SAT II Math I : Mathematical Relationships

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Math I

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Absolute Value

Solve:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Divide both sides by negative three.

Since the lone absolute value is not equal to a negative, we can continue with the problem.  Split the equation into its positive and negative components.

Evaluate the first equation by subtracting one on both sides, and then dividing by two on both sides.

Evaluate the second equation by dividing a negative one on both sides.

Subtract one on both sides.

Divide by 2 on both sides.

The answers are:  

Example Question #71 : Sat Subject Test In Math I

What property of arithmetic is demonstrated below?

Possible Answers:

Commutative

Transitive

Associative

Distributive

Reflexive

Correct answer:

Commutative

Explanation:

The statement shows that two numbers can be multiplied in either order to yield the same product. This is the commutative property of multiplication.

Example Question #72 : Sat Subject Test In Math I

What property of arithmetic is demonstrated below?

If  and , then 

Possible Answers:

Commutative

Symmetric

Associative

Transitive

Reflexive

Correct answer:

Transitive

Explanation:

The statement demonstrates that two expressions both equal to a third expression are equal to each other. This is the transitive property of equality.

Example Question #73 : Sat Subject Test In Math I

What property of arithmetic is demonstrated below?

Possible Answers:

Reflexive

Symmetric

Identity

Inverse

Commutative

Correct answer:

Identity

Explanation:

The idea that one multiplied by any number yields the latter number as the product is the identity property of multiplication.

Example Question #1 : Ratios And Proportions

Convert into a percentage.

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers are correct.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Set up a proportion:

Cross-multiply:

Isolate by dividing by 8:

Finally, simplify:

The fraction is therefore equivalent to .

Example Question #1 : Ratios And Proportions

Convert the following fraction into a percent.

Possible Answers:

%

63.26 %

%

%

.63 %

Correct answer:

%

Explanation:

Set up a proportion:

Cross multiply:

Isolate by dividing both sides by 12:

Simplify:

(Hint: If you are unable to use long division to solve the fraction , take a look at your answer choices and see if you can narrow down your choices. You know that value is going to be greater than one, since 175 is greater than 3. You also know that dividing any number by 3 is going to result in a decimal of .33, .66, or no decimal at all. With these two pieces of information, you should be able to isolate the correct answer without actually solving for it like I did in the last step.)

Example Question #1 : Ratios And Proportions

Solve for :  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve this proportion, cross multiply.

From here to solve, divide both sides by 121.

Example Question #4 : Ratios And Proportions

If for every  inch on a map it represents  miles, how many inches will be needed for a distance of  miles?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The ratio of inches to miles is 

 

so you can set up a proportion of .  

You then cross multiply to get 

.  

Then you solve for the variable by dividing by  which gives us 

.

Example Question #1 : Ratios And Proportions

In a geometric sequence the ratio of the first term to the third term is 9:1. What is the ratio of the second term to the fifth term?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that in a geometric sequence there is a constant ratio between any pair of consecutive terms:

If the ratio of the first term to the third term is 9:1 then the ratio of two consecutive terms is a number that when multiplied by itself is 9:

Therefore the common ratio for this sequence is 3.

There are three terms between term 2 and 5 so the common ratio will be applied to the second term three times to get the fifth term: 

Since  for this sequence

 

Example Question #1 : Matrices

Define .

Give .

Possible Answers:

 is not defined.

Correct answer:

 is not defined.

Explanation:

The inverse of a 2 x 2 matrix  , if it exists, is the matrix 

First, we need to establish that the inverse is defined, which it is if and only if determinant .

Set , and check:

The determinant is equal to 0, so  does not have an inverse.

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