SAT Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #504 : Problem Solving

The sum of the number of pennies and nickels equals 70 and the total dollar amount of the change equals $1.50. How many nickels and pennies are there?

Possible Answers:

50\ pennies,\ 20\ nickels

20\ pennies,\ 50\ nickels

10\ pennies,\ 60\ nickels

60\ pennies,\ 10\ nickels

None\ of\ the\ answers

Correct answer:

50\ pennies,\ 20\ nickels

Explanation:

Assume there are x pennies.  Hence the number of nickels is 70-x

Now you have to set up an equation for the dollar value of the pennies and nickels which will be x+5(70-x)=150

Now solving for x results in x=50 (number of pennies).  Hence the number of nickels will be 70-50=20.

Example Question #2565 : Sat Mathematics

If , then solve

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve this problem we use the logarithm rule log (x^{n}) = n log(x)

log(32) = log (2^{5}) = 5 log(2) or

Example Question #791 : Algebra

a=\frac{x^2-y^2}{x-y}

If both  and  are positive, what is the simplest form of ?

Possible Answers:

1

x-y

xy

x+y

x^2-y^2-1

Correct answer:

x+y

Explanation:

x^2-y^2 can also be expressed as (x-y)(x+y))

a=\frac{(x-y)(x+y)}{x-y}=x+y

Example Question #2562 : Sat Mathematics

Which of the following does not simplify to ?

Possible Answers:

All of these simplify to

Correct answer:

Explanation:

5x – (6x – 2x) = 5x – (4x) = x

(x – 1)(x + 2) - x2 + 2 = x2 + x – 2 – x2 + 2 = x

x(4x)/(4x) = x

(3 – 3)x = 0x = 0

Example Question #2571 : Sat Mathematics

Edward is  years old. He is 5 years younger than his sister Francine. In terms of , how old will Francine be in 2 years?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Let f = Francine's age now.  

ef – 5

f+ 5

In 2 years, Francine will be f + 2. Use our previous calculation to substitute.

f + 2 = (e + 5) + 2 = e + 7

Example Question #102 : Expressions

a # b = (a * b) + a

What is 3 # (4 # 1)?

Possible Answers:

15

27

8

12

20

Correct answer:

27

Explanation:

Work from the "inside" outward.  Therefore, first solve 4 # 1 by replacing a with 4 and b with 1:

4 # 1 = (4 * 1) + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8

That means: 3 # (4 # 1) = 3 # 8.  Solve this now:

3 # 8 = (3 * 8) + 3 = 24 + 3 = 27

Example Question #1 : How To Simplify An Expression

Simplify the result of the following steps, to be completed in order:

1. Add 7x to 3y

2. Multiply the sum by 4

3. Add x to the product

4. Subtract x – y from the sum

Possible Answers:

28x – 13y

28x + 12y

29x + 13y

28x + 13y

28x + 11y

Correct answer:

28x + 13y

Explanation:

Step 1: 7x + 3y

Step 2: 4 * (7x + 3y) = 28x + 12y

Step 3: 28x + 12y + x = 29x + 12y

Step 4: 29x + 12y – (x – y) = 29x + 12y – x + y = 28x + 13y

Example Question #3 : How To Simplify An Expression

Which is the greater quantity: the median of 5 positive sequential integers or the mean of 5 positive sequential integers?

Possible Answers:

The quantities are equal

The relationship cannot be determined

The mean is greater

The median is greater

Correct answer:

The quantities are equal

Explanation:

If the first integer is \dpi{100} \small n, then \dpi{100} \small n+(n+1)+(n+2)+(n+3)+(n+4)=5n+10

\dpi{100} \small \frac{5n+10}{5}=n+2

This is the same as the median.

Example Question #122 : Expressions

You are told that \dpi{100} \small x can be determined from the expression:

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Determine whether the absolute value of \dpi{100} \small x is greater than or less than 2.

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small |x|>2

The quantities are equal

\dpi{100} \small |x|<2

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small |x|>2

Explanation:

The expression is simplified as follows:

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Since \dpi{100} \small 2^{4}=16 the value of \dpi{100} \small x must be slightly greater for it to be 17 when raised to the 4th power.

Example Question #2572 : Sat Mathematics

Which best describes the relationship between and  if ?

Possible Answers:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation:

Use substitution to determine the relationship.

For example, we could plug in  and .

So far it looks like the first expression is greater, but it's a good idea to try other values of x and y to be sure. This time, we'll try some negative values, say,  and .

This time the first quantity is smaller. Therefore the relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

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