SAT Math : Equations / Inequalities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #191 : Equations / Inequalities

Give the solution set of the inequality

\(\displaystyle |-6x+14| + 21 < 78\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \left ( - 11 \frac{5}{6}, 7 \frac{1}{6} \right )\)

\(\displaystyle \left (- \infty , - 11 \frac{5}{6} \right ) \cup \left ( 7 \frac{1}{6} , \infty \right )\)

\(\displaystyle \left ( -7 \frac{1}{6}, 11 \frac{5}{6} \right )\)

\(\displaystyle \left (- \infty , -7 \frac{1}{6} \right ) \cup \left ( 11 \frac{5}{6}, \infty \right )\)

\(\displaystyle \left (- \infty , \infty \right )\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \left ( -7 \frac{1}{6}, 11 \frac{5}{6} \right )\)

Explanation:

In an absolute value inequality, the absolute value expression must be isolated on one side first. We can do this by subtracting 21 from both sides:

\(\displaystyle |-6x+14| + 21 < 78\)

\(\displaystyle |-6x+14| + 21-21 < 78 -21\)

\(\displaystyle |-6x+14| < 57\)

This can be rewritten as the three-part inequality

\(\displaystyle -57 < -6x+14 < 57\)

Subtract 14 from all three expressions:

\(\displaystyle -57 - 14 < -6x+14 - 14 < 57 - 14\)

\(\displaystyle -71 < -6x < 43\)

Divide all three expressions by \(\displaystyle -6\), reversing the inequality symbols since you are dividing by a negative number:

\(\displaystyle -71\div (-6) >-6x \div (-6)> 43 \div (-6)\)

\(\displaystyle 11 \frac{5}{6} >x > -7 \frac{1}{6}\)

In interval notation, this is \(\displaystyle \left ( -7 \frac{1}{6}, 11 \frac{5}{6} \right )\).

Example Question #21 : Solution Sets

Give the solution set of the inequality

\(\displaystyle 42 - |-2x+19| < 14\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle (-\infty, -23.5) \cup ( 4.5, \infty)\)

The inequality has no solution.

\(\displaystyle (-\infty, -4.5) \cup (23.5, \infty)\)

\(\displaystyle ( -4.5, 23.5 )\)

\(\displaystyle ( -23.5, 4.5 )\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle (-\infty, -4.5) \cup (23.5, \infty)\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 42 - |-2x+19| < 14\)

In an absolute value inequality, the absolute value expression must be isolated on one side first. We can di this by first subtracting 42 from both sides:

\(\displaystyle 42 - |-2x+19| - 42< 14 - 42\)

\(\displaystyle - |-2x+19| < -28\)

Divide by \(\displaystyle -1\), reversing the direction of the inequality symbol since we are dividing by a negative number:

\(\displaystyle \frac{- |-2x+19| }{-1}> \frac{-28}{-1}\)

\(\displaystyle |-2x+19| >28\)

This inequality can be rewritten as the compound inequality

\(\displaystyle -2x+19 < -28\) or \(\displaystyle -2x+19 >28\)

Solve each simple inequality separately. 

\(\displaystyle -2x+19 < -28\)

Subtract 19 from both sides:

\(\displaystyle -2x+19 - 19 < -28 - 19\)

\(\displaystyle -2x < -47\)

Divide by \(\displaystyle -2\), remembering to reverse the symbol:

\(\displaystyle \frac{-2x}{-2} > \frac{-47}{-2}\)

\(\displaystyle x >23.5\)

In interval notation, this is \(\displaystyle (23.5, \infty)\).

Carry out the same steps on the other simple inequality:

\(\displaystyle -2x+19 >28\)

\(\displaystyle -2x+19 -19 >28 - 19\)

\(\displaystyle -2x >9\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{-2x}{-2} < \frac{9}{-2}\)

\(\displaystyle x < -4.5\)

In interval notation, this is \(\displaystyle (-\infty, -4.5)\).

