SAT Math : SAT Mathematics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Circles

Find the radius of a circle given the diameter is 24.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply realize that the radius is half the diameter. Thus, our answer is 12.

Example Question #361 : Plane Geometry

Chords

In the above diagram,  and  have lengths  and , respectively. Give the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

The question cannot be answered with the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If two chords of a circle intersect, the measure of the angles they form is equal to half the sum of the measures of the angles they intercept that is, 

The ratio of the measures of arcs on the same circle is equal to that of their lengths, so

and 

Substituting:

 if  is the circumference of the circle, and the length of the arc  is ,

 has length  and measure  so

or

Since, if the radius is ,

Solve for :

 

Example Question #362 : Plane Geometry

Secant

In the above diagram,  and  have lengths  and , respectively. Give the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

The question cannot be answered with the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The ratio of the degree measures of the arcs is the same as that of their lengths. Therefore, 

and 

If a secant and a tangent are drawn to a circle from a point outside the circle, the measure of the angle they form is equal to half the difference of the measures of their intercepted arcs; therefore, 

Substituting:

Since  has length , then, if we let  be the circumference of the circle,

Divide the circumference by  to obtain the radius:

Example Question #61 : Radius

Give the radius of a circle with diameter fifteen yards.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Convert fifteen yards to inches by multiplying by 36:

The radius of a circle is one half its diameter, so multiply this by :

Example Question #361 : Sat Mathematics

Tangents

In the above diagram,  has length . Give the radius of the circle to the nearest whole number.  

Possible Answers:

The question cannot be answered with the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Call . The measure of the corresponding major arc is  

If two tangents are drawn to a circle from a point outside the circle, the measure of the angle they form is equal to half the difference of the measures of their intercepted arcs; therefore

Substituting:

Therefore, . Since  has length , it follows that if  is the circumference of the circle, 

Divide the circumference by  to obtain the radius:

.

This makes 47 the correct choice.

Example Question #1 : Other Polygons

If the following shape was going to be drawn in a circle, what is the minimum radius of the circle?

Possible Answers:

10

9

11

7

8

Sat_math_picture3


Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

IF you draw the longest diagonal across the shape, the length of it is 13.4. This means the radius must be at least 6.7. The answer is 7.

Example Question #1 : Other Polygons

Octagon 3

Each side of the above octagonal track is 264 feet in length. Julie starts at point A and runs clockwise at a steady speed of nine miles an hour for nine minutes. When she is finished, which of the following points is closest to her?

Possible Answers:

Point C

Point E

Point F

Point D

Point G

Correct answer:

Point D

Explanation:

Julie runs for nine minutes, or  hour; she runs nine miles per hour. Setting  and  in the rate formula, we can evaluate distance in miles:

Julie runs  miles, which converts to feet by multiplication by 5,280 feet per mile:

 feet.

Each side of the octagonal track measures 264 feet, so Julie runs

sides of the track; this is equivalent to running the entire track three times, then three more sides. She is running clockwise, so three more sides from Point A puts her at Point D. This is the correct response.

 

 

 

Example Question #2 : Other Polygons

Octagon

Plato High School has an unusual track in that it is shaped like a regular octagon. The track has a perimeter of two-fifths of a mile.

Boris starts at Point A and runs clockwise until he gets halfway between Point E and Point F. Which of the following responses comes closest to the number of feet he runs? 

Possible Answers:

1,300 feet

1,500 feet

1,200 feet

1,400 feet

1,100 feet

Correct answer:

1,200 feet

Explanation:

 One mile comprises 5,280 feet; the perimeter of the track, two-fifths of a mile, is equal to

 feet.

Each (congruent) side of the octagonal track measures one-eighth of this,

 feet.

By running clockwise from Point A to halfway between Point E and Point F, Boris runs along four and one half sides, each of which has this length, for a total running distance of

 feet. 

Of the five responses, 1,200 comes closest.

Example Question #1 : How To Find An Angle In A Polygon

If angle A and angle C are complementary angles and B and D are supplementary angles, which of the following must be true?

Possible Answers:

AD = BC

None of the answers.

A/D < B/C

A * C > B * D

Correct answer:

None of the answers.

Explanation:

This question is very misleading, because while each answer COULD be true, none of them MUST be true. Between angle A and C, onne of the angles could be very small (0.001 degrees) and the other one could be very large. For instance, if A = 89.9999 and C = 0.0001, AC = 0.009. On the other hand, the two angles could be very siimilar. If B = 90 and D = 90 then BD = 8100 and BD > AC. If we use these same values we disprove AD = BC as 8100 ≠ .009. Finally, if B is a very small value, then B/C will be very small and smaller than A/D.

Example Question #1 : How To Find An Angle In A Polygon

In isosceles triangle ABC, the measure of angle A is 50 degrees.  Which is NOT a possible measure for angle B?

Possible Answers:

65 degrees

There is more than one correct answer

50 degrees

95  degrees

80 degrees

Correct answer:

95  degrees

Explanation:

If angle A is one of the base angles, then the other base angle must measure 50 degrees. Since 50 + 50 + x = 180 means x = 80, the vertex angle must measure 80 degrees.

If angle A is the vertex angle, the two base angles must be equal. Since 50 + x + x = 180 means x = 65, the two base angles must measure 65 degrees.

The only number given that is not possible is 95 degrees.

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