Module

Math
27 QUESTIONS

DIRECTIONS
The questions in this section address a number of important math skills.
Use of a calculator is permitted for all questions.

,a-nH
NOTES

Unless otherwise indicated:

• All variables and expressions represent real numbers.
• Figures provided are drawn to scale.
• All figures lie in a plane.
• The domain of a given function f is the set of all real numbers x for which f(x)
is a real number.

li04ii1Ut31
REFERENCE

G
£
CJw b~ ~x 0 '~
45°
b a x--../3 s
A =nr 2 A= Rw A =_!bh c2 = a2 + b2 Special Right Triangles
2
C=2nr

62h £
V= Rwh
E}
V= nr 2 h
@
V = i,.r3
4
V=½nr 2 h
£
1
V = 3 £wh
3

The number of degrees of arc in a circle is 360.

The number of radians of arc in a circle is 2n.
The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.

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 Module
1

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1 3
50 x2
45 = 36
..., 25
</l

Q
40
<l>
35 What is a solution to the given equation?
"O
...,::s 30
......</l A) 6
0 25
1-.
<l> 20 B) 30
..0
8 15 C) 450
::s
z 10 D) 900
5
0
1 2 3 4 5
Activity

---------~
A group of students voted on five after-school
activities. The bar graph shows the number of
students who voted for each of the five activities.
How many students chose activity 3? 4
A) 25 3 more than 8 times a number x is equal to 83.
B) 39 Which equation represents this situation?
C) 48 A) (3)(8) x = 83
D) 50
B) 8x = 83 + 3
C) 3x + 8 = 83
D) 8x + 3 = 83

---------~
2
What percentage of 300 is 75?
A) 25%
B) 50%
C) 75%
D) 225%

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5 8
Hana deposited a fixed amount into her bank x f(x)
account each month. The function f (t ) = 100 + 25t 0 29
gives the amount, in dollars, in Hana’s bank account 1 32
after t monthly deposits. What is the best 2 35
interpretation of 25 in this context?
For the linear function f, the table shows three values
A) With each monthly deposit, the amount in of x and their corresponding values of f (x). Which
Hana’s bank account increased by $25.
equation defines f (x) ?
B) Before Hana made any monthly deposits, the
amount in her bank account was $25. A) f (x) = 3x + 29
C) After 1 monthly deposit, the amount in Hana’s B) f (x) = 29x + 32
bank account was $25.
C) f (x) = 35x + 29
D) Hana made a total of 25 monthly deposits.
D) f (x) = 32x + 35

---------- -----
6
A customer spent $27 to purchase oranges at $3 per
9

S~:
pound. How many pounds of oranges did the Q
customer purchase?

P _ _ _....._.R

----------
Note: Figures not drawn to scale.

Right triangles PQR and STU are similar, where P

7
corresponds to S. If the measure of angle Q is 18° ,
Nasir bought 9 storage bins that were each the same what is the measure of angle S ?
price. He used a coupon for $63 off the entire
purchase. The cost for the entire purchase after using A) 18°
the coupon was $27. What was the original price, in B) 72°
dollars, for 1 storage bin? C) 82°
D) 162°

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10 12
The scatterplot shows the relationship between y
two variables, x and y. 16
14
y 12
10+-+--+--+--i------,f-----+---+--+--+--+ 1
8
9 ---+--+--i------,f-----+---+--+--+--+ 6
8 -+---+--+-4~o--+---+---+---+--+--+---+---+- 4

"
2
7 -+---+--+--+--+-----,,-----+---+---+---+----+- X
-1 0-=8~ -<:..4--=2_ f- ~2-4_6_8_10
6 +--+--+--+--i------,f-----+---+--+--+--+
14
5 +--+--+----t----+if-----+---+--+--+--+ ""'-..I /
I~
,v
"
4 -+---+--+--+--+-----,,-----+---+---+---+----+-
L I..........._
3 -+---+--+--+--+-----,re-----+-11-r-t<-.-+---+----+-

"
·12
·14
2 +--+--+--+--i------,f-----+---+--+--+---.+- I""'-..

-----------------x
·16
1 -+---+--+--+--+-----,,-----+---+---+___,_---+- '
What is an equation of the graph shown?
U 12345678910
A) y = −2x − 8
Which of the following equations is the most
appropriate linear model for the data shown? B) y = x − 8
C) y = −x − 8
A) y = 0.9 + 9.4x
D) y = 2x − 8
B) y = 0.9 − 9.4x
C) y = 9.4 + 0.9x
D) y = 9.4 − 0.9x

---------~
---------~
13
x 8
If = 5, what is the value of ?
8 x
11
2.5b + 5r = 80
The given equation describes the relationship

---------~
between the number of birds, b, and the number of
reptiles, r, that can be cared for at a pet care business
on a given day. If the business cares for 16 reptiles on
a given day, how many birds can it care for on this 14
day?
24x + y = 48
A) 0
6x + y = 72
B) 5
C) 40 The solution to the given system of equations is
(x, y). What is the value of y ?
D) 80

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15 17
1 For a certain rectangular region, the ratio of its
Line t in the xy-plane has a slope of − and passes length to its width is 35 to 10. If the width of the
3
rectangular region increases by 7 units, how must the
through the point (9, 10). Which equation defines length change to maintain this ratio?

line t ? A) It must decrease by 24.5 units.

B) It must increase by 24.5 units.
1 C) It must decrease by 7 units.
A) y = 13x −
3
D) It must increase by 7 units.
B) y = 9x + 10

x
C) y = − + 10
3
x
D) y = − + 13
3
18
Square P has a side length of x inches. Square Q has
a perimeter that is 176 inches greater than the

------~
perimeter of square P. The function f gives the area
of square Q, in square inches. Which of the following
defines f ?

16 A) f (x ) = (x + 44)2

The function f (x) = 206(1.034)x models the value, B) f (x ) = (x + 176)2

in dollars, of a certain bank account by the end of C) f (x ) = (176x + 44)2
each year from 1957 through 1972, where x is the
number of years after 1957. Which of the following is D) f (x ) = (176x + 176)2
the best interpretation of “ f (5) is approximately
equal to 243” in this context?
A) The value of the bank account is estimated to be
approximately 5 dollars greater in 1962 than in
1957.
B) The value of the bank account is estimated to be
approximately 243 dollars in 1962.
C) The value, in dollars, of the bank account is
estimated to be approximately 5 times greater in
1962 than in 1957.
D) The value of the bank account is estimated to
increase by approximately 243 dollars every
5 years between 1957 and 1972.

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19 22
14x A right triangle has sides of length 2 2 , 6 2 , and
= 2 w + 19
7y 80 units. What is the area of the triangle, in square
The given equation relates the distinct positive real units?
numbers w, x, and y. Which equation correctly
expresses w in terms of x and y ? A) 8 2 + 80

f x B) 12
A) w = − 19
y C) 24 80

F
D) 24
28x
B) w = − 19
14y
2
⎛x⎞

---------~
C) w = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎟ − 19
⎜⎝ y ⎟⎠

2
⎛ 28x ⎞
D) w = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 19 23
⎜⎝ 14y ⎟⎠⎟
The expression 4x 2 + bx − 45, where b is a constant,
can be rewritten as (hx + k)(x + j), where h, k, and j
are integer constants. Which of the following must

---------~
be an integer?
b
A)
20 h

Point O is the center of a circle. The measure of b

B)
arc RS on this circle is 100° . What is the measure, in k
degrees, of its associated angle ROS ? 45
C)
h
45
D)

---------~
k

21

The expression 6 5 35 x 45 · 8
28x is equivalent to ax b,
where a and b are positive constants and x > 1.
What is the value of a + b ?

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24 26

y = 2x 2 − 21x + 64 In the xy-plane, a parabola has vertex (9, −14) and

y = 3x + a intersects the x-axis at two points. If the equation of
In the given system of equations, a is a constant. The the parabola is written in the form y = ax 2 + bx + c ,
graphs of the equations in the given system intersect where a, b, and c are constants, which of the
at exactly one point, (x, y), in the xy-plane. What is following could be the value of a + b + c ?
the value of x ?
A) −23
A) −8
B) −19
B) −6
C) −14
C) 6
D) −12
D) 8

-------- --------
25
An isosceles right triangle has a hypotenuse of length
58 inches. What is the perimeter, in inches, of this
triangle?
27

Function f is defined by f (x) = −a x + b, where a

and b are constants. In the xy-plane, the graph of

A) 29 2 ⎛ 99 ⎞
y = f (x) − 15 has a y-intercept at ⎜⎜0, − ⎟⎟. The
B) 58 2 ⎝ 7 ⎠⎟
65
C) 58 + 58 2 product of a and b is . What is the value of a?
7
D) 58 + 116 2

STOP
If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this module only.
Do not turn to any other module in the test.

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 Module
2

Math
27 QUESTIONS

DIRECTIONS
The questions in this section address a number of important math skills.
Use of a calculator is permitted for all questions.

,a-nH
NOTES

Unless otherwise indicated:

• All variables and expressions represent real numbers.
• Figures provided are drawn to scale.
• All figures lie in a plane.
• The domain of a given function f is the set of all real numbers x for which f(x)
is a real number.

li04ii1Ut31
REFERENCE

G
£
CJw b~ ~x 0 '~
45°
b a x--../3 s
A =nr 2 A= Rw A =_!bh c2 = a2 + b2 Special Right Triangles
2
C=2nr

62h £
V= Rwh
E}
V= nr 2 h
@
V = i,.r3
4
V=½nr 2 h
£
1
V = 3 £wh
3

The number of degrees of arc in a circle is 360.

The number of radians of arc in a circle is 2n.
The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.

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 Module
2

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1 3
The line graph shows the estimated number of Which expression is equivalent to 12x 3 − 5x 3 ?
chipmunks in a state park on April 1 of each year
from 1989 to 1999. A) 7x6
B) 17x 3

I\ C) 7x 3

- I '\ I
' '/ I D) 17x6

---------~
Based on the line graph, in which year was the
estimated number of chipmunks in the state park the
greatest? 4
A) 1989 x + y = 18
B) 1994 5y = x
C) 1995
D) 1998 What is the solution (x, y) to the given system of
equations?
A) (15, 3)
B) (16, 2)

---------~
C) (17, 1)
D) (18, 0)
2
A fish swam a distance of 5,104 yards. How far did
the fish swim, in miles? (1 mile = 1,760 yards)
A) 0.3
B) 2.9
C) 3,344
D) 6,864

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 Module
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5 8
The point (8, 2) in the xy-plane is a solution to h (x ) = x 2 − 3
which of the following systems of inequalities?
Which table gives three values of x and their
A) x > 0 corresponding values of h(x) for the given
y>0 function h?

B) x > 0 A) x 1 2 3
y<0 h(x) 4 5 6

C) x < 0 B) x 1 2 3
y>0 h(x) −2 1 6

D) x < 0 C) x 1 2 3
y<0 h(x) −1 1 3

D) x 1 2 3
h(x) −2 1 3

-- - - -
-- - - -
6

1x − 5 I = 10
What is one possible solution to the given equation?
9
The function f is defined by f (x ) = 270(0.1)x . What
is the value of f (0) ?

-- - - -
A) 0
B) 1
C) 27
7
D) 270
f (x) = 7x + 1
The function gives the total number of people on a
company retreat with x managers. What is the total
number of people on a company retreat with
7 managers?

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 Module
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10 12
To estimate the proportion of a population that has a −4x 2 − 7x = −36
certain characteristic, a random sample was selected
from the population. Based on the sample, it is What is the positive solution to the given equation?
estimated that the proportion of the population that
7
has the characteristic is 0.49, with an associated A)
margin of error of 0.04. Based on this estimate and 4
margin of error, which of the following is the most 9
appropriate conclusion about the proportion of the B)
4
population that has the characteristic?
A) It is plausible that the proportion is between 0.45 C) 4
and 0.53.
B) It is plausible that the proportion is less than
D) 7
0.45.
C) The proportion is exactly 0.49.
D) It is plausible that the proportion is greater than
0.53.

-- -
-- -
13
The table summarizes the distribution of color and
shape for 100 tiles of equal area.
11
Red Blue Yellow Total
A moving truck can tow a trailer if the combined Square 10 20 25 55
weight of the trailer and the boxes it contains is no Pentagon 20 10 15 45
more than 4,600 pounds. What is the maximum
number of boxes this truck can tow in a trailer with a I Total I I I
30 30 40 I
100 I
weight of 500 pounds if each box weighs 120 pounds? If one of these tiles is selected at random, what is the
A) 34 probability of selecting a red tile? (Express your
B) 35 answer as a decimal or fraction, not as a percent.)

C) 38
D) 39

-- -
14
f (x) = 2x + 3
For the given function f, the graph of y = f (x) in the
xy -plane is parallel to line j. What is the slope of
line j ?

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15 17
A proposal for a new library was included on an −3x + 21px = 84
election ballot. A radio show stated that 3 times as
many people voted in favor of the proposal as people In the given equation, p is a constant. The equation
who voted against it. A social media post reported has no solution. What is the value of p ?
that 15,000 more people voted in favor of the
proposal than voted against it. Based on these data, A) 0
how many people voted against the proposal?
1
A) 7,500 B)
7
B) 15,000
C) 22,500 4
C)
3
D) 45,000
D) 4

-16
t
18
f (x) = (x − 10)(x + 13)

m The function f is defined by the given equation. For

what value of x does f (x) reach its minimum?

A) −130
n
B) −13

23
C) −
2
Note: Figure not drawn to scale.
3
In the figure, lines m and n are parallel. If D) −
2
x = 6k + 13 and y = 8k − 29 , what is the value of z ?
A) 3
B) 21
C) 41
D) 139

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19 21

The function f (x ) =
1
( x − 7)2 + 3 gives a metal −x 2 + bx − 676 = 0
9
In the given equation, b is a positive integer. The
ball’s height above the ground f (x ), in inches, equation has no real solution. What is the greatest
possible value of b ?
x seconds after it started moving on a track, where

0 ≤ x ≤ 10. Which of the following is the best

-----
interpretation of the vertex of the graph of

y = f (x) in the xy-plane?

22
A) The metal ball’s minimum height was 3 inches
above the ground. y
10
B) The metal ball’s minimum height was 7 inches
8
- --
above the ground.
C) The metal ball’s height was 3 inches above the 6
ground when it started moving.
-1--l.
-..... ,.. ....
D) The metal ball’s height was 7 inches above the -
ground when it started moving. X
-1 0 -8 -6 -4 -2- "-',-- -2- ,-4-,--6- -8- 10
:2
4
I
6

---------~
18
10
1

20 If a new graph of three linear equations is created

using the system of equations shown and the
24
In triangle JKL, cos(K ) = and angle J is a right equation x + 4y = −16 , how many solutions (x, y)
51
will the resulting system of three equations have?
angle. What is the value of cos(L) ?
A) Zero
B) Exactly one
C) Exactly two
D) Infinitely many

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 Module
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23 24
x Data Set A

•••
f (x) = 5,470(0.64) 12
•• •
•• •• •• •• •
The function f gives the value, in dollars, of a certain
piece of equipment after x months of use. If the
value of the equipment decreases each year by p% of
22 23 24 25 26
its value the preceding year, what is the value of p ?
The dot plot represents the 15 values in data set A.
A) 4 Data set B is created by adding 56 to each of the
B) 5 values in data set A. Which of the following correctly
C) 36 compares the medians and the ranges of data sets A
and B?
D) 64
A) The median of data set B is equal to the median
of data set A, and the range of data set B is equal
to the range of data set A.
B) The median of data set B is equal to the median
of data set A, and the range of data set B is
greater than the range of data set A.
C) The median of data set B is greater than the
median of data set A, and the range of data set B
is equal to the range of data set A.
D) The median of data set B is greater than the
median of data set A, and the range of data set B
is greater than the range of data set A.

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 Module
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25 26

The equation x 2 + (y − 1)2 = 49 represents circle A. Two identical rectangular prisms each have a height
Circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down 2 units
in the xy-plane. Which of the following equations of 90 centimeters (cm). The base of each prism is a
represents circle B? square, and the surface area of each prism is K cm2.
A) (x − 2)2 + (y − 1)2 = 49
If the prisms are glued together along a square base,
2 2
B) x + (y − 3) = 49 92
2 2
the resulting prism has a surface area of K cm2.
C) (x + 2) + (y − 1) = 49 47
What is the side length, in cm, of each square base?
D) x 2 + (y + 1)2 = 49
A) 4
B) 8
C) 9
D) 16

------~
27
210 is p% greater than 30. What is the value of p ?

STOP
If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this module only.
Do not turn to any other module in the test.

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 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

Math
Module 1
(27 questions)

QUESTION 1
Choice B is correct. The height of each bar in the bar graph given represents
the number of students that voted for the activity specified at the bottom of
the bar. The bar for activity 3 has a height that is between 35 and 40. In other
words, the number of students that chose activity 3 is between 35 students
and 40 students. Of the given choices, 39 is the only value between 35 and 40.
Therefore, 39 students chose activity 3.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is

incorrect. This is the number of students that chose activity 5 , not activity 3.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

QUESTION 2
Choice A is correct. Let x represent the percentage of 300 that is 75. This can
x
be written as
100
(300) = 75 , or 3x = 75 . Dividing both sides of this equation by 3
yields x = 25. Therefore, 25% of 300 is 75.

Choice B is incorrect. 50% of 300 is 150, not 75. Choice C is incorrect. 75% of
300 is 225, not 75. Choice D is incorrect. 225% of 300 is 675, not 75.

QUESTION 3
Choice B is correct. Multiplying the left- and right-hand sides of the given
equation by 25 yields x 2 = 900. Taking the square root of the left- and right-hand
sides of this equation yields x = 30 or x = -30 . Of these two solutions, only 30
is given as a choice.

Choice A is incorrect. This is a solution to the equation x 2 = 36 . Choice C is

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

34 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

QUESTION 4
Choice D is correct. The given phrase “ 8 times a number x ” can be represented
by the expression 8x . The given phrase “ 3 more than” indicates an increase of 3
to a quantity. Therefore “ 3 more than 8 times a number x ” can be represented
by the expression 8 x + 3. Since it’s given that 3 more than 8 times a number x
is equal to 83, it follows that 8 x + 3 is equal to 83, or 8 x + 3 = 83. Therefore, the
equation that represents this situation is 8 x + 3 = 83.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents 3 times the quantity 8 times a

number x is equal to 83. Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents 8 times
a number x is equal to 3 more than 83. Choice C is incorrect. This equation
represents 8 more than 3 times a number x is equal to 83.

QUESTION 5
Choice A is correct. It’s given that t represents the number of monthly deposits.
In the given function f (t ) = 100 + 25t , the coefficient of t is 25. This means that
for every increase in the value of t by 1, the value of f (t ) increases by 25. It
follows that with each monthly deposit, the amount in Hana’s bank account
increased by $25.

Choice B is incorrect. Before Hana made any monthly deposits, the amount in
her bank account was $100. Choice C is incorrect. After 1 monthly deposit, the
amount in Hana’s bank account was $125. Choice D is incorrect and may result
from conceptual errors.

QUESTION 6
The correct answer is 9. It’s given that the customer spent $27 to purchase
oranges at $3 per pound. Therefore, the number of pounds of oranges the
customer purchased is $27 ( 1 pound
$3
), or 9 pounds.
QUESTION 7
The correct answer is 10 . It’s given that the cost for the entire purchase was $27
after a coupon was used for $63 off the entire purchase. Adding the amount
of the coupon to the purchase price yields 27 + 63 = 90 . Thus, the cost for the
entire purchase before using the coupon was $90 . It’s given that Nasir bought
9 storage bins. The original price for 1 storage bin can be found by dividing the
total cost by 9. Therefore, the original price, in dollars, for 1 storage bin is 90 ,
9
or 10 .

QUESTION 8
Choice A is correct. An equation that defines a linear function f can be written
in the form f ( x ) = mx + b , where m and b are constants. It’s given in the table
that when x = 0, f ( x ) = 29. Substituting 0 for x and 29 for f ( x ) in the equation
f ( x ) = mx + b yields 29 = m (0) + b, or 29 = b. Substituting 29 for b in the
equation f ( x ) = mx + b yields f ( x ) = mx + 29 . It’s also given in the table that
when x = 1, f ( x ) = 32 . Substituting 1 for x and 32 for f ( x ) in the equation

35 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

f ( x ) = mx + 29 yields 32 = m (1) + 29, or 32 = m + 29. Subtracting 29 from

both sides of this equation yields 3 = m. Substituting 3 for m in the equation
f ( x ) = mx + 29 yields f ( x ) = 3 x + 29.

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 9
Choice B is correct. In similar triangles, corresponding angles are congruent. It’s
given that right triangles PQR and STU are similar, where angle P corresponds
to angle S . It follows that angle P is congruent to angle S . In the triangles shown,
angle R and angle U are both marked as right angles, so angle R and angle U
are corresponding angles. It follows that angle Q and angle T are corresponding
angles, and thus, angle Q is congruent to angle T . It’s given that the measure of
angle Q is 18o , so the measure of angle T is also 18o . Angle U is a right angle,
so the measure of angle U is 90o . The sum of the measures of the interior angles
of a triangle is 180o. Thus, the sum of the measures of the interior angles of
triangle STU is 180 degrees. Let s represent the measure, in degrees, of angle
S . It follows that s + 18 + 90 = 180, or s + 108 = 180. Subtracting 108 from both
sides of this equation yields s = 72 . Therefore, if the measure of angle Q is
18 degrees, then the measure of angle S is 72 degrees.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the measure of angle T . Choice C is incorrect and

may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is the
sum of the measures of angle S and angle U .

QUESTION 10
Choice D is correct. The data points suggest that as the variable x increases, the
variable y decreases, which implies that an appropriate linear model for the data
has a negative slope. The data points also show that when x is close to 0, y is
greater than 9. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of an appropriate linear
model has a y-coordinate greater than 9. The graph of an equation of the form
y = a + bx , where a and b are constants, has a y-intercept with a y-coordinate
of a and has a slope of b. Of the given choices, only choice D represents a graph
that has a negative slope, -0.9, and a y-intercept with a y-coordinate greater than
9, 9.4.

Choice A is incorrect. The graph of this equation has a positive slope, not a
negative slope, and a y-intercept with a y-coordinate less than 1, not greater
than 9. Choice B is incorrect. The graph of this equation has a y-intercept with a
y-coordinate less than 1, not greater than 9. Choice C is incorrect. The graph of
this equation has a positive slope, not a negative slope.

QUESTION 11
Choice A is correct. The number of birds can be found by calculating the value of
b when r = 16 in the given equation. Substituting 16 for r in the given equation

36 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

yields 2.5b + 5(16) = 80 , or 2.5b + 80 = 80 . Subtracting 80 from both sides of

this equation yields 2.5b = 0 . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2.5 yields
b = 0. Therefore, if the business cares for 16 reptiles on a given day, it can care
for 0 birds on this day.

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

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

QUESTION 12
Choice C is correct. An equation of a line can be written in the form y = mx + b,
where m is the slope of the line and (0, b ) is the y-intercept of the line. The line
shown passes through the point (0, - 8), so b = -8. The line shown also passes
through the point (-8, 0). The slope, m , of a line passing through two points

( x1, y1) and ( x2 , y 2 ) can be calculated using the equation m = yx22 --xy11 . For the
(-8)-0
points (0, - 8) and (-8, 0), this gives m = , or m = -1. Substituting -8 for
0-(-8)

b and -1 for m in y = mx + b yields y = (-1) x + (-8), or y = -x - 8. Therefore,

an equation of the graph shown is y = -x - 8.

Choice A is incorrect. This is an equation of a line with a slope of -2 , not -1.

Choice B is incorrect. This is an equation of a line with a slope of 1, not -1.
Choice D is incorrect. This is an equation of a line with a slope of 2 , not -1.

QUESTION 13
The correct answer is 1 . Since the number 5 can also be written as 5 , the
5 1
x 5 8 1
given equation can also be written as = . This equation is equivalent to = .
8 1 x 5
8
Therefore, the value of is 1 . Note that 1/5 and .2 are examples of ways to enter
x 5
a correct answer.

x
Alternate approach: Multiplying both sides of the equation = 5 by 8 yields
8
8 8
x = 40 . Substituting 40 for x into the expression yields , or 1 .
x 40 5

QUESTION 14
The correct answer is 80. Subtracting the second equation in the given system
from the first equation yields (24 x + y )-(6 x + y ) = 48 - 72 , which is equivalent
to 24 x - 6 x + y - y = -24 , or 18 x = -24 . Dividing each side of this equation
by 3 yields 6 x = -8. Substituting -8 for 6x in the second equation yields
-8 + y = 72. Adding 8 to both sides of this equation yields y = 80.

Alternate approach: Multiplying each side of the second equation in the given
system by 4 yields 24 x + 4 y = 288 . Subtracting the first equation in the given
system from this equation yields (24 x + 4 y )-(24 x + y ) = 288 - 48 , which is

37 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

equivalent to 24 x - 24 x + 4 y - y = 240, or 3 y = 240. Dividing each side of this

equation by 3 yields y = 80.

QUESTION 15
Choice D is correct. The equation that defines line t in the xy-plane can be
written in slope-intercept form y = mx + b, where m is the slope of line t and
1 1
(0, b) is its y-intercept. It’s given that line t has a slope of - . Therefore, m = - .
3 3
1 1
Substituting - for m in the equation y = mx + b yields y = - x + b , or
3 3
x
y = - + b . It’s also given that line t passes through the point (9, 10).
3
x
Substituting 9 for x and 10 for y in the equation y = - + b yields
3
9
10 = - + b , or 10 = -3 + b . Adding 3 to both sides of this equation yields
3
x x
13 = b . Substituting 13 for b in the equation y = - + b yields y = - + 13.
3 3

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

1
Choice B is incorrect. This equation defines a line that has a slope of 9, not - ,
3
and passes through the point (0, 10), not (9, 10). Choice C is incorrect. This
equation defines a line that passes through the point (0, 10), not (9, 10).

QUESTION 16
x
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the function f ( x ) = 206(1.034) models the
value, in dollars, of a certain bank account by the end of each year from 1957
through 1972, where x is the number of years after 1957. It follows that f ( x )
represents the estimated value, in dollars, of the bank account x years after
1957. Since the value of f (5) is the value of f ( x ) when x = 5, it follows that “f (5)
is approximately equal to 243” means that f ( x ) is approximately equal to 243
when x = 5. In the given context, this means that the value of the bank account
is estimated to be approximately 243 dollars 5 years after 1957. Therefore, the
best interpretation of the statement “f (5) is approximately equal to 243” in this
context is the value of the bank account is estimated to be approximately
243 dollars in 1962.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
conceptual errors.

QUESTION 17
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the ratio of the rectangular region’s length to its
length 35  35
width is 35 to 10 . This can be written as a proportion: = , or = . This
width 10 w 10
proportion can be rewritten as 10 = 35w , or  = 3.5w . If the width of the
rectangular region increases by 7, then the length will increase by some number
x in order to maintain this ratio. The value of x can be found by replacing  with
 + x and w with w + 7 in the equation, which gives  + x = 3.5(w + 7). This
equation can be rewritten using the distributive property as  + x = 3.5w + 24.5.

38 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

Since  = 3.5w , the right-hand side of this equation can be rewritten by

substituting  for 3.5w , which gives  + x =  + 24.5 , or x = 24.5 . Therefore, if the
width of the rectangular region increases by 7 units, the length must increase by
24.5 units in order to maintain the given ratio.

Choice A is incorrect. If the width of the rectangular region increases, the

length must also increase, not decrease. Choice C is incorrect. If the width of
the rectangular region increases, the length must also increase, not decrease.
Choice D is incorrect. Since the ratio of the length to the width of the rectangular
region is 35 to 10 , if the width of the rectangular region increases by 7 units, the
length would have to increase by a proportional amount, which would have to be
greater than 7 units.

QUESTION 18
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 4 x + 176 inches.
Since the perimeter of a square is 4 times the side length of the square, each
4 x +176
side length of Q is , or x + 44 inches. Since the area of a square is
4
calculated by multiplying the length of two sides, the area of square Q is
2
( x + 44)( x + 44), or ( x + 44) square inches. It follows that function f is defined
2
by f ( x ) = ( x + 44) .

Choice B is incorrect. This function represents a square with side lengths

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

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

( ) = w +19. Subtracting 19 from each side of this equation yields ( ) -19 = w ,

x
y 2
x
y
or w = ( ) -19 .
x
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 20
The correct answer is 100. It’s given that point O is the center of a circle and the
measure of arc RS on the circle is 100o. It follows that points R and S lie on the
circle. Therefore, OR and OS are radii of the circle. A central angle is an angle

39 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

formed by two radii of a circle, with its vertex at the center of the circle. Therefore,
∠ ROS is a central angle. Because the degree measure of an arc is equal to the
measure of its associated central angle, it follows that the measure, in degrees, of
∠ ROS is 100.

QUESTION 21
m
361
The correct answer is . The rational exponent property is n
y m = y n , where
8

y > 0, m and n are integers, and n > 0 . This property can be applied to rewrite
8
the given expression 6 5 35 x 45  28 x as 6 35 x ( )( )(2 )( x ), or 6(3)( x
5 45
5
8
8
1
8 9 ( )
)(2) x 8 .
1

This expression can be rewritten by multiplying the constants, which gives

( )
1

36( x 9 ) x 8 . The multiplication exponent property is y n  y m = y n+m , where y > 0.

This property can be applied to rewrite the expression 36( x 9 ) x 8 as 36x ( )

1
9+
1
8
, or
73 73
5 8
36x 8 . Therefore, 6 3 x 5 45
 2 x = 36 x 8 . It’s given that 6 3 x
8 5 5 45 8
 2 x is
8

73 73
equivalent to ax b ; therefore, a = 36 and b = . It follows that a + b = 36 + .
8 8

Finding a common denominator on the right-hand side of this equation gives

288 73 361
a+b = + , or a+b = . Note that 361/8, 45.12, and 45.13 are examples of
8 8 8

ways to enter a correct answer.

QUESTION 22
Choice B is correct. The area, A, of a triangle can be found using the formula
1
A = bh , where b is the length of the base of the triangle and h is the height
2
of the triangle. It’s given that the triangle is a right triangle. Therefore, its base
and height can be represented by the two legs. It’s also given that the triangle
has sides of length 2 2 , 6 2 , and 80 units. Since 80 units is the greatest
of these lengths, it’s the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, the two legs have
lengths 2 2 and 6 2 units. Substituting these values for b and h in the formula
1 1
A = bh gives A = (2 2 )(6 2 ), which is equivalent to A = 6 4 square units, or
2 2
A = 12 square units.

Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the perimeter, rather than

the area, of the triangle. 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 23
Choice D is correct. It’s given that 4 x 2 + bx - 45 can be rewritten as
(hx + k )( x + j ). The expression (hx + k )( x + j ) can be rewritten as
hx 2 + jhx + kx + kj , or hx 2 + ( jh + k ) x + kj . Therefore, hx 2 + ( jh + k ) x + kj is
equivalent to 4 x 2 + bx - 45 . It follows that kj = -45. Dividing each side of this
-45 45
equation by k yields j = . Since j is an integer, - must be an integer.
k k
45
Therefore, must also be an integer.
k

40 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

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 24
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 = 3 x + a, from the first equation,
y = 2 x 2 - 21x + 64 . This yields y - y = (2 x 2 - 21x + 64)-(3 x + a), or
0 = 2 x 2 - 24 x + 64 - a . Since the given system has only one solution, this equation
has only one solution. A quadratic equation in the form rx 2 + 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
2
expression s2 - 4rt yields (-24) -(4)(2)(64 - a). Setting this expression equal to
2
zero yields (-24) -(4)(2)(64 - 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 = 2 x 2 - 24 x + 64 - a yields
0 = 2 x 2 - 24 x + 64 + 8 , or 0 = 2 x 2 - 24 x + 72. Factoring 2 from the right-hand
side of this equation yields 0 = 2( x 2 -12 x + 36). Dividing both sides of this
equation by 2 yields 0 = x 2 -12 x + 36, which is equivalent to 0 = ( x - 6)( x - 6), or
2
0 = ( x - 6) . 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 25
Choice C is correct. Since the triangle is an isosceles right triangle, the two sides
that form the right angle must be the same length. Let x be the length, in inches,
of each of those sides. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle,
a2 + b2 = c 2, where c is the length of the hypotenuse and a and b are the
lengths of the other two sides. Substituting x for a, x for b, and 58 for c in this
equation yields x 2 + x 2 = 582, or 2 x 2 = 582 . Dividing each side of this equation
582 2  582
by 2 yields x 2 = , or x2 = . Taking the square root of each side of this
2 4
58 2 58 2
equation yields two solutions: x = and x = - . The value of x must be
2 2
58 2
positive because it represents a side length. Therefore, x = , or x = 29 2 .
2
The perimeter, in inches, of the triangle is 58 + x + x , or 58 + 2x . Substituting
29 2 for x in this expression gives a perimeter, in inches, of 58 + 2(29 2 ), or
58 + 58 2 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length, in inches, of each of the congruent sides
of the triangle, not the perimeter, in inches, of the triangle. Choice B is incorrect.
This is the sum of the lengths, in inches, of the congruent sides of the triangle, not

41 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

the perimeter, in inches, of the triangle. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
conceptual or calculation errors.

QUESTION 26
Choice D is correct. The equation of a parabola in the xy-plane can be written in
2
the form y = a ( x - 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).
2
Substituting 9 for h and -14 for k in the equation y = a ( x - h) + k gives
2
y = a ( x - 9) -14, which can be rewritten as y = a ( x - 9)( x - 9)-14, or
y = a ( x 2 -18 x + 81)-14. Distributing the factor of a on the right-hand side of
this equation yields y = ax 2 -18ax + 81a -14. Therefore, the equation of the
parabola, y = ax 2 -18ax + 81a -14, can be written in the form y = ax 2 + 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 . Dividing both sides of this equation by 64
2
yields a = , which is a positive value. Therefore, if the equation of the parabola is
64
written in the form y = ax 2 + 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 = ax 2 + 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 = ax 2 + 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 = ax 2 + 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.

42 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1

QUESTION 27
The correct answer is 5 . It’s given that f ( x ) = -a x + b. Substituting -a x + b for
f ( x ) in the equation y = f ( x )-15 yields y = -a x + b -15. It’s given that the

(
y-intercept of the graph of y = f ( x )-15 is 0, -
99
7 ). Substituting 0 for x and
99 99
- for y in the equation y = -a + b -15 yields
x
- = -a 0 + b -15, which is
7 7
99 99
equivalent to - = -1+ b -15 , or - = b -16. Adding 16 to both sides of this
7 7
13 65
equation yields =b . It’s given that the product of a and b is 65 , or ab = .
7 7 7

( )( 65
)
Substituting 13 for b in this equation yields a 13 = . Dividing both sides of
7 7 7
this equation by 13 yields a = 5.
7

43 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

Math
Module 2
(27 questions)

QUESTION 1
Choice B is correct. For the given line graph, the estimated number of chipmunks
is represented on the vertical axis. The greatest estimated number of chipmunks
in the state park is indicated by the greatest height in the line graph. This height is
achieved when the year is 1994.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
conceptual errors.

QUESTION 2
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the fish swam 5,104 yards and that 1 mile is

equal to 1,760 yards. Therefore, the fish swam 5,104 yards ( 1 mile
1,760 yards ), which is
5,104
equivalent to miles , or 2.9 miles.
1,760

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 3
Choice C is correct. The given expression shows subtraction of two like terms.
The two terms can be subtracted as follows: 12 x 3 - 5 x 3 = (12 - 5) x 3, or 7x 3 .

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the result of adding, not subtracting, the two like
terms. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

44 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

QUESTION 4
Choice A is correct. The second equation in the given system defines the value
of x as 5y . Substituting 5y for x into the first equation yields 5 y + y = 18 or
6 y = 18. Dividing each side of this equation by 6 yields y = 3 . Substituting 3 for
y in the second equation yields 5(3) = x or x = 15. Therefore, the solution ( x , y )
to the given system of equations is (15, 3).

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting 16 for x and 2 for y in the second equation

yields 5(2) = 16, which is not true. Therefore, (16, 2) is not a solution to the given
system of equations. Choice C is incorrect. Substituting 17 for x and 1 for y
in the second equation yields 5(1) = 17, which is not true. Therefore, (17, 1) is not
a solution to the given system of equations. Choice D is incorrect. Substituting
18 for x and 0 for y in the second equation yields 5(0) = 18, which is not true.
Therefore, (18, 0) is not a solution to the given system of equations.

QUESTION 5
Choice A is correct. The given point, (8, 2), is located in the first quadrant in the
xy-plane. The system of inequalities in choice A represents all the points in the
first quadrant in the xy-plane. Therefore, (8, 2) is a solution to the system of
inequalities in choice A.

Alternate approach: Substituting 8 for x in the first inequality in choice A, x > 0,

yields 8 > 0, which is true. Substituting 2 for y in the second inequality in
choice A, y > 0, yields 2 > 0, which is true. Since the coordinates of the
point (8, 2) make the inequalities x > 0 and y > 0 true, the point (8, 2) is a
solution to the system of inequalities consisting of x > 0 and y > 0.

Choice B is incorrect. This system of inequalities represents all the points in the
fourth quadrant, not the first quadrant, in the xy-plane. Choice C is incorrect. This
system of inequalities represents all the points in the second quadrant, not the
first quadrant, in the xy-plane. Choice D is incorrect. This system of inequalities
represents all the points in the third quadrant, not the first quadrant, in the
xy-plane.

QUESTION 6
The correct answer is 15 or -5 . By the definition of absolute value, if x - 5 = 10 ,
then x - 5 = 10 or x - 5 = -10. Adding 5 to both sides of the first equation yields
x = 15. Adding 5 to both sides of the second equation yields x = -5. Thus, the
given equation has two possible solutions, 15 and -5 . Note that 15 and –5 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

QUESTION 7
The correct answer is 50. It’s given that the function f gives the total number of
people on a company retreat with x managers. It’s also given that 7 managers
are on the company retreat. Substituting 7 for x in the given function yields
f (7) = 7(7) + 1, or f (7) = 50 . Therefore, there are a total of 50 people on a
company retreat with 7 managers.

45 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

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QUESTION 8
Choice B is correct. It′s given that h ( x ) = x 2 - 3 . Each table gives 1, 2 , and 3 as
the three given values of x . Substituting 1 for x in the equation h ( x ) = x 2 - 3
2
yields h (1) = (1) - 3 , or h (1) = -2 . Substituting 2 for x in the equation
2
h ( x ) = x 2 - 3 yields h (2) = (2) - 3, or h (2) = 1. Finally, substituting 3 for x in the
2
equation h ( x ) = x 2 - 3 yields h (3) = (3) - 3, or h (3) = 6 . Therefore, h ( x ) is -2
when x is 1, h ( x ) is 1 when x is 2 , and h ( x ) is 6 when x is 3. Choice B is a
table with these values of x and their corresponding values of h ( x ).

Choice A is incorrect. This is a table of values for the function h ( x ) = x + 3, not

h ( x ) = x 2 - 3 . Choice C is incorrect. This is a table of values for the function
h ( x ) = 2 x - 3 , not h ( x ) = x 2 - 3 . Choice D is incorrect and may result from
conceptual or calculation errors.

QUESTION 9
Choice D is correct. The value of f (0) is the value of f ( x ) when x = 0.
0
Substituting 0 for x in the given function yields f (0) = 270(0.1) , or
f (0) = 270(1), which is equivalent to f (0) = 270. Therefore, the value of f (0)
is 270 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of x , not f ( x ). Choice B is incorrect and

may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice C is incorrect. This is the
value of f (1), not f (0).

QUESTION 10
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the estimate for the proportion of the
population that has the characteristic is 0.49 with an associated margin of error
of 0.04 . Subtracting the margin of error from the estimate and adding the margin
of error to the estimate gives an interval of plausible values for the true proportion
of the population that has the characteristic. Therefore, it’s plausible that the
proportion of the population that has this characteristic is between 0.45 and
0.53 .

Choice B is incorrect. A value less than 0.45 is outside the interval of plausible
values for the proportion of the population that has the characteristic. Choice C
is incorrect. The value 0.49 is an estimate for the proportion based on this
sample. However, since the margin of error for this estimate is known, the most
appropriate conclusion is not that the proportion is exactly one value but instead
lies in an interval of plausible values. Choice D is incorrect. A value greater
than 0.53 is outside the interval of plausible values for the proportion of the
population that has the characteristic.

QUESTION 11
Choice A is correct. It’s given that the truck can tow a trailer if the combined
weight of the trailer and the boxes it contains is no more than 4,600 pounds. If
the trailer has a weight of 500 pounds and each box weighs 120 pounds, the

46 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

expression 500 + 120b , where b is the number of boxes, gives the combined
weight of the trailer and the boxes. Since the combined weight must be no more
than 4,600 pounds, the possible numbers of boxes the truck can tow are given
by the inequality 500 + 120b £ 4,600 . Subtracting 500 from both sides of this
inequality yields 120b £ 4,100. Dividing both sides of this inequality by 120 yields
205
b£ , or b is less than or equal to approximately 34.17. Since the number of
6
boxes, b, must be a whole number, the maximum number of boxes the truck can
tow is the greatest whole number less than 34.17, which is 34.

Choice B is incorrect. Towing the trailer and 35 boxes would yield a combined
weight of 4,700 pounds, which is greater than 4,600 pounds. Choice C is
incorrect. Towing the trailer and 38 boxes would yield a combined weight of
5,060 pounds, which is greater than 4,600 pounds. Choice D is incorrect. Towing
the trailer and 39 boxes would yield a combined weight of 5,180 pounds, which
is greater than 4,600 pounds.

QUESTION 12
Choice B is correct. Multiplying each side of the given equation by -16 yields
64 x 2 + 112 x = 576. To complete the square, adding 49 to each side of this
2
equation yields 64 x 2 + 112 x + 49 = 576 + 49 , or (8 x + 7) = 625. Taking the
square root of each side of this equation yields two equations: 8 x + 7 = 25 and
8 x + 7 = -25 . Subtracting 7 from each side of the equation 8 x + 7 = 25 yields
18 9
8 x = 18. Dividing each side of this equation by 8 yields x = , or x= .
8 4
9
Therefore, is a solution to the given equation. Subtracting 7 from each side of
4
the equation 8 x + 7 = -25 yields 8 x = -32 . Dividing each side of this equation
9
by 8 yields x = -4. Therefore, the given equation has two solutions, and -4 .
4
9 9
Since is positive, it follows that is the positive solution to the given equation.
4 4

Alternate approach: Adding 4x 2 and 7x to each side of the given equation

yields 0 = 4 x 2 + 7x - 36. The right-hand side of this equation can be rewritten as
4 x 2 + 16 x - 9 x - 36 . Factoring out the common factor of 4x from the first two
terms of this expression and the common factor of -9 from the second two
terms yields 4 x ( x + 4)- 9( x + 4). Factoring out the common factor of ( x + 4)
from these two terms yields the expression (4 x - 9)( x + 4). Since this expression
is equal to 0, it follows that either 4 x - 9 = 0 or x + 4 = 0 . Adding 9 to each side
of the equation 4 x - 9 = 0 yields 4 x = 9 . Dividing each side of this equation by 4
9 9
yields x = . Therefore, is a positive solution to the given equation. Subtracting
4 4
4 from each side of the equation x + 4 = 0 yields x = -4. Therefore, the given
9 9 9
equation has two solutions, and -4 . Since is positive, it follows that is the
4 4 4
positive solution to the given equation.
7
Choice A is incorrect. Substituting for x in the given equation yields
4
49
- = -36, which is false. Choice C is incorrect. Substituting 4 for x in the given
2
equation yields -92 = -36 , which is false. Choice D is incorrect. Substituting 7
for x in the given equation yields -245 = -36, which is false.

47 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

QUESTION 13
3
The correct answer is . It’s given that there are a total of 100 tiles of equal
10
area, which is the total number of possible outcomes. According to the table,
there are a total of 30 red tiles. The probability of an event occurring is the ratio
of the number of favorable outcomes to the total number of possible outcomes.
By definition, the probability of selecting a red tile is given by 30 , or 3 . Note that
100 10
3/10 and .3 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

QUESTION 14
The correct answer is 2 . It’s given that function f is defined by f ( x ) = 2 x + 3.
Therefore, the equation representing the graph of y = f ( x ) in the xy-plane is
y = 2 x + 3, and the graph is a line. For a linear equation in the form y = mx + b, m
represents the slope of the line. Since the value of m in the equation y = 2 x + 3
is 2 , the slope of the line defined by function f is 2 . It’s given that line j is parallel
to the line defined by function f . The slopes of parallel lines are equal. Therefore,
the slope of line j is also 2 .

QUESTION 15
Choice A is correct. It’s given that a radio show stated that 3 times as many
people voted in favor of the proposal as people who voted against it. Let x
represent the number of people who voted against the proposal. It follows that
3x is the number of people who voted in favor of the proposal and 3x - x , or 2x ,
is how many more people voted in favor of the proposal than voted against it. It’s
also given that a social media post reported that 15,000 more people voted in
favor of the proposal than voted against it. Thus, 2 x = 15,000 . Since 2 x = 15,000 ,
the value of x must be half of 15,000, or 7,500. Therefore, 7,500 people voted
against the proposal.

Choice B is incorrect. This is how many more people voted in favor of the proposal
than voted against it, not the number of people who voted against the proposal.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the number of people who voted in favor of the
proposal, not the number of people who voted against the proposal. Choice D is
incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

QUESTION 16
Choice C is correct. Vertical angles, which are angles that are opposite each
other when two lines intersect, are congruent. The figure shows that lines t and
m intersect. It follows that the angle with measure x o and the angle with
measure y o are vertical angles, so x = y . It’s given that x = 6k + 13 and
y = 8k - 29. Substituting 6k + 13 for x and 8k - 29 for y in the equation x = y
yields 6k + 13 = 8k - 29. Subtracting 6k from both sides of this equation yields
13 = 2k - 29 . Adding 29 to both sides of this equation yields 42 = 2k , or 2k = 42.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields k = 21. It’s given that lines m and
n are parallel, and the figure shows that lines m and n are intersected by a
transversal, line t . If two parallel lines are intersected by a transversal, then the
same-side interior angles are supplementary. It follows that the same-side interior

48 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

angles with measures y o and z o are supplementary, so y + z = 180. Substituting

8k - 29 for y in this equation yields 8k - 29 + z = 180 . Substituting 21 for k in
this equation yields 8(21)- 29 + z = 180 , or 139 + z = 180. Subtracting 139 from
both sides of this equation yields z = 41. Therefore, the value of z is 41.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of k , not z . Choice D is incorrect. This is
the value of x or y , not z .

QUESTION 17
Choice B is correct. A linear equation in one variable has no solution if and only
if the equation is false; that is, when there is no value of x that produces a true
statement. It’s given that in the equation -3 x + 21px = 84 , p is a constant and
the equation has no solution for x . Therefore, the value of the constant p is one
that results in a false equation. Factoring out the common factor of -3x on the
left-hand side of the given equation yields -3 x (1- 7p ) = 84. Dividing both sides
of this equation by -3 yields x (1- 7p ) = -28. Dividing both sides of this equation
-28
by (1- 7p ) yields x = . This equation is false if and only if 1- 7p = 0. Adding
1-7p
7p to both sides of 1- 7p = 0 yields 1= 7p . Dividing both sides of this equation
1 -28 1
by 7 yields = p . It follows that the equation x= is false if and only if p = .
7 1-7p 7
Therefore, the given equation has no solution if and only if the value of p is 1 .
7

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

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

QUESTION 18
Choice D is correct. It’s given that f ( x ) = ( x -10)( x + 13), which can be rewritten
as f ( x ) = x 2 + 3 x -130 . Since the coefficient of the x 2 -term is positive, the
graph of y = f ( x ) 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 f ( x ) reaches
its minimum. For an equation in the form f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c , where a, b, and c
b
are constants, the x-coordinate of the vertex is - . For the equation
2a
f ( x ) = x 2 + 3 x -130 , a = 1, b = 3, and c = -130. It follows that the x-coordinate of
3 3
the vertex is - , or - . Therefore, f ( x ) reaches its minimum when the value of
2(1) 2
3
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
f ( x ) = ( x -10)( x + 13), it follows that the two x-intercepts of the graph of y = f ( x )
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 , y 2 ), is ( x1+2 x2 , y1+ y 2
2 ).
æ 10+(-13) 0 +0 ö
Therefore, the midpoint between (10, 0) and (-13, 0) is çç , ÷÷, or
÷
è 2 2 ø

(- , 0). It follows that f (x ) reaches its minimum when the value of x

3
2
is - .
3
2

49 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

Choice A is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of

y = f ( x ) in the xy-plane. Choice B is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates
of the x-intercepts of the graph of y = f ( x ) in the xy-plane. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

QUESTION 19
Choice A is correct. The graph of a quadratic equation in the form
2
y = a ( x - h) + k , where a, h , and k are positive constants, is a parabola that
1 2
opens upward with vertex (h, k ). The given function f ( x ) = ( x - 7) + 3 is in the
9
2 1
form y = a ( x - h) + k , where y = f ( x ), a = , h = 7, and k = 3. Therefore, the
9
graph of y = f ( x ) is a parabola that opens upward with vertex (7, 3). Since the
parabola opens upward, the vertex is the lowest point on the graph. It follows that
the y-coordinate of the vertex of the graph of y = f ( x ) is the minimum value of
1 2
f ( x ). Therefore, the minimum value of f ( x ) is 3. It’s given that f ( x ) = ( x - 7) +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 = f ( x ) 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 20
15
The correct answer is . It’s given that angle J is the right angle in triangle JKL.
17
Therefore, the acute angles of triangle JKL are angle K and angle L . The
hypotenuse of a right triangle is the side opposite its right angle. Therefore, the
hypotenuse of triangle JKL is side KL . The cosine of an acute angle in a right
triangle is the ratio of the length of the side adjacent to the angle to the length of
24 8
the hypotenuse. It’s given that cos (K ) = . This can be written as cos (K ) = .
51 17
Since the cosine of angle K is a ratio, it follows that the length of the side
adjacent to angle K is 8n and the length of the hypotenuse is 17n , where n is a
constant. Therefore, JK = 8n and KL = 17n. The Pythagorean theorem states
that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the
sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. For triangle JKL, it
2 2 2
follows that (JK ) + (JL) = (KL) . Substituting 8n for JK and 17n for KL yields
2 2 2 2
(8n) + (JL) = (17n) . This is equivalent to 64n2 + (JL) = 289n2 . Subtracting
2
64n2 from each side of this equation yields (JL) = 225n2 . Taking the square root
JL
of each side of this equation yields JL = 15n . Since cos (L) = , it follows that
KL
15n 15
cos (L) = , which can be rewritten as cos (L) = . Note that 15/17, .8824, .8823,
17n 17
and 0.882 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

50 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

QUESTION 21
The correct answer is 51. A quadratic equation of the form ax 2 + 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 22
Choice A is correct. A solution to a system of equations must satisfy each
equation in the system. It follows that if an ordered pair ( x , y ) is a solution to
the system, the point ( x , y ) lies on the graph in the xy-plane of each equation
in the system. The only point that lies on each graph of the system of two linear
equations shown is their intersection point (8, 2). It follows that if a new graph of
three linear equations is created using the system of equations shown and the
graph of x + 4 y = -16 , this system has either zero solutions or one solution, the
point (8, 2). Substituting 8 for x and 2 for y in the equation x + 4 y = -16
yields 8 + 4(2) = -16, or 16 = -16 . Since this equation is not true, the point (8, 2)
does not lie on the graph of x + 4 y = -16 . Therefore, (8, 2) is not a solution to the
system of three equations. It follows that there are zero solutions to this system.

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 23 x
Choice C is correct. For a function of the form f ( x ) = a (r )k , where a, r , and k are
constants and r < 1, the value of f ( x ) decreases by 100(1- 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 f ( x ) decreases by 100(1- 0.64)% ,
or 36% , for every increase of x by 12 . Since f ( x ) 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 24
Choice C is correct. The median of a data set with an odd number of values, in
ascending or descending order, is the middle value of the data set, and the range
of a data set is the positive difference between the maximum and minimum values

51 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

in the data set. Since the dot plot shown gives the values in data set A in
ascending order and there are 15 values in the data set, the eighth value in data
set A, 23, is the median. The maximum value in data set A is 26 and the minimum
value is 22, so the range of data set A is 26 - 22 , or 4. It’s given that data set B is
created by adding 56 to each of the values in data set A. Increasing each of the
15 values in data set A by 56 will also increase its median value by 56 making
the median of data set B 79. Increasing each value of data set A by 56 does not
change the range, since the maximum value of data set B is 26 + 56, or 82, and
the minimum value is 22 + 56, or 78, making the range of data set B 82 - 78, or 4.
Therefore, the median of data set B is greater than the median of data set A, and
the range of data set B is equal to the range of data set A.

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 25
Choice D is correct. The graph in the xy-plane of an equation of the form
2 2
( x - h) + ( y - k ) = r 2 is a circle with center (h, 2k ) and a radius of length r . It’s
given that circle A is represented by x 2 + ( y -1) = 49, which can be rewritten as
2
x 2 + ( y -1) = 72 . Therefore, circle A has center (0, 1) and a radius of length 7.
Shifting circle A down two units is a rigid vertical translation of circle A that does
not change its size or shape. Since circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down
two units, it follows that circle B has the same radius as circle A, and for each point
( x , y ) on circle A, the point ( x , y - 2) lies on circle B. Moreover, if (h, k ) is the
center of circle A, then (h, k - 2) is the center of circle B. Therefore, circle B has a
radius of 7 and the center of circle B is (0, 1- 2), or (0, -1). Thus, circle B can be
2 2
represented by the equation x 2 + ( y + 1) = 72 , or x 2 + ( y + 1) = 49.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle obtained by shifting circle A

right 2 units. Choice B is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle obtained by
shifting circle A up 2 units. Choice C is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle
obtained by shifting circle A left 2 units.

QUESTION 26
Choice B is correct. Let x represent the side length, in cm, of each square base.
If the two prisms are glued together along a square base, the resulting prism has a
surface area equal to twice the surface area of one of the prisms, minus the area
of the two square bases that are being glued together, which yields 2K - 2 x 2 cm2 .
92 92
It’s given that this resulting surface area is equal to K cm2 , so 2K - 2 x 2 = K.
47 47
92 92
Subtracting K from both sides of this equation yields 2K - K - 2 x 2 = 0. This
47 47
equation can be rewritten by multiplying 2K on the left-hand side by 47 , which
47
94 92 2
yields K - K - 2 x 2 = 0, or K - 2 x 2 = 0 . Adding 2x 2 to both sides of this
47 47 47
2
equation yields K = 2 x 2. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 47 yields
47 2
K = 47x 2 . The surface area K , in cm2, of each rectangular prism is equivalent to
the sum of the areas of the two square bases and the areas of the four lateral

52 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS

 SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2

faces. Since the height of each rectangular prism is 90 cm and the side length of
each square base is x cm, it follows that the area of each square base is x 2 cm2
and the area of each lateral face is 90 x cm2. Therefore, the surface area of each
rectangular prism can be represented by the expression 2 x 2 + 4(90 x ), or
2 x 2 + 360 x . Substituting this expression for K in the equation K = 47x 2 yields
2 x 2 + 360 x = 47x 2. Subtracting 2x 2 and 360x from both sides of this equation
yields 0 = 45 x 2 - 360 x . Factoring x from the right-hand side of this equation
yields 0 = x (45 x - 360). Applying the zero product property, it follows that x = 0
and 45 x - 360 = 0. Adding 360 to both sides of the equation 45 x - 360 = 0
yields 45 x = 360 . Dividing both sides of this equation by 45 yields x = 8. Since
a side length of a rectangular prism can’t be 0, the length of each square base is
8 cm.

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 27
The correct answer is 600 . It’s given that 210 is p% greater than 30. It follows

that 210 = 1+( p

100 )(30). Dividing both sides of this equation by 30 yields
p p
7 = 1+ . Subtracting 1 from both sides of this equation yields 6 = .
100 100
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 100 yields p = 600. Therefore, the

value of p is 600 .

53 SAT PRACTICE TEST #4 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS