The SAT
Practice
Test 1
#
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
These answer explanations are for students taking the
digital SAT in nondigital format.
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SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
Math
Module 1
(27 questions)
QUESTION 1
10
Choice B is correct. 10% of a quantity means times the quantity. Therefore,
100
10
10% of 470 can be represented as
100
(470), which is equivalent to 0.10(470),
or 47. Therefore, 10% of 470 is 47.
Choice A is incorrect. This is 10% of 370 , not 10% of 470 . Choice C is
incorrect. This is 90% of 470 , not 10% of 470 . Choice D is incorrect. This is
470 -10, not 10% of 470 .
QUESTION 2
Choice C is correct. Subtracting 6 from both sides of the given equation yields
4 x = 12, which is the equation given in choice C. Since this equation is equivalent
to the given equation, it has the same solution as 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 3
Choice D is correct. The cost of the rental fee depends on the number of hours
the surfboard is rented. Multiplying t hours by 10 dollars per hour yields a rental
fee of 10t dollars. The total cost of the rental consists of the rental fee plus the
25 dollar service fee, which yields a total cost of 25 + 10t dollars. Since the
person intends to spend a maximum of 75 dollars to rent the surfboard, the
total cost must be at most 75 dollars. Therefore, the inequality 25 + 10t £ 75
represents this situation.
Choice A is incorrect. This represents a situation where the rental fee, not the total
cost, is at most 75 dollars. Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual
33 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
or calculation errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or
calculation errors.
QUESTION 4
Choice A is correct. It’s given that g ( x ) = x 2 + 9 . Substituting 25 for g ( x ) in this
equation yields 25 = x 2 + 9 . Subtracting 9 from both sides of this equation yields
16 = x 2. Taking the square root of each side of this equation yields x = ±4. It
follows that g ( x ) = 25 when the value of x is 4 or -4 . Only 4 is listed among
the choices.
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 5
Choice A is correct. The total number of possible outcomes for rolling a fair
14 -sided die is 14 . The number of possible outcomes for rolling a 2 is 1. The
probability of rolling a 2 is the number of possible outcomes for rolling a 2
divided by the total number of possible outcomes, or 1 .
14
Choice B is incorrect. This is the probability of rolling a number no greater than 2 .
Choice C is incorrect. This is the probability of rolling a number greater than 2 .
Choice D is incorrect. This is the probability of rolling a number other than 2 .
QUESTION 6
The correct answer is 2,520. There are 60 minutes in one hour. At a rate of
42 posters per minute, the number of posters produced in one hour can be
determined by ( 421 minute )( 1 hour ), which is 2,520 posters per hour.
posters 60 minutes
QUESTION 7
The correct answer is 30. The value of f ( x ) when x = 4 can be found
by substituting 4 for x in the given equation f ( x ) = 7x + 2 . This yields
f (4) = 7(4) + 2 , or f (4) = 30. Therefore, when x = 4 , the value of f ( x ) is 30.
QUESTION 8
Choice D is correct. Since x represents the number of 1 -point questions and
y represents the number of 3 -point questions, the assignment is worth a total
of 1 x + 3 y , or x + 3 y , points. Since the assignment is worth 70 points, the
equation x + 3 y = 70 represents this situation.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice B is incorrect
and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
conceptual errors.
34 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
QUESTION 9
Choice B is correct. It’s given that triangle LMN is similar to triangle PQR .
Corresponding angles of similar triangles are congruent. Since angle M and
angle Q correspond to each other, they must be congruent. Therefore, if the
measure of angle M is 53o, then the measure of angle Q is also 53o.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from concluding that angle M and angle Q
are complementary rather than congruent. Choice C is incorrect and may result
from concluding that angle M and angle Q are supplementary rather than
congruent. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation
errors.
QUESTION 10
Choice C is correct. The given system of linear equations can be solved by the
substitution method. Substituting -3x for y from the first equation in the given
system into the second equation yields 4 x + (-3 x ) = 15, or x = 15.
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. This is the absolute value of y , not the value of x .
QUESTION 11
Choice B is correct. The equation representing a linear model can be written in
the form y = a + bx , or y = bx + a, where b is the slope of the graph of the model
and (0,a) is the y-intercept of the graph of the model. The scatterplot shows
that as the x-values of the data points increase, the y-values of the data points
decrease, which means the graph of an appropriate linear model has a negative
slope. Therefore, b < 0 . The scatterplot also shows that the data points are close
to the y-axis at a positive value of y . Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of
an appropriate linear model has a positive y-coordinate, which means a > 0. Of
the given choices, only choice B, y = -1.9 x + 10.1, has a negative value for b, the
slope, and a positive value for a , the y-coordinate of the y-intercept.
Choice A is incorrect. The graph of this model has a y-intercept with a negative
y-coordinate, not a positive y-coordinate. Choice C is incorrect. The graph of this
model has a positive slope, not a negative slope, and a y-intercept with a negative
y-coordinate, not a positive y-coordinate. Choice D is incorrect. The graph of this
model has a positive slope, not a negative slope.
QUESTION 12
Choice C is correct. If a value of x satisfies f ( x ) = 0, the graph of y = f ( x ) will
contain a point ( x ,0) and thus touch the x-axis. Since there are 3 points at which
this graph touches the x-axis, there are 3 values of x for which f ( x ) = 0.
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.
35 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
QUESTION 13
The correct answer is 41. The number of cupcakes Vivian bought can be found
by first finding the amount Vivian spent on cupcakes. The amount Vivian spent
on cupcakes can be found by subtracting the amount Vivian spent on party hats
from the total amount Vivian spent. The amount Vivian spent on party hats can
be found by multiplying the cost per package of party hats by the number of
packages of party hats, which yields $3 10, or $30 . Subtracting the amount
Vivian spent on party hats, $30 , from the total amount Vivian spent, $71, yields
$71- $30, or $41. Since the amount Vivian spent on cupcakes was $41 and each
cupcake cost $1, it follows that Vivian bought 41 cupcakes.
QUESTION 14
The correct answer is either 2 or -12. The left-hand side of the given equation
can be rewritten by factoring. The two values that multiply to -24 and add
to 10 are 12 and -2 . It follows that the given equation can be rewritten as
(z +12)(z - 2) = 0. Setting each factor equal to 0 yields two equations: z + 12 = 0
and z - 2 = 0. Subtracting 12 from both sides of the equation z + 12 = 0 results
in z = -12 . Adding 2 to both sides of the equation z - 2 = 0 results in z = 2 . Note
that 2 and -12 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
QUESTION 15
Choice D is correct. Let y represent the number of cells per milliliter x hours
after the initial observation. Since the number of cells per milliliter doubles every
3 hours, the relationship between x and y can be represented by an
x
exponential equation of the form y = a (b )k , where a is the number of cells
per milliliter during the initial observation and the number of cells per milliliter
increases by a factor of b every k hours. It’s given that there were 300,000 cells
per milliliter during the initial observation. Therefore, a = 300,000 . It’s also given
that the number of cells per milliliter doubles, or increases by a factor of 2 , every
3 hours. Therefore, b = 2 and k = 3. Substituting 300,000 for a , 2 for
x x
b, and 3 for k in the equation y = a (b )k yields y = 300,000(2)3 . The number
of cells per milliliter there will be 15 hours after the initial observation is the
value of y in this equation when x = 15. Substituting 15 for x in the equation
x 15
5
y = 300,000(2)3 yields y = 300,000(2) 3 , or y = 300,000(2) . This is equivalent
to y = 300,000(32), or y = 9,600,000. Therefore, 15 hours after the initial
observation, there will be 9,600,000 cells per milliliter.
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.
36 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
QUESTION 16
Choice C is correct. Since each term of the given expression has a common
factor of 6x 2 y 2 , it may be rewritten as 6 x 2 y 2 ( x 6 ) + 6 x 2 y 2 (2), or 6 x 2 y 2 ( x 6 + 2).
Choice A is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 12x 8 y 2 , not 6 x 8 y 2 + 12 x 2 y 2.
Choice B is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 6x 6 y 2 , not 6 x 8 y 2 + 12 x 2 y 2.
Choice D is incorrect. This expression is equivalent to 6 x 6 y 2 + 12 x 2 y 2 , not
6 x 8 y 2 + 12 x 2 y 2 .
QUESTION 17
Choice A is correct. It’s given that a neighborhood consists of a 2 -hectare
park and a 35-hectare residential area and that the total number of trees in
the neighborhood is 3,934. It’s also given that the equation 2 x + 35 y = 3,934
represents this situation. Since the total number of trees for a given area can
be determined by taking the number of hectares times the average number of
trees per hectare, this must mean that the terms 2x and 35y correspond to the
number of trees in the park and in the residential area, respectively. Since 2x
corresponds to the number of trees in the park, and 2 is the size of the park, in
hectares, x must represent the average number of trees per hectare in the park.
Choice B 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 18
Choice B is correct. The graph shown is a line passing through the points (0,40)
and (60,0). Since the relationship between x and y is linear, if two points
on the graph make a linear equation true, then the equation represents the
relationship. Substituting 0 for x and 40 for y in the equation in choice B,
8 x + 12 y = 480, yields 8(0) + 12(40) = 480, or 480 = 480 , which is true.
Substituting 60 for x and 0 for y in the equation 8 x + 12 y = 480 yields
8(60) + 12(0) = 480 , or 480 = 480 , which is true. Therefore, the equation
8 x + 12 y = 480 represents the relationship between x and y .
Choice A is incorrect. The point (0,40) is not on the graph of this equation, since
40 = 8(0) + 12, or 40 = 12, is not true. Choice C is incorrect. The point (0,40)
is not on the graph of this equation, since 40 = 12(0) + 8, or 40 = 8, is not true.
Choice D is incorrect. The point (0,40) is not on the graph of this equation, since
12(0) + 8(40) = 480, or 320 = 480, is not true.
QUESTION 19
Choice D is correct. The area of a circle can be found by using the formula
A = π r 2 , where A is the area and r is the radius of the circle. It’s given that the
radius of circle A is 3n. Substituting this value for r into the formula A = π r 2
2
gives A = π (3n) , or 9π n2 . It’s also given that the radius of circle B is 129n.
2
Substituting this value for r into the formula A = π r 2 gives A = π (129n) , or
37 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
16,641π n2
16,641π n2 . Dividing the area of circle B by the area of circle A gives ,
9π n2
which simplifies to 1,849. Therefore, the area of circle B is 1,849 times the area of
circle A.
Choice A is incorrect. This is how many times greater the radius of circle B is than
the radius of circle A. Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or
calculation errors. Choice C is incorrect. This is the coefficient on the term that
describes the radius of circle B.
QUESTION 20
The correct answer is 14 . The maximum value is the largest value in the data
set. The frequency refers to the number of times a data value occurs. The given
frequency table shows that for this data set, the data value 6 occurs three times,
the data value 7 occurs three times, the data value 8 occurs eight times, the
data value 9 occurs eight times, the data value 10 occurs nine times, the data
value 11 occurs eleven times, the data value 12 occurs nine times, the data value
13 occurs zero times, and the data value 14 occurs six times. Therefore, the
maximum data value in the data set is 14 .
QUESTION 21
The correct answer is 5 . The standard form of an equation of a circle in the
2 2
xy-plane is ( x - h) + ( y - k ) = r 2, where h , k , and r are constants, the
coordinates of the center of the circle are (h, k ), and the length of the radius of
2 2
the circle is r . It′s given that an equation of the circle is ( x - 2) + ( y - 9) = r 2 .
Therefore, the center of this circle is (2,9). It’s given that the endpoints of a
diameter of the circle are (2,4) and (2,14). The length of the radius is the distance
from the center of the circle to an endpoint of a diameter of the circle, which can
2 2
be found using the distance formula, ( x1 - x 2 ) + ( y 1 - y 2 ) . Substituting the
center of the circle (2,9) and one endpoint of the diameter (2,4) in this formula
2 2
gives a distance of (2 - 2) + (9 - 4) , or 02 + 52 , which is equivalent to 5 . Since
the distance from the center of the circle to an endpoint of a diameter is 5 , the
value of r is 5 .
QUESTION 22
2π
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the measure of angle R is radians, and
3
5π
the measure of angle T is radians greater than the measure of angle R .
12
2π 5π 2π
Therefore, the measure of angle T is equal to + radians. Multiplying by
3 12 3
4 5π 8π 2π 5π
to get a common denominator with yields . Therefore, + is
4 12 12 3 12
8π 5π
equivalent to + , or 13π . Therefore, the measure of angle T is 13π radians.
12 12 12 12
The measure of angle T , in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in
38 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
180 13π 180
radians, by . This yields ´ , which is equivalent to 195 degrees.
π 12 π
Therefore, the measure of angle T is 195 degrees.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the number of degrees that the measure of angle T
is greater than the measure of angle R . Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure
of angle R , in degrees. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or
calculation errors.
QUESTION 23
Choice D is correct. Since the number of yards in 1 mile is 1,760 , the number of
square yards in 1 square mile is (1,760)(1,760) = 3,097,600 . Therefore, if the area
of the town is 4.36 square miles, it is 4.36(3,097,600) = 13,505,536, in square
yards.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from dividing the number of yards in a mile
by the square mileage of the town. Choice B is incorrect and may result from
multiplying the number of yards in a mile by the square mileage of the town.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from dividing the number of square yards in a
square mile by the square mileage of the town.
QUESTION 24
Choice D is correct. The equation of line h can be written in slope-intercept form
y = mx + b, where m is the slope of the line and (0,b ) is the y-intercept of the
line. It’s given that line h contains the points (18,130), (23,160), and (26,178).
160-130
Therefore, its slope m can be found as , or 6 . Substituting 6 for m in the
23-18
equation y = mx + b yields y = 6 x + b . Substituting 130 for y and 18 for x
in this equation yields 130 = 6(18) + b, or 130 = 108 + b . Subtracting 108 from
both sides of this equation yields 22 = b. Substituting 22 for b in y = 6 x + b
yields y = 6 x + 22 . Since line k is the result of translating line h down 5 units, an
equation of line k is y = 6 x + 22 - 5, or y = 6 x + 17. Substituting 0 for y in this
17
equation yields 0 = 6 x + 17. Solving this equation for x yields x = - . Therefore,
6
the x-intercept of line k is - ( 17
6 ).
,0
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 25
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 = -x 2 + 9 x -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
2
equation in vertex form, y = a ( x - h) + k , the vertex of its graph in the xy-plane is
(h, k ). The given quadratic equation, y = -x 2 + 9x -100, can be rewritten as
39 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 1
æ ö 2
(29) x + ( 29) ÷÷÷ø + (29) -100 , or y = -(x - 29 ) +(- 3194 ). Thus, the value of
2 2
y = -çç x 2 - 2
çè
319
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 26
Choice B is correct. The two given equations are equivalent because the second
equation can be obtained from the first equation by multiplying each side of the
equation by 5 . Thus, the graphs of the equations are coincident, so if a point
lies on the graph of one of the equations, it also lies on the graph of the other
equation. A point ( x , y ) lies on the graph of an equation in the xy-plane if and only
if this point represents a solution to the equation. It is sufficient, therefore, to find
the point that represents a solution to the first given equation. Substituting the
3r 7
x- and y-coordinates of choice B, - + and r , for x and y , respectively, in the
2 2
first equation yields 2 - ( 3r
2
+
7
2 )
+ 3r = 7 , which is equivalent to -3r + 7 + 3r = 7, or
7 = 7. Therefore, the point (3r 7
)
- + , r represents a solution to the first equation
2 2
and thus lies on the graph of each equation in the xy-plane for the given system.
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 104. An equilateral triangle is a triangle in which all three
sides have the same length and all three angles have a measure of 60o . The
height of the triangle, k 3 , is the length of the altitude from one vertex. The
altitude divides the equilateral triangle into two congruent 30-60-90 right
triangles, where the altitude is the side across from the 60o angle in each 30-60-
90 right triangle. Since the altitude has a length of k 3 , it follows from the
properties of 30-60-90 right triangles that the side across from each 30o angle
has a length of k and each hypotenuse has a length of 2k . In this case, the
hypotenuse of each 30-60-90 right triangle is a side of the equilateral triangle;
therefore, each side length of the equilateral triangle is 2k . The perimeter of a
triangle is the sum of the lengths of each side. It’s given that the perimeter of the
equilateral triangle is 624 ; therefore, 2k + 2k + 2k = 624 , or 6k = 624 . Dividing
both sides of this equation by 6 yields k = 104.
40 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2
Math
Module 2
(27 questions)
QUESTION 1
Choice A is correct. It’s given that Tilly earns p dollars for every w hours of
p
work. This can be represented by the proportion . The amount of money, x , Tilly
w
p x
earns for 39w hours of work can be found by setting up the proportion = .
w 39w
This can be rewritten as 39pw = xw . Dividing both sides by w results in x = 39 p .
Choice B is incorrect. This is the amount of money Tilly earns in dollars per hour,
not the amount of money Tilly earns for 39w hours of work. Choice C is incorrect.
This is the amount of money Tilly earns for w hours of work plus 39, not the
amount of money Tilly earns for 39w hours of work. Choice D is incorrect. This is
the amount of money Tilly earns for w hours of work minus 39, not the amount of
money Tilly earns for 39w hours of work.
QUESTION 2
Choice D is correct. It′s given that Juan rides his bike at an average rate of
5.7 minutes per mile. The number of minutes it will take Juan to ride x miles can
be determined by multiplying his average rate by the number of miles, x , which
yields 5.7x . Therefore, the function m ( x ) = 5.7x models the number of minutes it
will take Juan to ride x miles.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice B is incorrect
and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
conceptual errors.
QUESTION 3
Choice B is correct. Adding the second equation in the given system to the first
equation in the given system yields 3 x + (-3 x + y ) = 12 + (-6), which is equivalent
to y = 6.
41 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2
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 4
Choice D is correct. In the given equation, s is the speed, in miles per hour, of a
certain car t seconds after it began to accelerate. Therefore, the speed of the
car, in miles per hour, 5 seconds after it began to accelerate can be found by
substituting 5 for t in the given equation, which yields s = 40 + 3(5), or s = 55 .
Thus, the speed of the car 5 seconds after it began to accelerate is 55 miles per
hour.
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 5
Choice D is correct. By the Pythagorean theorem, if a right triangle has a
hypotenuse with length c and legs with lengths a and b, then c 2 = a2 + b2. In
the right triangle shown, the hypotenuse has length c and the legs have lengths
a and b. It’s given that a = 4 and b = 5. Substituting 4 for a and 5 for b in the
Pythagorean theorem yields c 2 = 42 + 52 . Taking the square root of both sides of
this equation yields c = ± 42 + 52 . Since the length of a side of a triangle must be
positive, the value of c is 42 + 52 .
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 6
The correct answer is 40. Subtracting 5 from both sides of the given equation
yields 4 x = 160 . Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields x = 40 .
Therefore, the solution to the given equation is 40.
QUESTION 7
The correct answer is 7 . It’s given that the x-intercept of the graph shown is ( x ,0).
The graph passes through the point (7,0). Therefore, the value of x is 7 .
QUESTION 8
Choice B is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of a function in the xy-plane is
1
the point on the graph where x = 0. It′s given that f ( x ) = x - 2. Substituting 0
10
1
for x in this equation yields f (0) =
10
(0)- 2, or f (0) = -2. Since it′s given that
y = f ( x ), it follows that y = -2 when x = 0. Therefore, the y-intercept of the
graph of y = f ( x ) in the xy-plane is (0, -2).
42 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2
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 9
Choice D is correct. If the graph of y = g ( x ) is the result of shifting the graph
of y = f ( x ) down k units in the xy-plane, the function g can be defined by an
equation of the form g ( x ) = f ( x )- k . It’s given that f ( x ) = 7x 3 and the graph of
y = g ( x ) is the result of shifting the graph of y = f ( x ) down 2 units. Substituting
7x 3 for f ( x ) and 2 for k in the equation g ( x ) = f ( x )- k yields g ( x ) = 7x 3 - 2.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice B is incorrect
and may result from conceptual errors. Choice C is incorrect. This equation
defines a function g for which the graph of y = g ( x ) is the result of shifting the
graph of y = f ( x ) up, not down, 2 units.
QUESTION 10
Choice A is correct. The solution to a system of equations is the ordered pair
( x , y ) that satisfies all equations in the system. It’s given by the first equation in
the system that x + 7 = 10. Substituting 10 for x + 7 into the second equation
yields 102 = y , or y = 100 . The x-coordinate of the solution to the system
of equations can be found by subtracting 7 from both sides of the equation
x + 7 = 10, which yields x = 3. Therefore, the ordered pair (3, 100) is a solution to
the given system of equations.
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 11
Choice A is correct. Applying the distributive property, the given expression can
be written as 7x 3 + 7x - 6 x 3 + 3 x . Grouping like terms in this expression yields
(7x 3 - 6x 3 ) + (7x + 3x ). Combining like terms in this expression yields x 3 +10 x .
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 A is correct. It’s given that p (n) = 7n 3. Substituting 56 for p (n) in this
equation yields 56 = 7n 3. Dividing each side of this equation by 7 yields 8 = n 3.
Taking the cube root of each side of this equation yields 2 = n . Therefore, when
p (n) is equal to 56, the value of n is 2 .
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.
43 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2
QUESTION 13
The correct answer is 70. Based on the figure, the angle with measure 110o and
the angle vertical to the angle with measure x o are same side interior angles.
Since vertical angles are congruent, the angle vertical to the angle with measure
x o also has measure x o . It’s given that lines s and t are parallel. Therefore, same
side interior angles between lines s and t are supplementary. It follows that
x + 110 = 180 . Subtracting 110 from both sides of this equation yields x = 70 .
QUESTION 14
The correct answer is 10 . The mean of a data set is calculated by dividing the sum
of the data values by the number of data values in the data set. For this data set,
6+8+16+4+17+26+8+5+5+5
the mean can be calculated as , which is equivalent to
10
100
, or 10 .
10
QUESTION 15
t
Choice A is correct. For an exponential function of the form E (t ) = a (b ) , where
a and b are constants, the initial value of the function—that is, the value of the
function when t = 0 —is a and the value of the function increases by a factor
t
of b each time t increases by 1. Since the function E (t ) = 5(1.8) gives the
estimated number of employees at a restaurant and t is the number of years
since the restaurant opened, the best interpretation of the number 5 in this
context is the estimated number of employees when t = 0, or when the restaurant
opened.
Choice B 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 16
Choice B is correct. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form
2
g ( x ) = a ( x - h) + k , where a , h , and k are constants and a > 0, the minimum
value of the function is k . In the given function, a = 1, h = 0, and k = 55. Therefore,
the minimum value of the given function is 55.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of x for which the given function reaches
its minimum value, not the minimum value of the function. 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 17
Choice C is correct. Because the value of the investment increases each
year, the function that best models how the value of the investment changes
over time is an increasing function. It′s given that each year, the value of the
investment increases by 0.49% of its value the previous year. Since the value of
the investment changes by a fixed percentage each year, the function that best
44 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2
models how the value of the investment changes over time is an exponential
function. Therefore, the function that best models how the value of the
investment changes over time is an increasing exponential function.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice B is incorrect
and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
conceptual errors.
QUESTION 18
Choice C is correct. Let x be the 2015 population of Greenville. It’s given that
the population increased by 7% from 2015 to 2016. The increase in population
can be written as (0.07) x . The 2016 population of Greenville is given as the sum
of the 2015 population of Greenville and the increase in population from 2015 to
2016. This can be rewritten as x + (0.07) x , or 1.07x . Therefore, the value of k is
1.07.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the percent, represented as a decimal, that the
population increased from 2015 to 2016, not the value of k . Choice B is incorrect
and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect. This is
the value of k if the population increased by 70% , not 7%, from 2015 to 2016.
QUESTION 19
12
Choice B is correct. Since = 1, multiplying the exponent of the given expression
12 æ öæ ö11 12
æ ö 132 ÷÷
ççç ÷÷÷ççç ÷÷÷ ççç
by 12
12
yields an equivalent expression: aè12øè12ø = aè144 ø. Since
132
ç ÷ç ÷
æ 1 ö
ç ÷÷ 132
144
= 132 (1441 ), the
(132)çççç ÷÷÷÷
expression a 144 can be rewritten as a è144 ø
. Applying properties of exponents,
1 1
this expression can be rewritten as (a132 )144 . An expression of the form (m)k ,
1
where m > 0 and k > 0 , is equivalent to k
m . Therefore, (a132 )144 is equivalent to
144
a132 .
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 20
The correct answer is 16 . The total cost of the party is found by adding the
onetime fee of the venue to the cost per attendee times the number of attendees.
Let x be the number of attendees. The expression 35 + 10.25x thus represents
the total cost of the party. It’s given that the budget is $200 , so this situation
can be represented by the inequality 35 + 10.25 x £ 200 . The greatest number of
attendees can be found by solving this inequality for x . Subtracting 35 from both
sides of this inequality gives 10.25 x £ 165 . Dividing both sides of this inequality
by 10.25 results in approximately x £ 16.098 . Since the question is stated in
terms of attendees, rounding x down to the nearest whole number, 16 , gives the
greatest number of attendees possible.
45 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2
QUESTION 21
The correct answer is 28. The given absolute value equation can be rewritten
as two linear equations: 4 x - 4 = 112 and -(4 x - 4) = 112 , or 4 x - 4 = -112.
Adding 4 to both sides of the equation 4 x - 4 = 112 results in 4 x = 116 . Dividing
both sides of this equation by 4 results in x = 29. Adding 4 to both sides of the
equation 4 x - 4 = -112 results in 4 x = -108. Dividing both sides of this equation
by 4 results in x = -27. Therefore, the two values of x -1 are 29 -1, or 28, and
-27 -1, or -28. Thus, the positive value of x -1 is 28.
Alternate approach: The given equation can be rewritten as 4( x -1) = 112 , which
is equivalent to 4 x -1 = 112 . Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields
x -1 = 28 . This equation can be rewritten as two linear equations: x -1= 28 and
-( x -1) = 28, or x -1= -28. Therefore, the positive value of x -1 is 28.
QUESTION 22
Choice A is correct. The volume of a cube can be found by using the formula
V = s 3, where V is the volume and s is the edge length of the cube. Therefore,
the volume of the given cube is V = 683 , or 314,432 cubic inches. The volume
4
of a sphere can be found by using the formula V = π r 3, where V is the volume
3
and r is the radius of the sphere. Therefore, the volume of the given sphere is
4 3
V = π (34) , or approximately 164,636 cubic inches. The volume of the space
3
in the cube not taken up by the sphere is the difference between the volume of
the cube and volume of the sphere. Subtracting the approximate volume of the
sphere from the volume of the cube gives 314,432 -164,636 = 149,796 cubic
inches.
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
Choice B is correct. The standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane
2 2
is ( x - h) + ( y - k ) = r 2 , where the coordinates of the center of the circle are
(h, k ) and the length 2of the radius
2
of the circle is r . For the circle in the xy-plane
with equation ( x - 5) + ( y - 3) = 16, it follows that r 2 = 16. Taking the square root
of both sides of this equation yields r = 4 or r = -4 . Because r represents the
length of the radius of the circle and this length must be positive, r = 4. Therefore,
the radius of the circle is 4. The diameter of a circle is twice the length of the
radius of the circle. Thus, 2(4) yields 8. Therefore, the diameter of the circle is 8.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the radius of the circle. Choice C is incorrect. This is
the square of the radius of the circle. Choice D is incorrect and may result from
conceptual or calculation errors.
46 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2
QUESTION 24
x -1
Choice C is correct. For the form of the function in choice C, f ( x ) = 128(1.6) ,
1-1 0
the value of f (1) can be found as 128(1.6) , which is equivalent to 128(1.6) , or
x -1
128. Therefore, k = 128, which is shown in f ( x ) = 128(1.6) 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 25
Choice B is correct. Since the model estimates that the number of squirrels in
the population increased by a fixed percentage, 150%, each year, the model can
t
be represented by an exponential equation of the form n = a 1+ ( p
100 ) , where a
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
t
previous year, p = 150 . Substituting 150 for p in the equation n = a 1+
t
( p
100 )
yields n = a 1+ ( 150
100 ) , which is equivalent to n = a(1+1.5) , or n = a(2.5) . It’s given
t t
that the 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
t 1
n = a (2.5) yields 180 = a (2.5) , or 180 = 2.5a . Dividing each side of this equation
t
by 2.5 yields 72 = a . Substituting 72 for a in the equation n = a (2.5) yields
t
n = 72(2.5) .
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.
47 SAT PRACTICE TEST #1 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS