Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The quadratic function h is defined as shown. In the xy-plane, the graph of

intersects the x-axis at the points and , where t is a constant.
What is the value of t ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 4

D. 8

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It’s given that the graph of intersects the x-axis at and , where t is a constant. Since
this graph intersects the x-axis when or when , it follows that and . If , then

. Adding 32 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2

yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields . Adding 4 to both sides of this
equation yields . Therefore, the value of t is 8.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

What is the positive solution to the given equation?

Correct Answer: 9

Rationale

The correct answer is 9. The given equation can be rewritten as 54 - 𝑥 = 25. Dividing each side of this equation by 5 yields
4 - 𝑥 = 5. By the definition of absolute value, if 4 - 𝑥 = 5, then 4 - 𝑥 = 5 or 4 - 𝑥 = - 5. Subtracting 4 from each side of the
equation 4 - 𝑥 = 5 yields -𝑥 = 1. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 𝑥 = - 1. Similarly, subtracting 4 from each side
of the equation 4 - 𝑥 = - 5 yields -𝑥 = - 9. Dividing each side of this equation by -1 yields 𝑥 = 9. Therefore, since the two
solutions to the given equation are -1 and 9, the positive solution to the given equation is 9.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The function is defined by . What is the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occurs at the point on the graph where 𝑥 = 0. In
other words, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the given
equation yields 𝑓0 = -820 + 22, which is equivalent to 𝑓0 = -81 + 22, or 𝑓0 = 14. Thus, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding value of
𝑓𝑥 is 14. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, 14.

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

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

Choice D is incorrect. This could be the y-intercept for 𝑓𝑥 = -82𝑥 , not 𝑓𝑥 = -82𝑥 + 22.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

One solution to the given equation can be written as , where is a constant. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Adding 9 to each side of the given equation yields 𝑥2 - 2𝑥 = 9. To complete the square, adding 1 to each
side of this equation yields 𝑥2 - 2𝑥 + 1 = 9 + 1, or 𝑥 - 12 = 10. Taking the square root of each side of this equation yields
𝑥 - 1 = ± √10 . Adding 1 to each side of this equation yields 𝑥 = 1 ± √10 . Since it's given that one of the solutions to the
equation can be written as 1 + √𝑘 , the value of 𝑘 must be 10.

Alternate approach: It's given that 1 + √𝑘 is a solution to the given equation. It follows that 𝑥 = 1 + √𝑘 . Substituting
2
1 + √𝑘 for 𝑥 in the given equation yields 1 + √𝑘 - 21 + √𝑘 - 9 = 0, or 1 + √𝑘 1 + √𝑘 - 21 + √𝑘 - 9 = 0. Expanding the
products on the left-hand side of this equation yields 1 + 2√𝑘 + 𝑘 - 2 - 2√𝑘 - 9 = 0, or 𝑘 - 10 = 0. Adding 10 to each side of
this equation yields 𝑘 = 10.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

In the -plane, a line with equation intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the parabola has equation
, where is a positive constant, what is the value of ?

Correct Answer: 6

Rationale

The correct answer is 6. It’s given that a line with equation 2𝑦 = 4 . 5 intersects a parabola with equation 𝑦 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥, where
𝑏 is a positive constant, at exactly one point in the xy-plane. It follows that the system of equations consisting of 2𝑦 = 4 . 5
and 𝑦 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 has exactly one solution. Dividing both sides of the equation of the line by 2 yields 𝑦 = 2 . 25. Substituting
2.25 for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields 2 . 25 = - 4𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥. Adding 4𝑥2 and subtracting 𝑏𝑥 from both sides of this
equation yields 4𝑥2 - 𝑏𝑥 + 2 . 25 = 0. A quadratic equation in the form of 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, has
exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐, is equal to zero. Substituting 4 for 𝑎 and 2.25 for 𝑐 in the expression
𝑏2 - 4𝑎𝑐 and setting this expression equal to 0 yields 𝑏2 - 4(4) (2 . 25) = 0, or 𝑏2 - 36 = 0. Adding 36 to each side of this
equation yields 𝑏2 = 36. Taking the square root of each side of this equation yields 𝑏 = ± 6. It’s given that 𝑏 is positive, so the
value of 𝑏 is 6.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The given function models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year, where represents the
number of years since , and . If is graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following is the best
interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?

A. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

B. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

C. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

D. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point where 𝑥 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 9,0000.66𝑥 , which
gives 𝑦 = 9,0000.660 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 9,0001, or 𝑦 = 9,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is 0, 9,000.
It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year. Therefore, 𝑓𝑥
represents the estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients each year. It's also given that 𝑥
represents the number of years since 1997. Therefore, 𝑥 = 0 represents 0 years since 1997, or 1997. Thus, the best
interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is that the estimated number of advertisements the company sent to
its clients in 1997 was 9,000.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

If x is a solution to the given equation, which of the

following is a possible value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The given equation can be rewritten as . Multiplying both sides of this equation by

yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields . Taking the square root of both sides of

this equation yields or . Therefore, a possible value of is .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

Function is defined by , where and are constants. In the xy-plane, the graph of has a
y-intercept at . The product of and is . What is the value of ?

Correct Answer: 20

Rationale

The correct answer is 20. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Substituting -𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 yields
𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12. It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 is 0, - 75 . Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and - 75 for 𝑦 in the
7 7
equation 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12 yields - 757 = - 𝑎0 + 𝑏 - 12, which is equivalent to - 757 = - 1 + 𝑏 - 12, or - 757 = 𝑏 - 13. Adding 13 to both
16 320 320 16
sides of this equation yields = 𝑏. It’s given that the product of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is , or 𝑎𝑏 = . Substituting for 𝑏 in this
7 7 7 7
16 320 16
equation yields 𝑎 = . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields 𝑎 = 20.
7 7 7

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

If for all positive values of x,

what is the value of ?

Rationale

The correct answer is . The value of can be found by first rewriting the left-hand side of the given equation as .

Using the properties of exponents, this expression can be rewritten as . This expression can be rewritten by

subtracting the fractions in the exponent, which yields . Thus, is . Note that 7/6, 1.166, and 1.167 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

Which of the following expressions is(are) a factor of ?

I.
II.

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The given expression can be factored by first finding two values whose sum is 20 and whose product is
3-63, or -189. Those two values are 27 and -7. It follows that the given expression can be rewritten as 3𝑥2 + 27𝑥 - 7𝑥 - 63. Since
the first two terms of this expression have a common factor of 3𝑥 and the last two terms of this expression have a common
factor of -7, this expression can be rewritten as 3𝑥𝑥 + 9 - 7𝑥 + 9. Since the two terms of this expression have a common
factor of 𝑥 + 9, it can be rewritten as 3𝑥 - 7𝑥 + 9. Therefore, expression II, 3𝑥 - 7, is a factor of 3𝑥2 + 20𝑥 - 63, but expression I,
𝑥 - 9, is not a factor of 3𝑥2 + 20𝑥 - 63.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

The equation above is true for all x, where a and b are

constants. What is the value of ab ?

A. 18

B. 20

C. 24

D. 40

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. If the equation is true for all x, then the expressions on both sides of the equation will be equivalent.
Multiplying the polynomials on the left-hand side of the equation gives . On the right-

hand side of the equation, the only -term is . Since the expressions on both sides of the equation are equivalent, it

follows that , which can be rewritten as . Therefore, , which

gives .

Choice A is incorrect. If , then the coefficient of on the left-hand side of the equation would be ,

which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the right-hand side. Choice B is incorrect. If , then the coefficient

of on the left-hand side of the equation would be , which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the

right-hand side. Choice D is incorrect. If , then the coefficient of on the left-hand side of the equation would be

, which doesn’t equal the coefficient of , , on the right-hand side.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

Which ordered pair is a solution to the

system of equations above?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The solution to the given system of equations can be found by solving the first equation for x, which
gives , and substituting that value of x into the second equation which gives . Rewriting this

equation by adding like terms and expanding gives . Subtracting from both sides of this

equation gives . Adding to 2 to both sides of this equation gives . Therefore, it follows that .

Substituting for y in the first equation yields . Adding to both sides of this equation yields .

Therefore, the ordered pair is a solution to the given system of equations.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the first equation yields , or ,

which isn’t a true statement. Choice C is incorrect. Substituting for x and for y in the second equation yields

, or , which isn’t a true statement. Choice D is incorrect. Substituting

for x and for y in the second equation yields , or , which isn’t a

true statement.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The first term of a sequence is . Each term after the first is times the preceding term. If represents the th term of the
sequence, which equation gives in terms of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Since 𝑤 represents the 𝑛th term of the sequence and 9 is the first term of the sequence, the value of 𝑤 is
9 when the value of 𝑛 is 1. Since each term after the first is 4 times the preceding term, the value of 𝑤 is 94 when the value of
𝑛 is 2. Therefore, the value of 𝑤 is 944, or 942 , when the value of 𝑛 is 3. More generally, the value of 𝑤 is 94𝑛 - 1 for a given value
of 𝑛. Therefore, the equation 𝑤 = 94𝑛 - 1 gives 𝑤 in terms of 𝑛.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9, and each term after the
first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 4, rather than 9, and each term after the
first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

A machine launches a softball from ground level. The softball reaches a maximum height of meters above the ground
at seconds and hits the ground at seconds. Which equation represents the height above ground , in meters, of the
softball seconds after it is launched?

A.

B.

C. t

D. t

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. An equation representing the height above ground ℎ, in meters, of a softball 𝑡 seconds after it is
launched by a machine from ground level can be written in the form ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏2 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are positive constants.
In this equation, 𝑏 represents the time, in seconds, at which the softball reaches its maximum height of 𝑐 meters above the
ground. It's given that this softball reaches a maximum height of 51.84 meters above the ground at 1.8 seconds; therefore,
𝑏 = 1.8 and 𝑐 = 51.84. Substituting 1.8 for 𝑏 and 51.84 for 𝑐 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏2 + 𝑐 yields ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84. It's
also given that this softball hits the ground at 3.6 seconds; therefore, ℎ = 0 when 𝑡 = 3.6. Substituting 0 for ℎ and 3.6 for 𝑡 in
the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 yields 0 = - 𝑎3.6 - 1.82 + 51.84, which is equivalent to 0 = - 𝑎1.82 + 51.84, or
0 = - 3.24𝑎 + 51.84. Adding 3.24𝑎 to both sides of this equation yields 3.24𝑎 = 51.84. Dividing both sides of this equation by
3.24 yields 𝑎 = 16. Substituting 16 for 𝑎 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 yields ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84. Therefore,
ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 represents the height above ground ℎ, in meters, of this softball 𝑡 seconds after it is launched.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the maximum height is 3.6 meters above the ground at 0
seconds, not 51.84 meters above the ground at 1.8 seconds.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the maximum height is 51.84 meters above the ground at 0
seconds, not 1.8 seconds.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The function is defined by , where and are constants. In the -plane, the graph of has an -
intercept at and a -intercept at . What is the value of ?

Correct Answer: -324

Rationale

The correct answer is -324. It's given that the function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants. It's also given
that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 has a y-intercept at 0, - 323. It follows that 𝑓0 = - 323. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and -323 for 𝑓𝑥 in
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields -323 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or -323 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from each side of this equation yields -324 = 𝑏. Therefore, the
value of 𝑏 is -324.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

During a 5-second time interval, the average acceleration a, in meters per second
squared, of an object with an initial velocity of 12 meters per second is defined by

the equation , where vf is the final velocity of the object in

meters per second. If the equation is rewritten in the form vf = xa + y, where x and y
are constants, what is the value of x ?

Rationale

The correct answer is 5. The given equation can be rewritten in the form , like so:

It follows that the value of x is 5 and the value of y is 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The revenue , in dollars, that a company receives from sales of a product is

given by the function f above, where x is the unit price, in dollars, of the product.
The graph of in the xy-plane intersects the x-axis at 0 and a. What does a
represent?

A. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0

B. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue

C. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0

D. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. By definition, the y-value when a function intersects the x-axis is 0. It’s given that the graph of the
function intersects the x-axis at 0 and a, that x is the unit price, in dollars, of a product, and that , where , is the
revenue, in dollars, that a company receives from the sales of the product. Since the value of a occurs when , a is the
unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0.

Choice A is incorrect. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0 is represented by , when .
Choice B is incorrect. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue is represented by the x-
coordinate of the maximum of f. Choice D is incorrect. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make is
represented by the y-coordinate of the maximum of f.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

The equation above is true for all , where r and t are positive
constants. What is the value of rt ?

A.

B. 15

C. 20

D. 60

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. To express the sum of the two rational expressions on the left-hand side of the equation as the single
rational expression on the right-hand side of the equation, the expressions on the left-hand side must have the same

denominator. Multiplying the first expression by results in , and multiplying the second expression by

results in , so the given equation can be rewritten as

, or . Since the two

rational expressions on the left-hand side of the equation have the same denominator as the rational expression on the right-
hand side of the equation, it follows that . Combining like terms on the left-hand side yields
, so it follows that and . Therefore, the value of is .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error when determining the sign of either r or t. Choice B is incorrect and may

result from not distributing the 2 and 3 to their respective terms in .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

Growth of a Culture of Bacteria

Number of bacteria per
Day
milliliter at end of day

A culture of bacteria is growing at an exponential rate, as shown in the table above.

At this rate, on which day would the number of bacteria per milliliter reach
?

A. Day 5

B. Day 9

C. Day 11

D. Day 12

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The number of bacteria per milliliter is doubling each day. For example, from day 1 to day 2, the number
of bacteria increased from 2.5 × 105 to 5.0 × 105. At the end of day 3 there are 106 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 4,
there will be 106 × 2 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 5, there will be (106 × 2) × 2, or 106 × (22) bacteria per milliliter,
and so on. At the end of day d, the number of bacteria will be 106 × (2d – 3). If the number of bacteria per milliliter will reach
5.12 × 108 at the end of day d, then the equation must hold. Since 5.12 × 108 can be rewritten

as 512 × 106, the equation is equivalent to . Rewriting 512 as 29 gives d – 3 = 9, so d = 12. The number of
bacteria per milliliter would reach 5.12 × 108 at the end of day 12.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Given the growth rate of the bacteria, the number of bacteria will not reach 5.12 × 108 per
milliliter by the end of any of these days.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

For what value of is the given expression equivalent to , where ?

Correct Answer: .0177, .0178, 4/225

Rationale
1
4
The correct answer is
225
. An expression of the form 𝑘
√𝑎 , where 𝑘 is an integer greater than 1 and 𝑎 ≥ 0, is equivalent to 𝑎 𝑘 .
1 12
Therefore, the given expression, where 𝑛 > 1, is equivalent to 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 6 . Applying properties of exponents, this expression
1 1 1 1 1 1 8
·2 +
can be rewritten as 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 6 , or 70𝑛 5 70𝑛 3 , which can be rewritten as 70𝑛 5 3 , or 70𝑛 15 . It's given that the expression
2 8
8
5 70𝑛 6 70𝑛
√ √ is equivalent to 70𝑛30𝑥 , where 𝑛 > 1. It follows that 70𝑛 15 is equivalent to 70𝑛30𝑥 . Therefore, = 30𝑥. Dividing
15
8 4
both sides of this equation by 30 yields = 𝑥, or 225 = 𝑥. Thus, the value of 𝑥 for which the given expression is equivalent to
450
4
70𝑛30𝑥 , where 𝑛 > 1, is 225 . Note that 4/225, .0177, .0178, 0.017, and 0.018 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

Which of the following is a solution to

the equation above?

A. 2

B.

C.

D.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. A quadratic equation in the form , where a, b, and c are constants, can be solved

using the quadratic formula: . Subtracting from both sides of the given equation yields

. Applying the quadratic formula, where , , and , yields

. This can be rewritten as . Since , or , the

equation can be rewritten as . Dividing 2 from both the numerator and denominator yields or

. Of these two solutions, only is present among the choices. Thus, the correct choice is D.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from a computational or conceptual error. Choice B is incorrect and may result from

using instead of as the quadratic formula. Choice C is incorrect and may

result from rewriting as instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

In the given quadratic function, and are constants. The graph of in the xy-plane is a parabola that opens
upward and has a vertex at the point , where and are constants. If and , which of the
following must be true?
I.
II.

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is a parabola with vertex ℎ, 𝑘. If 𝑓-9 = 𝑓3, then for the
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the point with an x-coordinate of -9 and the point with an x-coordinate of 3 have the same y-coordinate. In
the xy-plane, a parabola is a symmetric graph such that when two points have the same y-coordinate, these points are
equidistant from the vertex, and the x-coordinate of the vertex is halfway between the x-coordinates of these two points.
Therefore, for the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the points with x-coordinates -9 and 3 are equidistant from the vertex, ℎ, 𝑘, and ℎ is
-9 + 3
halfway between -9 and 3. The value that is halfway between -9 and 3 is , or -3. Therefore, ℎ = - 3. The equation defining
2
𝑓 can also be written in vertex form, 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘. Substituting -3 for ℎ in this equation yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - -32 + 𝑘, or
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 32 + 𝑘. This equation is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 𝑘, or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑎𝑥 + 9𝑎 + 𝑘. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑐, it
4 2 2
follows that 6𝑎 = 4 and 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of the equation 6𝑎 = 4 by 6 yields 𝑎 = , or 𝑎 = . Since < 1, it's not
6 3 3
2 2
true that 𝑎 ≥ 1. Therefore, statement II isn't true. Substituting for 𝑎 in the equation 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐 yields 9 + 𝑘 = 𝑐, or 6 + 𝑘 = 𝑐.
3 3
Subtracting 6 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑘 = 𝑐 - 6. If 𝑘 < 0, then 𝑐 - 6 < 0, or 𝑐 < 6. Since 𝑐 could be any value less
than 6, it's not necessarily true that 𝑐 < 0. Therefore, statement I isn't necessarily true. Thus, neither I nor II must be true.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear equations

in one variable and
systems of equations
in two variables

In the xy-plane, a line with equation for some constant intersects a parabola at exactly one point. If the parabola
has equation , what is the value of ?

Correct Answer: 20.25, 81/4

Rationale

81
The correct answer is
4
. The given linear equation is 2𝑦= 𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑦 = 2𝑐 .
𝑐 𝑐
Substituting for 𝑦 in the equation of the parabola yields = - 2𝑥2 + 9𝑥. Adding 2𝑥2 and -9𝑥 to both sides of this equation
2 2
𝑐
yields 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0. Since it’s given that the line and the parabola intersect at exactly one point, the equation
2
2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 must have exactly one solution. An equation of the form 𝐴𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 = 0, where 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are constants,
2
𝑐
has exactly one solution when the discriminant, 𝐵2 - 4𝐴𝐶, is equal to 0. In the equation 2𝑥2 - 9𝑥 + = 0, where 𝐴 = 2, 𝐵 = - 9,
2
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐
and 𝐶 = , the discriminant is -92 - 42 . Setting the discriminant equal to 0 yields -92 - 42 = 0, or 81 - 4𝑐 = 0. Adding 4𝑐 to both
2 2 2
81
sides of this equation yields 81 = 4𝑐. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 𝑐 = . Note that 81/4 and 20.25 are
4
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The function is defined by . For what value of does reach its minimum?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 5. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 64𝑥 + 262, it follows that 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥 + 52 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262.
Expanding the quantity 𝑥 + 52 in this equation yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 25 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262. Distributing the 4 and the 64
yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 40𝑥 + 100 + 64𝑥 + 320 + 262. Combining like terms yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. Therefore,
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are
constants and 𝑎 is positive, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum, 𝑘, when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. The equation 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682 can be
rewritten in this form by completing the square. This equation is equivalent to 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26 + 682, or
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26𝑥 + 169 - 169 + 682. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 - 169 + 682, or 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 - 4169 + 682,
2
which is equivalent to 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 132 + 6. This equation is in the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎 = 4, ℎ = - 13, and 𝑘 = 6.
Therefore, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is -13.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥, rather than 𝑔𝑥, reaches its minimum.

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

Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 - 5, rather than 𝑓𝑥 + 5, reaches its minimum.

Question Difficulty: Hard

 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Equivalent

expressions

The expression is equivalent to the expression , where , , and are constants. What
is the value of ?

Correct Answer: -419

Rationale

The correct answer is -419. It's given that the expression 3𝑥 - 2319𝑥 + 6 is equivalent to the expression 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏
, and 𝑐 are constants. Applying the distributive property to the given expression, 3𝑥 - 2319𝑥 + 6, yields
3𝑥19𝑥 + 3𝑥6 - 2319𝑥 - 236, which can be rewritten as 57𝑥2 + 18𝑥 - 437𝑥 - 138. Combining like terms yields 57𝑥2 - 419𝑥 - 138.
Since this expression is equivalent to 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that the value of 𝑏 is -419.

Question Difficulty: Hard