Question ID 6ee5222e

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 6ee5222e

Which table gives three values of and their corresponding values of for the given equation?

A.

B.

C.

D.
 ID: 6ee5222e Answer
Correct Answer: D

Rationale

3 3 3 3 35
Choice D is correct. Each of the tables gives the same three values of 𝑥: 1, 2, and 4. Substituting 1 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 5 1 + 4 𝑦 = 7, or 5
+ 𝑦=
4 5
.
3 3 32 4 128
Subtracting 5
from both sides of this equation yields 4 𝑦 = 5
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 3
yields 𝑦 = 15
. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 1, the corresponding
128 3 3 6 3 35 6
value of 𝑦 for the given equation is 15
. Substituting 2 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 5
2 +
4
𝑦 = 7, or
5
+
4
𝑦 =
5
. Subtracting 5
from both sides of this equation
3 29 4 116 116
yields 4
𝑦 =
5
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 3
yields 𝑦 = 15
. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 2, the corresponding value of 𝑦 for the given equation is 15
.
3 3 12 3 35 12 3 23
Substituting 4 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 4 + 𝑦 = 7, or + 4𝑦 = . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields 𝑦 = . Multiplying both sides
5 4 5 5 5 5 4
492 92
of this equation by yields 𝑦 = 15 . Therefore, when 𝑥 = 4, the corresponding value of 𝑦 for the given equation is 15 . The table in choice D gives x-values of 1, 2, and
3
128 116 92
4 and corresponding y-values of , , and 15 , respectively. Therefore, the table in choice D gives three values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦 for the
15 15
given equation.

3 3
Choice A is incorrect. This table gives three values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦 for the equation 5 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 = 7.

3
Choice B is incorrect. This table gives three values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦 for the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 10.
5

3 3
Choice C is incorrect. This table gives three values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦 for the equation 5 𝑥 + 4 𝑦 = 8.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7d5a0f4e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 7d5a0f4e

In August, a car dealer completed more than times the number of sales the car dealer completed in September. In August and September,
the car dealer completed sales. How many sales did the car dealer complete in September?

ID: 7d5a0f4e Answer

Correct Answer: 87

Rationale

The correct answer is 87. It’s given that in August, the car dealer completed 15 more than 3 times the number of sales the car dealer completed in September. Let 𝑥
represent the number of sales the car dealer completed in September. It follows that 3𝑥 + 15 represents the number of sales the car dealer completed in August.
It’s also given that in August and September, the car dealer completed 363 sales. It follows that 𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 15 = 363, or 4𝑥 + 15 = 363. Subtracting 15 from each side
of this equation yields 4𝑥 = 348. Dividing each side of this equation by 4 yields 𝑥 = 87. Therefore, the car dealer completed 87 sales in September.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b0e72232
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: b0e72232

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b0e72232 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution when the lines in the xy-plane representing the equations are parallel
and distinct. Two lines are parallel and distinct if their slopes are the same and their y-intercepts are different. The slope of the graph of the given equation,
3𝑥 = 36𝑦 - 45, in the xy-plane can be found by rewriting the equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the graph and 0, 𝑏 is the y-intercept. Adding 45
1 5 1 5
to each side of the given equation yields 3𝑥 + 45 = 36𝑦. Dividing each side of this equation by 36 yields 𝑥 + = 𝑦, or 𝑦 = 𝑥 + . It follows that the slope of the
12 4 12 4
1 5 1
graph of the given equation is 12
and the y-intercept is 0, 4 . Therefore, the graph of the second equation in the system must also have a slope of 12
, but must not
5 1 1 1
have a y-intercept of 0, 4
. Multiplying each side of the equation given in choice B by 4
yields 12
𝑥 = 𝑦, or 𝑦 =
12
𝑥. It follows that the graph representing the equation
1
in choice B has a slope of and a y-intercept of 0, 0. Since the slopes of the graphs of the two equations are equal and the y-intercepts of the graphs of the two
12
equations are different, the equation in choice B could be the second equation in the system.
 1 1
Choice A is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑦 = 4 𝑥. It follows that the graph of this equation has a slope of 4 , so the system consisting of this equation
and the given equation has exactly one solution, rather than no solution.

1 5 1 5
Choice C is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑦 = 12
𝑥 + . It follows that the graph of this equation has a slope of
4 12
and a y-intercept of 0, 4 , so the
system consisting of this equation and the given equation has infinitely many solutions, rather than no solution.

