Question ID 85939da5

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 85939da5

Texting Talks on cell Does not talk on

behavior phone daily cell phone daily Total

Light 110 146 256

Medium 139 164 303

Heavy 166 74 240

Total 415 384 799

In a study of cell phone use, 799 randomly selected US teens were asked how
often they talked on a cell phone and about their texting behavior. The data are
summarized in the table above. Based on the data from the study, an estimate of
the percent of US teens who are heavy texters is 30% and the associated margin of
error is 3%. Which of the following is a correct statement based on the given
margin of error?

A. Approximately 3% of the teens in the study who are classified as heavy texters are not really heavy texters.

B. It is not possible that the percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is less than 27%.

C. The percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is 33%.

D. It is doubtful that the percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is 35%.

ID: 85939da5 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The given margin of error of 3% indicates that the actual percent of all US teens who are heavy texters is
likely within 3% of the estimate of 30%, or between 27% and 33%. Therefore, it is unlikely, or doubtful, that the percent of all
US teens who are heavy texters would be 35%.

Choice A is incorrect. The margin of error doesn’t provide any information about the accuracy of reporting in the study.
Choice B is incorrect. Based on the estimate and given margin of error, it is unlikely that the percent of all US teens who are
heavy texters would be less than 27%, but it is possible. Choice C is incorrect. While the percent of all US teens who are
heavy texters is likely between 27% and 33%, any value within this interval is equally likely. We can’t be certain that the value
is exactly 33%.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID d28c29e1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: d28c29e1

The International Space Station orbits Earth at an average speed of 4.76 miles per
second. What is the space station’s average speed in miles per hour?

A. 285.6

B. 571.2

C. 856.8

D. 17,136.0

ID: d28c29e1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 1 minute = 60 seconds and 1 hour = 60 minutes, it follows that 1 hour = (60)(60), or 3,600
seconds. Using this conversion factor, the space station’s average speed of 4.76 miles per second is equal to an average

speed of , or 17,136 miles per hour.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the space station’s average speed in miles per minute. Choice B is incorrect. This is double the
space station’s average speed in miles per minute, or the number of miles the space station travels on average in 2 minutes.
Choice C is incorrect. This is triple the space station’s average speed in miles per minute, or the number of miles the space
station travels on average in 3 minutes.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1adb39f0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 1adb39f0

The scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables, x and y. A line of
best fit for the data is also shown. Which of the following is closest to the
difference between the y-coordinate of the data point with and the y-value
predicted by the line of best fit at ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 5

D. 12

ID: 1adb39f0 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The data point with has a y-coordinate of 12. The y-value predicted by the line of best fit at
is approximately 11. The difference between the y-coordinate of the data point and the y-value predicted by the line of best fit
at is , or 1.

Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly reading the scatterplot. Choice D is incorrect. This is the y-
coordinate of the data point at .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID b4912cc5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: b4912cc5

The population density of Iceland, in people per square kilometer of land area,
increased from 2.5 in 1990 to 3.3 in 2014. During this time period, the land area of
Iceland was 100,250 square kilometers. By how many people did Iceland’s
population increase from 1990 to 2014?

A. 330,825

B. 132,330

C. 125,312

D. 80,200

ID: b4912cc5 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The increase in Iceland’s population can be found by multiplying the increase in population density, in
people per square kilometer, by the area, in square kilometers. It’s given that the population density of Iceland was 2.5 people
per square kilometer in 1990 and 3.3 people per square kilometer in 2014. The increase in population density can be found
by subtracting 2.5 from 3.3, which yields 0.8. It’s given that the land area of Iceland was 100,250 square kilometers. Thus, the
increase in population is , or 80,200.

Alternate approach: It’s given that the population density of Iceland, in people per square kilometer of land area, in 1990 was
2.5. Since the land area of Iceland was 100,250 square kilometers, it follows that the population of Iceland in 1990 was
, or 250,625. Similarly, the population of Iceland in 2014 was , or 330,825. The population
increase is the difference in the population from 1990 to 2014, or , which yields 80,200. Therefore,
Iceland’s population increased by 80,200 from 1990 to 2014.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the population of Iceland in 2014. Choice B is incorrect and may result from dividing 3.3 by 2.5,
instead of subtracting 2.5 from 3.3. Choice C is incorrect and may result from dividing the population of Iceland in 1990 by 2.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c7e73ece
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: c7e73ece
Views on Nuclear Energy
Use
Response Frequency

Strongly favor 56

Somewhat
214
favor

Somewhat
104
oppose

Strongly
37
oppose

A researcher interviewed 411 randomly selected US residents and asked about their views on the use of nuclear energy. The
table above summarizes the responses of the interviewees. If the population of the United States was 300 million when the
survey was given, based on the sample data for the 411 US residents, what is the best estimate, in millions, of the difference
between the number of US residents who somewhat favor or strongly favor the use of nuclear energy and the number of
those who somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it? (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.)

ID: c7e73ece Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 94. Of those interviewed, “strongly favor” or “somewhat favor” the use of nuclear
energy, and interviewees “somewhat oppose” or “strongly oppose” the use of nuclear energy. The difference
between the sizes of the two surveyed groups is . The proportion of this difference among the entire group

of interviewees is . Because the sample of interviewees was selected at random from US residents, it is reasonable to
assume that the proportion of this difference is the same among all US residents as in the sample. Therefore, the best
estimate, in millions, of the difference between the number of US residents who somewhat favor or strongly favor the use of

nuclear energy and the number of those who somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it is , which to the nearest
million is 94.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3726e079
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 3726e079

If and , what is the value of ?

ID: 3726e079 Answer

Correct Answer: 24

Rationale
24𝑥 24 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
The correct answer is 24. The equation 𝑛𝑦
= 4 can be rewritten as
𝑛 𝑦
= 4. It's given that
𝑦
= 4. Substituting 4 for
𝑦
in the
24 𝑥 24
equation 𝑛 𝑦
= 4 yields
𝑛
4 = 4. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑛 yields 244 = 4𝑛. Dividing both sides of this
equation by 4 yields 24 = 𝑛. Therefore, the value of 𝑛 is 24.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8e528129
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 8e528129

Pure beeswax has a density of 0.555 ounce per cubic inch. An online company
sells pure beeswax at a price of $8.00 per ounce. What is the selling price, in
dollars per cubic inch, for pure beeswax purchased from this company?

ID: 8e528129 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 4.44. The selling price, in dollars per cubic inch, is found by multiplying the density, in ounces per cubic

inch, by the unit price, in dollars per ounce: yields . Thus, the selling price, in
dollars per cubic inch, is 4.44.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 53d97af5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 53d97af5

A study was done on the weights of different types of fish in a pond. A random
sample of fish were caught and marked in order to ensure that none were weighed
more than once. The sample contained 150 largemouth bass, of which 30%
weighed more than 2 pounds. Which of the following conclusions is best
supported by the sample data?

A. The majority of all fish in the pond weigh less than 2 pounds.

B. The average weight of all fish in the pond is approximately 2 pounds.

C. Approximately 30% of all fish in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.

D. Approximately 30% of all largemouth bass in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.

ID: 53d97af5 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The sample of 150 largemouth bass was selected at random from all the largemouth bass in the pond,
and since 30% of the fish in the sample weighed more than 2 pounds, it can be concluded that approximately 30% of all
largemouth bass in the pond weigh more than 2 pounds.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Since the sample contained 150 largemouth bass, of which 30% weighed more than 2
pounds, this result can be generalized only to largemouth bass in the pond, not to all fish in the pond.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9bb4107c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 9bb4107c

The graph shows the momentum , in newton-seconds, of an object seconds after the object started moving, for
. What is the average rate of change, in newton-seconds per second, in the momentum of the object from
to ?

ID: 9bb4107c Answer

Correct Answer: .5, 1/2

Rationale
1
The correct answer is 2 . For the graph shown, 𝑥 represents time, in seconds, and 𝑦 represents momentum, in newton-
seconds. Therefore, the average rate of change, in newton-seconds per second, in the momentum of the object between two
x-values is the difference in the corresponding y-values divided by the difference in the x-values. The graph shows that at
𝑥 = 2, the corresponding y-value is 6. The graph also shows that at 𝑥 = 6, the corresponding y-value is 8. It follows that the
8-6 2 1
average rate of change, in newton-seconds per second, from 𝑥 = 2 to 𝑥 = 6 is 6-2
, which is equivalent to 4 , or 2 . Note that
1/2 and .5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 82c8325f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 82c8325f

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at and the point lies on the circle. Which equation represents this
circle?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 82c8325f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
2 2
Choice D is correct. A circle in the xy-plane can be represented by an equation of the form 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where ℎ, 𝑘 is
the center of the circle and 𝑟 is the length of a radius of the circle. It's given that the circle has its center at -4, 5. Therefore,
2 2 2 2
ℎ = - 4 and 𝑘 = 5. Substituting -4 for ℎ and 5 for 𝑘 in the equation 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 - -4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2 , or
2 2
𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2 . It's also given that the point -8, 8 lies on the circle. Substituting -8 for 𝑥 and 8 for 𝑦 in the equation
2 2 2 2 2 2
𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2 yields -8 + 4 + 8 - 5 = 𝑟2 , or -4 + 3 = 𝑟2 , which is equivalent to 16 + 9 = 𝑟2 , or 25 = 𝑟2 . Substituting
2 2 2 2 2 2
25 for 𝑟2 in the equation 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 25. Thus, the equation 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 25 represents
the circle.

Choice A is incorrect. The circle represented by this equation has its center at 4, - 5, not -4, 5, and the point -8, 8 doesn't lie on
the circle.

Choice B is incorrect. The point -8, 8 doesn't lie on the circle represented by this equation.

Choice C is incorrect. The circle represented by this equation has its center at 4, - 5, not -4, 5, and the point -8, 8 doesn't lie on
the circle.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 6a3fbec3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 6a3fbec3

In the figure above, and .

What is the length of ?

ID: 6a3fbec3 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 4.5. According to the properties of right triangles, BD divides triangle ABC into two similar triangles,
ABD and BCD. The corresponding sides of ABD and BCD are proportional, so the ratio of BD to AD is the same as the ratio of

DC to BD. Expressing this information as a proportion gives . Solving the proportion for DC results in .
Note that 4.5 and 9/2 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4ff7b652
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 4ff7b652

Right triangles and are similar, where and correspond to and , respectively. Angle has a measure
of . What is the measure of angle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4ff7b652 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
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 53°, then the measure of angle 𝑄 is also 53°.

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 Difficulty: Medium

Question ID acd30391
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: acd30391

A circle in the xy-plane has equation . Which of the

following points does NOT lie in the interior of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: acd30391 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The circle with equation has center and radius 5. For a point to be inside
of the circle, the distance from that point to the center must be less than the radius, 5. The distance between and

is , which is greater than 5. Therefore, does NOT lie in the

interior of the circle.

