Question ID 73b3b7d8

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 73b3b7d8

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

ID: 73b3b7d8 Answer

Correct Answer: 20

Rationale

The correct answer is 20. Adding the first equation to the second equation in the given system yields
5𝑦 - 5𝑦 = 10𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 11 - 21, or 0 = 15𝑥 - 10. Adding 10 to both sides of this equation yields 10 = 15𝑥. Multiplying both sides
of this equation by 2 yields 20 = 30𝑥. Therefore, the value of 30𝑥 is 20.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 948087f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 948087f2

Which of the following ordered pairs (x, y) satisfies the

system of inequalities above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 948087f2 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Any point (x, y) that is a solution to the given system of inequalities must satisfy both inequalities in
the system. The second inequality in the system can be rewritten as . Of the given answer choices, only choice
D satisfies this inequality, because inequality is a true statement. The point also satisfies the first
inequality.

Alternate approach: Substituting into the first inequality gives , or , which is a true
statement. Substituting into the second inequality gives , or , which is a true statement.
Therefore, since satisfies both inequalities, it is a solution to the system.

Choice A is incorrect because substituting −2 for x and −1 for y in the first inequality gives , or ,
which is false. Choice B is incorrect because substituting −1 for x and 3 for y in the first inequality gives ,
or , which is false. Choice C is incorrect because substituting 1 for x and 5 for y in the first inequality gives
, or , which is false.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a04190b7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: a04190b7

A store sells two different-sized containers of blueberries. The store’s sales of these blueberries totaled dollars
last month. The equation represents this situation, where is the number of smaller
containers sold and is the number of larger containers sold. According to the equation, what is the price, in dollars, of
each smaller container?

ID: a04190b7 Answer

Correct Answer: 4.51, 451/100

Rationale

The correct answer is 4.51. It’s given that the equation 4.51𝑥 + 6.07𝑦 = 896.86 represents this situation, where 𝑥 is the
number of smaller containers sold, 𝑦 is the number of larger containers sold, and 896.86 is the store’s total sales, in
dollars, of blueberries last month. Therefore, 4.51𝑥 represents the store's sales, in dollars, of smaller containers, and
6.07𝑦 represents the store's sales, in dollars, of larger containers. Since 𝑥 is the number of smaller containers sold, the
price, in dollars, of each smaller container is 4.51.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 49800634
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 49800634

The table shows two values of and their corresponding values of . In the xy-plane, the graph of the linear equation
representing this relationship passes through the point . What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 49800634 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The linear relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 can be represented by the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the
slope of the graph of this equation in the xy-plane and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The slope of a line between
𝑦 -𝑦
any two points 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 on the line can be calculated using the slope formula 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 . Based on the table, the
graph contains the points -18, - 48 and 7, 52. Substituting -18, - 48 and 7, 52 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 , respectively, in the slope
1 2
formula yields 𝑚 = 52
7 - -18 , which is equivalent to 𝑚 = 25 , or 𝑚 = 4. Substituting 4 for 𝑚, -18 for 𝑥, and -48 for 𝑦 in the
- -48 100

equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields -48 = 4-18 + 𝑏, or -48 = - 72 + 𝑏. Adding 72 to both sides of this equation yields 24 = 𝑏.
Therefore, 𝑚 = 4 and 𝑏 = 24. Substituting 4 for 𝑚 and 24 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 24. Thus, the
equation 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 24 represents the linear relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦. It's also given that the graph of the linear equation
representing this relationship in the xy-plane passes through the point 17 , 𝑎. Substituting 1
7 for 𝑥 and 𝑎 for 𝑦 in the equation
𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 24 yields 𝑎 = 4 17 + 24, which is equivalent to 𝑎 = 47 + 168
7 , or 𝑎 = 7 .
172

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 27f5fff3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 27f5fff3

If a new graph of three linear equations is created using the system of equations shown and the equation
, how many solutions will the resulting system of three equations have?

A. Zero

B. Exactly one

C. Exactly two

D. Infinitely many

ID: 27f5fff3 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale

Choice A is correct. A solution to a system of equations must satisfy each equation in the system. It follows that if an
ordered pair 𝑥, 𝑦 is a solution to the system, the point 𝑥, 𝑦 lies on the graph in the xy-plane of each equation in the system.
The only point that lies on each graph of the system of two linear equations shown is their intersection point 8, 2. It
follows that if a new graph of three linear equations is created using the system of equations shown and the graph of
𝑥 + 4𝑦 = - 16, this system has either zero solutions or one solution, the point 8, 2. Substituting 8 for 𝑥 and 2 for 𝑦 in the
equation 𝑥 + 4𝑦 = - 16 yields 8 + 42 = - 16, or 16 = - 16. Since this equation is not true, the point 8, 2 does not lie on the
graph of 𝑥 + 4𝑦 = - 16. Therefore, 8, 2 is not a solution to the system of three equations. It follows that there are zero
solutions to this system.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8c515062
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 8c515062

A candle is made of ounces of wax. When the candle is burning, the amount of wax in the candle decreases by
ounce every hours. If ounces of wax remain in this candle, for how many hours has it been burning?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8c515062 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the candle starts with 17 ounces of wax and has 6 ounces of wax remaining after a
period of time has passed. The amount of wax the candle has lost during the time period can be found by subtracting the
remaining amount of wax from the amount of wax the candle was made of, which yields 17 - 6 ounces, or 11 ounces.
This means the candle loses 11 ounces of wax during that period of time. It’s given that the amount of wax decreases by
1 ounce every 4 hours. If ℎ represents the number of hours the candle has been burning, it follows that 14 = 11
ℎ
. Multiplying
both sides of this equation by 4ℎ yields ℎ = 44. Therefore, the candle has been burning for 44 hours.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from using the equation 1 = ℎ rather than 1 = 11 to represent the situation, and then
4 11 4 ℎ
rounding to the nearest whole number.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the amount of wax, in ounces, remaining in the candle, not the number of hours it has been
burning.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from using the equation 1 = 6 rather than 1 = 11 to represent the situation.
4 ℎ 4 ℎ

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID fb43b85f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: fb43b85f

A line passes through the points and in the xy-plane. What is the slope of the line?

ID: fb43b85f Answer

Correct Answer: 1.636, 18/11

Rationale

The correct answer is 18 .

11
For a line that passes through the points 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 in the xy-plane, the slope of the line
1 2
𝑦 -𝑦
can be calculated using the slope formula, 𝑚 = 2 1
𝑥2 - 𝑥1 . It's given that a line passes through the points 4, 6 and 15, 24 in the
𝑦 -𝑦
xy-plane. Substituting 4, 6 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 15, 24 for 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 in the slope formula, 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 , yields 𝑚 = 24
15 - 4 , or 𝑚 = 11 .
-6 18

Therefore, the slope of the line is 1811 . Note that 18/11 and 1.636 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID eafdbbbd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: eafdbbbd

What value of is the solution to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: eafdbbbd Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. For the given equation, 𝑥 + 5 is a factor of both terms on the left-hand side. Therefore, the given
equation can be rewritten as 14 - 13 𝑥 + 5 = - 7, or 12
3 - 4 𝑥 + 5 = - 7, which is equivalent to - 1 𝑥 + 5 = - 7. Multiplying both
12 12
sides of this equation by -12 yields 𝑥 + 5 = 84. Subtracting 5 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = 79.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which the left-hand side of the given equation equals 7,
12
not -7.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which the left-hand side of the given equation equals 0, not -7.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which the left-hand side of the given equation equals - 209
12
, not -7.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3ce92ce8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 3ce92ce8

For the given function , the graph of in the xy-plane is parallel to line . What is the slope of line ?

ID: 3ce92ce8 Answer

Correct Answer: 2

Rationale

The correct answer is 2. It’s given that function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 3. Therefore, the equation representing the graph
of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3, and the graph is a line. For a linear equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑚 represents the
slope of the line. Since the value of 𝑚 in the equation 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 is 2, the slope of the line defined by function 𝑓 is 2. It's
given that line 𝑗 is parallel to the line defined by function 𝑓. The slopes of parallel lines are equal. Therefore, the slope of
line 𝑗 is also 2.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8a6de407
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 8a6de407

The function f is defined by , where m and b are constants. If

and , what is the value of m ?

ID: 8a6de407 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 2. The slope-intercept form of an equation for a line is , where m is the slope and b is
the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Two ordered pairs, and , can be used to compute the slope using the

formula . It’s given that and ; therefore, the two ordered pairs for this line are

and . Substituting these values for and gives , or 2.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID bbf9e5ce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: bbf9e5ce

For groups of or more people, a museum charges per person for the first people and for each additional
person. Which function gives the total charge, in dollars, for a tour group with people, where ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: bbf9e5ce Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. A tour group with 𝑛 people, where 𝑛 ≥ 25, can be split into two subgroups: the first 25 people and the
additional 𝑛 - 25 people. Since the museum charges $ 21 per person for the first 25 people and $ 14 for each additional
person, the charge for the first 25 people is $ 21(25) and the charge for the additional 𝑛 - 25 people is $ 14(𝑛 - 25).
Therefore, the total charge, in dollars, is given by the function 𝑓(𝑛) = 21(25) + 14(𝑛 - 25), or 𝑓(𝑛) = 14𝑛 + 175.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5b7599a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 5b7599a6

The graph shows a linear relationship between and . Which equation represents this relationship, where is a
positive constant?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5b7599a6 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale

Choice C is correct. The equation representing the linear relationship shown can be written in slope-intercept form
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope and 0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept of the line. The line shown passes through the points 0, 6 and
𝑦 -𝑦
2, 0. Given two points on a line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 , the slope of the line can be calculated using the equation 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 .
1 2
Substituting 0, 6 and 2, 0 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 , respectively, in this equation yields 𝑚 = 02 -- 60 , which is equivalent to 𝑚 = - 62 , or
1 2
𝑚 = -3. Since 0, 6 is the y-intercept, it follows that 𝑏 = 6. Substituting -3 for 𝑚 and 6 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
𝑦 = -3𝑥 + 6. Adding 3𝑥 to both sides of this equation yields 3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 6. Multiplying this equation by 6 yields 18𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 36. It
follows that the equation 18𝑥 + 𝑅𝑦 = 36, where 𝑅 is a positive constant, represents this relationship.

Choice A is incorrect. The graph of this relationship passes through the point 0, 2, not 0, 6.

Choice B is incorrect. The graph of this relationship passes through the point 0, 2, not 0, 6.

Choice D is incorrect. The graph of this relationship passes through the point -2, 0, not 2, 0.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d02193fb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: d02193fb

The shaded region shown represents the solutions to which inequality?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d02193fb Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale

Choice D is correct. The equation for the line representing the boundary of the shaded region can be written in slope-
intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑏 + 𝑚𝑥, where 𝑚 is the slope and 0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept of the line. For the graph shown, the boundary
line passes through the points 0, 1 and 1, - 3. Given two points on a line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 , the slope of the line can be
1 2
𝑦 -𝑦
calculated using the equation 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 . Substituting the points 0, 1 and 1, - 3 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 in this equation yields
1 2
𝑚 = -31 -- 01 , which is equivalent to 𝑚 = -41 , or 𝑚 = - 4. Since the point 0, 1 represents the y-intercept, it follows that 𝑏 = 1.
Substituting -4 for 𝑚 and 1 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑏 + 𝑚𝑥 yields 𝑦 = 1 - 4𝑥 as the equation of the boundary line. Since the
shaded region represents all the points above this boundary line, it follows that the shaded region shown represents the
solutions to the inequality 𝑦 > 1 - 4𝑥.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality represents a region below, not above, a boundary line with a slope of 4, not -4.

Choice B is incorrect. This inequality represents a region below, not above, the boundary line shown.

Choice C is incorrect. This inequality represents a region whose boundary line has a slope of 4, not -4.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e53688cb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: e53688cb

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

ID: e53688cb 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 41fdc0b8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 41fdc0b8

The table above shows the population of Greenleaf, Idaho, for the years 2000 and 2010. If the relationship between
population and year is linear, which of the following functions P models the population of Greenleaf t years after 2000?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 41fdc0b8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It is given that the relationship between population and year is linear; therefore, the function that
models the population t years after 2000 is of the form , where m is the slope and b is the population when
. In the year 2000, . Therefore, . The slope is given by

. Therefore, , which is equivalent to the

equation in choice A.

Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly calculating the slope as just the change in the value of P. Choice
C is incorrect and may be the result of the same error as in choice B, in addition to incorrectly using t to represent the
year, instead of the number of years after 2000. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly using t to
represent the year instead of the number of years after 2000.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8ad64841
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 8ad64841

A linear function gives a company’s profit, in dollars, for selling items. The company’s profit is when it sells
items, and its profit is when it sells items. Which equation defines ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8ad64841 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑓𝑥 is linear. A linear function can be written in the form
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane. Given
𝑦 -𝑦
two points on a line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , the slope of the line can be found using the slope formula 𝑚 = 2 1
𝑥2 - 𝑥1 . It’s given that
the company’s profit is $ 220 when it sells 8 items and the profit is $ 320 when it sells 10 items. Since 𝑓𝑥 represents the
company's profit, in dollars, for selling 𝑥 items, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane passes through the points 8, 220 and
10, 320. Substituting 8, 220 and 10, 320 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the slope formula yields 𝑚 = 320 - 220
10 - 8 , which
gives 𝑚 = 100
2 , or 𝑚 = 50. Substituting 50 for 𝑚, 8 for 𝑥, and 220 for 𝑓𝑥 in 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 220 = 508 + 𝑏, or 220 = 400 + 𝑏.
Subtracting 400 from each side of this equation yields -180 = 𝑏. Substituting 50 for 𝑚 and -180 for 𝑏 in 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
𝑓𝑥 = 50𝑥 - 180. Therefore, the equation that defines 𝑓 is 𝑓𝑥 = 50𝑥 - 180.

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: Medium

Question ID 53487897
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 53487897

The relationship between two variables, and , is linear. For every increase in the value of by , the value of
increases by . When the value of is , the value of is . Which equation represents this relationship?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 53487897 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 is linear. An equation representing a linear relationship
can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the
relationship in the xy-plane. It’s given that for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑦 increases by 8. The slope
of a line can be expressed as the change in 𝑦 over the change in 𝑥. Thus, the slope, 𝑚, of the line representing this
relationship can be expressed as 81 , or 8. Substituting 8 for 𝑚 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑦 = 8𝑥 + 𝑏. It's also given
that when the value of 𝑥 is 2, the value of 𝑦 is 18. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 and 18 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑦 = 8𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
18 = 82 + 𝑏, or 18 = 16 + 𝑏. Subtracting 16 from each side of this equation yields 2 = 𝑏. Substituting 2 for 𝑏 in the equation
𝑦 = 8𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑦 = 8𝑥 + 2. Therefore, the equation 𝑦 = 8𝑥 + 2 represents this relationship.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a relationship where for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑦
increases by 2, not 8, and when the value of 𝑥 is 2, the value of 𝑦 is 22, not 18.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a relationship where for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑦
increases by 2, not 8, and when the value of 𝑥 is 2, the value of 𝑦 is 12, not 18.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation represents a relationship where for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑦
increases by 3, not 8, and when the value of 𝑥 is 2, the value of 𝑦 is 32, not 18.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 45bba652
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 45bba652

If , what is
the value of ?

A. 2

B. 5

C. 7

D. 12

ID: 45bba652 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Adding the like terms on the left-hand side of the given equation yields . Dividing both
sides of this equation by 5 yields .

Choice B is incorrect and may result from subtracting 5, not dividing by 5, on both sides of the equation .
Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of x, not the value of . Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of , not
the value of .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9ed4c1a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9ed4c1a2

What is the slope of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: 9ed4c1a2 Answer

Correct Answer: 13.75, 55/4

Rationale

The correct answer is 55

4
. In the xy-plane, the graph of an equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 and 𝑏 are constants,
has a slope of 𝑚 and a y-intercept of 0, 𝑏. Applying the distributive property to the right-hand side of the given equation
yields 𝑦 = 274
𝑥 + 15
4
+ 7𝑥. Combining like terms yields 𝑦 = 55
4
𝑥 + 15
4
. This equation is in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 = 55
4
and
𝑏 = 4 . It follows that the slope of the graph of 𝑦 = 4 27𝑥 + 15 + 7𝑥 in the xy-plane is 4 . Note that 55/4 and 13.75 are
15 1 55

examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 400798d6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 400798d6

In triangle , sides and each have a length of centimeters and side has a length of centimeters.
The given equation represents this situation. Which of the following is the best interpretation of in this context?

A. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides and

B. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides and

C. The sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of the three sides of the triangle

D. The length, in centimeters, of one of the two sides of equal length

ID: 400798d6 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that in triangle 𝑄𝑅𝑆, sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑅𝑆 each have a length of 𝑥 centimeters. Therefore, the
expression 2𝑥 represents the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑅𝑆. It's also given that side 𝑆𝑄 has a
length of 𝑦 centimeters. Therefore, the expression 2𝑥 + 𝑦 represents the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of sides 𝑄𝑅,
𝑅𝑆, and 𝑆𝑄. Since 2𝑥 + 𝑦 is the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of the three sides of the triangle and 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 37, it
follows that 37 is the sum of the lengths, in centimeters, of the three sides of the triangle.

Choice A is incorrect. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑆𝑄 is 𝑥 - 𝑦, not 37.

Choice B is incorrect. The difference, in centimeters, between the lengths of sides 𝑄𝑅 and 𝑅𝑆 is 𝑥 - 𝑥, or 0, not 37.

Choice D is incorrect. The length, in centimeters, of one of the two sides of equal length is 𝑥, not 37.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 628300a9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 628300a9

A science teacher is preparing the 5 stations of a science laboratory. Each

station will have either Experiment A materials or Experiment B materials, but
not both. Experiment A requires 6 teaspoons of salt, and Experiment B requires
4 teaspoons of salt. If x is the number of stations that will be set up for
Experiment A and the remaining stations will be set up for Experiment B, which
of the following expressions represents the total number of teaspoons of salt
required?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 628300a9 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It is given that x represents the number of stations that will be set up for Experiment A and that there
will be 5 stations total, so it follows that 5 – x is the number of stations that will be set up for Experiment B. It is also
given that Experiment A requires 6 teaspoons of salt and that Experiment B requires 4 teaspoons of salt, so the total
number of teaspoons of salt required is 6x + 4(5 – x), which simplifies to 2x + 20.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of not understanding the description of the context.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b544a348
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: b544a348

In the solution to the system of equations

above, what is the value of x ?

ID: b544a348 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 7. Subtracting the second equation from the first equation eliminates the variable y.

Dividing both sides of the resulting equation by 4 yields x = 7.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a1fd2304
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: a1fd2304

How many liters of a 25% saline solution must be added to 3 liters of a 10%
saline solution to obtain a 15% saline solution?

ID: a1fd2304 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 1.5. The total amount, in liters, of a saline solution can be expressed as the liters of each type of
saline solution multiplied by the percent concentration of the saline solution. This gives , , and

, where x is the amount, in liters, of 25% saline solution and 10%, 15%, and 25% are represented as 0.10,
0.15, and 0.25, respectively. Thus, the equation must be true. Multiplying 3 by 0.10 and

distributing 0.15 to yields . Subtracting 0.15x and 0.30 from each side of the
equation gives . Dividing each side of the equation by 0.10 yields . Note that 1.5 and 3/2 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9f70fd47
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9f70fd47

What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: 9f70fd47 Answer

Correct Answer: 189/5, 37.8

Rationale

The correct answer is 189 . A y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is a point where the graph intersects the y-axis, which is
5
a point with an x-coordinate of 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 307
= - 5𝑦
9
+ 21, or 0 = - 5𝑦
9
+ 21.
5𝑦
Subtracting 21 from both sides of this equation yields -21 = - 9 . Multiplying both sides of this equation by -9 yields
189 = 5𝑦. Dividing both sides of this equation by 5 yields 189
5
= 𝑦. Therefore, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the
189
graph of the given equation in the xy-plane is 5 . Note that 189/5 and 37.8 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f0773a55
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: f0773a55

The graph represents the total charge, in dollars, by an electrician for hours of work. The electrician charges a onetime
fee plus an hourly rate. What is the best interpretation of the slope of the graph?

A. The electrician’s hourly rate

B. The electrician’s onetime fee

C. The maximum amount that the electrician charges

D. The total amount that the electrician charges

ID: f0773a55 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the electrician charges a onetime fee plus an hourly rate. It's also given that the graph
represents the total charge, in dollars, for 𝑥 hours of work. This graph shows a linear relationship in the xy-plane. Thus,
the total charge 𝑦, in dollars, for 𝑥 hours of work can be represented as 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. Since the given graph represents the total charge, in dollars, by an
electrician for 𝑥 hours of work, it follows that its slope is 𝑚, or the electrician’s hourly rate.

Choice B is incorrect. The electrician's onetime fee is represented by the y-coordinate of the y-intercept, not the slope, of
the graph.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5e08a055
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 5e08a055

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5e08a055 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines represented by
the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct. Lines represented by equations in standard form, 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 and
𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐹, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are proportional to the corresponding coefficients in
the other equation, meaning 𝐷 𝐴
= 𝐸𝐵 ; and the lines are distinct if the constants are not proportional, meaning 𝐶𝐹 is not equal
to 𝐷
𝐴
or 𝐸𝐵 . The given equation, 𝑦 = 6𝑥 + 18, can be written in standard form by subtracting 6𝑥 from both sides of the
equation to yield -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 18. Therefore, the given equation can be written in the form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴 = - 6, 𝐵 = 1,
and 𝐶 = 18. The equation in choice B, -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 22, is written in the form 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐹, where 𝐷 = - 6, 𝐸 = 1, and 𝐹 = 22.
Therefore, 𝐷 𝐴
= -6
-6
, which can be rewritten as 𝐷 𝐴
= 1; 𝐸𝐵 = 11 , which can be rewritten as 𝐸𝐵 = 1; and 𝐶𝐹 = 22
18
, which can be
rewritten as 𝐶𝐹 = 119
. Since 𝐷 = 1, 𝐸 = 1, and 𝐹 is not equal to 1, it follows that the given equation and the equation
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
-6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 22 are parallel and distinct. Therefore, a system of two linear equations consisting of the given equation and the
equation -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 22 has no solution. Thus, the equation in choice B could be the second equation in the system.

Choice A is incorrect. The equation -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 18 and the given equation represent the same line in the xy-plane. Therefore,
a system of these linear equations would have infinitely many solutions, rather than no solution.

Choice C is incorrect. The equation -12𝑥 + 𝑦 = 36 and the given equation represent lines in the xy-plane that are distinct
and not parallel. Therefore, a system of these linear equations would have exactly one solution, rather than no solution.

Choice D is incorrect. The equation -12𝑥 + 𝑦 = 18 and the given equation represent lines in the xy-plane that are distinct
and not parallel. Therefore, a system of these linear equations would have exactly one solution, rather than no solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e3bbde69
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: e3bbde69

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e3bbde69 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The second equation in the given system is 𝑦 = 9𝑥 + 1. Substituting 9𝑥 + 1 for 𝑦 in the first equation in
the given system yields 8𝑥 + 9𝑥 + 1 = 5, which is equivalent to 17𝑥 + 1 = 5. Subtracting 1 from both sides of this equation
yields 17𝑥 = 4. Dividing both sides of this equation by 17 yields 𝑥 = 17
4.

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: Medium

Question ID 441558e7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 441558e7

Scientists collected fallen acorns that each housed a colony of the ant species P. ohioensis and analyzed each colony's
structure. For any of these colonies, if the colony has worker ants, the equation , where
, gives the predicted number of larvae, , in the colony. If one of these colonies has worker ants, which
of the following is closest to the predicted number of larvae in the colony?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 441558e7 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that the equation 𝑦 = 0.67𝑥 + 2.6, where 20 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 110, gives the predicted number of larvae, 𝑦,
in a colony of ants if the colony has 𝑥 worker ants. If one of these colonies has 58 worker ants, the predicted number of
larvae in that colony can be found by substituting 58 for 𝑥 in the given equation. Substituting 58 for 𝑥 in the given
equation yields 𝑦 = 0.6758 + 2.6, or 𝑦 = 41.46. Of the given choices, 41 is closest to the predicted number of larvae in the
colony.

Choice B is incorrect. This is closest to the predicted number of larvae in a colony with 87 worker ants.

Choice C is incorrect. This is closest to the number of worker ants for which the predicted number of larvae in a colony is
58.

Choice D is incorrect. This is closest to the predicted number of larvae in a colony with 280 worker ants.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 038d87d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 038d87d7

A neighborhood consists of a -hectare park and a -hectare residential area. The total number of trees in the
neighborhood is . The equation represents this situation. Which of the following is the best
interpretation of x in this context?

A. The average number of trees per hectare in the park

B. The average number of trees per hectare in the residential area

C. The total number of trees in the park

D. The total number of trees in the residential area

ID: 038d87d7 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that a neighborhood consists of a 2-hectare park and a 35-hectare residential area and that
the total number of trees in the neighborhood is 3,934. It's also given that the equation 2𝑥 + 35𝑦 = 3,934 represents this
situation. Since the total number of trees for a given area can be determined by taking the number of hectares times the
average number of trees per hectare, this must mean that the terms 2𝑥 and 35𝑦 correspond to the number of trees in the
park and in the residential area, respectively. Since 2𝑥 corresponds to the number of trees in the park, and 2 is the size of
the park, in hectares, 𝑥 must represent the average number of trees per hectare in the park.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5ad9eff0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 5ad9eff0

The width of a rectangular dance floor is w feet. The length of the floor is 6 feet
longer than its width. Which of the following expresses the perimeter, in feet, of
the dance floor in terms of w ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5ad9eff0 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It is given that the width of the dance floor is w feet. The length is 6 feet longer than the width;
therefore, the length of the dance floor is . So the perimeter is .

Choice A is incorrect because it is the sum of one length and one width, which is only half the perimeter. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from using the formula for the area instead of the formula for the perimeter and making a
calculation error. Choice D is incorrect because this is the area, not the perimeter, of the dance floor.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8f0c82e2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 8f0c82e2

The minimum value of is less than times another number . Which inequality shows the possible values of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8f0c82e2 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It’s given that the minimum value of 𝑥 is 12 less than 6 times another number 𝑛. Therefore, the
possible values of 𝑥 are all greater than or equal to the value of 12 less than 6 times 𝑛. The value of 6 times 𝑛 is given by
the expression 6𝑛. The value of 12 less than 6𝑛 is given by the expression 6𝑛 - 12. Therefore, the possible values of 𝑥 are
all greater than or equal to 6𝑛 - 12. This can be shown by the inequality 𝑥 ≥ 6𝑛 - 12.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality shows the possible values of 𝑥 if the maximum, not the minimum, value of 𝑥 is 12
less than 6 times 𝑛.

Choice C is incorrect. This inequality shows the possible values of 𝑥 if the maximum, not the minimum, value of 𝑥 is 6
times 𝑛 less than 12, not 12 less than 6 times 𝑛.

Choice D is incorrect. This inequality shows the possible values of 𝑥 if the minimum value of 𝑥 is 6 times 𝑛 less than 12,
not 12 less than 6 times 𝑛.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 6f6dfe3e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 6f6dfe3e

The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where is a constant, for the linear relationship
between and . What is the slope of the line that represents this relationship in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6f6dfe3e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The slope, 𝑚, of a line in the xy-plane can be found using two points on the line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , and
𝑦 -𝑦
the slope formula 𝑚 = 2 1
𝑥2 - 𝑥1 . Based on the given table, the line representing the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the xy-
plane passes through the points -6, 𝑛 + 184, -3, 𝑛 + 92, and 0, 𝑛, where 𝑛 is a constant. Substituting two of these points,
-3, 𝑛 + 92 and 0, 𝑛, for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the slope formula yields 𝑚 = 𝑛 -0𝑛- +-392 , which is equivalent to
𝑚 = 𝑛 0- 𝑛+-392 , or 𝑚 = - 92
3 . Therefore, the slope of the line that represents this relationship in the xy-plane is - 3 .
92

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a7a14e87
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: a7a14e87

In the xy-plane, line k is defined by . Line j is perpendicular to line k, and

the y-intercept of line j is . Which of the following is an equation of line j ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a7a14e87 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that line j is perpendicular to line k and that line k is defined by the equation . This
equation can be rewritten in slope-intercept form, , where m represents the slope of the line and b
represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the line, by subtracting x from both sides of the equation, which yields
. Thus, the slope of line k is . Since line j and line k are perpendicular, their slopes are opposite reciprocals of
each other. Thus, the slope of line j is 1. It’s given that the y-intercept of line j is . Therefore, the equation for line j in
slope-intercept form is , which can be rewritten as .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 90bd9ef8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 90bd9ef8

The average annual energy cost for a certain home is $4,334. The homeowner
plans to spend $25,000 to install a geothermal heating system. The homeowner
estimates that the average annual energy cost will then be $2,712. Which of the
following inequalities can be solved to find t, the number of years after
installation at which the total amount of energy cost savings will exceed the
installation cost?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 90bd9ef8 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The savings each year from installing the geothermal heating system will be the average annual
energy cost for the home before the geothermal heating system installation minus the average annual energy cost after
the geothermal heating system installation, which is dollars. In t years, the savings will be
dollars. Therefore, the inequality that can be solved to find the number of years after installation at
which the total amount of energy cost savings will exceed (be greater than) the installation cost, $25,000, is
.

Choice A is incorrect. It gives the number of years after installation at which the total amount of energy cost savings will
be less than the installation cost. Choice C is incorrect and may result from subtracting the average annual energy cost
for the home from the onetime cost
of the geothermal heating system installation. To find the predicted total savings, the predicted average cost should be
subtracted from the average annual energy cost before the installation, and the result should be multiplied by the number

of years, t. Choice D is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding the context. The ratio compares the
average energy cost before installation and the average energy cost after installation; it does not represent the savings.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1f0966db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 1f0966db

The function is defined by . For what value of does ?

ID: 1f0966db Answer

Correct Answer: 3

Rationale

The correct answer is 3. Substituting 5 for 𝑓𝑥 in the given function yields 5 = 97 𝑥 + 87 . Multiplying each side of this equation
by 7 yields 75 = 7 97 𝑥 + 87 , or 35 = 9𝑥 + 8. Subtracting 8 from each side of this equation yields 27 = 9𝑥. Dividing each side of
this equation by 9 yields 3 = 𝑥. Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 = 5 when the value of 𝑥 is 3.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 75012ee7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 75012ee7

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 75012ee7 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The two given equations are equivalent because the second equation can be obtained from the first
equation by multiplying each side of the equation by 5. Thus, the graphs of the equations are coincident, so if a point lies
on the graph of one of the equations, it also lies on the graph of the other equation. A point 𝑥, 𝑦 lies on the graph of an
equation in the xy-plane if and only if this point represents a solution to the equation. It is sufficient, therefore, to find the
point that represents a solution to the first given equation. Substituting the x- and y-coordinates of choice B, - 3𝑟 2
+ 72 and 𝑟,
for 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, in the first equation yields 2- 3𝑟
2
+ 72 + 3𝑟 = 7, which is equivalent to -3𝑟 + 7 + 3𝑟 = 7, or 7 = 7.
Therefore, the point - 3𝑟
2
+ 72 , 𝑟 represents a solution to the first equation and thus lies on the graph of each equation in the
xy-plane for the given system.

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 686b7cad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 686b7cad

A proposal for a new library was included on an election ballot. A radio show stated that times as many people voted in
favor of the proposal as people who voted against it. A social media post reported that more people voted in
favor of the proposal than voted against it. Based on these data, how many people voted against the proposal?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 686b7cad Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that a radio show stated that 3 times as many people voted in favor of the proposal as
people who voted against it. Let 𝑥 represent the number of people who voted against the proposal. It follows that 3𝑥 is
the number of people who voted in favor of the proposal and 3𝑥 - 𝑥, or 2𝑥, is how many more people voted in favor of the
proposal than voted against it. It's also given that a social media post reported that 15,000 more people voted in favor of
the proposal than voted against it. Thus, 2𝑥 = 15,000. Since 2𝑥 = 15,000, the value of 𝑥 must be half of 15,000, or 7,500.
Therefore, 7,500 people voted against the proposal.

Choice B is incorrect. This is how many more people voted in favor of the proposal than voted against it, not the number
of people who voted against the proposal.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the number of people who voted in favor of the proposal, not the number of people who
voted against the proposal.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 023c0a8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 023c0a8d

For the function f, if for all values of x,

what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C. 0

D. 2

ID: 023c0a8d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It’s given that for all values of x. If , then will equal . Dividing both

sides of by 3 gives . Therefore, substituting 2 for x in the given equation yields , which can
be rewritten as .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of the constant in the given equation for f. Choice C is incorrect and may result
from substituting , rather than , into the given equation. Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of x that yields
for the left-hand side of the given equation; it’s not the value of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3a84f885
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 3a84f885

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

ID: 3a84f885 Answer

Correct Answer: 1677

Rationale

The correct answer is 1,677. Adding the first equation to the second equation in the given system yields
𝑥 - 2 + 𝑥 - 2 + -4𝑦 + 7 + 4𝑦 + 7 = 117 + 442, or 2𝑥 - 2 = 559. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 3 yields 6𝑥 - 2 = 1,677.
Therefore, the value of 6𝑥 - 2 is 1,677.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3f8a701b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 3f8a701b

The equation , where a and b are constants, has no solutions.

Which of the following must be true? I. II. III.

A. None

B. I only

C. I and II only

D. I and III only

ID: 3f8a701b Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. For a linear equation in a form to have no solutions, the x-terms must have equal
coefficients and the remaining terms must not be equal. Expanding the right-hand side of the given equation yields
. Inspecting the x-terms, 9 must equal a, so statement I must be true. Inspecting the remaining terms, 5

can’t equal . Dividing both of these quantities by 9 yields that b can’t equal . Therefore, statement III must be true.

Since b can have any value other than , statement II may or may not be true.

Choice A is incorrect. For the given equation to have no solution, both and must be true. Choice B is

incorrect because it must also be true that . Choice C is incorrect because when , there are many values of
b that lead to an equation having no solution. That is, b might be 5, but b isn’t required to be 5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID daad7c32
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: daad7c32

An object hangs from a spring. The formula relates the length , in

centimeters, of the spring to the weight w, in newtons, of the object. Which of
the following describes the meaning of the 2 in this context?

A. The length, in centimeters, of the spring with no weight attached

B. The weight, in newtons, of an object that will stretch the spring 30 centimeters

C. The increase in the weight, in newtons, of the object for each one-centimeter increase in the length of the spring

D. The increase in the length, in centimeters, of the spring for each one-newton increase in the weight of the object

ID: daad7c32 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The value 2 is multiplied by w, the weight of the object. When the weight is 0, the length is 30 + 2(0) =
30 centimeters. If the weight increases by w newtons, the length increases by 2w centimeters, or 2 centimeters for each
one-newton increase in weight.

Choice A is incorrect because this describes the value 30. Choice B is incorrect because 30 represents the length of the
spring before it has been stretched. Choice C is incorrect because this describes the value w.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f02b4509
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: f02b4509

A moving truck can tow a trailer if the combined weight of the trailer and the boxes it contains is no more than
pounds. What is the maximum number of boxes this truck can tow in a trailer with a weight of pounds if each box
weighs pounds?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f02b4509 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the truck can tow a trailer if the combined weight of the trailer and the boxes it
contains is no more than 4,600 pounds. If the trailer has a weight of 500 pounds and each box weighs 120 pounds, the
expression 500 + 120𝑏, where 𝑏 is the number of boxes, gives the combined weight of the trailer and the boxes. Since the
combined weight must be no more than 4,600 pounds, the possible numbers of boxes the truck can tow are given by the
inequality 500 + 120𝑏 ≤ 4,600. Subtracting 500 from both sides of this inequality yields 120𝑏 ≤ 4,100. Dividing both sides
of this inequality by 120 yields 𝑏 ≤ 205
6
, or 𝑏 is less than or equal to approximately 34.17. Since the number of boxes, 𝑏,
must be a whole number, the maximum number of boxes the truck can tow is the greatest whole number less than 34.17,
which is 34.

Choice B is incorrect. Towing the trailer and 35 boxes would yield a combined weight of 4,700 pounds, which is greater
than 4,600 pounds.

Choice C is incorrect. Towing the trailer and 38 boxes would yield a combined weight of 5,060 pounds, which is greater
than 4,600 pounds.

Choice D is incorrect. Towing the trailer and 39 boxes would yield a combined weight of 5,180 pounds, which is greater
than 4,600 pounds.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2704399f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 2704399f

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2704399f 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 a04050d8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: a04050d8

The table above gives the typical amounts of energy per gram, expressed in both
food calories and kilojoules, of the three macronutrients in food. If the 180 food
calories in a granola bar come entirely from p grams of protein, f grams of fat,
and c grams of carbohydrate, which of the following expresses f in terms of p
and c ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a04050d8 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It is given that there are 4.0 food calories per gram of protein, 9.0 food calories per gram of fat, and
4.0 food calories per gram of carbohydrate. If 180 food calories in a granola bar came from p grams of protein, f grams
of fat, and c grams of carbohydrate, then the situation can be represented by the equation . The
equation can then be rewritten in terms of f by subtracting 4p and 4c from both sides of the equation and then dividing

both sides of the equation by 9. The result is the equation .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of not representing the situation with the correct equation or
incorrectly rewriting the equation in terms of f.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 40049d49
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 40049d49

In the given equation, is a constant. If the equation has infinitely many solutions, what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 40049d49 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. If an equation has infinitely many solutions, then the two sides of the equation must be equivalent.
Multiplying each side of the given equation by 2 yields 8𝑥 + 24 = 𝑎𝑥 + 3. Since 8 is a common factor of both terms on the
left-hand side of this equation, the equation can be rewritten as 8𝑥 + 3 = 𝑎𝑥 + 3. The two sides of this equation are
equivalent when 𝑎 = 8. Therefore, if the given equation has infinitely many solutions, the value of 𝑎 is 8.

Alternate approach: If the given equation, 4𝑥 + 12 = 𝑎𝑥 2+ 3 , has infinitely many solutions, then both sides of this equation
are equal for any value of 𝑥. If 𝑥 = 0, then substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 40 + 12 = 𝑎02+ 3 , or 12 = 32 𝑎.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 32 yields 8 = 𝑎.

Choice A is incorrect. If the value of 𝑎 is 0, the given equation is equivalent to 4𝑥 + 12 = 0, which has one solution, not
infinitely many solutions.

Choice B is incorrect. If the value of 𝑎 is 3, the given equation is equivalent to 4𝑥 + 12 = 3𝑥 + 3

2 , or 4𝑥 + 12 = 32 𝑥 + 92 , which has
one solution, not infinitely many solutions.

Choice D is incorrect. If the value of 𝑎 is 12, the given equation is equivalent to 4𝑥 + 12 = 12𝑥 + 3
2 , or 4𝑥 + 12 = 6𝑥 + 18, which
has one solution, not infinitely many solutions.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 55447be2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 55447be2

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

ID: 55447be2 Answer

Correct Answer: 24

Rationale

The correct answer is 24. The given system of equations can be solved by the substitution method. The first equation in
the given system of equations is 𝑦 = 13 𝑥 - 14. Substituting 13 𝑥 - 14 for 𝑦 in the second equation in the given system yields
1 𝑥 - 14 = - 𝑥 + 18. Adding 14 to both sides of this equation yields 1 𝑥 = - 𝑥 + 32. Adding 𝑥 to both sides of this equation
3 3
yields 43 𝑥 = 32. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 34 yields 𝑥 = 24.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5a7ab8e8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 5a7ab8e8

How many solutions does the given equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 5a7ab8e8 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. If the two sides of a linear equation are equivalent, then the equation is true for any value. If an
equation is true for any value, it has infinitely many solutions. Since the two sides of the given linear equation 66𝑥 = 66𝑥
are equivalent, the given equation has infinitely many solutions.

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 9d0396d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 9d0396d4

The point with coordinates lies on the line shown. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9d0396d4 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given from the graph that the points 0, 7 and 8, 0 lie on the line. For two points on a line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and
1
𝑦 -𝑦
𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , the slope of the line can be calculated using the slope formula 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 . Substituting 0, 7 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 8, 0 for
𝑥2 , 𝑦2 in this formula, the slope of the line can be calculated as 𝑚 = 08 -- 70 , or 𝑚 = - 78 . It's also given that the point 𝑑, 4 lies on
the line. Substituting 𝑑, 4 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 8, 0 for 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , and - 78 for 𝑚 in the slope formula yields - 78 = 08 -- 4𝑑 , or - 78 = 8-4- 𝑑 . Multiplying
both sides of this equation by 8 - 𝑑 yields - 78 8 - 𝑑 = - 4. Expanding the left-hand side of this equation yields -7 + 78 𝑑 = - 4.
Adding 7 to both sides of this equation yields 78 𝑑 = 3. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 87 yields 𝑑 = 24 7
. Thus, the
value of 𝑑 is 7 .24

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑦 when 𝑥 = 4.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 567ac7ab
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 567ac7ab

One of the two equations in a linear system is . The system has no

solution. Which of the following could be the other equation in the system?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 567ac7ab Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations written in standard form has no solution when the equations are
distinct and the ratio of the x-coefficient to the y-coefficient for one equation is equivalent to the ratio of the x-coefficient
to the y-coefficient for the other equation. This ratio for the given equation is 2 to 6, or 1 to 3. Only choice B is an equation
that isn’t equivalent to the given equation and whose ratio of the x-coefficient to the y-coefficient is 1 to 3.

Choice A is incorrect. Multiplying each of the terms in this equation by 2 yields an equation that is equivalent to the given
equation. This system would have infinitely many solutions. Choices C and D are incorrect. The ratio of the x-coefficient
to the y-coefficient in (choice C) is to 2, or to 1. This ratio in (choice D) is 6 to 2, or 3
to 1. Since neither of these ratios is equivalent to that for the given equation, these systems would have exactly one
solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cb58833c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: cb58833c

The line with the equation is graphed in the xy‑plane. What is the
x-coordinate of the x‑intercept of the line?

ID: cb58833c Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 1.25. The y-coordinate of the x-intercept is 0, so 0 can be substituted for y, giving .

This simplifies to . Multiplying both sides of by 5 gives . Dividing both sides of by 4 gives

, which is equivalent to 1.25. Note that 1.25 and 5/4 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e9ef0e6b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: e9ef0e6b

A model estimates that whales from the genus Eschrichtius travel to miles in the ocean each day during their
migration. Based on this model, which inequality represents the estimated total number of miles, , a whale from the
genus Eschrichtius could travel in days of its migration?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e9ef0e6b Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given that the model estimates that whales from the genus Eschrichtius travel 72 to 77 miles in
the ocean each day during their migration. If one of these whales travels 72 miles each day for 16 days, then the whale
travels 7216 miles total. If one of these whales travels 77 miles each day for 16 days, then the whale travels 7716 miles
total. Therefore, the model estimates that in 16 days of its migration, a whale from the genus Eschrichtius could travel at
least 7216 and at most 7716 miles total. Thus, the inequality 7216 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 7716 represents the estimated total number of
miles, 𝑥, a whale from the genus Eschrichtius could travel in 16 days of its migration.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a71b1bc1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: a71b1bc1

A piece of wire with a length of inches is cut into two parts. One part has a length of inches, and the other part has
a length of inches. The value of is more than times the value of . What is the value of ?

ID: a71b1bc1 Answer

Correct Answer: 25

Rationale

The correct answer is 25. It’s given that a piece of wire has a length of 32 inches and is cut into two parts. It’s also given
that one part has a length of 𝑥 inches and the other part has a length of 𝑦 inches. It follows that the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 32
represents this situation. It’s also given that the value of 𝑥 is 4 more than 3 times the value of 𝑦, or 𝑥 = 3𝑦 + 4. Substituting
3𝑦 + 4 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 32 yields 3𝑦 + 4 + 𝑦 = 32. Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation
yields 4𝑦 + 4 = 32. Subtracting 4 from both sides of this equation yields 4𝑦 = 28. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4
yields 𝑦 = 7. Substituting 7 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑥 = 3𝑦 + 4 yields 𝑥 = 3(7) + 4, or 𝑥 = 25. Therefore, the value of 𝑥 is 25.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 295a41f0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 295a41f0

The graph of is shown.

Which equation defines the linear function ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 295a41f0 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale

Choice B is correct. The graph of a line in the xy-plane can be represented by the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the
slope of the line and 0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept. The slope of a line that passes through the points 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 can be
1 2
𝑦 -𝑦
calculated using the formula 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 . The line shown passes through the points -1, - 2 and 0, - 4. Substituting -1, - 2 and
𝑦 -𝑦
0, 4 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the formula 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 yields 𝑚 = -40 -- -1-2 , which is equivalent to 𝑚 = -21 , or 𝑚 = - 2.
Since the line shown passes through the point 0, - 4, it follows that 𝑏 = - 4. Substituting -2 for 𝑚 and -4 for 𝑏 in the
equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑦 = - 2𝑥 - 4. It’s given that the graph shown is the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 11. Substituting -2𝑥 - 4 for 𝑦 in
the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 11 yields -2𝑥 - 4 = 𝑓𝑥 - 11. Adding 11 to both sides of this equation yields -2𝑥 + 7 = 𝑓𝑥. Therefore, the
equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 2𝑥 + 7 defines the linear function 𝑓.

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: Medium

Question ID 36ab4122
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 36ab4122

Megan’s regular wage at her job is p dollars per hour for the first 8 hours of work
in a day plus 1.5 times her regular hourly wage for work in excess of 8 hours that
day. On a given day, Megan worked for 10 hours, and her total earnings for that
day were $137.50. What is Megan’s regular hourly wage?

A. $11.75

B. $12.50

C. $13.25

D. $13.75

ID: 36ab4122 Answer

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Since p represents Megan’s regular pay per hour, 1.5p represents the pay per hour in excess of 8
hours. Since Megan worked for 10 hours, she must have been paid p dollars per hour for 8 of the hours plus 1.5p dollars
per hour for the remaining 2 hours. Therefore, since Megan earned $137.50 for the 10 hours, the situation can be
represented by the equation 137.5 = 8p + 2(1.5)p. Distributing the 2 in the equation gives 137.5 = 8p + 3p, and combining
like terms gives 137.5 = 11p. Dividing both sides by 11 gives p = 12.5. Therefore, Megan’s regular wage is $12.50.

Choices A and C are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
finding the average hourly wage that Megan earned for the 10 hours of work.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 74c98c82
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 74c98c82

An event planner is planning a party. It costs the event planner a onetime fee of to rent the venue and per
attendee. The event planner has a budget of . What is the greatest number of attendees possible without exceeding
the budget?

ID: 74c98c82 Answer

Correct Answer: 16

Rationale

The correct answer is 16. The total cost of the party is found by adding the onetime fee of the venue to the cost per
attendee times the number of attendees. Let 𝑥 be the number of attendees. The expression 35 + 10.25𝑥 thus represents
the total cost of the party. It's given that the budget is $ 200, so this situation can be represented by the inequality
35 + 10.25𝑥 ≤ 200. The greatest number of attendees can be found by solving this inequality for 𝑥. Subtracting 35 from
both sides of this inequality gives 10.25𝑥 ≤ 165. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 10.25 results in approximately
𝑥 ≤ 16.098. Since the question is stated in terms of attendees, rounding 𝑥 down to the nearest whole number, 16, gives
the greatest number of attendees possible.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 0393ba15
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 0393ba15

How many solutions does the given equation have?

A. Zero

B. Exactly one

C. Exactly two

D. Infinitely many

ID: 0393ba15 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Adding 98𝑥 to each side of the given equation yields 49𝑥 = 0. Dividing each side of this equation by
49 yields 𝑥 = 0. This means that 0 is the only solution to the given equation. Therefore, the given equation has exactly one
solution.

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 637022d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 637022d2

The given equation describes the relationship between the number of birds, , and the number of reptiles, , that can be
cared for at a pet care business on a given day. If the business cares for reptiles on a given day, how many birds can it
care for on this day?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 637022d2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The number of birds can be found by calculating the value of 𝑏 when 𝑟 = 16 in the given equation.
Substituting 16 for 𝑟 in the given equation yields 2.5𝑏 + 516 = 80, or 2.5𝑏 + 80 = 80. Subtracting 80 from both sides of this
equation yields 2.5𝑏 = 0. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2.5 yields 𝑏 = 0. Therefore, if the business cares for 16
reptiles on a given day, it can care for 0 birds on this 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.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 14360f84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 14360f84

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 14360f84 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 59352689
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 59352689

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

ID: 59352689 Answer

Correct Answer: 3.5, 7/2

Rationale

The correct answer is 72 . A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines
represented by the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. Two lines represented by equations in standard
form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation. The first equation in the given system, 78 𝑦 - 58 𝑥 = 47 - 78 𝑦,
can be written in standard form by adding 78 𝑦 to both sides of the equation, which yields 14 8
𝑦 - 58 𝑥 = 47 , or - 58 𝑥 + 14
8
𝑦 = 47 .
Multiplying each term in this equation by -8 yields 5𝑥 - 14𝑦 = - 32 7
. The second equation in the given system,
5 𝑥 + 7 = 𝑝𝑦 + 15 , can be written in standard form by subtracting 7 and 𝑝𝑦 from both sides of the equation, which yields
4 4 4 4
5 𝑥 - 𝑝𝑦 = 8 . Multiplying each term in this equation by 4 yields 5𝑥 - 4𝑝𝑦 = 8. The coefficient of 𝑥 in the first equation,
4 4
5𝑥 - 14𝑦 = - 32 7
, is equal to the coefficient of 𝑥 in the second equation, 5𝑥 - 4𝑝𝑦 = 8. For the lines to be parallel, and for the
coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation to be proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation, the
coefficient of 𝑦 in the second equation must also be equal to the coefficient of 𝑦 in the first equation. Therefore, -14 = - 4𝑝
. Dividing both sides of this equation by -4 yields -14 -4
= 𝑝, or 𝑝 = 72 . Therefore, if the given system of equations has no
solution, the value of 𝑝 is 2 . Note that 7/2 and 3.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
7

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5e422ff9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 5e422ff9

In the solution to the system of equations

above, what is the value of y ?

