SAT Math : SAT Mathematics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find A Ray

Lines

Refer to the above diagram. The plane containing the above figure can be called Plane .

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

A plane can be named after any three points on the plane that are not on the same line. As seen below, points ,  and  are on the same line. 

Lines 1

Therefore, Plane  is not a valid name for the plane.

Example Question #1541 : Basic Geometry

Lines

Refer to the above figure. 

True or false:  and  comprise a pair of opposite rays.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

 

Two rays are opposite rays, by definition, if 

(1) they have the same endpoint, and

(2) their union is a line.

The first letter in the name of a ray refers to its endpoint; the second refers to the name of any other point on the ray.  and  both have endpoint , so the first criterion is met.  passes through point  and  passes through point  and  are indicated below in green and red, respectively:

Lines 1

The union of the two rays is a line. Both criteria are met, so the rays are indeed opposite.

Example Question #1541 : Basic Geometry

Lines

Refer to the above diagram:

True or false:  may also called .

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

A line can be named after any two points it passes through. The line  is indicated in green below.

Lines 2

The line does not pass through , so  cannot be part of the name of the line. Specifically,  is not a valid name.

Example Question #301 : Coordinate Geometry

Lines 2

Refer to the above diagram.

True or false:  and  comprise a pair of vertical angles.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

By definition, two angles comprise a pair of vertical angles if 

(1) they have the same vertex; and

(2) the union of the two angles is exactly a pair of intersecting lines.

In the figure below,  and  are marked in green and red, respectively:

Lines 2

 

While the two angles have the same vertex, their union is not a pair of intersecting lines. The two angles are not a vertical pair.

Example Question #302 : Coordinate Geometry

Lines 2

Refer to the above diagram.

True or false:  and  comprise a linear pair.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

By definition, two angles form a linear pair if and only if 

(1) they have the same vertex;

(2) they share a side; and,

(3) their interiors have no points in common.

In the figure below,  and  are marked in green and red, respectively:

Lines 2

The two angles have the same vertex and share no interior points. However, they do not share a side. Therefore, they do not comprise a linear pair.

Example Question #1 : Solid Geometry

Screen shot 2016 02 19 at 8.45.22 am

The above image is a silo made from two right circular cones, and a right circular cylinder where the dimensions are given in feet. Of the following answers, which one best represents the volume of the entire silo in cubic feet?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve this, we need to break it down into three parts. 

 

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of An Edge Of A Cube

The number of square units in the surface area of a cube is twice as large as the number of cubic units in its volume. What is the cube's volume, in cubic units?

Possible Answers:

9

108

27

216

36

Correct answer:

27

Explanation:

The number of square units in the surface area of a cube is given by the formula 6s2, where s is the length of the side of the cube in units. Moreover, the number of cubic units in a cube's volume is equal to s3

Since the number of square units in the surface area is twice as large as the cubic units of the volume, we can write the following equation to solve for s:

6s2 = 2s3

Subtract 6s2 from both sides.

2s3 – 6s2 = 0

Factor out 2s2 from both terms.

2s2(s – 3) = 0

We must set each factor equal to zero. 

2s2 = 0, only if s = 0; however, no cube has a side length of zero, so s can't be zero.

Set the other factor, s – 3, equal to zero.

s – 3 = 0

Add three to both sides.

s = 3

This means that the side length of the cube is 3 units. The volume, which we previously stated was equal to s3, must then be 33, or 27 cubic units.

The answer is 27. 

Example Question #2 : Solid Geometry

You own a Rubik's cube with a volume of . What is the edge length of the cube?

 

Possible Answers:

No enough information to solve.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

You own a Rubik's cube with a volume of . What is the edge length of the cube?

To solve for edge length, think of the volume of a cube formula:

Now, we have the volume, so just rearrange it to solve for side length:

Example Question #1 : Solid Geometry

If a cube is 3” on all sides, what is the length of the diagonal of the cube?

Possible Answers:

3√2

9

3√3

27

4√3

Correct answer:

3√3

Explanation:

General formula for the diagonal of a cube if each side of the cube = s

Use Pythagorean Theorem to get the diagonal across the base:

s2 + s2 = h2

And again use Pythagorean Theorem to get cube’s diagonal, then solve for d:

h2 + s2 = d2

s2 + s2 + s2 = d2

3 * s2 = d2

d = √ (3 * s2) = s √3

So, if s = 3 then the answer is 3√3

Example Question #1 : Solid Geometry

A cube is inscribed in a sphere of radius 1 such that all 8 vertices of the cube are on the surface of the sphere.  What is the length of the diagonal of the cube?

Possible Answers:

(3)

2

8

(2)

1

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

Since the diagonal of the cube is a line segment that goes through the center of the cube (and also the circumscribed sphere), it is clear that the diagonal of the cube is also the diameter of the sphere.  Since the radius = 1, the diameter = 2.

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