Choice A is incorrect. The distance between and is , which

is less than 5, and therefore lies in the interior of the circle. Choice B is incorrect because it is the center of the circle.

Choice C is incorrect because the distance between and is , which

is less than 5, and therefore in the interior of the circle.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 17912810
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 17912810

In the figure, parallel lines and are intersected by lines and . If and , what is the value of ?

ID: 17912810 Answer

Correct Answer: 101/2, 50.5

Rationale
101
The correct answer is 2
. In the figure, lines 𝑞, 𝑟, and 𝑠 form a triangle. One interior angle of this triangle is vertical to the
angle marked 𝑎°; therefore, the interior angle also has measure 𝑎°. It's given that 𝑎 = 43. Therefore, the interior angle of the
triangle has measure 43°. A second interior angle of the triangle forms a straight line, 𝑞, with the angle marked 𝑏°. Therefore,
the sum of the measures of these two angles is 180°. It's given that 𝑏 = 122. Therefore, the angle marked 𝑏° has measure
122° and the second interior angle of the triangle has measure 180 - 122°, or 58°. The sum of the interior angles of a triangle
is 180°. Therefore, the measure of the third interior angle of the triangle is 180 - 43 - 58°, or 79°. It's given that parallel lines 𝑞
and 𝑡 are intersected by line 𝑟. It follows that the triangle's interior angle with measure 79° is congruent to the same side
interior angle between lines 𝑞 and 𝑡 formed by lines 𝑡 and 𝑟. Since this angle is supplementary to the two angles marked 𝑤°,
the sum of 79°, 𝑤°, and 𝑤° is 180°. It follows that 79 + 𝑤 + 𝑤 = 180, or 79 + 2𝑤 = 180. Subtracting 79 from both sides of this
101
equation yields 2𝑤 = 101. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑤 = 2
. Note that 101/2 and 50.5 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fb58c0db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: fb58c0db

Points A and B lie on a circle with radius 1, and arc has length . What

fraction of the circumference of the circle is the length of arc ?

ID: fb58c0db Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . The circumference, C, of a circle is , where r is the length of the radius of the circle. For

the given circle with a radius of 1, the circumference is , or . To find what fraction of the circumference

the length of arc is, divide the length of the arc by the circumference, which gives . This division can be

represented by . Note that 1/6, .1666, .1667, 0.166, and 0.167 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0815a5af
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 0815a5af

The circle shown has center , circumference , and diameters and . The length of arc is twice the length
of arc . What is the length of arc ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0815a5af Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
Choice B is correct. Since 𝑃𝑅 and 𝑄𝑆 are diameters of the circle shown, 𝑂𝑆, 𝑂𝑅, 𝑂𝑃, and 𝑂𝑄 are radii of the circle and are
therefore congruent. Since ∠𝑆𝑂𝑃 and ∠𝑅𝑂𝑄 are vertical angles, they are congruent. Therefore, arc 𝑃𝑆 and arc 𝑄𝑅 are formed
by congruent radii and have the same angle measure, so they are congruent arcs. Similarly, ∠𝑆𝑂𝑅 and ∠𝑃𝑂𝑄 are vertical
angles, so they are congruent. Therefore, arc 𝑆𝑅 and arc 𝑃𝑄 are formed by congruent radii and have the same angle measure,
so they are congruent arcs. Let 𝑥 represent the length of arc 𝑆𝑅. Since arc 𝑆𝑅 and arc 𝑃𝑄 are congruent arcs, the length of arc
𝑃𝑄 can also be represented by 𝑥. It’s given that the length of arc 𝑃𝑆 is twice the length of arc 𝑃𝑄. Therefore, the length of arc
𝑃𝑆 can be represented by the expression 2𝑥. Since arc 𝑃𝑆 and arc 𝑄𝑅 are congruent arcs, the length of arc 𝑄𝑅 can also be
represented by 2𝑥. This gives the expression 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥. Since it's given that the circumference is 144𝜋, the expression
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 is equal to 144𝜋. Thus 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 144𝜋, or 6𝑥 = 144𝜋. Dividing both sides of this equation by 6 yields
𝑥 = 24𝜋. Therefore, the length of arc 𝑄𝑅 is 224𝜋, or 48𝜋.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of arc 𝑃𝑄, not arc 𝑄𝑅.

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: Medium

Question ID 6dd463ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 6dd463ca

In the figure above, segments AE and BD are parallel. If angle BDC measures 58°
and angle ACE measures 62°, what is the measure of angle CAE ?

A. 58°

B. 60°

C. 62°

D. 120°

ID: 6dd463ca Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that angle ACE measures . Since segments AE and BD are parallel, angles BDC and CEA are
congruent. Therefore, angle CEA measures . The sum of the measures of angles ACE, CEA, and CAE is since the

sum of the interior angles of triangle ACE is equal to . Let the measure of angle CAE be . Therefore,
, which simplifies to . Thus, the measure of angle CAE is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the measure of angle AEC, not that of angle CAE. Choice C is incorrect. This is the measure of
angle ACE, not that of CAE. Choice D is incorrect. This is the sum of the measures of angles ACE and CEA.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 95ba2d09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 95ba2d09

In the xy-plane above, points P, Q, R, and T lie on the circle with center O. The
degree measures of angles and are each 30°. What is the radian
measure of angle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 95ba2d09 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Because points T, O, and P all lie on the x-axis, they form a line. Since the angles on a line add up to
, and it’s given that angles POQ and ROT each measure , it follows that the measure of angle QOR is
. Since the arc of a complete circle is or radians, a proportion can be set up to convert

the measure of angle QOR from degrees to radians: , where x is the radian measure of

angle QOR. Multiplying each side of the proportion by gives . Solving for x gives , or .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting only angle POQ from to get a value of and then finding the
radian measure equivalent to that value. Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice D is incorrect
and may result from calculating the sum of the angle measures, in radians, of angles POQ and ROT.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e80d62c6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: e80d62c6

The equation represents circle A. Circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down units in the xy-plane.
Which of the following equations represents circle B?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: e80d62c6 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane is 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 , where the coordinates
2
of the center of the circle are ℎ, 𝑘 and the length of the radius of the circle is 𝑟. The equation of circle A, 𝑥2 + 𝑦 - 2 = 36, can
be rewritten as 𝑥 - 02 + 𝑦 - 22 = 62 . Therefore, the center of circle A is at 0, 2 and the length of the radius of circle A is 6. If
circle A is shifted down 4 units, the y-coordinate of its center will decrease by 4; the radius of the circle and the x-coordinate
of its center will not change. Therefore, the center of circle B is at 0, 2 - 4, or 0, - 2, and its radius is 6. Substituting 0 for ℎ, -2
for 𝑘, and 6 for 𝑟 in the equation 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 - 02 + 𝑦 - -22 = 62 , or 𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 22 = 36. Therefore, the equation
2
𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 2 = 36 represents circle B.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a circle obtained by shifting circle A up, rather than down, 4 units.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation represents a circle obtained by shifting circle A right, rather than down, 4 units.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation represents a circle obtained by shifting circle A left, rather than down, 4 units.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 89661424
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 89661424

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at and has a radius of . An equation of this circle is
, where , , and are constants. What is the value of ?

ID: 89661424 Answer

Correct Answer: -52

Rationale
The correct answer is -52. The equation of a circle in the xy-plane with its center at ℎ, 𝑘 and a radius of 𝑟 can be written in the
form 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 . It's given that a circle in the xy-plane has its center at -5, 2 and has a radius of 9. Substituting -5 for ℎ
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
, 2 for 𝑘, and 9 for 𝑟 in the equation 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 - -5 + 𝑦 - 2 = 9 , or 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 2 = 81. It's also given that
2
an equation of this circle is 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants. Therefore, 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 22 = 81 can be
2 2
rewritten in the form 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0. The equation 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 2 = 81, or 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 2𝑦 - 2 = 81, can be
rewritten as 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 25 + 𝑦2 - 2𝑦 - 2𝑦 + 4 = 81. Combining like terms on the left-hand side of this equation yields
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 10𝑥 - 4𝑦 + 29 = 81. Subtracting 81 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 10𝑥 - 4𝑦 - 52 = 0, which is
equivalent to 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 10𝑥 + -4𝑦 + -52 = 0. This equation is in the form 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0. Therefore, the value of 𝑐
is -52.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 981275d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 981275d2

In the xy-plane, the graph of the equation above is a circle. Point P is on the circle
and has coordinates . If is a diameter of the circle, what are the
coordinates of point Q ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 981275d2 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale

Choice A is correct. The standard form for the equation of a circle is , where are the

coordinates of the center and r is the length of the radius. According to the given equation, the center of the circle is .

Let represent the coordinates of point Q. Since point P and point Q are the endpoints of a diameter

of the circle, the center lies on the diameter, halfway between P and Q. Therefore, the following relationships hold:

and . Solving the equations for and , respectively, yields and .

Therefore, the coordinates of point Q are .

Alternate approach: Since point P on the circle and the center of the circle have the same y-coordinate, it

follows that the radius of the circle is . In addition, the opposite end of the diameter must have the same y-

coordinate as P and be 4 units away from the center. Hence, the coordinates of point Q must be .

Choices B and D are incorrect because the points given in these choices lie on a diameter that is perpendicular to the
diameter . If either of these points were point Q, then would not be the diameter of the circle. Choice C is incorrect

because is the center of the circle and does not lie on the circle.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9d159400
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 9d159400

Which of the following equations represents a circle in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at exactly one point?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 9d159400 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
2 2
Choice C is correct. The graph of the equation 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 in the xy-plane is a circle with center ℎ, 𝑘 and a radius of
length 𝑟. The radius of a circle is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on the circle. If a circle in the xy-plane
intersects the y-axis at exactly one point, then the perpendicular distance from the center of the circle to this point on the y-
axis must be equal to the length of the circle's radius. It follows that the x-coordinate of the circle's center must be equivalent
to the length of the circle's radius. In other words, if the graph of 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 is a circle that intersects the y-axis at
exactly one point, then 𝑟 = ℎ must be true. The equation in choice C is 𝑥 - 42 + 𝑦 - 92 = 16, or 𝑥 - 42 + 𝑦 - 92 = 42 . This
2 2
equation is in the form 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where ℎ = 4, 𝑘 = 9, and 𝑟 = 4, and represents a circle in the xy-plane with center
4, 9 and radius of length 4. Substituting 4 for 𝑟 and 4 for ℎ in the equation 𝑟 = ℎ yields 4 = 4, or 4 = 4, which is true.
Therefore, the equation in choice C represents a circle in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at exactly one point.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle that does not intersect the y-axis at any point.

Choice B is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that intersects the x-axis, not the y-axis, at exactly one point.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle with the center located on the y-axis and thus intersects the y-axis at
exactly two points, not exactly one point.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9acd101f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 9acd101f

The equation represents circle A. Circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down units in the xy-plane.
Which of the following equations represents circle B?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 9acd101f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The graph in the xy-plane of an equation of the form 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 is a circle with center ℎ, 𝑘 and a
radius of length 𝑟. It's given that circle A is represented by 𝑥2 + 𝑦 - 12 = 49, which can be rewritten as 𝑥2 + 𝑦 - 12 = 72 .
Therefore, circle A has center 0, 1 and a radius of length 7. Shifting circle A down two units is a rigid vertical translation of
circle A that does not change its size or shape. Since circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down two units, it follows that
circle B has the same radius as circle A, and for each point 𝑥, 𝑦 on circle A, the point 𝑥, 𝑦 - 2 lies on circle B. Moreover, if ℎ, 𝑘 is
the center of circle A, then ℎ, 𝑘 - 2 is the center of circle B. Therefore, circle B has a radius of 7 and the center of circle B is
0, 1 - 2, or 0, - 1. Thus, circle B can be represented by the equation 𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 12 = 72 , or 𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 12 = 49.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5b4757df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 5b4757df

In triangle , angle is a right angle, point lies on , point lies on , and is parallel to . If the length of
is units, the length of is units, and the area of triangle is square units, what is the length of , in
units?

ID: 5b4757df Answer

Correct Answer: 14.66, 14.67, 44/3

Rationale
44
The correct answer is . It's given that in triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇, angle 𝑇 is a right angle. The area of a right triangle can be found using
3
1
the formula 𝐴 = 𝑙 𝑙 ,
2 1 2
where 𝐴 represents the area of the right triangle, 𝑙1 represents the length of one leg of the triangle, and
¯ ¯
𝑙2 represents the length of the other leg of the triangle. In triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇, the two legs are 𝑅𝑇 and 𝑆𝑇. Therefore, if the length of
¯ 1
𝑅𝑇 is 72 and the area of triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is 792, then 792 = 72𝑆𝑇, or 792 = 36𝑆𝑇. Dividing both sides of this equation by 36
2
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
yields 22 = 𝑆𝑇. Therefore, the length of 𝑆𝑇 is 22. It's also given that point 𝐿 lies on 𝑅𝑆, point 𝐾 lies on 𝑆𝑇, and 𝐿𝐾 is parallel to
¯
𝑅𝑇. It follows that angle 𝐿𝐾𝑆 is a right angle. Since triangles 𝑅𝑆𝑇 and 𝐿𝑆𝐾 share angle 𝑆 and have right angles 𝑇 and 𝐾,
¯ ¯
respectively, triangles 𝑅𝑆𝑇 and 𝐿𝑆𝐾 are similar triangles. Therefore, the ratio of the length of 𝑅𝑇 to the length of 𝐿𝐾 is equal to
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
the ratio of the length of 𝑆𝑇 to the length of 𝑆𝐾. If the length of 𝑅𝑇 is 72 and the length of 𝐿𝐾 is 24, it follows that the ratio of
¯ ¯ 72 ¯ ¯ 22
the length of 𝑅𝑇 to the length of 𝐿𝐾 is , or 3, so the ratio of the length of 𝑆𝑇
24
to the length of 𝑆𝐾 is 3. Therefore, = 3.
𝑆𝐾
22
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑆𝐾 yields 22 = 3𝑆𝐾. Dividing both sides of this equation by 3 yields = 𝑆𝐾. Since
3
¯ ¯ 22 ¯ ¯ 22 44
the length of 𝑆𝑇, 22, is the sum of the length of 𝑆𝐾, 3
, and the length of 𝐾𝑇, it follows that the length of 𝐾𝑇 is 22 - 3
, or 3
.
Note that 44/3, 14.66, and 14.67 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ca2235f6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: ca2235f6

A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. The measure of arc is and the length of arc is
inches. What is the circumference, in inches, of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ca2235f6 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the measure of arc 𝐴𝐵 is 45° and the length of arc 𝐴𝐵 is 3 inches. The arc measure of the
45° 3 inches
full circle is 360°. If 𝑥 represents the circumference, in inches, of the circle, it follows that 360°
= 𝑥 inches
. This equation is
45 3 1 3
equivalent to 360
= 𝑥
, or 8
= 𝑥
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 8𝑥 yields 1 ( 𝑥 ) = 3 ( 8 ) , or 𝑥 = 24. Therefore, the
circumference of the circle is 24 inches.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of arc 𝐴𝐵.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying the length of arc 𝐴𝐵 by 2.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from squaring the length of arc 𝐴𝐵.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 856372ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 856372ca

In the xy-plane, a circle with radius 5 has center . Which of the

following is an equation of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 856372ca Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. An equation of a circle is , where the center of the circle is and the radius is

r. It’s given that the center of this circle is and the radius is 5. Substituting these values into the equation gives

, or .

Choice A is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that has center . Choice C is incorrect. This is an equation of a

circle that has center and radius . Choice D is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that has radius .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1c3d613c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 1c3d613c

Triangle ABC and triangle DEF are shown. The relationship between the side

lengths of the two triangles is such that . If the measure

of angle BAC is 20°, what is the measure, in degrees, of angle EDF ? (Disregard the
degree symbol when gridding your answer.)

ID: 1c3d613c Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 20. By the equality given, the three pairs of corresponding sides of the two triangles are in the same
proportion. By the side-side-side (SSS) similarity theorem, triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF. In similar triangles, the
measures of corresponding angles are congruent. Since angle BAC corresponds to angle EDF, these two angles are
congruent and their measures are equal. It’s given that the measure of angle BAC is 20°, so the measure of angle EDF is also
20°.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f1c1e971
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: f1c1e971

The measure of angle is radians. The measure of angle is radians greater than the measure of angle . What is
the measure of angle , in degrees?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f1c1e971 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
2𝜋 5𝜋
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the measure of angle 𝑅 is 3
radians, and the measure of angle 𝑇 is 12
radians greater than
2𝜋 5𝜋 2𝜋 4
the measure of angle 𝑅. Therefore, the measure of angle 𝑇 is equal to 3
+ 12
radians. Multiplying 3
by 4 to get a common
5𝜋 8𝜋 2𝜋 5𝜋 8𝜋 5𝜋 13𝜋 13𝜋
denominator with yields . Therefore, + is equivalent to + , or . Therefore, the measure of angle 𝑇 is
12 12 3 12 12 12 12 12
180 13𝜋 180
radians. The measure of angle 𝑇, in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in radians, by 𝜋
. This yields 12
× 𝜋 ,
which is equivalent to 195 degrees. 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 Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a0cacec1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: a0cacec1

An angle has a measure of radians. What is the measure of the angle, in degrees?

ID: a0cacec1 Answer

Correct Answer: 192

Rationale
The correct answer is 192. The measure of an angle, in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in radians, by
180 degrees 16𝜋 180 degrees 16𝜋 180 degrees
𝜋 radians
. Multiplying the given angle measure, 15
radians, by
𝜋 radians
yields 15
radians
𝜋 radians
, which simplifies to 192
degrees.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 74d8b897
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 74d8b897

An angle has a measure of radians. What is the measure of the angle in degrees?

ID: 74d8b897 Answer

Correct Answer: 81

Rationale
The correct answer is 81. The measure of an angle, in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in radians, by
180 degrees 9𝜋 180 degrees 9𝜋 180 degrees
𝜋 radians
. Multiplying the given angle measure, 20
radians, by 𝜋 radians
yields 20
radians 𝜋 radians
, which is equivalent to
81 degrees.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID eeb4143c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: eeb4143c

The area of triangle ABC above is at least 48 but no more than 60. If y is an
integer, what is one possible value of x ?

ID: eeb4143c Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is either , , or . The area of triangle ABC can be expressed as or . It’s given
that the area of triangle ABC is at least 48 but no more than 60. It follows that . Dividing by 6 to isolate y in this
compound inequality yields . Since y is an integer, . In the given figure, the two right triangles
shown are similar because they have two pairs of congruent angles: their respective right angles and angle A. Therefore, the

following proportion is true: . Substituting 8 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and

solving for x yields . Substituting 9 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and solving for x yields

. Substituting 10 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and solving for x yields . Note that
10/3, 15/4, 25/6, 3.333, 3.75, 4.166, and 4.167 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9e44284b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 9e44284b

In the xy-plane, the graph of is a

circle. What is the radius of the circle?

A. 5

B. 6.5

C.

D.

ID: 9e44284b Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. One way to find the radius of the circle is to rewrite the given equation in standard form,
, where is the center of the circle and the radius of the circle is r. To do this, divide the original

equation, , by 2 to make the leading coefficients of and each equal to 1:

. Then complete the square to put the equation in standard form. To do so, first rewrite

as . Second, add 2.25 and 0.25 to both

sides of the equation: . Since ,

, and , it follows that . Therefore, the radius of the circle is 5.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in manipulating the equation or of a misconception about
the standard form of the equation of a circle in the xy-plane.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 24cec8d1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 24cec8d1

A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. In triangle , the measure of is . What is the
measure of , in degrees? (Disregard the degree symbol when entering your answer.)

ID: 24cec8d1 Answer

Correct Answer: 46

Rationale
¯
The correct answer is 46. It's given that 𝑂 is the center of a circle and that points 𝑅 and 𝑆 lie on the circle. Therefore, 𝑂𝑅 and
¯
𝑂𝑆 are radii of the circle. It follows that 𝑂𝑅 = 𝑂𝑆. If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are
congruent. It follows that the angles ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂 and ∠𝑂𝑅𝑆, which are across from the sides of equal length, are congruent. Let 𝑥°
represent the measure of ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂. It follows that the measure of ∠𝑂𝑅𝑆 is also 𝑥°. It's given that the measure of ∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is 88°.
Because the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°, the equation 𝑥° + 𝑥° + 88° = 180°, or
2𝑥 + 88 = 180, can be used to find the measure of ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂. Subtracting 88 from both sides of this equation yields 2𝑥 = 92.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑥 = 46. Therefore, the measure of ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂, in degrees, is 46.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2adbf1b1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 2adbf1b1

In the figure, lines and are parallel. If and , what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2adbf1b1 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Vertical angles, which are angles that are opposite each other when two lines intersect, are congruent.
The figure shows that lines 𝑡 and 𝑚 intersect. It follows that the angle with measure 𝑥° and the angle with measure 𝑦° are
vertical angles, so 𝑥 = 𝑦. It's given that 𝑥 = 6𝑘 + 13 and 𝑦 = 8𝑘 - 29. Substituting 6𝑘 + 13 for 𝑥 and 8𝑘 - 29 for 𝑦 in the
equation 𝑥 = 𝑦 yields 6𝑘 + 13 = 8𝑘 - 29. Subtracting 6𝑘 from both sides of this equation yields 13 = 2𝑘 - 29. Adding 29 to
both sides of this equation yields 42 = 2𝑘, or 2𝑘 = 42. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑘 = 21. It's given that
lines 𝑚 and 𝑛 are parallel, and the figure shows that lines 𝑚 and 𝑛 are intersected by a transversal, line 𝑡. If two parallel lines
are intersected by a transversal, then the same-side interior angles are supplementary. It follows that the same-side interior
angles with measures 𝑦° and 𝑧° are supplementary, so 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 180. Substituting 8𝑘 - 29 for 𝑦 in this equation yields
8𝑘 - 29 + 𝑧 = 180. Substituting 21 for 𝑘 in this equation yields 821 - 29 + 𝑧 = 180, or 139 + 𝑧 = 180. Subtracting 139 from
both sides of this equation yields 𝑧 = 41. Therefore, the value of 𝑧 is 41.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑘, not 𝑧.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID bd7f6e30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: bd7f6e30

In the figure above, .

What is the value of x ?

A. 72

B. 66

C. 64

D. 58

ID: bd7f6e30 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since , it follows that is an isosceles triangle with base RU. Therefore, and
are the base angles of an isosceles triangle and are congruent. Let the measures of both and be

. According to the triangle sum theorem, the sum of the measures of the three angles of a triangle is . Therefore,
, so .

Note that is the same angle as . Thus, the measure of is . According to the triangle exterior

angle theorem, an external angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the opposite interior angles. Therefore, is equal to
the sum of the measures of and ; that is, . Thus, the value of x is 64.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure of , but is not congruent to . Choices A and D are incorrect
and may result from a calculation error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 901e3285
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 901e3285

In triangle ABC, the measure of angle A is . If triangle ABC is isosceles, which

of the following is NOT a possible measure of angle B ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 901e3285 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The sum of the three interior angles in a triangle is . It’s given that angle A measures . If angle
B measured , the measure of angle C would be . Thus, the measures of the angles in the

triangle would be , , and . However, an isosceles triangle has two angles of equal measure. Therefore, angle B
can’t measure .

Choice A is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle C would measure , and , ,
and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle. Choice B is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle

C would measure , and , , and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle.

Choice C is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle C would measure , and , ,

and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3e577e4a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 3e577e4a

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at . Line is tangent to this circle at the point . What is the slope of
line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3e577e4a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. A line that's tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. It's
given that the circle has its center at -4, - 6 and line 𝑘 is tangent to the circle at the point -7, - 7. The slope of a radius defined
𝑡-𝑟
by the points 𝑞, 𝑟 and 𝑠, 𝑡 can be calculated as 𝑠-𝑞
. The points -7, - 7 and -4, - 6 define the radius of the circle at the point of
-6 - -7 1
tangency. Therefore, the slope of this radius can be calculated as -4 - -7
, or 3 . If a line and a radius are perpendicular, the slope
1
of the line must be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the radius. The negative reciprocal of 3
is -3. Thus, the slope of line
𝑘 is -3.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the slope of the radius of the circle at the point of tangency, not the slope of line 𝑘.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c7bed21d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: c7bed21d

Quadrilateral is similar to quadrilateral , where , , , and correspond to , , , and ,

respectively. The measure of angle is , the measure of angle is , and the measure of angle is . The length
of each side of is times the length of each corresponding side of . What is the measure of angle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c7bed21d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
' ' ' ' '
Choice B is correct. It's given that quadrilateral 𝑃 𝑄 𝑅 𝑆 is similar to quadrilateral 𝑃𝑄𝑅𝑆, where 𝑃, 𝑄, 𝑅, and 𝑆 correspond to 𝑃 ,
𝑄' , 𝑅' , and 𝑆' , respectively. Since corresponding angles of similar quadrilaterals are congruent, it follows that the measure of
angle 𝑃 is equal to the measure of angle 𝑃' . It's given that the measure of angle 𝑃 is 30°. Therefore, the measure of angle 𝑃' is
30°.

1 '
Choice A is incorrect. This is 3
the measure of angle 𝑃 .

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

Choice D is incorrect. This is 3 times the measure of angle 𝑃' .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8e7689e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 8e7689e0

The number of radians in a 720-degree angle can be written as , where

a is a constant. What is the value of a ?

ID: 8e7689e0 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 4. There are radians in a angle. An angle measure of is 4 times greater than an angle

measure of . Therefore, the number of radians in a angle is .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID fd8745fc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: fd8745fc

In triangle , the measures of and are each . What is the measure of , in degrees? (Disregard the degree
symbol when entering your answer.)

ID: fd8745fc Answer

Correct Answer: 84

Rationale
The correct answer is 84. The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°. It's given that in triangle 𝐽𝐾𝐿,
the measures of ∠𝐾and ∠𝐿 are each 48°. Adding the measures, in degrees, of ∠𝐾 and ∠𝐿 gives 48 + 48, or 96. Therefore, the
measure of ∠𝐽, in degrees, is 180 - 96, or 84.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d3fe472f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: d3fe472f

Triangle is similar to triangle , such that , , and correspond to , , and respectively. The length of
each side of triangle is times the length of its corresponding side in triangle . The measure of side is .
What is the measure of side ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d3fe472f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is similar to triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍, such that 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 correspond to 𝑋, 𝑌, and 𝑍,
respectively. Therefore, side 𝐴𝐵 corresponds to side 𝑋𝑌. Since the length of each side of triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is 2 times the length of
its corresponding side in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, it follows that the measure of side 𝑋𝑌 is 2 times the measure of side 𝐴𝐵. Thus, since
the measure of side 𝐴𝐵 is 16, then the measure of side 𝑋𝑌 is 216, or 32.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure of side 𝐴𝐵, not side 𝑋𝑌.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 249d3f80
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 249d3f80

Point is the center of a circle. The measure of arc on this circle is . What is the measure, in degrees, of its
associated angle ?

ID: 249d3f80 Answer

Correct Answer: 100

Rationale
The correct answer is 100. It's given that point 𝑂 is the center of a circle and the measure of arc 𝑅𝑆 on the circle is 100°. It
¯ ¯
follows that points 𝑅 and 𝑆 lie on the circle. Therefore, 𝑂𝑅 and 𝑂𝑆 are radii of the circle. A central angle is an angle formed by
two radii of a circle, with its vertex at the center of the circle. Therefore, ∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is a central angle. Because the degree
measure of an arc is equal to the measure of its associated central angle, it follows that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is
100.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a4c05a1b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: a4c05a1b

In the figure shown, lines and are parallel, and line intersects both lines. If , which of the following must be
true?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a4c05a1b Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. In the figure shown, the angle measuring 𝑦° is congruent to its vertical angle formed by lines 𝑠 and 𝑚, so
the measure of the vertical angle is also 𝑦°. The vertical angle forms a same-side interior angle pair with the angle measuring
𝑥°. It's given that lines 𝑟 and 𝑠 are parallel. Therefore, same-side interior angles in the figure are supplementary, which means
the sum of the measure of the vertical angle and the measure of the angle measuring 𝑥° is 180°, or 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 180. Subtracting
𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑦 = 180 - 𝑥. Substituting 180 - 𝑥 for 𝑦 in the inequality 𝑦 < 65 yields 180 - 𝑥 < 65.
Adding 𝑥 to both sides of this inequality yields 180 < 65 + 𝑥. Subtracting 65 from both sides of this inequality yields 115 < 𝑥,
or 𝑥 > 115. Thus, if 𝑦 < 65, it must be true that 𝑥 > 115.

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

Choice C is incorrect. 𝑥 + 𝑦 must be equal to, not less than, 180.

Choice D is incorrect. 𝑥 + 𝑦 must be equal to, not greater than, 180.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ab176ad6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: ab176ad6

The equation defines a circle in the

xy‑plane. What is the radius of the circle?

ID: ab176ad6 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 11. A circle with equation , where a, b, and r are constants, has center

and radius r. Therefore, the radius of the given circle is , or 11.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f8f79e11
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: f8f79e11

A park ranger asked a random sample of visitors how far they hiked during their
visit. Based on the responses, the estimated mean was found to be 4.5 miles, with
an associated margin of error of 0.5 miles. Which of the following is the best
conclusion from these data?

A. It is likely that all visitors hiked between 4 and 5 miles.

B. It is likely that most visitors hiked exactly 4.5 miles.

C. It is not possible that any visitor hiked less than 3 miles.

D. It is plausible that the mean distance hiked for all visitors is between 4 and 5 miles.

ID: f8f79e11 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The given estimated mean has an associated margin of error because from sample data, the population
mean can’t be determined precisely. Rather, from the sample mean, an interval can be determined within which it’s plausible
that the population’s mean is likely to lie. Since the estimated mean is 4.5 miles with an associated margin of error of 0.5
miles, it follows that between miles and miles, or between 4 and 5 miles, is plausibly the mean distance
hiked for all visitors.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Based on the estimated mean, no determination can be made about the number of miles
hiked for all visitors to the park.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9a144a01
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 9a144a01

Which of the following is true about the values of and

for ?

A. For all , it is true that .

B. For all , it is true that .

C. There is a constant c such that if , then , but if , then .

D. There is a constant c such that if , then , but if , then .

ID: 9a144a01 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. At , the value of is less than the value of , which is equivalent to . As
the value of x increases, the value of remains less than the value of until , which is when the two values are

equal: , which is equivalent to . Then, for , the value of is greater than the value of . So
there is a constant, 3, such that when , then , but when , then .

Choice A is incorrect because when . Choice B is incorrect because when . Choice D

is incorrect because when and when .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c9fb15ad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: c9fb15ad

Species of Growth
tree factor

Red maple 4.5

River birch 3.5

Cottonwood 2.0

Black walnut 4.5

White birch 5.0

American elm 4.0

Pin oak 3.0

Shagbark
7.5
hickory

One method of calculating the approximate age, in years, of a tree of a particular

species is to multiply the diameter of the tree, in inches, by a constant called the
growth factor for that species. The table above gives the growth factors for eight
species of trees. If a white birch tree and a pin oak tree each now have a diameter
of 1 foot, which of the following will be closest to the difference, in inches, of their
diameters 10 years from now? (1 foot = 12 inches)

A. 1.0

B. 1.2

C. 1.3

D. 1.4

ID: c9fb15ad Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. According to the given information, multiplying a tree species’ growth factor by the tree’s diameter is a
method to approximate the age of the tree. A white birch with a diameter of 12 inches (or 1 foot) has a given growth factor of
5 and is approximately 60 years old. A pin oak with a diameter of 12 inches (or 1 foot) has a given growth factor of 3 and is
approximately 36 years old. The diameters of the two trees 10 years from now can be found by dividing each tree’s age in 10

years, 70 years, and 46 years, by its respective growth factor. This yields 14 inches and inches. The difference between

and 14 is , or approximately 1.3 inches.

Alternate approach: Since a white birch has a growth factor of 5, the age increases at a rate of 5 years per inch or,

equivalently, the diameter increases at a rate of of an inch per year. Likewise, the pin oak has a growth factor of 3, so its

diameter increases at a rate of of an inch per year. Thus, the pin oak grows of an inch per year more than the white

birch. In 10 years it will grow of an inch more, which is approximately 1.3 inches.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and a result of incorrectly calculating the diameters of the two trees in 10 years.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 03a16790
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 03a16790

The scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables, and . A line of best fit is also shown.

Which of the following is closest to the slope of the line of best fit shown?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 03a16790 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A line of best fit is shown in the scatterplot such that as the value of 𝑥 increases, the value of 𝑦
decreases. Thus, the slope of the line of best fit shown is negative. The slope of a line passing through two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and
𝑦2 - 𝑦1
𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , can be calculated as 𝑥2 - 𝑥1
. The line of best fit shown passes approximately through the points 1, 12 and 11, 4.
𝑦2 - 𝑦1 4 - 12 8
Substituting 1, 12 and 11, 4 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , respectively, in 𝑥2 - 𝑥1
gives 11 - 1
, which is equivalent to - 10 , or -0.8. Therefore,
of the given choices, -0.8 is closest to the slope of the line of best fit shown.

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

Choice C is incorrect. The line of best fit shown has a negative slope, not a positive slope.

Choice D is incorrect. The line of best fit shown has a negative slope, not a positive slope.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d6af3572
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: d6af3572

The scatterplot above shows the federal-mandated minimum wage every 10 years
between 1940 and 2010. A line of best fit is shown, and its equation is
. What does the line of best fit predict about the increase in the
minimum wage over the 70-year period?

A. Each year between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.096 dollars.

B. Each year between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.49 dollars.

C. Every 10 years between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.096 dollars.

D. Every 10 years between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.488 dollars.

ID: d6af3572 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given equation is in slope-intercept form, or , where m is the value of the slope of the
line of best fit. Therefore, the slope of the line of best fit is 0.096. From the definition of slope, it follows that an increase of 1
in the x-value corresponds to an increase of 0.096 in the y-value. Therefore, the line of best fit predicts that for each year
between 1940 and 2010, the minimum wage will increase by 0.096 dollar per hour.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from using the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the average increase, instead of the
slope. Choice C is incorrect and may result from using the 10-year increments given on the x-axis to incorrectly interpret the
slope of the line of best fit. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the average
increase, instead of the slope, and from using the 10-year increments given on the x-axis to incorrectly interpret the slope of
the line of best fit.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fea831fc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: fea831fc

On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere set off on his midnight ride from Charlestown to
Lexington. If he had ridden straight to Lexington without stopping, he would have
traveled 11 miles in 26 minutes. In such a ride, what would the average speed of
his horse have been, to the nearest tenth of a mile per hour?

ID: fea831fc Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 25.4. The average speed is the total distance divided by the total time. The total distance is 11 miles

and the total time is 26 minutes. Thus, the average speed is miles per minute. The question asks for the average speed
in miles per hour, and there are 60 minutes in an hour; converting miles per minute to miles per hour gives the following:

Therefore, to the nearest tenth of a mile per hour, the average speed of Paul Revere’s ride would have been 25.4 miles per
hour. Note that 25.4 and 127/5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e03f3477
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: e03f3477

A sample consisting of adults who own televisions was selected at random for a study. Based on the sample, it is
estimated that of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows, with an associated margin
of error of . Which of the following is the most plausible conclusion about all adults who own televisions?

A. More than of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows.

B. Between and of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows.

Since the sample included adults who own televisions and not just those who use their televisions to watch nature
C. shows, no conclusion can be made.

D. Since the sample did not include all the people who watch nature shows, no conclusion can be made.

ID: e03f3477 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that based on a sample selected at random, it's estimated that 32% of all adults who own
televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows, with an associated margin of error of 3.41%. Subtracting the margin
of error from the estimate and adding the margin of error to the estimate gives an interval of plausible values for the true
percentage of adults who own televisions who use their televisions to watch nature shows. This means it's plausible that
between 32 % - 3.41%, or 28.59%, and 32 % + 3.41%, or 35.41%, of all adults who own televisions use their televisions to
watch nature shows. Therefore, of the given choices, the most plausible conclusion is that between 28.59% and 35.41% of
all adults who own televisions use their televisions to watch nature shows.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice C is incorrect. To make a plausible conclusion about all adults who own televisions, the sample must be selected at
random from all adults who own televisions, not just those who use their televisions to watch nature shows.

Choice D is incorrect. Since the sample was selected at random from all adults who own televisions, a plausible conclusion
can be made about all adults who own televisions.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7ac5d686
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 7ac5d686

An inspector begins a day of work with a large sample of shirts that need to be
checked for defects. The inspector works at a constant rate throughout the
morning. What type of model is best to model the number of shirts remaining to be
checked for defects at any given time throughout the morning?

A. A linear model with a positive slope

B. A linear model with a negative slope

C. An exponential growth model

D. An exponential decay model

ID: 7ac5d686 Answer

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since the work is done at a constant rate, a linear model best models the situation. The number of shirts
remaining is dependent on the length of time the inspector has worked; therefore, if the relationship were graphed, time
would be the variable of the horizontal axis and the number of remaining shirts would be the variable of the vertical axis.
Since the number of shirts decreases as the time worked increases, it follows that the slope of this graph is negative.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly reasoning about the slope. Choices C and D are incorrect and may
result from not identifying the constant rate of work as a characteristic of a linear model.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 181cc4d6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 181cc4d6

Rectangle A has length 15 and width w. Rectangle B has length 20 and the same
length-to-width ratio as rectangle A. What is the width of rectangle B in terms
of w ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 181cc4d6 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that rectangle A has length 15 and width w. Therefore, the length-to-width ratio of rectangle A is
15 to w. It’s also given that rectangle B has length 20 and the same length-to-width ratio as rectangle A. Let x represent the

width of rectangle B. The proportion can be used to solve for x in terms of w. Multiplying both sides of this

equation by x yields , and then multiplying both sides of this equation by w yields . Dividing both

sides of this equation by 15 yields . Simplifying this fraction yields .

Choices B and D are incorrect and may result from interpreting the difference in the lengths of rectangle A and rectangle B as
equivalent to the difference in the widths of rectangle A and rectangle B. Choice C is incorrect and may result from using a
length-to-width ratio of w to 15, instead of 15 to w.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7fd284ac
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 7fd284ac

The scatterplot above shows data for ten charities along with the line of best fit. For the charity with the greatest percent of
total expenses spent on programs, which of the following is closest to the difference of the actual percent and the percent
predicted by the line of best fit?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7fd284ac Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The charity with the greatest percent of total expenses spent on programs is represented by the highest
point on the scatterplot; this is the point that has a vertical coordinate slightly less than halfway between 90 and 95 and a
horizontal coordinate slightly less than halfway between 3,000 and 4,000. Thus, the charity represented by this point has a
total income of about $3,400 million and spends about 92% of its total expenses on programs. The percent predicted by the
line of best fit is the vertical coordinate of the point on the line of best fit with horizontal coordinate $3,400 million; this
vertical coordinate is very slightly more than 85. Thus, the line of best fit predicts that the charity with the greatest percent of
total expenses spent on programs will spend slightly more than 85% on programs. Therefore, the difference between the
actual percent (92%) and the prediction (slightly more than 85%) is slightly less than 7%.

Choice A is incorrect. There is no charity represented in the scatterplot for which the difference between the actual percent
of total expenses spent on programs and the percent predicted by the line of best fit is as much as 10%. Choices C and D are
incorrect. These choices may result from misidentifying in the scatterplot the point that represents the charity with the
greatest percent of total expenses spent on programs.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3638f413
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 3638f413

Jeremy deposited x dollars in his investment account on January 1, 2001. The

amount of money in the account doubled each year until Jeremy had 480 dollars in
his investment account on January 1, 2005. What is the value of x ?

ID: 3638f413 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 30. The situation can be represented by the equation , where the 2 represents the fact
that the amount of money in the account doubled each year and the 4 represents the fact that there are 4 years between
January 1, 2001, and January 1, 2005. Simplifying gives . Therefore, .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 445dd032
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 445dd032

Tanya earns $13.50 per hour at her part-time job. When she works z hours, she
earns dollars. Which of the following expressions gives the amount, in
dollars, Tanya will earn if she works hours?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 445dd032 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. It’s given that when Tanya works z hours, she earns dollars. Since her hourly rate is constant, if
she works 3 times as many hours, or hours, she will earn 3 times as many dollars, or .

Choice B is incorrect. This expression represents adding 3 dollars to the dollars Tanya will earn. Choice C is
incorrect. This expression can be rewritten as , which implies that Tanya earns $16.50 per hour, not $13.50. Choice D
is incorrect. This expression adds 3 to the number of hours Tanya works, rather than multiplying the hours she works by 3.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1e1027a7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 1e1027a7

The scatterplot above shows a company’s ice cream sales d, in dollars, and the
high temperature t, in degrees Celsius (°C), on 12 different days. A line of best fit
for the data is also shown. Which of the following could be an equation of the line
of best fit?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1e1027a7 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. On the line of best fit, d increases from approximately 480 to 880 between and . The slope

of the line of best fit is the difference in d-values divided by the difference in t-values, which gives , or
approximately 33. Writing the equation of the line of best fit in slope-intercept form gives , where b is the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept. This equation is satisfied by all points on the line, so when . Thus,
, which is equivalent to . Subtracting 396 from both sides of this equation gives .
Therefore, an equation for the line of best fit could be .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error in calculating the slope and misidentifying the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of the graph as the value of d at rather than the value of d at . Choice B is incorrect and may result
from using the smallest value of t on the graph as the slope and misidentifying the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the
graph as the value of d at rather than the value of d at . Choice C is incorrect and may result from misidentifying
the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the smallest value of d on the graph.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 939c46d1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 939c46d1

The glass pictured above can hold a maximum volume of 473 cubic centimeters,
which is approximately 16 fluid ounces. Jenny has a pitcher that contains 1 gallon
of water. How many times could Jenny completely fill the glass with 1 gallon of
water?

A. 16

B. 8

C. 4

D. 3

ID: 939c46d1 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It is given that the volume of the glass is approximately 16 fluid ounces. If Jenny has 1 gallon of water,

which is 128 fluid ounces, she could fill the glass times.

Choice A is incorrect because Jenny would need fluid ounces = 256 fluid ounces, or 2 gallons, of water to fill the
glass 16 times. Choice C is incorrect because Jenny would need only fluid ounces = 64 fluid ounces of water to fill
the glass 4 times. Choice D is incorrect because Jenny would need only fluid ounces = 48 fluid ounces to fill the glass
3 times.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID fc46af57
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: fc46af57

A bag containing 10,000 beads of assorted colors is purchased from a craft store.
To estimate the percent of red beads in the bag, a sample of beads is selected at
random. The percent of red beads in the bag was estimated to be 15%, with an
associated margin of error of 2%. If r is the actual number of red beads in the bag,
which of the following is most plausible?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: fc46af57 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It was estimated that 15% of the beads in the bag are red. Since the bag contains 10,000 beads, it
follows that there are an estimated red beads. It’s given that the margin of error is 2%, or
beads. If the estimate is too high, there could plausibly be red beads. If the
estimate is too low, there could plausibly be red beads. Therefore, the most plausible statement of the
actual number of red beads in the bag is .

Choices A and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the margin of error. It’s unlikely that more than 1,700
beads or fewer than 1,300 beads in the bag are red. Choice C is incorrect because 200 is the margin of error for the number
of red beads, not the lower bound of the range of red beads.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3f775bbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 3f775bbf

Power capacity
State
Low Medium High Total

Texas 4 2 3 9

California 1 0 1 2

Oregon 1 0 1 2

Indiana 0 2 0 2

Colorado 1 1 0 2

Iowa 2 0 0 2

Oklahoma 1 0 0 1

Total 10 5 5 20

The table shows the distribution, by location and power capacity (maximum rate of
power generation) of the twenty largest wind projects in the United States in 2013.
The total power capacity of the nine wind projects located in Texas was 4,952
megawatts (MW), and the total power capacity of the twenty wind projects was
11,037 MW in 2013. The amount of energy produced in one hour at a rate of one
megawatt is one megawatt-hour. If each of the nine Texas wind projects in 2013
had operated continuously for 24 hours at the maximum rate of power generation,
approximately how many megawatt-hours of energy would the nine projects have
produced?

A. 200

B. 5,000

C. 11,000

D. 120,000

ID: 3f775bbf Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the total power capacity of the nine wind projects in Texas was 4,952 megawatts.
Therefore, if all nine Texas projects operated continuously for 1 hour, the amount of energy produced would be 4,952
megawatt-hours. It follows that, if all nine Texas projects operated continuously for 24 hours, the amount of energy
produced, in megawatt-hours, would be , which is closest to 120,000.

Choice A is incorrect. This is approximately the amount of energy produced for the nine projects divided by 24 hours. Choice
B is incorrect. This is approximately the amount of energy produced for the nine projects. Choice C is incorrect. This is
approximately the given amount of energy produced for all twenty projects in the table.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8637294f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 8637294f

If and , what is the value of ?

ID: 8637294f Answer

Correct Answer: .0625, 1/16

Rationale
4𝑎 𝑎 4𝑎 𝑎
The correct answer is .0625 . It's given that 𝑏
= 6.7 and 𝑏𝑛
= 26.8. The equation 𝑏
= 6.7 can be rewritten as 4 𝑏 = 6.7.
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎1
Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 𝑏
= 1.675. The equation 𝑏𝑛
= 26.8 can be rewritten as 𝑏𝑛
= 26.8. Substituting
𝑎 1 1.675
1.675 for 𝑏
in this equation yields 1.675 = 26.8, or
𝑛 𝑛
= 26.8. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑛 yields
1.675 = 26.8𝑛. Dividing both sides of this equation by 26.8 yields 𝑛 = 0.0625. Therefore, the value of 𝑛 is 0.0625. Note that
.0625, 0.062, 0.063, and 1/16 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3d985614
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 3d985614

Each dot in the scatterplot above represents the height x, in feet, in the high jump,
and the distance y, in feet, in the long jump, made by each student in a group of
twenty students. The graph of which of the following equations is a line that most
closely fits the data?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3d985614 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. A line that most closely fits the data is a line with an approximately balanced number of data points
above and below the line. Fitting a line to the data shown results in a line with an approximate slope of 3 and a y-intercept
near the point . An equation for the line can be written in slope-intercept form, , where m is the slope and b
is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. The equation in choice C fits the data most closely.

Choices A and B are incorrect because the slope of the lines of these equations is 0.82, which is a value that is too small to
be the slope of the line that fits the data shown. Choice D is incorrect. The graph of this equation has a y-intercept at
, not . This line would lie below all of the data points, and therefore would not closely fit the data.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID 308084c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 308084c5

Sample Percent in favor Margin of error

A 52% 4.2%

B 48% 1.6%

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 percent of favorable responses.

C. Sample A had a larger sample size.

D. Sample A had a smaller sample size.

ID: 308084c5 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Sample size is an appropriate reason for the margin of error to change. In general, a smaller sample size
increases the margin of error because the sample may be less representative of the whole population.

Choice A is incorrect. The margin of error will depend on the size of the sample of recorded votes, not the number of votes
that could not be recorded. In any case, the smaller number of votes that could not be recorded for sample A would tend to
decrease, not increase, the comparative size of the margin of error. Choice B is incorrect. Since the percent in favor for
sample A is the same distance from 50% as the percent in favor for sample B, the percent of favorable responses doesn’t
affect the comparative size of the margin of error for the two samples. Choice C is incorrect. If sample A had a larger margin
of error than sample B, then sample A would tend to be less representative of the population. Therefore, sample A is not
likely to have a larger sample size.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7d721177
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 7d721177

The density of a certain type of wood is kilograms per cubic meter. A sample of this type of wood is in the shape of a
cube and has a mass of kilograms. To the nearest hundredth of a meter, what is the length of one edge of this sample?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7d721177 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
3
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the density of a certain type of wood is 353 kilograms per cubic meter kg/m , and a
sample of this type of wood has a mass of 345 kg. Let 𝑥 represent the volume, in m3 , of the sample. It follows that the
relationship between the density, mass, and volume of this sample can be written
353 kg 345 kg 345
as 1 m3
= 𝑥 m3
, or 353 = 𝑥
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑥 yields 353𝑥 = 345. Dividing both sides of this
345 345
equation by 353 yields 𝑥 = 353
. Therefore, the volume of this sample is 353 m3 . Since it’s given that the sample of this type
of wood is a cube, it follows that the length of one edge of this sample can be found using the volume formula for a cube,
345
𝑉 = 𝑠3 , where 𝑉 represents the volume, in m3 , and 𝑠 represents the length, in m, of one edge of the cube. Substituting 353
for 𝑉
345 3 345
in this formula yields 353
= 𝑠3 . Taking the cube root of both sides of this equation yields √ 353 = 𝑠, or 𝑠 ≈ 0 . 99. Therefore, the

length of one edge of this sample to the nearest hundredth of a meter is 0.99.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8917ce38
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 8917ce38

Which of the following speeds is equivalent to 90 kilometers per

hour? (1 kilometer = 1,000 meters)

A. 25 meters per second

B. 32 meters per second

C. 250 meters per second

D. 324 meters per second

ID: 8917ce38 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since 1 kilometer is equal to 1,000 meters, it follows that 90 kilometers is equal to
meters. Since 1 hour is equal to 60 minutes and 1 minute is equal to 60 seconds, it follows that 1 hour is equal to

seconds. Now is equal to , which reduces to or 25 meters

per second.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7e6c745f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 7e6c745f

Food Protein Cost

1 large egg 6 grams $0.36

1 cup of milk 8 grams $0.24

The table above shows the amount of protein in two foods and the cost of each
food. Based on the table, what is the ratio of the cost per gram of protein in a large
egg to the cost per gram of protein in a cup of milk?

A. 1 : 2

B. 2 : 3

C. 3 : 4

D. 2 : 1

ID: 7e6c745f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The cost per gram of protein in 1 large egg is $0.36 ÷ 6 = $0.06. The cost per gram of protein in 1 cup of
milk is $0.24 ÷ 8 = $0.03. It follows that the ratio of the cost per gram of protein in a large egg to the cost per gram of protein
in a cup of milk is 0.06:0.03, which can be rewritten as 2:1.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the ratio of the cost per gram of protein in a cup of milk to the cost per
gram of protein in a large egg (the reciprocal of the ratio specified in the question). Choices B and C are incorrect and may
result from incorrectly calculating the unit rates or from errors made when simplifying the ratio.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 7b52985c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 7b52985c

The scatterplot shows the relationship between the length of time , in hours, a certain bird spent in flight and the number of
days after January , .

What is the average rate of change, in hours per day, of the length of time the bird spent in flight on January to the length
of time the bird spent in flight on January ?

ID: 7b52985c Answer

Correct Answer: 4.5, 9/2
Rationale
9
The correct answer is 2 . It's given that the scatterplot shows the relationship between the length of time 𝑦, in hours, a certain
bird spent in flight and the number of days after January 11, 𝑥. Since January 13 is 2 days after January 11, it follows that
January 13 corresponds to an x-value of 2 in the scatterplot. In the scatterplot, when 𝑥 = 2, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 6.
In other words, on January 13, the bird spent 6 hours in flight. Since January 15 is 4 days after January 11, it follows that
January 15 corresponds to an x-value of 4 in the scatterplot. In the scatterplot, when 𝑥 = 4, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is
15. In other words, on January 15, the bird spent 15 hours in flight. Therefore, the average rate of change, in hours per day, of
the length of time the bird spent in flight on January 13 to the length of time the bird spent in flight on January 15 is the
difference in the length of time, in hours, the bird spent in flight divided by the difference in the number of days after January
15 - 6 9
11, or , which is equivalent to . Note that 9/2 and 4.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
4-2 2

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3c5b19ef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 3c5b19ef

The scatterplot above shows the number of visitors to a railroad museum in

Pennsylvania each year from 1968 to 1980, where t is the number of years since
1968 and n is the number of visitors. A line of best fit is also shown. Which of the
following could be an equation of the line of best fit shown?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3c5b19ef Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. An equation of a line of best fit can be written in the form , where a is the y-intercept of the
line and b is the slope. In the scatterplot shown, the line of best fit intersects the y-axis just over halfway between 10,000 and
20,000, or approximately 16,000. The line of best fit also intersects the graph at . Using the slope formula

and two points that lie on the graph such as and , the slope can be approximated as

, or 4,800. Only choice A has a y-intercept near the estimate of 16,000 and a slope near the estimate of
4,800. Therefore, an equation of the line of best fit could be .

Choice B is incorrect because the values for the slope and the y-coordinate of the y-intercept are switched. Choice C is
incorrect because the value for the slope is approximately double the actual slope. Choice D is incorrect because the values
for the slope and the y-intercept are switched and because the slope is approximately double the actual slope.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 740bf79f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 740bf79f

In the figure above, what is the

length of ?

A. 2.2

B. 2.3

C. 2.4

D. 2.5

ID: 740bf79f Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. First, is the hypotenuse of right , whose legs have lengths 3 and 4. Therefore,

, so and . Second, because corresponds to and because

corresponds to , is similar to . The ratio of corresponding sides of similar triangles is constant, so

. Since and it’s given that and , . Solving for NQ results in , or

2.4.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from setting up incorrect ratios.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 933fee1a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 933fee1a

Triangles ABC and DEF are shown above. Which of the

following is equal to the ratio ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 933fee1a Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. In right triangle ABC, the measure of angle B must be 58° because the sum of the measure of angle A,
which is 32°, and the measure of angle B is 90°. Angle D in the right triangle DEF has measure 58°. Hence, triangles ABC and
DEF are similar (by angle-angle similarity). Since is the side opposite to the angle with measure 32° and AB is the

hypotenuse in right triangle ABC, the ratio is equal to .

Alternate approach: The trigonometric ratios can be used to answer this question. In right triangle ABC, the ratio

. The angle E in triangle DEF has measure 32° because . In triangle DEF, the ratio

. Therefore, .

Choice A is incorrect because is the reciprocal of the ratio . Choice C is incorrect because , not

. Choice D is incorrect because , not .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 69b0d79d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 69b0d79d

Point O is the center of the circle above, and the measure of is . If the

length of is 18, what is the length of arc ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 69b0d79d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Because segments OA and OB are radii of the circle centered at point O, these segments have equal
lengths. Therefore, triangle AOB is an isosceles triangle, where angles OAB and OBA are congruent base angles of the
triangle. It’s given that angle OAB measures . Therefore, angle OBA also measures . Let represent the measure

of angle AOB. Since the sum of the measures of the three angles of any triangle is , it follows that

, or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields , or

radians. Therefore, the measure of angle AOB, and thus the measure of arc , is radians. Since is a radius of the

given circle and its length is 18, the length of the radius of the circle is 18. Therefore, the length of arc can be calculated

as , or .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or computational errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 2266984b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 2266984b

The equation above defines a circle in the xy-plane. What are the
coordinates of the center of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2266984b Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The standard equation of a circle in the xy-plane is of the form , where are
the coordinates of the center of the circle and r is the radius. The given equation can be rewritten in standard form by
completing the squares. So the sum of the first two terms, , needs a 100 to complete the square, and the sum of

the second two terms, , needs a 64 to complete the square. Adding 100 and 64 to both sides of the given equation

yields , which is equivalent to .

Therefore, the coordinates of the center of the circle are .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from computational errors made when attempting to complete the squares
or when identifying the coordinates of the center.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c8345903
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: c8345903

The circle above has center O, the length of arc is , and

. What is the length of arc ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c8345903 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The ratio of the lengths of two arcs of a circle is equal to the ratio of the measures of the central angles
that subtend the arcs. It’s given that arc is subtended by a central angle with measure 100°. Since the sum of the

measures of the angles about a point is 360°, it follows that arc is subtended by a central angle with measure

. If s is the length of arc , then s must satisfy the ratio . Reducing the fraction

to its simplest form gives . Therefore, . Multiplying both sides of by yields .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of an arc consisting of exactly half of the circle, but arc is greater than half of
the circle. Choice C is incorrect. This is the total circumference of the circle. Choice D is incorrect. This is half the length of
arc , not its full length.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 94364a79
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 94364a79

Two nearby trees are perpendicular to the ground, which is flat. One of these trees is feet tall and has a shadow that is
feet long. At the same time, the shadow of the other tree is feet long. How tall, in feet, is the other tree?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 94364a79 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Each tree and its shadow can be modeled using a right triangle, where the height of the tree and the
length of its shadow are the legs of the triangle. At a given point in time, the right triangles formed by two nearby trees and
their respective shadows will be similar. Therefore, if the height of the other tree is 𝑥, in feet, the value of 𝑥 can be calculated
10 feet tall 𝑥 feet tall 10 𝑥 𝑥
by solving the proportional relationship 5 feet long
=
2 feet long
. This equation is equivalent to 5 = 2 , or 2 = 2 . Multiplying each
𝑥
side of the equation 2 = by 2 yields 4 = 𝑥. Therefore, the other tree is 4 feet tall.
2

Choice A is incorrect and may result from calculating the difference between the lengths of the shadows, rather than the
height of the other tree.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from calculating the difference between the height of the 10-foot-tall tree and the length
of the shadow of the other tree, rather than calculating the height of the other tree.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 81b664bc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 81b664bc

In the figure above, , , and are parallel. Points B and E lie on and

, respectively. If , and , what is the length of

, to the nearest tenth?

A. 16.8

B. 17.5

C. 18.4

D. 19.6

ID: 81b664bc Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Since , , and are parallel, quadrilaterals and are similar. Let x represent the

length of . With similar figures, the ratios of the lengths of corresponding sides are equal. It follows that .
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 18.5 and by x yields , or . Dividing both sides of this
equation by 9 yields , which to the nearest tenth is 17.5.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when setting up the proportion.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 947a3cde
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 947a3cde

In the figure above, and intersect at point P, , and .

What is the measure, in degrees, of ? (Disregard the degree symbol when
gridding your answer.)

ID: 947a3cde Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 30. It is given that the measure of is . Angle MPR and are collinear and therefore
are supplementary angles. This means that the sum of the two angle measures is , and so the measure of is

. The sum of the angles in a triangle is . Subtracting the measure of from yields the sum of the
other angles in the triangle MPR. Since , the sum of the measures of and is . It is
given that , so it follows that triangle MPR is isosceles. Therefore and must be congruent. Since
the sum of the measure of these two angles is , it follows that the measure of each angle is .

An alternate approach would be to use the exterior angle theorem, noting that the measure of is equal to the sum of

the measures of and . Since both angles are equal, each of them has a measure of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f88f27e5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: f88f27e5
Intersecting lines r, s, and t are shown below.

What is the value of x ?

ID: f88f27e5 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 97. The intersecting lines form a triangle, and the angle with measure of is an exterior angle of this
triangle. The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of the two nonadjacent interior
angles of the triangle. One of these angles has measure of and the other, which is supplementary to the angle with
measure , has measure of . Therefore, the value of x is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e10d8313
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: e10d8313

In the figure shown, points , , , and lie on line segment , and line segment intersects line segment at
point . The measure of is , the measure of is , the measure of is , and the measure
of is . What is the measure, in degrees, of ?

ID: e10d8313 Answer

Correct Answer: 123

Rationale
The correct answer is 123. The triangle angle sum theorem states that the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a
triangle is 180 degrees. It's given that the measure of ∠𝑆𝑄𝑋 is 48° and the measure of ∠𝑆𝑋𝑄 is 86°. Since points 𝑆, 𝑄, and 𝑋
form a triangle, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑄𝑆𝑋 is 180 - 48 - 86, or 46.
It's also given that the measure of ∠𝑆𝑊𝑈 is 85°. Since ∠𝑆𝑊𝑈 and ∠𝑆𝑊𝑅 are supplementary angles, the sum of their
measures is 180 degrees. It follows that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑆𝑊𝑅 is 180 - 85, or 95. Since points 𝑅, 𝑆, and 𝑊 form a
triangle, and ∠𝑅𝑆𝑊 is the same angle as ∠𝑄𝑆𝑋, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees,
of ∠𝑊𝑅𝑆 is 180 - 46 - 95, or 39. It's given that the measure of ∠𝑉𝑇𝑈 is 162°. Since ∠𝑉𝑇𝑈 and ∠𝑆𝑇𝑈 are supplementary angles,
the sum of their measures is 180 degrees. It follows that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑆𝑇𝑈 is 180 - 162, or 18. Since points 𝑅,
𝑇, and 𝑈 form a triangle, and ∠𝑈𝑅𝑇 is the same angle as ∠𝑊𝑅𝑆, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the
measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑇𝑈𝑅 is 180 - 39 - 18, or 123.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9d95e7ad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 9d95e7ad

The scatterplot above shows the numbers of grams of both total protein and total fat for eight sandwiches on a restaurant
menu. The line of best fit for the data is also shown. According to the line of best fit, which of the following is closest to the
predicted increase in total fat, in grams, for every increase of 1 gram in total protein?

A. 2.5

B. 2.0

C. 1.5

D. 1.0

ID: 9d95e7ad Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The predicted increase in total fat, in grams, for every increase of 1 gram in total protein is represented
by the slope of the line of best fit. Any two points on the line can be used to calculate the slope of the line as the change in
total fat over the change in total protein. For instance, it can be estimated that the points and are on the line

of best fit, and the slope of the line that passes through them is , or 1.4. Of the choices given, 1.5 is the
closest to the slope of the line of best fit.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly finding ordered pairs that lie on the line of best fit or of
incorrectly calculating the slope.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 20b69297
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 20b69297

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

ID: 20b69297 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that Anita used a ratio of 2 ounces of blue paint to 3 ounces of yellow paint for the first batch.

For any batch of paint that uses the same ratio, the amount of yellow paint used will be , or 1.5, times the amount of blue
paint used in the batch. Therefore, the amount of yellow paint Anita will use in the second batch will be 1.5 times the amount
of blue paint used in the second batch.

Alternate approach: It’s given that Anita used a ratio of 2 ounces of blue paint to 3 ounces of yellow paint for the first batch
and that she will use 5 ounces of blue paint for the second batch. A proportion can be set up to solve for x, the amount of

yellow paint she will use for the second batch: . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 3 yields , and
multiplying both sides of this equation by x yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields . Since

Anita will use 7.5 ounces of yellow paint for the second batch, this is times the amount of blue paint (5 ounces)
used in the second batch.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly interpreting the ratio of blue paint to yellow paint used.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9ee22c16
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 9ee22c16
A random sample of 400 town voters were asked if they plan to vote for Candidate A or Candidate B for mayor. The results
were sorted by gender and are shown in the table below.

Plan to vote Plan to vote

for for
Candidate Candidate
A B

Female 202 20

Male 34 144

The town has a total of 6,000 voters. Based on the table, what is the best estimate of the number of voters who plan to vote
for Candidate A?

ID: 9ee22c16 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 3,540. According to the table, of 400 voters randomly sampled, the total number of men and women
who plan to vote for Candidate A is . The best estimate of the total number of voters in the town who plan to

vote for Candidate A is the fraction of voters in the sample who plan to vote for Candidate A, , multiplied by the total

voter population of 6000. Therefore, the answer is .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID af142f8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: af142f8d

Amount invested Balance increase

Account A $500 6% annual interest

Account B $1,000 $25 per year

Two investments were made as shown in the table above. The interest in Account
A is compounded once per year. Which of the following is true about the
investments?