A.

B.

C. 9

D. 15

ID: 5e422ff9 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Multiplying both sides of by 5 results in . Multiplying both sides of

by 2 results in . Subtracting the resulting equations yields , which

simplifies to . Dividing both sides of by results in .

Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from incorrectly subtracting the transformed equation. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from finding the value of x instead of the value of y.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2e1a7f66
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 2e1a7f66

Figure A and figure B are both regular polygons. The sum of the perimeter of figure A and the perimeter of figure B is
inches. The equation represents this situation, where is the number of sides of figure A and is the
number of sides of figure B. Which statement is the best interpretation of in this context?

A. Each side of figure B has a length of inches.

B. The number of sides of figure B is .

C. Each side of figure A has a length of inches.

D. The number of sides of figure A is .

ID: 2e1a7f66 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that figure A and figure B (not shown) are both regular polygons and the sum of the
perimeters of the two figures is 63 inches. It’s also given that 𝑥 is the number of sides of figure A and 𝑦 is the number of
sides of figure B, and that the equation 3𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 63 represents this situation. Thus, 3𝑥 and 6𝑦 represent the perimeters, in
inches, of figure A and figure B, respectively. Since 6𝑦 represents the perimeter, in inches, of figure B and 𝑦 is the number
of sides of figure B, it follows that each side of figure B has a length of 6 inches.

Choice B is incorrect. The number of sides of figure B is 𝑦, not 6.

Choice C is incorrect. Since the perimeter, in inches, of figure A is represented by 3𝑥, each side of figure A has a length of
3 inches, not 6 inches.

Choice D is incorrect. The number of sides of figure A is 𝑥, not 6.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 113b938e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 113b938e

The equation above represents the speed y, in feet per second, of Sheila’s
bicycle x seconds after she applied the brakes at the end of a ride. If the
equation is graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following is the best
interpretation of the x-coordinate of the line’s x-intercept in the context of the
problem?

A. The speed of Sheila’s bicycle, in feet per second, before Sheila applied the brakes

B. The number of feet per second the speed of Sheila’s bicycle decreased each second after Sheila applied the brakes

The number of seconds it took from the time Sheila began applying the brakes until the bicycle came to a complete
C. stop

The number of feet Sheila’s bicycle traveled from the time she began applying the brakes until the bicycle came to a
D. complete stop

ID: 113b938e Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that for each point on the graph of the given equation, the x-coordinate represents
the number of seconds after Sheila applied the brakes, and the y-coordinate represents the speed of Sheila’s bicycle at
that moment in time. For the graph of the equation, the y-coordinate of the x-intercept is 0. Therefore, the x-coordinate of
the x-intercept of the graph of the given equation represents the number of seconds it took from the time Sheila began
applying the brakes until the bicycle came to a complete stop.

Choice A is incorrect. The speed of Sheila’s bicycle before she applied the brakes is represented by the y-coordinate of
the y-intercept of the graph of the given equation, not the x-coordinate of the x-intercept. Choice B is incorrect. The
number of feet per second the speed of Sheila’s bicycle decreased each second after Sheila applied the brakes is
represented by the slope of the graph of the given equation, not the x-coordinate of the x-intercept. Choice D is incorrect
and may result from misinterpreting x as the distance, in feet, traveled after applying the brakes, rather than the time, in
seconds, after applying the brakes.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c4ea43ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: c4ea43ef

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

ID: c4ea43ef Answer

Correct Answer: B

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 e86a06fe
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: e86a06fe

Kaylani used fabric measuring yards in length to make each suit for a men's choir. The relationship between the
number of suits that Kaylani made, , and the total length of fabric that she purchased , in yards, is represented by the
equation . What is the best interpretation of in this context?

A. Kaylani made suits.

B. Kaylani purchased a total of yards of fabric.

C. Kaylani used a total of yards of fabric to make the suits.

D. Kaylani purchased yards more fabric than she used to make the suits.

ID: e86a06fe Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the equation 𝑦 - 5𝑥 = 6 represents the relationship between the number of suits that
Kaylani made, 𝑥, and the total length of fabric she purchased, 𝑦, in yards. Adding 5𝑥 to both sides of the given equation
yields 𝑦 = 5𝑥 + 6. Since Kaylani made 𝑥 suits and used 5 yards of fabric to make each suit, the expression 5𝑥 represents
the total amount of fabric she used to make the suits. Since 𝑦 represents the total length of fabric Kaylani purchased, in
yards, it follows from the equation 𝑦 = 5𝑥 + 6 that Kaylani purchased 5𝑥 yards of fabric to make the suits, plus an
additional 6 yards of fabric. Therefore, the best interpretation of 6 in this context is that Kaylani purchased 6 yards more
fabric than she used to make the suits.

Choice A is incorrect. Kaylani made a total of 𝑥 suits, not 6 suits.

Choice B is incorrect. Kaylani purchased a total of 𝑦 yards of fabric, not a total of 6 yards of fabric.

Choice C is incorrect. Kaylani used a total of 5𝑥 yards of fabric to make the suits, not a total of 6 yards of fabric.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 830120b0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 830120b0

Which of the following consists of the y-coordinates of all the points that
satisfy the system of inequalities above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 830120b0 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Subtracting the same number from each side of an inequality gives an equivalent inequality. Hence,
subtracting 1 from each side of the inequality gives . So the given system of inequalities is equivalent
to the system of inequalities and , which can be rewritten as . Using the transitive
property of inequalities, it follows that .

Choice A is incorrect because there are points with a y-coordinate less than 6 that satisfy the given system of
inequalities. For example, satisfies both inequalities. Choice C is incorrect. This may result from solving the
inequality for x, then replacing x with y. Choice D is incorrect because this inequality allows y-values that are not

the y-coordinate of any point that satisfies both inequalities. For example, is contained in the set ; however,

if 2 is substituted into the first inequality for y, the result is . This cannot be true because the second inequality

gives .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b8e73b5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: b8e73b5b

Ken is working this summer as part of a crew on a farm. He earned $8 per hour
for the first 10 hours he worked this week. Because of his performance, his crew
leader raised his salary to $10 per hour for the rest of the week. Ken saves 90%
of his earnings from each week. What is the least number of hours he must work
the rest of the week to save at least $270 for the week?

A. 38

B. 33

C. 22

D. 16

ID: b8e73b5b Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Ken earned $8 per hour for the first 10 hours he worked, so he earned a total of $80 for the first 10
hours he worked. For the rest of the week, Ken was paid at the rate of $10 per hour. Let x be the number of hours he will
work for the rest of the week. The total of Ken’s earnings, in dollars, for the week will be . He saves 90% of his
earnings each week, so this week he will save dollars. The inequality represents

the condition that he will save at least $270 for the week. Factoring 10 out of the expression gives .

The product of 10 and 0.9 is 9, so the inequality can be rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this inequality
by 9 yields , so . Therefore, the least number of hours Ken must work the rest of the week to save at
least $270 for the week is 22.

Choices A and B are incorrect because Ken can save $270 by working fewer hours than 38 or 33 for the rest of the week.
Choice D is incorrect. If Ken worked 16 hours for the rest of the week, his total earnings for the week will be
, which is less than $270. Since he saves only 90% of his earnings each week, he would save even
less than $240 for the week.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b3c7ca1d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: b3c7ca1d

Which of the following systems of linear equations has no solution?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b3c7ca1d Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the graphs of 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, where 𝑚 and 𝑏 are constants, are parallel if their slopes, 𝑚, are the same
and are distinct if their y-coordinates of the y-intercepts, 𝑏, are different. In the equations 𝑦 = 16𝑥 + 3 and 𝑦 = 16𝑥 + 19, the
values of 𝑚 are each 16, and the values of 𝑏 are 3 and 19, respectively. Since the slopes of these lines are the same, and
the y-coordinates of the y-intercepts are different, it follows that the system of linear equations in choice C has no
solution.

Choice A is incorrect. The lines represented by the equations in this system are a vertical line and a horizontal line.
Therefore, this system has a solution, 3, 5, rather than no solution.

Choice B is incorrect. The two lines represented by these equations have different slopes and the same y-coordinate of
the y-intercept. Therefore, this system has a solution, 0, 6, rather than no solution.

Choice D is incorrect. The two lines represented by these equations are a horizontal line and a line with a slope of 5 that
have the same y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Therefore, this system has a solution, 0, 5, rather than no solution.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1bc11c4e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 1bc11c4e

The given function models the number of gallons of gasoline that remains from a full gas tank in a car after driving
miles. According to the model, about how many gallons of gasoline are used to drive each mile?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1bc11c4e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that the function 𝑔 models the number of gallons that remain from a full gas tank in a car
after driving 𝑚 miles. In the given function 𝑔𝑚 = - 0.05𝑚 + 12.1, the coefficient of 𝑚 is -0.05. This means that for every
increase in the value of 𝑚 by 1, the value of 𝑔𝑚 decreases by 0.05. It follows that for each mile driven, there is a decrease
of 0.05 gallons of gasoline. Therefore, 0.05 gallons of gasoline are used to drive each mile.

Choice B is incorrect and represents the number of gallons of gasoline in a full gas tank.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e77a76ce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: e77a76ce

Which of the following systems of linear equations has no solution?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e77a76ce Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the graphs of 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, where 𝑚 and 𝑏 are constants, are parallel if their slopes, 𝑚, are the same
and are distinct if their y-coordinates of the y-intercepts, 𝑏, are different. In the equations 𝑦 = 6𝑥 + 3 and 𝑦 = 6𝑥 + 9, the
values of 𝑚 are each 6, and the values of 𝑏 are 3 and 9, respectively. Since the slopes of these lines are the same and the
y-coordinates of the y-intercepts are different, it follows that the system of linear equations in choice A has no solution.

Choice B is incorrect. The two lines represented by these equations are a horizontal line and a line with a slope of 10 that
have the same y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Therefore, this system has a solution, 0, 10, rather than no solution.

Choice C is incorrect. The two lines represented by these equations have different slopes and the same y-coordinate of
the y-intercept. Therefore, this system has a solution, 0, 14, rather than no solution.

Choice D is incorrect. The two lines represented by these equations are a vertical line and a horizontal line. Therefore,
this system has a solution, 3, 10, rather than no solution.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ca452900
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: ca452900

What is the slope of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: ca452900 Answer

Correct Answer: .3846, 5/13

Rationale

The correct answer is 5.

13
The graph of a line in the xy-plane can be represented by the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the
slope of the line and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The given equation can be written as 𝑦 = 13
5 𝑥 - 23. Therefore,

5 . Note that 5/13, .3846, 0.385, and 0.384 are examples of ways
the slope of the graph of this equation in the xy-plane is 13
to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 78391fcc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 78391fcc

f(x) 21 18 15 12

The table above shows some values of x and their corresponding values
for the linear function f. What is the x-intercept of the graph of in the
xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 78391fcc Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The equation of a linear function can be written in the form , where , m is the
slope of the graph of , and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph. The value of m can be found

using the slope formula, . According to the table, the points and lie on the graph of

. Using these two points in the slope formula yields , or . Substituting for m in the slope-
intercept form of the equation yields . The value of b can be found by substituting values from the table and
solving; for example, substituting the coordinates of the point into the equation gives
, which yields . This means the function given by the table can be represented by the
equation . The value of the x-intercept of the graph of can be determined by finding the value of
x when . Substituting into yields , or . This corresponds to the point
.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from substituting the value of the slope for the x-coordinate of the x-intercept.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice D is incorrect and may result from substituting the
y-coordinate of the y-intercept for the x-coordinate of the x-intercept.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1e11190a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 1e11190a

Store A sells raspberries for per pint and blackberries for per pint. Store B sells raspberries for per
pint and blackberries for per pint. A certain purchase of raspberries and blackberries would cost at Store A
or at Store B. How many pints of blackberries are in this purchase?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1e11190a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that store A sells raspberries for $ 5 . 50 per pint and blackberries for $ 3 . 00 per pint, and
a certain purchase of raspberries and blackberries at store A would cost $ 37 . 00. It’s also given that store B sells
raspberries for $ 6 . 50 per pint and blackberries for $ 8 . 00 per pint, and this purchase of raspberries and blackberries
at store B would cost $ 66 . 00. Let 𝑟 represent the number of pints of raspberries and 𝑏 represent the number of pints of
blackberries in this purchase. The equation 5 . 50𝑟 + 3 . 00𝑏 = 37 . 00 represents this purchase of raspberries and
blackberries from store A and the equation 6 . 50𝑟 + 8 . 00𝑏 = 66 . 00 represents this purchase of raspberries and
blackberries from store B. Solving the system of equations by elimination gives the value of 𝑟 and the value of 𝑏 that
make the system of equations true. Multiplying both sides of the equation for store A by 6.5 yields
5 . 50𝑟6 . 5 + 3 . 00𝑏6 . 5 = 37 . 006 . 5, or 35 . 75𝑟 + 19 . 5𝑏 = 240 . 5. Multiplying both sides of the equation for store B by 5.5
yields 6 . 50𝑟5 . 5 + 8 . 00𝑏5 . 5 = 66 . 005 . 5, or 35 . 75𝑟 + 44𝑏 = 363. Subtracting both sides of the equation for store A,
35 . 75𝑟 + 19 . 5𝑏 = 240 . 5, from the corresponding sides of the equation for store B, 35 . 75𝑟 + 44𝑏 = 363, yields
35 . 75𝑟 - 35 . 75𝑟 + 44𝑏 - 19 . 5𝑏 = 363 - 240 . 5, or 24 . 5𝑏 = 122 . 5. Dividing both sides of this equationby 24.5 yields 𝑏 = 5.
Thus, 5 pints of blackberries are in
this purchase.

Choices A and B are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is the
number of pints of raspberries, not blackberries, in the purchase.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2d54c272
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 2d54c272

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

ID: 2d54c272 Answer

Correct Answer: 40

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 03503d49
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 03503d49

A business owner plans to purchase the same model of chair for each of the employees. The total budget to spend on
these chairs is , which includes a sales tax. Which of the following is closest to the maximum possible price
per chair, before sales tax, the business owner could pay based on this budget?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 03503d49 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It’s given that a business owner plans to purchase 81 chairs. If 𝑝 is the price per chair, the total price
of purchasing 81 chairs is 81𝑝. It’s also given that 7% sales tax is included, which is equivalent to 81𝑝 multiplied by 1.07,
or 81(1.07)𝑝. Since the total budget is $ 14,000, the inequality representing the situation is given by 81(1.07)𝑝 ≤ 14,000.
Dividing both sides of this inequality by 81(1.07) and rounding the result to two decimal places gives 𝑝 ≤ 161.53. To not
exceed the budget, the maximum possible price per chair is $ 161.53.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the maximum possible price per chair including sales tax, not the maximum possible price
per chair before sales tax.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the maximum possible price if the sales tax is added to the total budget, not the maximum
possible price per chair before sales tax.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a35c7164
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: a35c7164

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a35c7164 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Two lines are perpendicular if their slopes are negative reciprocals, meaning that the slope of the
first line is equal to -1 divided by the slope of the second line. Each equation in the given pair of equations can be written
in slope-intercept form, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the graph of the equation in the xy-plane and 0, 𝑏 is the y-
intercept. For the first equation, 5𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 1, subtracting 5𝑥 from both sides gives 7𝑦 = - 5𝑥 + 1, and dividing both sides of
this equation by 7 gives 𝑦 = - 57 𝑥 + 17 . Therefore, the slope of the graph of this equation is - 57 . For the second equation,
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 1, subtracting 𝑎𝑥 from both sides gives 𝑏𝑦 = -𝑎𝑥 + 1, and dividing both sides of this equation by 𝑏 gives 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑏 𝑥 + 1𝑏
. Therefore, the slope of the graph of this equation is - 𝑎𝑏 . Since the graph of the given pair of equations is a pair of
perpendicular lines, the slope of the graph of the second equation, - 𝑎𝑏 , must be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the
graph of the first equation, - 57 . The negative reciprocal of - 57 is -15 , or 75 . Therefore, - 𝑎𝑏 = 75 , or 𝑎𝑏 = - 75 . Similarly, rewriting the
-
7
𝑎
equations in choice B in slope-intercept form yields 𝑦 = - 7𝑥
10
+ 17 and 𝑦 = - 2𝑏 𝑥 + 2𝑏
1
. It follows that the slope of the graph of
𝑎
10
the first equation in choice B is - 7 and the slope of the graph of the second equation in choice B is - 2𝑏 . Since 𝑎𝑏 = - 75 , - 2𝑏
𝑎
is
1 7 7 7 10
equal to - 2 - 5 , or 10 . Since 10 is the negative reciprocal of - 7 , the pair of equations in choice B represents a pair of
perpendicular lines.

