Question ID 3e4e3220
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard
ID: 3e4e3220
The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where and is a quadratic
function. What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?
ID: 3e4e3220 Answer
Correct Answer: -2112
Rationale
The correct answer is -2,112. It's given that 𝑓 is a quadratic function. It follows that 𝑓 can be defined by an equation of the
form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are constants. It's also given that the table shows three values of 𝑥 and their
corresponding values of 𝑦, where 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 for 𝑓𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 + 4. This
equation represents a quadratic relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦, where 𝑘 + 4 is either the maximum or the minimum value
of 𝑦, which occurs when 𝑥 = ℎ. For quadratic relationships between 𝑥 and 𝑦, the maximum or minimum value of 𝑦 occurs
at the value of 𝑥 halfway between any two values of 𝑥 that have the same corresponding value of 𝑦. The table shows that
x-values of 21 and 25 correspond to the same y-value, -8. Since 23 is halfway between 21 and 25, the maximum or
minimum value of 𝑦 occurs at an x-value of 23. The table shows that when 𝑥 = 23, 𝑦 = 8. It follows that ℎ = 23 and
𝑘 + 4 = 8. Subtracting 4 from both sides of the equation 𝑘 + 4 = 8 yields 𝑘 = 4. Substituting 23 for ℎ and 4 for 𝑘 in the
equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 + 4 yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 232 + 4 + 4, or 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 232 + 8. The value of 𝑎 can be found by substituting any
x-value and its corresponding y-value for 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, in this equation. Substituting 25 for 𝑥 and -8 for 𝑦 in this
equation yields -8 = 𝑎25 - 232 + 8, or -8 = 𝑎22 + 8. Subtracting 8 from both sides of this equation yields -16 = 𝑎22 , or
-16 = 4𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields -4 = 𝑎. Substituting -4 for 𝑎, 23 for ℎ, and 4 for 𝑘 in the equation
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = - 4𝑥 - 232 + 4. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is the point on the graph
where 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 4𝑥 - 232 + 4 yields 𝑓0 = - 40 - 232 + 4, or 𝑓0 = - 4-232 + 4. This is
equivalent to 𝑓0 = - 2,112, so the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, - 2,112. Thus, the y-coordinate of
the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is -2,112.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID eb92492d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard
ID: eb92492d
The area of a triangle is equal to square centimeters. The length of the base of the triangle is centimeters,
and the height of the triangle is centimeters. What is the value of ?
ID: eb92492d Answer
Correct Answer: 110
Rationale
The correct answer is 110. The area of a triangle is equal to one half of the product of the length of the base of the
triangle and the height of the triangle. It's given that the length of the base of the triangle is 2𝑥 + 22 centimeters and the
1
height of the triangle is 𝑥 - 10 centimeters; therefore, its area is
2
(2𝑥 + 22) (𝑥 - 10) square centimeters. It's also given
1
that the area of the triangle is equal to 𝑥2 square centimeters. Therefore, it follows that (2𝑥 + 22) (𝑥 - 10) = 𝑥2 . This
2
equation can be rewritten as ( 𝑥 + 11 ) ( 𝑥 - 10 ) = 𝑥2 , or 𝑥2 + 𝑥 - 110 = 𝑥2 . Subtracting 𝑥2 from both sides of this equation
yields 𝑥 - 110 = 0. Adding 110 to both sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = 110. Therefore, the value of 𝑥 is 110.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID eec1aa3e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard
ID: eec1aa3e
The function is defined by , where . What is the product of and ?
ID: eec1aa3e Answer
Correct Answer: 609
Rationale
𝑥
The correct answer is 609. It’s given that the function 𝑔 is defined by 𝑔𝑥 = - 14, where 𝑎 < 0. Substituting 15𝑎 for 𝑥 in
𝑎
15𝑎 15𝑎 𝑎
function 𝑔 yields 𝑔15𝑎 = - 14. This function can be rewritten as 𝑔15𝑎 = - 14, or 𝑔15𝑎 = 15 𝑎 - 14. Since 𝑎 < 0, it follows
𝑎 𝑎
𝑎
that
𝑎
= - 1. Substituting -1 for 𝑎𝑎 in 𝑔15𝑎 = 15 𝑎𝑎 - 14 yields 𝑔 ( 15𝑎 ) = 15 ( - 1 ) - 14, or 𝑔 ( 15𝑎 ) = - 29. Similarly, substituting
7𝑎 for 𝑥 in function 𝑔 yields 𝑔7𝑎 = 7𝑎𝑎 - 14. This function can be rewritten as 𝑔7𝑎 = 7𝑎𝑎 - 14, or 𝑔7𝑎 = 7 𝑎𝑎 - 14. Since 𝑎 < 0, it
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
again follows that = - 1. Substituting -1 for in 𝑔7𝑎 = 7 - 14 yields 𝑔 ( 7𝑎 ) = 7 ( - 1 ) - 14, or 𝑔 ( 7𝑎 ) = - 21. Therefore,
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
𝑔 ( 15𝑎 ) = - 29 and 𝑔 ( 7𝑎 ) = - 21. Thus, the product of 𝑔 ( 15𝑎 ) and 𝑔 ( 7𝑎 ) is ( - 29 ) ( - 21 ) , or 609.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 23923e5b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard
ID: 23923e5b
A quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms of the time, in seconds, after the
object is launched off an elevated surface. The model indicates the object has an initial height of feet above the
ground and reaches its maximum height of feet above the ground seconds after being launched. Based on the
model, what is the height, in feet, of the object above the ground seconds after being launched?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 23923e5b Answer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that a quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms
of the time, in seconds, after the object is launched off an elevated surface. This quadratic function can be defined by an
2
equation of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑓𝑥 is the height of the object 𝑥 seconds after it was launched, and 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘
are constants such that the function reaches its maximum value, 𝑘, when 𝑥 = ℎ. Since the model indicates the object
reaches its maximum height of 1,034 feet above the ground 8 seconds after being launched, 𝑓𝑥 reaches its maximum
value, 1,034, when 𝑥 = 8. Therefore, 𝑘 = 1,034 and ℎ = 8. Substituting 8 for ℎ and 1,034 for 𝑘 in the function
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 82 + 1,034. Since the model indicates the object has an initial height of 10 feet above the
ground, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 10 when 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 10 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 82 + 1,034 yields
10 = 𝑎0 - 82 + 1,034, or 10 = 64𝑎 + 1,034. Subtracting 1,034 from both sides of this equation yields 64𝑎 = - 1,024. Dividing
both sides of this equation by 64 yields 𝑎 = - 16. Therefore, the model can be represented by the equation
𝑓𝑥 = - 16𝑥 - 82 + 1,034. Substituting 10 for 𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑓10 = - 1610 - 82 + 1,034, or 𝑓10 = 970. Therefore,
based on the model, 10 seconds after being launched, the height of the object above the ground is 970 feet.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID b9b42f28
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions Hard
ID: b9b42f28
Function is a quadratic function where and . The graph of in the xy-plane has a
vertex at . What is the value of ?
ID: b9b42f28 Answer
Correct Answer: -12
Rationale
The correct answer is -12. It’s given that function 𝑓 is a quadratic function where 𝑓 ( - 20 ) = 0 and 𝑓 ( - 4 ) = 0. It follows
that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) in the xy-plane passes through the points ( - 20, 0 ) and ( - 4, 0 ) . When the graph of a
quadratic function contains two points ( 𝑎, 0 ) and ( 𝑏, 0 ) , the x-coordinate of the vertex of the graph is the average of 𝑎
-20 + -4
and 𝑏. Therefore, the x-coordinate of the vertex of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) is , or -12. It's given that the graph of
2
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) in the xy-plane has a vertex at ( 𝑟, - 64 ) . It follows that the value of 𝑟 is -12.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 960aabc0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard
in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables
ID: 960aabc0
In the xy-plane, a line with equation for some constant intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the
parabola has equation , what is the value of ?
ID: 960aabc0 Answer
Correct Answer: 20.25, 81/4
Rationale
81
The correct answer is
4
. The given linear equation is 2𝑦 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = 2𝑐 .
𝑐 𝑐
Substituting for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields = - 2𝑥2 + 9𝑥. Adding 2𝑥2 and -9𝑥 to both sides of this equation
2 2
𝑐
yields 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0. Since it’s given that the line and the parabola intersect at exactly one point, the equation
2
2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 must have exactly one solution. An equation of the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are
2
𝑐
constants, has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶, is equal to 0. In the equation 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0, where
2
𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = - 9, and 𝐶 = 2𝑐 , the discriminant is -92 - 42 2𝑐 . Setting the discriminant equal to 0 yields -92 - 42 2𝑐 = 0, or 81 - 4𝑐 = 0.
81
Adding 4𝑐 to both sides of this equation yields 81 = 4𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 𝑐 = . Note that
4
81/4 and 20.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 59cf1dd3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard
in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables
ID: 59cf1dd3
How many distinct real solutions does the given equation have?
A. Exactly one
B. Exactly two
C. Infinitely many
D. Zero
ID: 59cf1dd3 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Any quantity that is positive or negative in value has a positive value when squared. Therefore, the
left-hand side of the given equation is either positive or zero for any value of 𝑥. Since the right-hand side of the given
equation is negative, there is no value of 𝑥 for which the given equation is true. Thus, the number of distinct real solutions
for the given equation is zero.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 33cc7555
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard
in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables
ID: 33cc7555
What is the positive solution to the given equation?
ID: 33cc7555 Answer
Correct Answer: 9
Rationale
The correct answer is 9. The given equation can be rewritten as 54 - 𝑥 = 25. Dividing each side of this equation by 5 yields
4 - 𝑥 = 5. By the definition of absolute value, if 4 - 𝑥 = 5, then 4 - 𝑥 = 5 or 4 - 𝑥 = - 5. Subtracting 4 from each side of the
equation 4 - 𝑥 = 5 yields -𝑥 = 1. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 𝑥 = - 1. Similarly, subtracting 4 from each
side of the equation 4 - 𝑥 = - 5 yields -𝑥 = - 9. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 𝑥 = 9. Therefore, since the
two solutions to the given equation are -1 and 9, the positive solution to the given equation is 9.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 9f13fad1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard
in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables
ID: 9f13fad1
In the given equation, is a constant. The equation has exactly one solution. What is the value of ?
ID: 9f13fad1 Answer
Correct Answer: -1
Rationale
The correct answer is -1. A quadratic equation in the form 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has exactly
2
one solution when its discriminant, 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to 0. In the given equation, -16𝑥2 - 8𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, 𝑎 = - 16 and 𝑏 = - 8.
2
Substituting -16 for 𝑎 and -8 for 𝑏 in 𝑏 - 4𝑎𝑐 yields -82 - 4-16𝑐, or 64 + 64𝑐. Since the given equation has exactly one
solution, 64 + 64𝑐 = 0. Subtracting 64 from both sides of this equation yields 64𝑐 = - 64. Dividing both sides of this
equation by 64 yields 𝑐 = - 1. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is -1.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 37cf569f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations Hard
in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables
ID: 37cf569f
What is the sum of the solutions to the given equation?
ID: 37cf569f Answer
Correct Answer: 94
Rationale
The correct answer is 94. Taking the square root of each side of the given equation yields 𝑥 - 47 = 1 or 𝑥 - 47 = - 1. Adding
47 to both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 47 = 1 yields 𝑥 = 48. Adding 47 to both sides of the equation 𝑥 - 47 = - 1 yields 𝑥 = 46.
Therefore, the sum of the solutions to the given equation is 48 + 46, or 94.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID eafd61d3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard
expressions
ID: eafd61d3
The expression is equivalent to the expression , where , , and are constants.
What is the value of ?
ID: eafd61d3 Answer
Correct Answer: -419
Rationale
The correct answer is -419. It's given that the expression 3𝑥 - 2319𝑥 + 6 is equivalent to the expression 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where
𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants. Applying the distributive property to the given expression, 3𝑥 - 2319𝑥 + 6, yields
3𝑥19𝑥 + 3𝑥6 - 2319𝑥 - 236, which can be rewritten as 57𝑥2 + 18𝑥 - 437𝑥 - 138. Combining like terms yields 57𝑥2 - 419𝑥 - 138.
Since this expression is equivalent to 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that the value of 𝑏 is -419.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 05cec180
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard
expressions
ID: 05cec180
Which expression is equivalent to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 05cec180 Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
4
Choice D is correct. The expression
4𝑥 - 5
- 𝑥 +1 1 can be rewritten as 4𝑥4- 5 + 𝑥 -1+ 1 . To add the two terms of this expression,
𝑥+1
the terms can be rewritten with a common denominator. Since = 1, the expression 4 can be rewritten as 𝑥 + 14 .
𝑥+1 4𝑥 - 5 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5
4𝑥 - 5 -1 4𝑥 - 5-1 4 -1
Since
4𝑥 - 5
= 1 , the expression
𝑥+1
can be rewritten as
4𝑥 - 5𝑥 + 1
. Therefore, the expression
4𝑥 - 5
+ 𝑥+1
can be rewritten as
𝑥 + 14 4𝑥 - 5-1 𝑥 + 14 + 4𝑥 - 5-1
𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5
+ 4𝑥 - 5𝑥 + 1
, which is equivalent to
𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5
. Applying the distributive property to each term of the numerator
4𝑥 + 4 + -4𝑥 + 5 4𝑥 + -4𝑥 + 4 + 5 9
yields , or . Adding like terms in the numerator yields .
𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5 𝑥 + 14𝑥 - 5
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 3138e379
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard
expressions
ID: 3138e379
For what value of is the given expression equivalent to , where ?
ID: 3138e379 Answer
Correct Answer: .0177, .0178, 4/225
Rationale
4
The correct answer is
225
. An expression of the form √𝑎 , where 𝑘 is an integer greater than 1 and 𝑎 ≥ 0, is equivalent to
𝑘
1 1 12
𝑎 Therefore, the given expression, where 𝑛 > 1, is equivalent to 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 6 . Applying properties of exponents, this
𝑘.
1 1 1 1 1 1 8
·2 +
expression can be rewritten as 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 6 , or 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 3 , which can be rewritten as 70𝑛 5 3 , or 70𝑛 15 . It's given that the
2 8
expression 5√70𝑛 6√70𝑛 is equivalent to 70𝑛30𝑥 , where 𝑛 > 1. It follows that 70𝑛 15 is equivalent to 70𝑛30𝑥 . Therefore,
8 8 4
15
= 30𝑥. Dividing both sides of this equation by 30 yields 450 = 𝑥, or 225 = 𝑥. Thus, the value of 𝑥 for which the given
30𝑥 4
expression is equivalent to 70𝑛 , where 𝑛 > 1, is . Note that 4/225, .0177, .0178, 0.017, and 0.018 are examples of
225
ways to enter a correct answer.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 6b56736a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard
expressions
ID: 6b56736a
Which of the following expressions is(are) a factor of ?
I.
II.
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II
D. Neither I nor II
ID: 6b56736a Answer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The given expression can be factored by first finding two values whose sum is 20 and whose product
is 3-63, or -189. Those two values are 27 and -7. It follows that the given expression can be rewritten as 3𝑥2 + 27𝑥 - 7𝑥 - 63.
Since the first two terms of this expression have a common factor of 3𝑥 and the last two terms of this expression have a
common factor of -7, this expression can be rewritten as 3𝑥𝑥 + 9 - 7𝑥 + 9. Since the two terms of this expression have a
common factor of 𝑥 + 9, it can be rewritten as 3𝑥 - 7𝑥 + 9. Therefore, expression II, 3𝑥 - 7, is a factor of 3𝑥2 + 20𝑥 - 63, but
expression I, 𝑥 - 9, is not a factor of 3𝑥2 + 20𝑥 - 63.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID bcbf0e45
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent Hard
expressions
ID: bcbf0e45
One of the factors of is , where is a positive constant. What is the smallest possible value
of ?
ID: bcbf0e45 Answer
Correct Answer: 8
Rationale
The correct answer is 8. Since each term of the given expression, 2𝑥3 + 42𝑥2 + 208𝑥, has a factor of 2𝑥, the expression
can be rewritten as 2𝑥𝑥2 + 2𝑥21𝑥 + 2𝑥104, or 2𝑥𝑥2 + 21𝑥 + 104. Since the values 8 and 13 have a sum of 21 and a product
of 104, the expression 𝑥2 + 21𝑥 + 104 can be factored as 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 13. Therefore, the given expression can be factored as
2𝑥𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 13. It follows that the factors of the given expression are 2, 𝑥, 𝑥 + 8, and 𝑥 + 13. Of these factors, only 𝑥 + 8
and 𝑥 + 13 are of the form 𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑏 is a positive constant. Therefore, the possible values of 𝑏 are 8 and 13. Thus, the
smallest possible value of 𝑏 is 8.
Question Difficulty: Hard