1 5 1
Choice D is incorrect. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑦 = 𝑥 + . It follows that the graph of this equation has a slope of , so the system consisting of this
36 4 36
equation and the given equation has exactly one solution, rather than no solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 43e69f94
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions Hard

ID: 43e69f94

The cost of renting a backhoe for up to days is for the first day and for each additional day. Which of the following equations
gives the cost , in dollars, of renting the backhoe for days, where is a positive integer and ?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 43e69f94 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It's given that the cost of renting a backhoe for up to 10 days is $ 270 for the first day and $ 135 for each additional day. Therefore, the cost 𝑦,
in dollars, for 𝑥 days, where 𝑥 ≤ 10, is the sum of the cost for the first day, $ 270, and the cost for the additional 𝑥 - 1 days, $ 135𝑥 - 1. It follows that
𝑦 = 270 + 135𝑥 - 1, which is equivalent to 𝑦 = 270 + 135𝑥 - 135, or 𝑦 = 135𝑥 + 135.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the cost of renting a backhoe is $ 135 for the first day and $ 270 for each additional day.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8d93d73a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities Hard

in one or two
variables

ID: 8d93d73a

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

A.

B.

C.

D.
 ID: 8d93d73a Answer
Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. Substituting 3 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 53 + 6, or 𝑦 < 21. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 3, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 21.
Substituting 5 for 𝑥 in the given inequality yields 𝑦 < 55 + 6, or 𝑦 < 31. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 31. Substituting 7 for 𝑥 in the
given inequality yields 𝑦 < 57 + 6, or 𝑦 < 41. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 7, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is less than 41. For the table in choice A, when 𝑥 = 3, the
corresponding value of 𝑦 is 17, which is less than 21; when 𝑥 = 5, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 27, which is less than 31; and when 𝑥 = 7, the corresponding value
of 𝑦 is 37, which is less than 41. Therefore, the table in choice A gives values of 𝑥 and their corresponding values of 𝑦 that are all solutions to the given inequality.

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 9609a243
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 9609a243

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9609a243 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

Choice B is incorrect. If the value of ℎ is 0, then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.
Choice C is incorrect. If the value of ℎ is 9, then the given system would have one solution, rather than no solution.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0876dbef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 0876dbef

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

ID: 0876dbef Answer

Correct Answer: 3.5, 7/2

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c5526332
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions Hard

ID: c5526332

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: c5526332 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4a2f9ba8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 4a2f9ba8

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4a2f9ba8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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 252d6b8a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 252d6b8a

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 252d6b8a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 52007f35
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 52007f35

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

ID: 52007f35 Answer

Correct Answer: 6

Rationale

The correct answer is 6. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines represented by the equations in the xy-plane are
parallel and distinct. Lines represented by equations in standard form, 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 and 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐹, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are
𝐷 𝐸 𝐹
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation, meaning = ; and the lines are distinct if the constants are not proportional, meaning is not
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
𝐷 𝐸 3 1 2 3
equal to 𝐴
or 𝐵 . The first equation in the given system is 2 𝑦 - 4 𝑥 = 3
- 𝑦. Multiplying each side of this equation by 12 yields 18𝑦 - 3𝑥 = 8 - 18𝑦. Adding 18𝑦 to each
2
1 3 9
side of this equation yields 36𝑦 - 3𝑥 = 8, or -3𝑥 + 36𝑦 = 8. The second equation in the given system is 2 𝑥 + 2 = 𝑝𝑦 + 2 . Multiplying each side of this equation by 2
yields 𝑥 + 3 = 2𝑝𝑦 + 9. Subtracting 2𝑝𝑦 from each side of this equation yields 𝑥 + 3 - 2𝑝𝑦 = 9. Subtracting 3 from each side of this equation yields 𝑥 - 2𝑝𝑦 = 6.
Therefore, the two equations in the given system, written in standard form, are -3𝑥 + 36𝑦 = 8 and 𝑥 - 2𝑝𝑦 = 6. As previously stated, if this system has no solution,
1 -2𝑝 1 𝑝 6 1
the lines represented by the equations in the xy-plane are parallel and distinct, meaning the proportion = , or - = - , is true and the proportion = is not
-3 36 3 18 8 -3
6 1 1 𝑝
true. The proportion 8
= -3
is not true. Multiplying each side of the true proportion, -3 = - 18
, by -18 yields 6 = 𝑝. Therefore, if the system has no solution, then the
value of 𝑝 is 6.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b1047a54
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: b1047a54

In the given system of equations, and are constants. The system has infinitely many solutions. What is the value of ?