Since the two simple inequalities are connected by an "or", their individual solution sets are connected by a union; the solution set is

\(\displaystyle (-\infty, -4.5) \cup (23.5, \infty)\).

Example Question #22 : How To Find A Solution Set

Below is a table of earnings from playing blackjack.

 

\(\displaystyle \begin{tabular}{cccccccccccc} Jan & Feb & Mar & Apr & May & Jun & Jul & Aug & Sep & Oct & Nov & Dec\\ \hline 1200& 400&133.33& 44.44& 14.814& 4.94 & 1.646& 0.549 & 0.183& 0.061 & 0.020 & 0.0067 \end{tabular}\)

Find the equation of depreciation. 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle y=1200\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^t\)

\(\displaystyle y=1200\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)^t\)

\(\displaystyle y=\left(\frac{1}{3}\right)^t\)

\(\displaystyle y=\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^t\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle y=1200\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^t\)

Explanation:

In general, an equation of depreciation looks like the following.

\(\displaystyle y=a(1-r)^t\), where \(\displaystyle a\) is the starting amount, \(\displaystyle r\) is the common ratio, and \(\displaystyle t\) is time.

For us \(\displaystyle a=1200\)\(\displaystyle r=\frac{1}{3}\), and \(\displaystyle t=t\).

\(\displaystyle y=1200\left(1-\frac{1}{3}\right)^t\)

\(\displaystyle y=1200\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^t\)

 

Example Question #23 : How To Find A Solution Set

Screen shot 2016 02 18 at 3.27.37 pm

The above displays a scatterplot, where the red line is the line of best fit. The line of best fit equation is \(\displaystyle y=0.3021x+1.9032\). What point on the scatterplot is the furthest from the line of best fit?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle (1,2)\)

\(\displaystyle (4,6)\)

\(\displaystyle (1,1)\)

\(\displaystyle (4,3)\)

 \(\displaystyle (4,5)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle (4,6)\)

Explanation:

To answer this question, we should create a table of values and compare. For calculating the difference between the y value and the y value of the line of best, take the absolute value since it won't make since if it is negative.

\(\displaystyle \begin{tabular}{cccc} x& y & line of best fit & difference between y and line of best fit\\ \hline 1 & 1 & 2.2053& 2.2053\\ 1 & 2& 2.2053 & 0.2053\\ 1 & 3 & 2.2053 & 0.7947\\ 2& 1 & 2.5074 & 1.5074\\ 4 & 3 & 3.1116 & 0.1116\\ 4 & 5 & 3.1116 & 1.8884\\ 4 & 6 & 3.1116 & 2.8884\\ 6 & 2 & 3.7158 & 1.7158\\ 6 & 3 & 3.7158 & 0.7158 \end{tabular}\)

From our table of values, we can see that the point furthest from the line of best fit is \(\displaystyle (4,6)\).

Example Question #24 : How To Find A Solution Set

Find the solutions to 

\(\displaystyle f(x)=x^3-3x\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=\sqrt3\)

\(\displaystyle x=\pm\sqrt3\)

\(\displaystyle x=0\)

\(\displaystyle x=0\)

\(\displaystyle x=\pm\sqrt3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=0\)

\(\displaystyle x=\pm\sqrt3\)

Explanation:

First step is to set it equal to zero

\(\displaystyle f(x)=x^3-3x\)

\(\displaystyle x^3-3x=0\)

Now factor out an \(\displaystyle x\)

\(\displaystyle x(x^2-3)=0\)

Set up the equations, and solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=0\)

\(\displaystyle x^2-3=0\)

\(\displaystyle x^2=3\)

\(\displaystyle x=\pm\sqrt3\)

 

Example Question #1 : How To Factor An Equation

Factor the following equation. 

x– 16

Possible Answers:

(x2)(4 – 2) 

(x + 4)(x – 4)

(x)(x – 4)

(x + 4)(x + 4)

(x – 4)(x – 4)

Correct answer:

(x + 4)(x – 4)

Explanation:

The correct answer is (x + 4)(x – 4) 

We neen to factor x– 16 to solve. We know that each parenthesis will contain an x to make the x2. We know that the root of 16 is 4 and since it is negative and no value of x is present we can tell that one 4 must be positive and the other negative. If we work it from the multiple choice answers we will see that when multiplying it out we get x+ 4x – 4x – 16. 4x – 4x cancels out and we are left with our answer. 

Example Question #2 : Factoring Equations

If x3 – y3 = 30, and x2 + xy + y2 = 6, then what is x2 – 2xy + y2?

Possible Answers:

24

25

180

cannot be determined

5

Correct answer:

25

Explanation:

First, let's factor x3 – y3 using the formula for difference of cubes.

x3 – y= (x – y)(x2 + xy + y2)

We are told that x2 + xy + y2 = 6. Thus, we can substitute 6 into the above equation and solve for x – y.

(x - y)(6) = 30.

Divide both sides by 6.

x – y = 5.

The original questions asks us to find x2 – 2xy + y2. Notice that if we factor x2 – 2xy + y2 using the formula for perfect squares, we obtain the following:

x2 – 2xy + y= (x – y)2.

Since we know that (x – y) = 5, (x – y)2 must equal 52, or 25.

Thus, x2 – 2xy + y= 25.

The answer is 25.

Example Question #2 : How To Factor An Equation

if x – y = 4 and x2 – y = 34, what is x?

Possible Answers:

9

6

12

10

15

Correct answer:

6

Explanation:

This can be solved by substitution and factoring.

x2 – y = 34 can be written as y = x2 – 34 and substituted into the other equation: x – y = 4 which leads to x – x2 + 34 = 4 which can be written as x2 – x – 30 = 0.

x2 – x – 30 = 0 can be factored to (x – 6)(x + 5) = 0 so x = 6 and –5 and because only 6 is a possible answer, it is the correct choice.

Example Question #3 : How To Factor An Equation

If x2 + 2ax + 81 = 0.  When a = 9, what is the value of x?

Possible Answers:

–18

9

–9

0

3

Correct answer:

–9

Explanation:

When a = 9, then x2 + 2ax + 81 = 0 becomes 

x2 + 18x + 81 = 0.  

This equation can be factored as (x + 9)2 = 0.

Therefore when a = 9, x = –9.

Example Question #1 : How To Factor An Equation

If f(x) has roots at x = –1, 0 and 2, which of the following could be the equation for f(x)?

Possible Answers:

f(x) = x– x– 2x

f(x) = x4 + x3 – 2x2

f(x) = x2 + x – 2

f(x) = x– x+ 2x

f(x) = x– x – 2

Correct answer:

f(x) = x– x– 2x

Explanation:

In general, if a function has a root at x = r, then (x – r) must be a factor of f(x). In this problem, we are told that f(x) has roots at –1, 0 and 2. This means that the following are all factors of f(x):

(x – (–1)) = x + 1

(x – 0) = x

and (x – 2).

This means that we must look for an equation for f(x) that has the factors (+ 1), x, and (x – 2).

We can immediately eliminate the function f(x) = x2 + x – 2, because we cannot factor an x out of this polynomial. For the same reason, we can eliminate f(x) = x– x – 2.

Let's look at the function f(x) = x– x+ 2x. When we factor this, we are left with x(x2 – x + 2). We cannot factor this polynomial any further. Thus, x + 1 and x – 2 are not factors of this function, so it can't be the answer.

Next, let's examine f(x) = x4 + x3 – 2x.

We can factor out x2.

x(x+ x – 2)

When we factor x+ x – 2, we will get (x + 2)(x – 1). These factors are not the same as x – 2 and x + 1. 

The only function with the right factors is f(x) = x– x– 2x.

When we factor out an x, we get (x– x – 2), which then factors into (x – 2)(+ 1). Thus, this function has all of the factors we need.

The answer is f(x) = x– x– 2x.

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