New SAT Writing and Language : New SAT

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for New SAT Writing and Language

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Example Questions

Example Question #561 : New Sat

Which of the following triangles are similar?

17

Possible Answers:

I, II, and III

I and II

None of the triangles are similar

I and III

II and III

Correct answer:

I and III

Explanation:

We must remember that there are three ways to prove triangles are similar.

  1. At least two angles in one triangle are congruent to angles in another (AA)
  2. All three pairs of corresponding sides are proportional (SSS)
  3. Two pairs of corresponding sides are proportional and the angles between those sides are congruent (SAS)

Comparing triangles I and II, we only have one angle and two sides in trinagle II, so attempting to use either AA or SSS for similarity will not work, leaving SAS as the only option.  If we compare the two given sides in each triangle, we notice that the ratio of the longer side in triangle I to the longer side in triangle II is

The ratio of the shorter sides in each triangle are

Notice we have equal ratios and thus a proportion.  However, we still must confirm that the included angles are congruent.  The measure for this angle is not given in triangle I, but we can calculate since all three angles must add up to 180 degrees.  Calculation tells us that the measure is 98 degrees, which unfortunately does not equal the 110 from triangle II.  Therefore, we have no SAS and therefore no similarity between I and II.

Transitioning to I and III, we only have angles in triangle III, so we are unable to use either SSS or SAS.  However, we previously calculated the measure third angle in triangle I to be 98.  Therefore, two of our angles are congruent, meaning we have AA and thus similarity.

Regarding II and III, we can use some logic.  Since we know I and III are similar, then if II and III were also similar, then we could use the transitive property to conclude that I and II are also similar.  But we know this is false, so II and III cannot be similar.

Therefore, the only two similar triangles are I and III.

 

Example Question #31 : Triangles

One triangle has side measures 2, 4, and 5. Another has sides 4, 8, and 10. Are these triangles similar? 

Possible Answers:

They are congruent triangles

No 

Yes

There is not enough information 

Correct answer:

Yes

Explanation:

To determine if the triangles are similar, set up a proportion.

2/4 = 4/8 = 5/10

 When we do this, we cross multiply to get a true statement.

Or, we can find the scale factor.

Since the scale factor is 2 for all three lengths, it becomes clear that these triangles are similar. 

Example Question #2 : Triangle Similarity

Are these triangles similar? If so, state the scale factor.

Similar tri 3

Possible Answers:

Yes - scale factor

Yes - scale factor

Yes - scale factor

No

Yes - scale factor

Correct answer:

Yes - scale factor

Explanation:

For both triangles, we are given the "legs." Based on their relative lenghts, we can see that 2 corresponds with 3, and 7 corresponds with 10.5. First we need to make sure that these two triangles are similar. We can do this by comparing the ratios of corresponding sides:

There are a couple of ways to go from here. One would be to cross-multiply:

the ratios are equal, so the triangles are similar, and the scale factor is .

Example Question #171 : New Sat Math Calculator

Are these triangles similar? If so, state the scale factor.

Similar tri 4

Possible Answers:

Not enough information

Yes - scale factor

Yes - scale factor

Yes - scale factor

No, they are not similar

Correct answer:

No, they are not similar

Explanation:

Based on their positions relative to the congruent angles, and their relative lengths, we can see that 1.5 corresponds to 6, and 8 corresponds to 30. If the ratios of corresponding sides are equal, then the triangles are congruent: 

We can compare these in a couple different ways. One would be to cross-multiply:

These triangles are not similar.

 

Example Question #562 : New Sat

Change  angle to degrees.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to change an angle into degrees, you must multiply the radian by .

Therefore, to solve:

Example Question #563 : New Sat

Give in radians:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we need to convert degrees to radians by multiplying by :

 

 

Now we can write:

 

 

Example Question #11 : Unit Circle And Radians

Give in radians:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we need to convert degrees to radians by multiplying by :

 

 

Now we can write:

 

Example Question #4 : Radians

Give in degrees:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we can find in radians:

 

 

To change radians to degrees we need to multiply radians by . So we can write:

 

 

Example Question #5 : Radians

Give in degrees:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we can find in radians:

 

To change radians to degrees we need to multiply radians by . So we can write:

 

Example Question #3 : Radians

Give in radians:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we need to convert to radians by multiplying by :

 

 

Now we can solve the following equation for :

 

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