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 7e5a3640
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 7e5a3640

Bacteria are growing in a liquid growth medium. There were cells per milliliter during an initial observation. The
number of cells per milliliter doubles every hours. How many cells per milliliter will there be hours after the initial
observation?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7e5a3640 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Let 𝑦 represent the number of cells per milliliter 𝑥 hours after the initial observation. Since the
number of cells per milliliter doubles every 3 hours, the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 can be represented by an
𝑥
exponential equation of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 𝑘 , where 𝑎 is the number of cells per milliliter during the initial observation and
the number of cells per milliliter increases by a factor of 𝑏 every 𝑘 hours. It’s given that there were 300,000 cells per
milliliter during the initial observation. Therefore, 𝑎 = 300,000. It’s also given that the number of cells per milliliter
doubles, or increases by a factor of 2, every 3 hours. Therefore, 𝑏 = 2 and 𝑘 = 3. Substituting 300,000 for 𝑎, 2 for 𝑏, and 3
𝑥 𝑥
for 𝑘 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 𝑘 yields 𝑦 = 300,0002 3 . The number of cells per milliliter there will be 15 hours after the initial
𝑥
observation is the value of 𝑦 in this equation when 𝑥 = 15. Substituting 15 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 300,0002 3 yields
15
𝑦 = 300,0002 3 , or 𝑦 = 300,00025 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 300,00032, or 𝑦 = 9,600,000. Therefore, 15 hours after the
initial observation, there will be 9,600,000 cells per milliliter.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 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 in
𝑥+𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑦 = . The graph passes through the point -7, - 2. Substituting -7 for 𝑥 and -2 for 𝑦 in the
𝑥+𝑏 𝑥+𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
equation 𝑦 = yields -2 = . Multiplying each side of this equation by -7 + 𝑏 yields -2-7 + 𝑏 = 𝑎, or 14 - 2𝑏 = 𝑎. The
𝑥+𝑏 -7 + 𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
graph also passes through the point -5, - 6. Substituting -5 for 𝑥 and -6 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑦 = yields -6 = .
𝑥+𝑏 -5 + 𝑏
Multiplying each side of this equation by -5 + 𝑏 yields -6-5 + 𝑏 = 𝑎, or 30 - 6𝑏 = 𝑎. Substituting 14 - 2𝑏 for 𝑎 in 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 6
equation 14 - 2𝑏 = 𝑎 yields 14 - 24 = 𝑎, or 6 = 𝑎. Substituting 6 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑓𝑥 =
𝑥+𝑏 𝑥+4
6 6
. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑥 + 4 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑓𝑥 + 4 = , which is equivalent
𝑥+4 𝑥+4+4
6 6
to 𝑓𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥+8
. It follows that 𝑔𝑥 = 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 points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2
𝑥 +𝑥 𝑦 +𝑦 10 + -13 0 + 0 3
, is 1 2 , 1 2 . Therefore, the midpoint between 10, 0 and -13, 0 is , , or - , 0. It follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its
2 2 2 2 2
3
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 4eaf0a3a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: 4eaf0a3a

Which expression is equivalent to , where and are positive?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 4eaf0a3a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
1 𝑘
Choice B is correct. For positive values of 𝑎 and 𝑏, 𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑚 = 𝑎𝑏𝑚 , 𝑛√𝑎 = 𝑎 𝑛 , and 𝑎𝑗 = 𝑎𝑗𝑘 . Therefore, the given expression,
1 1 9
7 7 9· 7
√𝑥9 𝑦9 , can be rewritten as √𝑥𝑦9 . This expression is equivalent to 𝑥𝑦9 7 , which can be rewritten as 𝑥𝑦 , or 𝑥𝑦 7 .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 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
= - 𝑤 + 𝑡 . The fractions on the right side of this
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 52e589f9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 52e589f9

The function gives the predicted body mass , in , of a certain animal days after it was born in a
wildlife reserve, where . Which of the following is the best interpretation of the statement “ is
approximately equal to ” in this context?

A. The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately days after it was born.

B. The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately days after it was born.

C. The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately days after it was born.

D. The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately days after it was born.

ID: 52e589f9 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. In the statement "𝑚 ( 330 ) is approximately equal to 362," the input of the function, 330, is the value
of 𝑡, the elapsed time, in days, since the animal was born. The approximate value of the function, 362, is the predicted
body mass, in kilograms, of the animal after that time has elapsed. Therefore, the predicted body mass of the animal was
approximately 362 kg 330 days after it was born.

Choice A is incorrect. This would be the best interpretation of the statement "𝑚 ( 362 ) is approximately equal to 330."

330
Choice C is incorrect. The number is the number of weeks, not the number of days, after the animal was born.
7

330
Choice D is incorrect. This would be the best interpretation of the statement "𝑚 ( 362 ) is approximately equal to 7
."

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 4993b828
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 4993b828

The area , in square centimeters, of a rectangular cutting board can be represented by the expression , where
is the width, in centimeters, of the cutting board. Which expression represents the length, in centimeters, of the cutting
board?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4993b828 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that the expression 𝑤𝑤 + 9 represents the area, in square centimeters, of a rectangular
cutting board, where 𝑤 is the width, in centimeters, of the cutting board. The area of a rectangle can be calculated by
multiplying its length by its width. It follows that the length, in centimeters, of the cutting board is represented by the
expression 𝑤 + 9.

Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the area, in square centimeters, of the cutting board, not its length, in
centimeters.

Choice B is incorrect. This expression represents the width, in centimeters, of the cutting board, not its length.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the difference between the length, in centimeters, and the width, in centimeters, of the
cutting board, not its length, in centimeters.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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
2
equation. For a quadratic equation in vertex form, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, the vertex of its graph in the xy-plane is ℎ, 𝑘. The given
9 92 92 92 319
quadratic equation, 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 + 9𝑥 - 100, can be rewritten as 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 - 2 2 𝑥 + 2 + 2 - 100, or 𝑦 = - 𝑥 - 2 + - 4
. Thus, the
319
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 c602140f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

ID: c602140f

Which of the following is equivalent to

the expression above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c602140f Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Expanding all terms yields (x – 11y)(2x – 3y) – 12y(–2x + 3y), which is equivalent to 2x2 – 22xy – 3xy
+ 33y2 + 24xy – 36y2. Combining like terms gives 2x2 – xy – 3y2.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of using the sums of the coefficients of the existing x and y terms as the
coefficients of the x and y terms in the new expressions. Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly
combining like terms. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of using the incorrect sign in front of the 12y term.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
of 𝑥, 𝑏 = 4. Substituting 200 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 yields 𝑦 = 2004 . Thus, the equation 𝑦 = 2004
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 981aca65
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 981aca65

In the given function , is a constant. The graph of function in the xy-plane, where , is translated units
down and units to the right to produce the graph of . Which equation defines function ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 981aca65 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 is produced by translating the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 3 units down and 4
units to the right in the xy-plane. Therefore, function 𝑔 can be defined by an equation in the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 - 4 - 3. Function
𝑎 - 19 𝑎 - 19
𝑓 is defined by the equation 𝑓𝑥 = + 5, where 𝑎 is a constant. Substituting 𝑥 - 4 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = +5
𝑥 𝑥
𝑎 - 19 𝑎 - 19 𝑎 - 19
yields 𝑓𝑥 - 4 = 𝑥-4
+ 5. Substituting 𝑥 - 4 + 5 for 𝑓𝑥 - 4 in the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 - 4 - 3 yields 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 - 4 + 5 - 3, or
𝑎 - 19 𝑎 - 19
𝑔𝑥 = + 2. Therefore, the equation that defines function 𝑔 is 𝑔𝑥 = + 2.
𝑥-4 𝑥-4

Choice A is incorrect. This equation defines a function whose graph is produced by translating the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 3 units
down and 4 units to the left, not 3 units down and 4 units to the right.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation defines a function whose graph is produced by translating the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 4
units to the left, not 3 units down and 4 units to the right.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation defines a function whose graph is produced by translating the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 4 units
to the right, not 3 units down and 4 units to the right.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 + is approximately equal to 1.16467. Therefore, is approximately equal to 0.16467. It follows that
100 100
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 7a4475df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 7a4475df

A function estimates that there were animals in a population in . Each year from to , the function
estimates that the number of animals in this population increased by of the number of animals in the population the
previous year. Which equation defines this function, where is the estimated number of animals in the population
years after ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7a4475df Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that a function 𝑝 estimates that there were 2,000 animals in a population in 1998 and that
each year from 1998 to 2010, the number of animals in this population increased by 3% of the number of animals in the
𝑟 𝑥
population the previous year. It follows that this situation can be represented by the function 𝑝𝑥 = 𝑎1 + 100
, where 𝑝𝑥 is
the estimated number of animals in the population 𝑥 years after 1998, 𝑎 is the estimated number of animals in the
population in 1998, and each year the estimated number of animals increased by 𝑟%. Substituting 2,000 for 𝑎 and 3 for 𝑟
3 𝑥 𝑥
in this function yields 𝑝𝑥 = 2,0001 + 100 , or 𝑝𝑥 = 2,0001.03 .

Choice A is incorrect. This function represents a population in which each year the number of animals increased by 200%
, not 3%, of the number of animals in the population the previous year.

Choice B is incorrect. This function represents a population in which each year the number of animals increased by 97%,
not 3%, of the number of animals in the population the previous year.

Choice D is incorrect. This function represents a population in which each year the number of animals decreased, rather
than increased, by 3% of the number of animals in the population the previous year.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3b4b8831
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 3b4b8831

What is the negative solution to the given equation?

ID: 3b4b8831 Answer

Correct Answer: -3

Rationale
The correct answer is -3. Dividing both sides of the given equation by 38 yields 𝑥2 = 9. Taking the square root of both
sides of this equation yields the solutions 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑥 = - 3. Therefore, the negative solution to the given equation is -3.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f5247e52
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: f5247e52

In the equation above, a and c are positive constants. How many times does the
graph of the equation above intersect the graph of the equation in the
xy-plane?

A. Zero

B. One

C. Two

D. More than two

ID: f5247e52 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is given that the constants a and c are both positive; therefore, the graph of the given quadratic
equation is a parabola that opens up with a vertex on the y-axis at a point below the x-axis. The graph of the second
equation provided is a horizontal line that lies above the x-axis. A horizontal line above the x-axis will intersect a parabola
that opens up and has a vertex below the x-axis in exactly two points.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and are the result of not understanding the relationships of the graphs of the two
equations given. Choice A is incorrect because the two graphs intersect. Choice B is incorrect because in order for there
to be only one intersection point, the horizontal line would have to intersect the parabola at the vertex, but the vertex is
below the x-axis and the line is above the x-axis. Choice D is incorrect because a line cannot intersect a parabola in more
than two points.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 be1b8c74
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: be1b8c74

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: be1b8c74 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. To express 𝑎 in terms of 𝑏 and 𝑥, the given equation can be rewritten such that 𝑎 is isolated on one
side of the equation. Since it’s given that 𝑏 is a positive number, 𝑏 + 9 is not equal to zero. Therefore, dividing both sides
𝑥 𝑥
of the given equation by 8𝑏 + 9 yields the equivalent equation 8𝑏 + 9 = 𝑎, or 𝑎 = 8𝑏 + 9 .

Choice A is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑥 = 8𝑎 + 𝑏 + 9.

8𝑏 + 9
Choice C is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑥 = 𝑎
.

𝑎
Choice D is incorrect. This equation is equivalent to 𝑥 = .
8𝑏 + 9

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 sum
5 5
86 26
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
for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤7 - 𝑤 - 27 - 𝑤 + 62 , which is equivalent to 𝑔7 - 𝑤 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤2 . 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
0 = 7 - 𝑤5 - 𝑤13 - 𝑤2 . 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 5c00c2c1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 5c00c2c1

There were no jackrabbits in Australia before 1788 when 24 jackrabbits were

introduced. By 1920 the population of jackrabbits had reached 10 billion. If the
population had grown exponentially, this would correspond to a 16.2% increase,
on average, in the population each year. Which of the following functions best
models the population of jackrabbits t years after 1788?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5c00c2c1 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. This exponential growth model can be written in the form , where is the
population t years after 1788, A is the initial population, and r is the yearly growth rate, expressed as a decimal. Since
there were 24 jackrabbits in Australia in 1788, . Since the number of jackrabbits increased by an average of 16.2%

each year, . Therefore, the equation that best models this situation is .

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the form of an exponential growth model.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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
2
𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 10 = 0, or 𝑥 + 10 = 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