Question ID 830120b0

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 830120b0

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 830120b0 Answer

Correct Answer: B

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

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

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

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

gives .

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID b8e73b5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: b8e73b5b

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

A. 38

B. 33

C. 22

D. 16

ID: b8e73b5b Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Ken earned $8 per hour for the first 10 hours he worked, so he earned a total of $80 for the first 10
hours he worked. For the rest of the week, Ken was paid at the rate of $10 per hour. Let x be the number of hours he will
work for the rest of the week. The total of Ken’s earnings, in dollars, for the week will be . He saves 90% of his
earnings each week, so this week he will save dollars. The inequality represents the
condition that he will save at least $270 for the week. Factoring 10 out of the expression gives . The

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID fbd5483f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: fbd5483f

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: fbd5483f 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 03503d49
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 03503d49

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 03503d49 Answer

Correct Answer: B

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID f8ff3249
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: f8ff3249

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: f8ff3249 Answer

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID f8ff3249
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: f8ff3249

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: f8ff3249 Answer

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 963da34c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 963da34c

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 963da34c Answer

Correct Answer: A

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 48fb34c8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 48fb34c8

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 48fb34c8 Answer

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID e8f9e117
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: e8f9e117

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

ID: e8f9e117 Answer

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 1035faea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 1035faea

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

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

A. , where

B. , where

C. , where

D. , where

ID: 1035faea Answer

Correct Answer: D

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID ee7b1de1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: ee7b1de1

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

ID: ee7b1de1 Answer

Correct Answer: 182

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Question ID 541bef2f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Algebra Linear inequalities in

one or two variables

ID: 541bef2f

Which point is a solution to the given system of inequalities in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 541bef2f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A point 𝑥, 𝑦 is a solution to a system of inequalities in the xy-plane if substituting the x-coordinate and
the y-coordinate of the point for 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, in each inequality makes both of the inequalities true. Substituting
the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of choice D, 14 and 0, for 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, in the first inequality in the given
system, 𝑦 ≤ 𝑥 + 7, yields 0 ≤ 14 + 7, or 0 ≤ 21, which is true. Substituting 14 for 𝑥 and 0 for 𝑦 in the second inequality in
the given system, 𝑦 ≥ - 2𝑥 - 1, yields 0 ≥ - 214 - 1, or 0 ≥ - 29, which is true. Therefore, the point 14, 0 is a solution to the
given system of inequalities in the xy-plane.

Choice A is incorrect. Substituting -14 for 𝑥 and 0 for 𝑦 in the inequality 𝑦 ≤ 𝑥 + 7 yields 0 ≤ - 14 + 7, or 0 ≤ - 7, which is
not true.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and -14 for 𝑦 in the inequality 𝑦 ≥ - 2𝑥 - 1 yields -14 ≥ - 20 - 1, or -14 ≥ - 1,
which is not true.

Choice C is incorrect. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 14 for 𝑦 in the inequality 𝑦 ≤ 𝑥 + 7 yields 14 ≤ 0 + 7, or 14 ≤ 7, which is not
true.

Question Difficulty: Hard