SSAT Upper Level Math : Geometry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Coordinate Geometry

Define a function . Which of the following is an -intercept of the graph of ?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

Both (a) and (b)

(a), but not (b)

(b), but not (a)

Neither (a) nor (b) 

Correct answer:

Neither (a) nor (b) 

Explanation:

An -intercept of the graph of a function  has 0 as its -coordinate, since it is defined to be a point at which it crosses the -axis. Its -coordinate is a value of  for which .

We can most easily determine whether  is a point on the graph of  by proving or disproving that , which we can do by substituting 2 for :

, so  is not an -intercept. 

Similarly, substituting 3 for :

, so  is not an -intercept. 

 

Example Question #281 : Geometry

Define . The graphs of  and a second function, , intersect at their common -intercept. Which of the following could be the definition of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

An -intercept of the graph of a function  has 0 as its -coordinate, since it is defined to be a point at which it crosses the -axis. Its -coordinate is a value of  for which , which can be found as follows:

Substituting the definition, we get 

Solving for  by subtracting 7 from both sides, then dividing both sides by 2:

The -intercept of the graph of  is the point .

To determine which of the four choices is correct, substitute  for  and determine for which definition of  it holds that .

 

 can be eliminated immediately as a choice since it cannot take the value 0.

 

 

:

 

 

The correct choice is .

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

If the -intercept of the line is  and the slope is , which of the following equations best satisfies this condition?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Write the slope-intercept form.

The point given the x-intercept of 6 is .

Substitute the point and the slope into the equation and solve for the y-intercept.

Substitute the y-intercept back to the slope-intercept form to get your equation.

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane has vertex  and -intercept 

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation of a vertical parabola, in vertex form, is

,

where  is the vertex. Set :

To find , use the -intercept, setting :

 

The equation, in vertex form, is ; in standard form:

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane has vertex ; one of its -intercepts is .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation of a vertical parabola, in vertex form, is

,

where  is the vertex. Set :

To find , use the known -intercept, setting :

The equation, in vertex form, is ; in standard form:

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane has -intercept ; its only -intercept is .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If a vertical parabola has only one -intercept, which here is , that point doubles as its vertex as well. 

The equation of a vertical parabola, in vertex form, is

,

where  is the vertex. Set :

To find , use the -intercept, setting :

The equation, in vertex form, is . In standard form:

Example Question #282 : Geometry

A vertical parabola on the coordinate plane has -intercept ; one of its -intercepts is .

Give its equation.

Possible Answers:

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

Correct answer:

Insufficient information is given to determine the equation.

Explanation:

The equation of a vertical parabola, in standard form, is

for some real 

 is the -coordinate of the -intercept, so , and the equation is

Set :

However, no other information is given, so the values of  and  cannot be determined for certain. The correct response is that insufficient information is given.

Example Question #21 : X And Y Intercept

Ellipse 1

Give the equation of the above ellipse.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation of the ellipse with center , horizontal axis of length , and vertical axis of length  is

The ellipse has center , horizontal axis of length 8, and vertical axis of length 16. Therefore,

, and .

The equation of the ellipse is

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Equation Of A Curve

Ellipse 1

Give the equation of the above ellipse.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation of the ellipse with center , horizontal axis of length , and vertical axis of length  is

The ellipse has center , horizontal axis of length 10, and vertical axis of length 6. Therefore,

, and .

The equation of the ellipse is

Example Question #22 : X And Y Intercept

Ellipse 1

Give the equation of the above ellipse.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation of the ellipse with center , horizontal axis of length , and vertical axis of length  is

The ellipse has center , horizontal axis of length 8, and vertical axis of length 6. Therefore,

, and .

The equation of the ellipse is

 

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