ID: b1047a54 Answer

Correct Answer: .2857, 2/7

Rationale

2
The correct answer is 7 . It’s given that the system has infinitely many solutions. A system of two linear equations has infinitely many solutions if and only if the two
35 35 2 7 35 2 7 49 5
linear equations are equivalent. Multiplying each side of the first equation in the system by 4
yields 4 5
𝑥 + 𝑦=
5 4 7
, or 2 𝑥 + 4
𝑦 = . Since this equation is
2
equivalent to the second equation and has the same right side as the second equation, the coefficients of 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, should also be the same. It follows
7
7 49 𝑔 2
that 𝑔 = and 𝑘 = . Therefore, the value of is 49 ,
2 or . Note that 2/7, .2857, 0.285, and 0.286 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
2 4 𝑘 7
4

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 900234f1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 900234f1

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

ID: 900234f1 Answer

Correct Answer: 40

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 84f5f182
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities Hard

in one or two
variables

ID: 84f5f182

A salesperson’s total earnings consist of a base salary of dollars per year, plus commission earnings of of the total sales the
salesperson makes during the year. This year, the salesperson has a goal for the total earnings to be at least times and at most times the
base salary. Which of the following inequalities represents all possible values of total sales , in dollars, the salesperson can make this year in
order to meet that goal?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 84f5f182 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It’s given that a salesperson's total earnings consist of a base salary of 𝑥 dollars per year plus commission earnings of 11% of the total sales
the salesperson makes during the year. If the salesperson makes 𝑠 dollars in total sales this year, the salesperson’s total earnings can be represented by the
expression 𝑥 + 0.11𝑠. It’s also given that the salesperson has a goal for the total earnings to be at least 3 times and at most 4 times the base salary, which can be
represented by the expressions 3𝑥 and 4𝑥, respectively. Therefore, this situation can be represented by the inequality 3𝑥 ≤ 𝑥 + 0.11𝑠 ≤ 4𝑥. Subtracting 𝑥 from each
2 3 2 3
part of this inequality yields 2𝑥 ≤ 0.11𝑠 ≤ 3𝑥. Dividing each part of this inequality by 0.11 yields 𝑥≤𝑠≤
0.11
𝑥. Therefore, the inequality
0.11
𝑥≤𝑠≤
0.11
𝑥
0.11
represents all possible values of total sales 𝑠, in dollars, the salesperson can make this year in order to meet their goal.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation in which the total sales, rather than the total earnings, are at least 2 times and at most 3 times, rather
than at least 3 times and at most 4 times, the base salary.
Choice C is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation in which the total sales, rather than the total earnings, are at least 3 times and at most 4 times the base
salary.

Choice D is incorrect. This inequality represents a situation in which the total earnings are at least 4 times and at most 5 times, rather than at least 3 times and at
most 4 times, the base salary.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e40b7bdc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: e40b7bdc

Keenan made cups of vegetable broth. Keenan then filled small jars and large jars with all the vegetable broth he made. The equation
represents this situation. Which is the best interpretation of in this context?
A. The number of large jars Keenan filled

B. The number of small jars Keenan filled

C. The total number of cups of vegetable broth in the large jars

D. The total number of cups of vegetable broth in the small jars

ID: e40b7bdc Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the equation 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 32 represents the situation where Keenan filled 𝑥 small jars and 𝑦 large jars with all the vegetable broth he
made, which was 32 cups. Therefore, 3𝑥 represents the total number of cups of vegetable broth in the small jars and 5𝑦 represents the total number of cups of
vegetable broth in the large jars.

Choice A is incorrect. The number of large jars Keenan filled is represented by 𝑦, not 5𝑦.

Choice B is incorrect. The number of small jars Keenan filled is represented by 𝑥, not 5𝑦.

Choice D is incorrect. The total number of cups of vegetable broth in the small jars is represented by 3𝑥, not 5𝑦.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c130b16c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: c130b16c

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c130b16c Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines represented by the equations in the xy-plane are parallel
and distinct. Lines represented by equations in standard form, 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶 and 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐹, are parallel if the coefficients for 𝑥 and 𝑦 in one equation are
𝐷 𝐸 𝐹
proportional to the corresponding coefficients in the other equation, meaning 𝐴
= ; and the lines are distinct if the constants are not proportional, meaning
𝐵 𝐶
is not
𝐷 𝐸
equal to 𝐴
or 𝐵
. The given equation, 𝑦 = 6𝑥 + 18, can be written in standard form by subtracting 6𝑥 from both sides of the equation to yield -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 18. Therefore,
the given equation can be written in the form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴 = - 6, 𝐵 = 1, and 𝐶 = 18. The equation in choice B, -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 22, is written in the form
𝐷 -6 𝐷 𝐸 1 𝐸 𝐹 22
𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐹, where 𝐷 = - 6, 𝐸 = 1, and 𝐹 = 22. Therefore, = , which can be rewritten as = 1; = , which can be rewritten as = 1; and = , which can be
𝐴 -6 𝐴 𝐵 1 𝐵 𝐶 18
𝐹 11 𝐷 𝐸 𝐹
rewritten as = . Since = 1, = 1, and is not equal to 1, it follows that the given equation and the equation -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 22 are parallel and distinct. Therefore, a
𝐶 9 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
system of two linear equations consisting of the given equation and the equation -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 22 has no solution. Thus, the equation in choice B could be the second
equation in the system.
Choice A is incorrect. The equation -6𝑥 + 𝑦 = 18 and the given equation represent the same line in the xy-plane. Therefore, a system of these linear equations would
have infinitely many solutions, rather than no solution.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5e7991d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 5e7991d4

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

ID: 5e7991d4 Answer

Correct Answer: 1677

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2ebd5e5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 2ebd5e5b

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

ID: 2ebd5e5b Answer

Correct Answer: 80

Rationale

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID dcdceeae
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: dcdceeae

In the xy-plane, line has a slope of and an x-intercept of . What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line ?

ID: dcdceeae Answer

Correct Answer: -10

Rationale

The correct answer is -10. A line in the xy-plane can be represented by the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the line and 𝑏 is the y-coordinate of the y-
5 5
intercept. It's given that line 𝑝 has a slope of - 3 . Therefore, 𝑚 = - 3 . It's also given that line 𝑝 has an x-intercept of -6, 0. Therefore, when 𝑥 = - 6, 𝑦 = 0. Substituting
5 5
- for 𝑚, -6 for 𝑥, and 0 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 0 = - -6 + 𝑏, which is equivalent to 0 = 10 + 𝑏. Subtracting 10 from both sides of this equation yields
3 3
-10 = 𝑏. Therefore, the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of line 𝑝 is -10.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 90f7af74
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities Hard

in one or two
variables

ID: 90f7af74

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

ID: 90f7af74 Answer

Correct Answer: 182

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1cc52a1f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 1cc52a1f

A certain apprentice has enrolled in hours of training courses. The equation represents this situation, where is the
number of on-site training courses and is the number of online training courses this apprentice has enrolled in. How many more hours does
each online training course take than each on-site training course?

ID: 1cc52a1f Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. It's given that the equation 10𝑥 + 15𝑦 = 85 represents the situation, where 𝑥 is the number of on-site training courses, 𝑦 is the number of
online training courses, and 85 is the total number of hours of training courses the apprentice has enrolled in. Therefore, 10𝑥 represents the number of hours the
apprentice has enrolled in on-site training courses, and 15𝑦 represents the number of hours the apprentice has enrolled in online training courses. Since 𝑥 is the
number of on-site training courses and 𝑦 is the number of online training courses the apprentice has enrolled in, 10 is the number of hours each on-site course
takes and 15 is the number of hours each online course takes. Subtracting these numbers gives 15 - 10, or 5 more hours each online training course takes than
each on-site training course.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 90c618a3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: 90c618a3

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

ID: 90c618a3 Answer

Correct Answer: 8

Rationale

The correct answer is 8. The given system of equations can be solved using the elimination method. Multiplying both sides of the second equation in the given
system by -2 yields -2𝑡𝑦 = - 1 - 4𝑥, or -1 - 4𝑥 = - 2𝑡𝑦. Adding this equation to the first equation in the given system, 4𝑥 - 6𝑦 = 10𝑦 + 2, yields
4𝑥 - 6𝑦 + -1 - 4𝑥 = 10𝑦 + 2 + -2𝑡𝑦, or -1 - 6𝑦 = 10𝑦 - 2𝑡𝑦 + 2. Subtracting 10𝑦 from both sides of this equation yields -1 - 6𝑦 - 10𝑦 = 10𝑦 - 2𝑡𝑦 + 2 - 10𝑦, or
-1 - 16𝑦 = - 2𝑡𝑦 + 2. If the given system has no solution, then the equation -1 - 16𝑦 = - 2𝑡𝑦 + 2 has no solution. If this equation has no solution, the coefficients of 𝑦
on each side of the equation, -16 and -2𝑡, must be equal, which yields the equation -16 = - 2𝑡. Dividing both sides of this equation by -2 yields 8 = 𝑡. Thus, if the
system has no solution, the value of 𝑡 is 8.

Alternate approach: A system of two linear equations in two variables, 𝑥 and 𝑦, has no solution if the lines represented by the equations in the xy-plane are parallel
and distinct. Lines represented by equations in the form 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constant terms, are parallel if the ratio of the x-coefficients is equal to
the ratio of the y-coefficients, and distinct if the ratio of the x-coefficients are not equal to the ratio of the constant terms. Subtracting 10𝑦 from both sides of the
first equation in the given system yields 4𝑥 - 6𝑦 - 10𝑦 = 10𝑦 + 2 - 10𝑦, or 4𝑥 - 16𝑦 = 2. Subtracting 2𝑥 from both sides of the second equation in the given system
1 1 2 1 𝑡
yields 𝑡𝑦 - 2𝑥 = 2
+ 2𝑥 - 2𝑥, or -2𝑥 + 𝑡𝑦 = 2 . The ratio of the x-coefficients for these equations is - 4 , or - 2 . The ratio of the y-coefficients for these equations is - 16 .
1
1 1 1
The ratio of the constant terms for these equations is 2, or . Since the ratio of the x-coefficients, - , is not equal to the ratio of the constants, , the lines
2 4 2 4
1 𝑡
represented by the equations are distinct. Setting the ratio of the x-coefficients equal to the ratio of the y-coefficients yields - 2 = - 16 . Multiplying both sides of this
1 𝑡
equation by -16 yields - 2 -16 = - 16 -16, or 𝑡 = 8. Therefore, when 𝑡 = 8, the lines represented by these equations are parallel. Thus, if the system has no solution, the
value of 𝑡 is 8.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 83a38c31
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions Hard

ID: 83a38c31

The function is defined as more than times a number . If is graphed in the -plane, what is the best interpretation of
the -intercept?
A. When , the number is .

B. When the number is , .

C. The value of increases by for each increase of in the value of the number.

D. For each increase of in the value of the number, increases by .

ID: 83a38c31 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the function 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) is defined as 19 more than 4 times a number 𝑥. This can be represented by the equation 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 + 19. The
x-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) in the xy-plane is the point where the graph intersects the x-axis, or the point on the graph where the value of 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) is equal to
0. Substituting 0 for 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) in the equation 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 + 19 yields 0 = 4𝑥 + 19. Subtracting 19 from each side of this equation yields -19 = 4𝑥. Dividing each side of
19 19
this equation by 4 yields 𝑥 = - 4
. Therefore, when 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) = 0, the number is - 4 .

Choice B is incorrect. This is the best interpretation of the y-intercept, not the x-intercept, of the graph of the function.

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

Choice D is incorrect. This is the best interpretation of the slope, not the x-intercept, of the graph of the function.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a8e43ae3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: a8e43ae3

The graph of is shown. Which equation defines function ?

A.

B.

C.

D.
 ID: a8e43ae3 Answer
Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. An equation for the graph shown can be written in slope-intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 is the slope of the graph and its y-intercept is 0, 𝑏.
1-2 1
Since the y-intercept of the graph shown is 0, 2, the value of 𝑏 is 2. Since the graph also passes through the point 4, 1, the slope can be calculated as , or - .
4-0 4
1 1 1
Therefore, the value of 𝑚 is - 4 . Substituting - 4 for 𝑚 and 2 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 𝑦 = - 4 𝑥 + 2. It’s given that an equation for the graph shown is
1 1 1
𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 14. Substituting 𝑓𝑥 + 14 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑦 = - 𝑥 + 2 yields 𝑓𝑥 + 14 = - 𝑥 + 2. Subtracting 14 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑓𝑥 = - 𝑥 - 12.
4 4 4

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 beb54560
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: beb54560

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

ID: beb54560 Answer

Correct Answer: .5, 1/2

Rationale

1
The correct answer is 2 . For an equation in slope-intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑚 represents the slope of the line in the xy-plane defined by this equation. It's given that
8 6
line 𝑝 is defined by 4𝑦 + 8𝑥 = 6. Subtracting 8𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 4𝑦 = - 8𝑥 + 6. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 𝑦 = - 4 𝑥 + 4 , or
3
𝑦 = - 2𝑥 + 2 . Thus, the slope of line 𝑝 is -2. If line 𝑟 is perpendicular to line 𝑝, then the slope of line 𝑟 is the negative reciprocal of the slope of line 𝑝. The negative
1 1
reciprocal of -2 is - = . Note that 1/2 and .5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
-2 2

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e1a1754e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities Hard

in one or two
variables

ID: e1a1754e

In a set of four consecutive odd integers, where the integers are ordered from least to greatest, the first integer is represented by . The
product of and the fourth odd integer is at most less than the sum of the first and third odd integers. Which inequality represents this
situation?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e1a1754e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It’s given that the four odd integers are consecutive, ordered from least to greatest, and that the first odd integer is represented by 𝑥. It follows
that the second odd integer is represented by 𝑥 + 2, the third odd integer is represented by 𝑥 + 4, and the fourth odd integer is represented by 𝑥 + 6. Therefore, the
product of 12 and the fourth odd integer is represented by 12𝑥 + 6, and 26 less than the sum of the first and third odd integers is represented by 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 - 26.
Since the product of 12 and the fourth odd integer is at most 26 less than the sum of the first and third odd integers, it follows that 12𝑥 + 6 ≤ 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 - 26.

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 c73c84cc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: c73c84cc

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

ID: c73c84cc Answer

Correct Answer: 59/9, 6.555, 6.556

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 35978b89
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 35978b89

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

B.

C.

D.
 ID: 35978b89 Answer
Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It's given from the graph that the points 0, 7 and 8, 0 lie on the line. For two points on a line, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , the slope of the line can be
𝑦2 - 𝑦1 0-7
calculated using the slope formula 𝑚 = 𝑥2 - 𝑥1
. Substituting 0, 7 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 8, 0 for 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 in this formula, the slope of the line can be calculated as 𝑚 = 8-0
, or
7 7 7 0-4 7 -4
𝑚 = - . It's also given that the point 𝑑, 4 lies on the line. Substituting 𝑑, 4 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 8, 0 for 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , and - for 𝑚 in the slope formula yields - = , or - = .
8 8 8 8-𝑑 8 8-𝑑
7 7
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 8 - 𝑑 yields -88 - 𝑑 = - 4. Expanding the left-hand side of this equation yields -7 + 8
𝑑 = - 4. Adding 7 to both sides of this
7 8 24 24
equation yields 8
𝑑 = 3. Multiplying both sides of this equation by
7
yields 𝑑 = 7
. Thus, the value of 𝑑 is 7
.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9a67367f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 9a67367f

The table gives the coordinates of two points on a line in the xy-plane. The y-intercept of the line is , where and are constants.
What is the value of ?

ID: 9a67367f Answer

Correct Answer: 33

Rationale

The correct answer is 33. It’s given in the table that the coordinates of two points on a line in the xy-plane are ( 𝑘, 13 ) and ( 𝑘 + 7, - 15 ) . The y-intercept is another
point on the line. The slope computed using any pair of points from the line will be the same. The slope of a line, 𝑚, between any two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , on the
𝑦 -𝑦
line can be calculated using the slope formula, 𝑚 = 𝑥2 - 𝑥1 . It follows that the slope of the line with the given points from the table, ( 𝑘, 13 ) and ( 𝑘 + 7, - 15 ) , is
2 1
-15 - 13 -28
𝑚= 𝑘+7-𝑘
, which is equivalent to 𝑚 = 7
, or 𝑚 = - 4. It's given that the y-intercept of the line is ( 𝑘 - 5, 𝑏 ) . Substituting -4 for 𝑚 and the coordinates of the points
13 - 𝑏 13 - 𝑏 13 - 𝑏
( 𝑘 - 5, 𝑏 ) and ( 𝑘, 13 ) into the slope formula yields -4 = 𝑘-𝑘-5
, which is equivalent to -4 = 𝑘-𝑘+5
, or -4 = 5
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 5 yields
-20 = 13 - 𝑏. Subtracting 13 from both sides of this equation yields -33 = - 𝑏. Dividing both sides of this equation by -1 yields 𝑏 = 33. Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is 33.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5cd676da
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear functions Hard

ID: 5cd676da

The cost of renting a carpet cleaner is for the first day and for each additional day. Which of the following functions gives the cost
, in dollars, of renting the carpet cleaner for days, where is a positive integer?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5cd676da Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that the cost of renting a carpet cleaner is $ 52 for the first day and $ 26 for each additional day. Therefore, the cost 𝐶𝑑, in dollars, of
renting the carpet cleaner for 𝑑 days is the sum of the cost for the first day, $ 52, and the cost for the additional 𝑑 - 1 days, $ 26𝑑 - 1. It follows that
𝐶𝑑 = 52 + 26𝑑 - 1, which is equivalent to 𝐶𝑑 = 52 + 26𝑑 - 26, or 𝐶𝑑 = 26𝑑 + 26.

Choice B is incorrect. This function gives the cost of renting a carpet cleaner for 𝑑 days if the cost is $ 78, not $ 52, for the first day and $ 26 for each additional
day.

Choice C is incorrect. This function gives the cost of renting a carpet cleaner for 𝑑 days if the cost is $ 26, not $ 52, for the first day and $ 52, not $ 26, for each
additional day.

Choice D is incorrect. This function gives the cost of renting a carpet cleaner for 𝑑 days if the cost is $ 130, not $ 52, for the first day and $ 52, not $ 26, for each
additional day.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID efaeaf88
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Systems of two Hard

linear equations in
two variables

ID: efaeaf88

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

ID: efaeaf88 Answer

Correct Answer: 20

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 95cc0b50
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: 95cc0b50

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 95cc0b50 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The x-coordinate 𝑎 of the x-intercept 𝑎, 0 can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑦 in the given equation, which gives 7𝑥 + 20 = - 31, or 7𝑥 = - 31.
31 31
Dividing both sides of this equation by 7 yields 𝑥 = - 7
. Therefore, the value of 𝑎 is - 7 . The y-coordinate 𝑏 of the y-intercept 0, 𝑏 can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥
31 31
in the given equation, which gives 70 + 2𝑦 = - 31, or 2𝑦 = - 31. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = - 2
. Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is - 2 . It follows
31
𝑏 - 31 7 7
that the value of is 31 ,
2 which is equivalent to , or .
𝑎 - 2 31 2
7

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e4db4454
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

two variables

ID: e4db4454

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: e4db4454 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

7
Choice B is incorrect. This is the reciprocal, not the negative reciprocal, of - 5 .

7
Choice C is incorrect. This is the negative, not the negative reciprocal, of - 5 .
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 8ac533d5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities Hard

in one or two
variables

ID: 8ac533d5

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8ac533d5 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

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

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

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

Choice D is incorrect. This is the maximum possible price if the sales tax is added to the total budget, not the maximum possible price per chair before sales tax.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID df8ae774
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear equations in Hard

one variable

ID: df8ae774

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

ID: df8ae774 Answer

Correct Answer: .9411, .9412, 16/17

Rationale

16 48
The correct answer is 17
. It's given that the equation 3𝑘𝑥 + 13 = 17
𝑥 + 36 has no solution. A linear equation in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑, where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, and 𝑑 are
constants, has no solution only when the coefficients of 𝑥 on each side of the equation are equal and the constant terms aren't equal. Dividing both sides of the
48 36 16
given equation by 3 yields 𝑘𝑥 + 13 = 51
𝑥 + 3
, or 𝑘𝑥 + 13 = 17
𝑥 + 12. Since the coefficients of 𝑥 on each side of the equation must be equal, it follows that the value
16
of 𝑘 is 17
. Note that 16/17, .9411, .9412, and 0.941 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard