SAT Math : SAT Mathematics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Simply the following fraction: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Remember that when you divide a fraction by a fraction, that is the same as multiplying the fraction in the numerator by the reciprocal of the fraction in the denominator. 

In other words,

Simplifying this final fraction gives us our correct answer, .

 

Example Question #2 : How To Simplify A Fraction

Solve for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve for , simplify the fraction. In order to do this, recall that dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. Therefore, rewrite the equation as follows.

Now, simplify the first fraction by calculating four squared.

From here, factor the denominator of the second fraction.

Next, factor the 16.

From here, cancel out like terms that are in both the numerator and denominator. In this particular case that includes (x-2) and 2.

Now, distribute the eight.

Next, multiply both sides by the denominator.

The (8x+16) cancels out and leaves the following equation.

Now to solve for  perform opposite operations to move all numerical values to one side of the equation leaving  by itself on the other side of the equation.

Example Question #3 : Simplifying Fractions

Which of the following fractions is not equivalent to \frac{6}{45}?

Possible Answers:

\frac{12}{89}

\frac{2}{15}

\frac{3}{22.5}

\frac{4}{30}

Correct answer:

\frac{12}{89}

Explanation:

Let us simplify \frac{6}{45}:

\frac{6}{45}=\frac{3\times 2}{3\times 15}=\frac{2}{15}

We can get alternate forms of the same fraction by multiplying the denominator and the numerator by the same number:

\frac{2\times 2}{15\times 2}=\frac{4}{30}

\frac{2\times 1.5}{15\times 1.5}=\frac{3}{22.5}

Now let's look at \frac{12}{89}:

, but .

Therefore, \frac{12}{89} is the correct answer, as it is not equivalent to \frac{6}{45}.

Example Question #1 : Even / Odd Numbers

Which of the following could represent the sum of 3 consecutive odd integers, given that d is one of the three?

Possible Answers:

3d + 3

3d + 4

3d – 3

3d – 9

3d – 6

Correct answer:

3d – 6

Explanation:

If the largest of the three consecutive odd integers is d, then the three numbers are (in descending order):

dd – 2, d – 4

This is true because consecutive odd integers always differ by two. Adding the three expressions together, we see that the sum is 3d – 6.

Example Question #1 : Integers

\dpi{100} p+r=20, where \dpi{100} p and \dpi{100} r are distinct positive integers.  Which of the following could be values of \dpi{100} p and \dpi{100} r?

Possible Answers:

4 and 5

5 and 15

0 and 20

10 and 10

–10 and 30

Correct answer:

5 and 15

Explanation:

Since \dpi{100} p and \dpi{100} r must be positive, eliminate choices with negative numbers or zero. Since they must be distinct (different), eliminate choices where \dpi{100} p=r.  This leaves 4 and 5 (which is the only choice that does not add to 20), and the correct answer, 5 and 15.

Example Question #1 : How To Add Odd Numbers

The sum of three consecutive odd integers is 93. What is the largest of the integers?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Consecutive odd integers differ by 2. If the smallest integer is x, then

x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 93

3x + 6 = 93

3x = 87

x = 29

The three numbers are 29, 31, and 33, the largest of which is 33.

Example Question #1 : Integers

Solve:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Add the ones digits:

Since there is no tens digit to carry over, proceed to add the tens digits:

The answer is .

Example Question #1 : Integers

At a certain high school, everyone must take either Latin or Greek. There are  more students taking Latin than there are students taking Greek. If there are  students taking Greek, how many total students are there?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If there are  students taking Greek, then there are  or  students taking Latin. However, the question asks how many total students there are in the school, so you must add these two values together to get:

 or  total students.

Example Question #2 : Even / Odd Numbers

Add:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Add the ones digit.

Since the there is a tens digit, use that as the carryover to the next term.

Add the tens digit including the carryover.

The hundreds digit is 7.

Combine the ones digit of each calculation in order.  

The answer is:  

Example Question #2 : Even / Odd Numbers

Add:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Add the ones digit.

Carry over the one from the tens digit to the next number.

Add the tens digit with the carry over.

Carry over the one from the tens digit to the hundreds digit.

Add the hundreds digit with the carry over.

The thousands digit has no carry over.  The second number has no thousands digit.  This means that the thousands is one.  Combine all the ones digits from each of the previous calculations.

The correct answer is: 

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