SAT Mathematics (With Calculator) Practice Test 4 - Assistive Technology

Math Test—No Calculator
20 Questions
Turn to Section 3 of your answer sheet to answer the questions in this section.
Directions
For questions 1 through 15, solve each problem, choose the best answer from the
choices provided, and fill in the corresponding circle on your answer sheet. For
questions 16 through 20, solve the problem and enter your answer in the grid on
the answer sheet. Please refer to the directions before question 16 on how to enter
your answers in the grid. You may use scratch paper for scratch work.
Notes
1. The use of a calculator is not permitted.
2. All variables and expressions used represent real numbers unless otherwise
indicated.
3. Figures provided in this test are drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated.
4. All figures lie in a plane unless otherwise indicated.
5. Unless otherwise indicated, the domain of a given function f is the set of all real
numbers x for which f of x is a real number.

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Copyright 2015 by the College Board WF-5LSA09

Reference
Begin skippable figure descriptions.

The figure presents information for your reference in solving some of
the problems.
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Reference figure 1 is a circle with radius r. Two equations are presented below
reference figure 1.
A equals pi times the square of r.
C equals 2 pi r.
Reference figure 2 is a rectangle with length ℓ and width w. An equation is

presented below reference figure 2.
A equals ℓ w.

Reference figure 3 is a triangle with base b and height h. An equation is presented

below reference figure 3.
A equals one-half b h.

Reference figure 4 is a right triangle. The two sides that form the right angle are
labeled a and b, and the side opposite the right angle is labeled c. An equation is
presented below reference figure 4.
c squared equals a squared plus b squared.
Special Right Triangles

Reference figure 5 is a right triangle with a 30-degree angle and a 60-degree angle.
The side opposite the 30-degree angle is labeled x. The side opposite the 60-degree
angle is labeled x times the square root of 3. The side opposite the right angle is
labeled 2 x.

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Reference figure 6 is a right triangle with two 45-degree angles. Two sides are
each labeled s. The side opposite the right angle is labeled s times the square root
of 2.
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Reference figure 7 is a rectangular solid whose base has length ℓ and width w and
whose height is h. An equation is presented below reference figure 7.
V equals ℓ w h.

Reference figure 8 is a right circular cylinder whose base has radius r and whose

height is h. An equation is presented below reference figure 8.
V equals pi times the square of r times h.
Reference figure 9 is a sphere with radius r. An equation is presented below

reference figure 9.
V equals four-thirds pi times the cube of r.
Reference figure 10 is a cone whose base has radius r and whose height is h.
An equation is presented below reference figure 10.
V equals one-third times pi times the square of r times h.
Reference figure 11 is an asymmetrical pyramid whose base has length ℓ and

width w and whose height is h. An equation is presented below reference
figure 11.
V equals one-third ℓ w h.

End skippable figure descriptions.
Additional Reference Information

The number of degrees of arc in a circle is 360.
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The number of radians of arc in a circle is 2 pi.
The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.
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Question 1.
Which of the following expressions is equal to 0 for some value of x ?
A. the absolute value of x minus 1, end absolute value, minus 1
B. the absolute value of x plus 1, end absolute value, plus 1
C. the absolute value of 1 minus x, end absolute value, plus 1
D. the absolute value of x minus 1, end absolute value, plus 1
Explanation for question 1.
Question 2 refers to the following function.
f of x equals three halves x, plus b
Question 2.
In the preceding function, b is a constant. If f of 6 equals 7, what is the
value of f of negative 2 ?
A. negative 5
B. negative 2
C. 1
D. 7
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Question 3 refers to a system of equations that is composed of the
following two equations.
the fraction x over y, equals 6, and
4 times parenthesis y plus 1 close parenthesis, equals x.
Question 3.
If the ordered pair x comma y is the solution to the preceding system of
equations, what is the value of y ?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 12
D. 24
Question 4.
If f of x equals negative 2 x plus 5, what is
f of
negative 3 x equal to?

A. negative 6 x minus 5

B. 6 x plus 5

C. 6 x minus 5

D. 6 x squared minus 15 x

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Question 5 refers to the following expression.
3, times parenthesis 2 x plus 1 close parenthesis, times

parenthesis 4 x plus 1 close parenthesis

Question 5.
Which of the following is equivalent to the preceding expression?
A. 45 x

B. 24 x squared plus 3

C. 24 x squared, plus 18 x, plus 3

D. 18 x squared plus 6

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Question 6.
If the fraction whose numerator is, a, minus b, and whose denominator

is b, equals the fraction 3 over 7, which of the following must also be true?
A. the fraction a, over b, equals the negative fraction 4 over 7
B. the fraction a, over b, equals the fraction 10 over 7
C. the fraction whose numerator is a, plus b, and whose denominator is

b, equals the fraction 10 over 7
D. the fraction whose numerator is, a, minus 2 b, and whose

denominator is b, equals the negative fraction 11 over 7
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Question 7.
While preparing to run a marathon, Amelia created a training schedule in which
the distance of her longest run every week increased by a constant amount. If
Amelia’s training schedule requires that her longest run in week 4 is a distance of
8 miles and her longest run in week 16 is a distance of 26 miles, which of the
following best describes how the distance Amelia runs changes between week 4
and week 16 of her training schedule?
A. Amelia increases the distance of her longest run by 0.5 miles each week.
B. Amelia increases the distance of her longest run by 2 miles each week.
C. Amelia increases the distance of her longest run by 2 miles every 3 weeks.
D. Amelia increases the distance of her longest run by 1.5 miles each week.
Question 8.
Which of the following equations represents a line that is parallel to the line with
equation y equals negative 3 x plus 4 ?

A. 6 x plus 2 y equals 15

B. 3 x minus y equals 7

C. 2 x minus 3 y equals 6

D. x plus 3 y equals 1

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Question 9 refers to the following equation.
the square root of x minus a, end square root, equals x minus 4
Question 9.
If a, equals 2, what is the solution set of the preceding equation?
A. the solution set: 3 comma 6
B. the solution set: 2
C. the solution set: 3
D. the solution set: 6
Question 10.
If the fraction whose numerator is t plus 5, and whose denominator is

t minus 5, equals 10, what is the value of t ?
A. the fraction 45 over 11
B. 5
C. the fraction 11 over 2
D. the fraction 55 over 9
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x equals 2 y plus 5, and

y equals parenthesis 2 x minus 3 close parenthesis, times

parenthesis x plus 9 close parenthesis
Question 11.
How many ordered pairs x comma y satisfy the preceding system of
equations?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. Infinitely many
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Question 12.
Ken and Paul each ordered a sandwich at a restaurant. The price of Ken’s sandwich
was x dollars, and the price of Paul’s sandwich was $1 more than the price of
Ken’s sandwich. If Ken and Paul split the cost of the sandwiches evenly and each
paid a 20% tip, which of the following expressions represents the amount, in
dollars, each of them paid? (Assume there is no sales tax.)
A. 0.2 x plus 0.2

B. 0.5 x plus 0.1

C. 1.2 x plus 0.6

D. 2.4 x plus 1.2

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Question 13 refers to the following figure.
Begin skippable figure description.

The figure presents the graph of two curves in the x y-plane. The horizontal axis is

labeled x, the vertical axis is labeled y, and the origin is labeled O. The curve
labeled y equals f of x is symmetric with respect to the y-axis and opens upward
with its lowest point on the y-axis and below the x-axis. Starting from the left of
the y-axis and above the x-axis, the curve decreases as it moves from left to right,
crossing the x-axis at the coordinates labeled negative k comma 0, then it starts
increasing after reaching its lowest point, crossing the x-axis again at the
coordinates labeled k comma 0. The other curve labeled y equals g of x is
symmetric with respect to the y-axis and opens downward with its highest point on
the y-axis and above the x-axis. Starting from the left of the y-axis and below the
x-axis, the curve increases as it moves from left to right, crossing the x-axis at the
coordinates labeled negative k comma 0, then it starts decreasing after reaching its
highest point, crossing the x-axis again at the coordinates labeled k comma 0. The
two curves intersect on the x-axis at two points, one to the left of the y-axis with
coordinates negative k comma 0, and one to the right of the y-axis with coordinates
k comma 0.
End skippable figure description.
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Question 13.
The functions f and g, defined by f of x equals 8 x squared

minus 2 and g of x equals negative 8 x squared plus 2, are

graphed in the preceding x y-plane. The graphs of f and g intersect at the points

with coordinates k comma 0 and with coordinates negative k

comma 0. What is the value of k ?
A. one fourth
B. one half
C. 1
D. 2
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Question 14 refers to the following expression.
the fraction whose numerator is 8 minus i, and whose denominator is

3 minus 2 i
Question 14.
If the preceding expression is rewritten in the form a, plus b i, where a and b

are real numbers, what is the value of a ? (Note: i equals the square root of
negative 1.)
A. 2
B. the fraction 8 over 3
C. 3
D. the fraction 11 over 3
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Question 15 refers to the following quadratic equation.
x squared minus the fraction k over 2, end fraction, times x,

equals 2 p
Question 15.
In the preceding quadratic equation, k and p are constants. What are the solutions
for x ?
A. x equals the fraction k over 4, end fraction, plus or minus the
fraction whose numerator is the square root of k squared plus 2 p, end square

root, and whose denominator is 4
B. x equals the fraction k over 4, end fraction, plus or minus

the fraction whose numerator is the square root of k squared plus 32 p, end

square root, and whose denominator is 4
C. x equals the fraction k over 2, end fraction, plus or minus the
fraction whose numerator is the square root of k squared plus 2 p, end square

root, and whose denominator is 2
D. x equals the fraction k over 2, end fraction, plus or minus

the fraction whose numerator is the square root of k squared plus 32 p, end

square root, and whose denominator is 4
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Directions
For questions 16 through 20, solve the problem and enter your answer in the grid,
as described below, on the answer sheet.
1. Although not required, it is suggested that you write your answer in the boxes at
the top of the columns to help you fill in the circles accurately. You will receive
credit only if the circles are filled in correctly.
2. Mark no more than one circle in any column.
3. No question has a negative answer.
4. Some problems may have more than one correct answer. In such cases, grid only
one answer.
5. Mixed numbers such as three and one half must be gridded as 3.5 or
seven slash two. (If three, one, slash, two, is entered into the grid, it
will be interpreted as thirty one halves, not three and one half.)
6. Decimal answers: If you obtain a decimal answer with more digits than the grid
can accommodate, it may be either rounded or truncated, but it must fill the
entire grid.
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The following are four examples of how to record your answer in the spaces
provided. Keep in mind that there are four spaces provided to record each answer.
Examples 1 and 2

Example 1: If your answer is a fraction such as seven-twelfths, it should be
recorded as follows. Enter 7 in the first space, the fraction bar (a slash) in the
second space, 1 in the third space, and 2 in the fourth space. All four spaces would
be used in this example.
Example 2: If your answer is a decimal value such as 2.5, it could be recorded as

follows. Enter 2 in the second space, the decimal point in the third space, and 5 in
the fourth space. Only three spaces would be used in this example.
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Example 3

Example 3: Acceptable ways to record two-thirds are: 2 slash 3, .666, and .667.
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Example 4
Note: You may start your answers in any column, space permitting. Columns you
don’t need to use should be left blank.

Example 4: It is not necessary to begin recording answers in the first space unless
all four spaces are needed. For example, if your answer is 201, you may record 2 in
the second space, 0 in the third space, and 1 in the fourth space. Alternatively, you
may record 2 in the first space, 0 in the second space, and 1 in the third space.
Spaces not needed should be left blank.
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The figure presents a triangular shelf with the horizontal side as the bottom shelf
and two additional horizontal shelves inside the triangle. A shampoo bottle is
standing vertically in the middle shelf. The top and middle shelves divide the left
side of the triangular shelf into three segments labeled, from top to bottom, 2 x, 3 x,

and x, respectively. The height of the triangular shelf, that is from the vertex at the
top to the bottom shelf, is labeled 18 inches.
Question 16.
Jim has a triangular shelf system that attaches to his showerhead. The total height
of the system is 18 inches, and there are three parallel shelves as shown in the
preceding figure. What is the maximum height, in inches, of a shampoo bottle that
can stand upright on the middle shelf?
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The figure presents a triangle with a right angle symbol. The other two angles of
the triangle have measures of x degrees and y degrees.
Question 17.
In the preceding triangle, the sine of x degrees is 0.6. What is the cosine of
y degrees?
Question 18 refers to the following equation.
x cubed minus 5 x squared plus 2 x minus 10 equals 0

Question 18.
For what real value of x is the preceding equation true?
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negative 3 x plus 4 y equals 20, and

6 x plus 3 y equals 15

Question 19.
If the ordered pair x comma y is the solution to the preceding system of
equations, what is the value of x ?
Question 20.
The mesosphere is the layer of Earth’s atmosphere between 50 kilometers and
85 kilometers above Earth’s surface. At a distance of 50 kilometers from Earth’s
surface, the temperature in the mesosphere is negative 5 degrees Celsius, and
at a distance of 80 kilometers from Earth’s surface, the temperature in the
mesosphere is negative 80 degrees Celsius. For every additional
10 kilometers from Earth’s surface, the temperature in the mesosphere decreases
by k degrees Celsius, where k is a constant. What is the value of k ?
Stop.
If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this section
only. Do not turn to any other section.
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Answers and explanations for questions 1 through 20 are provided in the next
section of this document.
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Answers and Explanations for Questions 1
through 20

Choice A is correct. The expression the absolute value of x minus 1, end
absolute value, minus 1 will equal 0 if the absolute value of x minus 1,
equals 1. This is true for x equals 2 and for x equals 0. For example,
substituting x equals 2 into the expression the absolute value of
x minus 1, end absolute value, minus 1 and simplifying the result yields
the absolute value of 2 minus 1, end absolute value,
minus 1, equals the absolute value of 1, end absolute value, minus 1, which equals
1 minus 1, which equals 0. Therefore, there is a value of x for which the
absolute value of x minus 1, end absolute value, minus 1, is equal to 0.
Choice B is incorrect. By definition, the absolute value of any expression is a

nonnegative number. Substituting any value for x into the expression the
absolute value of x plus 1 will yield a nonnegative number as the result. Because
the sum of a nonnegative number and a positive number is positive, the
absolute value of x plus 1, end absolute value, plus 1 will be a positive number for
any value of x. Therefore, the absolute value of x plus 1, end absolute
value, plus 1, does not equal 0 for any value of x.
Choice C is incorrect. By definition, the absolute value of any expression is a

absolute value of 1 minus x will yield a nonnegative number as the result. Because
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absolute value of 1 minus x, end absolute value, plus 1 will be a positive number
for any value of x. Therefore, the absolute value of 1 minus x, end
absolute value, plus 1 does not equal 0 for any value of x.
Choice D is incorrect. By definition, the absolute value of any expression is a

absolute value of x minus 1 will yield a nonnegative number as the result. Because
absolute value of x minus 1, end absolute value, plus 1 will be a positive number
for any value of x. Therefore, the absolute value of x minus 1, end
absolute value, plus 1 does not equal 0 for any value of x.
Choice A is correct. Since f of x equals three halves x, plus b and
f of 6 equals 7, substituting 6 for x in f of x equals
three halves x, plus b gives f of 6 equals three halves,

parenthesis 6 close parenthesis, plus b, equals 7. Then, solving the equation
three halves, parenthesis 6 close parenthesis, plus b, equals 7 for b
gives eighteen halves, plus b equals 7, or 9 plus b equals 7.

Thus, b equals 7 minus 9, which equals negative 2. Substituting
this value back into the original function gives f of x equals
three halves x, minus 2; therefore, one can evaluate f of negative 2 by
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substituting negative 2 for x: three halves,
parenthesis negative 2 close parenthesis, minus 2, equals the fraction negative 6
over 2, end fraction, minus 2, which equals negative 3 minus 2, which equals
negative 5.
Choice B is incorrect as it is the value of b, not of f of negative 2.
Choice C is incorrect as it is the value of f of 2, not of f of

negative 2.
Choice D is incorrect as it is the value of f of 6, not of f of

negative 2.

Choice A is correct. The first equation can be rewritten as x equals 6 y.
Substituting 6 y for x in the second equation gives

4, times
parenthesis y plus 1 close parenthesis, equals 6 y. The left-hand side can be

rewritten as 4 y plus 4, giving

4 y plus 4 equals 6 y.

Subtracting 4 y from both sides of the equation gives

4 equals 2 y, or
y equals 2.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of a computational or

conceptual error when solving the system of equations.

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Choice B is correct. If f of x equals negative 2 x plus 5, then one

can evaluate f of negative 3 x by substituting

negative 3 x for every

instance of x. This yields f of negative 3 x equals

negative 2, times parenthesis negative 3 x close parenthesis, plus 5, which

simplifies to 6 x plus 5.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of miscalculations in the
substitution or misunderstandings of how to evaluate f of negative 3 x.
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Choice C is correct. The expression 3 times parenthesis, 2 x
plus 1, close parenthesis times parenthesis, 4 x plus 1, close parenthesis can be

simplified by first distributing the 3 to yield parenthesis 6 x
plus 3 close parenthesis, times parenthesis 4 x plus 1 close parenthesis and then

expanding to obtain 24 x squared plus 12 x plus 6 x plus 3.

Combining like terms gives 24 x squared plus 18 x plus 3.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of performing the term-by-term

multiplication of 3 times parenthesis, 2 x plus 1, close

parenthesis times parenthesis, 4 x plus 1, close parenthesis and treating every term

as an x-term.
Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of correctly finding

parenthesis, 6 x plus 3, close parenthesis times parenthesis, 4 x plus 1, close

parenthesis, but then multiplying only the first terms, parenthesis 6 x
close parenthesis, times parenthesis 4 x close parenthesis, and the last terms,

3 times 1, but not the outer or inner terms.
Choice D is incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly distributing the 3 to both
terms to obtain parenthesis, 6 x plus 3, close parenthesis times

parenthesis, 12 x plus 3, close parenthesis and then adding

3 plus 3 and
6 x plus 12 x and incorrectly adding the exponents of x.

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Choice B is correct. The equation the fraction whose numerator is, a,
minus b, and whose denominator is b, equals the fraction 3 over 7 can be rewritten
as the fraction, a, over b, minus the fraction b over b, equals the
fraction 3 over 7 from which it follows that the fraction a, over b, end
fraction, minus 1, equals the fraction 3 over 7 or the fraction, a,

over b, equals the fraction 3 over 7, end fraction, plus 1, which equals the fraction
10 over 7.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors in
rewriting the fraction whose numerator is, a, minus b, and whose

denominator is b, equals the fraction 3 over 7. For example, choice A may be the
result of a sign error in rewriting the fraction whose numerator is, a, minus
b, and whose denominator is b as the fraction, a, over b, plus the

fraction b over b, equals the fraction, a, over b, end fraction, plus 1.

Choice D is correct. In Amelia’s training schedule, her longest run in week 16 will
be 26 miles and her longest run in week 4 will be 8 miles. Thus, Amelia increases
the distance of her longest run by 18 miles over the course of 12 weeks. Since
Amelia increases the distance of her longest run each week by a constant amount,
the amount she increases the distance of her longest run each week is
the fraction whose numerator is 26 minus 8, and whose

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denominator is 16 minus 4, equals the fraction 18 over 12, which equals the
fraction 3 over 2, which equals 1.5 miles.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because none of these training schedules would
result in increasing Amelia’s longest run from 8 miles in week 4 to 26 miles in
week 16. For example, choice A is incorrect because if Amelia increases the
distance of her longest run by 0.5 miles each week and has her longest run of
8 miles in week 4, her longest run in week 16 would be 8 plus 0.5
times 12, equals 14 miles, not 26 miles.

Choice A is correct. For an equation of a line in the form y equals m x
plus b, the constant m is the slope of the line. Thus, the line represented by
y equals negative 3 x plus 4 has slope
negative 3. Lines that are
parallel have the same slope. To find out which of the given equations represents a
line with the same slope as the line represented by y equals
negative 3 x plus 4, one can rewrite each equation in the form
y equals
m x plus b, that is, solve each equation for y. Choice A,
6 x plus 2 y

equals 15, can be rewritten as 2 y equals negative 6 x plus 15 by

subtracting 6 x from each side of the equation. Then dividing each side of

2 y equals negative 6 x plus 15 by 2 gives

y equals the negative fraction 6 over 2, end fraction, times x, plus, the fraction 15
over 2, which equals negative 3 x plus the fraction 15 over 2. Therefore, this line

has slope negative 3 and is parallel to the line represented by

y equals negative 3 x plus 4. (The lines are parallel, not coincident, because they

have different y-intercepts.)
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Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of common
misunderstandings about which value in the equation of a line represents the slope
of the line.

Choice D is correct. The question states that the square root of x
minus a, end square root, equals x minus 4 and that a, equals 2, so
substituting 2 for a in the equation yields the square root of x
minus 2, end square root, equals x minus 4. To solve for x, square each side of the
equation, which gives parenthesis, the square root of x

minus 2, end square root, close parenthesis, squared, equals parenthesis, x minus 4,
close parenthesis, squared, or x minus 2 equals, parenthesis x
minus 4 close parenthesis, squared. Then, expanding parenthesis x

minus 4 close parenthesis, squared yields x minus 2 equals,
x squared minus 8 x, plus 16, or
0 equals x squared, minus 9 x
plus 18. Factoring the right-hand side gives 0 equals,

parenthesis x minus 3 close parenthesis, times parenthesis x minus 6 close
parenthesis, and so x equals 3 or x equals 6. However, for
x equals 3, the original equation becomes the square root of 3
minus 2, end square root, equals 3 minus 4, which yields 1 equals
negative 1, which is not true. Hence, x equals 3 is an extraneous solution that
arose from squaring each side of the equation. For x equals 6, the original
equation becomes the square root of 6 minus 2, end square root,
equals 6 minus 4, which yields the square root of 4, equals 2, or
2 equals 2. Since this is true, the solution set of the square root of
x minus 2, end square root, equals x minus 4 is the solution set, 6.
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Choice A is incorrect as it includes the extraneous solution in the solution set.
Choice B is incorrect and may be the result of a calculation or factoring error.
Choice C is incorrect as it includes only the extraneous solution, and not the
correct solution, in the solution set.
Choice D is correct. Multiplying each side of the fraction whose

numerator is t plus 5, and whose denominator is t minus 5, equals 10 by
t minus 5 gives t plus 5 equals 10, times, parenthesis t minus 5
close parenthesis. Distributing the 10 over the values in the parentheses yields
t plus 5 equals 10 t minus 50. Subtracting t from each side of the
equation gives 5 equals 9 t minus 50, and then adding 50 to each side

gives 55 equals 9 t. Finally, dividing each side by 9 yields

t equals
the fraction 55 over 9.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors or
using the distribution property improperly.

Choice C is correct. Since y equals parenthesis 2 x minus 3

close parenthesis, times parenthesis x plus 9 close parenthesis and
x equals 2 y plus 5, it follows that

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x equals 2, double parentheses, 2 x minus 3 close parenthesis, times parenthesis

x plus 9, close double parentheses, plus 5 equals 4 x squared plus 30 x minus 54.

This can be rewritten as 4 x squared plus 29 x minus 54

equals 0. Because the discriminant of this quadratic equation,

29 squared minus, 4 times parenthesis negative 54
close parenthesis, equals 29 squared plus 4, times parenthesis 54 close parenthesis
is positive, this equation has 2 distinct roots. Using each of the roots as the value
of x and finding y from the equation x equals 2 y plus 5 gives 2 ordered

pairs x comma y that satisfy the given system of equations. Since no other
value of x satisfies 4 x squared plus 29 x minus 54 equals 0,

there are no other ordered pairs that satisfy the given system. Therefore, there are
2 ordered pairs x comma y that satisfy the given system of equations.
Choices A and B are incorrect and may be the result of either a miscalculation or a
conceptual error.
Choice D is incorrect because a system of one quadratic equation and one linear
equation cannot have infinitely many solutions.

Choice C is correct. Since the price of Ken’s sandwich was x dollars, and Paul’s
sandwich was $1 more, the price of Paul’s sandwich was x plus 1 dollars.
Thus, the total cost of the sandwiches was 2 x plus 1 dollars. Since this cost

was split evenly, Ken and Paul each paid the fraction whose
numerator is 2 x plus 1, and whose denominator is 2, equals x plus 0.5 dollars plus a

20% tip. After adding the 20% tip, each of them paid
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parenthesis x plus 0.5 close
parenthesis, plus 0.2, times, parenthesis x plus 0.5 close parenthesis, equals 1.2,
times, parenthesis x plus 0.5 close parenthesis, which equals 1.2 x plus 0.6 dollars.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. These expressions do not model the given
context. They may be the result of errors in setting up the expression or of
calculation errors.

Choice B is correct. One can find the intersection points of the two graphs by
setting the functions f of x and g of x equal to one another and then
solving for x. This yields 8 x squared minus 2 equals

negative 8 x squared plus 2. Adding

8 x squared and 2 to each side of the

equation gives 16 x squared equals 4. Then dividing each side by 16

gives x squared equals one fourth, and then taking the square root of each
side gives x equals plus or minus one half. From the graph, the value of k
is the x-coordinate of the point of intersection on the positive x-axis. Therefore,
k equals one half.
Alternatively, since the point with coordinates k comma 0 lies on the graph
of both f and g, it follows that f of k equals g of k, which
equals 0. Thus, evaluating f of x equals 8 x squared minus 2 at

x equals k gives 0 equals 8 k squared minus 2. Adding 2 to each

side yields 2 equals 8 k squared, and then dividing each side by 8 gives

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one fourth equals k squared. Taking the square root of each side then gives
k equals plus or minus one half. From the graph, k is positive, so

k equals one half.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors in
solving for x or k.
Choice A is correct. To rewrite the fraction whose numerator is 8 minus i,

and whose denominator is 3 minus 2 i in the standard form
a, plus b i,
multiply the numerator and denominator of the fraction whose numerator is

8 minus i, and whose denominator is 3 minus 2 i by the conjugate,
3 plus 2 i.
This gives parenthesis, the fraction

whose numerator is 8 minus i, and whose denominator is 3 minus 2 i, close
parenthesis, times parenthesis, the fraction whose numerator is 3 plus 2 i, and
whose denominator is 3 plus 2 i, close parenthesis equals, the fraction whose

numerator is 24 plus 16 i minus 3 i plus, parenthesis negative i close parenthesis,

times 2 i, and whose denominator is 3 squared minus, parenthesis 2 i close

parenthesis, squared. Since i squared equals negative 1, this last fraction
can be rewritten as the fraction whose numerator is

24 plus 16 i minus 3 i plus 2, and whose denominator is 9 minus parenthesis

negative 4 close parenthesis, which equals the fraction whose numerator is 26 plus
13 i, and whose denominator is 13, which simplifies to
2 plus i. Therefore,
The SAT® Page 42

when the fraction whose numerator is 8 minus i, and whose denominator is
3 minus 2 i is rewritten in the standard form
a, plus b i, the value of a is 2.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in symbolic
manipulation. For example, choice B could be the result of mistakenly rewriting
the fraction whose numerator is 8 minus i, and whose denominator is 3
minus 2 i as
the fraction 8 over 3, end fraction, plus one half i.

Choice B is correct. The given quadratic equation can be rewritten as
2 x squared minus k x minus 4 p, equals 0. Applying the

quadratic formula, the fraction whose numerator is negative b

plus or minus the square root of, b squared minus 4 a c, end square root, and whose

denominator is 2 a, to this equation with

a equals 2, b equals
negative k, and c equals negative 4 p gives the solutions

the fraction k over 4, end fraction, plus or minus the fraction whose numerator is
the square root of k squared plus 32 p, end square root, and whose denominator is 4.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in applying the
quadratic formula.
The SAT® Page 43


The correct answer is 9. Since the three shelves of the triangular shelf system are
parallel, the three triangles in the figure are similar. Since the shelves divide the
left side of the largest triangle in the ratio 2 to 3 to 1, the similarity ratios of the
triangles are as follows.
A. Smallest to middle: 2 to 5
B. Smallest to largest: 2 to 6, or 1 to 3
C. Middle to largest: 5 to 6
The height of the largest shampoo bottle that can stand upright on the middle shelf
is equal to the height of the middle shelf. The height of the entire triangular shelf
system is 18 inches. This is the height of the largest triangle. The height of the
middle shelf is the height of the middle triangle minus the height of the smallest
triangle. Since the similarity ratio of the middle triangle to the largest triangle is 5
to 6, the height of the middle shelf is the fraction 5 over 6, parenthesis

18 close parenthesis, equals 15 inches. Since the similarity ratio of the smallest
triangle to the largest triangle is 1 to 3, the height of the middle shelf is

one third, parenthesis 18 close parenthesis, which equals 6 inches. Therefore, the
height of the middle shelf is 9 inches.
The correct answer is .6 or three fifths. The angles marked x degrees and

y degrees are acute angles in a right triangle. Thus, they are complementary angles.
By the complementary angle relationship between sine and cosine, it follows that
sine of x degrees, equals cosine of y degrees. Therefore, the
The SAT® Page 44


cosine of y degrees is .6. Either .6 or the equivalent fraction three fifths may
be gridded as the correct answer.
Alternatively, since the sine of x degrees is .6, the ratio of the side opposite the
x degrees angle to the hypotenuse is .6. The side opposite the x degrees
angle is the side adjacent to the y degrees angle. Thus, the ratio of the side
adjacent to the y degrees angle to the hypotenuse, which is equal to the cosine
of y degrees, is equal to .6.

The correct answer is 5. The four-term polynomial expression can be factored
completely, by grouping, as follows:
Parenthesis, x cubed minus 5 x squared, close parenthesis plus parenthesis, 2 x

minus 10, close parenthesis, equals 0, which can be written as
x squared, times, parenthesis x minus 5 close parenthesis, plus 2, times parenthesis

x minus 5 close parenthesis, equals 0; which can be factored as
Parenthesis x minus 5 close parenthesis, times parenthesis x squared plus 2 close

parenthesis, equals 0.
By the zero product property, set each factor of the polynomial equal to 0 and
solve each resulting equation for x. This gives x equals 5 or
The SAT® Page 45

x equals plus or minus i times the square root of 2, respectively. Because the
question asks for the real value of x that satisfies the equation, the correct answer
is 5.

The correct answer is 0. Multiplying each side of negative 3 x plus

4 y equals 20 by 2 gives
negative 6 x plus 8 y equals 40. Adding

each side of negative 6 x plus 8 y equals 40 to the corresponding

side of 6 x plus 3 y equals 15 gives

11 y equals 55, or

y equals 5. Finally, substituting 5 for y in 6 x plus 3 y equals 15 gives

6 x plus 3 times 5 equals 15, or

x equals 0.

The correct answer is 25. In the mesosphere, an increase of 10 kilometers in the
distance above Earth results in a decrease in the temperature by
k degrees Celsius, where k is a constant. Thus, the temperature in the mesosphere
is linearly dependent on the distance above Earth. Using the values provided and
the slope formula, one can calculate the unit rate of change for the temperature in
the mesosphere to be the fraction whose numerator is

negative 80 minus, parenthesis negative 5 close parenthesis, and whose
denominator is 80 minus 50, equals the fraction negative 75 over 30, which equals
the fraction negative 2.5 over 1. The slope indicates that, within the mesosphere, if
the distance above Earth increases by 1 kilometer, the temperature decreases by
2.5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, if the distance above Earth increases
by parenthesis 1 times 10 close parenthesis, equals 10 kilometers, the
temperature will decrease by parenthesis 2.5 times 10
close parenthesis, equals 25 degrees Celsius. Thus, the value of k is 25.
The SAT® Page 46


Stop. This is the end of the answers and explanations for questions 1
through 20.
The SAT® Page 47


SAT Mathematics (With Calculator) Practice Test 4 - Assistive Technology

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Math Test—No Calculator

1. The use of a calculator is not permitted.

4. All figures lie in a plane unless otherwise indicated.

The SAT® Page 1

Begin skippable figure descriptions.

The SAT® Page 2

A equals pi times the square of r.

Reference figure 2 is a rectangle with length ℓ and width w. An equation is

Reference figure 3 is a triangle with base b and height h. An equation is presented

c squared equals a squared plus b squared.

Special Right Triangles

The SAT® Page 3

The SAT® Page 4

Reference figure 8 is a right circular cylinder whose base has radius r and whose

Reference figure 9 is a sphere with radius r. An equation is presented below

Reference figure 11 is an asymmetrical pyramid whose base has length ℓ and

End skippable figure descriptions.

Additional Reference Information

The SAT® Page 5

The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.

The SAT® Page 6

A. the absolute value of x minus 1, end absolute value, minus 1

B. the absolute value of x plus 1, end absolute value, plus 1

C. the absolute value of 1 minus x, end absolute value, plus 1

D. the absolute value of x minus 1, end absolute value, plus 1

Explanation for question 1.

Question 2 refers to the following function.

f of x equals three halves x, plus b

Explanation for question 2.

The SAT® Page 7

the fraction x over y, equals 6, and

4 times parenthesis y plus 1 close parenthesis, equals x.

Explanation for question 3.

A. negative 6 x minus 5

D. 6 x squared minus 15 x

The SAT® Page 8

The SAT® Page 9

parenthesis 4 x plus 1 close parenthesis

B. 24 x squared plus 3

C. 24 x squared, plus 18 x, plus 3

D. 18 x squared plus 6

Explanation for question 5.

The SAT® Page 10

If the fraction whose numerator is, a, minus b, and whose denominator

A. the fraction a, over b, equals the negative fraction 4 over 7

B. the fraction a, over b, equals the fraction 10 over 7

C. the fraction whose numerator is a, plus b, and whose denominator is

D. the fraction whose numerator is, a, minus 2 b, and whose

denominator is b, equals the negative fraction 11 over 7

Explanation for question 6.

The SAT® Page 11

A. Amelia increases the distance of her longest run by 0.5 miles each week.

B. Amelia increases the distance of her longest run by 2 miles each week.

D. Amelia increases the distance of her longest run by 1.5 miles each week.

Explanation for question 7.

A. 6 x plus 2 y equals 15

B. 3 x minus y equals 7

C. 2 x minus 3 y equals 6

D. x plus 3 y equals 1

Explanation for question 8.