Question ID 301faf80

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 301faf80

The product of two positive integers is . If the first integer is greater than twice the second integer, what is the
smaller of the two integers?

ID: 301faf80 Answer

Correct Answer: 14

Rationale
The correct answer is 14. Let 𝑥 represent the first integer and 𝑦 represent the second integer. If the first integer is 5
greater than twice the second integer, then 𝑥 = 2𝑦 + 5. It's given that the product of the two integers is 462; therefore
𝑥𝑦 = 462. Substituting 2𝑦 + 5 for 𝑥 in this equation yields ( 2𝑦 + 5 ) ( 𝑦 ) = 462, which can be written as 2𝑦2 + 5𝑦 = 462
. Subtracting 462 from each side of this equation yields 2𝑦2 + 5𝑦 - 462 = 0. The left-hand side of this equation can be
factored by finding two values whose product is 2 ( - 462 ) , or -924, and whose sum is 5. The two values whose product
is -924 and whose sum is 5 are 33 and -28. Thus, the equation 2𝑦2 + 5𝑦 - 462 = 0 can be rewritten as
2𝑦2 - 28𝑦 + 33𝑦 - 462 = 0, which is equivalent to 2𝑦 ( 𝑦 - 14 ) + 33 ( 𝑦 - 14 ) = 0, or ( 2𝑦 + 33 ) ( 𝑦 - 14 ) = 0. By the zero
product property, it follows that 2𝑦 + 33 = 0 or 𝑦 - 14 = 0. Subtracting 33 from both sides of the equation 2𝑦 + 33 = 0
33
yields 2𝑦 = - 33. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = - 2 . Since 𝑦 is a positive integer, the value of 𝑦 isn't
33
- 2 . Adding 14 to both sides of the equation 𝑦 - 14 = 0 yields 𝑦 = 14. Substituting 14 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑥𝑦 = 462
yields 𝑥 ( 14 ) = 462. Dividing both sides of this equation by 14 yields 𝑥 = 33. Therefore, the two integers are 14 and 33,
so the smaller of the two integers is 14.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 02060533
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 02060533

The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where and is a linear
function. What is the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 02060533 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
𝑓𝑥
Choice A is correct. It's given that the table shows values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑔𝑥, where 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥+3
. It's
also given that 𝑓 is a linear function. It follows that an equation that defines 𝑓 can be written in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏,
where 𝑚 represents the slope and 𝑏 represents the y-coordinate of the y-intercept 0, 𝑏 of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-
plane. The slope of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 can be found using two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , that are on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥,
𝑦 -𝑦
and the formula 𝑚 = 𝑥2 - 𝑥1 . Since the table shows values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑔𝑥, substituting values
2 1
𝑓𝑥
of 𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥+3
can be used to define function 𝑓. Using the first pair of values from the table,
𝑓-27 𝑓-27
𝑥 = - 27 and 𝑔𝑥 = 3, yields 3 = , or 3 = -24 . Multiplying each side of this equation by -24 yields -72 = 𝑓-27, so the
-27 + 3
point -27, - 72 is on the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥. Using the second pair of values from the table, 𝑥 = - 9 and 𝑔𝑥 = 0, yields
𝑓-9 𝑓-9
0= -9 + 3
, or 0 = -6
. Multiplying each side of this equation by -6 yields 0 = 𝑓-9, so the point -9, 0 is on the graph of
𝑦2 - 𝑦1 0 - -72
𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥. Substituting -27, - 72 and -9, 0 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in the formula 𝑚 = 𝑥2 - 𝑥1
yields 𝑚 =
-9 - -27
, or
𝑚 = 4. Substituting 4 for 𝑚 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 𝑏. Since 0 = 𝑓-9, substituting -9 for 𝑥 and 0 for
𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 0 = 4-9 + 𝑏, or 0 = - 36 + 𝑏. Adding 36 to both sides of this equation yields 36 = 𝑏
. It follows that 36 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept 0, 𝑏 of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥. Therefore, the y-intercept of the
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is 0, 36.

Choice B is incorrect. 12 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥.

Choice C is incorrect. 4 is the slope of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥.

Choice D is incorrect. -9 is the x-coordinate of the x-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥.

Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 91e7ea5e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 91e7ea5e

The quadratic function h is defined as shown. In the xy-plane, the graph of

intersects the x-axis at the points and , where t is a
constant. What is the value of t ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 4

D. 8

ID: 91e7ea5e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the graph of intersects the x-axis at and , where t is a constant.
Since this graph intersects the x-axis when or when , it follows that and . If ,

then . Adding 32 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this

equation by 2 yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields . Adding 4 to
both sides of this equation yields . Therefore, the value of t is 8.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 358f18bc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 358f18bc

What is the minimum value of the given function?

ID: 358f18bc Answer

Correct Answer: 1728

Rationale
The correct answer is 1,728. The given function can be rewritten in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎 is a positive
constant and the minimum value, 𝑘, of the function occurs when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. By completing the square,
48 2 48 2 2
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 - 48𝑥 + 2,304 can be written as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 - 48𝑥 + 2
+ 2,304 - 2
, or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 24 + 1,728. This equation is in the
form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎 = 1, ℎ = 24, and 𝑘 = 1,728. Therefore, the minimum value of the given function is 1,728.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3a9d60b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3a9d60b2

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

ID: 3a9d60b2 Answer

Correct Answer: 9

Rationale
The correct answer is 9. The given equation can be rewritten as 54 - 𝑥 = 25. Dividing each side of this equation by 5
yields 4 - 𝑥 = 5. By the definition of absolute value, if 4 - 𝑥 = 5, then 4 - 𝑥 = 5 or 4 - 𝑥 = - 5. Subtracting 4 from each side
of the equation 4 - 𝑥 = 5 yields -𝑥 = 1. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 𝑥 = - 1. Similarly, subtracting 4
from each side of the equation 4 - 𝑥 = - 5 yields -𝑥 = - 9. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 𝑥 = 9.
Therefore, since the two solutions to the given equation are -1 and 9, the positive solution to the given equation is 9.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8490cc45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 8490cc45

The function is defined by . What is the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8490cc45 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occurs at the point on the graph where 𝑥 = 0.
In other words, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in
0
the given equation yields 𝑓0 = -82 + 22, which is equivalent to 𝑓0 = -81 + 22, or 𝑓0 = 14. Thus, when 𝑥 = 0, the
corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is 14. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, 14.

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. This could be the y-intercept for 𝑓𝑥 = -82𝑥 , not 𝑓𝑥 = -82𝑥 + 22.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ba0edc30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ba0edc30

One solution to the given equation can be written as , where is a constant. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ba0edc30 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Adding 9 to each side of the given equation yields 𝑥2 - 2𝑥 = 9. To complete the square, adding 1 to
each side of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 2𝑥 + 1 = 9 + 1, or 𝑥 - 12 = 10. Taking the square root of each side of this equation
yields 𝑥 - 1 = ± √10 . Adding 1 to each side of this equation yields 𝑥 = 1 ± √10 . Since it's given that one of the solutions
to the equation can be written as 1 + √𝑘 , the value of 𝑘 must be 10.

Alternate approach: It's given that 1 + √𝑘 is a solution to the given equation. It follows that 𝑥 = 1 + √𝑘 . Substituting
2
1 + √𝑘 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 1 + √𝑘 - 21 + √𝑘 - 9 = 0, or 1 + √𝑘 1 + √𝑘 - 21 + √𝑘 - 9 = 0. Expanding the
products on the left-hand side of this equation yields 1 + 2√𝑘 + 𝑘 - 2 - 2√𝑘 - 9 = 0, or 𝑘 - 10 = 0. Adding 10 to each side
of this equation yields 𝑘 = 10.

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 fc3d783a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fc3d783a

In the -plane, a line with equation intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the parabola has equation
, where is a positive constant, what is the value of ?

ID: fc3d783a Answer

Correct Answer: 6

Rationale
The correct answer is 6. It’s given that a line with equation 2𝑦 = 4 . 5 intersects a parabola with equation 𝑦 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥,
where 𝑏 is a positive constant, at exactly one point in the xy-plane. It follows that the system of equations consisting of
2𝑦 = 4 . 5 and 𝑦 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 has exactly one solution. Dividing both sides of the equation of the line by 2 yields
𝑦 = 2 . 25. Substituting 2.25 for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields 2 . 25 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥. Adding 4𝑥2 and subtracting
𝑏𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 4𝑥2 - 𝑏𝑥 + 2 . 25 = 0. A quadratic equation in the form of 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0,
2
where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to zero. Substituting 4
for 𝑎 and 2.25 for 𝑐 in the expression 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 and setting this expression equal to 0 yields 𝑏2 - 4 ( 4 ) ( 2 . 25 ) = 0, or
𝑏2 - 36 = 0. Adding 36 to each side of this equation yields 𝑏2 = 36. Taking the square root of each side of this equation
yields 𝑏 = ± 6. It’s given that 𝑏 is positive, so the value of 𝑏 is 6.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a9084ca4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: a9084ca4

The given function models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year, where represents
the number of years since , and . If is graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following is the
best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?

A. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

B. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

C. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

D. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

ID: a9084ca4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point where 𝑥 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 9,0000.66 ,
𝑥

which gives 𝑦 = 9,0000.66 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 9,0001, or 𝑦 = 9,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of
0

𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is 0, 9,000. It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each
year. Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 represents the estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients each year. It's
also given that 𝑥 represents the number of years since 1997. Therefore, 𝑥 = 0 represents 0 years since 1997, or 1997.
Thus, the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is that the estimated number of advertisements
the company sent to its clients in 1997 was 9,000.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2c6f214f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 2c6f214f

The first term of a sequence is . Each term after the first is times the preceding term. If represents the th term of
the sequence, which equation gives in terms of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2c6f214f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 𝑤 represents the 𝑛th term of the sequence and 9 is the first term of the sequence, the value
of 𝑤 is 9 when the value of 𝑛 is 1. Since each term after the first is 4 times the preceding term, the value of 𝑤 is 94 when
the value of 𝑛 is 2. Therefore, the value of 𝑤 is 944, or 942 , when the value of 𝑛 is 3. More generally, the value of 𝑤 is
94𝑛 - 1 for a given value of 𝑛. Therefore, the equation 𝑤 = 94𝑛 - 1 gives 𝑤 in terms of 𝑛.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9, and each term
after the first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 4, rather than 9, and each term after
the first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 781c2f6e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 781c2f6e

The function is defined by , where and are integer constants and . The
functions and are equivalent to function , where and are constants. Which of the following equations displays
the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane as a constant or coefficient?

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 781c2f6e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is a point where the graph intersects the y-axis, or a point
where 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation defining function 𝑓 yields 𝑓0 = 𝑎2.20 + 2.2𝑏 , or 𝑓0 = 𝑎1 + 2.2𝑏 . So, the
y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph is 𝑎1 + 2.2𝑏 , or equivalently, 𝑎 + 𝑎2.2𝑏 . It's given that function 𝑔 is equivalent
to function 𝑓, where 0 < 𝑎 < 𝑏. It follows that 𝑘 = 2.2𝑏 . Since 𝑎2.2𝑏 can't be equal to 0, the coefficient 𝑎 can't be equal to
𝑎 + 𝑎2.2𝑏 . Since 0 < 𝑎, the constant 𝑘, which is equal to 2.2𝑏 , can't be equal to 𝑎 + 𝑎2.2𝑏 . Therefore, function 𝑔 doesn't
display the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane as a constant or coefficient. It's also
given that function ℎ is equivalent to function 𝑓, where 0 < 𝑎 < 𝑏. The equation defining 𝑓 can be rewritten as
𝑥 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎2.2 + 𝑎2.2 . It follows that 𝑚 = 𝑎2.2 . Since 𝑎2.2 can't be equal to 0, the coefficient 𝑎 can't be equal to 𝑎 + 𝑎2.2 .
Since 0 < 𝑎, the constant 𝑚, which is equal to 𝑎2.2𝑏 , can't be equal to 𝑎 + 𝑎2.2𝑏 . Therefore, function ℎ doesn't display the
y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane as a constant or coefficient. Thus, neither function
𝑔 nor function ℎ displays the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane as a constant or
coefficient.

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 4661e2a9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 4661e2a9

Which ordered pair is a solution to the

system of equations above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4661e2a9 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The solution to the given system of equations can be found by solving the first equation for x, which
gives , and substituting that value of x into the second equation which gives .

Rewriting this equation by adding like terms and expanding gives . Subtracting from

both sides of this equation gives . Adding to 2 to both sides of this equation gives . Therefore, it
follows that . Substituting for y in the first equation yields . Adding to both sides of this

equation yields . Therefore, the ordered pair is a solution to the given system of equations.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the first equation yields , or ,
which isn’t a true statement. Choice C is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the second equation

yields , or , which isn’t a true statement. Choice D is incorrect.

Substituting for x and for y in the second equation yields , or

, which isn’t a true statement.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 371cbf6b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 371cbf6b

The equation above is true for all x, where a and b are

constants. What is the value of ab ?

A. 18

B. 20

C. 24

D. 40

ID: 371cbf6b Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. If the equation is true for all x, then the expressions on both sides of the equation will be equivalent.
Multiplying the polynomials on the left-hand side of the equation gives . On the

right-hand side of the equation, the only -term is . Since the expressions on both sides of the equation are

equivalent, it follows that , which can be rewritten as . Therefore,

, which gives .

Choice A is incorrect. If , then the coefficient of on the left-hand side of the equation would be

, which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the right-hand side. Choice B is incorrect. If

, then the coefficient of on the left-hand side of the equation would be , which doesn’t

equal the coefficient of , , on the right-hand side. Choice D is incorrect. If , then the coefficient of on

the left-hand side of the equation would be , which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the
right-hand side.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c3b116d7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: c3b116d7

Which of the following expressions is(are) a factor of ?

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: c3b116d7 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The given expression can be factored by first finding two values whose sum is 20 and whose
product is 3-63, or -189. Those two values are 27 and -7. It follows that the given expression can be rewritten as
3𝑥2 + 27𝑥 - 7𝑥 - 63. Since the first two terms of this expression have a common factor of 3𝑥 and the last two terms of
this expression have a common factor of -7, this expression can be rewritten as 3𝑥𝑥 + 9 - 7𝑥 + 9. Since the two terms of
this expression have a common factor of 𝑥 + 9, it can be rewritten as 3𝑥 - 7𝑥 + 9. Therefore, expression II, 3𝑥 - 7, is a
factor of 3𝑥2 + 20𝑥 - 63, but expression I, 𝑥 - 9, is not a factor of 3𝑥2 + 20𝑥 - 63.

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 40c09d66
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 40c09d66

If for all positive values of x,

what is the value of ?

ID: 40c09d66 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . The value of can be found by first rewriting the left-hand side of the given equation as

. Using the properties of exponents, this expression can be rewritten as . This expression can be

rewritten by subtracting the fractions in the exponent, which yields . Thus, is . Note that 7/6, 1.166, and
1.167 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b8f13a3a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: b8f13a3a

Function is defined by , where and are constants. In the xy-plane, the graph of
has a y-intercept at . The product of and is . What is the value of ?

ID: b8f13a3a Answer

Correct Answer: 20

Rationale
The correct answer is 20. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Substituting -𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 yields
75 75
𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12. It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 is 0, -
7
. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and - 7 for 𝑦 in
75 75 75
the equation 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12 yields - 7 = - 𝑎0 + 𝑏 - 12, which is equivalent to - 7 = - 1 + 𝑏 - 12, or - 7 = 𝑏 - 13. Adding
16 320 320 16
13 to both sides of this equation yields 7 = 𝑏. It’s given that the product of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is 7 , or 𝑎𝑏 = 7 . Substituting 7
16 320 16
for 𝑏 in this equation yields 𝑎 = . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields 𝑎 = 20.
7 7 7

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8e1da169
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 8e1da169

The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8e1da169 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 44𝑥 - 46, which can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 - 90𝑥 + 2,024. Since the
coefficient of the 𝑥2 -term is positive, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane opens upward and reaches its minimum value
at its vertex. For an equation in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the x-coordinate of the
𝑏
vertex is - 2𝑎 . For the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 - 90𝑥 + 2,024, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = -90, and 𝑐 = 2,024. It follows that the x-coordinate of the
-90
vertex is - 21 , or 45. Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is 45.

Choice A is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Choice C is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the vertex of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f65288e8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f65288e8

If x is a solution to the given equation, which of the

following is a possible value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f65288e8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The given equation can be rewritten as . Multiplying both sides of this equation by

yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields . Taking the square root of

both sides of this equation yields or . Therefore, a possible value of is .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2c288148
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2c288148

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has exactly one real solution. What is the minimum possible value
of ?

ID: 2c288148 Answer

Correct Answer: 231

Rationale
The correct answer is 231. It's given that √𝑘 - 𝑥 = 58 - 𝑥. Squaring both sides of this equation yields 𝑘 - 𝑥 = ( 58 - 𝑥 ) 2 ,
which is equivalent to the given equation if 58 - 𝑥 > 0. It follows that if a solution to the equation 𝑘 - 𝑥 = ( 58 - 𝑥 ) 2
satisfies 58 - 𝑥 > 0, then it's also a solution to the given equation; if not, it's extraneous. The equation 𝑘 - 𝑥 = ( 58 - 𝑥 ) 2
can be rewritten as 𝑘 - 𝑥 = 3,364 - 116𝑥 + 𝑥2 . Adding 𝑥 to both sides of this equation yields 𝑘 = 𝑥2 - 115𝑥 + 3,364.
Subtracting 𝑘 from both sides of this equation yields 0 = 𝑥2 - 115𝑥 + ( 3,364 - 𝑘 ) . The number of solutions to a
quadratic equation in the form 0 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, can be determined by the value of the
2 2
discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐. Substituting -115 for 𝑏, 1 for 𝑎, and 3,364 - 𝑘 for 𝑐 in 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields ( - 115 ) 2 - 4 ( 1 ) ( 3,364 - 𝑘 ) ,
or 4𝑘 - 231. The equation 0 = 𝑥2 - 115𝑥 + ( 3,364 - 𝑘 ) has exactly one real solution if the discriminant is equal to zero,
or 4𝑘 - 231 = 0. Subtracting 231 from both sides of this equation yields 4𝑘 = 231. Dividing both sides of this equation
by 4 yields 𝑘 = 57.75. Therefore, if 𝑘 = 57.75, then the equation 0 = 𝑥2 - 115𝑥 + ( 3,364 - 𝑘 ) has exactly one real
solution. Substituting 57.75 for 𝑘 in this equation yields 0 = 𝑥2 - 115𝑥 + ( 3,364 - 57.75 ) , or 0 = 𝑥2 - 115𝑥 + 3,306.25,
which is equivalent to 0 = ( 𝑥 - 57.5 ) 2 . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 0 = 𝑥 - 57.5. Adding
57.5 to both sides of this equation yields 57.5 = 𝑥. To check whether this solution satisfies 58 - 𝑥 > 0, the solution, 57.5,
can be substituted for 𝑥 in 58 - 𝑥 > 0, which yields 58 - 57.5 > 0, or 0.5 > 0. Since 0.5 is greater than 0, it follows that if
𝑘 = 57.75, or 4𝑘 = 231, then the given equation has exactly one real solution. If 4𝑘 < 231, then the discriminant, 4𝑘 - 231
, is negative and the given equation has no solutions. Therefore, the minimum possible value of 4𝑘 is 231.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 40491607
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 40491607

In the xy-plane, when the graph of the function , where , is shifted up units, the resulting graph is defined
by the function . If the graph of crosses through the point , where is a constant, what is the value of
?

ID: 40491607 Answer

Correct Answer: 48

Rationale
The correct answer is 48. It's given that in the xy-plane, when the graph of the function 𝑓, where 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, is shifted up 6
units, the resulting graph is defined by the function 𝑔. Therefore, function 𝑔 can be defined by the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 6.
It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 1𝑥 + 3𝑥 - 2. Substituting 𝑥 - 1𝑥 + 3𝑥 - 2 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 6 yields
𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 - 1𝑥 + 3𝑥 - 2 + 6. For the point 4, 𝑏, the value of 𝑥 is 4. Substituting 4 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 - 1𝑥 + 3𝑥 - 2 + 6
yields 𝑔4 = 4 - 14 + 34 - 2 + 6, or 𝑔4 = 48. It follows that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 crosses through the point 4, 48. Therefore,
the value of 𝑏 is 48.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7902bed0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 7902bed0

A machine launches a softball from ground level. The softball reaches a maximum height of meters above the
ground at seconds and hits the ground at seconds. Which equation represents the height above ground , in
meters, of the softball seconds after it is launched?

A.

B.

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 7902bed0 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. An equation representing the height above ground ℎ, in meters, of a softball 𝑡 seconds after it is
launched by a machine from ground level can be written in the form ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏2 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are positive
constants. In this equation, 𝑏 represents the time, in seconds, at which the softball reaches its maximum height of 𝑐
meters above the ground. It's given that this softball reaches a maximum height of 51.84 meters above the ground at
2
1.8 seconds; therefore, 𝑏 = 1.8 and 𝑐 = 51.84. Substituting 1.8 for 𝑏 and 51.84 for 𝑐 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏 + 𝑐
2
yields ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.8 + 51.84. It's also given that this softball hits the ground at 3.6 seconds; therefore, ℎ = 0 when
2 2
𝑡 = 3.6. Substituting 0 for ℎ and 3.6 for 𝑡 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.8 + 51.84 yields 0 = - 𝑎3.6 - 1.8 + 51.84, which is
2
equivalent to 0 = - 𝑎1.8 + 51.84, or 0 = - 3.24𝑎 + 51.84. Adding 3.24𝑎 to both sides of this equation yields
3.24𝑎 = 51.84. Dividing both sides of this equation by 3.24 yields 𝑎 = 16. Substituting 16 for 𝑎 in the equation
2 2 2
ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.8 + 51.84 yields ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.8 + 51.84. Therefore, ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.8 + 51.84 represents the height above
ground ℎ, in meters, of this softball 𝑡 seconds after it is launched.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the maximum height is 3.6 meters above the ground at
0 seconds, not 51.84 meters above the ground at 1.8 seconds.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the maximum height is 51.84 meters above the ground
at 0 seconds, not 1.8 seconds.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4a0d0399
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 4a0d0399

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

ID: 4a0d0399 Answer

Correct Answer: -324

Rationale
The correct answer is -324. It's given that the function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants. It's also
given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 has a y-intercept at 0, - 323. It follows that 𝑓0 = - 323. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and -323 for
𝑓𝑥 in 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields -323 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or -323 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from each side of this equation yields -324 = 𝑏.
Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is -324.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9654add7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 9654add7

The revenue , in dollars, that a company receives from sales of a product is

given by the function f above, where x is the unit price, in dollars, of the
product. The graph of in the xy-plane intersects the x-axis at 0 and a.
What does a represent?

A. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0

B. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue

C. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0

D. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make

ID: 9654add7 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. By definition, the y-value when a function intersects the x-axis is 0. It’s given that the graph of the
function intersects the x-axis at 0 and a, that x is the unit price, in dollars, of a product, and that , where , is
the revenue, in dollars, that a company receives from the sales of the product. Since the value of a occurs when ,
a is the unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0.

Choice A is incorrect. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0 is represented by , when
. Choice B is incorrect. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue is represented
by the x-coordinate of the maximum of f. Choice D is incorrect. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can
make is represented by the y-coordinate of the maximum of f.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f2f3fa00
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f2f3fa00

During a 5-second time interval, the average acceleration a, in meters per

second squared, of an object with an initial velocity of 12 meters per second is

defined by the equation , where vf is the final velocity of the

object in meters per second. If the equation is rewritten in the form vf = xa + y,
where x and y are constants, what is the value of x ?

ID: f2f3fa00 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. The given equation can be rewritten in the form , like so:

It follows that the value of x is 5 and the value of y is 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 34847f8a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 34847f8a

The equation above is true for all , where r and t are positive
constants. What is the value of rt ?

A.

B. 15

C. 20

D. 60

ID: 34847f8a Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. To express the sum of the two rational expressions on the left-hand side of the equation as the
single rational expression on the right-hand side of the equation, the expressions on the left-hand side must have the

same denominator. Multiplying the first expression by results in , and multiplying the second

expression by results in , so the given equation can be rewritten as

, or . Since the
two rational expressions on the left-hand side of the equation have the same denominator as the rational expression on
the right-hand side of the equation, it follows that . Combining like terms on the left-hand
side yields , so it follows that and . Therefore, the value of is .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error when determining the sign of either r or t. Choice B is incorrect and
may result from not distributing the 2 and 3 to their respective terms in

. Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 263f9937
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 263f9937
Growth of a Culture of Bacteria
Number of bacteria per
Day
milliliter at end of day

A culture of bacteria is growing at an exponential rate, as shown in the table

above. At this rate, on which day would the number of bacteria per milliliter
reach ?

A. Day 5

B. Day 9

C. Day 11

D. Day 12

ID: 263f9937 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of bacteria per milliliter is doubling each day. For example, from day 1 to day 2, the
number of bacteria increased from 2.5 × 105 to 5.0 × 105. At the end of day 3 there are 106 bacteria per milliliter. At the
end of day 4, there will be 106 × 2 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 5, there will be (106 × 2) × 2, or 106 × (22)
bacteria per milliliter, and so on. At the end of day d, the number of bacteria will be 106 × (2d – 3). If the number of
bacteria per milliliter will reach 5.12 × 108 at the end of day d, then the equation must hold.

Since 5.12 × 108 can be rewritten as 512 × 106, the equation is equivalent to . Rewriting 512 as 29 gives d
– 3 = 9, so d = 12. The number of bacteria per milliliter would reach 5.12 × 108 at the end of day 12.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Given the growth rate of the bacteria, the number of bacteria will not reach 5.12 × 108
per milliliter by the end of any of these days.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fada6b03
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fada6b03

One solution to the given equation can be written as , where is a constant. What is the value of ?

ID: fada6b03 Answer

Correct Answer: 120

Rationale
The correct answer is 120. The solutions to a quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 can be calculated using
-𝑏 ± √𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐
the quadratic formula and are given by 𝑥 = 2𝑎
. The given equation is in the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎 = 2,
8 ± √-82 - 42-7
𝑏 = -8, and 𝑐 = -7. It follows that the solutions to the given equation are 𝑥 = , which is equivalent to
22
8 ± √64 + 56 8 ± √120 8 - √𝑘
𝑥= , or 𝑥 = . It's given that one solution to the equation 2𝑥 - 8𝑥 - 7 = 0 can be written as
2
. The
4 4 4
8 - √120
solution 4
is in this form. Therefore, the value of 𝑘 is 120.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 137cc6fd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 137cc6fd

For what value of is the given expression equivalent to , where ?

ID: 137cc6fd Answer

Correct Answer: .0177, .0178, 4/225

Rationale
4
The correct answer is 225
. An expression of the form 𝑘√𝑎 , where 𝑘 is an integer greater than 1 and 𝑎 ≥ 0, is equivalent to
1 1 12
𝑎 𝑘 . Therefore, the given expression, where 𝑛 > 1, is equivalent to 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 6 . Applying properties of exponents, this
1 1 1 1 1 1 8
expression can be rewritten as 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 6 · 2 , or 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 3 , which can be rewritten as 70𝑛 5 + 3 , or 70𝑛 15 . It's given that the
2 8
expression 5√70𝑛 6√70𝑛 is equivalent to 70𝑛30𝑥 , where 𝑛 > 1. It follows that 70𝑛 15 is equivalent to 70𝑛30𝑥 . Therefore,
8 8 4
= 30𝑥. Dividing both sides of this equation by 30 yields = 𝑥, or = 𝑥. Thus, the value of 𝑥 for which the given
15 450 225
30𝑥 4
expression is equivalent to 70𝑛 , where 𝑛 > 1, is 225
. Note that 4/225, .0177, .0178, 0.017, and 0.018 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6ce95fc8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 6ce95fc8

Which of the following is a solution to

the equation above?

A. 2

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6ce95fc8 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale

Choice D is correct. A quadratic equation in the form , where a, b, and c are constants, can be solved

using the quadratic formula: . Subtracting from both sides of the given equation yields

. Applying the quadratic formula, where , , and , yields

. This can be rewritten as . Since , or , the

equation can be rewritten as . Dividing 2 from both the numerator and denominator yields

or . Of these two solutions, only is present among the choices. Thus, the correct choice is D.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from a computational or conceptual error. Choice B is incorrect and may result

from using instead of as the quadratic formula. Choice C is incorrect

and may result from rewriting as instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4dd4efcf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 4dd4efcf

In the given quadratic function, and are constants. The graph of in the xy-plane is a parabola that opens
upward and has a vertex at the point , where and are constants. If and , which of the
following must be true?

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 4dd4efcf Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is a parabola with vertex ℎ, 𝑘. If 𝑓-9 = 𝑓3, then for
the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the point with an x-coordinate of -9 and the point with an x-coordinate of 3 have the same y-
coordinate. In the xy-plane, a parabola is a symmetric graph such that when two points have the same y-coordinate,
these points are equidistant from the vertex, and the x-coordinate of the vertex is halfway between the x-coordinates of
these two points. Therefore, for the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the points with x-coordinates -9 and 3 are equidistant from the
-9 + 3
vertex, ℎ, 𝑘, and ℎ is halfway between -9 and 3. The value that is halfway between -9 and 3 is 2
, or -3. Therefore,
2
ℎ = - 3. The equation defining 𝑓 can also be written in vertex form, 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘. Substituting -3 for ℎ in this equation
2 2
yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - -3 + 𝑘, or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 3 + 𝑘. This equation is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 𝑘, or
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑎𝑥 + 9𝑎 + 𝑘. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that 6𝑎 = 4 and 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of the
4 2 2
equation 6𝑎 = 4 by 6 yields 𝑎 = 6 , or 𝑎 = 3 . Since 3
< 1, it's not true that 𝑎 ≥ 1. Therefore, statement II isn't true.
2 2
Substituting for 𝑎 in the equation 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐 yields 9 + 𝑘 = 𝑐, or 6 + 𝑘 = 𝑐. Subtracting 6 from both sides of this
3 3
equation yields 𝑘 = 𝑐 - 6. If 𝑘 < 0, then 𝑐 - 6 < 0, or 𝑐 < 6. Since 𝑐 could be any value less than 6, it's not necessarily true
that 𝑐 < 0. Therefore, statement I isn't necessarily true. Thus, neither I nor II must be true.

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 f5aa5040
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f5aa5040

In the xy-plane, a line with equation for some constant intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the
parabola has equation , what is the value of ?

ID: f5aa5040 Answer

Correct Answer: 20.25, 81/4

Rationale
81 𝑐
The correct answer is 4
. The given linear equation is 2𝑦 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = 2 .
𝑐 𝑐
Substituting 2
for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields 2
= - 2𝑥2 + 9𝑥. Adding 2𝑥2 and -9𝑥 to both sides of this
𝑐
equation yields 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + 2 = 0. Since it’s given that the line and the parabola intersect at exactly one point, the
𝑐
equation 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + 2 = 0 must have exactly one solution. An equation of the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶
2 𝑐
are constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝐵 - 4𝐴𝐶, is equal to 0. In the equation 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + 2 = 0,
𝑐 2 𝑐 2 𝑐
where 𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = - 9, and 𝐶 = 2 , the discriminant is -9 - 42 2 . Setting the discriminant equal to 0 yields -9 - 42 2 = 0, or
81 - 4𝑐 = 0. Adding 4𝑐 to both sides of this equation yields 81 = 4𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields
81
𝑐= 4
. Note that 81/4 and 20.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2992ac30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 2992ac30

The function models the population, in thousands, of a certain city years after . According to the model, the
population is predicted to increase by every months. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2992ac30 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the function 𝑃 models the population, in thousands, of a certain city 𝑡 years after 2003
. The value of the base of the given exponential function, 1.04, corresponds to an increase of 4% for every increase of 1
6 6 4
in the exponent, 4 𝑡. If the exponent is equal to 0, then 4 𝑡 = 0. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 6
yields 𝑡 = 0. If
6 4 4 2
the exponent is equal to 1, then 𝑡 = 1. Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields 𝑡 = , or 𝑡 = . Therefore, the
4 6 6 3
2
population is predicted to increase by 4% every 3
of a year. It’s given that the population is predicted to increase by 4%
2 2
every 𝑛 months. Since there are 12 months in a year, 3
of a year is equivalent to 3 12, or 8, months. Therefore, the value
of 𝑛 is 8.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the number of months in which the population is predicted to increase by 4% according to
6
the model 𝑃𝑡 = 2601.04𝑡 , not 𝑃𝑡 = 2601.04 4 𝑡 .

Choice C is incorrect. This is the number of months in which the population is predicted to increase by 4% according to
4 6
the model 𝑃𝑡 = 2601.04 6 𝑡 , not 𝑃𝑡 = 2601.04 4 𝑡 .

Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of months in which the population is predicted to increase by 4% according to
1 6
the model 𝑃𝑡 = 2601.04 6 𝑡 , not 𝑃𝑡 = 2601.04 4 𝑡 .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 841ef26c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 841ef26c

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 841ef26c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 5. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 64𝑥 + 262, it follows that
2 2
𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥 + 5 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262. Expanding the quantity 𝑥 + 5 in this equation yields
𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 25 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262. Distributing the 4 and the 64 yields
𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 40𝑥 + 100 + 64𝑥 + 320 + 262. Combining like terms yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. Therefore,
2
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘
are constants and 𝑎 is positive, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum, 𝑘, when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. The equation
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682 can be rewritten in this form by completing the square. This equation is equivalent to
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26 + 682, or 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26𝑥 + 169 - 169 + 682. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 - 169 + 682,
or 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 - 4169 + 682, which is equivalent to 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 + 6. This equation is in the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘,
where 𝑎 = 4, ℎ = - 13, and 𝑘 = 6. Therefore, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is -13.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥, rather than 𝑔𝑥, reaches its minimum.

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

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 - 5, rather than 𝑓𝑥 + 5, reaches its minimum.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ea6d05bb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: ea6d05bb

The expression is equivalent to the expression , where , , and are constants.

What is the value of ?

ID: ea6d05bb Answer

Correct Answer: -419

Rationale
The correct answer is -419. It's given that the expression 3𝑥 - 2319𝑥 + 6 is equivalent to the expression 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐,
where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants. Applying the distributive property to the given expression, 3𝑥 - 2319𝑥 + 6, yields
3𝑥19𝑥 + 3𝑥6 - 2319𝑥 - 236, which can be rewritten as 57𝑥2 + 18𝑥 - 437𝑥 - 138. Combining like terms yields
57𝑥2 - 419𝑥 - 138. Since this expression is equivalent to 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that the value of 𝑏 is -419.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 09d21d79
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 09d21d79

The graph of is shown, where and are constants. What is the value of ?

ID: 09d21d79 Answer

Correct Answer: -24

Rationale
The correct answer is -24. Since the graph passes through the point 0, - 6, it follows that when the value of 𝑥 is 0, the
2
value of 𝑦 is -6. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and -6 for 𝑦 in the given equation yields -6 = 20 + 𝑏0 + 𝑐, or -6 = 𝑐. Therefore, the
value of 𝑐 is -6. Substituting -6 for 𝑐 in the given equation yields 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 - 6. Since the graph passes through the
point -1, - 8, it follows that when the value of 𝑥 is -1, the value of 𝑦 is -8. Substituting -1 for 𝑥 and -8 for 𝑦 in the equation
𝑦 = 2𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 - 6 yields -8 = 2-12 + 𝑏-1 - 6, or -8 = 2 - 𝑏 - 6, which is equivalent to -8 = - 4 - 𝑏. Adding 4 to each side of
this equation yields -4 = - 𝑏. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 4 = 𝑏. Since the value of 𝑏 is 4 and the
value of 𝑐 is -6, it follows that the value of 𝑏𝑐 is 4-6, or -24.

Alternate approach: The given equation represents a parabola in the xy-plane with a vertex at -1, - 8. Therefore, the
2
given equation, 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, which is written in standard form, can be written in vertex form, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where
ℎ, 𝑘 is the vertex of the parabola and 𝑎 is the value of the coefficient on the 𝑥2 term when the equation is written in
standard form. It follows that 𝑎 = 2. Substituting 2 for 𝑎, -1 for ℎ, and -8 for 𝑘 in this equation yields 𝑦 = 2𝑥 - -12 + -8, or
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 12 - 8. Squaring the binomial on the right-hand side of this equation yields 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 1 - 8. Multiplying
each term inside the parentheses on the right-hand side of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 2 - 8, which is
equivalent to 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 + 4𝑥 - 6. From the given equation 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that the value of 𝑏 is 4 and the value
of 𝑐 is -6. Therefore, the value of 𝑏𝑐 is 4-6, or -24.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 433184f1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 433184f1

Which expression is equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 433184f1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
4 1 4 -1
Choice D is correct. The expression - can be rewritten as + . To add the two terms of this expression,
4𝑥 - 5 𝑥+1 4𝑥 - 5 𝑥+1
𝑥+1 4
the terms can be rewritten with a common denominator. Since 𝑥 + 1 = 1, the expression 4𝑥 - 5 can be rewritten as
𝑥 + 14 4𝑥 - 5 -1 4𝑥 - 5-1 4 -1
𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5
. Since 4𝑥 - 5 = 1, the expression 𝑥 + 1 can be rewritten as 4𝑥 - 5𝑥 + 1 . Therefore, the expression 4𝑥 - 5 + 𝑥 + 1 can be
𝑥 + 14 4𝑥 - 5-1 𝑥 + 14 + 4𝑥 - 5-1
rewritten as 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5 + 4𝑥 - 5𝑥 + 1 , which is equivalent to 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5 . Applying the distributive property to each term of
4𝑥 + 4 + -4𝑥 + 5 4𝑥 + -4𝑥 + 4 + 5 9
the numerator yields 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5 , or 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5 . Adding like terms in the numerator yields 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 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: Hard

Question ID d135f4bf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: d135f4bf

The function is defined by . In the xy-plane, the graph of is the result of

translating the graph of up units. What is the value of ?

ID: d135f4bf Answer

Correct Answer: 76

Rationale
The correct answer is 76. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 is the result of translating the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 up 4 units in
the xy-plane. It follows that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 is the same as the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑔𝑥 for 𝑦 in the
equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4 yields 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 6. Substituting 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 6 for 𝑓𝑥 in the
equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4 yields 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 6 + 4. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑔0 = 0 - 60 - 20 + 6 + 4,
or 𝑔0 = 76. Thus, the value of 𝑔0 is 76.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d8789a4c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: d8789a4c

In the expression above, b and c are positive integers. If the expression is

equivalent to and , which of the following could be the value of c ?

A. 4

B. 6

C. 8

D. 10

ID: d8789a4c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. If the given expression is equivalent to , then , where x isn’t equal to b.

Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Since the right-hand side of this
equation is in factored form for the difference of squares, the value of c must be a perfect square. Only choice A gives a
perfect square for the value of c.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. None of these values of c produces a difference of squares. For example, when 6 is

substituted for c in the given expression, the result is . The expression can’t be factored with integer

values, and therefore isn’t equivalent to .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d0a53ef5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: d0a53ef5

What is the smallest solution to the given equation?

ID: d0a53ef5 Answer

Correct Answer: -3

Rationale
2
The correct answer is -3. Squaring both sides of the given equation yields 𝑥 - 2 = 3𝑥 + 34, which can be rewritten as
𝑥2 - 4𝑥 + 4 = 3𝑥 + 34. Subtracting 3𝑥 and 34 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 7𝑥 - 30 = 0. This quadratic
equation can be rewritten as 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 3 = 0. According to the zero product property, 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 3 equals zero when either
𝑥 - 10 = 0 or 𝑥 + 3 = 0. Solving each of these equations for 𝑥 yields 𝑥 = 10 or 𝑥 = - 3. Therefore, the given equation has
two solutions, 10 and -3. Of these two solutions, -3 is the smallest solution to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 271ffad7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 271ffad7

A quadratic function models a projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in terms of the time, in seconds, after it
was launched. The model estimates that the projectile was launched from an initial height of meters above the
ground and reached a maximum height of meters above the ground seconds after the launch. How many
seconds after the launch does the model estimate that the projectile will return to a height of meters?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 271ffad7 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that a quadratic function models the projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in
terms of the time, in seconds, after it was launched. It follows that an equation representing the model can be written in
the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑓𝑥 is the projectile's estimated height above the ground, in meters, 𝑥 seconds after the
launch, 𝑎 is a constant, and 𝑘 is the maximum height above the ground, in meters, the model estimates the projectile
reached ℎ seconds after the launch. It's given that the model estimates the projectile reached a maximum height of 51.1
meters above the ground 3 seconds after the launch. Therefore, 𝑘 = 51.1 and ℎ = 3. Substituting 51.1 for 𝑘 and 3 for ℎ
2 2
in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 3 + 51.1. It's also given that the model estimates that the projectile
was launched from an initial height of 7 meters above the ground. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑓𝑥 = 7. Substituting 0 for 𝑥
2 2
and 7 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 3 + 51.1 yields 7 = 𝑎0 - 3 + 51.1, or 7 = 9𝑎 + 51.1. Subtracting 51.1 from both
sides of this equation yields -44.1 = 9𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 9 yields -4.9 = 𝑎. Substituting -4.9 for 𝑎
2 2 2
in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 3 + 51.1 yields 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 + 51.1. Therefore, the equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 + 51.1 models
the projectile's height, in meters, above the ground 𝑥 seconds after it was launched. The number of seconds after the
launch that the model estimates that the projectile will return to a height of 7 meters is the value of 𝑥 when 𝑓𝑥 = 7.
2 2
Substituting 7 for 𝑓𝑥 in 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 + 51.1 yields 7 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 + 51.1. Subtracting 51.1 from both sides of this
2 2
equation yields -44.1 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 . Dividing both sides of this equation by -4.9 yields 9 = 𝑥 - 3 . Taking the square root
of both sides of this equation yields two equations: 3 = 𝑥 - 3 and -3 = 𝑥 - 3. Adding 3 to both sides of the equation
3 = 𝑥 - 3 yields 6 = 𝑥. Adding 3 to both sides of the equation -3 = 𝑥 - 3 yields 0 = 𝑥. Since 0 seconds after the launch
represents the time at which the projectile was launched, 6 must be the number of seconds the model estimates that
the projectile will return to a height of 7 meters.

Alternate approach: It's given that a quadratic function models the projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in
terms of the time, in seconds, after it was launched. It's also given that the model estimates that the projectile was
launched from an initial height of 7 meters above the ground and reached a maximum height of 51.1 meters above the
ground 3 seconds after the launch. Since the model is quadratic, and quadratic functions are symmetric, the model
estimates that for any given height less than the maximum height, the time the projectile takes to travel from the given
height to the maximum height is the same as the time the projectile takes to travel from the maximum height back to
the given height. Thus, since the model estimates the projectile took 3 seconds to travel from 7 meters above the
ground to its maximum height of 51.1 meters above the ground, the model also estimates the projectile will take 3 more
seconds to travel from its maximum height of 51.1 meters above the ground back to 7 meters above the ground. Thus,
the model estimates that the projectile will return to a height of 7 meters 3 seconds after it reaches its maximum
height, which is 6 seconds after the launch.

Choice A is incorrect. The model estimates that 3 seconds after the launch, the projectile reached a height of 51.1
meters, not 7 meters.

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 ee857afb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: ee857afb

The given equation relates the variables and . For what value of does the value of reach its minimum?

ID: ee857afb Answer

Correct Answer: 7

Rationale
The correct answer is 7. When an equation is of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the value of
𝑏
𝑦 reaches its minimum when 𝑥 = - . Since the given equation is of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that 𝑎 = 1,
2𝑎
-14
𝑏 = - 14, and 𝑐 = 22. Therefore, the value of 𝑦 reaches its minimum when 𝑥 = - , or 𝑥 = 7.
21

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2c05d312
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2c05d312

In the given equation, and are positive constants. The product of the solutions to the given equation is , where
is a constant. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2c05d312 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The left-hand side of the given equation is the expression 57𝑥2 + 57𝑏 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏. Applying the
distributive property to this expression yields 57𝑥2 + 57𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏. Since the first two terms of this expression have a
common factor of 57𝑥 and the last two terms of this expression have a common factor of 𝑎, this expression can be
rewritten as 57𝑥𝑥 + 𝑏 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Since the two terms of this expression have a common factor of 𝑥 + 𝑏, it can be
rewritten as 𝑥 + 𝑏57𝑥 + 𝑎. Therefore, the given equation can be rewritten as 𝑥 + 𝑏57𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0. By the zero product
property, it follows that 𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 or 57𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0. Subtracting 𝑏 from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 yields 𝑥 = - 𝑏.
Subtracting 𝑎 from both sides of the equation 57𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0 yields 57𝑥 = - 𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 57
-𝑎 -𝑎
yields 𝑥 = 57
. Therefore, the solutions to the given equation are -𝑏 and 57
. It follows that the product of the solutions of
-𝑎 𝑎𝑏
the given equation is -𝑏 57 , or 57
. It’s given that the product of the solutions of the given equation is 𝑘𝑎𝑏. It follows that
𝑎𝑏 1
57
= 𝑘𝑎𝑏, which can also be written as 𝑎𝑏 57 = 𝑎𝑏𝑘. It’s given that 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive constants. Therefore, dividing
1 1 1
both sides of the equation 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎𝑏𝑘 by 𝑎𝑏 yields = 𝑘. Thus, the value of 𝑘 is .
57 57 57

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 1fe32f7d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 1fe32f7d

In the given equation, is a positive integer. The equation has no real solution. What is the greatest possible value of ?

ID: 1fe32f7d Answer

Correct Answer: 51

Rationale
The correct answer is 51. A quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no real
2
solution if and only if its discriminant, -4𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏 , is negative. In the given equation, 𝑎 = - 1 and 𝑐 = - 676. Substituting -1
for 𝑎 and -676 for 𝑐 in this expression yields a discriminant of 𝑏2 - 4-1-676, or 𝑏2 - 2,704. Since this value must be
2 2
negative, 𝑏 - 2,704 < 0, or 𝑏 < 2,704. Taking the positive square root of each side of this inequality yields 𝑏 < 52. Since
𝑏 is a positive integer, and the greatest integer less than 52 is 51, the greatest possible value of 𝑏 is 51.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a45ffacb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: a45ffacb

Function is defined by , where and are constants. In the xy-plane, the graph of
has a y-intercept at . The product of and is . What is the value of ?

ID: a45ffacb Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale
The correct answer is 5. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Substituting -𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 15 yields
99 99
𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 15. It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 15 is 0, - . Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and - for 𝑦 in
7 7
99 99 99
the equation 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 15 yields - 7 = - 𝑎0 + 𝑏 - 15, which is equivalent to - 7 = - 1 + 𝑏 - 15, or - 7 = 𝑏 - 16. Adding
13 65 65 13
16 to both sides of this equation yields = 𝑏. It’s given that the product of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is , or 𝑎𝑏 = . Substituting for
7 7 7 7
13 65 13
𝑏 in this equation yields 𝑎 = . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields 𝑎 = 5.
7 7 7

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 821e724e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 821e724e

The function is defined by , where is a constant. In the xy-plane, the graph of

passes through the point . What is the value of ?

ID: 821e724e Answer

Correct Answer: 336

Rationale
The correct answer is 336. By the zero product property, if 𝑥 + 14𝑡 - 𝑥 = 0, then 𝑥 + 14 = 0, which gives 𝑥 = - 14, or
𝑡 - 𝑥 = 0, which gives 𝑥 = 𝑡. Therefore, 𝑔𝑥 = 0 when 𝑥 = - 14 and when 𝑥 = 𝑡. Since the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 passes through
the point 24, 0, it follows that 𝑔24 = 0, so 𝑡 = 24. Substituting 24 for 𝑡 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 + 14𝑡 - 𝑥 yields
𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1424 - 𝑥. The value of 𝑔0 can be calculated by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in this equation, which yields
𝑔0 = 0 + 1424 - 0, or 𝑔0 = 336.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d8e84431
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: d8e84431

The area of a rectangular banner is square inches. The banner's length , in inches, is inches longer than its
width, in inches. Which equation represents this situation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d8e84431 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the banner’s length 𝑥, in inches, is 24 inches longer than its width, in inches. It follows
that the banner’s width, in inches, can be represented by the expression 𝑥 - 24. The area of a rectangle is the product of
its length and its width. It's given that the area of the banner is 2,661 square inches, so it follows that 2,661 = 𝑥𝑥 - 24, or
2,661 = 𝑥2 - 24𝑥. Subtracting 2,661 from each side of this equation yields 0 = 𝑥2 - 24𝑥 - 2,661. Therefore, the equation
that represents this situation is 0 = 𝑥2 - 24𝑥 - 2,661.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from representing the width, in inches, of the banner as 24 - 𝑥, rather than 𝑥 - 24.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from representing the width, in inches, of the banner as 𝑥 + 24, rather than 𝑥 - 24.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 18e35375
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 18e35375

The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 18e35375 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 14𝑥 + 19, which can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 266. Since the coefficient
of the 𝑥2 -term is positive, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane opens upward and reaches its minimum value at its
vertex. The x-coordinate of the vertex is the value of 𝑥 such that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. For an equation in the form
𝑏
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the x-coordinate of the vertex is - 2𝑎 . For the equation
5 5
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 266, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 5, and 𝑐 = - 266. It follows that the x-coordinate of the vertex is - , or - . Therefore, 𝑓𝑥
21 2
5
reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - 2 .

Alternate approach: The value of 𝑥 for the vertex of a parabola is the x-value of the midpoint between the two x-
intercepts of the parabola. Since it’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 14𝑥 + 19, it follows that the two x-intercepts of the graph of
𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occur when 𝑥 = 14 and 𝑥 = - 19, or at the points 14, 0 and -19, 0. The midpoint between two
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 14 + -19 0 + 0 5
points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , is , . Therefore, the midpoint between 14, 0 and -19, 0 is , , or - , 0. It
2 2 2 2 2
5
follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - 2 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Choice B is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c303ad23
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c303ad23

If , what is the value of ?

ID: c303ad23 Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale
The correct answer is 5. Dividing each side of the given equation by 3 yields 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 - 5 = 0. Adding 5 to each side of this
equation yields 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 = 5. Therefore, if 3𝑥2 - 18𝑥 - 15 = 0, the value of 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 is 5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2cb17792
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2cb17792

In the given system of equations, is a constant. The system has exactly one distinct real solution. What is the value of
?

ID: 2cb17792 Answer

Correct Answer: 17.5, 35/2

Rationale
35
The correct answer is 2
. Subtracting the second equation from the first equation yields 𝑦 + 𝑘 - 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑥 + 26 - 𝑥2 - 5𝑥,
or 2𝑘 = - 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 26. This is equivalent to 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 + 2𝑘 - 26 = 0. It's given that the system has exactly one distinct real
solution; therefore, this equation has exactly one distinct real solution. An equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where
2
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has exactly one distinct real solution when the discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to 0. The
equation 𝑥2 - 6𝑥 + ( 2𝑘 - 26 ) = 0 is of this form, where 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = - 6, and 𝑐 = 2𝑘 - 26. Substituting these values into the
2 2 2
discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, yields -6 - 412𝑘 - 26. Setting the discriminant equal to 0 yields -6 - 412𝑘 - 26 = 0, or
-8𝑘 + 140 = 0. Subtracting 140 from both sides of this equation yields -8𝑘 = - 140. Dividing both sides of this equation
35
by -8 yields 𝑘 = . Note that 35/2 and 17.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
2

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ce508fb0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: ce508fb0

The functions and are defined by the given equations.

If , where is a constant, what is the value of ?

ID: ce508fb0 Answer

Correct Answer: -4.9, -49/10

Rationale
The correct answer is -4.9. The value of 𝑓-4 is the value of 𝑓𝑥 when 𝑥 = - 4. Substituting -4 for 𝑥 in the equation
2
𝑓𝑥 = 3 + -2𝑥 - 𝑥2 yields 𝑓-4 = 3 + -2-4 - -4 , or 𝑓-4 = 3 + -8, which is equivalent to 𝑓-4 = 3 + 8, or 𝑓-4 = 11. Since it's
given that 𝑓-4 = 𝑐, it follows that 𝑐 = 11 and the value of 𝑔𝑐 is the value of 𝑔11. Substituting 11 for 𝑤 in the equation
-𝑤 -11
𝑔𝑤 = - 𝑤 + 5 yields 𝑔11 = - 11 + 5, or 𝑔11 = -1.1 - 6, which is equivalent to 𝑔11 = 1.1 - 6, or 𝑔11 = - 4.9. Note
𝑤-1 11 - 1
that -4.9 and -49/10 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 74473be4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 74473be4

Which quadratic equation has no real solutions?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 74473be4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of solutions to a quadratic equation in the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are
constants, can be determined by the value of the discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐. If the value of the discriminant is greater than
zero, then the quadratic equation has two distinct real solutions. If the value of the discriminant is equal to zero, then
the quadratic equation has exactly one real solution. If the value of the discriminant is less than zero, then the quadratic
equation has no real solutions. For the quadratic equation in choice D, 5𝑥2 - 14𝑥 + 49 = 0, 𝑎 = 5, 𝑏 = - 14, and 𝑐 = 49.
2 2
Substituting 5 for 𝑎, -14 for 𝑏, and 49 for 𝑐 in 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields -14 - 4549, or -784. Since -784 is less than zero, it follows
that the quadratic equation 5𝑥2 - 14𝑥 + 49 = 0 has no real solutions.

Choice A is incorrect. The value of the discriminant for this quadratic equation is 392. Since 392 is greater than zero, it
follows that this quadratic equation has two real solutions.

Choice B is incorrect. The value of the discriminant for this quadratic equation is 0. Since zero is equal to zero, it follows
that this quadratic equation has exactly one real solution.

Choice C is incorrect. The value of the discriminant for this quadratic equation is 1,176. Since 1,176 is greater than zero,
it follows that this quadratic equation has two real solutions.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7bd10ef3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 7bd10ef3

In the equation above, t is a constant. If the equation has no real solutions,

which of the following could be the value of t ?

A.

B.

C. 1

D. 3

ID: 7bd10ef3 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The number of solutions to any quadratic equation in the form , where a, b, and c

are constants, can be found by evaluating the expression , which is called the discriminant. If the value of

is a positive number, then there will be exactly two real solutions to the equation. If the value of is

zero, then there will be exactly one real solution to the equation. Finally, if the value of is negative, then there
will be no real solutions to the equation.

The given equation is a quadratic equation in one variable, where t is a constant. Subtracting t from both

sides of the equation gives . In this form, , , and . The values of t for which the
equation has no real solutions are the same values of t for which the discriminant of this equation is a negative value.
The discriminant is equal to ; therefore, . Simplifying the left side of the
inequality gives . Subtracting 16 from both sides of the inequality and then dividing both sides by 8 gives
. Of the values given in the options, is the only value that is less than . Therefore, choice A must be the
correct answer.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from a misconception about how to use the discriminant to determine
the number of solutions of a quadratic equation in one variable.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID e11294f9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: e11294f9

The solutions to are and , where . The solutions to are and , where
. The solutions to , where is a constant, are and . What is the value of ?

ID: e11294f9 Answer

Correct Answer: 31

Rationale
The correct answer is 31. Subtracting 7 from both sides of the equation 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 7 = 0 yields 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 = -7. To
62 2 2 2 2
complete the square, adding 2
, or 3 , to both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 3 = - 7 + 3 , or 𝑥 + 3 = 2. Taking
the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 + 3 = ± √2 . Subtracting 3 from both sides of this equation yields
𝑥 = - 3 ± √2 . Therefore, the solutions 𝑟 and 𝑠 to the equation 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 7 = 0 are -3 - √2 and -3 + √2 . Since 𝑟 < 𝑠, it
follows that 𝑟 = - 3 - √2 and 𝑠 = - 3 + √2 . Subtracting 8 from both sides of the equation 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 8 = 0 yields
82 2 2 2
𝑥2 + 8𝑥 = -8. To complete the square, adding 2
, or 4 , to both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 4 = - 8 + 4 , or
2
𝑥 + 4 = 8. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 + 4 = ± √8 , or 𝑥 + 4 = ± 2√2 . Subtracting 4
from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = - 4 ± 2√2 . Therefore, the solutions 𝑡 and 𝑢 to the equation 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 8 = 0
are -4 - 2√2 and -4 + 2√2 . Since 𝑡 < 𝑢, it follows that 𝑡 = - 4 - 2√2 and 𝑢 = - 4 + 2√2 . It's given that the solutions to
𝑥2 + 14𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑐 is a constant, are 𝑟 + 𝑡 and 𝑠 + 𝑢. It follows that this equation can be written as
𝑥 - 𝑟 + 𝑡𝑥 - 𝑠 + 𝑢 = 0, which is equivalent to 𝑥2 - 𝑟 + 𝑡 + 𝑠 + 𝑢𝑥 + 𝑟 + 𝑡𝑠 + 𝑢 = 0. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is 𝑟 + 𝑡𝑠 + 𝑢.
Substituting -3 - √2 for 𝑟, -4 - 2√2 for 𝑡, -3 + √2 for 𝑠, and -4 + 2√2 for 𝑢 in this equation yields
-3 - √2 + -4 - 2√2 -3 + √2 + -4 + 2√2 , which is equivalent to -7 - 3√2 -7 + 3√2 , or -7-7 - 3√2 3√2 , which is equivalent to
49 - 18, or 31. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is 31.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 03ff48d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 03ff48d2

In the given equation, is an integer constant. If the equation has no real solution, what is the least possible value of ?

ID: 03ff48d2 Answer

Correct Answer: 50

Rationale
The correct answer is 50. An equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no real
2
solutions if and only if its discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is negative. Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of the
equation 𝑥𝑘𝑥 - 56 = - 16 yields 𝑘𝑥2 - 56𝑥 = - 16. Adding 16 to each side of this equation yields 𝑘𝑥2 - 56𝑥 + 16 = 0.
2
Substituting 𝑘 for 𝑎, -56 for 𝑏, and 16 for 𝑐 in 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields a discriminant of -56 - 4𝑘16, or 3,136 - 64𝑘. If the given
equation has no real solution, it follows that the value of 3,136 - 64𝑘 must be negative. Therefore, 3,136 - 64𝑘 < 0.
Adding 64𝑘 to both sides of this inequality yields 3,136 < 64𝑘. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 64 yields 49 < 𝑘,
or 𝑘 > 49. Since it's given that 𝑘 is an integer, the least possible value of 𝑘 is 50.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7028c74f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 7028c74f

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

ID: 7028c74f Answer

Correct Answer: 10.33, 31/3

Rationale
31
The correct answer is 3
. Subtracting 5𝑥 + 7 from each side of the given equation yields 0 = 15𝑥 - 17𝑥 + 7 - 5𝑥 + 7.
Since 5𝑥 + 7 is a common factor of each of the terms on the right-hand side of this equation, it can be rewritten as
0 = 5𝑥 + 73𝑥 - 17 - 1. This is equivalent to 0 = 5𝑥 + 73𝑥 - 51 - 1, or 0 = 5𝑥 + 73𝑥 - 52. Dividing both sides of this
equation by 5 yields 0 = 𝑥 + 73𝑥 - 52. Since a product of two factors is equal to 0 if and only if at least one of the
factors is 0, either 𝑥 + 7 = 0 or 3𝑥 - 52 = 0. Subtracting 7 from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 7 = 0 yields 𝑥 = -7.
Adding 52 to both sides of the equation 3𝑥 - 52 = 0 yields 3𝑥 = 52. Dividing both sides of this equation by 3 yields
52 52
𝑥 = . Therefore, the solutions to the given equation are -7 and . It follows that the sum of the solutions to the given
3 3
52 21 52 31
equation is -7 + , which is equivalent to - + , or . Note that 31/3 and 10.33 are examples of ways to enter a
3 3 3 3
correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ce579859
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: ce579859

A model estimates that at the end of each year from to , the number of squirrels in a population was
more than the number of squirrels in the population at the end of the previous year. The model estimates that at the end
of , there were squirrels in the population. Which of the following equations represents this model, where is
the estimated number of squirrels in the population years after the end of and ?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: ce579859 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since the model estimates that the number of squirrels in the population increased by a fixed
𝑝 𝑡
percentage, 150%, each year, the model can be represented by an exponential equation of the form 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 100 , where
𝑎 is the estimated number of squirrels in the population at the end of 2015, and the model estimates that at the end of
each year, the number is 𝑝% more than the number at the end of the previous year. Since the model estimates that at
the end of each year, the number was 150% more than the number at the end of the previous year, 𝑝 = 150. Substituting
𝑝 𝑡 150 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡
150 for 𝑝 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 100 yields 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 100 , which is equivalent to 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 1.5 , or 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5 . It’s given
that the estimated number of squirrels at the end of 2016 was 180. This means that when 𝑡 = 1, 𝑛 = 180. Substituting 1
𝑡 1
for 𝑡 and 180 for 𝑛 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5 yields 180 = 𝑎2.5 , or 180 = 2.5𝑎. Dividing each side of this equation by 2.5
𝑡 𝑡
yields 72 = 𝑎. Substituting 72 for 𝑎 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5 yields 𝑛 = 722.5 .

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a model where at the end of each year, the estimated number of
squirrels was 150% of, not 150% more than, the estimated number at the end of the previous year.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation represents a model where at the end of each year, the estimated number of
squirrels was 150% of, not 150% more than, the estimated number at the end of the previous year, and the estimated
number of squirrels at the end of 2015, not the end of 2016, was 180.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation represents a model where the estimated number of squirrels at the end of 2015, not
the end of 2016, was 180.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5355c0ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 5355c0ef

The given expression can be rewritten as , where is a constant. What is the value of ?

ID: 5355c0ef Answer

Correct Answer: .09, 9/100

Rationale
The correct answer is .09 . It's given that the expression 0.36𝑥2 + 0.63𝑥 + 1.17 can be rewritten as 𝑎4𝑥2 + 7𝑥 + 13.
Applying the distributive property to the expression 𝑎4𝑥2 + 7𝑥 + 13 yields 4𝑎𝑥2 + 7𝑎𝑥 + 13𝑎. Therefore,
0.36𝑥2 + 0.63𝑥 + 1.17 can be rewritten as 4𝑎𝑥2 + 7𝑎𝑥 + 13𝑎. It follows that in the expressions 0.36𝑥2 + 0.63𝑥 + 1.17
and 4𝑎𝑥2 + 7𝑎𝑥 + 13𝑎, the coefficients of 𝑥2 are equivalent, the coefficients of 𝑥 are equivalent, and the constant terms
are equivalent. Therefore, 0.36 = 4𝑎, 0.63 = 7𝑎, and 1.17 = 13𝑎. Solving any of these equations for 𝑎 yields the value of
𝑎. Dividing both sides of the equation 0.36 = 4𝑎 by 4 yields 0.09 = 𝑎. Therefore, the value of 𝑎 is 0.09. Note that .09 and
9/100 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2f51abc2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 2f51abc2

The function is defined by the given equation. For which of the following values of does ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2f51abc2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The value of 𝑘 for which 𝑓𝑘 = 3𝑘 can be found by substituting 𝑘 for 𝑥 and 3𝑘 for 𝑓𝑥 in the given
equation, 𝑓𝑥 = 59 - 2𝑥, which yields 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘. For this equation to be true, either -3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 or 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘.
Adding 2𝑘 to both sides of the equation -3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields -𝑘 = 59. Dividing both sides of this equation by -1 yields
𝑘 = - 59. To check whether -59 is the value of 𝑘, substituting -59 for 𝑘 in the equation 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields
3-59 = 59 - 2-59, which is equivalent to -177 = 177, or -177 = 177, which isn't a true statement. Therefore, -59 isn't the
value of 𝑘. Adding 2𝑘 to both sides of the equation 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields 5𝑘 = 59. Dividing both sides of this equation by 5
59 59 59
yields 𝑘 = 5
. To check whether 5 is the value of 𝑘, substituting 5
for 𝑘 in the equation 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields
59 59 177 177 177 177
3 = 59 - 2 , which is equivalent to = , or = , which is a true statement. Therefore, the value of 𝑘 for
5 5 5 5 5 5
59
which 𝑓𝑘 = 3𝑘 is .
5

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 17d0e87d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 17d0e87d

The given equation relates the distinct positive real numbers , , and . Which equation correctly expresses in
terms of and ?

A.

B.

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 17d0e87d Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
14𝑥 2√𝑤 + 19 𝑥
Choice C is correct. Dividing each side of the given equation by 2 yields = , or = √𝑤 + 19 . Because it's
14𝑦 2 𝑦
given that each of the variables is positive, squaring each side of this equation yields the equivalent equation
𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2
= 𝑤 + 19. Subtracting 19 from each side of this equation yields - 19 = 𝑤, or 𝑤 = - 19.
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦

Choice A is incorrect. This equation isn't equivalent to the given equation.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation isn't equivalent to the given equation.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation isn't equivalent to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c81b6c57
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: c81b6c57

In the expression , p is a constant. This

expression is equivalent to the expression . What is the value

of p ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c81b6c57 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Using the distributive property, the first given expression can be rewritten as 6x2 + 3px + 24 – 16px
– 64x + 24, and then rewritten as 6x2 + (3p – 16p – 64)x + 24. Since the expression 6x2 + (3p – 16p – 64)x + 24 is
equivalent to 6x2 – 155x + 24, the coefficients of the x terms from each expression are equivalent to each other; thus 3p
– 16p – 64 = –155. Combining like terms gives –13p – 64 = –155. Adding 64 to both sides of the equation gives –13p
= –71. Dividing both sides of the equation by –13 yields p = 7.

Choice A is incorrect. If p = –3, then the first expression would be equivalent to 6x2 – 25x + 24. Choice C is incorrect. If
p = 13, then the first expression would be equivalent to 6x2 – 233x + 24. Choice D is incorrect. If p = 155, then the first
expression would be equivalent to 6x2 – 2,079x + 24.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 66bce0c1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 66bce0c1

What is the solution set of the

equation above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 66bce0c1 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale

Choice B is correct. Subtracting 4 from both sides of isolates the radical expression on the left

side of the equation as follows: . Squaring both sides of yields

. This equation can be rewritten as a quadratic equation in standard form: . One way to solve this

quadratic equation is to factor the expression by identifying two numbers with a sum of and a product
of . These numbers are and 1. So the quadratic equation can be factored as . It follows that 5
and are the solutions to the quadratic equation. However, the solutions must be verified by checking whether 5 and

satisfy the original equation, . When , the original equation gives

, or , which is false. Therefore, does not satisfy the original equation. When ,

the original equation gives , or , which is true. Therefore, is the only solution to the
original equation, and so the solution set is .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because each of these sets contains at least one value that results in a false
statement when substituted into the given equation. For instance, in choice D, when 0 is substituted for x into the given
equation, the result is , or . This is not a true statement, so 0 is not a solution to the
given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 97e50fa2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 97e50fa2

The graph of the function f, defined by , is shown in

the xy-plane above. If the function g (not shown) is defined by ,
what is one possible value of a such that ?

ID: 97e50fa2 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is either 2 or 8. Substituting in the definitions for f and g gives and

, respectively. If , then . Subtracting 10 from both sides of

this equation gives . Multiplying both sides by gives . Expanding gives

. Combining the like terms on one side of the equation gives . One way to solve

this equation is to factor by identifying two numbers with a sum of and a product of 16. These
numbers are and , so the quadratic equation can be factored as . Therefore, the possible
values of a are either 2 or 8. Note that 2 and 8 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Alternate approach: Graphically, the condition implies the graphs of the functions and
intersect at . The graph is given, and the graph of may be sketched as a line with y-intercept 10
and a slope of (taking care to note the different scales on each axis). These two graphs intersect at and
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ebb717ab
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ebb717ab

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has no real solutions if . What is the least possible value of ?

ID: ebb717ab Answer

Correct Answer: 289

Rationale
The correct answer is 289. A quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no
real solutions when the value of the discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is less than 0. In the given equation, 𝑥2 - 34𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑎 = 1
2
and 𝑏 = - 34. Therefore, the discriminant of the given equation can be expressed as -34 - 41𝑐, or 1,156 - 4𝑐. It follows
that the given equation has no real solutions when 1,156 - 4𝑐 < 0. Adding 4𝑐 to both sides of this inequality yields
1,156 < 4𝑐. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 4 yields 289 < 𝑐, or 𝑐 > 289. It's given that the equation
𝑥2 - 34𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has no real solutions when 𝑐 > 𝑛. Therefore, the least possible value of 𝑛 is 289.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e51bf5b1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: e51bf5b1

Which of the following expressions has a factor of , where is a positive integer constant?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e51bf5b1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since each choice has a term of 3𝑥2 , which can be written as 3𝑥𝑥, and each choice has a term of
14𝑏, which can be written as 72𝑏, the expression that has a factor of 𝑥 + 2𝑏, where 𝑏 is a positive integer constant, can
be represented as 3𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 2𝑏. Using the distributive property of multiplication, this expression is equivalent to
3𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑏 + 7𝑥 + 2𝑏, or 3𝑥2 + 6𝑥𝑏 + 7𝑥 + 14𝑏. Combining the x-terms in this expression yields 3𝑥2 + 7 + 6𝑏𝑥 + 14𝑏. It
follows that the coefficient of the x-term is equal to 7 + 6𝑏. Thus, from the given choices, 7 + 6𝑏 must be equal to 7, 28,
0 21 35 42
42, or 49. Therefore, 6𝑏 must be equal to 0, 21, 35, or 42, respectively, and 𝑏 must be equal to 6 , , ,
6 6
or 6
, respectively.
42
Of these four values of 𝑏, only 6
, or 7, is a positive integer. It follows that 7 + 6𝑏 must be equal to 49 because this is the
only choice for which the value of 𝑏 is a positive integer constant. Therefore, the expression that has a factor of 𝑥 + 2𝑏
is 3𝑥2 + 49𝑥 + 14𝑏.

Choice A is incorrect. If this expression has a factor of 𝑥 + 2𝑏, then the value of 𝑏 is 0, which isn't positive.

21
Choice B is incorrect. If this expression has a factor of 𝑥 + 2𝑏, then the value of 𝑏 is , which isn't an integer.
6

35
Choice C is incorrect. If this expression has a factor of 𝑥 + 2𝑏, then the value of 𝑏 is 6
, which isn't an integer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9afe2370
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 9afe2370
The population P of a certain city y years after the last census is modeled by the equation below, where r is a
constant and is the population when .

If during this time the population of the city decreases by a fixed percent each
year, which of the following must be true?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9afe2370 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The term (1 + r) represents a percent change. Since the population is decreasing, the percent
change must be between 0% and 100%. When the percent change is expressed as a decimal rather than as a percent,
the percentage change must be between 0 and 1. Because (1 + r) represents percent change, this can be expressed as
0 < 1 + r < 1. Subtracting 1 from all three terms of this compound inequality results in –1 < r < 0.

Choice A is incorrect. If r < –1, then after 1 year, the population P would be a negative value, which is not possible.
Choices C and D are incorrect. For any value of r > 0, 1 + r > 1, and the exponential function models growth for positive
values of the exponent. This contradicts the given information that the population is decreasing.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 967ef685
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 967ef685

Which expression is equivalent to , where ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 967ef685 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Two fractions can be added together when they have a common denominator. Since 𝑘 > 0,
𝑘 42𝑎𝑘𝑘 42𝑎𝑘2
multiplying the second term in the given expression by yields , which is equivalent to . Therefore, the
𝑘 𝑘 𝑘
42𝑎 42𝑎 42𝑎𝑘2 42𝑎 + 42𝑎𝑘2
expression + 42𝑎𝑘 can be written as + which is equivalent to . Since each term in the numerator
𝑘 𝑘 𝑘 𝑘
42𝑎 + 42𝑎𝑘2 42𝑎1 + 42𝑎𝑘2 42𝑎1 + 𝑘2
of this expression has a factor of 42𝑎, the expression can be rewritten as , or , which is
𝑘 𝑘 𝑘
42𝑎 ( 𝑘2 + 1 )
equivalent to .
𝑘

42𝑎 42𝑎
Choice A is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 𝑘
+
𝑘
.

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

42𝑎
Choice C is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 𝑘
+ 42𝑎.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b7c74b73
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: b7c74b73

The function gives the value, in dollars, of a certain piece of equipment after months of use. If the value of the
equipment decreases each year by of its value the preceding year, what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b7c74b73 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
𝑥
Choice C is correct. For a function of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑘 , where 𝑎, 𝑟, and 𝑘 are constants and 𝑟 < 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥
decreases by 1001 - 𝑟% for every increase of 𝑥 by 𝑘. In the given function, 𝑎 = 5,470, 𝑟 = 0.64, and 𝑘 = 12. Therefore, for
the given function, the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 1001 - 0.64%, or 36%, for every increase of 𝑥 by 12. Since 𝑓𝑥 represents
the value, in dollars, of the equipment after 𝑥 months of use, it follows that the value of the equipment decreases every
12 months by 36% of its value the preceding 12 months. Since there are 12 months in a year, the value of the equipment
decreases each year by 36% of its value the preceding year. Thus, the value of 𝑝 is 36.

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: Hard

Question ID 3d12b1e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3d12b1e0

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the value of ?

ID: 3d12b1e0 Answer

Correct Answer: -1

Rationale
The correct answer is -1. A quadratic equation in the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has exactly
2
one solution when its discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to 0. In the given equation, -16𝑥2 - 8𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑎 = - 16 and 𝑏 = - 8.
2 2
Substituting -16 for 𝑎 and -8 for 𝑏 in 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields -8 - 4-16𝑐, or 64 + 64𝑐. Since the given equation has exactly one
solution, 64 + 64𝑐 = 0. Subtracting 64 from both sides of this equation yields 64𝑐 = - 64. Dividing both sides of this
equation by 64 yields 𝑐 = - 1. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is -1.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2c88af4d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 2c88af4d

The expression , where and , is

equivalent to which of the following?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2c88af4d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. For and , and are equivalent to and , respectively. Also, and

are equivalent to and , respectively. Therefore, the given expression can be rewritten as .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because these choices are not equivalent to the given expression for and .

For example, for and , the value of the given expression is ; the values of the choices, however, are

, , and 1, respectively.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ffdbcad4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: ffdbcad4

The expression , where is a constant, can be rewritten as , where , , and are

integer constants. Which of the following must be an integer?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ffdbcad4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 - 45 can be rewritten as ℎ𝑥 + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑗. The expression ℎ𝑥 + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑗 can be
rewritten as ℎ𝑥2 + 𝑗ℎ𝑥 + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑘𝑗, or ℎ𝑥2 + 𝑗ℎ + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑘𝑗. Therefore, ℎ𝑥2 + 𝑗ℎ + 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑘𝑗 is equivalent to 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 - 45. It
-45 45
follows that 𝑘𝑗 = - 45. Dividing each side of this equation by 𝑘 yields 𝑗 = 𝑘
. Since 𝑗 is an integer, - 𝑘 must be an
45
integer. Therefore, 𝑘
must also be an integer.

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 71014fb1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 71014fb1

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 71014fb1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Any quantity that is positive or negative in value has a positive value when squared. Therefore, the
left-hand side of the given equation is either positive or zero for any value of 𝑥. Since the right-hand side of the given
equation is negative, there is no value of 𝑥 for which the given equation is true. Thus, the number of distinct real
solutions for the given equation is zero.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 22fd3e1f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 22fd3e1f

Which of the following expressions is

equivalent to , for ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 22fd3e1f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Since and , the fraction can be written

as . It is given that , so the common factor is not equal to 0. Therefore, the fraction can be

further simplified to .

Choice A is incorrect. The expression is not equivalent to because at , as a value of 1 and

has a value of 0.

Choice B is incorrect and results from omitting the factor x in the factorization of . Choice C is incorrect and may

result from incorrectly factoring as instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 4dc5c6f9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 4dc5c6f9

If the given equations are graphed in the xy-plane, at how many points do the graphs of the equations intersect?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 4dc5c6f9 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A point 𝑥, 𝑦 is a solution to a system of equations if it lies on the graphs of both equations in the xy-
plane. In other words, a solution to a system of equations is a point 𝑥, 𝑦 at which the graphs intersect. It’s given that the
2
first equation is 𝑦 = 18. Substituting 18 for 𝑦 in the second equation yields 18 = -3𝑥 - 18 + 15. Subtracting 15 from
each side of this equation yields 3 = -3𝑥 - 182 . Dividing each side of this equation by -3 yields -1 = 𝑥 - 182 . Since the
square of a real number is at least 0, this equation can't have any real solutions. Therefore, the graphs of the equations
intersect at zero points.

Alternate approach: The graph of the second equation is a parabola that opens downward and has a vertex at 18, 15.
Therefore, the maximum value of this parabola occurs when 𝑦 = 15. The graph of the first equation is a horizontal line
at 18 on the y-axis, or 𝑦 = 18. Since 18 is greater than 15, or the horizontal line is above the vertex of the parabola, the
graphs of these equations intersect at zero points.

Choice A is incorrect. The graph of 𝑦 = 15, not 𝑦 = 18, and the graph of the second equation intersect at exactly one
point.

Choice B is incorrect. The graph of any horizontal line such that the value of 𝑦 is less than 15, not greater than 15, and
the graph of the second equation intersect at exactly two points.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a0b4103e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: a0b4103e

The expression can be rewritten as , where k is a

positive constant. What is the value of k ?

A. 2

B. 6

C.

D.

ID: a0b4103e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Factoring out the coefficient , the given expression can be rewritten as . The

expression can be approached as a difference of squares and rewritten as . Therefore, k must

be .

Choice A is incorrect. If k were 2, then the expression given would be rewritten as , which is equivalent

to , not .

Choice B is incorrect. This may result from incorrectly factoring the expression and finding as the

factored form of the expression. Choice C is incorrect. This may result from incorrectly distributing the and

rewriting the expression as .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2cd6b22d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2cd6b22d

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?

A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 2cd6b22d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of solutions of a quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are
constants, can be determined by the value of the discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐. If the value of the discriminant is positive, then
the quadratic equation has exactly two distinct real solutions. If the value of the discriminant is equal to zero, then the
quadratic equation has exactly one real solution. If the value of the discriminant is negative, then the quadratic equation
has zero real solutions. In the given equation, 5𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 16 = 0, 𝑎 = 5, 𝑏 = 10, and 𝑐 = 16. Substituting these values
for 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 in 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields 102 - 4516, or -220. Since the value of its discriminant is negative, the given equation has
zero real solutions. Therefore, the number of distinct real solutions the given equation has is zero.

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 f2d60b99
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: f2d60b99

The function gives a metal ball's height above the ground , in inches, seconds after it
started moving on a track, where . Which of the following is the best interpretation of the vertex of the
graph of in the xy-plane?

A. The metal ball's minimum height was inches above the ground.

B. The metal ball's minimum height was inches above the ground.

C. The metal ball's height was inches above the ground when it started moving.

D. The metal ball's height was inches above the ground when it started moving.

ID: f2d60b99 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The graph of a quadratic equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are positive
1 2
constants, is a parabola that opens upward with vertex ℎ, 𝑘. The given function 𝑓𝑥 = 9 𝑥 - 7 + 3 is in the form
2 1
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, 𝑎 = 9 , ℎ = 7, and 𝑘 = 3. Therefore, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is a parabola that opens upward
with vertex 7, 3. Since the parabola opens upward, the vertex is the lowest point on the graph. It follows that the y-
coordinate of the vertex of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is the minimum value of 𝑓𝑥. Therefore, the minimum value of 𝑓𝑥 is 3. It’s
1
given that 𝑓𝑥 = 9 𝑥 - 72 + 3 represents the metal ball’s height above the ground, in inches, 𝑥 seconds after it started
moving on a track. Therefore, the best interpretation of the vertex of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is that the metal ball’s
minimum height was 3 inches above the ground.

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 e9349667
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: e9349667

If and are the two solutions to the system of equations

above, what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e9349667 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The system of equations can be solved using the substitution method. Solving the second equation
for y gives y = –x – 1. Substituting the expression –x – 1 for y into the first equation gives –x – 1 = x2 + 2x + 1. Adding x
+ 1 to both sides of the equation yields x2 + 3x + 2 = 0. The left-hand side of the equation can be factored by finding two
numbers whose sum is 3 and whose product is 2, which gives (x + 2)(x + 1) = 0. Setting each factor equal to 0 yields x +
2 = 0 and x + 1 = 0, and solving for x yields x = –2 or x = –1. These values of x can be substituted for x in the equation y
= –x – 1 to find the corresponding y-values: y = –(–2) – 1 = 2 – 1 = 1 and y = –(–1) – 1 = 1 – 1 = 0. It follows that (–2, 1)
and (–1, 0) are the solutions to the given system of equations. Therefore, (x1, y1) = (–2, 1), (x2, y2) = (–1, 0), and y1 + y2
= 1 + 0 = 1.

Choice A is incorrect. The solutions to the system of equations are (x1, y1) = (–2, 1) and (x2, y2) = (–1, 0). Therefore, –3
is the sum of the x-coordinates of the solutions, not the sum of the y-coordinates of the solutions. Choices B and C are
incorrect and may be the result of computation or substitution errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1f353a9e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 1f353a9e

The given function models the number of coupons a company sent to their customers at the end of each year, where
represents the number of years since the end of , and . If is graphed in the ty-plane, which
of the following is the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?

A. The minimum estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers during the years was .

B. The minimum estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers during the years was .

C. The estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of was .

D. The estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of was .

ID: 1f353a9e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the ty-plane is the point where 𝑡 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
𝑡
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 in the ty-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑡 in the equation 𝑦 = 8,0000 . 65 ,
0
which gives 𝑦 = 8,0000 . 65 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 8,0001, or 𝑦 = 8,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of
𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 is 0, 8,000. It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of coupons a company sent to their customers at the
end of each year. Therefore, 𝑓𝑡 represents the estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at
the end of each year. It's also given that 𝑡 represents the number of years since the end of 1998. Therefore, 𝑡 = 0
represents 0 years since the end of 1998, or the end of 1998. Thus, the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph
of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 is that the estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of 1998 was 8,000.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b03adde3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b03adde3

If , what is t

in terms of u ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b03adde3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Multiplying both sides of the given equation by yields . Dividing both sides of

this equation by yields . Adding 2 to both sides of this equation yields , which can be

rewritten as . Since the fractions on the right-hand side of this equation have a common

denominator, adding the fractions yields . Applying the distributive property to the numerator on the

right-hand side of this equation yields , which is equivalent to .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from various misconceptions or miscalculations.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1ce9ffcd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 1ce9ffcd

In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1ce9ffcd Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that the equation -9𝑥2 + 30𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has exactly one solution. A quadratic equation of the
2
form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has exactly one solution if and only if its discriminant, -4𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏 , is equal to zero. It follows that
for the given equation, 𝑎 = - 9 and 𝑏 = 30. Substituting -9 for 𝑎 and 30 for 𝑏 into 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields 302 - 4-9𝑐, or 900 + 36𝑐.
Since the discriminant must equal zero, 900 + 36𝑐 = 0. Subtracting 36𝑐 from both sides of this equation yields
900 = -36𝑐. Dividing each side of this equation by -36 yields -25 = 𝑐. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is -25.

Choice A is incorrect. If the value of 𝑐 is 3, this would yield a discriminant that is greater than zero. Therefore, the given
equation would have two solutions, rather than exactly one solution.

Choice B is incorrect. If the value of 𝑐 is 0, this would yield a discriminant that is greater than zero. Therefore, the given
equation would have two solutions, rather than exactly one solution.

Choice D is incorrect. If the value of 𝑐 is -53, this would yield a discriminant that is less than zero. Therefore, the given
equation would have no real solutions, rather than exactly one solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 104bff62
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 104bff62

In the given equation, is a positive constant. Which of the following is one of the solutions to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 104bff62 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. If 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 ≤ 0, then neither side of the given equation is defined and there can be no solution.
𝑐2 𝑥2 𝑐2
Therefore, 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 > 0. Subtracting from both sides of the given equation yields - = 39, or
√𝑥2 - 𝑐2 √𝑥2 - 𝑐2 √𝑥2 - 𝑐2
2
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
= 39. Squaring both sides of this equation yields = 392 , or = 392 . Since 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 is positive and,
√𝑥2 - 𝑐2 √𝑥2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 2
therefore, nonzero, the expression is defined and equivalent to 1. It follows that the equation = 39 can
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2 2
be rewritten as
𝑥 2 - 𝑐2
392 , or 1𝑥2 - 𝑐2 = 392 , which is equivalent to 𝑥2 - 𝑐2 = 392 . Adding 𝑐2 to both sides of this
𝑥 - 𝑐2 =
equation yields 𝑥2 = 𝑐2 + 392 .
Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields two solutions: 𝑥 = √𝑐2 + 392
and 𝑥 = - √𝑐2 + 392 . Therefore, of the given choices, -√𝑐2 + 392 is one of the solutions to the given equation.

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 270cf326
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 270cf326

Which of the following functions has(have) a minimum value at ?

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 270cf326 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A function of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎 < 0 and 𝑏 > 1, is a decreasing function. Both of the
given functions are of this form; therefore, both are decreasing functions. If a function 𝑓 is decreasing as the value of 𝑥
increases, the corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases; therefore, the function doesn’t have a minimum value. Thus, neither
of the given functions has a minimum value.

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 92f812bb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 92f812bb

In the xy-plane, a parabola has vertex and intersects the x-axis at two points. If the equation of the parabola
is written in the form , where , , and are constants, which of the following could be the value of
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 92f812bb Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The equation of a parabola in the xy-plane can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎 is a
constant and ℎ, 𝑘 is the vertex of the parabola. If 𝑎 is positive, the parabola will open upward, and if 𝑎 is negative, the
parabola will open downward. It’s given that the parabola has vertex 9, - 14. Substituting 9 for ℎ and -14 for 𝑘 in the
equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 gives 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 92 - 14, which can be rewritten as 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 9𝑥 - 9 - 14, or 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 18𝑥 + 81 - 14.
Distributing the factor of 𝑎 on the right-hand side of this equation yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 18𝑎𝑥 + 81𝑎 - 14. Therefore, the
equation of the parabola, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 18𝑎𝑥 + 81𝑎 - 14, can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎 = 𝑎, 𝑏 = - 18𝑎,
and 𝑐 = 81𝑎 - 14. Substituting -18𝑎 for 𝑏 and 81𝑎 - 14 for 𝑐 in the expression 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 yields 𝑎 + -18𝑎 + 81𝑎 - 14, or
64𝑎 - 14. Since the vertex of the parabola, 9, - 14, is below the x-axis, and it’s given that the parabola intersects the x-
axis at two points, the parabola must open upward. Therefore, the constant 𝑎 must have a positive value. Setting the
expression 64𝑎 - 14 equal to the value in choice D yields 64𝑎 - 14 = - 12. Adding 14 to both sides of this equation yields
2
64𝑎 = 2. Dividing both sides of this equation by 64 yields 𝑎 = , which is a positive value. Therefore, if the equation of
64
the parabola is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 could be
- 12.

Choice A is incorrect. If the equation of a parabola with a vertex at 9, - 14 is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants and 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = - 23, then the value of 𝑎 will be negative, which means the parabola will open
downward, not upward, and will intersect the x-axis at zero points, not two points.

Choice B is incorrect. If the equation of a parabola with a vertex at 9, - 14 is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants and 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = - 19, then the value of 𝑎 will be negative, which means the parabola will open
downward, not upward, and will intersect the x-axis at zero points, not two points.

Choice C is incorrect. If the equation of a parabola with a vertex at 9, - 14 is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants and 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = - 14, then the value of 𝑎 will be 0, which is inconsistent with the equation of a
parabola.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 7dbd46d9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 7dbd46d9

The graphs of the equations in the given system of equations intersect at the point in the -plane. What is a
possible value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7dbd46d9 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that the graphs of the equations in the given system of equations intersect at the point 𝑥, 𝑦
. Therefore, this intersection point is a solution to the given system. The solution can be found by isolating 𝑦 in each
equation. The given equation 8𝑥 + 𝑦 = - 11 can be rewritten to isolate 𝑦 by subtracting 8𝑥 from both sides of the
equation, which gives 𝑦 = - 8𝑥 - 11. The given equation 2𝑥2 = 𝑦 + 341 can be rewritten to isolate 𝑦 by subtracting 341
from both sides of the equation, which gives 2𝑥2 - 341 = 𝑦. With each equation solved for 𝑦, the value of 𝑦 from one
equation can be substituted into the other, which gives 2𝑥2 - 341 = - 8𝑥 - 11. Adding 8𝑥 and 11 to both sides of this
equation results in 2𝑥2 + 8𝑥 - 330 = 0. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 results in 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 - 165 = 0. This
equation can be rewritten by factoring the left-hand side, which yields 𝑥 + 15𝑥 - 11 = 0. By the zero-product property, if
𝑥 + 15𝑥 - 11 = 0, then 𝑥 + 15 = 0, or 𝑥 - 11 = 0. It follows that 𝑥 = - 15, or 𝑥 = 11. Since only -15 is given as a choice, a
possible value of 𝑥 is -15.

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 0121a235
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 0121a235

x p(x)

The table above gives selected values of a polynomial function p. Based on the
values in the table, which of the following must be a factor of p ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0121a235 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. According to the table, when x is or 2, . Therefore, two x-intercepts of the graph of p
are and . Since and are x-intercepts, it follows that and are factors of the
polynomial equation. This is because when , the value of is 0. Similarly, when , the value of is
0. Therefore, the product is a factor of the polynomial function p.

Choice A is incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice B
is incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice C is
incorrect. The factors and correspond to x-intercepts and , respectively, which aren’t present in
the table.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 158591f0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 158591f0

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

ID: 158591f0 Answer

Correct Answer: 29/3, 9.666, 9.667

Rationale
29
The correct answer is 3
. Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of the given equation, 𝑥𝑥 + 1 - 56, yields
𝑥2 + 𝑥 - 56. Applying the distributive property to the right-hand side of the given equation, 4𝑥𝑥 - 7, yields 4𝑥2 - 28𝑥. Thus,
the equation becomes 𝑥2 + 𝑥 - 56 = 4𝑥2 - 28𝑥. Combining like terms on the left- and right-hand sides of this equation
yields 0 = 4𝑥2 - 𝑥2 + -28𝑥 - 𝑥 + 56, or 3𝑥2 - 29𝑥 + 56 = 0. For a quadratic equation in the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎,
-𝑏 ± √𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐
𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the quadratic formula gives the solutions to the equation in the form 𝑥 = . Substituting
2𝑎
29 ± √-292 - 4356
3 for 𝑎, -29 for 𝑏, and 56 for 𝑐 from the equation 3𝑥2 - 29𝑥 + 56 = 0 into the quadratic formula yields 𝑥 = 23
,
29 13 29 13 29 13
or 𝑥 = ± . It follows that the solutions to the given equation are + and - . Adding these two solutions
6 6 6 6 6 6
29 13 29 13 29 29 29
gives the sum of the solutions: 6
+ 6
+ 6
- 6
, which is equivalent to 6
+ 6
, or 3
. Note that 29/3, 9.666, and 9.667
are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bba18ecb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: bba18ecb

When the quadratic function is graphed in the xy-plane, where , its vertex is . One of the x-intercepts
of this graph is . What is the other x-intercept of the graph?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: bba18ecb Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since the line of symmetry for the graph of a quadratic function contains the vertex of the graph,
the x-coordinate of the vertex of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is the x-coordinate of the midpoint of its two x-intercepts. The
𝑥1 + 𝑥2
midpoint of two points with x-coordinates 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 has x-coordinate 𝑥𝑚 , where 𝑥𝑚 = . It′s given that the vertex is
2
17 17 𝑥1 + 𝑥2
-3, 6 and one of the x-intercepts is - , 0. Substituting -3 for 𝑥𝑚 and - for 𝑥1 in the equation 𝑥𝑚 = yields
4 4 2
17
- + 𝑥2 17 17
-3 = 4 . Multiplying each side of this equation by 2 yields -6 = - + 𝑥2 . Adding to each side of this equation
2 4 4
7 7
yields - = 𝑥2 . Therefore, the other x-intercept is - , 0.
4 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: Hard

Question ID 70753f99
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 70753f99

The function f is defined by . The graph of f in the xy-

plane is a parabola. Which of the following intervals contains the x-coordinate

of the vertex of the graph of f ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 70753f99 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The graph of a quadratic function in the xy-plane is a parabola. The axis of symmetry of the
parabola passes through the vertex of the parabola. Therefore, the vertex of the parabola and the midpoint of the
segment between the two x-intercepts of the graph have the same x-coordinate. Since , the x-

coordinate of the vertex is . Of the shown intervals, only the interval in choice B contains –2.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from either calculation errors or misidentification of the graph’s x-
intercepts.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c6e85cd7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: c6e85cd7

If , what is the value of ?

ID: c6e85cd7 Answer

Correct Answer: .2916, .2917, 7/24

Rationale
7
The correct answer is 24
. An expression of the form 𝑛√𝑎𝑚 , where 𝑚 and 𝑛 are integers greater than 1 and 𝑎 ≥ 0, is
𝑚 3 7
equivalent to 𝑎 𝑛 . Therefore, the expression on the right-hand side of the given equation, √47 , is equivalent to 4 3 . Thus,
7
7 7
48𝑐 = 4 3 . It follows that 8𝑐 = . Dividing both sides of this equation by 8 yields 𝑐 = . Note that 7/24, .2916, .2917,
3 24
0.219, and 0.292 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6aefc52b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 6aefc52b

In the given system of equations, is a positive integer constant. The system has no real solutions. What is the least
possible value of ?

ID: 6aefc52b Answer

Correct Answer: 14

Rationale
The correct answer is 14. It's given by the first equation of the system of equations that 𝑦 = -2.5. Substituting -2.5 for 𝑦
in the second given equation, 𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑘, yields -2.5 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑘. Adding 2.5 to both sides of this equation yields
0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑘 + 2.5. A quadratic equation of the form 0 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no real
2
solutions if and only if its discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is negative. In the equation 0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑘 + 2.5, where 𝑘 is a positive
2
integer constant, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 8, and 𝑐 = 𝑘 + 2.5. Substituting 1 for 𝑎, 8 for 𝑏, and 𝑘 + 2.5 for 𝑐 in 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields
82 - 41𝑘 + 2.5, or 64 - 4𝑘 + 2.5. Since this value must be negative, 64 - 4𝑘 + 2.5 < 0. Adding 4𝑘 + 2.5 to both sides of this
inequality yields 64 < 4𝑘 + 2.5. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 4 yields 16 < 𝑘 + 2.5. Subtracting 2.5 from both
sides of this inequality yields 13.5 < 𝑘. Since 𝑘 is a positive integer constant, the least possible value of 𝑘 is 14.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 55c5d3c2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 55c5d3c2

The function is defined by , where and are constants and . In the xy-plane, the graph of
has a y-intercept at and passes through the point . What is the value of ?

ID: 55c5d3c2 Answer

Correct Answer: -19

Rationale
The correct answer is -19. It's given that function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants and 𝑎 > 0. It's
also given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane has a y-intercept at 0, - 25 and passes through the point 2, 23. Since
the graph has a y-intercept at 0, - 25, 𝑓0 = - 25. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 𝑓0 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or
𝑓0 = 1 + 𝑏, and substituting -25 for 𝑓0 in this equation yields -25 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from each side of this equation
yields -26 = 𝑏. Substituting -26 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 26. Since the graph also passes
through the point 2, 23, 𝑓2 = 23. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 26 yields 𝑓2 = 𝑎2 - 26, and substituting 23
for 𝑓2 yields 23 = 𝑎2 - 26. Adding 26 to each side of this equation yields 49 = 𝑎2 . Taking the square root of both sides of
this equation yields ±7 = 𝑎. Since it's given that 𝑎 > 0, the value of 𝑎 is 7. It follows that the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 is 7 - 26, or
-19.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c9417793
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c9417793

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

ID: c9417793 Answer

Correct Answer: 18

Rationale
The correct answer is 18. Subtracting 45 from each side of the given equation yields 𝑥 - 9 = 18. By the definition of
absolute value, if 𝑥 - 9 = 18, then 𝑥 - 9 = 18 or 𝑥 - 9 = - 18. Adding 9 to each side of the equation 𝑥 - 9 = 18 yields 𝑥 = 27
. Adding 9 to each side of the equation 𝑥 - 9 = - 18 yields 𝑥 = - 9. Therefore, the solutions to the given equation are 27
and -9, and it follows that the sum of the solutions to the given equation is 27 + -9, or 18.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 58dcc59f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 58dcc59f

A landscaper is designing a rectangular garden. The length of the garden is to

be 5 feet longer than the width. If the area of the garden will be 104 square feet,
what will be the length, in feet, of the garden?

ID: 58dcc59f Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 13. Let w represent the width of the rectangular garden, in feet. Since the length of the garden will
be 5 feet longer than the width of the garden, the length of the garden will be feet. Thus the area of the garden

will be . It is also given that the area of the garden will be 104 square feet. Therefore, , which

is equivalent to . Factoring this equation results in . Therefore, and

. Because width cannot be negative, the width of the garden must be 8 feet. This means the length of the
garden must be feet.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2d1614a1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 2d1614a1

The function models the population, in thousands, of a certain city years after . According to the model, the
population is predicted to increase by every months. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2d1614a1 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that the function 𝑃 models the population of the city 𝑡 years after 2005. Since there are 12
18 18
months in a year, 18 months is equivalent to 12
years. Therefore, the expression 12
𝑥 can represent the number of years
4 18
18 18 𝑥
in 𝑥 18-month periods. Substituting 𝑥 for 𝑡 in the given equation yields 𝑃 12 𝑥 = 2901.04 6 12 , which is equivalent to
12
18
𝑃 𝑥 = 2901.04𝑥 . Therefore, for each 18-month period, the predicted population of the city is 1.04 times, or 104% of, the
12
previous population. This means that the population is predicted to increase by 4% every 18 months.

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

Choice B is incorrect. Each year, the predicted population of the city is 1.04 times the previous year's predicted
population, which is not the same as an increase of 1.04%.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 30281058
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 30281058

In the xy-plane, the graph of intersects line p at and ,

where a and b are constants. What is the slope of line p ?

A. 6

B. 2

C.

D.

ID: 30281058 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the graph of and line p intersect at and . Therefore, the value of
y when is the value of a, and the value of y when is the value of b. Substituting 1 for x in the given equation

yields , or . Similarly, substituting 5 for x in the given equation yields , or .

Therefore, the intersection points are and . The slope of line p is the ratio of the change in y to the

change in x between these two points: , or 6.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors in determining the values of a, b,
or the slope of line p.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 84dd43f8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 84dd43f8

For the function , , and for each increase in by , the value of decreases by . What is the value
of ?

ID: 84dd43f8 Answer

Correct Answer: 3.44, 86/25

Rationale
The correct answer is 3.44. It’s given that 𝑓0 = 86 and that for each increase in 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 80%
. Because the output of the function decreases by a constant percentage for each 1-unit increase in the value of 𝑥, this
relationship can be represented by an exponential function of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑏𝑥 , where 𝑎 represents the initial value of
the function and 𝑏 represents the rate of decay,
expressed as a decimal. Because 𝑓0 = 86, the value of 𝑎 must be 86. Because the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 80% for
each 1-unit increase in 𝑥, the value of 𝑏 must be ( 1 − 0 . 80 ) , or 0 . 2. Therefore, the function 𝑓 can be defined by
𝑓𝑥 = 860 . 2𝑥 . Substituting 2 for 𝑥 in this function yields 𝑓2 = 860 . 22 , which is equivalent to 𝑓2 = 860 . 04, or 𝑓2 = 3 . 44.
Either 3.44 or 86 / 25 may be entered as the correct answer.

Alternate approach: It’s given that 𝑓0 = 86 and that for each increase in 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 80%.
Therefore, when 𝑥 = 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is ( 100 − 80 ) %, or 20%, of 86, which can be expressed as 0 . 2086. Since
0 . 2086 = 17 . 2, the value of 𝑓1 is 17.2. Similarly, when 𝑥 = 2, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 20% of 17.2, which can be expressed as
0 . 2017 . 2. Since 0 . 2017 . 2 = 3 . 44, the value of 𝑓2 is 3.44. Either 3.44 or 86 / 25 may be entered as the correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 59d1f4b5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 59d1f4b5

The equation above models the number of members, M, of a gym t years after
the gym opens. Of the following, which equation models the number of
members of the gym q quarter years after the gym opens?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 59d1f4b5 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. In 1 year, there are 4 quarter years, so the number of quarter years, q, is 4 times the number of

years, t ; that is, . This is equivalent to , and substituting this into the expression for M in terms of t gives

Choices B and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly using instead of . (Choices B and D are

nearly the same since is equivalent to , which is approximately .) Choice C is incorrect and
may be the result of incorrectly using and unnecessarily dividing 0.02 by 4.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4fb8a648
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 4fb8a648

A solution to the given system of equations is . What is the greatest possible value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4fb8a648 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 9 and 𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 16𝑥 + 63; therefore, it follows that 𝑥 + 9 = 𝑥2 + 16𝑥 + 63. This
equation can be rewritten as 𝑥 + 9 = 𝑥 + 9𝑥 + 7. Subtracting 𝑥 + 9 from both sides of this equation yields
0 = 𝑥 + 9𝑥 + 7 - 𝑥 + 9. This equation can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 + 9𝑥 + 7 - 1, or 0 = 𝑥 + 9𝑥 + 6. By the zero product
property, 𝑥 + 9 = 0 or 𝑥 + 6 = 0. Subtracting 9 from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 9 = 0 yields 𝑥 = - 9. Subtracting 6
from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 6 = 0 yields 𝑥 = - 6. Therefore, the given system of equations has solutions, 𝑥, 𝑦,
that occur when 𝑥 = - 9 and 𝑥 = - 6. Since -6 is greater than -9, the greatest possible value of 𝑥 is -6.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the negative of the greatest possible value of 𝑥 when 𝑦 = 0 for the second equation in the
given system of equations.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑦 when 𝑥 = 0 for the first equation in the given system of equations.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑦 when 𝑥 = 0 for the second equation in the given system of equations.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 133f3e41
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 133f3e41

The given equation relates the positive variables , , , and . Which of the following is equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 133f3e41 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
1 1 20 1 20 20 20 1
Choice C is correct. Multiplying each side of the given equation by 20
yields 20 𝑝
=
20 𝑞
-
𝑟
-
𝑠
. Distributing 20
on each
20 20 20 20 1 1 1 1 1 1
side of this equation yields = - - , or = - - . Adding + to each side of this equation yields
20𝑝 20𝑞 20𝑟 20𝑠 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 𝑠 𝑟 𝑠
1 1 1 1 1 𝑝𝑟 1 𝑝𝑠 1 𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑟 𝑝𝑠 𝑟𝑠 1 𝑝𝑟 + 𝑝𝑠 + 𝑟𝑠 1
+ + = . Multiplying by , by , and by yields + + = , which is equivalent to = .
𝑠 𝑟 𝑝 𝑞 𝑠 𝑝𝑟 𝑟 𝑝𝑠 𝑝 𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑠 𝑞 𝑝𝑟𝑠 𝑞
𝑝𝑟 + 𝑝𝑠 + 𝑟𝑠 1
Since 𝑝𝑟𝑠
= 𝑞
, and it's given that 𝑝, 𝑞, 𝑟, and 𝑠 are positive, it follows that the reciprocals of each side of this
𝑝𝑟𝑠 𝑞 𝑝𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑠
equation are also equal. Thus, = , or = 𝑞. Therefore, is equivalent to 𝑞.
𝑝𝑟 + 𝑝𝑠 + 𝑟𝑠 1 𝑝𝑟 + 𝑝𝑠 + 𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑟 + 𝑝𝑠 + 𝑟𝑠

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: Hard

Question ID 01668cd6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 01668cd6

The functions and are defined by the given equations, where . Which of the following equations displays, as a
constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines, where ?

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 01668cd6 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both exponential functions with a base of 0.40. Since 0.40 is less than 1,
functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both decreasing exponential functions. This means that 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 decrease as 𝑥 increases.
Since 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 decrease as 𝑥 increases, the maximum value of each function occurs at the least value of 𝑥 for which
the function is defined. It's given that functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined for 𝑥 ≥ 0. Therefore, the maximum value of each
0+3
function occurs at 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation defining 𝑓 yields 𝑓0 = 330.4 , which is equivalent to
𝑓0 = 330.4 , or 𝑓0 = 2.112. Therefore, the maximum value of 𝑓 is 2.112. Since the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 330.4𝑥 + 3 doesn't
3

display the value 2.112, the equation defining 𝑓 doesn't display the maximum value of 𝑓. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the
0-2 1 1
equation defining 𝑔 yields 𝑔0 = 330.160.4 , which can be rewritten as 𝑔0 = 330.16 , or 𝑔0 = 330.16 0.16 , which is
0.42
equivalent to 𝑔0 = 33. Therefore, the maximum value of 𝑔 is 33. Since the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 330.160.4𝑥 - 2 displays the
value 33, the equation defining 𝑔 displays the maximum value of 𝑔. Thus, only equation II displays, as a constant or
coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines.

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 95eeeb5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 95eeeb5b

The function is defined by , where , , and are constants. The graph of in the xy-
plane passes through the points and . If is an integer greater than , which of the following could be the
value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 95eeeb5b Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane passes through the points 7, 0 and -3, 0. It follows
that when the value of 𝑥 is either 7 or -3, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 0. It's also given that the function 𝑓 is defined by
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants. It follows that the function 𝑓 is a quadratic function and, therefore,
may be written in factored form as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 𝑢𝑥 - 𝑣, where the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 0 when 𝑥 is either 𝑢 or 𝑣. Since the value of
𝑓𝑥 is 0 when the value of 𝑥 is either 7 or -3, and the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 0 when the value of 𝑥 is either 𝑢 or 𝑣, it follows that 𝑢
and 𝑣 are equal to 7 and -3. Substituting 7 for 𝑢 and -3 for 𝑣 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 𝑢𝑥 - 𝑣 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 7𝑥 - -3, or
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 7𝑥 + 3. Distributing the right-hand side of this equation yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 7𝑥 + 3𝑥 - 21, or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 4𝑎𝑥 - 21𝑎.
Since it's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that 𝑏 = - 4𝑎. Adding 𝑎 to each side of this equation yields 𝑎 + 𝑏 = - 3𝑎
. Since 𝑎 + 𝑏 = - 3𝑎, if 𝑎 is an integer, the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 must be a multiple of 3. If 𝑎 is an integer greater than 1, it
follows that 𝑎 ≥ 2. Therefore, -3𝑎 ≤ - 32. It follows that the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 is less than or equal to -32, or -6. Of the given
choices, only -6 is a multiple of 3 that's less than or equal to -6.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 if 𝑎 is equal to, not greater than, 1.

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 5910bfff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 5910bfff

The formula above can be used to approximate the dew point D, in degrees
Fahrenheit, given the temperature T, in degrees Fahrenheit, and the relative
humidity of H percent, where . Which of the following expresses the
relative humidity in terms of the temperature and the dew point?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5910bfff Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that . Solving this formula for H expresses the relative humidity in
terms of the temperature and the dew point. Subtracting T from both sides of this equation yields

. Multiplying both sides by yields . Subtracting 100 from

both sides yields . Multiplying both sides by results in the formula

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when rewriting the given formula.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fbb96bb1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fbb96bb1

Which of the following are solutions to the given equation, where is a constant and ?

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II, and III

ID: fbb96bb1 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Subtracting the expression 𝑥 - 29 from both sides of the given equation yields 0 = 𝑥 - 𝑎𝑥 - 29 - 𝑥 - 29,
which can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 - 𝑎𝑥 - 29 + -1𝑥 - 29. Since the two terms on the right-hand side of this equation have a
common factor of 𝑥 - 29, it can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 + -1, or 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 - 1. Since 𝑥 - 𝑎 - 1 is equivalent to
𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1, the equation 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 - 1 can be rewritten as 0 = 𝑥 - 29𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1. By the zero product property, it follows
that 𝑥 - 29 = 0 or 𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1 = 0. Adding 29 to both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 29 = 0 yields 𝑥 = 29. Adding 𝑎 + 1 to both
sides of the equation 𝑥 - 𝑎 + 1 = 0 yields 𝑥 = 𝑎 + 1. Therefore, the two solutions to the given equation are 29 and 𝑎 + 1.
Thus, only 𝑎 + 1 and 29, not 𝑎, are solutions to the given equation.

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: Hard

Question ID ad038c19
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: ad038c19

Which of the following is

equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ad038c19 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The expression can be rewritten as . Using the distributive property,

the expression yields . Combining like terms gives .

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from errors using the distributive property on the given expression or
combining like terms.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ef926848
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: ef926848

Square P has a side length of inches. Square Q has a perimeter that is inches greater than the perimeter of
square P. The function gives the area of square Q, in square inches. Which of the following defines ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ef926848 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Let 𝑥 represent the side length, in inches, of square P. It follows that the perimeter of square P is 4𝑥
inches. It's given that square Q has a perimeter that is 176 inches greater than the perimeter of square P. Thus, the
perimeter of square Q is 176 inches greater than 4𝑥 inches, or 4𝑥 + 176 inches. Since the perimeter of a square is 4
4𝑥 + 176
times the side length of the square, each side length of Q is 4
, or 𝑥 + 44 inches. Since the area of a square is
calculated by multiplying the length of two sides, the area of square Q is 𝑥 + 44𝑥 + 44, or 𝑥 + 442 square inches. It
2
follows that function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 44 .

Choice B is incorrect. This function represents a square with side lengths 𝑥 + 176 inches.

Choice C is incorrect. This function represents a square with side lengths 176𝑥 + 44 inches.

Choice D is incorrect. This function represents a square with side lengths 176𝑥 + 176 inches.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 77c0cced
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 77c0cced

In the given system of equations, is a constant. The graphs of the equations in the given system intersect at exactly
one point, , in the xy-plane. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 77c0cced Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that the graphs of the equations in the given system intersect at exactly one point, 𝑥, 𝑦, in
the xy-plane. Therefore, 𝑥, 𝑦 is the only solution to the given system of equations. The given system of equations can be
solved by subtracting the second equation, 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 𝑎, from the first equation, 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 - 21𝑥 + 64. This yields
𝑦 - 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 - 21𝑥 + 64 - 3𝑥 + 𝑎, or 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 64 - 𝑎. Since the given system has only one solution, this equation has
only one solution. A quadratic equation in the form 𝑟𝑥2 + 𝑠𝑥 + 𝑡 = 0, where 𝑟, 𝑠, and 𝑡 are constants, has one solution if
and only if the discriminant, 𝑠2 - 4𝑟𝑡, is equal to zero. Substituting 2 for 𝑟, -24 for 𝑠, and -𝑎 + 64 for 𝑡 in the expression
𝑠2 - 4𝑟𝑡 yields -242 - 4264 - 𝑎. Setting this expression equal to zero yields -242 - 4264 - 𝑎 = 0, or 8𝑎 + 64 = 0. Subtracting
64 from both sides of this equation yields 8𝑎 = - 64. Dividing both sides of this equation by 8 yields 𝑎 = - 8.
Substituting -8 for 𝑎 in the equation 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 64 - 𝑎 yields 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 64 + 8, or 0 = 2𝑥2 - 24𝑥 + 72. Factoring
2 from the right-hand side of this equation yields 0 = 2𝑥2 - 12𝑥 + 36. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields
0 = 𝑥2 - 12𝑥 + 36, which is equivalent to 0 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 6, or 0 = 𝑥 - 62 . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation
yields 0 = 𝑥 - 6. Adding 6 to both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = 6.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎, not 𝑥.

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 635f54ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 635f54ee

The surface area of a cube is , where a is a positive constant. Which of

the following gives the perimeter of one face of the cube?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 635f54ee Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A cube has 6 faces of equal area, so if the total surface area of a cube is , then the area of

one face is . Likewise, the area of one face of a cube is the square of one of its edges; therefore, if the area of

one face is , then the length of one edge of the cube is . Since the perimeter of one face of a cube is four

times the length of one edge, the perimeter is .

Choice A is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is , then the total surface area of the cube is

, which is not . Choice C is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is 4a,

then the total surface area of the cube is , which is not . Choice D is incorrect because if the

perimeter of one face of the cube is 6a, then the total surface area of the cube is , which is not

.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1697ffcf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 1697ffcf

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

points and . What is the value of a ?

ID: 1697ffcf Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. The intersection points of the graphs of and can be found by solving the
system consisting of these two equations. To solve the system, substitute x for y in the first equation. This gives
. Subtracting x from both sides of the equation gives . Factoring out of each term on
the left-hand side of the equation gives . Therefore, the possible values for x are 0 and 5. Since , the
two intersection points are and . Therefore, .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 70fb357b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 70fb357b

The graph of the given equation in the xy-plane has a y-intercept of . Which of the following equivalent equations
displays the value of as a constant, a coefficient, or the base?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 70fb357b Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point where 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the given
2𝑥 + 2 20 + 2 2
equation, 𝑦 = 576 , yields 𝑦 = 576 , which is equivalent to 𝑦 = 576 , or 𝑦 = 331,776. Therefore, the graph of the
given equation in the xy-plane has a y-intercept of 0, 331,776. It follows that 𝑟 = 0 and 𝑠 = 331,776. Thus, the equivalent
𝑥+1
equation 𝑦 = 331,776 displays the value of 𝑠 as the base.

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 20291f47
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 20291f47

Which expression is equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 20291f47 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
𝑦 + 12 𝑦𝑥 - 8
Choice C is correct. Factoring the denominator in the second term of the given expression gives 𝑥-8
+ 𝑥𝑦𝑥 - 8 . This
𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑦𝑦 + 12 𝑦𝑥 - 8
expression can be rewritten with common denominators by multiplying the first term by , giving + 𝑥𝑦𝑥 - 8 .
𝑥𝑦 𝑥𝑦𝑥 - 8
𝑥𝑦𝑦 + 12 + 𝑦𝑥 - 8
Adding these two terms yields 𝑥𝑦𝑥 - 8
. Using the distributive property to rewrite this expression gives
𝑥𝑦2 + 12𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 - 8𝑦 𝑥𝑦2 + 13𝑥𝑦 - 8𝑦
. Combining the like terms in the numerator of this expression gives .
𝑥2 𝑦 - 8𝑥𝑦 𝑥2 𝑦 - 8𝑥𝑦

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: Hard

Question ID 42f8e4b4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 42f8e4b4

One of the factors of is , where is a positive constant. What is the smallest possible value
of ?

ID: 42f8e4b4 Answer

Correct Answer: 8

Rationale
The correct answer is 8. Since each term of the given expression, 2𝑥3 + 42𝑥2 + 208𝑥, has a factor of 2𝑥, the expression
can be rewritten as 2𝑥𝑥2 + 2𝑥21𝑥 + 2𝑥104, or 2𝑥𝑥2 + 21𝑥 + 104. Since the values 8 and 13 have a sum of 21 and a
product of 104, the expression 𝑥2 + 21𝑥 + 104 can be factored as 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 13. Therefore, the given expression can be
factored as 2𝑥𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 13. It follows that the factors of the given expression are 2, 𝑥, 𝑥 + 8, and 𝑥 + 13. Of these factors,
only 𝑥 + 8 and 𝑥 + 13 are of the form 𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑏 is a positive constant. Therefore, the possible values of 𝑏 are 8 and
13. Thus, the smallest possible value of 𝑏 is 8.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID de39858a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: de39858a

The function is defined by , where and are positive constants. The graph of in the -
plane passes through the points ( , ) and ( , ). What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: de39858a Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the function ℎ is defined by ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 and that the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ ( 𝑥 ) in the xy-
325
plane passes through the points 0, 10 and -2, . Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 10 for ℎ𝑥 in the equation ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
36
325
10 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or 10 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from both sides of this equation yields 9 = 𝑏. Substituting -2 for 𝑥 and for
36
325 1
ℎ𝑥 in the equation ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 + 9 yields = 𝑎-2 + 9. Subtracting 9 from both sides of this equation yields =𝑎 ,
-2
36 36
2
which can be rewritten as 𝑎 = 36. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = 6 and 𝑎 = - 6, but
because it’s given that 𝑎 is a positive constant, 𝑎 must equal 6. Because the value of 𝑎 is 6 and the value of 𝑏 is 9, the
value of 𝑎𝑏 is ( 6 ) ( 9 ) , or 54.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the value of 𝑎-2 𝑏 rather than the value of 𝑎𝑏.

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

Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly finding the value of 𝑎 as 6, but multiplying it by the y-value in the first
ordered pair rather than by the value of 𝑏.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1178f2df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 1178f2df

The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where and is a quadratic
function. What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

ID: 1178f2df Answer

Correct Answer: -2112

Rationale
The correct answer is -2,112. It's given that 𝑓 is a quadratic function. It follows that 𝑓 can be defined by an equation of
the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are constants. It's also given that the table shows three values of 𝑥 and their
2 2
corresponding values of 𝑦, where 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 for 𝑓𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 + 4.
This equation represents a quadratic relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦, where 𝑘 + 4 is either the maximum or the minimum
value of 𝑦, which occurs when 𝑥 = ℎ. For quadratic relationships between 𝑥 and 𝑦, the maximum or minimum value of 𝑦
occurs at the value of 𝑥 halfway between any two values of 𝑥 that have the same corresponding value of 𝑦. The table
shows that x-values of 21 and 25 correspond to the same y-value, -8. Since 23 is halfway between 21 and 25, the
maximum or minimum value of 𝑦 occurs at an x-value of 23. The table shows that when 𝑥 = 23, 𝑦 = 8. It follows that
ℎ = 23 and 𝑘 + 4 = 8. Subtracting 4 from both sides of the equation 𝑘 + 4 = 8 yields 𝑘 = 4. Substituting 23 for ℎ and 4
2 2 2
for 𝑘 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 + 4 yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 23 + 4 + 4, or 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 23 + 8. The value of 𝑎 can be found by
substituting any x-value and its corresponding y-value for 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, in this equation. Substituting 25 for 𝑥
2 2
and -8 for 𝑦 in this equation yields -8 = 𝑎25 - 23 + 8, or -8 = 𝑎2 + 8. Subtracting 8 from both sides of this equation
yields -16 = 𝑎22 , or -16 = 4𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields -4 = 𝑎. Substituting -4 for 𝑎, 23 for ℎ, and 4
for 𝑘 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = - 4𝑥 - 232 + 4. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is
the point on the graph where 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 4𝑥 - 232 + 4 yields 𝑓0 = - 40 - 232 + 4, or
𝑓0 = - 4-232 + 4. This is equivalent to 𝑓0 = - 2,112, so the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, - 2,112
. Thus, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is -2,112.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d41cf4d3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: d41cf4d3

The function is defined by , where and are constants. In the xy-plane, the graph of
passes through the point , and . Which of the following must be true?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d41cf4d3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that 𝑓24 < 0. Substituting 24 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎√𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑓24 = 𝑎√24 + 𝑏 .
Therefore, 𝑎√24 + 𝑏 < 0. Since √24 + 𝑏 can't be negative, it follows that 𝑎 < 0. It's also given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥
passes through the point -24, 0. It follows that when 𝑥 = - 24, 𝑓𝑥 = 0. Substituting -24 for 𝑥 and 0 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎√𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 0 = 𝑎√-24 + 𝑏 . By the zero product property, either 𝑎 = 0 or √-24 + 𝑏 = 0. Since 𝑎 < 0, it follows
that √24 + 𝑏 = 0. Squaring both sides of this equation yields -24 + 𝑏 = 0. Adding 24 to both sides of this equation
yields 𝑏 = 24. Since 𝑎 < 0 and 𝑏 is 24, it follows that 𝑎 < 𝑏 must be true.

Choice A is incorrect. The value of 𝑓0 is 𝑎√𝑏 , which must be negative.

Choice B is incorrect. The value of 𝑓0 is 𝑎√𝑏 , which could be -24, but doesn't have to be.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 84e8cc72
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 84e8cc72

A quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms of the time, in seconds, after the
object is launched off an elevated surface. The model indicates the object has an initial height of feet above the
ground and reaches its maximum height of feet above the ground seconds after being launched. Based on the
model, what is the height, in feet, of the object above the ground seconds after being launched?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 84e8cc72 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that a quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms
of the time, in seconds, after the object is launched off an elevated surface. This quadratic function can be defined by
2
an equation of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑓𝑥 is the height of the object 𝑥 seconds after it was launched, and 𝑎, ℎ,
and 𝑘 are constants such that the function reaches its maximum value, 𝑘, when 𝑥 = ℎ. Since the model indicates the
object reaches its maximum height of 1,034 feet above the ground 8 seconds after being launched, 𝑓𝑥 reaches its
maximum value, 1,034, when 𝑥 = 8. Therefore, 𝑘 = 1,034 and ℎ = 8. Substituting 8 for ℎ and 1,034 for 𝑘 in the function
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 82 + 1,034. Since the model indicates the object has an initial height of 10 feet above
2
the ground, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 10 when 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 10 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 8 + 1,034
yields 10 = 𝑎0 - 82 + 1,034, or 10 = 64𝑎 + 1,034. Subtracting 1,034 from both sides of this equation yields
64𝑎 = - 1,024. Dividing both sides of this equation by 64 yields 𝑎 = - 16. Therefore, the model can be represented by
the equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 16𝑥 - 82 + 1,034. Substituting 10 for 𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑓10 = - 1610 - 82 + 1,034, or
𝑓10 = 970. Therefore, based on the model, 10 seconds after being launched, the height of the object above the ground
is 970 feet.

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: Hard

Question ID 12e7faf8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 12e7faf8

The equation is true for all , where a and d

are integers. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C. 0

D. 1

ID: 12e7faf8 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. Since the expression can be factored as , the given equation can be

rewritten as . Since , is also not equal to 0, so both the numerator and

denominator of can be divided by . This gives . Equating the coefficient of x on

each side of the equation gives . Equating the constant terms gives . The sum is .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly simplifying the equation. Choices B and D are incorrect. They are
the values of d and a, respectively, not .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 89fc23af
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 89fc23af

Which of the following expressions is

equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 89fc23af Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The numerator of the given expression can be rewritten in terms of the denominator, , as

follows: , which is equivalent to . So the given expression is

equivalent to . Since the given expression is defined for ,

the expression can be rewritten as .

Long division can also be used as an alternate approach. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from errors
made when dividing the two polynomials or making use of structure.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 911c415b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 911c415b

The expression above can be written in the form , where a and b are
constants. What is the value of ?

ID: 911c415b Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 6632. Applying the distributive property to the expression yields
. Then adding together and and collecting like terms

results in . This is written in the form , where and . Therefore

.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b74f2feb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: b74f2feb

The expression is equivalent to , where and are positive constants and . What is the
value of ?

ID: b74f2feb Answer

Correct Answer: 361/8, 45.12, 45.13

Rationale
361 𝑚
The correct answer is 8
. The rational exponent property is 𝑛√𝑦𝑚 = 𝑦 𝑛 , where 𝑦 > 0, 𝑚 and 𝑛 are integers, and 𝑛 > 0.
5 8 5 45 8 1 1
This property can be applied to rewrite the given expression 6 √35 𝑥45 · √28 𝑥 as 63 5 𝑥 5 2 8 𝑥 8 , or 63𝑥9 2𝑥 8 . This expression
1
can be rewritten by multiplying the constants, which gives 36𝑥9 𝑥 8 . The multiplication exponent property is
1 1 73
𝑦𝑛 · 𝑦𝑚 = 𝑦𝑛 + 𝑚 , where 𝑦 > 0. This property can be applied to rewrite the expression 36𝑥9 𝑥 8 as 36𝑥9 + 8 , or 36𝑥 8 .
5 8 73 5 8 73
Therefore, 6 √35 𝑥45 · √28 𝑥 = 36𝑥 8 . It's given that 6 √35 𝑥45 · √28 𝑥 is equivalent to 𝑎𝑥𝑏 ; therefore, 𝑎 = 36 and 𝑏 = 8
. It
73
follows that 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 36 + . Finding a common denominator on the right-hand side of this equation gives
8
288 73 361
𝑎+𝑏= 8
+ 8
, or 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 8
. Note that 361/8, 45.12, and 45.13 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5edc8c98
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 5edc8c98

In the given equation, and are positive constants. The sum of the solutions to the given equation is ,
where is a constant. What is the value of ?

ID: 5edc8c98 Answer

Correct Answer: .0625, 1/16

Rationale
1
The correct answer is 16
. Let 𝑝 and 𝑞 represent the solutions to the given equation. Then, the given equation can be
rewritten as 64𝑥 - 𝑝𝑥 - 𝑞 = 0, or 64𝑥2 - 64𝑝 + 𝑞 + 𝑝𝑞 = 0. Since this equation is equivalent to the given equation, it
16𝑎 + 4𝑏
follows that -16𝑎 + 4𝑏 = - 64𝑝 + 𝑞. Dividing both sides of this equation by -64 yields 64 = 𝑝 + 𝑞, or
1 1
16
4𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑝 + 𝑞. Therefore, the sum of the solutions to the given equation, 𝑝 + 𝑞, is equal to 16
4𝑎 + 𝑏. Since it's given
1
that the sum of the solutions to the given equation is 𝑘4𝑎 + 𝑏, where 𝑘 is a constant, it follows that 𝑘 = 16
. Note that
1/16, .0625, 0.062, and 0.063 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Alternate approach: The given equation can be rewritten as 64𝑥2 - 44𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏 = 0, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive
𝑎𝑏
constants. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 16𝑥2 - 4𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + = 0. The solutions for a quadratic
4
equation in the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants, can be calculated using the quadratic formula,
-𝐵 + √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶 -𝐵 - √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶
𝑥=
2𝐴
and 𝑥 = 2𝐴
. It follows that the sum of the solutions to a quadratic equation in the form
2
-𝐵 + √ 𝐵 - 4𝐴𝐶 -𝐵 - √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶 -𝐵 + - 𝐵 + √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶 - √𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶
𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0 is 2𝐴
+ 2𝐴
, which can be rewritten as 2𝐴
, which is equivalent to
-2𝐵 𝐵 𝑎𝑏 𝑎𝑏
2𝐴
, or - 𝐴 . In the equation 16𝑥 - 4𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 4 = 0, 𝐴 = 16, 𝐵 = - 4𝑎 + 𝑏, and 𝐶 = 4 . Substituting 16 for 𝐴 and -4𝑎 + 𝑏 for
2
𝐵 -4𝑎 + 𝑏 1
𝐵 in - 𝐴 yields - 16
, which can be rewritten as
16
4𝑎 + 𝑏. Thus, the sum of the solutions to the given equation is
1
16
4𝑎 + 𝑏. Since it's given that the sum of the solutions to the given equation is 𝑘4𝑎 + 𝑏, where 𝑘 is a constant, it follows
1
that 𝑘 = 16
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cd358b89
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: cd358b89

Function is defined by . Function is defined by . The graph of

in the xy-plane has x-intercepts at , , and , where , , and are distinct constants. What is
the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: cd358b89 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 - 1. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 1, it follows that
𝑓𝑥 - 1 = 𝑥 - 1 + 6𝑥 - 1 + 5𝑥 - 1 + 1. Combining like terms yields 𝑓𝑥 - 1 = 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 4𝑥. Therefore, 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 4. The x-
intercepts of a graph in the xy-plane are the points where 𝑦 = 0. The x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of
𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by solving the equation 0 = 𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 4. Applying the zero product property to this
equation yields three equations: 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 + 5 = 0, and 𝑥 + 4 = 0. Solving each of these equations for 𝑥 yields 𝑥 = 0,
𝑥 = - 5, and 𝑥 = - 4, respectively. Therefore, the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 are 0, 0, -5, 0, and -4, 0. It follows
that the values of 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are 0, -5, and -4. Thus, the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 is 0 + -5 + -4, which is equal to -9.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 1.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 - 1 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 5𝑥 - 1.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 if 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 5𝑥 - 1.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f89e1d6f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: f89e1d6f

If , which of the following is equivalent to the

expression ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f89e1d6f Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Factoring –1 from the second, third, and fourth terms gives x2 – c2 – 2cd – d2 = x2 – (c2 + 2cd +
d2). The expression c2 + 2cd + d2 is the expanded form of a perfect square: c2 + 2cd + d2 = (c + d)2. Therefore, x2 – (c2
+ 2cd + d2) = x2 – (c + d)2. Since a = c + d, x2 – (c + d)2 = x2 – a2. Finally, because x2 – a2 is the difference of squares, it
can be expanded as x2 – a2 = (x + a)(x – a).

Choices A and B are incorrect and may be the result of making an error in factoring the difference of squares x2 – a2.
Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly combining terms.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ff2e5c76
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: ff2e5c76

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ff2e5c76 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Adding 10 to each side of the given equation yields 𝑥2 - 40𝑥 = 10. To complete the square, adding
40 2 2 2 2 2
2
, or 20 , to each side of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 40𝑥 + 20 = 10 + 20 , or 𝑥 - 20 = 410. Taking the square root of
each side of this equation yields 𝑥 - 20 = ± √410 . Adding 20 to each side of this equation yields 𝑥 = 20 ± √410 .
Therefore, the solutions to the given equation are 𝑥 = 20 + √410 and 𝑥 = 20 - √410 . The sum of these solutions is
20 + √410 + 20 - √410 , or 40.

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 4b642eef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 4b642eef

The total distance d, in meters, traveled by an object moving in a straight line

can be modeled by a quadratic function that is defined in terms of t, where t is
the time in seconds. At a time of 10.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by
the object is 50.0 meters, and at a time of 20.0 seconds, the total distance
traveled by the object is 200.0 meters. If the object was at a distance of 0
meters when , then what is the total distance traveled, in meters, by the
object after 30.0 seconds?

ID: 4b642eef Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 450. The quadratic equation that models this situation can be written in the form
, where a, b, and c are constants. It’s given that the distance, d, the object traveled was 0 meters when seconds.

These values can be substituted into the equation to solve for a, b, and c: . Therefore, , and it

follows that . Since it’s also given that d is 50 when t is 10 and d is 200 when t is 20, these values for d and

t can be substituted to create a system of two linear equations: and , or

and . Subtracting the first equation from the second equation yields , or .

Substituting for a in the first equation and solving for b yields . Therefore, the equation that represents this

situation is . Evaluating this function when seconds yields , or meters.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2c5c22d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2c5c22d0

How many solutions are there to the

system of equations above?

A. There are exactly 4 solutions.

B. There are exactly 2 solutions.

C. There is exactly 1 solution.

D. There are no solutions.

ID: 2c5c22d0 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The second equation of the system can be rewritten as . Substituting for y in the

first equation gives . This equation can be solved as shown below:

Substituting 1 for x in the equation gives . Therefore, is the only solution to the system of
equations.

Choice A is incorrect. In the xy-plane, a parabola and a line can intersect at no more than two points. Since the graph of
the first equation is a parabola and the graph of the second equation is a line, the system cannot have more than 2
solutions. Choice B is incorrect. There is a single ordered pair that satisfies both equations of the system. Choice
D is incorrect because the ordered pair satisfies both equations of the system.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f678483b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: f678483b

A submersible device is used for ocean research. The function gives the depth below
the surface of the ocean, in meters, of the submersible device minutes after collecting a sample, where . How
many minutes after collecting the sample did it take for the submersible device to reach the surface of the ocean?

ID: f678483b Answer

Correct Answer: 35

Rationale
1
The correct answer is 35. It's given that the function 𝑔𝑥 = - 55 𝑥 + 19𝑥 - 35 gives the depth below the surface of the
ocean, in meters, of the submersible device 𝑥 minutes after collecting a sample, where 𝑥 > 0. It follows that when the
submersible device is at the surface of the ocean, the value of 𝑔𝑥 is 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑔𝑥 in the equation
1 1
𝑔𝑥 = - 55 𝑥 + 19𝑥 - 35 yields 0 = - 55 𝑥 + 19𝑥 - 35. Multiplying both sides of this equation by -55 yields 0 = 𝑥 + 19𝑥 - 35.
Since a product of two factors is equal to 0 if and only if at least one of the factors is 0, either 𝑥 + 19 = 0 or 𝑥 - 35 = 0.
Subtracting 19 from both sides of the equation 𝑥 + 19 = 0 yields 𝑥 = -19. Adding 35 to both sides of the equation
𝑥 - 35 = 0 yields 𝑥 = 35. Since 𝑥 > 0, 35 minutes after collecting the sample the submersible device reached the surface
of the ocean.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fc3dfa26
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: fc3dfa26

What value of x satisfies the

equation above?

A.

B.

C.

D. 3

ID: fc3dfa26 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale

Choice C is correct. Each fraction in the given equation can be expressed with the common denominator .

Multiplying by yields , and multiplying by yields . Therefore, the given

equation can be written as . Multiplying each fraction by the denominator results in the

equation , or . This equation can be solved by setting a quadratic expression

equal to 0, then solving for x. Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields . The

expression can be factored, resulting in the equation . By the zero product property,
or . To solve for x in , 1 can be added to both sides of the equation, resulting in .

Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 results in . Solving for x in yields . However, this value
of x would result in the second fraction of the original equation having a denominator of 0. Therefore, is an

extraneous solution. Thus, the only value of x that satisfies the given equation is .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from solving but not realizing that this solution is extraneous because it
would result in a denominator of 0 in the second fraction. Choice B is incorrect and may result from a sign error when
solving for x. Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6d9e01a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 6d9e01a2

The given equation defines the function . For what value of does reach its minimum?

ID: 6d9e01a2 Answer

Correct Answer: 25/4, 6.25

Rationale
25 2
The correct answer is 4
. The given equation can be rewritten in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are
constants. When 𝑎 > 0, ℎ is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. The given equation can be rewritten as
50 50 50 2 50 2
𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 - 4
𝑥 + 126, which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 - 4
𝑥 + 8
- 8
+ 126. This equation can be rewritten as
50 2 50 2 50 2 50 2 25 2 121 25
𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - 8
- 8
+ 126, or 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - 8
- 48 + 126, which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - 4
- 4
. Therefore, ℎ = 4
, so the
25
value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum is . Note that 25/4 and 6.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct
4
answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9f2ecade
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 9f2ecade

The function h is defined above, where a, b, and c are integer constants. If the
zeros of the function are 6, and 7, what is the value of c ?

ID: 9f2ecade Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 210. Since , 6, and 7 are zeros of the function, the function can be rewritten as

. Expanding the function yields . Thus, , ,

and . Therefore, the value of c is 210.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 083ef63a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 083ef63a

The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?

ID: 083ef63a Answer

Correct Answer: -13/2, -6.5

Rationale
13
The correct answer is - 2 . The value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum can be found by rewriting the given equation
in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum, 𝑘, when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. The given equation,
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 15, can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 13𝑥 - 30. By completing the square, this equation can be rewritten as
13 2 13 2 13 2 289 13 2 289
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 13𝑥 + 2
- 30 - 2
, which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 2
- 4
, or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - - 2 - 4
. Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 reaches its
13
minimum when the value of 𝑥 is -2. Note that -13/2 and -6.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Alternate approach: The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is a parabola. The value of 𝑥 for the vertex of a parabola is the
x-value of the midpoint between the two x-intercepts of the parabola. Since it's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 15, it follows
that the two x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occur when 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = -15, or at the points 2, 0 and
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2
-15, 0. The midpoint between two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , is 2
, 2 . Therefore, the midpoint between 2, 0 and
2 - 15 0 + 0 13 13
-15, 0 is 2
, 2
, or - , 0. It follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - . Note that -13/2 and -6.5
2 2
are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6011a3f8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 6011a3f8

In the given equation, is a constant. For which of the following values of will the equation have more than one real
solution?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6011a3f8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. A quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has either no
real solutions, exactly one real solution, or exactly two real solutions. That is, for the given equation to have more than
2
one real solution, it must have exactly two real solutions. When the value of the discriminant, or 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is greater than
0, the given equation has exactly two real solutions. In the given equation, 64𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 25 = 0, 𝑎 = 64 and 𝑐 = 25.
Therefore, the given equation has exactly two real solutions when 𝑏2 - 46425 > 0, or 𝑏2 - 6,400 > 0. Adding 6,400 to both
sides of this inequality yields 𝑏2 > 6,400. Taking the square root of both sides of 𝑏2 > 6,400 yields two possible
inequalities: 𝑏 < - 80 or 𝑏 > 80. Of the choices, only choice A satisfies 𝑏 < - 80 or 𝑏 > 80.

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 0e61101e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 0e61101e

The function is defined by the given equation. If , which of the following equations defines the
function ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0e61101e Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 94𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 2. Substituting 𝑥 + 2 for 𝑥 in 𝑓𝑥 = 94𝑥 gives 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 94𝑥 + 2 .
Rewriting this equation using properties of exponents gives 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 94𝑥 42 , which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 94𝑥 16.
𝑥 𝑥
Multiplying 9 and 16 in this equation gives 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 1444 . Since 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 2, 𝑔𝑥 = 1444 .

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 e117d3b8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: e117d3b8

If a and c are positive numbers, which of the following is

equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e117d3b8 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Using the property that for positive numbers x and y, with x = (a + c)3 and y = a + c,

it follows that . By rewriting (a + c)4 as ((a + c)2)2, it is possible to simplify the square

root expression as follows: .

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of . Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of
incorrectly rewriting (a + c)2 as a2 + c2. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly applying properties of
exponents.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f44b4125
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: f44b4125

The functions and are defined by the given equations, where . Which of the following equations displays, as a
constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines, where ?

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: f44b4125 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
𝑥
Choice B is correct. For the function 𝑓, since the base of the exponent, 1.25, is greater than 1, the value of 1.25
𝑥 𝑥
increases as 𝑥 increases. Therefore, the value of 181.25 and the value of 181.25 + 41 also increase as 𝑥 increases.
Since 𝑓 is therefore an increasing function where 𝑥 ≥ 0, the function 𝑓 has no maximum value. For the function 𝑔, since
𝑥 𝑥
the base of the exponent, 0.73, is less than 1, the value of 0.73 decreases as 𝑥 increases. Therefore, the value of 90.73
also decreases as 𝑥 increases. It follows that the maximum value of 𝑔𝑥 for 𝑥 ≥ 0 occurs when 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for
𝑥 in the function 𝑔 yields 𝑔0 = 90.730 , which is equivalent to 𝑔0 = 91, or 𝑔0 = 9. Therefore, the maximum value of 𝑔𝑥
for 𝑥 ≥ 0 is 9, which appears as a coefficient in equation II. So, of the two equations given, only II displays, as a constant
or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines, where 𝑥 ≥ 0.

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 7a6d06bf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 7a6d06bf

A rectangle has an area of square inches. The length of the rectangle is inches less than times the width of the
rectangle. What is the width of the rectangle, in inches?

ID: 7a6d06bf Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale
The correct answer is 5. Let 𝑥 represent the width, in inches, of the rectangle. It's given that the length of the rectangle is
4 inches less than 7 times its width, or 7𝑥 - 4 inches. The area of a rectangle is equal to its width multiplied by its length.
Multiplying the width, 𝑥 inches, by the length, 7𝑥 - 4 inches, yields 𝑥7𝑥 - 4 square inches. It’s given that the rectangle has
an area of 155 square inches, so it follows that 𝑥7𝑥 - 4 = 155, or 7𝑥2 - 4𝑥 = 155. Subtracting 155 from both sides of this
equation yields 7𝑥2 - 4𝑥 - 155 = 0. Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields 7𝑥 + 31𝑥 - 5 = 0. Applying the zero
31
product property to this equation yields two solutions: 𝑥 = - 7 and 𝑥 = 5. Since 𝑥 is the rectangle’s width, in inches,
which must be positive, the value of 𝑥 is 5. Therefore, the width of the rectangle, in inches, is 5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 04bbce67
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 04bbce67

The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?

ID: 04bbce67 Answer

Correct Answer: -7

Rationale
The correct answer is -7. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘
are constants and 𝑎 > 0, the function reaches its minimum when 𝑥 = ℎ. In the given function, 𝑎 = 1, ℎ = - 7, and 𝑘 = 4.
Therefore, the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum is -7.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID dcf63c94
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: dcf63c94

The function is defined by the given equation. If , which of the following equations defines function
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: dcf63c94 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 272 ( 2 ) 𝑥 and ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 - 4 ) . Substituting 𝑥 - 4 for 𝑥 in 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 272 ( 2 ) 𝑥
𝑥-4 𝑥-4
yields 𝑓𝑥 - 4 = 2722 . Substituting ℎ𝑥 for 𝑓𝑥 - 4 in this equation yields ℎ𝑥 = 2722 . Using the properties of
2722𝑥 2722𝑥
exponents, the function ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 272 ( 2 ) 𝑥-4 can be rewritten as ℎ𝑥 = , which is equivalent to ℎ𝑥 = , or
24 16
ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 17 ( 2 ) 𝑥. Therefore, of the given choices, an equation that defines function ℎ is ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 17 ( 2 ) 𝑥.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation defines function ℎ if ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 - 2 ) , not ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 - 4 ) .

Choice C is incorrect. This equation defines function ℎ if ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓 ( 4𝑥 ) , not ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 - 4 ) .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6f5540a5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 6f5540a5

Kao measured the temperature of a cup of hot chocolate placed in a room with
a constant temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The temperature of the
hot chocolate was 185°F at 6:00 p.m. when it started cooling. The temperature
of the hot chocolate was 156°F at 6:05 p.m. and 135°F at 6:10 p.m. The hot
chocolate’s temperature continued to decrease. Of the following functions,
which best models the temperature , in degrees Fahrenheit, of Kao’s hot

chocolate m minutes after it started cooling?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6f5540a5 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The hot chocolate cools from 185°F over time, never going lower than the room temperature, 70°F.
Since the base of the exponent in this function, 0.75, is less than 1, decreases as time increases. Using the

function, the temperature, in °F, at 6:00 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to . The

temperature, in °F, at 6:05 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which is approximately

156°F. Finally, the temperature, in °F, at 6:10 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which
is approximately 135°F. Since these three given values of m and their corresponding values for can be verified

using the function , this is the best function out of the given choices to model the
temperature of Kao’s hot chocolate after m minutes.

Choice A is incorrect because the base of the exponent, , results in the value of increasing over time rather
than decreasing. Choice B is incorrect because when m is large enough, becomes less than 70. Choice C is
incorrect because the maximum value of at 6:00 p.m. is 115°F, not 185°F.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9cb9beec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 9cb9beec

In the given system of equations, is a positive constant. The system has exactly one distinct real solution. What is the
value of ?

ID: 9cb9beec Answer

Correct Answer: 14.5, 29/2

Rationale
29
The correct answer is 2
. According to the first equation in the given system, the value of 𝑦 is -1.5. Substituting -1.5 for 𝑦
in the second equation in the given system yields -1.5 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎. Adding 1.5 to both sides of this equation yields
0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5. If the given system has exactly one distinct real solution, it follows that 0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5 has
exactly one distinct real solution. A quadratic equation in the form 0 = 𝑝𝑥2 + 𝑞𝑥 + 𝑟, where 𝑝, 𝑞, and 𝑟 are constants, has
exactly one distinct real solution if and only if the discriminant, 𝑞2 - 4𝑝𝑟, is equal to 0. The equation 0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5
is in this form, where 𝑝 = 1, 𝑞 = 8, and 𝑟 = 𝑎 + 1.5. Therefore, the discriminant of the equation 0 = 𝑥2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑎 + 1.5 is
82 - 41𝑎 + 1.5, or 58 - 4𝑎. Setting the discriminant equal to 0 to solve for 𝑎 yields 58 - 4𝑎 = 0. Adding 4𝑎 to both sides of
58 29
this equation yields 58 = 4𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields = 𝑎, or = 𝑎. Therefore, if the given
4 2
29
system of equations has exactly one distinct real solution, the value of 𝑎 is . Note that 29/2 and 14.5 are examples of
2
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2b1a27cd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 2b1a27cd

The quadratic function models the depth, in meters, below the surface of the water of a seal minutes after the seal
entered the water during a dive. The function estimates that the seal reached its maximum depth of meters
minutes after it entered the water and then reached the surface of the water minutes after it entered the water.
Based on the function, what was the estimated depth, to the nearest meter, of the seal minutes after it entered the
water?

ID: 2b1a27cd Answer

Correct Answer: 168

Rationale
The correct answer is 168. The quadratic function 𝑔 gives the estimated depth of the seal, 𝑔𝑡, in meters, 𝑡 minutes after
the seal enters the water. It's given that function 𝑔 estimates that the seal reached its maximum depth of 302.4 meters
6 minutes after it entered the water. Therefore, function 𝑔 can be expressed in vertex form as 𝑔𝑡 = 𝑎𝑡 - 62 + 302.4,
where 𝑎 is a constant. Since it's also given that the seal reached the surface of the water after 12 minutes, 𝑔12 = 0.
Substituting 12 for 𝑡 and 0 for 𝑔𝑡 in 𝑔𝑡 = 𝑎𝑡 - 62 + 302.4 yields 0 = 𝑎12 - 62 + 302.4, or 36𝑎 = - 302.4. Dividing both
sides of this equation by 36 gives 𝑎 = - 8.4. Substituting -8.4 for 𝑎 in 𝑔𝑡 = 𝑎𝑡 - 62 + 302.4 gives 𝑔𝑡 = - 8.4𝑡 - 62 + 302.4.
Substituting 10 for 𝑡 in 𝑔𝑡 gives 𝑔10 = - 8.410 - 62 + 302.4, which is equivalent to 𝑔10 = - 8.442 + 302.4, or 𝑔10 = 168.
Therefore, the estimated depth, to the nearest meter, of the seal 10 minutes after it entered the water was 168 meters.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1073d70c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 1073d70c

At the time that an article was first featured on the home page of a news website, there were comments on the
article. An exponential model estimates that at the end of each hour after the article was first featured on the home
page, the number of comments on the article had increased by of the number of comments on the article at the
end of the previous hour. Which of the following equations best represents this model, where is the estimated
number of comments on the article hours after the article was first featured on the home page and ?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 1073d70c Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that an exponential model estimates that the number of comments on an article
increased by a fixed percentage at the end of each hour. Therefore, the model can be represented by an exponential
equation of the form 𝐶 = 𝐾𝑎𝑡 , where 𝐶 is the estimated number of comments on the article 𝑡 hours after the article was
first featured on the home page and 𝐾 and 𝑎 are constants. It's also given that when the article was first featured on the
home page of the news website, there were 40 comments on the article. This means that when 𝑡 = 0, 𝐶 = 40.
Substituting 0 for 𝑡 and 40 for 𝐶 in the equation 𝐶 = 𝐾𝑎𝑡 yields 40 = 𝐾𝑎0 , or 40 = 𝐾. It's also given that the number of
comments on the article at the end of an hour had increased by 190% of the number of comments on the article at the
end of the previous hour. Multiplying the percent increase by the number of comments on the article at the end of the
190
previous hour yields the number of estimated additional comments the article has on its home page: 40 100 , or 76
comments. Thus, the estimated number of comments for the following hour is the sum of the comments from the end
of the previous hour and the number of additional comments, which is 40 + 76, or 116. This means that when 𝑡 = 1,
𝐶 = 116. Substituting 1 for 𝑡, 116 for 𝐶, and 40 for 𝐾 in the equation 𝐶 = 𝐾𝑎𝑡 yields 116 = 40𝑎1 , or 116 = 40𝑎. Dividing
both sides of this equation by 40 yields 2.9 = 𝑎. Substituting 40 for 𝐾 and 2.9 for 𝑎 in the equation 𝐶 = 𝐾𝑎𝑡 yields
𝐶 = 402.9𝑡 . Thus, the equation that best represents this model is 𝐶 = 40 ( 2.9 ) 𝑡 .

Choice A is incorrect. This model represents a situation where the number of comments at the end of each hour
increased by 19% of the number of comments at the end of the previous hour, rather than 190%.

Choice B is incorrect. This model represents a situation where the number of comments at the end of each hour
increased by 90% of the number of comments at the end of the previous hour, rather than 190%.

Choice C is incorrect. This model represents a situation where the number of comments at the end of each hour was 19
times the number of comments at the end of the previous hour, rather than increasing by 190% of the number of
comments at the end of the previous hour.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1fe10d97
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 1fe10d97

The given function models the population of Lowell years after a census. Which of the following functions best
models the population of Lowell months after the census?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1fe10d97 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the function 𝑝 models the population of Lowell 𝑡 years after a census. Since there are
𝑚 𝑚
12 months in a year, 𝑚 months after the census is equivalent to years after the census. Substituting for 𝑡 in the
𝑚 12 12
𝑡 𝑚
equation 𝑝𝑡 = 90,0001.06 yields 𝑝 12 = 90,0001.06 . Therefore, the function 𝑟 that best models the population of
12
𝑚
Lowell 𝑚 months after the census is 𝑟𝑚 = 90,0001.06 12 .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7355b9d9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 7355b9d9

If is a factor of the expression , where and are constants and , what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7355b9d9 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
1 2
Choice D is correct. If 𝑘 - 𝑥 is a factor of the expression -𝑥2 + 29 𝑛𝑘 , then the expression can be written as 𝑘 - 𝑥𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏,
where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants. This expression can be rewritten as 𝑎𝑘𝑥 + 𝑏𝑘 - 𝑎𝑥2 - 𝑏𝑥, or -𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑎𝑘 - 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏𝑘. Since this
1 2 1 2
expression is equivalent to -𝑥2 + 29 𝑛𝑘 , it follows that -𝑎 = -1, 𝑎𝑘 - 𝑏 = 0, and 𝑏𝑘 = 29 𝑛𝑘 . Dividing each side of the
equation -𝑎 = -1 by -1 yields 𝑎 = 1. Substituting 1 for 𝑎 in the equation 𝑎𝑘 - 𝑏 = 0 yields 𝑘 - 𝑏 = 0. Adding 𝑏 to each side
1 2 2 1 2
of this equation yields 𝑘 = 𝑏. Substituting 𝑘 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑏𝑘 = 𝑛𝑘 yields 𝑘 = 𝑛𝑘 . Since 𝑘 is positive,
29 29
2 1
dividing each side of this equation by 𝑘 yields 1 = 29
𝑛. Multiplying each side of this equation by 29 yields 29 = 𝑛.

Alternate approach: The expression 𝑥2 - 𝑦2 can be written as 𝑥 - 𝑦𝑥 + 𝑦, which is a difference of two squares. It follows
1 2 1 1 1 2 1
that 29
𝑛𝑘 - 𝑥2 is equivalent to √ 29 𝑛𝑘 - 𝑥√ 29 𝑛𝑘 + 𝑥. It’s given that 𝑘 - 𝑥 is a factor of -𝑥2 + 29 𝑛𝑘 , so the factor √ 29 𝑛𝑘 - 𝑥
1 1
is equal to 𝑘 - 𝑥. Adding 𝑥 to both sides of the equation √ 29 𝑛𝑘 - 𝑥 = 𝑘 - 𝑥 yields √ 29 𝑛𝑘 = 𝑘. Since 𝑘 is positive, dividing
1 1
both sides of this equation by 𝑘 yields √ 29 𝑛 = 1. Squaring both sides of this equation yields 29
𝑛 = 1. Multiplying both

sides of this equation by 29 yields 𝑛 = 29.

1 2 2
Choice A is incorrect. This value of 𝑛 gives the expression -𝑥2 + 29 -29𝑘 , or -𝑥2 - 𝑘 . This expression doesn't have 𝑘 - 𝑥
as a factor.

1 1 2 1 2
Choice B is incorrect. This value of 𝑛 gives the expression -𝑥2 + 29 - 29 𝑘 , or -𝑥2 + - 841 𝑘 . This expression doesn't have
𝑘 - 𝑥 as a factor.

1 1 2 1 2
Choice C is incorrect. This value of 𝑛 gives the expression -𝑥2 + 29 29 𝑘 , or -𝑥2 + 841 𝑘 . This expression doesn't have
𝑘 - 𝑥 as a factor.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b73ee6cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: b73ee6cf

The population of a town is currently 50,000, and the population is estimated to

increase each year by 3% from the previous year. Which of the following
equations can be used to estimate the number of years, t, it will take for the
population of the town to reach 60,000 ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b73ee6cf Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Stating that the population will increase each year by 3% from the previous year is equivalent to
saying that the population each year will be 103% of the population the year before. Since the initial population is
50,000, the population after t years is given by 50,000(1.03)t. It follows that the equation 60,000 = 50,000(1.03)t can be
used to estimate the number of years it will take for the population to reach 60,000.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation models how long it will take the population to decrease from 60,000 to 50,000,
which is impossible given the growth factor. Choice B is incorrect and may result from misinterpreting a 3% growth as
growth by a factor of 3. Additionally, this equation attempts to model how long it will take the population to decrease
from 60,000 to 50,000. Choice C is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding how to model percent growth by
multiplying the initial amount by a factor greater than 1.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 08d03fe4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 08d03fe4

For the exponential function , the value of is , where is a constant. Which of the following equivalent forms of
the function shows the value of as the coefficient or the base?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 08d03fe4 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
𝑥-1 1-1
Choice C is correct. For the form of the function in choice C, 𝑓𝑥 = 1281.6 , the value of 𝑓1 can be found as 1281.6 ,
0 𝑥-1
which is equivalent to 1281.6 , or 128. Therefore, 𝑘 = 128, which is shown in 𝑓𝑥 = 1281.6 as the coefficient.

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: Hard

Question ID 7eed640d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 7eed640d

The quadratic function above models the height above the ground h, in feet, of
a projectile x seconds after it had been launched vertically. If is

graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following represents the real-life meaning
of the positive x-intercept of the graph?

A. The initial height of the projectile

B. The maximum height of the projectile

C. The time at which the projectile reaches its maximum height

D. The time at which the projectile hits the ground

ID: 7eed640d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The positive x-intercept of the graph of is a point for which . Since
models the height above the ground, in feet, of the projectile, a y-value of 0 must correspond to the height of the
projectile when it is 0 feet above ground or, in other words, when the projectile is on the ground. Since x represents the
time since the projectile was launched, it follows that the positive x-intercept, , represents the time at which the
projectile hits the ground.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from misidentifying the y-intercept as a positive x-intercept. Choice B is incorrect
and may result from misidentifying the y-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from misidentifying the x-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 43926bd9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 43926bd9

For the exponential function f, the table above shows several values of x and their corresponding values of ,

where a is a constant greater than 1. If k is a constant and , what is the value of k ?

ID: 43926bd9 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 8. The values of for the exponential function f shown in the table increase by a factor of

for each increase of 1 in x. This relationship can be represented by the equation , where b is a constant.

It’s given that when , . Substituting 2 for x and for into yields .

Since , it follows that . Thus, an equation that defines the function f is . It follows

that the value of k such that can be found by solving the equation , which yields .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4d037075
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 4d037075

The rational function is defined by an equation in the form , where and are constants. The partial
graph of is shown. If , which equation could define function ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4d037075 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
𝑎
Choice C is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = and that the graph shown is a partial graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥. Substituting 𝑦 for 𝑓𝑥
𝑥+𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑦 = . The graph passes through the point -7, - 2. Substituting -7 for 𝑥 and -2 for 𝑦 in
𝑥+𝑏 𝑥+𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
the equation 𝑦 = yields -2 = . Multiplying each side of this equation by -7 + 𝑏 yields -2-7 + 𝑏 = 𝑎, or 14 - 2𝑏 = 𝑎
𝑥+𝑏 -7 + 𝑏
𝑎
. The graph also passes through the point -5, - 6. Substituting -5 for 𝑥 and -6 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑦 = yields
𝑥+𝑏
𝑎
-6 = . Multiplying each side of this equation by -5 + 𝑏 yields -6-5 + 𝑏 = 𝑎, or 30 - 6𝑏 = 𝑎. Substituting 14 - 2𝑏 for 𝑎 in
-5 + 𝑏
this equation yields 30 - 6𝑏 = 14 - 2𝑏. Adding 6𝑏 to each side of this equation yields 30 = 14 + 4𝑏. Subtracting 14 from
each side of this equation yields 16 = 4𝑏. Dividing each side of this equation by 4 yields 4 = 𝑏. Substituting 4 for 𝑏 in the
𝑎
equation 14 - 2𝑏 = 𝑎 yields 14 - 24 = 𝑎, or 6 = 𝑎. Substituting 6 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
6 6 6
𝑓𝑥 =
𝑥+4
. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑥 + 4 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥+4
yields 𝑓𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥+4+4
, which is
6 6
equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 + 4 = . It follows that 𝑔𝑥 = .
𝑥+8 𝑥+8

Choice A is incorrect. This could define function 𝑔 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 - 4.

Choice B is incorrect. This could define function 𝑔 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥.

Choice D is incorrect. This could define function 𝑔 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 · 𝑥 + 4.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4d7064a6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 4d7064a6

The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4d7064a6 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 13, which can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 3𝑥 - 130. Since the coefficient
of the 𝑥2 -term is positive, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane opens upward and reaches its minimum value at its
vertex. The x-coordinate of the vertex is the value of 𝑥 such that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. For an equation in the form
𝑏
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the x-coordinate of the vertex is - . For the equation
2𝑎
3 3
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 3𝑥 - 130, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 3, and 𝑐 = - 130. It follows that the x-coordinate of the vertex is - , or - . Therefore, 𝑓𝑥
21 2
3
reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - 2 .

Alternate approach: The value of 𝑥 for the vertex of a parabola is the x-value of the midpoint between the two x-
intercepts of the parabola. Since it’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 13, it follows that the two x-intercepts of the graph of
𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occur when 𝑥 = 10 and 𝑥 = - 13, or at the points 10, 0 and -13, 0. The midpoint between two
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 10 + -13 0 + 0 3
points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , is , . Therefore, the midpoint between 10, 0 and -13, 0 is , , or - , 0. It
2 2 2 2 2
3
follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - 2 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Choice B is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c8e9a011
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c8e9a011

The given equation relates the variables , , and , where , , and . Which expression is equivalent to
?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c8e9a011 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
2 12 2 2
Choice D is correct. Adding 𝑡
to each side of the given equation yields 𝑛
= - + . The fractions on the right side of this
𝑤 𝑡
12 2𝑤 2𝑡 12 2𝑤 - 2𝑡
equation have a common denominator of 𝑡𝑤; therefore, the equation can be written as 𝑛
=
𝑡𝑤
-
𝑡𝑤
, or 𝑛
=
𝑡𝑤
, which
12 2𝑤 - 𝑡 6 𝑤-𝑡
is equivalent to = . Dividing each side of this equation by 2 yields = . Since 𝑛, 𝑡, 𝑤, and 𝑤 - 𝑡 are all positive
𝑛 𝑡𝑤 𝑛 𝑡𝑤
6 𝑤-𝑡 𝑛 𝑡𝑤
quantities, taking the reciprocal of each side of the equation 𝑛
=
𝑡𝑤
yields an equivalent equation: 6
=
𝑤-𝑡
. Multiplying
6𝑡𝑤
each side of this equation by 6 yields 𝑛 = 𝑤-𝑡
.

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

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

1
Choice C is incorrect. This is equivalent to 𝑛
rather than 𝑛.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7e6ea718
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 7e6ea718

In the given equation, and are unique positive constants. When the equation is graphed in the xy-plane, how many
distinct x-intercepts does the graph have?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7e6ea718 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. An x-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is a point on the graph where the value of 𝑦 is 0.
Substituting 0 for 𝑦 in the given equation yields 0 = 2𝑥 - 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑔𝑥 - 𝑑. By the zero product property, the solutions to
this equation are 𝑥 = 𝑑, 𝑥 = -𝑑, 𝑥 = -𝑔, and 𝑥 = 𝑑. However, 𝑥 = 𝑑 and 𝑥 = 𝑑 are identical. It's given that 𝑑 and 𝑔 are
unique positive constants. It follows that the equation 0 = 2𝑥 - 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑔𝑥 - 𝑑 has 3 unique solutions: 𝑥 = 𝑑, 𝑥 = -𝑑,
and 𝑥 = -𝑔. Thus, the graph of the given equation has 3 distinct x-intercepts.

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: Hard

Question ID 1853bb35
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 1853bb35

For the function , the value of decreases by for every increase in the value of by . If , which
equation defines ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1853bb35 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since the value of 𝑞𝑥 decreases by a fixed percentage, 45%, for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1,
the function 𝑞 is a decreasing exponential function. A decreasing exponential function can be written in the form
𝑝 𝑥
𝑞𝑥 = 𝑎1 - 100 , where 𝑎 is the value of 𝑞0 and the value of 𝑞𝑥 decreases by 𝑝% for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1. If
𝑞0 = 14, then 𝑎 = 14. Since the value of 𝑞𝑥 decreases by 45% for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1, 𝑝 = 45.
𝑝 𝑥 45 𝑥
Substituting 14 for 𝑎 and 45 for 𝑝 in the equation 𝑞𝑥 = 𝑎1 - 100 yields 𝑞𝑥 = 141 - 100 , which is equivalent to
𝑥 𝑥
𝑞𝑥 = 141 - 0.45 , or 𝑞𝑥 = 140.55 .

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. For this function, the value of 𝑞𝑥 increases, rather than decreases, by 45% for every increase in
the value of 𝑥 by 1.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a54753ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: a54753ca

In the xy-plane, the graph of the equation intersects the line at exactly one point. What is
the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a54753ca Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. In the xy-plane, the graph of the line 𝑦 = 𝑐 is a horizontal line that crosses the y-axis at 𝑦 = 𝑐 and
the graph of the quadratic equation 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 + 9𝑥 - 100 is a parabola. A parabola can intersect a horizontal line at
exactly one point only at its vertex. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 should be equal to the y-coordinate of the vertex of the
graph of the given equation. For a quadratic equation in vertex form, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, the vertex of its graph in the xy-
9 92 92
plane is ℎ, 𝑘. The given quadratic equation, 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 + 9𝑥 - 100, can be rewritten as 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 - 2 2 𝑥 + 2 + 2 - 100, or
92 319 319
𝑦= -𝑥-
2
+-
4
. Thus, the value of 𝑐 is equal to - 4
.

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: Hard

Question ID a8ae0d22
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: a8ae0d22

Two variables, and , are related such that for each increase of in the value of , the value of increases by a factor
of . When , . Which equation represents this relationship?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: a8ae0d22 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since the value of 𝑦 increases by a constant factor, 4, for each increase of 1 in the value of 𝑥, the
relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 is exponential. An exponential relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 can be represented by an
𝑥
equation of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 , where 𝑎 is the value of 𝑥 when 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 increases by a factor of 𝑏 for each increase of
1 in the value of 𝑥. Since 𝑦 = 200 when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑎 = 200. Since 𝑦 increases by a factor of 4 for each increase of 1 in the
value of 𝑥, 𝑏 = 4. Substituting 200 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏𝑥 yields 𝑦 = 2004𝑥 . Thus, the equation
𝑦 = 2004𝑥 represents the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a relationship where for each increase of 1 in the value of 𝑥, the value of
𝑦 increases by a factor of 200, not 4, and when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 is equal to 4, not 200.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 161126cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 161126cf

The function is defined by the given equation. The equation can be rewritten as , where is a
constant. Which of the following is closest to the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 161126cf Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
𝑥 1 1𝑥
Choice A is correct. The equation 𝑓𝑥 = 1.84 4 can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 1.84 4 𝑥 , which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 1.84 4 , or
𝑥 𝑝 𝑥
approximately 𝑓𝑥 = 1.16467𝑥 . Since it's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 1.84 4 can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 1 + 100 , where 𝑝 is a constant, it
𝑝 𝑝
follows that 1 + 100 is approximately equal to 1.16467. Therefore, 100
is approximately equal to 0.16467. It follows that
the value of 𝑝 is approximately equal to 16.467. Of the given choices, 16 is closest to the value of 𝑝.

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 a7711fe8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: a7711fe8

What is the minimum value of the function f

defined by ?

A.

B.

C. 2

D. 4

ID: a7711fe8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The given quadratic function f is in vertex form, , where is the vertex of the

graph of in the xy-plane. Therefore, the vertex of the graph of is . In addition, the y-coordinate
of the vertex represents either the minimum or maximum value of a quadratic function, depending on whether the graph
of the function opens upward or downward. Since the leading coefficient of f (the coefficient of the term ) is 1,
which is positive, the graph of opens upward. It follows that at , the minimum value of the function f is
.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from making a sign error and from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice D is incorrect and may result from making a
sign error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1a722d7d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 1a722d7d

Let the function p be defined as , where c is a constant.

If , what is the value of ?

A. 10.00

B. 10.25

C. 10.75

D. 11.00

ID: 1a722d7d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The value of p(12) depends on the value of the constant c, so the value of c must first be
determined. It is given that p(c) = 10. Based on the definition of p, it follows that:

This means that for all values of x. Therefore:

Choice A is incorrect. It is the value of p(8), not p(12). Choices B and C are incorrect. If one of these values were correct,
then x = 12 and the selected value of p(12) could be substituted into the equation to solve for c. However, the values of
c that result from choices B and C each result in p(c) < 10.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3a01a5ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3a01a5ee

What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3a01a5ee Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. By the definition of absolute value, if -5𝑥 + 13 = 73, then -5𝑥 + 13 = 73 or -5𝑥 + 13 = - 73.
Subtracting 13 from both sides of the equation -5𝑥 + 13 = 73 yields -5𝑥 = 60. Dividing both sides of this equation by -5
yields 𝑥 = -12. Subtracting 13 from both sides of the equation -5𝑥 + 13 = - 73 yields -5𝑥 = -86. Dividing both sides of
86 86
this equation by -5 yields 𝑥 = . Therefore, the solutions to the given equation are -12 and , and it follows that the
5 5
86 26
sum of the solutions to the given equation is -12 + 5
, or 5
.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is a solution, not the sum of the solutions, to the given equation.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6e7ae9fc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 6e7ae9fc

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

sum of all possible values of ?

ID: 6e7ae9fc Answer

Correct Answer: 25

Rationale
The correct answer is 25. The value of 𝑔7 - 𝑤 is the value of 𝑔𝑥 when 𝑥 = 7 - 𝑤, where 𝑤 is a constant. Substituting 7 - 𝑤
2 2
for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤7 - 𝑤 - 27 - 𝑤 + 6 , which is equivalent to 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤 . It’s
2
given that the value of 𝑔7 - 𝑤 is 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑔7 - 𝑤 in the equation 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤 yields
2
0 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤 . Since the product of the three factors on the right-hand side of this equation is equal to 0, at least
one of these three factors must be equal to 0. Therefore, the possible values of 𝑤 can be found by setting each factor
equal to 0. Setting the first factor equal to 0 yields 7 - 𝑤 = 0. Adding 𝑤 to both sides of this equation yields 7 = 𝑤.
Therefore, 7 is one possible value of 𝑤. Setting the second factor equal to 0 yields 5 - 𝑤 = 0. Adding 𝑤 to both sides of
this equation yields 5 = 𝑤. Therefore, 5 is a second possible value of 𝑤. Setting the third factor equal to 0 yields
2
13 - 𝑤 = 0. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 13 - 𝑤 = 0. Adding 𝑤 to both sides of this
equation yields 13 = 𝑤. Therefore, 13 is a third possible value of 𝑤. Adding the three possible values of 𝑤 yields
7 + 5 + 13, or 25. Therefore, the sum of all possible values of 𝑤 is 25.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 48f83c34
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

functions

ID: 48f83c34

A right rectangular prism has a height of inches. The length of the prism's base is inches, which is inches more
than the width of the prism's base. Which function gives the volume of the prism, in cubic inches, in terms of the
length of the prism's base?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 48f83c34 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The volume of a right rectangular prism can be represented by a function 𝑉 that gives the volume of
the prism, in cubic inches, in terms of the length of the prism's base. The volume of a right rectangular prism is equal to
the area of its base times its height. It's given that the length of the prism's base is 𝑥 inches, which is 7 inches more
than the width of the prism's base. This means that the width of the prism's base is 𝑥 - 7 inches. It follows that the area
of the prism's base, in square inches, is 𝑥𝑥 - 7 and the volume, in cubic inches, of the prism is 𝑥𝑥 - 79. Thus, the function
𝑉 that gives the volume of this right rectangular prism, in cubic inches, in terms of the length of the prism's base, 𝑥, is
𝑉𝑥 = 9𝑥𝑥 - 7.

Choice A is incorrect. This function would give the volume of the prism if the height were 9 inches more than the length
of its base and the width of the base were 7 inches more than its length.

Choice B is incorrect. This function would give the volume of the prism if the height were 9 inches more than the length
of its base.

Choice C is incorrect. This function would give the volume of the prism if the width of the base were 7 inches more than
its length, rather than the length of the base being 7 inches more than its width.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 58b109d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear

equations in one
variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 58b109d4

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

ID: 58b109d4 Answer

Correct Answer: -10

Rationale
The correct answer is -10. Adding 𝑦 to both sides of the second equation in the given system yields 20𝑥 + 100 = 𝑦.
Substituting 20𝑥 + 100 for 𝑦 in the first equation in the given system yields 𝑥2 + 20𝑥 + 100 + 7 = 7. Subtracting 7 from
both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 + 20𝑥 + 100 = 0. Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields
𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 10 = 0, or 𝑥 + 102 = 0. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 + 10 = 0. Subtracting 10
from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = - 10. Therefore, the value of 𝑥 is -10.

Question Difficulty: Hard