Question ID 2937ef4f

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 2937ef4f

Hector used a tool called an auger to remove corn from a storage bin at a constant
rate. The bin contained 24,000 bushels of corn when Hector began to use
the auger. After 5 hours of using the auger, 19,350 bushels of corn remained in the
bin. If the auger continues to remove corn at this rate, what is the total number of
hours Hector will have been using the auger when 12,840 bushels of corn remain in
the bin?

A. 3

B. 7

C. 8

D. 12

ID: 2937ef4f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. After using the auger for 5 hours, Hector had removed 24,000 – 19,350 = 4,650 bushels of corn from the

storage bin. During the 5-hour period, the auger removed corn from the bin at a constant rate of bushels per
hour. Assuming the auger continues to remove corn at this rate, after x hours it will have removed 930x bushels of corn.
Because the bin contained 24,000 bushels of corn when Hector started using the auger, the equation 24,000 – 930x = 12,840
can be used to find the number of hours, x, Hector will have been using the auger when 12,840 bushels of corn remain in the
bin. Subtracting 12,840 from both sides of this equation and adding 930x to both sides of the equation yields 11,160 = 930x.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 930 yields x = 12. Therefore, Hector will have been using the auger for 12 hours when
12,840 bushels of corn remain in the storage bin.

Choice A is incorrect. Three hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 3(930) = 21,210 bushels of corn remained,
not 12,840. Choice B is incorrect. Seven hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 7(930) = 17,490 bushels of corn
will remain, not 12,840. Choice C is incorrect. Eight hours after Hector began using the auger, 24,000 – 8(930) = 16,560
bushels of corn will remain, not 12,840.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7a5a74a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 7a5a74a6

If x is the solution to the equation above,

what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7a5a74a6 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Because 2 is a factor of both and 6, the expression can be rewritten as . Substituting
for on the left-hand side of the given equation yields , or
. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . Adding 11 to

both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields .

Alternate approach: Distributing 3 to the quantity on the left-hand side of the given equation and distributing 4 to the
quantity on the right-hand side yields , or . Subtracting from both
sides of this equation yields . Adding 29 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of

this equation by 2 yields . Therefore, the value of is , or .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of x, not . Choices C and D are incorrect. If the value of is or ,

it follows that the value of x is or , respectively. However, solving the given equation for x yields .

Therefore, the value of can’t be or .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2b15d65f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 2b15d65f

An economist modeled the demand Q for a certain product as a linear function of

the selling price P. The demand was 20,000 units when the selling price was $40
per unit, and the demand was 15,000 units when the selling price was $60 per unit.
Based on the model, what is the demand, in units, when the selling price is $55 per
unit?

A. 16,250

B. 16,500

C. 16,750

D. 17,500

ID: 2b15d65f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Let the economist’s model be the linear function , where Q is the demand, P is the selling
price, m is the slope of the line, and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line in the xy-plane, where . Two pairs
of the selling price P and the demand Q are given. Using the coordinate pairs , two points that satisfy the function are

and . The slope m of the function can be found using the formula . Substituting

the given values into this formula yields , or . Therefore, . The value of
b can be found by substituting one of the points into the function. Substituting the values of P and Q from the point
yields , or . Adding 10,000 to both sides of this equation
yields . Therefore, the linear function the economist used as the model is . Substituting
55 for P yields . It follows that when the selling price is $55 per unit, the demand is
16,250 units.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation or conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID be9cb6a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: be9cb6a2

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: be9cb6a2 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 002dba45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 002dba45

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

ID: 002dba45 Answer

Correct Answer: .1764, .1765, 3/17

Rationale
3
The correct answer is 17
. It’s given that line 𝑗 is perpendicular to line 𝑘 in the xy-plane. This means that the slope of line 𝑗 is
17
the negative reciprocal of the slope of line 𝑘. The equation of line 𝑘, 𝑦 = - 3
𝑥 + 5, is written in slope-intercept form
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the line and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. It follows that the slope of
17 17 -1
line 𝑘 is - . The negative reciprocal of a number is -1 divided by the number. Therefore, the negative reciprocal of - is 17 ,
3 3 -
3
3 3
or . Thus, the slope of line 𝑗 is . Note that 3/17, .1764, .1765, and 0.176 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
17 17

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 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 cb8f449f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: cb8f449f

The system of equations above has solution (x,

y). What is the value of x ?

A. 3

B.

C. 4

D. 6

ID: cb8f449f Answer

Correct Answer: D

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

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 45cfb9de
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 45cfb9de

Adam’s school is a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride away from his house.
The bus runs once every 30 minutes, and the number of minutes, w, that Adam
waits for the bus varies between 0 and 30. Which of the following inequalities gives
the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to walk to school?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 45cfb9de Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It is given that w is the number of minutes that Adam waits for the bus. The total time it takes Adam to
get to school on a day he takes the bus is the sum of the minutes, w, he waits for the bus and the 5 minutes the bus ride
takes; thus, this time, in minutes, is w + 5. It is also given that the total amount of time it takes Adam to get to school on a
day that he walks is 20 minutes. Therefore, w + 5 > 20 gives the values of w for which it would be faster for Adam to walk to
school.

Choices A and B are incorrect because w – 5 is not the total length of time for Adam to wait for and then take the bus to
school. Choice C is incorrect because the inequality should be true when walking 20 minutes is faster than the time it takes
Adam to wait for and ride the bus, not less.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f224df07
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: f224df07

A cargo helicopter delivers only 100-pound packages and 120-pound packages.

For each delivery trip, the helicopter must carry at least 10 packages, and the total
weight of the packages can be at most 1,100 pounds. What is the maximum
number of 120-pound packages that the helicopter can carry per trip?

A. 2

B. 4

C. 5

D. 6

ID: f224df07 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Let a equal the number of 120-pound packages, and let b equal the number of 100-pound packages. It’s
given that the total weight of the packages can be at most 1,100 pounds: the inequality represents
this situation. It’s also given that the helicopter must carry at least 10 packages: the inequality represents this
situation. Values of a and b that satisfy these two inequalities represent the allowable numbers of 120-pound packages and
100-pound packages the helicopter can transport. To maximize the number of 120-pound packages, a, in the helicopter, the
number of 100-pound packages, b, in the helicopter needs to be minimized. Expressing b in terms of a in the second
inequality yields , so the minimum value of b is equal to . Substituting for b in the first inequality
results in . Using the distributive property to rewrite this inequality yields
, or . Subtracting 1,000 from both sides of this inequality yields
. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 20 results in . This means that the maximum number of 120-pound
packages that the helicopter can carry per trip is 5.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly creating or solving the system of inequalities.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 a9084ca4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: a9084ca4

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: a9084ca4 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-
𝑥
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 9,0000.66 , which
0
gives 𝑦 = 9,0000.66 . 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 a5663025
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: a5663025

A system of equations consists of a quadratic equation and a linear equation. The

equations in this system are graphed in the xy-plane above. How many solutions
does this system have?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

ID: a5663025 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The solutions to a system of two equations correspond to points where the graphs of the equations
intersect. The given graphs intersect at 2 points; therefore, the system has 2 solutions.

Choice A is incorrect because the graphs intersect. Choice B is incorrect because the graphs intersect more than once.
Choice D is incorrect. It’s not possible for the graph of a quadratic equation and the graph of a linear equation to intersect
more than twice.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3c95093c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3c95093c

Which of the following inequalities is equivalent

to the inequality above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3c95093c Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Both sides of the given inequality can be divided by 3 to yield .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they are not equivalent to (do not have the same solution set as) the given
inequality. For example, the ordered pair is a solution to the given inequality, but it is not a solution to any of the
inequalities in choices A, C, or D.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID dd4ab4c4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: dd4ab4c4

Which of the following is a factor of

the polynomial above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: dd4ab4c4 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The first and last terms of the polynomial are both squares such that and .
The second term is twice the product of the square root of the first and last terms: . Therefore, the

polynomial is the square of a binomial such that , and is a factor.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly factoring the polynomial. Choice C is incorrect and may be the
result of dividing the second and third terms of the polynomial by their greatest common factor. Choice D is incorrect and
may be the result of not factoring the coefficients.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID b8caaf84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: b8caaf84

If and , which of the following is

equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b8caaf84 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that and . Substituting the values for p and v into the expression

yields . Multiplying the terms yields .

Using the distributive property to rewrite yields . Therefore, the entire expression can be represented as

. Combining like terms yields .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting, instead of adding, the term . Choice C is incorrect. This is the
result of multiplying the terms . Choice D is incorrect and may result from distributing 2, instead of , to the
term .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d28c29e1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: d28c29e1

The International Space Station orbits Earth at an average speed of 4.76 miles per
second. What is the space station’s average speed in miles per hour?

A. 285.6

B. 571.2

C. 856.8

D. 17,136.0

ID: d28c29e1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 1 minute = 60 seconds and 1 hour = 60 minutes, it follows that 1 hour = (60)(60), or 3,600
seconds. Using this conversion factor, the space station’s average speed of 4.76 miles per second is equal to an average

speed of , or 17,136 miles per hour.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the space station’s average speed in miles per minute. Choice B is incorrect. This is double the
space station’s average speed in miles per minute, or the number of miles the space station travels on average in 2 minutes.
Choice C is incorrect. This is triple the space station’s average speed in miles per minute, or the number of miles the space
station travels on average in 3 minutes.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3f5398a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 3f5398a6

For a person m miles from a flash of lightning, the length of the time interval from
the moment the person sees the lightning to the moment the person hears the
thunder is k seconds. The ratio of m to k can be estimated to be 1 to 5. According
to this estimate, the person is how many miles from a flash of lightning if the time
interval is 25 seconds?

A. 10

B. 9

C. 6

D. 5

ID: 3f5398a6 Answer

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the ratio of m to k is estimated to be 1 to 5. Therefore, when , the relationship

between these ratios can be expressed by the proportion . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 25 yields
.

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

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 65c49824
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Percentages

and Data Analysis

ID: 65c49824

A school district is forming a committee to discuss plans for the construction of a

new high school. Of those invited to join the committee, 15% are parents of
students, 45% are teachers from the current high school, 25% are school and
district administrators, and the remaining 6 individuals are students. How many
more teachers were invited to join the committee than school and district
administrators?

ID: 65c49824 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 8. The 6 students represent of those invited to join the committee. If

x people were invited to join the committee, then . Thus, there were people invited to join the
committee. It follows that there were teachers and school and district administrators invited
to join the committee. Therefore, there were 8 more teachers than school and district administrators invited to join the
committee.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f890dc20
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: f890dc20

What is the median of the seven

data values shown?

A. 2

B. 3

C. 4

D. 9

ID: f890dc20 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. When a data set has an odd number of values, the median can be found by ordering the values from
least to greatest and determining the value in the middle. Since the values are already presented in order from least to
greatest and there are 7 values, the median is the fourth value in the list. Therefore, the median is 3.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the mode. Choice C is incorrect. This is the mean. Choice D is incorrect. This is the range.

Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 4c774b00
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 4c774b00

Ages of 20 Students Enrolled in a College Class

Age Frequency

18 6

19 5

20 4

21 2

22 1

23 1

30 1

The table above shows the distribution of ages of the 20 students enrolled in a
college class. Which of the following gives the correct order of the mean, median,
and mode of the ages?

A. mode < median < mean

B. mode < mean < median

C. median < mode < mean

D. mean < mode < median

ID: 4c774b00 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The mode is the data value with the highest frequency. So for the data shown, the mode is 18. The
median is the middle data value when the data values are sorted from least to greatest. Since there are 20 ages ordered, the
median is the average of the two middle values, the 10th and 11th, which for these data are both 19. Therefore, the median is
19. The mean is the sum of the data values divided by the number of the data values. So for these data, the mean is

Since the mode is 18, the median is 19, and the mean is 20, .

Choices B and D are incorrect because the mean is greater than the median. Choice C is incorrect because the median is
greater than the mode.

Alternate approach: After determining the mode, 18, and the median, 19, it remains to determine whether the mean is less
than 19 or more than 19. Because the mean is a balancing point, there is as much deviation below the mean as above the
mean. It is possible to compare the data to 19 to determine the balance of deviation above and below the mean. There is a
total deviation of only 6 below 19 (the 6 values of 18); however, the data value 30 alone deviates by 11 above 19. Thus the
mean must be greater than 19.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1adb39f0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 1adb39f0

The scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables, x and y. A line of
best fit for the data is also shown. Which of the following is closest to the
difference between the y-coordinate of the data point with and the y-value
predicted by the line of best fit at ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 5

D. 12

ID: 1adb39f0 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The data point with has a y-coordinate of 12. The y-value predicted by the line of best fit at
is approximately 11. The difference between the y-coordinate of the data point and the y-value predicted by the line of best fit
at is , or 1.

Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly reading the scatterplot. Choice D is incorrect. This is the y-
coordinate of the data point at .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 82aaa0a1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 82aaa0a1

Of the following, which is the best model for

the data in the scatterplot?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 82aaa0a1 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The graphical model that most closely fits the data in the scatterplot is a model in which the number of
data points above and below the model are approximately balanced. Fitting a graphical model to the data shown results in
an upward-facing parabola with a y-intercept near and a vertex with an approximate x-value of 2.5. Of the given
choices, only choice B gives an equation of an upward-facing parabola with a y-intercept at . Furthermore, substituting
2.5 for x into the equation in choice B yields . This is approximately the y-value of the vertex of the model.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. These equations don’t give a graphical model that best fits the data. At , they have y-
values of , , and 3, respectively. At , they have y-values of , , and 3, respectively.

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 b1b5300b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Probability and

and Data Analysis conditional
probability

ID: b1b5300b
Prices of 14 Different Cars
Priced at no more Priced greater
Type of car Total
than $25,000 than $25,000

Nonhybrid 5 3 8

Hybrid 2 4 6

Total 7 7 14

The table above shows information about 14 cars listed for sale on an auto dealership’s website. If one of the
cars listed for sale is selected at random, what is the probability that the car selected will be a hybrid car
priced at no more than $25,000 ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b1b5300b Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that there are 2 hybrid cars priced at no more than $25,000. It’s also given that there are 14 cars
total for sale. Therefore, the probability of selecting a hybrid priced at no more than $25,000 when one car is chosen at

random is .

Choice B is incorrect. This is the probability of selecting a hybrid car priced greater than $25,000 when choosing one car at
random. Choice C is incorrect. This is the probability, when choosing randomly from only the hybrid cars, of selecting one
priced at no more than $25,000. Choice D is incorrect. This is the probability of selecting a hybrid car when selecting at
random from only the cars priced greater than $25,000.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 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 favor 56

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
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 1ea09200
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating

and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments

ID: 1ea09200

A sample of 40 fourth-grade students was selected at random from a certain

school. The 40 students completed a survey about the morning announcements,
and 32 thought the announcements were helpful. Which of the following is the
largest population to which the results of the survey can be applied?

A. The 40 students who were surveyed

B. All fourth-grade students at the school

C. All students at the school

D. All fourth-grade students in the county in which the school is located

ID: 1ea09200 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Selecting a sample of a reasonable size at random to use for a survey allows the results from that survey
to be applied to the population from which the sample was selected, but not beyond this population. In this case, the
population from which the sample was selected is all fourth-grade students at a certain school. Therefore, the results of the
survey can be applied to all fourth-grade students at the school.

Choice A is incorrect. The results of the survey can be applied to the 40 students who were surveyed. However, this isn’t the
largest group to which the results of the survey can be applied. Choices C and D are incorrect. Since the sample was
selected at random from among the fourth-grade students at a certain school, the results of the survey can’t be applied to
other students at the school or to other fourth-grade students who weren’t represented in the survey results. Students in
other grades in the school or other fourth-grade students in the country may feel differently about announcements than the
fourth-grade students at the school.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 37930b2a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Evaluating

and Data Analysis statistical claims:
Observational
studies and
experiments

ID: 37930b2a

Residents of a town were surveyed to determine whether they are satisfied with the
concession stand at the local park. A random sample of 200 residents was
selected. All 200 responded, and 87% said they are satisfied. Based on this
information, which of the following statements must be true?
I. Of all the town residents, 87% would say they are satisfied with the concession stand at the local park.
II. If another random sample of 200 residents were surveyed, 87% would say they are satisfied.

A. Neither

B. I only

C. II only

D. I and II

ID: 37930b2a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The purpose of surveying a random sample of residents is to approximate the percent of the town
residents that are satisfied with the concession stand. The sample doesn’t necessarily get the same result as surveying
every resident of the town, nor would another sample necessarily have identical results. Therefore, although it’s possible that
either statement I or statement II could prove true by surveying every resident of the town, these statements cannot be
proven true solely based on the results of the sample.

Choice B is incorrect because surveying a sample of the town residents may not have the same result as surveying all the
town residents. Choices C and D are incorrect because surveying a different sample of residents could yield different results.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f67e4efc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: f67e4efc

A right circular cylinder has a volume of . If the height of the cylinder

is 5, what is the radius of the cylinder?

A. 3

B. 4.5

C. 9

D. 40

ID: f67e4efc Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The volume of a right circular cylinder with a radius of r is the product of the area of the base, , and
the height, h. The volume of the right circular cylinder described is and its height is 5. If the radius is r, it follows that

. Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Taking the square root of both sides yields
or . Since r represents the radius, the value must be positive. Therefore, the radius is 3.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from finding that the square of the radius is 9, but then from dividing 9 by 2, rather than
taking the square root of 9. Choice C is incorrect. This represents the square of the radius. Choice D is incorrect and may
result from solving the equation for , not r, by dividing by on both sides and then by subtracting, not
dividing, 5 from both sides.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5afbdc8e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 5afbdc8e

What is the length of one side of a square that has the same
area as a circle with radius 2 ?

A. 2

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5afbdc8e Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The area A of a circle with radius r is given by the formula . Thus, a circle with radius 2 has area

, which can be rewritten as . The area of a square with side length s is given by the formula . Thus, if a

square has the same area as a circle with radius 2, then . Since the side length of a square must be a positive

number, taking the square root of both sides of gives . Using the properties of square roots, can

be rewritten as , which is equivalent to . Therefore, .

Choice A is incorrect. The side length of the square isn’t equal to the radius of the circle. Choices B and D are incorrect and
may result from incorrectly simplifying the expression .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e10d8313
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: e10d8313

In the figure shown, points , , , and lie on line segment , and line segment intersects line segment at
point . The measure of is , the measure of is , the measure of is , and the measure
of is . What is the measure, in degrees, of ?

ID: e10d8313 Answer

Correct Answer: 123

Rationale
The correct answer is 123. The triangle angle sum theorem states that the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a
triangle is 180 degrees. It's given that the measure of ∠𝑆𝑄𝑋 is 48° and the measure of ∠𝑆𝑋𝑄 is 86°. Since points 𝑆, 𝑄, and 𝑋
form a triangle, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑄𝑆𝑋 is 180 - 48 - 86, or 46.
It's also given that the measure of ∠𝑆𝑊𝑈 is 85°. Since ∠𝑆𝑊𝑈 and ∠𝑆𝑊𝑅 are supplementary angles, the sum of their
measures is 180 degrees. It follows that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑆𝑊𝑅 is 180 - 85, or 95. Since points 𝑅, 𝑆, and 𝑊 form a
triangle, and ∠𝑅𝑆𝑊 is the same angle as ∠𝑄𝑆𝑋, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees,
of ∠𝑊𝑅𝑆 is 180 - 46 - 95, or 39. It's given that the measure of ∠𝑉𝑇𝑈 is 162°. Since ∠𝑉𝑇𝑈 and ∠𝑆𝑇𝑈 are supplementary angles,
the sum of their measures is 180 degrees. It follows that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑆𝑇𝑈 is 180 - 162, or 18. Since points 𝑅,
𝑇, and 𝑈 form a triangle, and ∠𝑈𝑅𝑇 is the same angle as ∠𝑊𝑅𝑆, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the
measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑇𝑈𝑅 is 180 - 39 - 18, or 123.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f88f27e5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: f88f27e5
Intersecting lines r, s, and t are shown below.

What is the value of x ?

ID: f88f27e5 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 97. The intersecting lines form a triangle, and the angle with measure of is an exterior angle of this
triangle. The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of the two nonadjacent interior
angles of the triangle. One of these angles has measure of and the other, which is supplementary to the angle with
measure , has measure of . Therefore, the value of x is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 902dc959
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 902dc959

In the figure above, what is the

value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 902dc959 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Angle A is an acute angle in a right triangle, so the value of tan(A) is equivalent to the ratio of the length

of the side opposite angle A, 20, to the length of the nonhypotenuse side adjacent to angle A, 21. Therefore, .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of sin(A). Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of cos(A). Choice D is incorrect. This
is the value of tan(B).

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID bd87bc09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: bd87bc09

Triangle above is a right triangle, and .

What is the length of side ?

ID: bd87bc09 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 24. The sine of an acute angle in a right triangle is equal to the ratio of the length of the side opposite
the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown, the sine of angle B, or , is equal to the ratio of the

length of side to the length of side . It’s given that the length of side is 26 and that . Therefore,

. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 26 yields .

By the Pythagorean Theorem, the relationship between the lengths of the sides of triangle ABC is as follows:
, or . Subtracting 100 from both sides of yields . Taking

the square root of both sides of yields .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c8345903
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: c8345903

The circle above has center O, the length of arc is , and

. What is the length of arc ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c8345903 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The ratio of the lengths of two arcs of a circle is equal to the ratio of the measures of the central angles
that subtend the arcs. It’s given that arc is subtended by a central angle with measure 100°. Since the sum of the

measures of the angles about a point is 360°, it follows that arc is subtended by a central angle with measure

. If s is the length of arc , then s must satisfy the ratio . Reducing the fraction

to its simplest form gives . Therefore, . Multiplying both sides of by yields .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of an arc consisting of exactly half of the circle, but arc is greater than half of
the circle. Choice C is incorrect. This is the total circumference of the circle. Choice D is incorrect. This is half the length of
arc , not its full length.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2266984b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 2266984b

The equation above defines a circle in the xy-plane. What are the
coordinates of the center of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2266984b Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The standard equation of a circle in the xy-plane is of the form , where are
the coordinates of the center of the circle and r is the radius. The given equation can be rewritten in standard form by
completing the squares. So the sum of the first two terms, , needs a 100 to complete the square, and the sum of

the second two terms, , needs a 64 to complete the square. Adding 100 and 64 to both sides of the given equation

yields , which is equivalent to .

Therefore, the coordinates of the center of the circle are .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from computational errors made when attempting to complete the squares
or when identifying the coordinates of the center.

Question Difficulty: Hard