SAT Math : SAT Mathematics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #25 : How To Add Exponents

Evaluate:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding exponents, you want to factor out to make solving the question easier.

 we can factor out  to get 

.

We have the same base so we just apply the exponent rule for multiplication to get 

.

Example Question #26 : How To Add Exponents

Which of the following is equivalent to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Although each base is different, we can convert them to a common base of  

We know 

,

and 

.

Remember to apply the power rule of exponents.

Therefore we have 

.

We can factor out  to get 

.

Example Question #27 : How To Add Exponents

Simplify: 

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding exponents, you want to factor out to make solving the question easier.

 

We can factor out  to get 

.

Now we can add exponents and therefore our answer is 

.

Example Question #2281 : Sat Mathematics

Given  , what is the value of ?

Possible Answers:

11

9

3

5

7

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

Express  as a power of ; that is: .

Then .

Using the properties of exponents, .

Therefore, , so .

Example Question #2 : Exponents

If , what is the value of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since we have two ’s in  we will need to combine the two terms.

For  this can be rewritten as

So we have .

Or 

Divide this by

Thus  or 

*Hint: If you are really unsure, you could have plugged in the numbers and found that the first choice worked in the equation.

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Exponents

If m and n are integers such that m < n < 0 and m2 – n2 = 7, which of the following can be the value of m + n?

            I. –5

           II. –7

          III. –9

Possible Answers:

I, II and III only

I only

II only

I and II only

II and III only

Correct answer:

II only

Explanation:

m and n are both less than zero and thus negative integers, giving us m2 and n2 as perfect squares. The only perfect squares with a difference of 7 is 16 – 9, therefore m = –4 and n = –3.

Example Question #2283 : Sat Mathematics

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To simplify, we can rewrite the numerator using a common exponential base.

Now, we can factor out the numerator.

The eights cancel to give us our final answer.

 

Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Exponents

Simplify the following expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The correct answer can be found by subtracting exponents that have the same base. Whenever exponents with the same base are divided, you can subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator as shown below to obtain the final answer:

You do not do anything with the y exponent because it has no identical bases.

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Exponents

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

Subtract the denominator exponent from the numerator's exponent, since they have the same base.

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Exponents

Simplify: 32 * (423 - 421)

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

3^3 * 4^21 * 5

4^4

3^21

3^3 * 4^21

Correct answer:

3^3 * 4^21 * 5

Explanation:

Begin by noting that the group (423 - 421) has a common factor, namely 421.  You can treat this like any other constant or variable and factor it out.  That would give you: 421(42 - 1). Therefore, we know that:

32 * (423 - 421) = 32 * 421(42 - 1)

Now, 42 - 1 = 16 - 1 = 15 = 5 * 3.  Replace that in the original:

32 * 421(42 - 1) = 32 * 421(3 * 5)

Combining multiples withe same base, you get:

33 * 421 * 5

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