SSAT Upper Level Math : SSAT Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Coordinate Geometry

Give the length, in terms of \(\displaystyle A\), of a segment on the coordinate plane whose endpoints are \(\displaystyle (A+2, A-2)\) and the origin.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2 \sqrt{2A}\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ 2A^{2}+ 8 }\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ 2A^{2}- 8A+8 }\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ 2A^{2}- 8 }\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ 2A^{2}+ 8A+8 }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ 2A^{2}+ 8 }\)

Explanation:

The distance between two points \(\displaystyle (x_{1}, x_{2})\) and \(\displaystyle (y_{1}, y_{2})\) can be obtained using the formula 

\(\displaystyle d = \sqrt{\left (x_{2}-x_{1} \right )^{2}+\left (y_{2}-y_{1} \right )^{2}}\)

Setting \(\displaystyle x_{1}= y_{1} = 0, x_{2}=A+2, y_{2} = A-2\), we can find our expression:

\(\displaystyle d = \sqrt{\left ( \left [A+2 \right )-0\right ]^{2}+\left [\left (A-2 \right )-0 \right ] ^{2}}\)\(\displaystyle = \sqrt{\left ( A+2 \right ) ^{2}+ \left (A-2 \right ) ^{2}}\)

\(\displaystyle = \sqrt{\left ( A^{2}+4A+4 \right )+\left ( A^{2}-4A+4 \right ) }\)

\(\displaystyle = \sqrt{ 2A^{2}+ 8 }\)

Example Question #112 : Coordinate Geometry

Give the length, in terms of \(\displaystyle A\), of a segment on the coordinate plane whose endpoints are \(\displaystyle (A,A)\) and \(\displaystyle (3,3)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{2A^{2} -18 }\)

\(\displaystyle A - 3\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{2A^{2}+12A+18 }\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{2A^{2} +18 }\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{2A^{2}-12A+18 }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{2A^{2}-12A+18 }\)

Explanation:

The distance between two points \(\displaystyle (x_{1}, x_{2})\) and \(\displaystyle (y_{1}, y_{2})\) can be obtained using the formula 

\(\displaystyle d = \sqrt{\left (x_{2}-x_{1} \right )^{2}+\left (y_{2}-y_{1} \right )^{2}}\)

Setting  \(\displaystyle x_{1}= y_{1} =3, x_{2}= y_{2} = A\), we can find our expression:

\(\displaystyle d = \sqrt{\left (A-3 \right )^{2}+\left (A-3\right )^{2}}\)

\(\displaystyle = \sqrt{\left (A^{2}-6A+9 \right ) + \left (A^{2}-6A+9 \right ) }\)

\(\displaystyle = \sqrt{2A^{2}-12A+18 }\)

Example Question #111 : Lines

A line segment on the coordinate plane has endpoints \(\displaystyle (a-5,-b)\) and \(\displaystyle (b+8, a-4)\). In terms of \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\), as applicable, give the \(\displaystyle x\)-coordinate of its midpoint.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle a + b + 3\)

\(\displaystyle a - b - 4\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{a - b - 13}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{a + b + 3}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{a - b - 4}{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{a + b + 3}{2}\)

Explanation:

The \(\displaystyle x\)-coordinate of the midpoint of a line segment is the mean of the \(\displaystyle x\)-coordinates of its endpoints. Therefore, the \(\displaystyle x\)-coordinate is 

\(\displaystyle x= \frac{(a-5)+(b+8)}{2} = \frac{a+b-5+8}{2} = \frac{a+b+3}{2}\).

Example Question #391 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

A line segment on the coordinate plane has endpoints \(\displaystyle (a-5,-b)\) and \(\displaystyle (b+8, a-4)\). In terms of \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\), as applicable, give the \(\displaystyle y\)-coordinate of its midpoint.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{a + b + 3}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle a + b + 3\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{a - b - 4}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{a + b - 4}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle a - b - 4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{a - b - 4}{2}\)

Explanation:

The \(\displaystyle y\)-coordinate of the midpoint of a line segment is the mean of the \(\displaystyle y\)-coordinates of its endpoints. Therefore, the \(\displaystyle y\)-coordinate is 

\(\displaystyle y= \frac{(a-4)+(-b)}{2} = \frac{a-b-4}{2}\).

Example Question #392 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

A line segment has the endpoints \(\displaystyle (6,10)\) and \(\displaystyle (-2, -4)\). What is the midpoint of the line?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle (4,6)\)

\(\displaystyle (8,14)\)

\(\displaystyle (2, 3)\)

\(\displaystyle (4,7)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle (2, 3)\)

Explanation:

To find the midpoint of a line, take the averages of the x-coordinates and the average of the y-coordinates.

\(\displaystyle \text{Midpoint}=(\frac{6+(-2)}{2}, \frac{10+(-4)}{2})=(\frac{4}{2}, \frac{6}{2})=(2,3)\)

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Midpoint Of A Line Segment

What is the midpoint of a line segment with endpoints \(\displaystyle (12,2)\) and \(\displaystyle (-2, 1)\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle (10, 3)\)

\(\displaystyle (14,1)\)

\(\displaystyle (5, \frac{3}{2})\)

\(\displaystyle (\frac{13}{2}, 0)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle (5, \frac{3}{2})\)

Explanation:

To find the midpoint of a line, just take the average of the \(\displaystyle x\)-coordinates and the average of the \(\displaystyle y\)-coordinates.

\(\displaystyle \text{Midpoint}=(\frac{12+(-2)}{2}, \frac{2+1}{2})=(\frac{10}{2}, \frac{3}{2})=(5, \frac{3}{2})\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Midpoint Of A Line Segment

What is the midpoint of a line segments with endpoints \(\displaystyle (2a, -b)\) and \(\displaystyle (4a, 5b)\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle (6a, 4b)\)

\(\displaystyle (3, 4)\)

\(\displaystyle (-a, -2b)\)

\(\displaystyle (3a, 2b)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle (3a, 2b)\)

Explanation:

To find the midpoint of a line segment, take the average of the \(\displaystyle x\)-coordinates, then take the average of the \(\displaystyle y\)-coordinates.

\(\displaystyle \text{Midpoint}=(\frac{2a+4a}{2}, \frac{-b+5b}{2})\)

\(\displaystyle \text{Midpoint}=(\frac{6a}{2}, \frac{4b}{2})=(3a, 2b)\)

Example Question #3 : Midpoint Formula

A line has the endpoints \(\displaystyle (8,8) \text{ and }(2, -1)\). What is its midpoint?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle (5, 7)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(5, \frac{7}{2}\right)\)

\(\displaystyle (10, 7)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(\frac{7}{2}, 5\right)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \left(5, \frac{7}{2}\right)\)

Explanation:

The coordinates of the midpoint of a line are just the averages of the coordinates of the endpoints.

\(\displaystyle \text{Midpoint}=\left(\frac{8+2}{2}, \frac{8-1}{2}\right)=\left(5, \frac{7}{2}\right)\)

Example Question #4 : Midpoint Formula

A line segment has endpoints \(\displaystyle (-2, 0) \text{ and }(1, 5)\). What is the midpoint of this line segment?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle (-1, 5)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(-\frac{1}{2}, 5\right)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(5, -\frac{1}{2}\right)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(-\frac{1}{2}, \frac{5}{2}\right)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \left(-\frac{1}{2}, \frac{5}{2}\right)\)

Explanation:

To find the coordinates of the midpoint of a line, take the averages of the x and y coordinates of the endpoints.

\(\displaystyle \text{Midpoint}=\left(\frac{-2+1}{2}, \frac{5+0}{2}\right)=\left(-\frac{1}{2}, \frac{5}{2}\right)\)

Example Question #8 : How To Find The Midpoint Of A Line Segment

What is the midpoint of a line if the endpoints of the line are:  \(\displaystyle (6,9) \textup{ and }(3,-2)\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \left(-\frac{3}{2},\frac{1}{2}\right)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(\frac{3}{2},\frac{11}{2}\right)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(\frac{9}{2},\frac{7}{2}\right)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(-\frac{3}{2},-\frac{11}{2}\right)\)

\(\displaystyle \left(\frac{7}{2},\frac{9}{2}\right)\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \left(\frac{9}{2},\frac{7}{2}\right)\)

Explanation:

Write the midpoint formula.

\(\displaystyle M=\left(\frac{x_1+x_2}{2},\frac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)\)

Substitute the values.

\(\displaystyle M=\left(\frac{6+3}{2},\frac{9-2}{2}\right)= \left(\frac{9}{2},\frac{7}{2}\right)\)

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