Question ID 310c87fe

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 310c87fe
A cube has a surface area of 54 square meters. What is the
volume, in cubic meters, of the cube?

A. 18

B. 27

C. 36

D. 81

ID: 310c87fe Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The surface area of a cube with side length s is equal to . Since the surface area is given as 54

square meters, the equation can be used to solve for s. Dividing both sides of the equation by 6 yields .
Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields and . Since the side length of a cube must be a
positive value, can be discarded as a possible solution, leaving . The volume of a cube with side length s is

equal to . Therefore, the volume of this cube, in cubic meters, is , or 27.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 459dd6c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 459dd6c5
Triangles and are similar. Each side length of triangle is times the corresponding side length of
triangle . The area of triangle is square inches. What is the area, in square inches, of triangle ?

ID: 459dd6c5 Answer

Correct Answer: 135/8, 16.87, 16.88
Rationale
135
The correct answer is . It's given that triangles ABC and DEF are similar and each side length of triangle ABC is 4
8
times the corresponding side length of triangle DEF. For two similar triangles, if each side length of the first triangle is 𝑘
times the corresponding side length of the second triangle, then the area of the first triangle is 𝑘2 times the area of the
second triangle. Therefore, the area of triangle ABC is 42 , or 16, times the area of triangle DEF. It's given that the area of
triangle ABC is 270 square inches. Let 𝑎 represent the area, in square inches, of triangle DEF. It follows that 270 is 16
270
times 𝑎, or 270 = 16𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 16 yields
16
= 𝑎, which is equivalent to 135 = 𝑎. Thus, the
8
135
area, in square inches, of triangle DEF is . Note that 135/8, 16.87, and 16.88 are examples of ways to enter a correct
8
answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 306264ab
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 306264ab
A right triangle has sides of length , , and units. What is the area of the triangle, in square units?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 306264ab Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
1
Choice B is correct. The area, 𝐴, of a triangle can be found using the formula 𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 is the length of the base of
2
the triangle and ℎ is the height of the triangle. It's given that the triangle is a right triangle. Therefore, its base and height
can be represented by the two legs. It’s also given that the triangle has sides of length 2√2 , 6√2 , and √80 units. Since
√80 units is the greatest of these lengths, it's the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, the two legs have lengths 2√2
1 1
and 6√2 units. Substituting these values for 𝑏 and ℎ in the formula 𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ gives 𝐴 = 2√2 6√2 , which is equivalent to
2 2
𝐴 = 6√4 square units, or 𝐴 = 12 square units.

Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the perimeter, rather than the area, of the triangle.

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 099526fc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 099526fc

The line segment shown in the xy-plane represents one of the legs of a right triangle. The area of this triangle is
square units. What is the length, in units, of the other leg of this triangle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 099526fc Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The length of a segment in the xy-plane can be found using the distance formula, √𝑥2 - 𝑥12 + 𝑦2 - 𝑦12 ,
where 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 are the endpoints of the segment. The segment shown has endpoints at -6, 4 and 3, 10. Substituting
-6, 4 and 3, 10 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the distance formula yields √3 - -62 + 10 - 42 , or √92 + 62 , which is
equivalent to √81 + 36 , or √117 . Let 𝑥 represent the length, in units, of the other leg of this triangle. The area, 𝐴, of a
1
right triangle can be calculated using the formula 𝐴 = 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 and ℎ are the lengths of the legs of the triangle. It's
2
given that the area of the triangle is 36√13 square units. Substituting 36√13 for 𝐴, √117 for 𝑏, and 𝑥 for ℎ in the formula
1 1
𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ yields 36√13 = 2 √117 𝑥. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 2 yields 72√13 = 𝑥√117 . Dividing both
72√13
sides of this equation by √117 yields = 𝑥. Multiplying the numerator and denominator on the left-hand side of this
√ 117
72√1,521 7239 2,808
equation by √117 yields = 𝑥, or = 𝑥, which is equivalent to = 𝑥, or 24 = 𝑥. Therefore, the length, in units,
117 117 117
of the other leg of this triangle is 24.

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

Choice C is incorrect. 3√13 is equivalent to √117 , which is the length, in units, of the line segment shown in the xy-
plane, not the length, in units, of the other leg of the triangle.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f7e626b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: f7e626b2
The dimensions of a right rectangular prism are 4 inches by 5 inches by
6 inches. What is the surface area, in square inches, of the prism?

A. 30

B. 74

C. 120

D. 148

ID: f7e626b2 Answer

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The surface area is found by summing the area of each face. A right rectangular prism consists of
three pairs of congruent rectangles, so the surface area is found by multiplying the areas of three adjacent rectangles by
2 and adding these products. For this prism, the surface area is equal to , or
, which is equal to 148.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the area of one of the faces of the prism. Choice B is incorrect and may result from adding
the areas of three adjacent rectangles without multiplying by 2. Choice C is incorrect. This is the volume, in cubic inches,
of the prism.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f329442c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: f329442c
Circle has a radius of and circle has a radius of , where is a positive constant. The area of circle is
how many times the area of circle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f329442c Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The area of a circle can be found by using the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 , where 𝐴 is the area and 𝑟 is the radius
A
of the circle. It’s given that the radius of circle is 3𝑛. Substituting this value for 𝑟 into the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 gives 𝐴 = 𝜋3𝑛2
B
, or 9𝜋𝑛2 . It’s also given that the radius of circle is 129𝑛. Substituting this value for 𝑟 into the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 gives
B A
𝐴 = 𝜋129𝑛2 , or 16,641𝜋𝑛2 . Dividing the area of circle by the area of circle gives
16,641𝜋𝑛2
, which simplifies to 1,849.
B A
9𝜋𝑛2
Therefore, the area of circle is 1,849 times the area of circle .

Choice A is incorrect. This is how many times greater the radius of circle B is than the radius of circle A.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the coefficient on the term that describes the radius of circle . B
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID eb70d2d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: eb70d2d0

What is the area, in square units, of the triangle formed by connecting the three points shown?

ID: eb70d2d0 Answer

Correct Answer: 24.5, 49/2
Rationale
The correct answer is 24.5. It's given that a triangle is formed by connecting the three points shown, which are -3, 4, 5, 3,
and 4, - 3. Let this triangle be triangle A. The area of triangle A can be found by calculating the area of the rectangle that
circumscribes it and subtracting the areas of the three triangles that are inside the rectangle but outside triangle A. The
rectangle formed by the points -3, 4, 5, 4, 5, - 3, and -3, - 3 circumscribes triangle A. The width, in units, of this rectangle
can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and 5, - 3. This distance is 4 - -3, or 7. The length, in units,
of this rectangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and -3, 4. This distance is 5 - -3, or 8. It
follows that the area, in square units, of the rectangle is 78, or 56. One of the triangles that lies inside the rectangle but
outside triangle A is formed by the points -3, 4, 5, 4, and 5, 3. The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be found by
calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and 5, 3. This distance is 4 - 3, or 1. The corresponding height, in units, of
this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and -3, 4. This distance is 5 - -3, or 8. It
1
follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle is
2
81, or 4. A second triangle that lies inside the rectangle but
outside triangle A is formed by the points 4, - 3, 5, 3, and 5, - 3. The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be found
by calculating the distance between the points 5, 3 and 5, - 3. This distance is 3 - -3 , or 6. The corresponding height, in
units, of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, - 3 and 4, - 3. This distance is 5 - 4, or
1. It follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle is 1 16, or 3. The third triangle that lies inside the rectangle but
2
outside triangle A is formed by the points -3, 4, -3, - 3, and 4, - 3. The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be
found by calculating the distance between the points 4, - 3 and -3, - 3. This distance is 4 - -3, or 7. The corresponding
height, in units, of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points -3, 4 and -3, - 3. This distance
1
is 4 - -3, or 7. It follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle is 77, or 24.5. Thus, the area, in square units, of the
2
triangle formed by connecting the three points shown is 56 - 4 - 3 - 24.5, or 24.5. Note that 24.5 and 49/2 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 93de3f84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 93de3f84
The volume of right circular cylinder A is 22 cubic centimeters. What is the
volume, in cubic centimeters, of a right circular cylinder with twice the radius and
half the height of cylinder A?

A. 11

B. 22

C. 44

D. 66

ID: 93de3f84 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The volume of right circular cylinder A is given by the expression , where r is the radius of its
circular base and h is its height. The volume of a cylinder with twice the radius and half the height of cylinder A is given

by , which is equivalent to . Therefore, the volume is twice the volume of cylinder A,

or .

Choice A is incorrect and likely results from not multiplying the radius of cylinder A by 2. Choice B is incorrect and likely
results from not squaring the 2 in 2r when applying the volume formula. Choice D is incorrect and likely results from a
conceptual error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1be8b6b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 1be8b6b2
A right circular cone has a volume of cubic centimeters and the area of its base is square centimeters.
What is the slant height, in centimeters, of this cone?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1be8b6b2 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
1 2
Choice D is correct. The volume, 𝑉, of a right circular cone is given by the formula 𝑉 =
3
𝜋𝑟 ℎ, where 𝜋𝑟2 is the area of the
circular base of the cone and ℎ is the height. It’s given that this right circular cone has a volume of 71,148𝜋 cubic
centimeters and the area of its base is 5,929𝜋 square centimeters. Substituting 71,148𝜋 for 𝑉 and 5,929𝜋 for 𝜋𝑟2 in the
1 2
formula 𝑉 =
3
𝜋𝑟 ℎ yields 71,148𝜋 = 13 5,929𝜋ℎ. Dividing each side of this equation by 5,929𝜋 yields 12 = ℎ3 . Multiplying each
side of this equation by 3 yields 36 = ℎ. Let 𝑠 represent the slant height, in centimeters, of this cone. A right triangle is
formed by the radius, 𝑟, height, ℎ, and slant height, 𝑠, of this cone, where 𝑟 and ℎ are the legs of the triangle and 𝑠 is the
2
hypotenuse. Using the Pythagorean theorem, the equation 𝑟2 + ℎ = 𝑠2 represents this relationship. Because 5,929𝜋 is the
area of the base and the area of the base is 𝜋𝑟2 , it follows that 5,929𝜋 = 𝜋𝑟2 . Dividing both sides of this equation by 𝜋
2
yields 5,929 = 𝑟2 . Substituting 5,929 for 𝑟2 and 36 for ℎ in the equation 𝑟2 + ℎ = 𝑠2 yields 5,929 + 362 = 𝑠2 , which is
equivalent to 5,929 + 1,296 = 𝑠2 , or 7,225 = 𝑠2 . Taking the positive square root of both sides of this equation yields 85 = 𝑠.
Therefore, the slant height of the cone is 85 centimeters.

Choice A is incorrect. This is one-third of the height, in centimeters, not the slant height, in centimeters, of this cone.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the height, in centimeters, not the slant height, in centimeters, of this cone.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the radius, in centimeters, of the base, not the slant height, in centimeters, of this cone.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID dc71597b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: dc71597b
A right circular cone has a volume of cubic feet and a height of 9 feet.
What is the radius, in feet, of the base of the cone?

A.

B.

C.

D. 3

ID: dc71597b Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The equation for the volume of a right circular cone is . It’s given that the volume of the

right circular cone is cubic feet and the height is 9 feet. Substituting these values for V and h, respectively, gives

. Dividing both sides of the equation by gives . Dividing both sides of the equation by 9

gives . Taking the square root of both sides results in two possible values for the radius, or .

Since the radius can’t have a negative value, that leaves as the only possibility. Applying the quotient property of

square roots, , results in , or .

Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly evaluating . Choice D is incorrect and may result

from solving instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f243c383
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: f243c383
Two identical rectangular prisms each have a height of . The base of each prism is a square, and
the surface area of each prism is . If the prisms are glued together along a square base, the resulting prism has a
surface area of . What is the side length, in , of each square base?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f243c383 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let 𝑥 represent the side length, in cm, of each square base. If the two prisms are glued together along
a square base, the resulting prism has a surface area equal to twice the surface area of one of the prisms, minus the area
of the two square bases that are being glued together, which yields 2𝐾 - 2𝑥2 cm2 . It’s given that this resulting surface
92 92 92 92
area is equal to 𝐾 cm2 , so 2𝐾 - 2𝑥2 = 𝐾. Subtracting 𝐾 from both sides of this equation yields 2𝐾 - 𝐾 - 2𝑥2 = 0. This
47 47 47 47
47 94 92
equation can be rewritten by multiplying 2𝐾 on the left-hand side by
47 47 47
= 0, or 472 𝐾 - 2𝑥2 = 0.
, which yields 𝐾 - 𝐾 - 2𝑥2
2 47
Adding 2𝑥2 to both sides of this equation yields 𝐾 = 2𝑥2 . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields 𝐾 = 47𝑥2 .
47 2
The surface area 𝐾, in cm2 , of each rectangular prism is equivalent to the sum of the areas of the two square bases and
the areas of the four lateral faces. Since the height of each rectangular prism is 90 cm and the side length of each
square base is 𝑥 cm, it follows that the area of each square base is 𝑥2 cm2 and the area of each lateral face is 90𝑥 cm2
. Therefore, the surface area of each rectangular prism can be represented by the expression 2𝑥2 + 490𝑥, or 2𝑥2 + 360𝑥.
Substituting this expression for 𝐾 in the equation 𝐾 = 47𝑥2 yields 2𝑥2 + 360𝑥 = 47𝑥2 . Subtracting 2𝑥2 and 360𝑥 from both
sides of this equation yields 0 = 45𝑥2 - 360𝑥. Factoring 𝑥 from the right-hand side of this equation yields 0 = 𝑥45𝑥 - 360.
Applying the zero product property, it follows that 𝑥 = 0 and 45𝑥 - 360 = 0. Adding 360 to both sides of the equation
45𝑥 - 360 = 0 yields 45𝑥 = 360. Dividing both sides of this equation by 45 yields 𝑥 = 8. Since a side length of a rectangular
prism can’t be 0, the length of each square base is 8 cm.

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 9f934297
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 9f934297
A right rectangular prism has a length of , a width of , and a height of . What is the
surface area, , of the right rectangular prism?

ID: 9f934297 Answer

Correct Answer: 2216
Rationale
The correct answer is 2,216. The surface area of a prism is the sum of the areas of all its faces. A right rectangular prism
consists of six rectangular faces, where opposite faces are congruent. It's given that this prism has a length of 28 cm, a
width of 15 cm, and a height of 16 cm. Thus, for this prism, there are two faces with area 2815 cm2 , two faces with area
2816 cm2 , and two faces with area 1516
cm2 . Therefore, the surface area, in cm2 , of the right rectangular prism is
22815 + 22816 + 21516, or 2,216.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5b2b8866
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 5b2b8866
A rectangular poster has an area of square inches. A copy of the poster is made in which the length and width of the
original poster are each increased by . What is the area of the copy, in square inches?

ID: 5b2b8866 Answer

Correct Answer: 2592/5, 518.4
Rationale
The correct answer is 518.4. It's given that the area of the original poster is 360 square inches. Let 𝑙 represent the length,
in inches, of the original poster, and let 𝑤 represent the width, in inches, of the original poster. Since the area of a
rectangle is equal to its length times its width, it follows that 360 = 𝑙𝑤. It's also given that a copy of the poster is made in
which the length and width of the original poster are each increased by 20%. It follows that the length of the copy is the
20
length of the original poster plus 20% of the length of the original poster, which is equivalent to 𝑙 + 𝑙 inches. This length
100
can be rewritten as 𝑙 + 0.2𝑙 inches, or 1.2𝑙 inches. Similarly, the width of the copy is the width of the original poster plus
20
20% of the width of the original poster, which is equivalent to 𝑤 + 100 𝑤 inches. This width can be rewritten as 𝑤 + 0.2𝑤
inches, or 1.2𝑤 inches. Since the area of a rectangle is equal to its length times its width, it follows that the area, in
square inches, of the copy is equal to 1.2𝑙1.2𝑤, which can be rewritten as 1.21.2𝑙𝑤. Since 360 = 𝑙𝑤, the area, in square
inches, of the copy can be found by substituting 360 for 𝑙𝑤 in the expression 1.21.2𝑙𝑤, which yields 1.21.2360, or 518.4.
Therefore, the area of the copy, in square inches, is 518.4.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8c1aa743
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 8c1aa743
Rectangles and are similar. The length of each side of is times the length of the
corresponding side of . The area of is square units. What is the area, in square units, of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8c1aa743 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The area of a rectangle is given by 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 is the length of the base of the rectangle and ℎ is its
height. Let 𝑥 represent the length, in units, of the base of rectangle ABCD, and let 𝑦 represent its height, in units.
Substituting 𝑥 for 𝑏 and 𝑦 for ℎ in the formula 𝑏ℎ yields 𝑥𝑦. Therefore, the area, in square units, of ABCD can be
represented by the expression 𝑥𝑦. It’s given that the length of each side of EFGH is 6 times the length of the
corresponding side of ABCD. Therefore, the length, in units, of the base of EFGH can be represented by the expression
6𝑥, and its height, in units, can be represented by the expression 6𝑦. Substituting 6𝑥 for 𝑏 and 6𝑦 for ℎ in the formula 𝑏ℎ
yields 6𝑥6𝑦, which is equivalent to 36𝑥𝑦. Therefore, the area, in square units, of EFGH can be represented by the
expression 36𝑥𝑦. It’s given that the area of ABCD is 54 square units. Since 𝑥𝑦 represents the area, in square units, of
ABCD, substituting 54 for 𝑥𝑦 in the expression 36𝑥𝑦 yields 3654, or 1,944. Therefore, the area, in square units, of EFGH is
1,944.
1
Choice A is incorrect. This is the area of a rectangle where the length of each side of the rectangle is √ , not 6, times the
6
length of the corresponding side of ABCD.

2
Choice B is incorrect. This is the area of a rectangle where the length of each side of the rectangle is √ , not 6, times the
3
length of the corresponding side of ABCD.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the area of a rectangle where the length of each side of the rectangle is √6 , not 6, times the
length of the corresponding side of ABCD.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b0dc920d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: b0dc920d
A manufacturer determined that right cylindrical containers with a height that is
4 inches longer than the radius offer the optimal number of containers to be
V
displayed on a shelf. Which of the following expresses the volume, , in cubic
r
inches, of such containers, where is the radius, in inches?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b0dc920d Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The volume, V, of a right cylinder is given by the formula , where r represents the radius of
the base of the cylinder and h represents the height. Since the height is 4 inches longer than the radius, the expression
represents the height of each cylindrical container. It follows that the volume of each container is represented by

the equation . Distributing the expression into each term in the parentheses yields .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from representing the height as instead of . Choice B is incorrect and may
result from representing the height as instead of . Choice C is incorrect and may result from representing the

volume of a right cylinder as instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 899c6042
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 899c6042
A right circular cone has a height of and a base with a diameter of . The volume of this cone
is . What is the value of ?

ID: 899c6042 Answer

Correct Answer: 66
Rationale
The correct answer is 66. It’s given that the right circular cone has a height of 22 centimeters cm and a base with a
diameter of 6 cm. Since the diameter of the base of the cone is 6 cm, the radius of the base is 3 cm. The volume 𝑉,
in cm3 , of a right circular cone can be found using the formula 𝑉 = 13 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ, where ℎ is the height, in cm, and 𝑟 is the
1
radius, in cm, of the base of the cone. Substituting 22 for ℎ and 3 for 𝑟 in this formula yields 𝑉 = 𝜋32 22, or 𝑉 = 66𝜋.
3
Therefore, the volume of the cone is 66𝜋 cm3 . It’s given that the volume of the cone is 𝑛𝜋 cm3 . Therefore, the value of 𝑛
is 66.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ba8ca563
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: ba8ca563
A cube has a volume of cubic units. What is the surface area, in square units, of the cube?

ID: ba8ca563 Answer

Correct Answer: 36504
Rationale
The correct answer is 36,504. The volume of a cube can be found using the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠3 , where 𝑠 represents the edge
length of a cube. It’s given that this cube has a volume of 474,552 cubic units. Substituting 474,552 for 𝑉 in 𝑉 = 𝑠3 yields
474,552 = 𝑠3 . Taking the cube root of both sides of this equation yields 78 = 𝑠. Thus, the edge length of the cube is 78
units. Since each face of a cube is a square, it follows that each face has an edge length of 78 units. The area of a square
can be found using the formula 𝐴 = 𝑠2 . Substituting 78 for 𝑠 in this formula yields 𝐴 = 782 , or 𝐴 = 6,084. Therefore, the
area of one face of this cube is 6,084 square units. Since a cube has 6 faces, the surface area, in square units, of this
cube is 66,084, or 36,504.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9fec9d49
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 9fec9d49
The floor of a ballroom has an area of square meters. An architect creates a scale model of the floor of the ballroom,
where the length of each side of the model is times the length of the corresponding side of the actual floor of the
ballroom. What is the area, in square meters, of the scale model?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9fec9d49 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
1
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the length of each side of a scale model is times the length of the corresponding
10
12 1
side of the actual floor of a ballroom. Therefore, the area of the scale model is , or , times the area of the actual floor
10 100
of the ballroom. It’s given that the area of the floor of the ballroom is 600 square meters. Therefore, the area, in square
1
meters, of the scale model is
100
600, or 6.

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 a07ed090
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: a07ed090

The figure shown is a right circular cylinder with a radius of and height of . A second right circular cylinder (not
shown) has a volume that is times as large as the volume of the cylinder shown. Which of the following could
represent the radius , in terms of , and the height , in terms of , of the second cylinder?

A. and

B. and

C. and

D. and

ID: a07ed090 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The volume of a right circular cylinder is equal to 𝜋𝑎2 𝑏, where 𝑎 is the radius of a base of the cylinder
and 𝑏 is the height of the cylinder. It’s given that the cylinder shown has a radius of 𝑟 and a height of ℎ. It follows that the
volume of the cylinder shown is equal to 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. It’s given that the second right circular cylinder has a radius of 𝑅 and a
height of 𝐻. It follows that the volume of the second cylinder is equal to 𝜋𝑅2 𝐻. Choice C gives 𝑅 = 7𝑟 and 𝐻 = 8ℎ.
Substituting 7𝑟 for 𝑅 and 8ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second cylinder yields 𝜋7𝑟2 8ℎ, or
𝜋49𝑟2 8ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋392𝑟2 ℎ, or 392𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to 392 times the volume of the cylinder
shown, 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. Therefore, 𝑅 = 7𝑟 and 𝐻 = 8ℎ could represent the radius 𝑅, in terms of 𝑟, and the height 𝐻, in terms of ℎ, of
the second cylinder.

Choice A is incorrect. Substituting 8𝑟 for 𝑅 and 7ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second
cylinder yields 𝜋8𝑟2 7ℎ, or 𝜋64𝑟2 7ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋448𝑟2 ℎ, or 448𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to 448, not 392,
times the volume of the cylinder shown.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting 8𝑟 for 𝑅 and 49ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second
cylinder yields 𝜋8𝑟2 49ℎ, or 𝜋64𝑟2 49ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋3,136𝑟2 ℎ, or 3,136𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to 3,136, not
392, times the volume of the cylinder shown.

Choice D is incorrect. Substituting 49𝑟 for 𝑅 and 8ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second
cylinder yields 𝜋49𝑟2 8ℎ, or 𝜋2,401𝑟2 8ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋19,208𝑟2 ℎ, or 19,208𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to 19,208,
not 392, times the volume of the cylinder shown.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9966235e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 9966235e
A cube has an edge length of inches. A solid sphere with a radius of inches is inside the cube, such that the sphere
touches the center of each face of the cube. To the nearest cubic inch, what is the volume of the space in the cube not
taken up by the sphere?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9966235e Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The volume of a cube can be found by using the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠3 , where 𝑉 is the volume and 𝑠 is the
edge length of the cube. Therefore, the volume of the given cube is 𝑉 = 683 , or 314,432 cubic inches. The volume of a
4
sphere can be found by using the formula 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟3 , where 𝑉 is the volume and 𝑟 is the radius of the sphere. Therefore,
3
4 3
the volume of the given sphere is 𝑉 = 𝜋34 , or approximately 164,636 cubic inches. The volume of the space in the cube
3
not taken up by the sphere is the difference between the volume of the cube and volume of the sphere. Subtracting the
approximate volume of the sphere from the volume of the cube gives 314,432 - 164,636 = 149,796 cubic inches.

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 983412ea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: 983412ea
A right square prism has a height of units. The volume of the prism is cubic units. What is the length, in units, of
an edge of the base?

ID: 983412ea Answer

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e5c57163
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume
Trigonometry
ID: e5c57163
Square A has side lengths that are times the side lengths of square B. The area of square A is times the area of
square B. What is the value of ?

ID: e5c57163 Answer

Correct Answer: 27556
Rationale
The correct answer is 27,556. The area of a square is 𝑠2 , where 𝑠 is the side length of the square. Let 𝑥 represent the
length of each side of square B. Substituting 𝑥 for 𝑠 in 𝑠2 yields 𝑥2 . It follows that the area of square B is 𝑥2 . It’s given that
square A has side lengths that are 166 times the side lengths of square B. Since 𝑥 represents the length of each side of
square B, the length of each side of square A can be represented by the expression 166𝑥. It follows that the area of
square A is 166𝑥2 , or 27,556𝑥2 . It’s given that the area of square A is 𝑘 times the area of square B. Since the area of square
A is equal to 27,556𝑥2 , and the area of square B is equal to 𝑥2 , an equation representing the given statement is
27,556𝑥2 = 𝑘𝑥2 . Since 𝑥 represents the length of each side of square B, the value of 𝑥 must be positive. Therefore, the
value of 𝑥2 is also positive, so it does not equal 0. Dividing by 𝑥2 on both sides of the equation 27,556𝑥2 = 𝑘𝑥2 yields
27,556 = 𝑘. Therefore, the value of 𝑘 is 27,556.

Question Difficulty: Hard