equation must be equal to 4 times the constant in

the first equation: , or .

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. When , , or , the given system of equations has no solution.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7a0aab71
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 7a0aab71

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7a0aab71 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Adding the second equation of the given system to the first equation yields
5𝑥 + -4𝑥 + 𝑦 = 15 + -2, which is equivalent to 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 13. So the value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 is 13.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of - ( 𝑥 + 𝑦 ) .

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 981173a3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 981173a3

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 981173a3 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that 4𝑥 = 20 and -3𝑥 + 𝑦 = - 7 is a system of equations with a solution 𝑥, 𝑦. Adding
the second equation in the given system to the first equation yields 4𝑥 + ( - 3𝑥 + 𝑦 ) = 20 + -7, which is
equivalent to 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 13. Thus, the value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 is 13.

Choice A is incorrect. This represents the value of -2𝑥 + 𝑦 - 1.

Choice B is incorrect. This represents the value of -𝑥 + 𝑦.

Choice D is incorrect. This represents the value of 2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8eb81159
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 8eb81159

4 x plus 5 y, equals 100, and, 5 x plus 4 y, equals 62

If the system of equations above has solution ,

what is the value of ?

A. 0

B. 9

C. 18

D. 38

ID: 8eb81159 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Adding the given equations yields 9x + 9y = 162. Dividing each side of the equation 9x + 9y =
162 by 9 gives x + y = 18.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly adding the equations. Choice B is incorrect and may result
from conceptual or computational errors. Choice D is incorrect. This value is equivalent to y – x.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 05a59d8a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 05a59d8a

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 05a59d8a Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given by the first equation in the system that 𝑦 = 3𝑥. Substituting 3𝑥 for 𝑦 in the equation
2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 12 yields 2𝑥 + 3𝑥 = 12, or 5𝑥 = 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 D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID b73904ec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: b73904ec

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b73904ec Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The given system of linear equations can be solved by the elimination method. Multiplying
each side of the second equation in the given system by 3 yields 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 ( 3 ) = 103, or 6𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 30. Subtracting
this equation from the first equation in the given system yields 6𝑥 + 7𝑦 - 6𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 28 - 30, which is equivalent to
6𝑥 - 6𝑥 + 7𝑦 - 6𝑦 = 28 - 30, or 𝑦 = - 2.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥, not the value of 𝑦.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 106a9641
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 106a9641

one half y equals 4

x minus, one half y, equals 2

The system of equations above has solution (x,

y). What is the value of x ?

A.
three

B.
the fraction 7 over 2

C.
four

D.
six

ID: 106a9641 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Adding the corresponding sides of the two equations eliminates y and yields , as
shown.

The equation one half y equals 4, added to the equation x minus one half y, equals 2, gives the equation x plus
0, equals 6

If (x, y) is a solution to the system, then (x, y) satisfies both equations in the system and any equation derived
from them. Therefore, .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of errors when solving the system.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 310726c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 310726c5

An online bookstore sells novels and magazines. Each novel sells for $4, and
each magazine sells for $1. If Sadie purchased a total of 11 novels and
magazines that have a combined selling price of $20, how many novels did she
purchase?

A. 2

B. 3

C. 4

D. 5

ID: 310726c5 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Let n be the number of novels and m be the number of magazines that Sadie purchased. If
Sadie purchased a total of 11 novels and magazines, then . It is given that the combined price of 11

novels and magazines is $20. Since each novel sells for $4 and each magazine sells for $1, it follows that
. So the system of equations below must hold.

4 n plus m, equals 20; n plus m, equals 11

Subtracting corresponding sides of the second equation from the first equation yields , so . Therefore,
Sadie purchased 3 novels.

Choice A is incorrect. If 2 novels were purchased, then a total of $8 was spent on novels. That leaves $12 to be
spent on magazines, which means that 12 magazines would have been purchased. However, Sadie purchased a
total of 11 novels and magazines. Choices C and D are incorrect. If 4 novels were purchased, then a total of $16
was spent on novels. That leaves $4 to be spent on magazines, which means that 4 magazines would have been
purchased. By the same logic, if Sadie purchased 5 novels, she would have no money at all ($0) to buy magazines.
However, Sadie purchased a total of 11 novels and magazines.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 63343593
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 63343593

At how many points do the graphs of the equations and intersect in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 63343593 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Each given equation is written in slope-intercept form, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope and
0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept of the graph of the equation in the xy-plane. The graphs of two lines that have different
slopes will intersect at exactly one point. The graph of the first equation is a line with slope 1. The graph of the
second equation is a line with slope 8. Since the graphs are lines with different slopes, they will intersect at
exactly one point.

Choice A is incorrect because two graphs of linear equations have 0 intersection points only if they are parallel
and therefore have the same slope.

Choice C is incorrect because two graphs of linear equations in the xy-plane can have only 0, 1, or infinitely
many points of intersection.

Choice D is incorrect because two graphs of linear equations in the xy-plane can have only 0, 1, or infinitely
many points of intersection.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3e2d52fb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 3e2d52fb

Which of the following systems of equations has the same solution as the
system of equations graphed above?

A.
Equation 1: y equals 0. Equation 2: x equals three halves

B.
Equation 1: y equals three halves. Equation 2: x equals 0

C.
Equation 1: y equals 0. Equation 2: x equals 1

D.
Equation 1: y equals 1. Equation 2: x equals 0

ID: 3e2d52fb Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The solution to a system of equations is the coordinates of the intersection point of the
graphs of the equations in the xy-plane. Based on the graph, the solution to the given system of equations is best

approximated as . In the xy-plane, the graph of is a horizontal line on which every y-coordinate is 0,

and the graph of is a vertical line on which every x-coordinate is . These graphs intersect at the point

. Therefore, the system of equations in choice A has the same solution as the given system.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. If graphed in the xy-plane, these choices would intersect at the points ,

, and , respectively, not .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 881032c0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

PSAT/NMSQT & Math Algebra Systems of two

PSAT 10 linear equations in
two variables

ID: 881032c0

A company that provides whale-watching tours takes groups of people at a time. The company’s revenue is dollars
per adult and dollars per child. If the company’s revenue for one group consisting of adults and children was
dollars, how many people in the group were children?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 881032c0 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Let 𝑥 represent the number of children in a whale-watching tour group. Let 𝑦 represent the
number of adults in this group. Because it's given that 21 people are in a group and the group consists of adults
and children, it must be true that 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21. Since the company's revenue is 60 dollars per child, the total
revenue from 𝑥 children in this group was 60𝑥 dollars. Since the company's revenue is 80 dollars per adult, the
total revenue from 𝑦 adults in this group was 80𝑦 dollars. Because it's given that the total revenue for this group
was 1,440 dollars, it must be true that 60𝑥 + 80𝑦 = 1,440. The equations 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21 and 60𝑥 + 80𝑦 = 1,440 form a
linear system of equations that can be solved to find the value of 𝑥, which represents the number of children in
the group, using the elimination method. Multiplying both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 21 by 80 yields
80𝑥 + 80𝑦 = 1,680. Subtracting 60𝑥 + 80𝑦 = 1,440 from 80𝑥 + 80𝑦 = 1,680 yields
( 80𝑥 + 80𝑦 ) - ( 60𝑥 + 80𝑦 ) = 1,680 - 1,440, which is equivalent to 80𝑥 - 60𝑥 + 80𝑦 - 80𝑦 = 240, or 20𝑥 = 240.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 20 yields 𝑥 = 12. Therefore, 12 people in the group were children.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the number of adults in the group, not the number of children in the group.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium