Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

SAT Math Practice Test - Hardest Questions &

Rationales
Important Note: In this Digital SAT Math Practice Test, we picked 19 hard questions for each
skill and knowledge testing point. So, this test does not resemble the typical skill and
knowledge testing point distribution on a Digital SAT Math practice test. Instead, we
wanted to show you the hardest questions you may see in each skill and knowledge testing
point. Therefore, there are fewer questions from Algebra and Advanced Math content domains
and more questions from problem-solving and data analysis and geometry and trigonometry
content domains.

Besides, since these are the hardest questions for each skill and knowledge testing point, it is
very normal that you will spend longer than usual time to solve each question. It is also super
normal that you may score lower than your previous Digital SAT Math Practice tests in this one.
Because a typical Digital SAT Math Practice Test covers easy, medium, and hard questions.
However, this one contains only the hardest questions.

You can learn more in our related article:

Digital SAT Math Practice Test - Hardest Questions

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 1
The equation 9x + 5 =a(x+b), where a and b are constants, has no solutions. Which of the
following must be true?

I. a = 9
II. b = 5
5
III. b ≠
9

A. None
B. I only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only

Rationale:
Answer D.
If we expand the right side of the equation;

9x + 5 = ax + ab.

For a linear equation in the form of ax + b = cx + d, if the coefficients of x are the same and if the
remaining terms are not equal, there are no solutions. Therefore;

If a = 9; and ab ≠ 5, there are no solutions. → I is true.

5
If a is 9, ab = 9b ≠ 5 → b ≠
9
→ III is true.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 2

To earn money for college, Avery works two part-time jobs: A and B. She earns $10 per hour
working at job A and $20 per hour working at job B. In one week, Avery earned a total of s
dollars for working at job B. In one week, Avery earned a total of s dollars for working at the two
part-time jobs. The graph above represents all possible combinations of the number of hours
Avery could have worked at the two jobs to earn s dollars. What is the value of s ?

A. 128
B. 160
C. 200
D. 320

Rationale:
Answer B.
The graph is a part of a linear equation line where the x-intersect is (16, 0), and the y-intersect is
(0, 8). We know that in the slope-intercept form;

y = mx + b → m is the slope, (0, b) is the y-intercept. Therefore, b = 8. If we substitute 8 for b in

the slope-intercept form;

y = mx + 8. Now, we can use the x-intercept point to find the value of m. If we substitute the
x-intercept (16, 0) values in the line equation;

(0) = m(16) + 8. This yields;

0 = 16m + 8. Subtracting 8 from both sides yields;
0 - (8) = 16m + 8 - (8);
- 8 = 16m. Now, if we divide both sides by 8;

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

−8 16𝑚
8
=
8
→ -1 = 2m. If we divide both sides by 2;
−1
m= . If we substitute the m value in the line equation;
2

−1
y= x+8
2

In this graph, x represents the number of hours at job A and y represents the number of hours at
job B. It’s given that the hourly rate for job A is $10, and the hourly rate for job B is $20.
Therefore, the total money Averly will earn will be

s = 10x + 20y. If we substitute the y value in this equation with the line equation;

−1
s = 10x + 20( x + 8). If we expand the parentheses;
2
s = 10x - 10x + 160. This yields;
s = 160

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 3
An object hangs from a spring. The formula l = 30 + 2w relates the length l, in centimeters, of
the spring to the weight w, in newtons, of the object. Which of the following describes the
meaning of the 2 in this context?

A. The length, in centimeters, of the spring with no weight attached

B. The weight, in newtons, of an object that will stretch the spring 30 centimeters
C. The increase in the weight, in newtons, of the object for each one-centimeter increase in the
length of the spring
D. The increase in the length, in centimeters, of the spring for each one-newton increase in the
weight of the object

Rationale:
Answer D.

It’s given that the formula of the length of the spring is;

l = 30 + 2w. When w = 0, meaning when there is no object. If we substitute 0 for w in the

formula;

l = 30 + 2(0) = 30 cm. Therefore, the length of the spring when there is no object is 30 cm.

2w represents the increase in the length of the spring when an object in w newtons is hung.
Therefore;

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 2𝑤

𝑂𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡'𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠
= 𝑤
= 2 is the increase in the length of the spring

for each one-newton increase in the weight of the object.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 4
Store A sells raspberries for $5.50 per pint and blackberries for $3.00 per pint. Store B sells
raspberries for $6.50 per pint and blackberries for $8.00 per pint. A certain purchase of
raspberries and blackberries would cost $37.00 at Store A or $66.00 at Store B. How many
pints of blackberries are in this purchase?

A. 4
B. 5
C. 8
D. 12

Rationale:
Answer B.

Let’s say the certain purchase of x pints of raspberries and y pints of blackberries in this
purchase.

In Store A, the Raspberry price is $5.50 per ping, and the Blackberry price is $3.00 per pint.
This purchase would cost:

5.50x + 3.00y. It is given that this certain purchase would cost $37.00 at store A. Therefore;

5.50x + 3.00y = 37.00 → 1st equation.

In Store B, the Raspberry price is $6.50 per ping, and the Blackberry price is $8.00 per pint.
This purchase would cost:

6.50x + 8.00y. It is given that this certain purchase would cost $66.00 at store A. Therefore;

6.50x + 8.00y = 66.00 → 2nd equation.

Now, we have two equations and we can find the value of x and y. The question asks about the
pints of blackberries, therefore we need the y-value. If we isolate the x value in 1st equation;

5.5x = 37 - 3y. Now, if we divide both sides of the equation by 5.5;

37 − 3𝑦
x= → We can substitute this for x in the 2nd equation.
5.5

37 − 3𝑦
6.5( ) + 8y = 66. Now, solving y will give us the pints of blackberries in this purchase.
5.5

If we multiply both sides by 5.5;

6.5(37-3y) + 8(5.5)y = 66(5.5) This yields;

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

240.5 - 19.5y + 44y = 363 or;

240.5 + 24.5y = 363. If we subtract from both sides 240.5 and divide by 24.5;

363 − 240.5
y= and this yields;
24.5
y = 5 pints.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 5
Ken is working this summer as part of a crew on a farm. He earned $8 per hour for the first 10
hours he worked this week. Because of his performance, his crew leader raised his salary to
$10 per hour for the rest of the week. Ken saves 90% of his earnings from each week. What is
the least number of hours he must work the rest of the week to save at least $270 for the week?

A. 38
B. 33
C. 22
D. 16

Rationale:
Answer C.

It’s given that Ken earned $8 per hour for the first 10 hours of work. Therefore;

8.10 = $80 for the first 10 hours of work. (1)

Let’s say Ken worked x hours for the rest of the work, it is given that after the first 10 hours, his
salary is increased to $10 per hour, therefore;

10.x = 10x dollars earned for the hours in the week.(2)

The total earnings of Ken for the week will be the sum of (1) and (2).

80 + 10x = Ken’s earnings for the week. It’s given that Ken saves 90% of his earnings each
week. 90% of a number is 0.9 multiplied by that number. So;

0.9(80 + 10x) = Ken’s saving for the week. For this amount to be at least $270;

0.9(80 + 10x) ≥ 270. Now, we can solve the x and that will give us the hours Ken must work
after the first 10 hours. If we expand the parentheses;

72 + 9x ≥ 270. If we subtract 72 from both sides;

72 + 9x -(72) ≥ 270 - (72) and this yields;

9x ≥ 198. If we divide both sides by 9;

9x ÷ 9 ≥ 198 ÷ 9 and this yields;

x ≥ 22. Therefore, Ken must work at least 22 hours or more to save at least $270 for the week.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 6
2
𝑥 −𝑐
𝑥−𝑏

In the expression above, b and c are positive integers. If the expression is equivalent to x+b and
x ≠ b, which of the following could be the value of c ?

A. 4
B. 6
C. 8
D. 10

Rationale:
Answer A.

It is given that
2
𝑥 −𝑐
𝑥−𝑏
= 𝑥 + 𝑏. Therefore;

x2 - c = (x + b)(x - b). (A)

In the form of an equation x2 - y2 is equal to;

x2 - y2 = (x + y)(x - y). Therefore, we can write the x2 - c as follows;

x2 - c = (x + 𝑐)(x - 𝑐). If we substitute this in the (A) equation above;

(x + 𝑐)(x - 𝑐) = (x + b)(x - b). Therefore, we can conclude that;

𝑐 = b.

From the given options, only the square root of 4 is a positive integer. All other options’ square
root is not an integer. If we substitute 4 for c in the equation;

4 = 2.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 7
y = x² + 2x + 1

x+y+1=0

If (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) are the two solutions to the system of equations above, what is the value of
y1 + y2 ?

A. -3
B. -2
C. -1
D. 1

Rationale:
Answer D.

The first equation can be rewritten as;

y = (x+1)²

If we isolate the y in the given 2nd equation;

y = - (x+1). If we substitute this in the 1st equation above;

y = (-y)² and this yields;

y = y2. y can be either 0 or 1. y1 = 0, y2 = 1.

y1 + y2 = 0 + 1 = 1

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 8

x f(x)

1 a

2 a5

3 a9

For the exponential function f, the table above shows several values of x and their
corresponding values of f(x), where a is a constant greater than 1. If k is a constant and f(k) =
a29, what is the value of k?

Rationale:
Answer: 8.

For every increase of 1, the power of the a increases by 4 in the function. We can rewrite the
f(x) as follows;

(mx + b)
f(x) = a

Now, let’s find the values of m and b. We can find this by substituting two x values in the
equation.

x = 1 → f(x) = a1 → m(1) + b = 1
x = 2 → f(x) = a5 → m(2) + b = 5

If we solve these two equations;

m+b=1
2m + b = 5. We can subtract the first equation from this one.

2m + b - m - b = 5 - 1. This yields;

m = 4.

m + b = 1, so we can substitute 4 for m in this equation;

4 + b = 1 and b = -3. So the function f(x) can be written as;

(4x - 3)
f(x) = a

If f(k) = a29, then;

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

4k - 3 = 29. Adding 3 to both sides yields;

4k - 3 + 3 = 29 + 3 → 4k = 32 and dividing by 4 yields;

k = 8.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 9
Anita created a batch of green paint by mixing 2 ounces of blue paint with 3 ounces of yellow
paint. She must mix a second batch using the same ratio of blue and yellow paint as the first
batch. If she uses 5 ounces of blue paint for the second batch, how much yellow paint should
Anita use?

A. Exactly 5 ounces
B. 3 ounces more than the amount of yellow paint used in the first batch
C. 1.5 times the amount of yellow paint used in the first batch
D. 1.5 times the amount of blue paint used in the second batch

Rationale:
Answer D.

It’s given that Anita used 2 ounces of blue paint and 3 ounces of yellow paint. So, the ratio is;

𝐵𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡 2 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 2

𝑌𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡
= 3 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠
= 3

If she uses 5 ounces of blue paint for the 2nd batch if we say that she needs x ounces of yellow
paint, the proportion will be as follows;

2 5
3
= 𝑥
If we do a cross-multiplication;

2.x = 3.5 → 2x = 15. This yields;

x = 7.5 ounces of yellow paint.

She used 5 ounces of blue paint in the second batch. Therefore;

7.5 ÷ 5 = 1.5 times the amount of blue paint used in the second batch.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 10
37% of the items in a box are green. Of those, 37% are also rectangular. Of the green
rectangular items, 42% are also metal. Which of the following is closest to the percentage of the
items in the box that are not rectangular green metal items?

A. 1.16%
B. 57.50%
C. 94.25%
D. 98.84%

Rationale:
Answer C.

Let’s say there are x number of items in the box.

37% of the items in the box are green;

37
x.
100
= 0. 37𝑥 is the number of green items. And of those, 37% are also rectangular;

37
0.37x .
100
= 0. 1369𝑥 is the number of green and rectangular items.

It’s given that 42% of the green rectangular items are metal.

42
0. 1369𝑥. 100 = 0. 057498𝑥 is the number of green rectangular metal items.

The question asks the percentage of the items in the box that are not rectangular green metal
items. There were x number of total items in the box. Therefore,

x - 0.057498x = 0.942502x is the number of items in the box that are not rectangular green
metal.

The percentage of the items in the box that are not rectangular green metal is found by dividing
the number of items that are not rectangular green metal by the total number of items and
multiplying it by 100.

𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 0.942502𝑥

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑥
. 100 = 𝑥
. 100

The result yields;

94.2502. The closest option in the choices is 94.25%.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 11
The mean amount of time that the 20 employees of a construction company have worked for the
company is 6.7 years. After one of the employees leaves the company, the mean amount of
time that the remaining employees have worked for the company is reduced to 6.25 years. How
many years did the employee who left the company work for the company?

A. 0.45
B. 2.30
C. 9.00
D. 15.25

Rationale:
Answer D.

The mean of a data set is the total of the data values divided by the number of data values. It’s
given that the mean amount of time that the 20 employees of a construction company have
worked for the company is 6.7 years.

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑌𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝐸𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑒𝑠

20
= 6.7 years.

Total Years of Work of All Employees = 20. 6.7 = 134 years.

Let’s say the leaving employee has a x years of work. When the employee leaves, the total
years of experience of the remaining employees will be;

Total Years of Work of Remaining Employees = 134 - x.

After one employee leaves, there will be 19 employees left. The mean of the remaining
employees is given at 6.25 years. So, the mean equation will be as follows.

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑌𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑒𝑠 134 − 𝑥

19
= 19
= 6.25 years.

134 - x = 19 . 6.25. This yields;

134 - x = 118.75. If we add x to both sides and subtract 118.75 from both sides;

x = 15.25 years.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 12

The scatterplot above shows the size x and the sale price y of 25 houses for sale in Town H.
Which of the following could be an equation for a line of best fit for the data?

A. y = 200x + 100
B. y = 100x + 100
C. y = 50x + 100
D. y = 100x

Rationale:
Answer B.

When drawing a line of best fit, we should follow two rules:

1. Ensure the line has about as many points above it as below.
2. The line should follow the general direction of the data points.

When we draw a line based on these rules, the line of best fit will be as follows.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

In the slope-intercept form of y = mx + b, m is the slope, and (0, b) is the y-intercept of the line.
Our line will pass through (0, 100), therefore, our b value is 100.

Now, let’s find the m value. We can determine two points in the line and then find the slope.

1st Point (3,400). When x = 3, the sale equals 400 thousand dollars on the line of best fit.

2nd Point (1, 200). When x = 1, the sale equals 200 thousand dollars on the line of best fit.

𝑦2 − 𝑦1 400 − 200
𝑚= 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
= 3−1
=100
If we substitute the m and b values in the line equation;

y = 100x + 100

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 13
The table summarizes the distribution of age and assigned group for 90 participants in a study.

One of these participants will be selected at random. What is the probability of selecting a
participant from group A, given that the participant is at least 10 years of age? (Express your
answer as a decimal or fraction, not as a percent.)

Rationale:
Answer: 0.256

The question asks the probability of selecting a participant from group A, and the participant is
at least 10 years of age. When we look at group A, there are two sub-groups which are at least
10 years old;

● 10-19 years: 14 participants

● 20+ years: 9 participants

So, the total number of participants who belong to Group A and are at least 10 years old is 14+9
= 23 participants.

There are a total of 90 participants, so, the probability of selecting a participant from group A
and at least 10 years old is:

23
= 90
=0.256
Note that 23/90, .2556, and 0.256 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 14
The results of two random samples of votes for a proposition are shown above. The samples
were selected from the same population, and the margins of error were calculated using the
same method. Which of the following is the most appropriate reason that the margin of error for
sample A is greater than the margin of error for sample B?

A. Sample A had a smaller number of votes that could not be recorded.

B. Sample A had a higher percentage of favorable responses.
C. Sample A had a larger sample size.
D. Sample A had a smaller sample size.

Rationale:
Answer D.

Margin of Error (MOE): The maximum amount by which the sample statistic is expected to
differ from the true population parameter.

Calculating the Margin of Error:

𝑠
MOE= 𝑧𝑥
𝑛

Factors Affecting the Margin of Error:

● Sample Size: Larger samples produce smaller margins of error.

● Variability: Greater variability in the data increases the margin of error.
● Confidence Level: Higher confidence levels produce larger margins of error.

Given that the sample A has a greater margin of error, it is possible that the sample size is less
than the sample B.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 15
To determine the mean number of children per household in a community, Tabitha surveyed 20
families at a playground. For the 20 families surveyed, the mean number of children per
household was 2.4. Which of the following statements must be true?

A. The mean number of children per household in the community is 2.4.

B. A determination about the mean number of children per household in the community should
not be made because the sample size is too small.
C. The sampling method is flawed and may produce a biased estimate of the mean number of
children per household in the community.
D. The sampling method is not flawed and is likely to produce an unbiased estimate of the mean
number of children per household in the community.

Rationale:
Answer C.

To use a sample mean to estimate the mean for a population, the sample must be
representative of the population (for example, a simple random sample). In this case, Tabitha
surveyed 20 families in a playground. Families in the playground are more likely to have
children than other households in the community. Therefore, the sample isn't representative of
the population. Hence, the sampling method is flawed and may produce a biased estimate.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 16

What is the area, in square units, of the triangle formed by connecting the three points shown?

Rationale:

Answer: 24.5

When we connect the dots, the triangle formed is not a right triangle or the base is not parallel to
the x or y axis. Therefore, it is not easy to calculate the angle of the triangle.

However, if we draw a rectangle circumscribing the triangle, we can subtract the areas of the
new triangles from the area of the rectangle and find the area of the triangle.

Below is our shape:

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

When we connected the dots, we formed the triangle AKL. Since it is not easy to calculate the
area of this triangle, we draw the rectangle ABCD circumscribing the triangle AKL.

Area of the Triangle AKL = Area of Rectangle ABCD - Area of Triangle ABK - Area of Triangle
KCL - Area of Triangle ADL.

Area of Rectangle ABCD = width x length = [Link] = 7 . 8 = 56

1 1 49
Area of Right Triangle ABK = [Link] = 7.7 = = 24.5
2 2 2

1 1 6
Area of Right Triangle KCL= [Link] = 1.6 = =3
2 2 2

1 1 8
Area of Right Triangle ADL= [Link] = 8.1 = =4
2 2 2

If we substitute the values in the formula:

Area of Triangle AKL = 56 - 24.5 - 3 - 4 = 24.5

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 17
In triangle RST, angle T is a right angle, point L lies on RS, point K lies on ST, and LK is parallel
to RT. If the length of RT is 72 units, the length of LK is 24 units, and the area of triangle RST is
792 square units, what is the length of KT, in units?

Rationale:
Answer: 14.66, 14.67, or 44/3

Let’s draw the lines and triangles step-by-step.

Step 1: In triangle RST, angle T is a right angle.

Step 2: point L lies on RS, point K lies on ST, and LK is parallel to RT.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Step 3: The length of RT is 72 units, and the length of LK is 24 units

We’ve drawn the triangles and lines. It's given that the area of the triangle RST is 792 square
units.

1
Area of the Triangle RST = [Link] = 792. If we substitute 72 for RT in this equation, we can
2
find the length of ST.
1
[Link] = 792;
2
[Link]=792 and this yields;

ST=22

As KL is parallel to TR, The triangles SKL and STR are similar. Therefore, the proportion of the
lengths of the sides of the triangles will be the same. We know the lengths of KL and TR,
therefore, we know the proportion.

𝑆𝐾 𝑆𝐿 𝐾𝐿 24 1
𝑆𝑇
= 𝑆𝑅
= 𝑇𝑅
= 72
= 3

If we say the length of KT is x, the length of SK will be 22-x.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

If we write this in the formula;

𝑆𝐾 22−𝑥 1
𝑆𝑇
= 22
= 3

If we do a cross-multiplication;

3(22 - x) = 22. If we expand the parentheses;

66 - 3x = 22. If we add 3x to both sides and subtract 22 from both sides;

3x = 66 - 22 = 44. If we divide both sides by 3;

X = 14.67

(Note that 14.66, 14.67, or 44/4 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.)

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 18
Triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF, where A corresponds to D and C corresponds to F.
Angles C and F are right angles. tan (A) = 3 and DF = 125, what is the length of DE?

3
A. 125
3
3
B. 125
2
C. 125 3
D. 250

Rationale:
Answer D.

Let’s draw the triangles.

ABC is similar to triangle DEF, where A corresponds to D and C corresponds to F. Angles C and
F are right angles.

Since these triangles are similar;

∠A = ∠D, ∠B = ∠E and ∠C = ∠F,

𝐴𝐶 𝐶𝐵 𝐴𝐵
𝐷𝐹
= 𝐹𝐸
= 𝐷𝐸

It’s given that tan (A) = 3.

Since ∠A = ∠D,

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

tan (A) = tan (D) = 3

𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
tan ⁡θ=
𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒
.

Note: There are two ways to proceed from this point onwards, we will show you both ways.
1st Way

Therefore;

𝐹𝐸
tan (D) =
𝐷𝐹
= 3 . It’s given that DF = 125. If we substitute in the formula;

𝐹𝐸
125
= 3 and this yields;

FE= 125 3

Since we know the legs of the right triangle DEF, we can find the length of DE, which is the
hypotenuse.

DE2 = FE2 + DF2 If we substitute the lengths of FE and DF;

DE2 = (125 3)2 + (125)2 → If we use the common factor of 1252 the equation yields;

DE2 = 1252 (( 3)2+12)) and this yields; .4

DE2 = 1252 . 4 → We can 4 as 22.

DE2 = 1252 . 22 → If we apply square root to both sides of this equation;

2 2 2
𝐷𝐸 = 125 . 2 → this yields as

DE = 125.2 = 250.

2nd Way

tan (A) = tan (D) = 3 → meaning A = D = 60°. We can conclude that DEF is a special right
triangle with angles measuring 30°, 60° and 90°.

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

1 𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐷𝐹 125

sin 30° =
2
=
𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒
= 𝐷𝐸
= 𝐷𝐸

If we do cross-multiplication;

DE = 2.125 = 250

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

Question 19
In the xy-plane, the graph of 2x2 - 6x + 2y2 + 2y = 45 is a circle. What is the radius of the circle?

A. 5
B. 6.5
C. 40
D. 50

Rationale:
Answer A.

The standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane is

(x-h)2 + (y-k)2 = r2 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 the circle is r.

Therefore, we need to rewrite the given equation in the standard form of an equation of a circle
to find the radius of the circle.
If we divide both sides of the given equation by 2;

(2x2 - 6x + 2y2 + 2y) ÷ 2 = 45 ÷ 2; the equation yields;

x2 - 3x + y2 + y = 22.5

We will rewrite the x terms and y terms in a way to construct (x-h)2 and (y-h)2. Let’s start with x
terms.

If there is an equation in the form of x2 - ax, we can rewrite this in the form of
𝑎 2 𝑎 2
x2 + ax = (x + ) − ( )
2 2
Now, let’s use this;

x2 - 3x → We can rewrite this as follows;

x2 - 3x = (x - 1.5)2 - 2.25 (I)

y2 + y → We can rewrite this as follows;

y2 + y = (y + 0.5)2 - 0.25 (II)

If we substitute (I) and (II) in the equation;

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Digital SAT Math Prep Through Questions Program Material

(x - 1.5)2 - 2.25 + (y + 0.5)2 - 0.25 = 22.5 . If we add 2.5 to both sides of the equation, it yields;

(x - 1.5)2 + (y + 0.5)2 = 25 → This is a standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane is

where the center of the circle is (1.5, -0.5), and the length of the radius of the circle is 5.

r2 = 25 → r = 5

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