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 f03465dc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: f03465dc

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f03465dc Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e2e3942f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: e2e3942f

In the system of equations above, a is a constant. If the system of equations

has no solution, what is the value of a ?

A.

B. 0

C. 1

D. 2

ID: e2e3942f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. A system of two linear equations has no solution when the graphs of the equations have the same
slope and different y-coordinates of the y-intercepts. Each of the given equations is written in the slope-intercept form of
a linear equation, , where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the
equation. For these two linear equations, the y-coordinates of the y-intercepts are different: and . Thus, if the
system of equations has no solution, the slopes of the two linear equations must be the same. The slope of the first
linear equation is 2. Therefore, for the system of equations to have no solution, the value of a must be 2.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 042aa429
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 042aa429

If and , what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 042aa429 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The value of 𝑓(2) can be found by substituting 2 for 𝑥 in the given equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 7, which yields
𝑓2 = 2 + 7, or 𝑓2 = 9. The value of 𝑔2 can be found by substituting 2 for 𝑥 in the given equation 𝑔𝑥 = 7𝑥, which yields 𝑔2 = 72,
or 𝑔2 = 14. The value of the expression 4𝑓2 - 𝑔2 can be found by substituting the corresponding values into the
expression, which gives 4(9) − 14. This expression is equivalent to 36 - 14, or 22.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑓2 - 𝑔2, not 4𝑓2 - 𝑔2.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from calculating 4𝑓2 as 4(2) + 7, rather than
4(2 + 7).

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 28c2253f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 28c2253f

Characteristics for Rock Types

Weight per volume Cost per
Rock type
(lb/ft3) pound

Basalt 180 $0.18

Granite 165 $0.09

Limestone 120 $0.03

Sandstone 135 $0.22

A city is planning to build a rock retaining wall, a monument, and a garden in a

park. The table above shows four rock types that will be considered for use in
the project. Also shown for each rock type is its weight per volume, in pounds
per cubic foot (lb/ft3), and the cost per pound, in dollars. Only basalt, granite,
and limestone will be used in the garden. The rocks in the garden will have a
total weight of 1,000 pounds. If 330 pounds of granite is used, which of the
following equations could show the relationship between the amounts, x and y,
in ft3, for each of the other rock types used?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 28c2253f Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the weight of the granite used in the garden is 330 pounds. The weight of the limestone
used in the garden is a product of its weight per volume, in lb/ft3, and its volume, in ft3. Therefore, the weight of the
limestone used in the garden can be represented by , where x is the volume, in ft3, of the limestone used. Similarly,
the weight of the basalt used in the garden can be represented by , where y is the volume, in ft3, of the basalt used.
It’s given that the total weight of the rocks used in the garden will be 1,000 pounds. Thus, the sum of the weights of the
three rock types used is 1,000 pounds, which can be represented by the equation .
Subtracting 330 from both sides of this equation yields .

Choice A is incorrect. This equation uses the weight per volume of granite instead of limestone. Choice B is incorrect.
This equation uses the weight per volume of granite instead of basalt, and doesn’t take into account the 330 pounds of
granite that will be used in the garden. Choice D is incorrect. This equation doesn’t take into account the 330 pounds of
granite that will be used in the garden.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 184ce5aa
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 184ce5aa

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 184ce5aa Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that line ℎ is defined by 15 𝑥 + 17 𝑦 - 70 = 0. This equation can be written in slope-intercept form
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of line ℎ and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line ℎ. Adding 70 to both sides of
1 𝑥 + 1 𝑦 - 70 = 0 yields 1 𝑥 + 1 𝑦 = 70. Subtracting 1 𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 1 𝑦 = - 1 𝑥 + 70. Multiplying both
5 7 5 7 5 7 5
sides of this equation by 7 yields 𝑦 = - 75 𝑥 + 490. Therefore, the slope of line ℎ is - 75 . It’s given that line 𝑗 is perpendicular to
line ℎ in the xy-plane. Two lines are perpendicular if their slopes are negative reciprocals, meaning that the slope of the
first line is equal to -1 divided by the slope of the second line. Therefore, the slope of line 𝑗 is the negative reciprocal of
the slope of line ℎ. The negative reciprocal of - 75 is -17 , or 57 . Therefore, the slope of line 𝑗 is 57 .
-
5

Choice A is incorrect. This is the slope of a line in the xy-plane that is parallel, not perpendicular, to line ℎ.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the reciprocal, not the negative reciprocal, of - 75 .

Choice C is incorrect. This is the negative, not the negative reciprocal, of - 75 .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 963da34c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 963da34c

A shipping service restricts the dimensions of the boxes it will ship for a certain
type of service. The restriction states that for boxes shaped like rectangular
prisms, the sum of the perimeter of the base of the box and the height of the box
cannot exceed 130 inches. The perimeter of the base is determined using the
width and length of the box. If a box has a height of 60 inches and its length is
2.5 times the width, which inequality shows the allowable width x, in inches, of
the box?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 963da34c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. If x is the width, in inches, of the box, then the length of the box is 2.5x inches. It follows that the
perimeter of the base is , or 7x inches. The height of the box is given to be 60 inches. According to the
restriction, the sum of the perimeter of the base and the height of the box should not exceed 130 inches. Algebraically,
this can be represented by , or . Dividing both sides of the inequality by 7 gives . Since x
represents the width of the box, x must also be a positive number. Therefore, the inequality represents all the
allowable values of x that satisfy the given conditions.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from calculation errors or misreading the given information.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 34aca984
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 34aca984

The length of a rectangle is inches and the width is inches. The perimeter is at most inches. Which inequality
represents this situation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 34aca984 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The perimeter of a rectangle is equal to the sum of 2 times its length and 2 times its width. It's given
that the rectangle's length is 50 inches and the width is 𝑥 inches. Therefore, the perimeter, in inches, is 250 + 2𝑥, or
100 + 2𝑥, which is equivalent to 2𝑥 + 100. It's given that the perimeter is at most 210 inches; therefore, 2𝑥 + 100 ≤ 210
represents this situation.

Choice B is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation where the perimeter is at least, rather than at most, 210
inches.

Choice C is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation where 2 times the length, rather than the length, is 50 inches.

Choice D is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation where 2 times the length, rather than the length, is 50 inches,
and the perimeter is at least, rather than at most, 210 inches.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 0366d965
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 0366d965

x y

3 7

k 11

12 n

The table above shows the coordinates of three points on a line in the xy-plane,
where k and n are constants. If the slope of the line is 2, what is the value of
?

ID: 0366d965 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 30. The slope of a line can be found by using the slope formula, . It’s given that the slope

of the line is 2; therefore, . According to the table, the points and lie on the line. Substituting the

coordinates of these points into the equation gives . Multiplying both sides of this equation by gives

, or . Solving for k gives . According to the table, the points and also

lie on the line. Substituting the coordinates of these points into gives . Solving for n gives
. Therefore, , or 30.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f81a0503
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: f81a0503

In the xy-plane, line passes through the points and . Which equation defines line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f81a0503 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. An equation defining a line in the xy-plane can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 represents
the slope and 0, 𝑏 represents the y-intercept of the line. It’s given that line 𝑘 passes through the point 0, - 5; therefore,
𝑏 = - 5. The slope, 𝑚, of a line can be found using any two points on the line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , and the slope formula
𝑦 -𝑦
𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 . Substituting the points 0, - 5 and 1, - 1 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the slope formula yields 𝑚 = -1 - -5 ,
1-0 or
𝑚 = 4. Substituting 4 for 𝑚 and -5 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑦 = 4𝑥 - 5.

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: Medium

Question ID aee9fd2d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: aee9fd2d

If , the value of is between which of the following pairs of values?

A. and

B. and

C. and

D. and

ID: aee9fd2d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by 313, or 39, yields 39 𝑥 +3 6 = 39 𝑥13 + 6 , or 13𝑥 + 6 = 3𝑥 + 6.

Subtracting 3𝑥 + 6 from both sides of this equation yields 10𝑥 + 6 = 0. Dividing both sides of this equation by 10 yields
𝑥 + 6 = 0. Therefore, if 𝑥 +3 6 = 𝑥13
+ 6 , then the value of 𝑥 + 6 is 0. It follows that of the given choices, the value of 𝑥 + 6 is

between -2 and 2.

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 ce6b52d8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: ce6b52d8

If , what is the value of ?

ID: ce6b52d8 Answer

Correct Answer: 60

Rationale

The correct answer is 60. Subtracting 𝑡 from both sides of the given equation yields 2(3𝑡 - 10) = 40 + 3𝑡. Applying the
distributive property to the left-hand side of this equation yields 6𝑡 - 20 = 40 + 3𝑡. Adding 20 to both sides of this equation
yields 6𝑡 = 60 + 3𝑡. Subtracting 3𝑡 from both sides of this equation yields 3𝑡 = 60. Therefore, the value of 3𝑡 is 60.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 466b87e3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 466b87e3

In the system of equations above, c is a constant. If the system has

no solution, what is the value of c ?

ID: 466b87e3 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . A system of two linear equations has no solution when the graphs of the equations have the
same slope and different y-intercepts. Each of the given linear equations is written in the slope-intercept form,
, where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of the equation. For these two
linear equations, the y-intercepts are and . Thus, if the system of equations has no solution, the slopes of

the graphs of the two linear equations must be the same. The slope of the graph of the first linear equation is .

Therefore, for the system of equations to have no solution, the value of c must be . Note that 1/2 and .5 are examples
of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0cadb20e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 0cadb20e

The function is defined by , and , where is a constant. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0cadb20e Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 +515 and 𝑓𝑎 = 10, where 𝑎 is a constant. Therefore, for the given function 𝑓, when
𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑓𝑥 = 10. Substituting 𝑎 for 𝑥 and 10 for 𝑓𝑥 in the given function 𝑓 yields 10 = 𝑎 +515 . Multiplying both sides of this
equation by 5 yields 50 = 𝑎 + 15. Subtracting 15 from both sides of this equation yields 35 = 𝑎. Therefore, the value of 𝑎 is
35.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 if 𝑓𝑎 = 4. Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 if 𝑓𝑎 = 5.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 if 𝑓𝑎 = 16.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 265f2a53
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 265f2a53

When line is graphed in the xy-plane, it has an x-intercept of and a y-intercept of . What is the slope of
line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 265f2a53 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that when line 𝑛 is graphed in the xy-plane, it has an x-intercept of -4, 0 and a y-intercept of
3 . The slope, 𝑚, of a line can be found using any two points on the line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , and the slope formula
0, 86
86 - 0
𝑦2 - 𝑦1
𝑚= 𝑥2 - 𝑥1 . Substituting the points -4, 0 and 3 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the slope formula yields 𝑚 =
0, 86 3
0 - -4 , or
𝑚= 6 . Therefore, the slope of line 𝑛 is 6 .
43 43

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

86
Choice B is incorrect. This is the slope of a line that has an x-intercept of 3 ,0 and a y-intercept of 0, - 4.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2875ba81
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 2875ba81

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2875ba81 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 153ee763
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 153ee763

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has no solution. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 153ee763 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A linear equation in one variable has no solution if and only if the equation is false; that is, when there
is no value of 𝑥 that produces a true statement. It's given that in the equation -3𝑥 + 21𝑝𝑥 = 84, 𝑝 is a constant and the
equation has no solution for 𝑥. Therefore, the value of the constant 𝑝 is one that results in a false equation. Factoring out
the common factor of -3𝑥 on the left-hand side of the given equation yields -3𝑥1 - 7𝑝 = 84. Dividing both sides of this
equation by -3 yields 𝑥1 - 7𝑝 = - 28. Dividing both sides of this equation by 1 - 7𝑝 yields 𝑥 = 1-28
- 7𝑝
. This equation is false if
and only if 1 - 7𝑝 = 0. Adding 7𝑝 to both sides of 1 - 7𝑝 = 0 yields 1 = 7𝑝. Dividing both sides of this equation by 7 yields
1 = 𝑝. It follows that the equation 𝑥 = -28 is false if and only if 𝑝 = 1 . Therefore, the given equation has no solution if and
7 1 - 7𝑝 7
only if the value of 𝑝 is 17 .

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 cc3e9528
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: cc3e9528

The graph of is translated down units in the xy-plane. What is the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the
resulting graph?

ID: cc3e9528 Answer

Correct Answer: 59/9, 6.555, 6.556

Rationale

The correct answer is 599

. When the graph of an equation in the form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, is
translated down 𝑘 units in the xy-plane, the resulting graph can be represented by the equation 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝑘 = 𝐶. It’s given
that the graph of 9𝑥 - 10𝑦 = 19 is translated down 4 units in the xy-plane. Therefore, the resulting graph can be
represented by the equation 9𝑥 - 10𝑦 + 4 = 19, or 9𝑥 - 10𝑦 - 40 = 19. Adding 40 to both sides of this equation yields
9𝑥 - 10𝑦 = 59. The x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of an equation in the xy-plane is the value of 𝑥 in the
equation when 𝑦 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑦 in the equation 9𝑥 - 10𝑦 = 59 yields 9𝑥 - 100 = 59, or 9𝑥 = 59. Dividing both sides
of this equation by 9 yields 𝑥 = 59
9
. Therefore, the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the resulting graph is 59
9
. Note that
59/9, 6.555, and 6.556 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 62ef6f73
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 62ef6f73

A total of squares each have side length . A total of equilateral triangles each have side length . None of these
squares and triangles shares a side. The sum of the perimeters of all these squares and triangles is . Which equation
represents this situation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 62ef6f73 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that a total of 2 squares each have side length 𝑟. Therefore, each of the squares has
perimeter 4𝑟. Since there are a total of 2 squares, the sum of the perimeters of these squares is 4𝑟 + 4𝑟, which is
equivalent to 24𝑟, or 8𝑟. It’s also given that a total of 6 equilateral triangles each have side length 𝑡. Therefore, each of the
equilateral triangles has perimeter 3𝑡. Since there are a total of 6 equilateral triangles, the sum of the perimeters of these
triangles is 3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡 + 3𝑡, which is equivalent to 63𝑡, or 18𝑡. Since the sum of the perimeters of the squares is 8𝑟
and the sum of the perimeters of the triangles is 18𝑡, the sum of the perimeters of all these squares and triangles is
8𝑟 + 18𝑡. It’s given that the sum of the perimeters of all these squares and triangles is 210. Therefore, the equation
8𝑟 + 18𝑡 = 210 represents this situation.

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 f718c9cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: f718c9cf

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

ID: f718c9cf Answer

Correct Answer: 1.8, 9/5

Rationale

The correct answer is 95 . Multiplying the first equation in the given system by 2 yields 10𝑥 + 28𝑦 = 90. Subtracting the
second equation in the given system, 10𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 27, from 10𝑥 + 28𝑦 = 90 yields 10𝑥 + 28𝑦 - 10𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 90 - 27, which is
equivalent to 10𝑥 + 28𝑦 - 10𝑥 - 7𝑦 = 63, or 21𝑦 = 63. Dividing both sides of this equation by 21 yields 𝑦 = 3. The value of 𝑥
can be found by substituting 3 for 𝑦 in either of the two given equations. Substituting 3 for 𝑦 in the equation 10𝑥 + 7𝑦 = 27
yields 10𝑥 + 73 = 27, or 10𝑥 + 21 = 27. Subtracting 21 from both sides of this equation yields 10𝑥 = 6. Dividing both sides
of this equation by 10 yields 𝑥 = 10
6 , or 𝑥 = 3 . Therefore, the value of 𝑥𝑦 is 3 3, or 9 . Note that 9/5 and 1.8 are examples of
5 5 5
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 48fb34c8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 48fb34c8

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 48fb34c8 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale

Choice D is correct. All the tables in the choices have the same three values of 𝑥, so each of the three values of 𝑥 can be
substituted in the given inequality to compare the corresponding values of 𝑦 in each of the tables. Substituting 3 for 𝑥 in
the given inequality yields 𝑦 > 133 - 18, or 𝑦 > 21. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is greater than 21.
Substituting 5 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 > 135 - 18, or 𝑦 > 47. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦
is greater than 47. Substituting 8 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 > 138 - 18, or 𝑦 > 86. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 8, the
corresponding value of 𝑦 is greater than 86. For the table in choice D, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 26, which
is greater than 21; when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 52, which is greater than 47; when 𝑥 = 8, the corresponding
value of 𝑦 is 91, which is greater than 86. Therefore, the table in choice D gives values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values
of 𝑦 that are all solutions to the given inequality.

Choice A is incorrect. In the table for choice A, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 21, which is not greater than 21
; when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 47, which is not greater than 47; when 𝑥 = 8, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is
86, which is not greater than 86.

Choice B is incorrect. In the table for choice B, when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 42, which is not greater than 47
; when 𝑥 = 8, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 86, which is not greater than 86.

Choice C is incorrect. In the table for choice C, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 16, which is not greater than 21
; when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 42, which is not greater than 47; when 𝑥 = 8, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is
81, which is not greater than 86.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9f6f96ff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 9f6f96ff

A wire with a length of inches is cut into two parts. One part has a length of inches, and the other part has a length
of inches. The value of is more than times the value of . What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9f6f96ff Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It's given that a wire with a length of 106 inches is cut into two parts. It's also given that one part has
a length of 𝑥 inches and the other part has a length of 𝑦 inches. This can be represented by the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 106. It's
also given that the value of 𝑥 is 6 more than 4 times the value of 𝑦. This can be represented by the equation 𝑥 = 4𝑦 + 6.
Substituting 4𝑦 + 6 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 106 yields 4𝑦 + 6 + 𝑦 = 106, or 5𝑦 + 6 = 106. Subtracting 6 from each side of
this equation yields 5𝑦 = 100. Dividing each side of this equation by 5 yields 𝑦 = 20. Substituting 20 for 𝑦 in the equation
𝑥 = 4𝑦 + 6 yields 𝑥 = 4(20) + 6, or 𝑥 = 86.

Choice A is incorrect. This value represents less than half of the total length of 106 inches; however, 𝑥 represents the
length of the longer part of the wire, since it's given that the value of 𝑥 is 6 more than 4 times the value of 𝑦.

Choice B is incorrect. This value represents less than half of the total length of 106 inches; however, 𝑥 represents the
length of the longer part of the wire, since it's given that the value of 𝑥 is 6 more than 4 times the value of 𝑦.

Choice C is incorrect. This represents a part that is 6 more than the length of the other part, rather than 6 more than 4
times the length of the other part.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 946ab892
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 946ab892

For the linear function , the graph of in the xy-plane has a slope of and passes through the point .
Which equation defines ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 946ab892 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. An equation defining a linear function can be written in the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope and
0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 in the xy-plane. It’s given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 has a slope of 2. Therefore,
𝑚 = 2. It’s also given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 passes through the point 1, 14. It follows that when 𝑥 = 1, 𝑔𝑥 = 14.
Substituting 1 for 𝑥, 14 for 𝑔𝑥, and 2 for 𝑚 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 14 = 21 + 𝑏, or 14 = 2 + 𝑏. Subtracting 2 from
each side of this equation yields 12 = 𝑏. Therefore, 𝑏 = 12. Substituting 2 for 𝑚 and 12 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
yields 𝑔𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 12. Therefore, the equation that defines 𝑔 is 𝑔𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 12.

Choice A is incorrect. For this function, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 in the xy-plane passes through the point 1, 2, not 1, 14.

Choice B is incorrect. For this function, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 in the xy-plane passes through the point 1, 4, not 1, 14.

Choice D is incorrect. For this function, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 in the xy-plane passes through the point 1, 16, not 1, 14.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7e1bff94
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 7e1bff94

The table gives the number of hours, , of labor and a plumber’s total charge , in dollars, for two different jobs.

There is a linear relationship between and . Which equation represents this relationship?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7e1bff94 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that there is a linear relationship between a plumber's hours of labor, ℎ, and the plumber's
total charge 𝑓ℎ, in dollars. It follows that the relationship can be represented by an equation of the form 𝑓ℎ = 𝑚ℎ + 𝑏,
where 𝑚 is the rate of change of the function 𝑓 and 𝑏 is a constant. The rate of change of 𝑓 can be calculated by dividing
the difference in two values of 𝑓ℎ by the difference in the corresponding values of ℎ. Based on the values given in the
table, the rate of change of 𝑓 is 2853 -- 155
1
, or 65. Substituting 65 for 𝑚 in the equation 𝑓ℎ = 𝑚ℎ + 𝑏 yields 𝑓ℎ = 65ℎ + 𝑏. The
value of 𝑏 can be found by substituting any value of ℎ and its corresponding value of 𝑓ℎ for ℎ and 𝑓ℎ, respectively, in this
equation. Substituting 1 for ℎ and 155 for 𝑓ℎ yields 155 = 651 + 𝑏, or 155 = 65 + 𝑏. Subtracting 65 from both sides of this
equation yields 90 = 𝑏. Substituting 90 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑓ℎ = 65ℎ + 𝑏 yields 𝑓(ℎ) = 65ℎ + 90.

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 ce314070
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: ce314070

If , what is the
value of ?

A. 2

B.

C.

D.

ID: ce314070 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Multiplying the given equation by 2 on each side yields . Applying the

distributive property, this equation can be rewritten as , or .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from calculation errors in solving the given equation for and then
substituting that value of x in the expression .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d8539e09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: d8539e09

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d8539e09 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale

Choice C is correct. All the tables in the choices have the same three values of 𝑥, so each of the three values of 𝑥 can be
substituted in the given inequality to compare the corresponding values of 𝑦 in each of the tables. Substituting 3 for 𝑥 in
the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 63 + 2, or 𝑦 < 20. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 20.
Substituting 5 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 65 + 2, or 𝑦 < 32. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is
less than 32. Substituting 7 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 67 + 2, or 𝑦 < 44. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 7, the
corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 44. For the table in choice C, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 16, which is
less than 20; when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 28, which is less than 32; when 𝑥 = 7, the corresponding value of
𝑦 is 40, which is less than 44. Therefore, the table in choice C gives values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦 that
are all solutions to the given inequality.

Choice A is incorrect. In the table for choice A, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 20, which is not less than 20;
when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 32, which is not less than 32; when 𝑥 = 7, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 44,
which is not less than 44.

Choice B is incorrect. In the table for choice B, when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 36, which is not less than 32.

Choice D is incorrect. In the table for choice D, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 24, which is not less than 20;
when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 36, which is not less than 32; when 𝑥 = 7, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 48,
which is not less than 44.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e8f9e117
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: e8f9e117

The formula above is Ohm’s law for an electric circuit with current I, in amperes,
potential difference V, in volts, and resistance R, in ohms. A circuit has a
resistance of 500 ohms, and its potential difference will be generated by n six-
volt batteries that produce a total potential difference of volts. If the circuit is
to have a current of no more than 0.25 ampere, what is the greatest number, n,
of six-volt batteries that can be used?

ID: e8f9e117 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 20. For the given circuit, the resistance R is 500 ohms, and the total potential difference V
generated by n batteries is volts. It’s also given that the circuit is to have a current of no more than 0.25 ampere,

which can be expressed as . Since Ohm’s law says that , the given values for V and R can be substituted

for I in this inequality, which yields . Multiplying both sides of this inequality by 500 yields , and
dividing both sides of this inequality by 6 yields . Since the number of batteries must be a whole number less
than 20.833, the greatest number of batteries that can be used in this circuit is 20.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 868fc236
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 868fc236

The table above gives the typical amounts of energy per gram, expressed in both
food calories and kilojoules, of the three macronutrients in food. If x food
calories is equivalent to k kilojoules, of the following, which best represents the
relationship between x and k ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 868fc236 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The relationship between x food calories and k kilojoules can be modeled as a proportional
relationship. Let and represent the values in the first two rows in the table: and .

The rate of change, or , is ; therefore, the equation that best represents the relationship between x
and k is .

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of calculating the rate of change using . Choice C is incorrect
because the number of kilojoules is greater than the number of food calories. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result
of an error when setting up the equation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 4b0c156b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 4b0c156b

In the linear function , and . Which equation defines ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4b0c156b Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. An equation defining ℎ can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑦 = ℎ𝑥, 𝑚 represents the slope of
the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ𝑥 in the xy-plane, and 𝑏 represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph. It’s given that
ℎ28 = 15 and ℎ26 = 22. It follows that the points 28, 15 and 26, 22 are on the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ𝑥 in the xy-plane. The slope
𝑦 -𝑦
can be found by using any two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , and the formula 𝑚 = 2 1
𝑥2 - 𝑥1 . Substituting 28, 15 and 26, 22 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1
and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the slope formula yields 𝑚 = or 𝑚 =
22 - 15
26 - 28 , Substituting - 72 for 𝑚 and 28, 15 for 𝑥, 𝑦 in the
- 72 .
equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 15 = - 72 28 + 𝑏, or 15 = - 98 + 𝑏. Adding 98 to both sides of this equation yields 113 = 𝑏.
Substituting - 72 for 𝑚 and 113 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑦 = - 72 𝑥 + 113. Since 𝑦 = ℎ𝑥, it follows that the equation
that defines ℎ is ℎ𝑥 = - 72 𝑥 + 113.

Choice A is incorrect. For this function, ℎ26 = 109

7 , not ℎ26 = 22.

Choice B is incorrect. For this function, ℎ28 = 105, not ℎ28 = 15, and ℎ26 = 739
7 , not ℎ26 = 22.

Choice C is incorrect. For this function, ℎ28 = - 75, not ℎ28 = 15, and ℎ26 = - 68, not ℎ26 = 22.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 431c3038
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 431c3038

In an article about exercise, it is estimated that a 160-pound adult uses 200

calories for every 30 minutes of hiking and 150 calories for every 30 minutes of
bicycling. An adult who weighs 160 pounds has completed 1 hour of bicycling.
Based on the article, how many hours should the adult hike to use a total of
1,900 calories from bicycling and hiking?

A. 9.5

B. 8.75

C. 6

D. 4

ID: 431c3038 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Since a 160-pound adult uses 200 calories for every 30 minutes of hiking, then the same adult uses
calories after hiking for h 30-minute periods. Similarly, the same adult uses calories after bicycling for b 30-
minute periods. Therefore, the equation represents the situation where a 160-pound adult uses a
total of 1,900 calories from hiking for h 30-minute periods and bicycling for b 30-minute periods. It’s given that the adult
completes 1 hour, or 2 30-minute periods, of bicycling. Substituting 2 for b in the equation yields
, or . Subtracting 300 from both sides of this equation yields
. Dividing both sides by 200 yields . Since h represents the number of 30-minute periods spent

hiking and there are 2 30-minute periods in every hour, it follows that the adult will need to hike for , or 4 hours to use a
total of 1,900 calories from bicycling and hiking.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving the equation . This represents 0 30-minute periods
bicycling instead of 2. Choice B is incorrect and may result from solving the equation . This
represents 1 30-minute period of bicycling instead of 2. Choice C is incorrect. This may result from determining that the
number of 30-minute periods the adult should hike is 8, but then subtracting 2 from 8, rather than dividing 8 by 2, to find
the number of hours the adult should hike.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c01f4a95
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: c01f4a95

For the linear function , is a constant and . What is the value of ?

ID: c01f4a95 Answer

Correct Answer: 39

Rationale

The correct answer is 39. It’s given that for the linear function 𝑗, 𝑚 is a constant and 𝑗12 = 18. Substituting 12 for 𝑥 and 18
for 𝑗𝑥 in the given equation yields 18 = 𝑚12 + 144. Subtracting 144 from both sides of this equation yields -126 = 𝑚12.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 12 yields -10.5 = 𝑚. Substituting -10.5 for 𝑚 in the given equation, 𝑗𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 144,
yields 𝑗𝑥 = - 10.5𝑥 + 144. Substituting 10 for 𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑗10 = -10.510 + 144, or 𝑗10 = 39. Therefore, the value
of 𝑗10 is 39.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 0cb57740
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 0cb57740

Each side of a -sided polygon has one of three lengths. The number of sides with length is
times the number of sides with length . There are sides with length . Which equation must be true for the
value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0cb57740 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It’s given that each side of a 30-sided polygon has one of three lengths. It's also given that the
number of sides with length 8 centimeters cm is 5 times the number of sides 𝑛 with length 3 cm. Therefore, there are
5 × 𝑛, or 5𝑛, sides with length 8 cm. It’s also given that there are 6 sides with length 4 cm. Therefore, the number of
3 cm, 4 cm, and 8 cm sides are 𝑛, 6, and 5𝑛, respectively. Since there are a total of 30 sides, the equation
𝑛 + 6 + 5𝑛 = 30 represents this situation. Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields 6𝑛 + 6 = 30.
Therefore, the equation that must be true for the value of 𝑛 is 6𝑛 + 6 = 30.

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 6989c80a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 6989c80a

The function gives the temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, that corresponds to a temperature of kelvins. If a
temperature increased by kelvins, by how much did the temperature increase, in degrees Fahrenheit?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6989c80a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the function 𝐹𝑥 = 95 𝑥 - 273.15 + 32 gives the temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, that
corresponds to a temperature of 𝑥 kelvins. A temperature that increased by 2.10 kelvins means that the value of 𝑥
increased by 2.10 kelvins. It follows that an increase in 𝑥 by 2.10 increases 𝐹(𝑥) by 95 2.10, or 3.78. Therefore, if a
temperature increased by 2.10 kelvins, the temperature increased by 3.78 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f2bbd43d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: f2bbd43d

The point is a solution to the system of inequalities in the xy-plane. Which of the following could be the value of
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f2bbd43d Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the point 𝑥, 53 is a solution to the given system of inequalities in the xy-plane. This
means that the coordinates of the point, when substituted for the variables 𝑥 and 𝑦, make both of the inequalities in the
system true. Substituting 53 for 𝑦 in the inequality 𝑦 > 14 yields 53 > 14, which is true. Substituting 53 for 𝑦 in the
inequality 4𝑥 + 𝑦 < 18 yields 4𝑥 + 53 < 18. Subtracting 53 from both sides of this inequality yields 4𝑥 < - 35. Dividing both
sides of this inequality by 4 yields 𝑥 < - 8.75. Therefore, 𝑥 must be a value less than -8.75. Of the given choices, only -9 is
less than -8.75.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting -5 for 𝑥 and 53 for 𝑦 in the inequality 4𝑥 + 𝑦 < 18 yields 4-5 + 53 < 18, or 33 < 18, which is
not true.

Choice C is incorrect. Substituting 5 for 𝑥 and 53 for 𝑦 in the inequality 4𝑥 + 𝑦 < 18 yields 45 + 53 < 18, or 73 < 18, which is
not true.

Choice D is incorrect. Substituting 9 for 𝑥 and 53 for 𝑦 in the inequality 4𝑥 + 𝑦 < 18 yields 49 + 53 < 18, or 89 < 18, which is
not true.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 4f669597
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 4f669597

What value of p is the solution of

the equation above?

ID: 4f669597 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 1.2. One way to solve the equation is to first distribute the terms outside
the parentheses to the terms inside the parentheses: . Next, combine like terms on the left side of
the equal sign: . Subtracting 10p from both sides yields . Finally, dividing both sides by

gives , which is equivalent to . Note that 1.2 and 6/5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 92aa3a94
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 92aa3a94

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 92aa3a94 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given that line 𝑘 is defined by 𝑦 = 7𝑥 + 18 . For an equation in slope-intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑚
represents the slope of the line defined by this equation in the xy-plane and 𝑏 represents the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of this line. Therefore, the slope of line 𝑘 is 7. It’s also given that line 𝑗 is perpendicular to line 𝑘 in the xy-plane.
Therefore, the slope of line 𝑗 is the opposite reciprocal of the slope of line 𝑘. The opposite reciprocal of 7 is - 17 . Therefore,
the slope of line 𝑗 is - 17 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the opposite reciprocal of the y-coordinate of the y-intercept, not the slope, of line 𝑘.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line 𝑘, not the slope of line 𝑗.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the slope of a line that is parallel, not perpendicular, to line 𝑘.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 56dc8045
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 56dc8045

The function models the volume of liquid, in milliliters, in a container seconds after it begins draining from a hole at
the bottom. According to the model, what is the predicted volume, in milliliters, draining from the container each second?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 56dc8045 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the function 𝑤 models the volume of liquid, in milliliters, in a container 𝑡 seconds after it
begins draining from a hole at the bottom. The given function 𝑤𝑡 = 300 - 4𝑡 can be rewritten as 𝑤𝑡 = - 4𝑡 + 300. Thus, for
each increase of 𝑡 by 1, the value of 𝑤𝑡 decreases by 4(1), or 4. Therefore, the predicted volume, in milliliters, draining
from the container each second is 4 milliliters.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the amount of liquid, in milliliters, in the container before the liquid begins draining.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 98d3393a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 98d3393a

Line in the xy-plane is perpendicular to the line with equation

. What is the slope of line ?

A. 0

B.

C.

D. The slope of line is undefined.

ID: 98d3393a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It is given that line is perpendicular to a line whose equation is x = 2. A line whose equation is a
constant value of x is vertical, so must therefore be horizontal. Horizontal lines have a slope of 0, so has a slope of 0.

Choice B is incorrect. A line with slope is perpendicular to a line with slope 2. However, the line with equation x = 2
is vertical and has undefined slope (not slope of 2). Choice C is incorrect. A line with slope –2 is perpendicular to a line

with slope . However, the line with equation x = 2 has undefined slope (not slope of ). Choice D is incorrect; this is
the slope of the line x = 2 itself, not the slope of a line perpendicular to it.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d909cd31
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: d909cd31

One of the two equations in a system of linear equations is given. The system has infinitely many solutions. Which of the
following could be the second equation in the system?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d909cd31 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given that the system has infinitely many solutions. A system of two linear equations has
infinitely many solutions when the two linear equations are equivalent. Dividing both sides of the given equation by 5
yields -3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 13. Dividing both sides of choice C by 4 also yields -3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 13, so choice C is equivalent to the given
equation. Thus, choice C could be the second equation in the system.

Choice A is incorrect. The system consisting of this equation and the given equation has one solution, not infinitely many
solutions.

Choice B is incorrect. The system consisting of this equation and the given equation has one solution, not infinitely many
solutions.

Choice D is incorrect. The system consisting of this equation and the given equation has no solution, not infinitely many
solutions.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c8fb6bcb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: c8fb6bcb

The given function represents the perimeter, in , of a rectangle with a length of and a fixed
width. What is the width, in , of the rectangle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c8fb6bcb Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 244 represents the perimeter, in centimeters (cm), of a rectangle with a
length of 𝑥 cm and a fixed width. If 𝑤 represents a fixed width, in cm, then the perimeter, in cm, of a rectangle with a
length of 𝑥 cm and a fixed width of 𝑤 cm can be given by the function 𝑓𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 2𝑤. Therefore, 2𝑥 + 2𝑤 = 2𝑥 + 244.
Subtracting 2𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 2𝑤 = 244. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑤 = 122.
Therefore, the width, in cm, of the rectangle is 122.

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: Medium

Question ID 23dedddd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 23dedddd

In the linear function , and . Which equation defines ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 23dedddd Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Since 𝑓 is a linear function, it can be defined by an equation of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are
constants. It's given that 𝑓0 = 8. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 8 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 8 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or 8 = 𝑏.
Substituting 8 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 8. It's given that 𝑓1 = 12. Substituting 1 for 𝑥 and 12 for 𝑓𝑥 in
the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 8 yields 12 = 𝑎1 + 8, or 12 = 𝑎 + 8. Subtracting 8 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = 4.
Substituting 4 for 𝑎 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 8 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 8. Therefore, an equation that defines 𝑓 is 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 8.

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: Medium

Question ID 36fd6752
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 36fd6752

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

ID: 36fd6752 Answer

Correct Answer: 10

Rationale

The correct answer is 10. Solving by substitution, the given system of equations, where 𝑝 is a constant, can be written so
that the left-hand side of each equation is equal to 7𝑟. Subtracting 6 from each side of the first equation in the given
system, 6 + 7𝑟 = 𝑝𝑤, yields 7𝑟 = 𝑝𝑤 - 6. Adding 5𝑤 to each side of the second equation in the given system,
7𝑟 - 5𝑤 = 5𝑤 + 11, yields 7𝑟 = 10𝑤 + 11. Since the left-hand side of each equation is equal to 7𝑟, setting the the right-hand
side of the equations equal to each other yields 𝑝𝑤 - 6 = 10𝑤 + 11. A linear equation in one variable, 𝑤, has no solution if
and only if the equation is false; that is, when there's no value of 𝑤 that produces a true statement. For the equation
𝑝𝑤 - 6 = 10𝑤 + 11, there's no value of 𝑤 that produces a true statement when 𝑝𝑤 = 10𝑤. Therefore, for the equation
𝑝𝑤 - 6 = 10𝑤 + 11, there's no value of 𝑤 that produces a true statement when the value of 𝑝 is 10. It follows that in the
given system of equations, the system has no solution when the value of 𝑝 is 10.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d9733ed9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: d9733ed9

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d9733ed9 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale

Choice A is correct. In each choice, the values of 𝑥 are 2, 4, and 6. Substituting the first value of 𝑥, 2, for 𝑥 in the given
inequality yields 𝑦 > 42 + 8, or 𝑦 > 16. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 2, the corresponding value of 𝑦 must be greater than 16. Of the
given choices, only choice A is a table where the value of 𝑦 corresponding to 𝑥 = 2 is greater than 16. To confirm that the
other values of 𝑥 in this table and their corresponding values of 𝑦 are also solutions to the given inequality, the values of 𝑥
and 𝑦 in the table can be substituted for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in the given inequality. Substituting 4 for 𝑥 and 30 for 𝑦 in the given
inequality yields 30 > 44 + 8, or 30 > 24, which is true. Substituting 6 for 𝑥 and 41 for 𝑦 in the given inequality yields
41 > 46 + 8, or 41 > 32, which is true. It follows that for choice A, all the values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦
are solutions to the given inequality.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 and 8 for 𝑦 in the given inequality yields 8 > 42 + 8, or 8 > 16, which is false.

Choice C is incorrect. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 and 13 for 𝑦 in the given inequality yields 13 > 42 + 8, or 13 > 16, which is false.

Choice D is incorrect. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 and 13 for 𝑦 in the given inequality yields 13 > 42 + 8, or 13 > 16, which is false.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3122fc7b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 3122fc7b

A linear model estimates the population of a city from to . The model estimates the population was
thousand in , thousand in , and thousand in . To the nearest whole number, what is the value of ?

ID: 3122fc7b Answer

Correct Answer: 257

Rationale

The correct answer is 257. It’s given that a linear model estimates the population of a city from 1991 to 2015. Since the
population can be estimated using a linear model, it follows that there is a constant rate of change for the model. It’s
also given that the model estimates the population was 57 thousand in 1991, 224 thousand in 2011, and 𝑥 thousand in
2015. The change in the population between 2011 and 1991 is 224 - 57, or 167, thousand. The change in the number of
years between 2011 and 1991 is 2011 - 1991, or 20, years. Dividing 167 by 20 gives 167 / 20, or 8.35, thousand per year.
Thus, the change in population per year from 1991 to 2015 estimated by the model is 8.35 thousand. The change in the
number of years between 2015 and 2011 is 2015 - 2011, or 4, years. Multiplying the change in population per year by the
change in number of years yields the increase in population from 2011 to 2015 estimated by the model: 8.354, or 33.4,
thousand. Adding the change in population from 2011 to 2015 estimated by the model to the estimated population in
2011 yields the estimated population in 2015. Thus, the estimated population in 2015 is 33.4 + 224, or 257.4, thousand.
Therefore to the nearest whole number, the value of 𝑥 is 257.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 90095507
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 90095507

Townsend Realty Group Investments

Property Purchase price Monthly rental
address (dollars) price (dollars)

Clearwater
128,000 950
Lane

Driftwood
176,000 1,310
Drive

Edgemont
70,000 515
Street

Glenview
140,000 1,040
Street

Hamilton
450,000 3,365
Circle

The Townsend Realty Group invested in the five different properties listed in the
table above. The table shows the amount, in dollars, the company paid for each
property and the corresponding monthly rental price, in dollars, the company
charges for the property at each of the five locations. Townsend Realty
purchased the Glenview Street property and received a 40% discount off the
original price along with an additional 20% off the discounted price for
purchasing the property in cash. Which of the following best approximates the
original price, in dollars, of the Glenview Street property?

A. $350,000

B. $291,700

C. $233,300

D. $175,000

ID: 90095507 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale

Choice B is correct. Let x be the original price, in dollars, of the Glenview Street property. After the 40% discount, the price
of the property became dollars, and after the additional 20% off the discounted price, the price of the property

became . Thus, in terms of the original price of the property, x, the purchase price of the property is . It

follows that . Solving this equation for x gives . Therefore, of the given choices,
$291,700 best approximates the original price of the Glenview Street property.

Choice A is incorrect because it is the result of dividing the purchase price of the property by 0.4, as though the purchase
price were 40% of the original price. Choice C is incorrect because it is the closest to dividing the purchase price of the
property by 0.6, as though the purchase price were 60% of the original price. Choice D is incorrect because it is the result
of dividing the purchase price of the property by 0.8, as though the purchase price were 80% of the original price.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 092ad67d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 092ad67d

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 092ad67d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Adding the first equation to the second equation in the given system yields 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑥 - 2𝑦 = 6 + 4, or
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2𝑦 - 2𝑦 = 10. Combining like terms in this equation yields 2𝑥 = 10. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields
𝑥 = 5. Thus, the value of 𝑥 is 5.

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. This is the value of 2𝑥, not 𝑥.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2f34cd1c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 2f34cd1c

The function gives the estimated surface water temperature , in degrees Celsius, of a body
of water on the day of the year, where . Based on the model, what is the estimated surface water
temperature, in degrees Celsius, of this body of water on the day of the year?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2f34cd1c Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It’s given that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 55.20 - 0.16𝑥 gives the estimated surface water temperature, in
degrees Celsius, of a body of water on the 𝑥th day of the year. Substituting 326 for 𝑥 in the given function yields
𝑓(326) = 55.20 - 0.16(326), which is equivalent to 𝑓(326) = 55.20 - 52.16, or 𝑓(326) = 3.04. Therefore, the estimated surface
water temperature, in degrees Celsius, of this body of water on the 326th day of the year is 3.04.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the rate of change, in degrees Celsius per day, of the estimated surface water temperature.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the change, in degrees Celsius, in the estimated surface water temperature over 326 days.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d62ad380
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: d62ad380
An artist paints and sells square tiles. The selling price P, in dollars, of a painted tile is a linear function of the side
length of the tile s, in inches, as shown in the table below.

Side length, s (inches) Price, P (dollars)

3 8.00

6 18.00

9 28.00

Which of the following could define the relationship between s and P ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d62ad380 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The relationship between s and P can be modeled by a linear equation of the form P = ks + a, where k

and a are constants. The table shows that P increases by 10 when s increases by 3, so k = . To solve for a, substitute

one of the given pairs of values for s and P: when s = 3, P = 8, so , which yields a = –2. The solution is

therefore .

Choice A is incorrect. When s = 3, P = 8, but 3(3) + 10 = 19 ≠︀8. Choice B is incorrect. This may result from using the first
number given for P in the table as the constant term a in the linear equation P = ks + a, which is true only when s =
0. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using the reciprocal of the slope of the line.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 620abf36
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 620abf36

If , what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 620abf36 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Subtracting 4𝑥 + 4 from both sides of the given equation yields 1𝑥 + 4 = 29, or 𝑥 + 4 = 29. Therefore,
the value of 𝑥 + 4 is 29.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥, not 𝑥 + 4.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5bf5136d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 5bf5136d

The triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the
third side. If a triangle has side lengths of and , which inequality represents the possible lengths, , of the third side
of the triangle?

A.

B.

C.

D. or

ID: 5bf5136d Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that a triangle has side lengths of 6 and 12, and 𝑥 represents the length of the third side of
the triangle. It’s also given that the triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of any two sides of a triangle must be
greater than the length of the third side. Therefore, the inequalities 6 + 𝑥 > 12, 6 + 12 > 𝑥, and 12 + 𝑥 > 6 represent all
possible values of 𝑥. Subtracting 6 from both sides of the inequality 6 + 𝑥 > 12 yields 𝑥 > 12 - 6, or 𝑥 > 6. Adding 6 and 12
in the inequality 6 + 12 > 𝑥 yields 18 > 𝑥, or 𝑥 < 18. Subtracting 12 from both sides of the inequality 12 + 𝑥 > 6 yields
𝑥 > 6 - 12, or 𝑥 > - 6. Since all x-values that satisfy the inequality 𝑥 > 6 also satisfy the inequality 𝑥 > - 6, it follows that the
inequalities 𝑥 > 6 and 𝑥 < 18 represent the possible values of 𝑥. Therefore, the inequality 6 < 𝑥 < 18 represents the possible
lengths, 𝑥, of the third side of the triangle.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality gives the upper bound for 𝑥 but does not include its lower bound.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c41e5688
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: c41e5688

The shaded region shown represents the solutions to which inequality?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c41e5688 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale

Choice D is correct. The equation for the line representing the boundary of the shaded region can be written in slope-
intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑏 + 𝑚𝑥, where 𝑚 is the slope and 0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept of the line. For the graph shown, the boundary
line passes through the points 0, - 1 and 1, - 4. Given two points on a line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 , the slope of the line can be
1 2
𝑦 -𝑦
calculated using the equation 𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 . Substituting the points 0, - 1 and 1, - 4 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 in this equation yields
𝑚 = -41 -- -1
0
, which is equivalent to 𝑚 = -31 , or 𝑚 = - 3. Since the point 0, - 1 represents the y-intercept, it follows that 𝑏 = - 1.
Substituting -3 for 𝑚 and -1 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑏 + 𝑚𝑥 yields 𝑦 = - 1 - 3𝑥 as the equation of the boundary line. Since
the shaded region represents all the points above this boundary line, it follows that the shaded region shown represents
the solutions to the inequality 𝑦 > - 1 - 3𝑥.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality represents a region below, not above, a boundary line with a slope of 3, not -3.

Choice B is incorrect. This inequality represents a region below, not above, the boundary line shown.

Choice C is incorrect. This inequality represents a region whose boundary line has a slope of 3, not -3.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a309803e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: a309803e

One gallon of paint will cover square feet of a surface. A room has a total wall area of square feet. Which equation
represents the total amount of paint , in gallons, needed to paint the walls of the room twice?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a309803e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that 𝑤 represents the total wall area, in square feet. Since the walls of the room will be
painted twice, the amount of paint, in gallons, needs to cover 2𝑤 square feet. It’s also given that one gallon of paint will
cover 220 square feet. Dividing the total area, in square feet, of the surface to be painted by the number of square feet
covered by one gallon of paint gives the number of gallons of paint that will be needed. Dividing 2𝑤 by 220 yields 2202𝑤 , or

𝑤 . Therefore, the equation that represents the total amount of paint 𝑃, in gallons, needed to paint the walls of the room
110
twice is 𝑃 = 110
𝑤 .

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

Choice C is incorrect and may result from finding the amount of paint needed to paint the walls once rather than twice.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4fe4fd7c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 4fe4fd7c

A company’s total cost , in dollars, to produce x shirts is given by the

function above, where m is a constant and . The total cost to produce 100
shirts is $800. What is the total cost, in dollars, to produce 1000 shirts?
(Disregard the $ sign when gridding your answer.)

ID: 4fe4fd7c Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 3500. The given information includes a cost, $800, to produce 100 shirts. Substituting
and into the given equation yields . Subtracting 500 from both sides of the equation yields
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 100 yields . Substituting the value of m into the given
equation yields . Substituting 1000 for x in this equation and solving for gives the cost of 1000
shirts: , or 3500.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 69f609b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 69f609b2

How many solutions does the equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 69f609b2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Distributing 12 on the left-hand side and -3 on the right-hand side of the given equation yields
12𝑥 - 36 = - 3𝑥 - 36. Adding 3𝑥 to each side of this equation yields 15𝑥 - 36 = - 36. Adding 36 to each side of this equation
yields 15𝑥 = 0. Dividing each side of this equation by 15 yields 𝑥 = 0. This means that 0 is the only solution to the given
equation. Therefore, the given equation has exactly one solution.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 771bd0ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 771bd0ca

What value of is the solution to the given equation?

ID: 771bd0ca Answer

Correct Answer: -22

Rationale

The correct answer is -22. The given equation can be rewritten as -2𝑡 + 3 = 38. Dividing both sides of this equation by -2
yields 𝑡 + 3 = - 19. Subtracting 3 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑡 = - 22. Therefore, -22 is the value of 𝑡 that is the
solution to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 11e1ab81
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 11e1ab81

The graph above shows the distance traveled d, in feet, by a product on a

conveyor belt m minutes after the product is placed on the belt. Which of the
following equations correctly relates d and m ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 11e1ab81 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The line passes through the origin. Therefore, this is a relationship of the form , where k is a
constant representing the slope of the graph. To find the value of k, choose a point on the graph of the line other
than the origin and substitute the values of m and d into the equation. For example, if the point is chosen, then
, and . Therefore, the equation of the line is .

Choice B is incorrect and may result from calculating the slope of the line as the change in time over the change in
distance traveled instead of the change in distance traveled over the change in time. Choices C and D are incorrect
because each of these equations represents a line with a d-intercept of 2. However, the graph shows a line with a d-
intercept of 0.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d7bf55e1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: d7bf55e1

A movie theater sells two types of tickets, adult tickets for $12 and child tickets
for $8. If the theater sold 30 tickets for a total of $300, how much, in dollars, was
spent on adult tickets? (Disregard the $ sign when gridding your answer.)

ID: d7bf55e1 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 180. Let a be the number of adult tickets sold and c be the number of child tickets sold. Since the
theater sold a total of 30 tickets, a + c = 30. The price per adult ticket is $12, and the price per child ticket is $8. Since the
theater received a total of $300 for the 30 tickets sold, it follows that 12a + 8c = 300. To eliminate c, the first equation
can be multiplied by 8 and then subtracted from the second equation:

Because the question asks for the amount spent on adult tickets, which is 12a dollars, the resulting equation can be
multiplied by 3 to give 3(4a) = 3(60) = 180. Therefore, $180 was spent on adult tickets.

Alternate approach: If all the 30 tickets sold were child tickets, their total price would be 30($8) = $240. Since the actual
total price of the 30 tickets was $300, the extra $60 indicates that a certain number of adult tickets, a, were sold. Since
the price of each adult ticket is $4 more than each child ticket, 4a = 60, and it follows that 12a = 180.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c22b5f25
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: c22b5f25

In the xy-plane, the points and lie on the graph of

which of the following linear functions?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c22b5f25 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. A linear function can be written in the form , where m is the slope and b is the y-

coordinate of the y-intercept of the line. The slope of the graph can be found using the formula .

Substituting the values of the given points into this formula yields or , which simplifies to

. Only choice C shows an equation with this slope.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from computation errors or misinterpreting the given information.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID adb0c96c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: adb0c96c

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

ID: adb0c96c Answer

Correct Answer: 80

Rationale

The correct answer is 80. Subtracting the second equation in the given system from the first equation yields
24𝑥 + 𝑦 - 6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 48 - 72, which is equivalent to 24𝑥 - 6𝑥 + 𝑦 - 𝑦 = - 24, or 18𝑥 = - 24. Dividing each side of this equation by 3
yields 6𝑥 = - 8. Substituting -8 for 6𝑥 in the second equation yields -8 + 𝑦 = 72. Adding 8 to both sides of this equation
yields 𝑦 = 80.

Alternate approach: Multiplying each side of the second equation in the given system by 4 yields 24𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 288.
Subtracting the first equation in the given system from this equation yields 24𝑥 + 4𝑦 - 24𝑥 + 𝑦 = 288 - 48, which is
equivalent to 24𝑥 - 24𝑥 + 4𝑦 - 𝑦 = 240, or 3𝑦 = 240. Dividing each side of this equation by 3 yields 𝑦 = 80.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 79cf8505
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

one variable

ID: 79cf8505

A line segment that has a length of is divided into three parts. One part is long. The other
two parts have lengths that are equal to each other. What is the length, in , of one of the other two parts of equal
length?

ID: 79cf8505 Answer

Correct Answer: 34

Rationale

The correct answer is 34. It’s given that a line segment has a length of 115 cm and is divided into three parts, where one
part is 47 cm long and the other two parts have lengths that are equal. If 𝑥 represents the length, in cm, of each of the
two parts of equal length, then the equation 47 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 = 115, or 47 + 2𝑥 = 115, represents this situation. Subtracting 47
from each side of this equation yields 2𝑥 = 68. Dividing each side of this equation by 2 yields 𝑥 = 34. Therefore, the length,
in cm, of one of the two parts of equal length is 34.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c651cc56
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: c651cc56

Some values of the linear function f are shown in the table

above. What is the value of ?

A. 6

B. 7

C. 8

D. 9

ID: c651cc56 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A linear function has a constant rate of change, and any two rows of the table shown can be used to
calculate this rate. From the first row to the second, the value of x is increased by 2 and the value of is increased by
. So the values of increase by 3 for every increase by 1 in the value of x. Since , it follows that
. Therefore, .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the third x-value in the table, not . Choices C and D are incorrect and may result from
errors when calculating the function’s rate of change.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 16889ef3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 16889ef3

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.

ID: 16889ef3 Answer

Correct Answer: C

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 b00ad7f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: b00ad7f2

What is the solution to the given system of equations?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b00ad7f2 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Adding 9𝑥 to both sides of the first equation in the given system yields 𝑦 = 9𝑥 + 13. Substituting the
expression 9𝑥 + 13 for 𝑦 in the second equation in the given system yields 5𝑥 = 29𝑥 + 13. Distributing the 2 on the right-
hand side of this equation yields 5𝑥 = 18𝑥 + 26. Subtracting 18𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields -13𝑥 = 26. Dividing
both sides of this equation by -13 yields 𝑥 = - 2. Substituting -2 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 9𝑥 + 13 yields 𝑦 = 9-2 + 13, or
𝑦 = - 5. Therefore, the solution 𝑥, 𝑦 to the given system of equations is -2, - 5.

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 solution 𝑦, 𝑥, not 𝑥, 𝑦, to the given system of equations.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 50f4cb9c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 50f4cb9c

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 50f4cb9c Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 45a534d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 45a534d0

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

ID: 45a534d0 Answer

Correct Answer: -34

Rationale

The correct answer is -34. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines
represented by the equations in the xy-plane are distinct and parallel. Two lines represented by equations in standard
form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation. The first equation in the given system can be written
in standard form by subtracting 30𝑦 from both sides of the equation to yield 48𝑥 - 102𝑦 = 24. The second equation in the
given system can be written in standard form by adding 16𝑥 to both sides of the equation to yield 16𝑥 + 𝑟𝑦 = 16 . The
coefficient of 𝑥 in this second equation, 16, is 13 times the coefficient of 𝑥 in the first equation, 48. For the lines to be
parallel the coefficient of 𝑦 in the second equation, 𝑟, must also be 13 times the coefficient of 𝑦 in the first equation, -102.
Thus, 𝑟 = 13 ( - 102), or 𝑟 = - 34. Therefore, if the given system has no solution, the value of 𝑟 is -34.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2e0290c3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 2e0290c3

The graph shows the relationship between the number of shares of stock from Company A, , and the number of shares
of stock from Company B, , that Simone can purchase. Which equation could represent this relationship?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2e0290c3 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale

Choice B is correct. The graph shown is a line passing through the points 0, 40 and 60, 0. Since the relationship between 𝑥
and 𝑦 is linear, if two points on the graph make a linear equation true, then the equation represents the
relationship. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 40 for 𝑦 in the equation in choice B, 8𝑥 + 12𝑦 = 480, yields 80 + 1240 = 480, or
480 = 480, which is true. Substituting 60 for 𝑥 and 0 for 𝑦 in the equation 8𝑥 + 12𝑦 = 480 yields 860 + 120 = 480, or
480 = 480, which is true. Therefore, the equation 8𝑥 + 12𝑦 = 480 represents the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦.

Choice A is incorrect. The point 0, 40 is not on the graph of this equation, since 40 = 80 + 12, or 40 = 12, is not true.

Choice C is incorrect. The point 0, 40 is not on the graph of this equation, since 40 = 120 + 8, or 40 = 8, is not true.

Choice D is incorrect. The point 0, 40 is not on the graph of this equation, since 120 + 840 = 480, or 320 = 480, is not true.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c5082ce3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: c5082ce3

The score on a trivia game is obtained by subtracting the number of incorrect

answers from twice the number of correct answers. If a player answered
40 questions and obtained a score of 50, how many questions did the player
answer correctly?

ID: c5082ce3 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 30. Let x represent the number of correct answers from the player and y represent the number of
incorrect answers from the player. Since the player answered 40 questions in total, the equation represents
this situation. Also, since the score is found by subtracting the number of incorrect answers from twice the number of
correct answers and the player received a score of 50, the equation represents this situation. Adding the
equations in the system of two equations together yields . This can be rewritten as .
Finally, solving for x by dividing both sides of the equation by 3 yields .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1035faea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 1035faea

A psychologist set up an experiment to study the tendency of a person to select

the first item when presented with a series of items. In the experiment,
300 people were presented with a set of five pictures arranged in random order.
Each person was asked to choose the most appealing picture. Of the first
150 participants, 36 chose the first picture in the set. Among the remaining
150 participants, p people chose the first picture in the set. If more than 20% of
all participants chose the first picture in the set, which of the following
inequalities best describes the possible values of p ?

A. , where

B. , where

C. , where

D. , where

ID: 1035faea Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Of the first 150 participants, 36 chose the first picture in the set, and of the 150 remaining
participants, p chose the first picture in the set. Hence, the proportion of the participants who chose the first picture in

the set is . Since more than 20% of all the participants chose the first picture, it follows that .

This inequality can be rewritten as . Since p is a number of people among the remaining 150
participants, .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of some incorrect interpretations of the given information or of
computational errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 94b48cbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: 94b48cbf

The graph of in the -plane has an -intercept at and a -intercept at , where and are
constants. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 94b48cbf Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The x-coordinate 𝑎 of the x-intercept 𝑎, 0 can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑦 in the given equation,
which gives 7𝑥 + 20 = - 31, or 7𝑥 = - 31. Dividing both sides of this equation by 7 yields 𝑥 = - 31 7 . Therefore, the value of 𝑎
is - 7 . The y-coordinate 𝑏 of the y-intercept 0, 𝑏 can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the given equation, which gives
31

70 + 2𝑦 = - 31, or 2𝑦 = - 31. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = - 31

2 . Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is - 2 . It
31

- 31
follows that the value of 𝑏 is 2 , which is equivalent to 31 7 , or 72 .
𝑎
- 31 2 31
7

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 c17d9ba9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: c17d9ba9

A number is at most less than times the value of . If the value of is , what is the greatest possible value of ?

ID: c17d9ba9 Answer

Correct Answer: -2

Rationale

The correct answer is -2. It's given that a number 𝑥 is at most 17 less than 5 times the value of 𝑦, or 𝑥 ≤ 5𝑦 - 17.
Substituting 3 for 𝑦 in this inequality yields 𝑥 ≤ 53 - 17, or 𝑥 ≤ - 2. Thus, if the value of 𝑦 is 3, the greatest possible value of 𝑥
is -2.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c362c210
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: c362c210

The points plotted in the coordinate plane above represent the possible numbers
of wallflowers and cornflowers that someone can buy at the Garden Store in
order to spend exactly $24.00 total on the two types of flowers. The price of
each wallflower is the same and the price of each cornflower is the same. What
is the price, in dollars, of 1 cornflower?

ID: c362c210 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 1.5. The point corresponds to the situation where 16 cornflowers and 0 wallflowers are
purchased. Since the total spent on the two types of flowers is $24.00, it follows that the price of 16 cornflowers is
$24.00, and the price of one cornflower is $1.50. Note that 1.5 and 3/2 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ee7b1de1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: ee7b1de1

A small business owner budgets to purchase candles. The owner must purchase a minimum of candles to
maintain the discounted pricing. If the owner pays per candle to purchase small candles and per candle to
purchase large candles, what is the maximum number of large candles the owner can purchase to stay within the budget
and maintain the discounted pricing?

ID: ee7b1de1 Answer

Correct Answer: 182

Rationale

The correct answer is 182. Let 𝑠 represent the number of small candles the owner can purchase, and let 𝑙 represent the
number of large candles the owner can purchase. It’s given that the owner pays $ 4.90 per candle to purchase small
candles and $ 11.60 per candle to purchase large candles. Therefore, the owner pays 4.90𝑠 dollars for 𝑠 small candles
and 11.60𝑙 dollars for 𝑙 large candles, which means the owner pays a total of 4.90𝑠 + 11.60𝑙 dollars to purchase candles.
It’s given that the owner budgets $ 2,200 to purchase candles. Therefore, 4.90𝑠 + 11.60𝑙 ≤ 2,200. It’s also given that the
owner must purchase a minimum of 200 candles. Therefore, 𝑠 + 𝑙 ≥ 200. The inequalities 4.90𝑠 + 11.60𝑙 ≤ 2,200 and
𝑠 + 𝑙 ≥ 200 can be combined into one compound inequality by rewriting the second inequality so that its left-hand side is
equivalent to the left-hand side of the first inequality. Subtracting 𝑙 from both sides of the inequality 𝑠 + 𝑙 ≥ 200 yields
𝑠 ≥ 200 - 𝑙. Multiplying both sides of this inequality by 4.90 yields 4.90𝑠 ≥ 4.90200 - 𝑙, or 4.90𝑠 ≥ 980 - 4.90𝑙. Adding 11.60𝑙
to both sides of this inequality yields 4.90𝑠 + 11.60𝑙 ≥ 980 - 4 . 90𝑙 + 11 . 60𝑙, or 4.90𝑠 + 11.60𝑙 ≥ 980 + 6.70𝑙. This inequality
can be combined with the inequality 4.90𝑠 + 11.60𝑙 ≤ 2,200, which yields the compound inequality
980 + 6.70𝑙 ≤ 4.90𝑠 + 11.60𝑙 ≤ 2,200. It follows that 980 + 6.70𝑙 ≤ 2,200. Subtracting 980 from both sides of this inequality
yields 6.70𝑙 ≤ 2,200. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 6.70 yields approximately 𝑙 ≤ 182.09. Since the number of
large candles the owner purchases must be a whole number, the maximum number of large candles the owner can
purchase is the largest whole number less than 182.09, which is 182.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c307283c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in

two variables

ID: c307283c

What is an equation of the graph shown?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c307283c Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale

Choice C is correct. An equation of a line can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the line and 0, 𝑏 is
the y-intercept of the line. The line shown passes through the point 0, - 8, so 𝑏 = - 8. The line shown also passes through
the point -8, 0. The slope, 𝑚, of a line passing through two points 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 can be calculated using the equation
1 2
𝑦 -𝑦
𝑚 = 𝑥22 - 𝑥11 . For the points 0, - 8 and -8, 0, this gives 𝑚 = -8 - 0 , or 𝑚 = - 1. Substituting -8 for 𝑏 and -1 for 𝑚 in 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
0 - -8
𝑦 = -1𝑥 + -8, or 𝑦 = - 𝑥 - 8. Therefore, an equation of the graph shown is 𝑦 = - 𝑥 - 8.

Choice A is incorrect. This is an equation of a line with a slope of -2, not -1.

Choice B is incorrect. This is an equation of a line with a slope of 1, not -1.

Choice D is incorrect. This is an equation of a line with a slope of 2, not -1.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a0489274
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two

linear equations in
two variables

ID: a0489274

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a0489274 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given by the first equation in the system that 𝑦 = - 15 𝑥. Substituting - 15 𝑥 for 𝑦 in the second equation
in the system, 𝑦 = 17 𝑥, yields - 15 𝑥 = 17 𝑥. Adding - 15 𝑥 to both sides of this equation yields 0 = 17 𝑥 + 15 𝑥, which is equivalent to
5 𝑥 + 7 𝑥, or 0 = 12 𝑥. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 35 yields 0 = 𝑥. Therefore, the value of 𝑥 is 0.
0 = 35 35 35 12

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: Medium

Question ID 80da233d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities

in one or two
variables

ID: 80da233d

A certain elephant weighs 200 pounds at birth and gains more than 2 but less
than 3 pounds per day during its first year. Which of the following inequalities
represents all possible weights w, in pounds, for the elephant 365 days after
birth?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 80da233d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the elephant weighs 200 pounds at birth and gains more than 2 pounds but less than 3
pounds per day during its first year. The inequality represents this situation, where d is the
number of days after birth. Substituting 365 for d in the inequality gives , or
.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving the inequality . Choice B is incorrect and may
result from solving the inequality for a weight range of more than 1 pound but less than 2 pounds:
. Choice C is incorrect and may result from calculating the possible weight gained by
the elephant during the first year without adding the 200 pounds the elephant weighed at birth.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 271f7e3f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions

ID: 271f7e3f

For the function f defined above, what is the

value of ?

A. 1

B. 2

C.

D.

ID: 271f7e3f Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The value of can be calculated by finding the values of and . The value of

can be found by substituting 9 for x in the given function: . This equation can be rewritten as

, or 4. Then, the value of can be found by substituting 1 for x in the given function: . This equation

can be rewritten as , or 2. Therefore, , which is equivalent to 2.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from incorrectly substituting values of x in the given function or making
computational errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium