Question ID 2d1e5eff

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2d1e5eff

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2d1e5eff Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 005e9982
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 005e9982

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

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

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

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

ID: 005e9982 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point where 𝑥 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 9,0000.66𝑥 , which
gives 𝑦 = 9,0000.660 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 9,0001, or 𝑦 = 9,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is
0, 9,000. It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year.
Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 represents the estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients each year. It's also
given that 𝑥 represents the number of years since 1997. Therefore, 𝑥 = 0 represents 0 years since 1997, or 1997. Thus, the
best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is that the estimated number of advertisements the company
sent to its clients in 1997 was 9,000.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 65244c8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 65244c8d

What is the smallest solution to the given equation?

ID: 65244c8d Answer

Correct Answer: -3

Rationale

The correct answer is -3. Squaring both sides of the given equation yields 𝑥 - 22 = 3𝑥 + 34, which can be rewritten as
𝑥2 - 4𝑥 + 4 = 3𝑥 + 34. Subtracting 3𝑥 and 34 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 7𝑥 - 30 = 0. This quadratic
equation can be rewritten as 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 3 = 0. According to the zero product property, 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 3 equals zero when either
𝑥 - 10 = 0 or 𝑥 + 3 = 0. Solving each of these equations for 𝑥 yields 𝑥 = 10 or 𝑥 = - 3. Therefore, the given equation has
two solutions, 10 and -3. Of these two solutions, -3 is the smallest solution to the given equation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5822c232
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: 5822c232

Which expression is equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5822c232 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 54bf74ea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 54bf74ea

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 54bf74ea Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8217606b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 8217606b

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

ID: 8217606b Answer

Correct Answer: .0625, 1/16

Rationale

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a51ff0d6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: a51ff0d6

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

ID: a51ff0d6 Answer

Correct Answer: -7

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4443355f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: 4443355f

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

and are integer constants. Which of the following must be an integer?
A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4443355f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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 a1397504
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: a1397504

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

ID: a1397504 Answer

Correct Answer: .09, 9/100

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 536832c0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 536832c0

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

ID: 536832c0 Answer

Correct Answer: 6

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6c28bdc9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 6c28bdc9

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

ID: 6c28bdc9 Answer

Correct Answer: 29/3, 9.666, 9.667

Rationale

29
The correct answer is . Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of the given equation, 𝑥𝑥 + 1 - 56, yields
3
𝑥 + 𝑥 - 56. Applying the distributive property to the right-hand side of the given equation, 4𝑥𝑥 - 7, yields 4𝑥2 - 28𝑥. Thus,
2

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c9d2651d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: c9d2651d

If , what is the value of ?

ID: c9d2651d Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID eafd61d3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: eafd61d3

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

constants. What is the value of ?

ID: eafd61d3 Answer

Correct Answer: -419

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b40b491b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b40b491b

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

A.

B.

C. msup

D. msup

ID: b40b491b Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d9799723
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: d9799723

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d9799723 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

40 2
Choice D is correct. Adding 10 to each side of the given equation yields 𝑥2 - 40𝑥 = 10. To complete the square, adding ,
2
or 202 , to each side of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 40𝑥 + 202 = 10 + 202 , or 𝑥 - 202 = 410. Taking the square root of each side of
this equation yields 𝑥 - 20 = ± √410 . Adding 20 to each side of this equation yields 𝑥 = 20 ± √410 . Therefore, the
solutions to the given equation are 𝑥 = 20 + √410 and 𝑥 = 20 - √410 . The sum of these solutions is
20 + √410 + 20 - √410 , or 40.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9298a52e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 9298a52e

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

ID: 9298a52e Answer

Correct Answer: -10

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a2d5ec41
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: a2d5ec41

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: a2d5ec41 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
of 𝑥, 𝑏 = 4. Substituting 200 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 yields 𝑦 = 2004𝑥 . Thus, the equation 𝑦 = 2004𝑥
represents the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

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

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5ec80061
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 5ec80061

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

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

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

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

ID: 5ec80061 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the ty-plane is the point where 𝑡 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 in the ty-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑡 in the equation 𝑦 = 8,0000 . 65𝑡 , which
gives 𝑦 = 8,0000 . 650 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 8,0001, or 𝑦 = 8,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 is
0, 8,000. It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of coupons a company sent to their customers at the end of
each year. Therefore, 𝑓𝑡 represents the estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of
each year. It's also given that 𝑡 represents the number of years since the end of 1998. Therefore, 𝑡 = 0 represents 0 years
since the end of 1998, or the end of 1998. Thus, the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 is that the
estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of 1998 was 8,000.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a6c47b9c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: a6c47b9c

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

the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a6c47b9c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occurs at the point on the graph where 𝑥 = 0. In
other words, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the
given equation yields 𝑓0 = -820 + 22, which is equivalent to 𝑓0 = -81 + 22, or 𝑓0 = 14. Thus, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding
value of 𝑓𝑥 is 14. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, 14.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1145bfcc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 1145bfcc

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

ID: 1145bfcc Answer

Correct Answer: 7

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c7f7ccdd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: c7f7ccdd

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: c7f7ccdd 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 equation
𝑎 6
14 - 2𝑏 = 𝑎 yields 14 - 24 = 𝑎, or 6 = 𝑎. Substituting 6 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑓𝑥 = . It's given
𝑥+𝑏 𝑥+4
 6 6
that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑥 + 4 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑓𝑥 + 4 = , which is equivalent to
𝑥+4 𝑥+4+4
6 6
𝑓𝑥 + 4 = . It follows that 𝑔𝑥 = .
𝑥+8 𝑥+8

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2833ad7d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 2833ad7d

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

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 2833ad7d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Since the model estimates that the number of squirrels in the population increased by a fixed
𝑝 𝑡
percentage, 150%, each year, the model can be represented by an exponential equation of the form 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + , where 𝑎
100
is the estimated number of squirrels in the population at the end of 2015, and the model estimates that at the end of each
year, the number is 𝑝% more than the number at the end of the previous year. Since the model estimates that at the end
of each year, the number was 150% more than the number at the end of the previous year, 𝑝 = 150. Substituting 150 for 𝑝
𝑝 𝑡 150 𝑡
in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + yields 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + , which is equivalent to 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 1.5𝑡 , or 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5𝑡 . It’s given that the
100 100
estimated number of squirrels at the end of 2016 was 180. This means that when 𝑡 = 1, 𝑛 = 180. Substituting 1 for 𝑡 and
180 for 𝑛 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5𝑡 yields 180 = 𝑎2.51 , or 180 = 2.5𝑎. Dividing each side of this equation by 2.5 yields 72 = 𝑎
. Substituting 72 for 𝑎 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5𝑡 yields 𝑛 = 722.5𝑡 .

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 317d165b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 317d165b

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 317d165b Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

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

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 2a093c45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 2a093c45

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2a093c45 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 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 3𝑥 - 130
2𝑎
3 3
, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 3, and 𝑐 = - 130. It follows that the x-coordinate of the vertex is - , or - . Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum
21 2
3
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 a4a86ebb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: a4a86ebb

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: a4a86ebb Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

Choice C is incorrect. If the equation of a parabola with a vertex at 9, - 14 is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎,
𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants and 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = - 14, then the value of 𝑎 will be 0, which is inconsistent with the equation of a
parabola.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 05cec180
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: 05cec180

Which expression is equivalent to ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 05cec180 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f5f840a0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: f5f840a0

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

ID: f5f840a0 Answer

Correct Answer: 3.44, 86/25

Rationale

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fead0fc7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: fead0fc7

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

What is the value of ?

ID: fead0fc7 Answer

Correct Answer: 361/8, 45.12, 45.13

Rationale
𝑚
361
The correct answer is . The rational exponent property is 𝑛√𝑦𝑚 = 𝑦 𝑛 , where 𝑦 > 0, 𝑚 and 𝑛 are integers, and 𝑛 > 0. This
8
5 45 8 1 1
5 45
property can be applied to rewrite the given expression 6√3
5
𝑥 · 8√28 𝑥 as 63 5 𝑥 5 2 8 𝑥 8 , or 63𝑥9 2𝑥 8 . This expression can
1
be rewritten by multiplying the constants, which gives 36𝑥9 𝑥 8 . The multiplication exponent property is 𝑦𝑛 · 𝑦𝑚 = 𝑦𝑛 + 𝑚 ,
1 1 73
9+
where 𝑦 > 0. This property can be applied to rewrite the expression 36𝑥9 𝑥 8 as 36𝑥 8 , or 36𝑥 8 . Therefore,
73
73
6√35 𝑥45 · √28 𝑥 = 36𝑥 8 . It's given that 6√35 𝑥45 · √28 𝑥 is equivalent to 𝑎𝑥𝑏 ; therefore, 𝑎 = 36 and 𝑏 =
5 8 5 8
. It follows that
8
73 288 73
𝑎 + 𝑏 = 36 + . Finding a common denominator on the right-hand side of this equation gives 𝑎 + 𝑏 = + , or
8 8 8
361
𝑎+𝑏= . Note that 361/8, 45.12, and 45.13 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
8

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1caa83ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 1caa83ee

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: 1caa83ee 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 - , 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
100
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. Substituting
𝑝 𝑥 45 𝑥
14 for 𝑎 and 45 for 𝑝 in the equation 𝑞𝑥 = 𝑎1 - yields 𝑞𝑥 = 141 - , which is equivalent to 𝑞𝑥 = 141 - 0.45𝑥 , or
100 100
𝑞𝑥 = 140.55𝑥 .

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 3138e379
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: 3138e379

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

ID: 3138e379 Answer

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

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 81aa6aa9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 81aa6aa9

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 81aa6aa9 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cde831b3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: cde831b3

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: cde831b3 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

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

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3e4e3220
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 3e4e3220

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

ID: 3e4e3220 Answer

Correct Answer: -2112

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 95b69a20
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 95b69a20

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 95b69a20 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

𝑥 = - √𝑐2 + 392 . Therefore, of the given choices, -√𝑐2 + 392 is one of the solutions to the given equation.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b939a904
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b939a904

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: b939a904 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f85886ff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: f85886ff

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

B.

C. msup

D. msup

ID: f85886ff Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. An equation representing the height above ground ℎ, in meters, of a softball 𝑡 seconds after it is
2
launched by a machine from ground level can be written in the form ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are positive
constants. In this equation, 𝑏 represents the time, in seconds, at which the softball reaches its maximum height of 𝑐
meters above the ground. It's given that this softball reaches a maximum height of 51.84 meters above the ground at 1.8
2
seconds; therefore, 𝑏 = 1.8 and 𝑐 = 51.84. Substituting 1.8 for 𝑏 and 51.84 for 𝑐 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏 + 𝑐 yields
ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84. It's also given that this softball hits the ground at 3.6 seconds; therefore, ℎ = 0 when 𝑡 = 3.6.
Substituting 0 for ℎ and 3.6 for 𝑡 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 yields 0 = - 𝑎3.6 - 1.82 + 51.84, which is equivalent
to 0 = - 𝑎1.82 + 51.84, or 0 = - 3.24𝑎 + 51.84. Adding 3.24𝑎 to both sides of this equation yields 3.24𝑎 = 51.84. Dividing both
sides of this equation by 3.24 yields 𝑎 = 16. Substituting 16 for 𝑎 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 yields
ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84. Therefore, ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 represents the height above ground ℎ, in meters, of this softball 𝑡
seconds after it is launched.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6b56736a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: 6b56736a

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

I.
II.

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 6b56736a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 98a35f81
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 98a35f81

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

ID: 98a35f81 Answer

Correct Answer: 50

Rationale

The correct answer is 50. An equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no real solutions
if and only if its discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is negative. Applying the distributive property to the left-hand side of the equation
𝑥𝑘𝑥 - 56 = - 16 yields 𝑘𝑥2 - 56𝑥 = - 16. Adding 16 to each side of this equation yields 𝑘𝑥2 - 56𝑥 + 16 = 0. Substituting 𝑘 for
𝑎, -56 for 𝑏, and 16 for 𝑐 in 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields a discriminant of -562 - 4𝑘16, or 3,136 - 64𝑘. If the given equation has no real
solution, it follows that the value of 3,136 - 64𝑘 must be negative. Therefore, 3,136 - 64𝑘 < 0. Adding 64𝑘 to both sides of
this inequality yields 3,136 < 64𝑘. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 64 yields 49 < 𝑘, or 𝑘 > 49. Since it's given that 𝑘
is an integer, the least possible value of 𝑘 is 50.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 95954b57
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 95954b57

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

ID: 95954b57 Answer

Correct Answer: -324

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2d8f1f6a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2d8f1f6a

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2d8f1f6a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7b54c7af
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 7b54c7af

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

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 7b54c7af Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both exponential functions with a base of 0.40. Since 0.40 is less than 1,
functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both decreasing exponential functions. This means that 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 decrease as 𝑥 increases. Since
𝑓𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 decrease as 𝑥 increases, the maximum value of each function occurs at the least value of 𝑥 for which the
function is defined. It's given that functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined for 𝑥 ≥ 0. Therefore, the maximum value of each function
occurs at 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation defining 𝑓 yields 𝑓0 = 330.40 + 3 , which is equivalent to 𝑓0 = 330.43 , or
𝑓0 = 2.112. Therefore, the maximum value of 𝑓 is 2.112. Since the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 330.4𝑥 + 3 doesn't display the value 2.112,
the equation defining 𝑓 doesn't display the maximum value of 𝑓. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation defining 𝑔 yields
1 1
𝑔0 = 330.160.40 - 2 , which can be rewritten as 𝑔0 = 330.16 2 , or 𝑔0 = 330.16 , which is equivalent to 𝑔0 = 33. Therefore,
0.4 0.16
the maximum value of 𝑔 is 33. Since the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 330.160.4𝑥 - 2 displays the value 33, the equation defining 𝑔 displays
the maximum value of 𝑔. Thus, only equation II displays, as a constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function
it defines.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f9e32510
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: f9e32510

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

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

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

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

ID: f9e32510 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 23923e5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 23923e5b

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 23923e5b Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 960aabc0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 960aabc0

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

ID: 960aabc0 Answer

Correct Answer: 20.25, 81/4

Rationale

81 𝑐
The correct answer is . The given linear equation is 2𝑦 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = .
4 2
𝑐 𝑐
Substituting for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields = - 2𝑥2 + 9𝑥. Adding 2𝑥2 and -9𝑥 to both sides of this equation
2 2
𝑐
yields 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0. Since it’s given that the line and the parabola intersect at exactly one point, the equation
2
𝑐
2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0 must have exactly one solution. An equation of the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are
2
𝑐
constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶, is equal to 0. In the equation 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0, where
2
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐
𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = - 9, and 𝐶 = , the discriminant is -92 - 42 . Setting the discriminant equal to 0 yields -92 - 42 = 0, or 81 - 4𝑐 = 0.
2 2 2
81
Adding 4𝑐 to both sides of this equation yields 81 = 4𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 𝑐 = . Note that
4
81/4 and 20.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2b7d8635
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2b7d8635

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

ID: 2b7d8635 Answer

Correct Answer: 14.5, 29/2

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 59cf1dd3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 59cf1dd3

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?
A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 59cf1dd3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 33cc7555
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 33cc7555

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

ID: 33cc7555 Answer

Correct Answer: 9

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a4b12e2f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: a4b12e2f

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: a4b12e2f Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID aefae524
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: aefae524

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: aefae524 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9f13fad1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 9f13fad1

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

ID: 9f13fad1 Answer

Correct Answer: -1

Rationale

The correct answer is -1. A quadratic equation in the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has exactly
one solution when its discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to 0. In the given equation, -16𝑥2 - 8𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑎 = - 16 and 𝑏 = - 8.
2
Substituting -16 for 𝑎 and -8 for 𝑏 in 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields -82 - 4-16𝑐, or 64 + 64𝑐. Since the given equation has exactly one
solution, 64 + 64𝑐 = 0. Subtracting 64 from both sides of this equation yields 64𝑐 = - 64. Dividing both sides of this
equation by 64 yields 𝑐 = - 1. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is -1.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b2e26a55
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: b2e26a55

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: b2e26a55 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. In the xy-plane, the graph of the line 𝑦 = 𝑐 is a horizontal line that crosses the y-axis at 𝑦 = 𝑐 and the
graph of the quadratic equation 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 + 9𝑥 - 100 is a parabola. A parabola can intersect a horizontal line at exactly one
point only at its vertex. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 should be equal to the y-coordinate of the vertex of the graph of the given
equation. For a quadratic equation in vertex form, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, the vertex of its graph in the xy-plane is ℎ, 𝑘. The given
9 92 92 92 319
quadratic equation, 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 + 9𝑥 - 100, can be rewritten as 𝑦 = - 𝑥2 - 2 𝑥 + + - 100, or 𝑦 = - 𝑥 - +- . Thus, the
2 2 2 2 4
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 032caee7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 032caee7

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

ID: 032caee7 Answer

Correct Answer: 289

Rationale

The correct answer is 289. A quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has no real
solutions when the value of the discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is less than 0. In the given equation, 𝑥2 - 34𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑎 = 1 and
𝑏 = - 34. Therefore, the discriminant of the given equation can be expressed as -342 - 41𝑐, or 1,156 - 4𝑐. It follows that the
given equation has no real solutions when 1,156 - 4𝑐 < 0. Adding 4𝑐 to both sides of this inequality yields 1,156 < 4𝑐.
Dividing both sides of this inequality by 4 yields 289 < 𝑐, or 𝑐 > 289. It's given that the equation 𝑥2 - 34𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has no real
solutions when 𝑐 > 𝑛. Therefore, the least possible value of 𝑛 is 289.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 49de5e98
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 49de5e98

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

ID: 49de5e98 Answer

Correct Answer: 25/4, 6.25

Rationale

25
The correct answer is . The given equation can be rewritten in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are
4
constants. When 𝑎 > 0, ℎ is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. The given equation can be rewritten as
50 50 50 2 50 2
𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 - 𝑥 + 126, which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 - 𝑥+ - + 126. This equation can be rewritten as
4 4 8 8
50 2 50 2 50 2 50 2 25 2 121 25
𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - - + 126, or 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - -4 + 126, which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - - . Therefore, ℎ = , so the
8 8 8 8 4 4 4
25
value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum is . Note that 25/4 and 6.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct
4
answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5e98384e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 5e98384e

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

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

ID: 5e98384e Answer

Correct Answer: 76

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c56a9f57
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: c56a9f57

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: c56a9f57 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 14787dca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 14787dca

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

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II, and III

ID: 14787dca Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d93eac68
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: d93eac68

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

ID: d93eac68 Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ebf50998
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: ebf50998

Function is defined by . Function is defined by .

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: ebf50998 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 - 1. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 1, it follows that 𝑓𝑥 - 1 = 𝑥 - 1 + 6𝑥 - 1 + 5𝑥 - 1 + 1.

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7189ece4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 7189ece4

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7189ece4 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. For the form of the function in choice C, 𝑓𝑥 = 1281.6𝑥 - 1 , the value of 𝑓1 can be found as 1281.61 - 1 ,
which is equivalent to 1281.60 , or 128. Therefore, 𝑘 = 128, which is shown in 𝑓𝑥 = 1281.6𝑥 - 1 as the coefficient.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ca44c7ce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: ca44c7ce

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: ca44c7ce Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 99b8a5c8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 99b8a5c8

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

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 99b8a5c8 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is a parabola with vertex ℎ, 𝑘. If 𝑓-9 = 𝑓3, then for the
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the point with an x-coordinate of -9 and the point with an x-coordinate of 3 have the same y-coordinate.
In the xy-plane, a parabola is a symmetric graph such that when two points have the same y-coordinate, these points are
equidistant from the vertex, and the x-coordinate of the vertex is halfway between the x-coordinates of these two points.
Therefore, for the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the points with x-coordinates -9 and 3 are equidistant from the vertex, ℎ, 𝑘, and ℎ is
-9 + 3
halfway between -9 and 3. The value that is halfway between -9 and 3 is , or -3. Therefore, ℎ = - 3. The equation
2
2
defining 𝑓 can also be written in vertex form, 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘. Substituting -3 for ℎ in this equation yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - -32 + 𝑘,
or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 32 + 𝑘. This equation is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 𝑘, or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑎𝑥 + 9𝑎 + 𝑘. Since
4
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that 6𝑎 = 4 and 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of the equation 6𝑎 = 4 by 6 yields 𝑎 = , or
6
2 2 2
𝑎 = . Since < 1, it's not true that 𝑎 ≥ 1. Therefore, statement II isn't true. Substituting for 𝑎 in the equation 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐
3 3 3
2
yields 9 + 𝑘 = 𝑐, or 6 + 𝑘 = 𝑐. Subtracting 6 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑘 = 𝑐 - 6. If 𝑘 < 0, then 𝑐 - 6 < 0, or 𝑐 < 6
3
. Since 𝑐 could be any value less than 6, it's not necessarily true that 𝑐 < 0. Therefore, statement I isn't necessarily true.
Thus, neither I nor II must be true.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 98f7ab7a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 98f7ab7a

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

ID: 98f7ab7a Answer

Correct Answer: 20

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e7f2ab9c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: e7f2ab9c

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: e7f2ab9c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 06fac60b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: 06fac60b

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: 06fac60b Answer

Correct Answer: C

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2aaaec85
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 2aaaec85

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

ID: 2aaaec85 Answer

Correct Answer: 51

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID da9efa2f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: da9efa2f

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: da9efa2f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

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

Alternate approach: The value of 𝑥 for the vertex of a parabola is the x-value of the midpoint between the two x-intercepts
of the parabola. Since it’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 14𝑥 + 19, it follows that the two x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-
plane occur when 𝑥 = 14 and 𝑥 = - 19, or at the points 14, 0 and -19, 0. The midpoint between two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ,
𝑥 1 + 𝑥 2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 14 + -19 0 + 0 5
is , . Therefore, the midpoint between 14, 0 and -19, 0 is , , or - , 0. It follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its
2 2 2 2 2
5
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 b7f055bc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: b7f055bc

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: b7f055bc Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the function ℎ is defined by ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 and that the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ ( 𝑥 ) in the xy-plane
325
passes through the points 0, 10 and -2, . Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 10 for ℎ𝑥 in the equation ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
36
325
10 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or 10 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from both sides of this equation yields 9 = 𝑏. Substituting -2 for 𝑥 and for ℎ𝑥 in
36
325 1
the equation ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 + 9 yields = 𝑎-2 + 9. Subtracting 9 from both sides of this equation yields = 𝑎-2 , which can
36 36
be rewritten as 𝑎2 = 36. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = 6 and 𝑎 = - 6, but because it’s
given that 𝑎 is a positive constant, 𝑎 must equal 6. Because the value of 𝑎 is 6 and the value of 𝑏 is 9, the value of 𝑎𝑏 is
( 6 ) ( 9 ) , or 54.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID aea3b524
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: aea3b524

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: aea3b524 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bcbf0e45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard

expressions

ID: bcbf0e45

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

possible value of ?

ID: bcbf0e45 Answer

Correct Answer: 8

Rationale

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a9e93fa1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: a9e93fa1

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: a9e93fa1 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 5. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 64𝑥 + 262, it follows that 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥 + 52 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262
. Expanding the quantity 𝑥 + 52 in this equation yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 25 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262. Distributing the 4 and the
64 yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 40𝑥 + 100 + 64𝑥 + 320 + 262. Combining like terms yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. Therefore,
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are
constants and 𝑎 is positive, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum, 𝑘, when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. The equation 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682 can
be rewritten in this form by completing the square. This equation is equivalent to 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26 + 682, or
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26𝑥 + 169 - 169 + 682. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 - 169 + 682, or 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 - 4169 + 682,
which is equivalent to 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 + 6. This equation is in the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎 = 4, ℎ = - 13, and 𝑘 = 6.
Therefore, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is -13.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9a182495
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard

in one variable and
systems of
equations in two
variables

ID: 9a182495

How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?
A. Exactly one

B. Exactly two

C. Infinitely many

D. Zero

ID: 9a182495 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The number of solutions of a quadratic equation of the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are
2
constants, can be determined by the value of the discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐. If the value of the discriminant is positive, then the
quadratic equation has exactly two distinct real solutions. If the value of the discriminant is equal to zero, then the
quadratic equation has exactly one real solution. If the value of the discriminant is negative, then the quadratic equation
has zero real solutions. In the given equation, 5𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 16 = 0, 𝑎 = 5, 𝑏 = 10, and 𝑐 = 16. Substituting these values for
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 in 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields 102 - 4516, or -220. Since the value of its discriminant is negative, the given equation has zero
real solutions. Therefore, the number of distinct real solutions the given equation has is zero.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c9e4bac1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard

ID: c9e4bac1

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

B.

C.

D.

ID: c9e4bac1 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. It's given that a quadratic function models the projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in
terms of the time, in seconds, after it was launched. It follows that an equation representing the model can be written in
the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑓𝑥 is the projectile's estimated height above the ground, in meters, 𝑥 seconds after the
launch, 𝑎 is a constant, and 𝑘 is the maximum height above the ground, in meters, the model estimates the projectile
reached ℎ seconds after the launch. It's given that the model estimates the projectile reached a maximum height of 51.1
meters above the ground 3 seconds after the launch. Therefore, 𝑘 = 51.1 and ℎ = 3. Substituting 51.1 for 𝑘 and 3 for ℎ in
the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 32 + 51.1. It's also given that the model estimates that the projectile was
launched from an initial height of 7 meters above the ground. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑓𝑥 = 7. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 7 for
𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 32 + 51.1 yields 7 = 𝑎0 - 32 + 51.1, or 7 = 9𝑎 + 51.1. Subtracting 51.1 from both sides of this
equation yields -44.1 = 9𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 9 yields -4.9 = 𝑎. Substituting -4.9 for 𝑎 in the equation
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 32 + 51.1 yields 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 32 + 51.1. Therefore, the equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 32 + 51.1 models the projectile's
height, in meters, above the ground 𝑥 seconds after it was launched. The number of seconds after the launch that the
model estimates that the projectile will return to a height of 7 meters is the value of 𝑥 when 𝑓𝑥 = 7. Substituting 7 for 𝑓𝑥
in 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 32 + 51.1 yields 7 = - 4.9𝑥 - 32 + 51.1. Subtracting 51.1 from both sides of this equation yields
-44.1 = - 4.9𝑥 - 32 . Dividing both sides of this equation by -4.9 yields 9 = 𝑥 - 32 . Taking the square root of both sides of this
equation yields two equations: 3 = 𝑥 - 3 and -3 = 𝑥 - 3. Adding 3 to both sides of the equation 3 = 𝑥 - 3 yields 6 = 𝑥.
Adding 3 to both sides of the equation -3 = 𝑥 - 3 yields 0 = 𝑥. Since 0 seconds after the launch represents the time at
which the projectile was launched, 6 must be the number of seconds the model estimates that the projectile will return to
a height of 7 meters.

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard