SAT Math : SAT Mathematics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Arithmetic

Eight more than four is an unknown number less than a quarter of the same unknown number. What is the value of the unknown number? 

Possible Answers:

12

–9

4

–16

0

Correct answer:

–16

Explanation:

Let x be the unknown number.  

4 + 8 = 0.25x – x.

 12 = –0.75x

x = 12/–0.75

x = –16

Example Question #3 : How To Find Order Of Operations

 

 

Let a * b be defined as the following:

a * b = b– a+ ab

Find the value of 4 * (3 * (2 * 1)).

 

Possible Answers:

11

101

–237

–11

61

Correct answer:

61

Explanation:

We are told that a * b = b– a+ ab, and we need to calculate 4 * (3 * (2 * 1)).

We need to start at the innermost set of parantheses, which requires us to find 2 * 1.

2 * 1 = 12 – 22 + 2(1) = 1 – 4 + 2 = –1

We can replace 2 * 1 with negative one. Then our expression becomes.

4 * (3 * (–1))

Now, we must find 3 * (–1)

3 * (–1) = (–1)2 – 32 + (3)(–1) = 1 – 9 – 3 = –11

So we can replace 3 * (–1) with –11.

Lastly, we must find 4 * (–11)

4 * (–11) = (–11)2 –42 + 4(–11) = 121 – 16 – 44 = 61

The answer is 61. 

Example Question #891 : Sat Mathematics

Evaluate (√4 + √4)2

Possible Answers:

16

6

4

8

40

Correct answer:

16

Explanation:

The square root of 4 is 2.  2 + 2 = 4.  Four squared is 16.

Example Question #892 : Sat Mathematics

(11)(4 – 3)– (2+ 6) = ?

Possible Answers:

1

111

2

24

–53

Correct answer:

1

Explanation:

The answer is 1. 

The correct order of operations is parenthesis, exponents, multiplication and division, then addition and subraction. 

(11) * (4 – 3)– (2+ 6)

(11) * (1)– (4 + 6)

(11) * (1) – (10)

(11) – (10) = 1

Example Question #893 : Sat Mathematics

If (x – 7)= 64, what is x?

Possible Answers:

–15

15

–1

1

Correct answer:

15

Explanation:

Solving for x yields 15.

√64 = 8, so we want x – 7 = 8; add 7 to both sides of the equation, so that x = 15

Example Question #894 : Sat Mathematics

7 more than a number squared is 71. What is the number?

Possible Answers:

9

7

8

64

Correct answer:

8

Explanation:

Subtracting the 7 yields 64, and the square root of 64 is equal to 8.

Example Question #15 : How To Find Order Of Operations

Evaluate \dpi{100} \small 3x^{2} if \dpi{100} \small x=2.

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 2

\dpi{100} \small 36

\dpi{100} \small 6

\dpi{100} \small 0

\dpi{100} \small 12

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 12

Explanation:

\dpi{100} \small 3(2)^{2} = 3(4)=12

Example Question #895 : Sat Mathematics

Consider the function:

f(x)=2x^3+4x^2+x-15

What is the value of f(-2)?

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to square a negative number.

–17

–49

–33

17

Correct answer:

–17

Explanation:

f(x)=2x^3+4x^2+x-15

f(-2)=2(-2)^3+4(-2)^2+(-2)-15

f(-2)=(2\times -8)+(4\times 4)-2-15

f(-2)=-16+16-2-15=-17

Example Question #896 : Sat Mathematics

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve the above expression we must follow PEMDAS. 

So the parentheses are first. \dpi{100} \small 14-2 = 12 \times 6=72.

Then we need to divide 4 by 2 before subtracting because division comes before subtraction.

\dpi{100} \small 72-2=70

Example Question #897 : Sat Mathematics

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Order of operations: "PEMDAS”, or "Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction". 

\dpi{100} \small (3+4+5+6+7)\times \frac{(1+2-3-4-5)}{2}\times \frac{(16+4+8+4)}{4}=

\dpi{100} \small (25)\times \frac{(-9)}{2}\times \frac{(32)}{4} =

\dpi{100} \small 25\times -4.5\times 8 = -900

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors