SAT Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #761 : Algebra

Given a right triangle  whose  and  , find .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve for  first identify what is known.

The question states that  is a right triangle whose  and   . It is important to recall that any triangle has a sum of interior angles that equals 180 degrees.

Therefore, to calculate  use the complimentary angles identity of trigonometric functions.

and since , then

Example Question #71 : Expressions

 is a positive number.

In terms of , which of the following is equal to ?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, so, taking the square root of both sides:

 is positive, so  is as well; consequently,

Subtracting 1 from both sides:

Subtracting 8 from both sides:

Squaring both sides, and applying the binomial square pattern to the right expression:

Example Question #1 : Simplifying Expressions

If x + y = 4, what is the value of x + y – 6?

Possible Answers:

–2

0

4

2

6

Correct answer:

–2

Explanation:

Substitute 4 for x + y in the expression given.

4 minus 6 equals –2.

Example Question #2534 : Sat Mathematics

If 6 less than the product of 9 and a number is equal to 48, what is the number?

 

Possible Answers:

3

5

4

6

Correct answer:

6

Explanation:

Write an equation for the written expression: 9x – 6 = 48.  When we solve for x we get x = 6. 

 

 

Example Question #762 : Algebra

If  x  Sat_math_164_01  y  = (5x - 4y)/y , find the value of y if 6  Sat_math_164_01  y = 2.

 

 

Possible Answers:

10

4

5

2

Correct answer:

5

Explanation:

If we substitute 6 in for x in the given equation and set our answer to 2, we can solve for y algebraically. 30 minus 4y divided by y equals 2 -->2y =30 -4y --> 6y =30 --> y=5.  We could also work from the answers and substitute each answer in and solve.

Example Question #763 : Algebra

Evaluate: (2x + 4)(x2 – 2x + 4)

 

Possible Answers:

2x3 + 8x2 – 16x – 16

2x3 – 8x2 + 16x + 16

2x3 – 4x2 + 8x

4x2 + 16x + 16

2x3 + 16

Correct answer:

2x3 + 16

Explanation:

Multiply each term of the first factor by each term of the second factor and then combine like terms.

(2x + 4)(x2 – 2x + 4) = 2x3 – 4x2 + 8x  +  4x2 – 8x + 16 = 2x3 + 16

Example Question #1 : How To Simplify An Expression

Which of the following is equivalent to Satmath520_copy_2?

Possible Answers:

ab/c

a2/(b5c)

abc

b5/(ac)

ab5c

Correct answer:

b5/(ac)

Explanation:

First, we can use the property of exponents that xy/xz = xy–z

 

Satmath520_copy

Then we can use the property of exponents that states x–y = 1/xy

a–1b5c–1 = b5/ac

Example Question #6 : Simplifying Expressions

Solve for x: 2y/3b = 5x/7a

Possible Answers:

15b/14ay

6ab/7y

7ab/6y

5by/3a

14ay/15b

Correct answer:

14ay/15b

Explanation:

Cross multiply to get 14ay = 15bx, then divide by 15b to get x by itself.

Example Question #2 : Simplifying Expressions

Three consecutive positive integers are added together. If the largest of the three numbers is m, find the sum of the three numbers in terms of m.

Possible Answers:

3m – 6

3m

3m + 3

3m + 6

3m – 3

Correct answer:

3m – 3

Explanation:

Three consecutive positive integers are added together.  If the largest of the three numbers is m, find the sum of the three numbers in terms of m.

If m is the largest of three consecutive positive integers, then the integers must be:

m – 2, m – 1, and m, where m > 2.

The sum of these three numbers is:

m - 2 + m – 1 + m = 3m – 3

Example Question #3 : Simplifying Expressions

Sophie travels f miles in g hours.  She must drive another 30 miles at the same rate.  Find the total number of hours, in terms of f and g, that the trip will take.

Possible Answers:

Ans3

Ans5

Ans4

g + f + 30

g + f

Correct answer:

Ans4

Explanation:

Using d = rt, we know that first part of the trip can be represented by f = rg.  The second part of the trip can be represented by 30 = rx, where x is some unknown number of hours.  Note that the rate r is in both equations because Sophie is traveling at the same rate as mentioned in the problem.

Solve each equation for the time (g in equation 1, x in equation 2).

g = f/r

x = 30/r

The total time is the sum of these two times

Exp1

Exp2

Note that, from equation 1, r = f/g, so 

Exp3

Exp4
=Ans4

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