SAT Math — Problem Solving and Data Analysis

Ratios,
Speed, Rates,
Time Work
and Distance
Complete Notes + 25 SAT Practice Questions with Solutions

Strictly aligned with the Digital SAT syllabus

RATIOS & RATES & WORK SPEED, TIME RELATIVE

PROPORTIONS UNIT RATES PROBLEMS & DISTANCE SPEED
 PART 1: RATIOS AND PROPORTIONS
Definition · Dividing · Scaling · Combining · Direct and Inverse Proportion

1.1 What is a Ratio?

A ratio compares two quantities. It tells us how much of one thing there is relative to another. Ratios are pure
numbers — they have no units — and can be simplified exactly like fractions.

Written as: a : b or a/b

Key Phrase What It Means

"ratio of A to B is 3:5" A/B = 3/5

"for every 3 boys there are 5 girls" boys : girls = 3 : 5

"A is 3 times B" A/B = 3/1

"A is 3/5 of B" A/B = 3/5

"A to B to C is 2:3:5" Three-way ratio

1.2 Dividing a Quantity in a Given Ratio

To divide N in ratio a:b:

First share = N x a/(a+b)

Second share = N x b/(a+b)

Example:

Divide $560 in ratio 3:5.

-> Total parts = 8

-> First = 560 x 3/8 = $210

-> Second = 560 x 5/8 = $350

Three people share $1,800 in ratio 2:3:4. What does the second person get?

-> Total parts = 9

-> Second = 1800 x 3/9 = $600

1.3 Scaling Ratios — Finding Actual Values

 Example:

Red to blue marbles = 4:7. There are 28 blue. How many red?

-> 4/7 = x/28 -> x = 4x28/7 = 16 red marbles

SAT-style: Ratio of people preferring A to B = 5:3.

120 preferred A. How many took the survey in total?

-> 5/3 = 120/B -> B = 72

-> Total = 120 + 72 = 192 people

1.4 Combining Two Ratios

If a:b and b:c are given, make b common to find a:b:c.

Example:

a:b = 2:3 and b:c = 4:5. Find a:b:c.

-> Multiply 1st ratio by 4: a:b = 8:12

-> Multiply 2nd ratio by 3: b:c = 12:15

-> a:b:c = 8:12:15

1.5 Proportion — Direct and Inverse

Type Relationship Formula Graph If x doubles...

Direct y increases as y = kx Straight line

y doubles
Proportion x increases (k = y/x, constant) through origin

Inverse y decreases as xy = k Hyperbola

y halves
Proportion x increases (k is constant) (curved)

Example:

DIRECT: A car uses 6 gallons per 150 miles. Gallons for 400 miles?

-> 6/150 = x/400 -> x = 6x400/150 = 16 gallons

INVERSE: 8 workers finish in 15 days. How many days for 12 workers?

-> 8 x 15 = 12 x d -> d = 120/12 = 10 days

1.6 SAT Ratio Word Problems — Mixture and Change

Example:

MIXTURE: Solution is 40% acid. How many litres of water added to

10 litres to make it 25% acid?

-> Acid = 4 litres (stays constant)

-> 4/(10+x) = 0.25 -> 4 = 2.5 + 0.25x -> x = 6 litres

RATIO CHANGE: Cats to dogs = 3:4. After 6 more cats, ratio = 3:2.

How many dogs?

-> Cats = 3x, dogs = 4x

-> (3x+6)/(4x) = 3/2 -> 6x+12 = 12x -> x = 2

-> Dogs = 4x2 = 8 dogs

 PART 2: RATES
Unit Rate · Constant Rate · Combined Rate · Rates from Tables and Graphs

2.1 What is a Rate?

A rate compares two quantities with different units. The most useful form is the unit rate — the amount per
ONE unit of the denominator. On the SAT, rates appear in word problems, tables, and graphs.

Rate = Quantity / Time (or per unit of whatever denominator)

Find Formula Example

Total output Rate x Time 45 units/hr x 8 hr = 360 units

Rate Total / Time 360 units / 8 hr = 45 units/hr

Time needed Total / Rate 360 units / 45 units/hr = 8 hr

2.2 Unit Rate

Example:

240 miles in 4 hours: unit rate = 240/4 = 60 miles per hour

$37.50 for 5 kg: unit rate = 37.50/5 = $7.50 per kg

Comparing rates:

Store A: 3 notebooks for $4.50 -> $1.50 per notebook

Store B: 5 notebooks for $7.25 -> $1.45 per notebook

-> Store B has the better unit price

2.3 Constant Rate Problems

Example:

A factory produces 360 units in 8 hours.

At the same rate, how many in 15 hours?

-> Rate = 360/8 = 45 units/hour

-> In 15 hours: 45 x 15 = 675 units

 Maria types 65 words per minute.

How long to type a 1,950-word document?

-> Time = 1950/65 = 30 minutes

2.4 Combined Rates

When two sources work at the same time, their rates ADD together.

Example:

Pipe A fills at 20 gal/min. Pipe B fills at 15 gal/min.

-> Combined rate = 35 gal/min

-> Time to fill 700-gallon tank = 700/35 = 20 minutes

2.5 Rates from Tables and Graphs (Very SAT)

The Digital SAT frequently gives rate data in a table or graph. The rate is the slope — change in quantity
divided by change in time.

Miles driven Fuel used (gallons)

0 0

100 4

250 10

375 15

Example:

Rate = 4/100 = 0.04 gallons per mile (or 25 miles per gallon)

Fuel for 375 miles -> 375 x 0.04 = 15 gallons

Key: Slope of graph = Rate. Check that relationship is proportional

(passes through origin). If not, it is linear but NOT proportional.

 PART 3: WORK PROBLEMS
Work Rate · Working Together · Filling and Draining · Mixed Problems

3.1 The Core Idea — Work Rate

If a person completes a job in n days, they complete 1/n of the job per day. This fraction is their work rate. The
total work done equals rate times time.

Work done = Rate x Time

Rate = 1 / (days to complete alone)

3.2 Two Workers Together

Rates always ADD when working together:

1/T = 1/a + 1/b -> T = ab/(a+b)

Example:

A takes 10 days, B takes 15 days. Together?

-> 1/T = 1/10 + 1/15 = 3/30 + 2/30 = 5/30 = 1/6

-> T = 6 days

A and B together finish in 8 days. A alone takes 12 days. B alone?

-> 1/B = 1/8 - 1/12 = 3/24 - 2/24 = 1/24

-> B = 24 days

Machine X: 300 widgets/hour. Machine Y: 450 widgets/hour.

Together, how long for 3,750 widgets?

-> Combined rate = 750 widgets/hour

-> Time = 3750/750 = 5 hours

3.3 One Filling, One Draining

Net rate = Fill rate - Drain rate (drain rate is subtracted).

Example:

Tank fills at 50 gal/min. Drain removes 20 gal/min.

-> Net fill rate = 50 - 20 = 30 gal/min

 -> Time to fill 1,200-gallon tank = 1200/30 = 40 minutes

3.4 Work with Different Time Segments

Example:

Printer A: 80 pages/min. Printer B: 50 pages/min.

A runs alone for 3 min, then both run together.

How long total until 500 pages printed?

-> Pages by A alone = 80 x 3 = 240

-> Remaining = 500 - 240 = 260 pages

-> Combined rate = 80 + 50 = 130 pages/min

-> Extra time = 260/130 = 2 minutes

-> Total = 3 + 2 = 5 minutes

 PART 4: SPEED, TIME AND DISTANCE
Core Formula · Average Speed · Meeting · Chasing · Round Trip

4.1 The Core Formula

All speed, time and distance problems are built on one formula. Units must be consistent throughout — this is
the most common error on the SAT.

Find Formula Watch out for

Distance D=SxT Units: km/h needs time in hours

Speed S=D/T Units: m/s needs distance in metres

Time T=D/S Convert minutes to hours if speed is per hour

4.2 Converting Speed Units

km/h to m/s: multiply by 5/18

m/s to km/h: multiply by 18/5

Example:

72 km/h = 72 x (5/18) = 20 m/s

15 m/s = 15 x (18/5) = 54 km/h

4.3 Average Speed — The Most Common SAT Trap

! Average speed is NEVER simply the average of two speeds. It is always Total Distance divided by Total
Time. This is one of the most frequently tested traps on the Digital SAT.

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

Example:

Car drives 120 km at 60 km/h, then 120 km at 40 km/h.

-> Time1 = 120/60 = 2 hours

-> Time2 = 120/40 = 3 hours

-> Average speed = 240/5 = 48 km/h

-> NOTE: (60+40)/2 = 50, which is WRONG.

 Student walks to school at 4 km/h, jogs back at 6 km/h.

Average speed for the round trip?

-> Let one-way distance = d

-> Total time = d/4 + d/6 = 5d/12

-> Average speed = 2d / (5d/12) = 24/5 = 4.8 km/h

4.4 Two Objects Moving Toward Each Other

Time to meet = Distance between them / (S1 + S2)

Example:

Two people walk toward each other from towns 42 km apart.

One walks at 6 km/h, the other at 8 km/h.

-> Time = 42 / (6+8) = 42/14 = 3 hours

4.5 One Object Chasing Another (Same Direction)

Time to catch = Gap / (S_fast - S_slow)

Example:

Person A leaves at 8 AM walking at 5 km/h.

Person B leaves same point at 10 AM walking at 8 km/h, same direction.

When does B catch A?

-> By 10 AM, A has 5x2 = 10 km head start

-> B gains at 8-5 = 3 km/h

-> Time to catch = 10/3 hours = 3 hr 20 min after 10 AM

-> They meet at 1:20 PM

4.6 Round Trip Problems

Example:

Drive 60 km to work at 40 km/h. How fast to return

for an average speed of 50 km/h for the whole trip?

-> Total distance = 120 km

-> Total time needed = 120/50 = 2.4 hours

-> Time used going = 60/40 = 1.5 hours

-> Time left for return = 2.4 - 1.5 = 0.9 hours

-> Speed returning = 60/0.9 = 66.7 km/h

 PART 5: RELATIVE SPEED
Opposite Directions · Same Direction · SAT Real-World Applications

5.1 The Two Core Rules

Relative speed is how fast one object moves as seen from another moving object. It depends entirely on the
direction of motion.

Direction of Motion Relative Speed When to Use

OPPOSITE directions S1 + S2 Two people walking toward each other;

(toward or away from each other) (speeds ADD) Two cars driving apart

SAME direction |S1 - S2| One person catching up to another;

(one behind the other) (speeds SUBTRACT) Car overtaking a slower car

5.2 SAT-Style Relative Speed Worked Examples

Example:

Ex 1: Car A drives north at 55 mph, Car B drives south at 65 mph.

How far apart after 2 hours?

-> Opposite directions: relative speed = 55+65 = 120 mph

-> Distance apart = 120 x 2 = 240 miles

Ex 2: Two friends 15 miles apart cycle toward each other.

Friend A at 10 mph, Friend B at 5 mph.

How far from A's start when they meet?

-> Time = 15/(10+5) = 1 hour

-> Distance covered by A = 10 x 1 = 10 miles from A's start

Ex 3: Car A at 60 mph. Car B behind at 75 mph, same direction.

Car B is 3 miles behind. Minutes until B catches A?

-> Relative speed = 75-60 = 15 mph

-> Time = 3/15 hours = 0.2 hours = 12 minutes

Ex 4: A and B start from opposite ends of a 400m track.

A walks at 1.5 m/s, B at 2.5 m/s, toward each other.

 -> Time = 400/(1.5+2.5) = 400/4 = 100 seconds

SAT TRICKS AND SHORTCUTS — ALL TOPICS

Average speed = Total D / Total T

1 Never average the two speeds. Always compute total distance over total time separately.

Work rate = 1/days

2 Convert "days to finish" into "fraction of job per day" before setting up any equation.

Working together: rates ADD

3 1/T = 1/a + 1/b. Even for pipes — fill rates add, drain rate subtracts.

Opposite directions: ADD speeds

4 Two objects moving toward or away from each other: relative speed = S1 + S2.

Same direction: SUBTRACT speeds

5 One chasing another: relative speed = |S1 - S2|. Time to catch = gap / relative speed.

Proportional graph passes through origin

6 Direct proportion: y = kx, straight line through (0,0). Slope = unit rate.

Ratio trick — use scale factor

7 If a:b = 3:5 and total = 80, scale factor = 10. First = 30, second = 50.

Units must match throughout

8 Speed in km/h needs distance in km and time in hours. Converting mid-problem is a common error.

Round trip speed is always less than arithmetic average

9 Going at 60, returning at 40: average is NOT 50. It is 2(60)(40)/(60+40) = 48.

Rate from table = slope = change in y / change in x

10 SAT data tables always hide a constant rate. Find it by dividing any two corresponding values.
 25 SAT PRACTICE QUESTIONS
All topics · Digital SAT style · Answers and solutions included

> All questions follow the Digital SAT format. Grid-in questions have no choices. Full solutions appear below
each question.

Section A — Ratios and Proportions (Q1–Q7)

Q1 RATIO

A bag contains red and blue marbles in the ratio 3:5. If there are 40 marbles in total, how many are red?

(A) 8

(B) 12

(C) 15

(D) 20

Answer: (C) 15

Solution: Red = 40 x 3/8 = 15

Q2 RATIO

Three friends share a prize of $2,100 in the ratio 2:3:2. How much does the person with the largest share
receive?

(A) $600

(B) $700

(C) $800

(D) $900

Answer: (D) $900

Solution: Total parts = 7. Largest share (ratio 3) = 2100 x 3/7 = $900

Q3 PROPORTION

A car travels 150 miles using 6 gallons of fuel. At the same rate, how many gallons are needed for 400 miles?
 (A) 14

(B) 15

(C) 16

(D) 18

Answer: (C) 16

Solution: 6/150 = x/400 -> x = 6x400/150 = 16 gallons

Q4 RATIO

The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 4:5. If there are 36 girls, how many students are in the class?

(A) 63

(B) 72

(C) 80

(D) 81

Answer: (C) 80

Solution: 4/5 = x/36 -> boys = 4x36/5 = 28.8... Re-read: 5 parts = 36, so 1 part = 7.2. Hmm -- Actually: 5 parts = 36
girls means each part = 7.2, boys = 4x7.2 = 28.8. Total = 36+28.8 = 64.8. Clean SAT version: 4 parts boys, 5 parts
girls, total 9 parts = 81 students when girls=45. Here 36 girls: 36/5 = 7.2 per part, total = 9x7.2 = 64.8. Best
answer: boys = 28, total approx 64. Closest = (A) 63. Answer: total = 9 x (36/5) = 64.8, so (A) 63 is intended.
Revised clean: 5 parts = 35 girls -> 7 per part -> 9x7=63. Answer (A).

Q4 RATIO — REVISED

The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 4:5. If there are 35 girls, how many total students are in the class?

(A) 63

(B) 70

(C) 72

(D) 75

Answer: (A) 63

Solution: 5 parts = 35 girls, so 1 part = 7. Total = 9 x 7 = 63 students.

 Q5 DIRECT PROPORTION

A recipe uses 2.5 cups of flour for every 12 cookies. How many cups of flour are needed to make 60 cookies?

(A) 10.5

(B) 11

(C) 12.5

(D) 13

Answer: (C) 12.5

Solution: 2.5/12 = x/60 -> x = 2.5x60/12 = 12.5 cups

Q6 RATIO CHANGE

The ratio of cats to dogs at a shelter is 3:4. After 6 more cats are brought in, the ratio becomes 3:2. How
many dogs are at the shelter?

(A) 4

(B) 6

(C) 8

(D) 10

Answer: (C) 8

Solution: Cats=3x, dogs=4x. (3x+6)/(4x)=3/2 -> 6x+12=12x -> x=2. Dogs=4x2=8.

Q7 INVERSE PROPORTION — GRID IN

5 workers take 18 days to complete a project. How many days would 9 workers take at the same rate?
(Grid-in)

(Grid-in — no choices)

Answer: 10 days

Solution: 5 x 18 = 9 x d -> d = 90/9 = 10 days

Section B — Rates (Q8–Q12)

Q8 UNIT RATE

A store sells 4 kg of apples for $7.20 and 6 kg of apples for $10.50. Which option gives the better unit price?

(A) 4 kg option

(B) 6 kg option

(C) Both are equal

(D) Cannot be determined

Answer: (B) 6 kg option

Solution: 4kg: $7.20/4 = $1.80/kg. 6kg: $10.50/6 = $1.75/kg. The 6kg option is cheaper per kg.

Q9 CONSTANT RATE

A printer prints 240 pages in 4 minutes. At the same rate, how many pages does it print in 15 minutes?

(A) 720

(B) 840

(C) 900

(D) 960

Answer: (C) 900

Solution: Rate = 240/4 = 60 pages/min. In 15 min: 60 x 15 = 900 pages.

Q10 RATE FROM TABLE

A table shows: 0 hours worked = $0 earned; 3 hours = $52.50; 7 hours = $122.50. How much is earned for 10
hours of work?

(A) $165

(B) $170

(C) $172.50

(D) $175

Answer: (D) $175

 Solution: Rate = $52.50/3 = $17.50/hr. For 10 hrs: 17.50 x 10 = $175.

Q11 COMBINED RATE

Pipe A fills a tank in 6 hours. Pipe B fills the same tank in 4 hours. Working together, how long will it take to fill
the tank?

(A) 2 hours

(B) 2.4 hours

(C) 3 hours

(D) 5 hours

Answer: (B) 2.4 hours

Solution: 1/T = 1/6 + 1/4 = 2/12 + 3/12 = 5/12. T = 12/5 = 2.4 hours.

Q12 RATE — GRID IN

A faucet leaks at a rate of 3 gallons per hour. How many gallons does it leak in a week? (Grid-in)

(Grid-in — no choices)

Answer: 504 gallons

Solution: 3 gal/hr x 24 hr/day x 7 days = 504 gallons.

Section C — Work Problems (Q13–Q17)

Q13 WORK TOGETHER

Worker A completes a job in 8 days. Worker B completes it in 12 days. How many days do they take working
together?

(A) 4

(B) 4.8

(C) 5

(D) 6

Answer: (B) 4.8

Solution: 1/T = 1/8 + 1/12 = 3/24 + 2/24 = 5/24. T = 24/5 = 4.8 days.

Q14 FIND ONE WORKER

A and B working together finish a project in 6 days. A alone would take 10 days. How long would B take
alone?

(A) 12 days

(B) 15 days

(C) 18 days

(D) 20 days

Answer: (B) 15 days

Solution: 1/B = 1/6 - 1/10 = 5/30 - 3/30 = 2/30 = 1/15. B = 15 days.

Q15 MACHINES

Machine X produces 200 parts per hour. Machine Y produces 300 parts per hour. X runs alone for 2 hours,
then both run together. How long from start until 1,400 parts are produced?

(A) 4 hours

(B) 4.4 hours

(C) 5 hours

(D) 6 hours
Answer: (A) 4 hours

Solution: X alone for 2 hrs: 200x2=400 parts. Remaining=1000. Combined rate=500/hr. Extra time=1000/500=2
hrs. Total=2+2=4 hours.

Q16 FILL AND DRAIN

A pool fills at 80 gallons per minute. A drain removes water at 20 gallons per minute. If the pool holds 3,600
gallons, how long to fill it with both open?

(A) 45 min

(B) 50 min

(C) 60 min

(D) 72 min

Answer: (C) 60 min

Solution: Net rate = 80 - 20 = 60 gal/min. Time = 3600/60 = 60 minutes.

Q17 WORK FRACTION — GRID IN

A painter can paint a house in 15 days. After 6 days, what fraction of the house remains unpainted? (Grid-in)

(Grid-in — no choices)

Answer: 3/5

Solution: Work done in 6 days = 6/15 = 2/5. Remaining = 1 - 2/5 = 3/5.

Section D — Speed, Time and Distance (Q18–Q22)

Q18 BASIC STD

A car travels 270 km in 4.5 hours. What is its average speed?

(A) 55 km/h

(B) 60 km/h

(C) 65 km/h

(D) 70 km/h

Answer: (B) 60 km/h

Solution: Speed = 270/4.5 = 60 km/h.

Q19 AVERAGE SPEED

A cyclist rides 30 km at 15 km/h and then 30 km at 10 km/h. What is the average speed for the entire
journey?

(A) 11 km/h

(B) 12 km/h

(C) 12.5 km/h

(D) 13 km/h

Answer: (B) 12 km/h

Solution: Time1=30/15=2hr. Time2=30/10=3hr. Avg speed=60/5=12 km/h. NOT (15+10)/2=12.5.

Q20 MEETING PROBLEM

Two towns are 360 km apart. Train A leaves Town X at 60 km/h. Train B leaves Town Y at the same time at
90 km/h, heading toward each other. How far from Town X do they meet?

(A) 140 km

(B) 144 km

(C) 150 km

(D) 160 km
Answer: (B) 144 km

Solution: Time to meet = 360/(60+90) = 360/150 = 2.4 hrs. Distance from X = 60 x 2.4 = 144 km.

Q21 UNIT CONVERSION

A runner completes a 5 km race in 25 minutes. What is her average speed in metres per second? (Round to
1 decimal)

(A) 2.8 m/s

(B) 3.2 m/s

(C) 3.3 m/s

(D) 3.5 m/s

Answer: (C) 3.3 m/s

Solution: 5 km = 5000 m. 25 min = 1500 s. Speed = 5000/1500 = 3.33 m/s.

Q22 ROUND TRIP — GRID IN

Aisha drives to work (45 km) at 54 km/h and returns at 90 km/h. What is her average speed for the full round
trip in km/h? (Grid-in)

(Grid-in — no choices)

Answer: 67.5 km/h

Solution: Time going = 45/54 = 5/6 hr. Time returning = 45/90 = 0.5 hr. Total time = 5/6 + 1/2 = 5/6 + 3/6 = 8/6 =
4/3 hr. Avg speed = 90 / (4/3) = 90 x 3/4 = 67.5 km/h.
Section E — Relative Speed (Q23–Q25)

Q23 RELATIVE SPEED — OPPOSITE

Two cars start from the same point. Car A drives east at 55 mph and Car B drives west at 45 mph. After 3
hours, how far apart are they?

(A) 165 miles

(B) 270 miles

(C) 285 miles

(D) 300 miles

Answer: (D) 300 miles

Solution: Opposite directions: relative speed = 55+45 = 100 mph. Distance = 100 x 3 = 300 miles.

Q24 RELATIVE SPEED — SAME DIRECTION

Person A walks at 4 km/h. Person B starts 2 km behind A and walks at 6 km/h in the same direction. How
many minutes does it take B to catch A?

(A) 45 min

(B) 60 min

(C) 75 min

(D) 90 min

Answer: (B) 60 min

Solution: Relative speed = 6-4 = 2 km/h. Time = 2/2 = 1 hour = 60 minutes.

Q25 RELATIVE SPEED — MEET

Two friends start cycling toward each other from towns 52 km apart at the same time. Friend A cycles at 14
km/h and Friend B at 12 km/h. How far from Friend B's starting town do they meet?

(A) 24 km

(B) 26 km

(C) 28 km

(D) 30 km
Answer: (C) 28 km

Solution: Time = 52/(14+12) = 52/26 = 2 hours. B covers = 12 x 2 = 24 km from B's start. Distance from B's town =
24 km. Wait: distance from B = 12x2=24. Answer (A) 24 km. Distance from A's town = 14x2=28 km from A. From
B's town = 52-28 = 24 km. Answer: (A) 24 km.

Score: 22-25 = Excellent | 17-21 = Good | 12-16 = Needs Practice | Below 12 = Review Notes