A. Account A always earns more money per year than Account B.

B. Account A always earns less money per year than Account B.

C. Account A earns more money per year than Account B at first but eventually earns less money per year.

D. Account A earns less money per year than Account B at first but eventually earns more money per year.

ID: af142f8d Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Account A starts with $500 and earns interest at 6% per year, so in the first year Account A earns (500)
(0.06) = $30, which is greater than the $25 that Account B earns that year. Compounding interest can be modeled by an
increasing exponential function, so each year Account A will earn more money than it did the previous year. Therefore, each
year Account A earns at least $30 in interest. Since Account B always earns $25 each year, Account A always earns more
money per year than Account B.

Choices B and D are incorrect. Account A earns $30 in the first year, which is greater than the $25 Account B earns in the first
year. Therefore, neither the statement that Account A always earns less money per year than Account B nor the statement
that Account A earns less money than Account B at first can be true. Choice C is incorrect. Since compounding interest can
be modeled by an increasing exponential function, each year Account A will earn more money than it did the previous year.
Therefore, Account A always earns at least $30 per year, which is more than the $25 per year that Account B earns.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 89f8d08a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 89f8d08a

A store manager reviewed the receipts from 80 customers who were selected at
random from all the customers who made purchases last Thursday. Of those
selected, 20 receipts showed that the customer had purchased fruit. If
1,500 customers made purchases last Thursday, which of the following is the most
appropriate conclusion?

A. Exactly 75 customers must have purchased fruit last Thursday.

B. Exactly 375 customers must have purchased fruit last Thursday.

C. The best estimate for the number of customers who purchased fruit last Thursday is 75.

D. The best estimate for the number of customers who purchased fruit last Thursday is 375.

ID: 89f8d08a Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the manager took a random selection of the receipts of 80 customers from a total of
1,500. It’s also given that of those 80 receipts, 20 showed that the customer had purchased fruit. This means that an

appropriate estimate of the fraction of customers who purchased fruit is , or . Multiplying this fraction by the total

number of customers yields . Therefore, the best estimate for the number of customers who purchased
fruit is 375.

Choices A and B are incorrect because an exact number of customers can’t be known from taking a random selection.
Additionally, choice A may also be the result of a calculation error. Choice C is incorrect and may result from a calculation
error.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 79137c1b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 79137c1b

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.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 79137c1b Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. From the shape of the cluster of points, the line of best fit should pass roughly through the points
and . Therefore, these two points can be used to find an approximate equation for the line of best fit. The

slope of this line of best fit is therefore , or 100. The equation for the line of best fit, in slope-
intercept form, is for some value of b. Using the point , 1 can be substituted for x and 200 can be
substituted for y: , or . Substituting this value into the slope-intercept form of the equation gives
.

Choice A is incorrect. The line defined by passes through the points and , both of which
are well above the cluster of points, so it cannot be a line of best fit. Choice C is incorrect. The line defined by
passes through the points and , both of which lie at the bottom of the cluster of points, so it cannot be a line
of best fit. Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly calculating the slope of a line of best fit but incorrectly
assuming the y-intercept is at .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 89c39d77
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 89c39d77

A competition consisted of four different events. One participant completed the first event with an average speed of
miles per hour. What was this average speed, in yards per hour?

ID: 89c39d77 Answer

Correct Answer: 35728

Rationale
The correct answer is 35,728. It's given that 1 mile = 1,760 yards. It follows that an average speed of 20.300 miles per hour
20.300 miles 1,760 yards
is equivalent to 1 hour 1 mile
, or 35,728 yards per hour.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9ba3e283
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Inference from

and Data Analysis sample statistics
and margin of error

ID: 9ba3e283

In State X, Mr. Camp’s eighth-grade class consisting of 26 students was surveyed

and 34.6 percent of the students reported that they had at least two siblings. The
average eighth‑grade class size in the state is 26. If the students in Mr. Camp’s
class are representative of students in the state’s eighth-grade classes and there
are 1,800 eighth-grade classes in the state, which of the following best estimates
the number of eighth‑grade students in the state who have fewer than two
siblings?

A. 16,200

B. 23,400

C. 30,600

D. 46,800

ID: 9ba3e283 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It is given that 34.6% of 26 students in Mr. Camp’s class reported that they had at least two siblings.
Since 34.6% of 26 is 8.996, there must have been 9 students in the class who reported having at least two siblings and 17
students who reported that they had fewer than two siblings. It is also given that the average eighth-grade class size in the
state is 26 and that Mr. Camp’s class is representative of all eighth-grade classes in the state. This means that in each
eighth-grade class in the state there are about 17 students who have fewer than two siblings. Therefore, the best estimate of
the number of eighth-grade students in the state who have fewer than two siblings is 17 × (number of eighth-grade classes in
the state), or .

Choice A is incorrect because 16,200 is the best estimate for the number of eighth-grade students in the state who have at
least, not fewer than, two siblings. Choice B is incorrect because 23,400 is half of the estimated total number of eighth-grade
students in the state; however, since the students in Mr. Camp’s class are representative of students in the eighth-grade
classes in the state and more than half of the students in Mr. Camp’s class have fewer than two siblings, more than half of
the students in each eighth-grade class in the state have fewer than two siblings, too. Choice D is incorrect because 46,800
is the estimated total number of eighth-grade students in the state.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9eb896c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 9eb896c5

Which of the following could be the equation for a line of best fit for the
data shown in the scatterplot above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9eb896c5 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The data show a strong linear relationship between x and y. The line of best fit for a set of data is a linear
equation that minimizes the distances from the data points to the line. An equation for the line of best fit can be written in
slope-intercept form, , where m is the slope of the graph of the line and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept
of the graph. Since, for the data shown, the y-values increase as the x-values increase, the slope of a line of best fit must be
positive. The data shown lie almost in a line, so the slope can be roughly estimated using the formula for slope,

. The leftmost and rightmost data points have coordinates of about and , so the slope is

approximately , which is a little greater than 3. Extension of the line to the left would intersect the y-axis at
about . Only choice A represents a line with a slope close to 3 and a y-intercept close to .

Choice B is incorrect and may result from switching the slope and y-intercept. The line with a y-intercept of and a slope

of 0.8 is farther from the data points than the line with a slope of 3 and a y-intercept of . Choices C and D are
incorrect. They represent lines with negative slopes, not positive slopes.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e821a26d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: e821a26d
The scatterplot below shows the amount of electric energy generated, in millions of megawatt-hours, by nuclear sources
over a 10‑year period.

Of the following equations, which best models the data in the scatterplot?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e821a26d Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The data in the scatterplot roughly fall in the shape of a downward-opening parabola; therefore, the
coefficient for the term must be negative. Based on the location of the data points, the y-intercept of the parabola should
be somewhere between 740 and 760. Therefore, of the equations given, the best model is
.

Choices A and C are incorrect. The positive coefficient of the term means that these equations each define upward-
opening parabolas, whereas a parabola that fits the data in the scatterplot must open downward. Choice B is incorrect
because it defines a parabola with a y-intercept that has a negative y-coordinate, whereas a parabola that fits the data in the
scatterplot must have a y-intercept with a positive y-coordinate.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1180401d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 1180401d

The total area of a coastal city is 92.1 square miles, of which 11.3 square miles is
water. If the city had a population of 621,000 people in the year 2010, which of the
following is closest to the population density, in people per square mile of land
area, of the city at that time?

A. 6,740

B. 7,690

C. 55,000

D. 76,000

ID: 1180401d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The land area of the coastal city can be found by subtracting the area of the water from the total area of
the coastal city; that is, square miles. The population density is the population divided by the land area,

or , which is closest to 7,690 people per square mile.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of dividing the population by the total area, instead of the land area. Choice C is
incorrect and may be the result of dividing the population by the area of water. Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of
making a computational error with the decimal place.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f6cbb04a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: f6cbb04a

The equation above can be used to calculate the distance d, in miles, traveled by a
car moving at a speed of 55 miles per hour over a period of t hours. For any
positive constant k, the distance the car would have traveled after hours is how
many times the distance the car would have traveled after hours?

A. 3

B. 6

C.

D.

ID: f6cbb04a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since the distance is equal to the amount of time multiplied by a constant, the given equation
represents a proportional relationship between distance and time in this situation. Since , the time when
hours is 3 times the time when hours. Therefore, the distance traveled after hours is 3 times the distance after
hours.

Choices B and D are incorrect and may result from interpreting the proportional relationship between time and distance as
additive rather than multiplicative. Choice C is incorrect and may result from an arithmetic error.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID eb672707
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: eb672707

How many tablespoons are equivalent to teaspoons?

ID: eb672707 Answer

Correct Answer: 14/3, 4.666, 4.667

Rationale
14
The correct answer is 3
. It's given that 3 teaspoons is equivalent to 1 tablespoon. Therefore, 14 teaspoons is equivalent to
1 tablespoon 14
14 teaspoons 3 teaspoons , or 3
tablespoons. Note that 14/3, 4.666, and 4.667 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ab7740a8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: ab7740a8

In which of the following tables is the relationship between the values of x and
their corresponding y-values nonlinear?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ab7740a8 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The relationship between the values of x and their corresponding y-values is nonlinear if the rate of
change between these pairs of values isn’t constant. The table for choice D gives four pairs of values: , , ,

and . Finding the rate of change, or slope, between and by using the slope formula, , yields

, or 6. Finding the rate of change between and yields , or 12. Finding the rate of change

between and yields , or 24. Since the rate of change isn’t constant for these pairs of values, this table
shows a nonlinear relationship.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The rate of change between the values of x and their corresponding y-values in each of
these tables is constant, being 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Therefore, each of these tables shows a linear relationship.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID d0430601
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: d0430601

Each dot in the scatterplot above represents the temperature and the number of
people who visited a beach in Lagos, Nigeria, on one of eleven different days. The
line of best fit for the data is also shown. The line of best fit for the data has a
slope of approximately 57. According to this estimate, how many additional people
per day are predicted to visit the beach for each 5°C increase in average
temperature?

ID: d0430601 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 285. The number of people predicted to visit the beach each day is represented by the y-values of the
line of best fit, and the average temperature, in degrees Celsius ( ), is represented by the x-values. Since the slope of the
line of best fit is approximately 57, the y-value, or the number of people predicted to visit the beach each day, increases by 57
for every x-value increase of 1, or every increase in average temperature. Therefore, an increase of in average
temperature corresponds to a y-value increase of additional people per day predicted to visit the beach.

Question Difficulty: Hard