Question ID fb866265

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: fb866265

The scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables, and . An equation for the exponential model shown can be
written as , where and are positive constants. Which of the following is closest to the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: fb866265 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that an equation for the exponential model shown can be written as 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏𝑥 , where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are
positive constants. For an exponential model written in this form, if the value of 𝑏 is greater than 0 but less than 1, the model
is decreasing. If the value of 𝑏 is greater than 1, the model is increasing. The exponential model shown is decreasing.
Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is greater than 0 but less than 1. Of the given choices, only 0.83 is a value greater than 0 but less
than 1. Thus, 0.83 is closest to the value of 𝑏.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2e8027b0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 2e8027b0

The scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables, and , for data set E. A line of best fit is shown. Data set F is
created by multiplying the y-coordinate of each data point from data set E by . Which of the following could be an
equation of a line of best fit for data set F?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2e8027b0 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. An equation of a line of best fit for data set F can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥, where 𝑎 is the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept of the line of best fit and 𝑏 is the slope. The line of best fit shown for data set E has a y-intercept
at approximately 0, 12. It's given that data set F is created by multiplying the y-coordinate of each data point from data set E
by 3.9. It follows that a line of best fit for data set F has a y-intercept at approximately 0, 123.9, or 0, 46.8. Therefore, the value
𝑦 -𝑦
of 𝑎 is approximately 46.8. The slope of a line that passes through points 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 can be calculated as 2 1 . Since
𝑥2 - 𝑥1
the line of best fit shown for data set E passes approximately through the point 12, 30, it follows that a line of best fit for data
set F passes approximately through the point 12, 303.9, or 12, 117. Substituting 0, 46.8 and 12, 117 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ,
𝑦 -𝑦 117 - 46.8 70.2
respectively, in 𝑥2 - 𝑥1 yields 12 - 0 , which is equivalent to 12 , or 5.85. Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is approximately 5.85, or
2 1
approximately 5.9. Thus, 𝑦 = 46.8 + 5.9𝑥 could be an equation of a line of best fit for data set F.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect. This could be an equation of a line of best fit for data set E, not data set F.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 457d2f2c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 457d2f2c

A data set of 27 different numbers has a mean of 33 and a median of 33. A new
data set is created by adding 7 to each number in the original data set that is
greater than the median and subtracting 7 from each number in the original data
set that is less than the median. Which of the following measures does NOT have
the same value in both the original and new data sets?

A. Median

B. Mean

C. Sum of the numbers

D. Standard deviation

ID: 457d2f2c Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. When a data set has an odd number of elements, the median can be found by ordering the values from
least to greatest and determining the middle value. Out of the 27 different numbers in this data set, 13 numbers are below
the median, one number is exactly 33, and 13 numbers are above the median. When 7 is subtracted from each number below
the median and added to each number above the median, the data spread out from the median. Since the median of this
data set, 33, is equivalent to the mean of the data set, the data also spread out from the mean. Since standard deviation is a
measure of how spread out the data are from the mean, a greater spread from the mean indicates an increased standard
deviation.

Choice A is incorrect. All the numbers less than the median decrease and all the numbers greater than the median increase,
but the median itself doesn’t change. Choices B and C are incorrect. The mean of a data set is found by dividing the sum of
the values by the number of values. The net change from subtracting 7 from 13 numbers and adding 7 to 13 numbers is
zero. Therefore, neither the mean nor the sum of the numbers changes.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c9fb15ad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: c9fb15ad

Species of Growth
tree factor

Red maple 4.5

River birch 3.5

Cottonwood 2.0

Black walnut 4.5

White birch 5.0

American elm 4.0

Pin oak 3.0

Shagbark
7.5
hickory

One method of calculating the approximate age, in years, of a tree of a particular

species is to multiply the diameter of the tree, in inches, by a constant called the
growth factor for that species. The table above gives the growth factors for eight
species of trees. If a white birch tree and a pin oak tree each now have a diameter
of 1 foot, which of the following will be closest to the difference, in inches, of their
diameters 10 years from now? (1 foot = 12 inches)

A. 1.0

B. 1.2

C. 1.3

D. 1.4

ID: c9fb15ad Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. According to the given information, multiplying a tree species’ growth factor by the tree’s diameter is a
method to approximate the age of the tree. A white birch with a diameter of 12 inches (or 1 foot) has a given growth factor of
5 and is approximately 60 years old. A pin oak with a diameter of 12 inches (or 1 foot) has a given growth factor of 3 and is
approximately 36 years old. The diameters of the two trees 10 years from now can be found by dividing each tree’s age in 10

years, 70 years, and 46 years, by its respective growth factor. This yields 14 inches and inches. The difference between

and 14 is , or approximately 1.3 inches.

Alternate approach: Since a white birch has a growth factor of 5, the age increases at a rate of 5 years per inch or,

equivalently, the diameter increases at a rate of of an inch per year. Likewise, the pin oak has a growth factor of 3, so its

diameter increases at a rate of of an inch per year. Thus, the pin oak grows of an inch per year more than the white

birch. In 10 years it will grow of an inch more, which is approximately 1.3 inches.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and a result of incorrectly calculating the diameters of the two trees in 10 years.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d6af3572
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: d6af3572

The scatterplot above shows the federal-mandated minimum wage every 10 years
between 1940 and 2010. A line of best fit is shown, and its equation is
. What does the line of best fit predict about the increase in the
minimum wage over the 70-year period?

A. Each year between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.096 dollars.

B. Each year between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.49 dollars.

C. Every 10 years between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.096 dollars.

D. Every 10 years between 1940 and 2010, the average increase in minimum wage was 0.488 dollars.

ID: d6af3572 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given equation is in slope-intercept form, or , where m is the value of the slope of the
line of best fit. Therefore, the slope of the line of best fit is 0.096. From the definition of slope, it follows that an increase of 1
in the x-value corresponds to an increase of 0.096 in the y-value. Therefore, the line of best fit predicts that for each year
between 1940 and 2010, the minimum wage will increase by 0.096 dollar per hour.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from using the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the average increase, instead of the
slope. Choice C is incorrect and may result from using the 10-year increments given on the x-axis to incorrectly interpret the
slope of the line of best fit. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the average
increase, instead of the slope, and from using the 10-year increments given on the x-axis to incorrectly interpret the slope of
the line of best fit.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6c9444cd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 6c9444cd

The two box plots show the distribution of number of books read over the summer by the students in two different English
classes. What is the positive difference between the ranges of number of books read over the summer for the two classes?

ID: 6c9444cd Answer

Correct Answer: 4

Rationale
The correct answer is 4. It's given that the two boxplots show the distribution of number of books read over the summer by
the students in two different English classes. In a boxplot, the first vertical line represents the minimum value of the data set
and the last vertical line represents the maximum value of the data set. The range of a data set is the difference between its
maximum value and its minimum value. In class A, the maximum number of books read is 5 and the minimum number of
books read is 0. The difference between those values is 5 - 0, or 5. Therefore, the range of the number of books read in class
A is 5. In class B, the maximum number of books read is 10 and the minimum number of books read is 1. The difference
between those values is 10 - 1, or 9. Therefore, the range of the number of books read in class B is 9. To find the positive
difference between the ranges of the number of books read for the two classes, the smaller range must be subtracted from
the larger range. Therefore, the positive difference between the ranges of number of books read over the summer for the two
classes is 9 - 5, or 4.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ecbdbe84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: ecbdbe84

The table shown summarizes the number of employees at each of the restaurants in a town.

Number of employees Number of restaurants

to

to

to

to

to
Which of the following could be the median number of employees for the restaurants in this town?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ecbdbe84 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. If a data set contains an odd number of data values, the median is represented by the middle data value
in the list when the data values are listed in ascending or descending order. Since the numbers of employees are given as
ranges of values rather than specific values, it's only possible to determine the range in which the median falls, rather than
the exact median. Since there are 17 restaurants included in the data set and the numbers of employees are listed in
ascending order, it follows that the median number of employees will be represented by the ninth restaurant in the list. Since
the first 2 restaurants each have 2 to 7 employees, numbers of employees in the 2 to 7 range would be represented by the
first and second restaurants in the list. The next 4 restaurants each have 8 to 13 employees. Therefore, numbers of
employees in the 8 to 13 range will be represented by the third through sixth restaurants in the list. The next 2 restaurants
each have 14 to 19 employees. Therefore, numbers of employees in the 14 to 19 range will be represented by the seventh
and eighth restaurants in the list. Since the next 7 restaurants each have 20 to 25 employees, numbers of employees in the
20 to 25 range will be represented by the ninth through fifteenth restaurants in the list. This means that the ninth restaurant
in the list, which has the median number of employees for the restaurants in this town, has a number of employees in the 20
to 25 range. Of the given choices, the only number of employees in the 20 to 25 range is 21.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the position of the median in the list, not the value of the median.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3638f413
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 3638f413

Jeremy deposited x dollars in his investment account on January 1, 2001. The

amount of money in the account doubled each year until Jeremy had 480 dollars in
his investment account on January 1, 2005. What is the value of x ?

ID: 3638f413 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 30. The situation can be represented by the equation , where the 2 represents the fact
that the amount of money in the account doubled each year and the 4 represents the fact that there are 4 years between
January 1, 2001, and January 1, 2005. Simplifying gives . Therefore, .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1142af44
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 1142af44

Value Frequency

1 a

2 2a

3 3a

4 2a

5 a

The frequency distribution above summarizes a set of data, where a is a positive

integer. How much greater is the mean of the set of data than the median?

A. 0

B. 1

C. 2

D. 3

ID: 1142af44 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since the frequencies of values less than the middle value, 3, are the same as the frequencies of the
values greater than 3, the set of data has a symmetric distribution. When a set of data has a symmetric distribution, the
mean and median values are equal. Therefore, the mean is 0 greater than the median.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the set of data.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 651d83bb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 651d83bb
Two different teams consisting of 10 members each ran in a race. Each member’s completion time of the race was
recorded. The mean of the completion times for each team was calculated and is shown below.
Team A: 3.41 minutes
Team B: 3.79 minutes

Which of the following MUST be true?

Every member of team A completed the race in less time than any member of team B.
The median time it took the members of team B to complete the race is greater than the median time it took the
members of team A to complete the race.
There is at least one member of team B who took more time to complete the race than some member of team A.

A. III only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II, and III

ID: 651d83bb Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Since the average time for the 10 members of team A is 3.41 minutes, the sum of the 10 times for team
A is equal to minutes. Since the average time for the 10 members of team B is 3.79 minutes, the sum of
the 10 times for team B is equal to minutes. Since the sum of the 10 times for team B is greater than the
sum of the 10 times for team A, it must be true that at least one of the times for team B must be greater than one of the
times for team A. Thus, statement III is true. However, it’s possible that at least some of the times for team A were greater
than some of the times for team B. For example, all of team A’s times could be 3.41 minutes, and team B could have 1 time
of 3.34 minutes and 9 times of 3.84 minutes. Thus, statement I need not be true. It’s also possible that the median of the
times for team B is less than the median of the times for team A. For example, all of team A’s times could be 3.41 minutes,
and team B could have 6 times of 3.37 minutes and 4 times of 4.42 minutes; then the median of team B’s times would be
3.37 minutes and the median of team A’s times would be 3.41 minutes. Thus, statement II need not be true.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because neither statement I nor statement II must be true.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 1e8ccffd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 1e8ccffd

The mean score of 8 players in a basketball game was 14.5 points. If the highest
individual score is removed, the mean score of the remaining 7 players becomes
12 points. What was the highest score?

A. 20

B. 24

C. 32

D. 36

ID: 1e8ccffd Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. If the mean score of 8 players is 14.5, then the total of all 8 scores is . If the mean of 7
scores is 12, then the total of all 7 scores is . Since the set of 7 scores was made by removing the highest score
of the set of 8 scores, then the difference between the total of all 8 scores and the total of all 7 scores is equal to the
removed score: .

Choice A is incorrect because if 20 is removed from the group of 8 scores, then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is

is approximately 13.71, not 12. Choice B is incorrect because if 24 is removed from the group of 8 scores,

then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is is approximately 13.14, not 12. Choice D is incorrect

because if 36 is removed from the group of 8 scores, then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is or
approximately 11.43, not 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1e1027a7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 1e1027a7

The scatterplot above shows a company’s ice cream sales d, in dollars, and the
high temperature t, in degrees Celsius (°C), on 12 different days. A line of best fit
for the data is also shown. Which of the following could be an equation of the line
of best fit?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1e1027a7 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. On the line of best fit, d increases from approximately 480 to 880 between and . The slope

of the line of best fit is the difference in d-values divided by the difference in t-values, which gives , or
approximately 33. Writing the equation of the line of best fit in slope-intercept form gives , where b is the y-
coordinate of the y-intercept. This equation is satisfied by all points on the line, so when . Thus,
, which is equivalent to . Subtracting 396 from both sides of this equation gives .
Therefore, an equation for the line of best fit could be .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from an error in calculating the slope and misidentifying the y-coordinate of the y-
intercept of the graph as the value of d at rather than the value of d at . Choice B is incorrect and may result
from using the smallest value of t on the graph as the slope and misidentifying the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the
graph as the value of d at rather than the value of d at . Choice C is incorrect and may result from misidentifying
the y-coordinate of the y-intercept as the smallest value of d on the graph.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e7d48c8a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: e7d48c8a

The dot plot represents a data set of the number of bursts for eruptions of a steam vent. If an additional eruption with
bursts is added to this data set to create a new data set of eruptions, which of the following measures will be greater for
the new data set than for the original data set?
The median number of bursts The mean number of bursts

A. I and II

B. I only

C. II only

D. Neither I nor II

ID: e7d48c8a Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the dot plot represents a data set of the number of bursts for 13 eruptions of a steam vent.
The median of a data set with an odd number of elements is the middle element when the elements are in numerical order.
For 13 elements in numerical order, this is the 7th element. For this data set, the first 4 elements have a value of 1, and the
next 5 elements have a value of 2. Thus, the 7th element in the ordered data set is 2 and the median number of bursts for the
original data set is 2. If an additional eruption with 11 bursts is added to this data set to create a new data set of 14
eruptions, the median of the new data set will be between the 7th and 8th elements in the ordered set, which will also be 2.
Therefore, the median number of bursts for the new data set will be the same as the median number of bursts for the
original data set. The mean number of bursts for the original data set is found by adding the values of all 13 elements and
dividing that sum by the number of elements, 13. Since the data is shown in a dot plot, the sum of the values of the elements
can be found by multiplying each element's value by its frequency: 14 + 25 + 32 + 41 + 51, or 29. Therefore, the mean
29
number of bursts for the original data set is 13
. If an additional eruption with 11 bursts is added to this data set to create a
29 + 11 40 40 29
new data set of 14 bursts, the mean number of bursts for the new data set is 14
, or 14
. Since 14
>
13
, the mean number of
bursts for the new data set is greater than the mean number of bursts for the original data set. Therefore, of the median
number of bursts and the mean number of bursts, only the mean number of bursts is greater for the new data set than for
the original data set.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3f775bbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 3f775bbf

Power capacity
State
Low Medium High Total

Texas 4 2 3 9

California 1 0 1 2

Oregon 1 0 1 2

Indiana 0 2 0 2

Colorado 1 1 0 2

Iowa 2 0 0 2

Oklahoma 1 0 0 1

Total 10 5 5 20

The table shows the distribution, by location and power capacity (maximum rate of
power generation) of the twenty largest wind projects in the United States in 2013.
The total power capacity of the nine wind projects located in Texas was 4,952
megawatts (MW), and the total power capacity of the twenty wind projects was
11,037 MW in 2013. The amount of energy produced in one hour at a rate of one
megawatt is one megawatt-hour. If each of the nine Texas wind projects in 2013
had operated continuously for 24 hours at the maximum rate of power generation,
approximately how many megawatt-hours of energy would the nine projects have
produced?

A. 200

B. 5,000

C. 11,000

D. 120,000

ID: 3f775bbf Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the total power capacity of the nine wind projects in Texas was 4,952 megawatts.
Therefore, if all nine Texas projects operated continuously for 1 hour, the amount of energy produced would be 4,952
megawatt-hours. It follows that, if all nine Texas projects operated continuously for 24 hours, the amount of energy
produced, in megawatt-hours, would be , which is closest to 120,000.

Choice A is incorrect. This is approximately the amount of energy produced for the nine projects divided by 24 hours. Choice
B is incorrect. This is approximately the amount of energy produced for the nine projects. Choice C is incorrect. This is
approximately the given amount of energy produced for all twenty projects in the table.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8637294f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 8637294f

If and , what is the value of ?

ID: 8637294f Answer

Correct Answer: .0625, 1/16

Rationale
4𝑎 𝑎 4𝑎 𝑎
The correct answer is .0625 . It's given that 𝑏
= 6.7 and 𝑏𝑛
= 26.8. The equation 𝑏
= 6.7 can be rewritten as 4 𝑏 = 6.7.
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎1
Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields 𝑏
= 1.675. The equation
𝑏𝑛
= 26.8 can be rewritten as
𝑏𝑛
= 26.8. Substituting
𝑎 1 1.675
1.675 for 𝑏
in this equation yields 1.675 = 26.8, or
𝑛 𝑛
= 26.8. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑛 yields
1.675 = 26.8𝑛. Dividing both sides of this equation by 26.8 yields 𝑛 = 0.0625. Therefore, the value of 𝑛 is 0.0625. Note that
.0625, 0.062, 0.063, and 1/16 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7d721177
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 7d721177

The density of a certain type of wood is kilograms per cubic meter. A sample of this type of wood is in the shape of a
cube and has a mass of kilograms. To the nearest hundredth of a meter, what is the length of one edge of this sample?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 7d721177 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
3
Choice B is correct. It’s given that the density of a certain type of wood is 353 kilograms per cubic meter kg/m , and a
sample of this type of wood has a mass of 345 kg. Let 𝑥 represent the volume, in m3 , of the sample. It follows that the
relationship between the density, mass, and volume of this sample can be written
353 kg 345 kg 345
as 1 m3 = 𝑥 m3 , or 353 = 𝑥 . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑥 yields 353𝑥 = 345. Dividing both sides of this
345 345
equation by 353 yields 𝑥 = 353
. Therefore, the volume of this sample is 353
m3 . Since it’s given that the sample of this type
of wood is a cube, it follows that the length of one edge of this sample can be found using the volume formula for a cube,
345
𝑉 = 𝑠3 , where 𝑉 represents the volume, in m3 , and 𝑠 represents the length, in m, of one edge of the cube. Substituting for 𝑉
353
345 3 345
in this formula yields 353
= 𝑠3 . Taking the cube root of both sides of this equation yields √ 353 = 𝑠, or 𝑠 ≈ 0 . 99. Therefore, the

length of one edge of this sample to the nearest hundredth of a meter is 0.99.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4ff597db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 4ff597db

The mean amount of time that the 20 employees of a construction company have
worked for the company is 6.7 years. After one of the employees leaves the
company, the mean amount of time that the remaining employees have worked for
the company is reduced to 6.25 years. How many years did the employee who left
the company work for the company?

A. 0.45

B. 2.30

C. 9.00

D. 15.25

ID: 4ff597db Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The mean amount of time that the 20 employees worked for the company is 6.7 years. This means that
the total number of years all 20 employees worked for the company is (6.7)(20) = 134 years. After the employee left, the
mean amount of time that the remaining 19 employees worked for the company is 6.25 years. Therefore, the total number of
years all 19 employees worked for the company is (6.25)(19) = 118.75 years. It follows that the number of years that the
employee who left had worked for the company is 134 – 118.75 = 15.25 years.

Choice A is incorrect; this is the change in the mean, which isn’t the same as the amount of time worked by the employee
who left. Choice B is incorrect and likely results from making the assumption that there were still 20 employees, rather than
19, at the company after the employee left and then subtracting the original mean of 6.7 from that result. Choice C is
incorrect and likely results from making the assumption that there were still 20 employees, rather than 19, at the company
after the employee left.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7b52985c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 7b52985c

The scatterplot shows the relationship between the length of time , in hours, a certain bird spent in flight and the number of
days after January , .

What is the average rate of change, in hours per day, of the length of time the bird spent in flight on January to the length
of time the bird spent in flight on January ?

ID: 7b52985c Answer

Correct Answer: 4.5, 9/2
Rationale
9
The correct answer is 2 . It's given that the scatterplot shows the relationship between the length of time 𝑦, in hours, a certain
bird spent in flight and the number of days after January 11, 𝑥. Since January 13 is 2 days after January 11, it follows that
January 13 corresponds to an x-value of 2 in the scatterplot. In the scatterplot, when 𝑥 = 2, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is 6.
In other words, on January 13, the bird spent 6 hours in flight. Since January 15 is 4 days after January 11, it follows that
January 15 corresponds to an x-value of 4 in the scatterplot. In the scatterplot, when 𝑥 = 4, the corresponding value of 𝑦 is
15. In other words, on January 15, the bird spent 15 hours in flight. Therefore, the average rate of change, in hours per day, of
the length of time the bird spent in flight on January 13 to the length of time the bird spent in flight on January 15 is the
difference in the length of time, in hours, the bird spent in flight divided by the difference in the number of days after January
15 - 6 9
11, or , which is equivalent to . Note that 9/2 and 4.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
4-2 2

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d0430601
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: d0430601

Each dot in the scatterplot above represents the temperature and the number of
people who visited a beach in Lagos, Nigeria, on one of eleven different days. The
line of best fit for the data is also shown. The line of best fit for the data has a
slope of approximately 57. According to this estimate, how many additional people
per day are predicted to visit the beach for each 5°C increase in average
temperature?

ID: d0430601 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 285. The number of people predicted to visit the beach each day is represented by the y-values of the
line of best fit, and the average temperature, in degrees Celsius ( ), is represented by the x-values. Since the slope of the
line of best fit is approximately 57, the y-value, or the number of people predicted to visit the beach each day, increases by 57
for every x-value increase of 1, or every increase in average temperature. Therefore, an increase of in average
temperature corresponds to a y-value increase of additional people per day predicted to visit the beach.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5154615f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 5154615f

To study fluctuations in composition, samples of pumice were taken from locations and cut in the shape of a cube. The
length of the edge of one of these cubes is centimeters. This cube has a density of grams per cubic centimeter.
What is the mass of this cube, in grams?

ID: 5154615f Answer

Correct Answer: 6.21

Rationale
The correct answer is 6.21. It’s given that the samples of pumice were cut in the shape of a cube. It's also given that the
3
length of the edge of one of these cubes is 3.000 centimeters. Therefore, the volume of this cube is 3.000 centimeters , or
27 cubic centimeters. Since the density of this cube is 0.230 grams per cubic centimeter, it follows that the mass of this
0.230 grams
cube is 27 cubic centimeters, or 6.21 grams.
1 cubic centimeter

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 50b99b2d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 50b99b2d

Objects R and S each travel at a constant speed. The speed of object R is half the speed of object S. Object R travels a
distance of inches in seconds. Which expression represents the time, in seconds, it takes object S to travel a distance
of inches?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 50b99b2d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that object R travels a distance of 4𝑥 inches in 𝑦 seconds. This speed can be written as
4𝑥 inches
𝑦 seconds
. It's given that the speed of object R is half the speed of object S. It follows that the speed of object S is twice the
4𝑥 inches 8𝑥 inches
speed of object R, which is 2 𝑦 seconds
, or 𝑦 seconds
. Let 𝑛 represent the time, in seconds, it takes object S to travel a distance of
8𝑥 inches 24𝑥 inches 8𝑥 24𝑥
24𝑥 inches. The value of 𝑛 can be found by solving the equation = , which can be written as = .
𝑦 seconds 𝑛 seconds 𝑦 𝑛
Multiplying each side of this equation by 𝑛𝑦 yields 8𝑥𝑛 = 24𝑥𝑦. Dividing each side of this equation by 8𝑥 yields 𝑛 = 3𝑦.
Therefore, the expression 3𝑦 represents the time, in seconds, it takes object S to travel a distance of 24𝑥 inches.

Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the time, in seconds, it would take object S to travel a distance of 24𝑥
inches if the speed of object R were twice, not half, the speed of object S.

Choice C is incorrect. This expression represents the time, in seconds, it takes object S to travel a distance of 128𝑥 inches,
not 24𝑥 inches.

Choice D is incorrect. This expression represents the time, in seconds, it takes object R, not object S, to travel a distance of
24𝑥 inches.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 98958ae8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 98958ae8

Data set A consists of the heights of objects and has a mean of meters. Data set B consists of the heights of
objects and has a mean of meters. Data set C consists of the heights of the objects from data sets A and B. What is
the mean, in meters, of data set C?

ID: 98958ae8 Answer

Correct Answer: 41

Rationale
The correct answer is 41. The mean of a data set is computed by dividing the sum of the values in the data set by the
number of values in the data set. It’s given that data set A consists of the heights of 75 objects and has a mean of 25
𝑥
meters. This can be represented by the equation = 25, where 𝑥 represents the sum of the heights of the objects, in meters,
75
in data set A. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 75 yields 𝑥 = 7525, or 𝑥 = 1,875 meters. Therefore, the sum of the
heights of the objects in data set A is 1,875 meters. It’s also given that data set B consists of the heights of 50 objects and
𝑦
has a mean of 65 meters. This can be represented by the equation 50
= 65, where 𝑦 represents the sum of the heights of the
objects, in meters, in data set B. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 50 yields 𝑦 = 5065, or 𝑦 = 3,250 meters.
Therefore, the sum of the heights of the objects in data set B is 3,250 meters. Since it’s given that data set C consists of the
heights of the 125 objects from data sets A and B, it follows that the mean of data set C is the sum of the heights of the
1,875 + 3,250
objects, in meters, in data sets A and B divided by the number of objects represented in data sets A and B, or 125
,
which is equivalent to 41 meters. Therefore, the mean, in meters, of data set C is 41.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c2e7fa6d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: c2e7fa6d

For an electric field passing through a flat surface perpendicular to it, the electric flux of the electric field through the surface
is the product of the electric field’s strength and the area of the surface. A certain flat surface consists of two adjacent
squares, where the side length, in meters, of the larger square is times the side length, in meters, of the smaller square. An
electric field with strength volts per meter passes uniformly through this surface, which is perpendicular to the electric
field. If the total electric flux of the electric field through this surface is , what is the electric flux, in
, of the electric field through the larger square?

ID: c2e7fa6d Answer

Correct Answer: 4176

Rationale
The correct answer is 4,176. It’s given that the side length of the larger square is 3 times the side length of the smaller
square. This means that the area of the larger square is 32 , or 9, times the area of the smaller square. If the area of the
smaller square is represented by 𝑥, then the area of the larger square can be represented by 9𝑥. Therefore, the flat surface of
the two adjacent squares has a total area of 𝑥 + 9𝑥, or 10𝑥. It’s given that an electric field with strength 29.00 volts per meter
passes uniformly through this surface and the total electric flux of the electric field through this surface is
4,640 volts · meters. Since it's given that the electric flux is the product of the electric field’s strength and the area of the
surface, the equation 29.0010𝑥 = 4,640, or 290𝑥 = 4,640, can be used to represent this situation. Dividing each side of this
equation by 290 yields 𝑥 = 16. Substituting 16 for 𝑥 in the expression for the area of the larger square, 9𝑥, yields 916, or 144,
square meters. Since the area of the larger square is 144 square meters, the electric flux, in volts · meters, of the electric field
through the larger square can be determined by multiplying the area of the larger square by the strength of the electric field.
29.00 volts
Thus, the electric flux is 144 square meters meter
, or 4,176 volts · meters.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e821a26d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: e821a26d
The scatterplot below shows the amount of electric energy generated, in millions of megawatt-hours, by nuclear sources
over a 10‑year period.

Of the following equations, which best models the data in the scatterplot?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e821a26d Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The data in the scatterplot roughly fall in the shape of a downward-opening parabola; therefore, the
coefficient for the term must be negative. Based on the location of the data points, the y-intercept of the parabola should
be somewhere between 740 and 760. Therefore, of the equations given, the best model is
.

Choices A and C are incorrect. The positive coefficient of the term means that these equations each define upward-
opening parabolas, whereas a parabola that fits the data in the scatterplot must open downward. Choice B is incorrect
because it defines a parabola with a y-intercept that has a negative y-coordinate, whereas a parabola that fits the data in the
scatterplot must have a y-intercept with a positive y-coordinate.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9d935bd8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 9d935bd8

A survey was given to residents of all 50 states asking if they had earned a
bachelor’s degree or higher. The results from 7 of the states are given in the table
above. The median percent of residents who earned a bachelor’s degree or higher
for all 50 states was 26.95%. What is the difference between the median percent of
residents who earned a bachelor’s degree or higher for these 7 states and the
median for all 50 states?

A. 0.05%

B. 0.95%

C. 1.22%

D. 7.45%

ID: 9d935bd8 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The median of a set of numbers is the middle value of the set values when ordered from least to
greatest. If the percents in the table are ordered from least to greatest, the middle value is 27.9%. The difference between
27.9% and 26.95% is 0.95%.

Choice A is incorrect and may be the result of calculation errors or not finding the median of the data in the table correctly.
Choice C is incorrect and may be the result of finding the mean instead of the median. Choice D is incorrect and may be the
result of using the middle value of the unordered list.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID 79137c1b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 79137c1b

The scatterplot above shows the size x and the sale price y of 25 houses for sale in
Town H. Which of the following could be an equation for a line of best fit for the
data?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 79137c1b Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. From the shape of the cluster of points, the line of best fit should pass roughly through the points
and . Therefore, these two points can be used to find an approximate equation for the line of best fit. The

slope of this line of best fit is therefore , or 100. The equation for the line of best fit, in slope-
intercept form, is for some value of b. Using the point , 1 can be substituted for x and 200 can be
substituted for y: , or . Substituting this value into the slope-intercept form of the equation gives
.

Choice A is incorrect. The line defined by passes through the points and , both of which
are well above the cluster of points, so it cannot be a line of best fit. Choice C is incorrect. The line defined by
passes through the points and , both of which lie at the bottom of the cluster of points, so it cannot be a line
of best fit. Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly calculating the slope of a line of best fit but incorrectly
assuming the y-intercept is at .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 54d93874
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 54d93874

Masses (kilograms)

Andrew 2.4 2.5 3.6 3.1 2.5 2.7

Maria x 3.1 2.7 2.9 3.3 2.8

Andrew and Maria each collected six rocks, and the masses of the rocks are
shown in the table above. The mean of the masses of the rocks Maria collected is
0.1 kilogram greater than the mean of the masses of the rocks Andrew collected.
What is the value of x ?

ID: 54d93874 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 2.6. Since the mean of a set of numbers can be found by adding the numbers together and dividing by
how many numbers there are in the set, the mean mass, in kilograms, of the rocks Andrew collected is

, or 2.8. Since the mean mass of the rocks Maria collected is 0.1 kilogram
greater than the mean mass of rocks Andrew collected, the mean mass of the rocks Maria collected is

kilograms. The value of x can be found by writing an equation for finding the mean: .
Solving this equation gives . Note that 2.6 and 13/5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID af142f8d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: af142f8d

Amount invested Balance increase

Account A $500 6% annual interest

Account B $1,000 $25 per year

Two investments were made as shown in the table above. The interest in Account
A is compounded once per year. Which of the following is true about the
investments?

A. Account A always earns more money per year than Account B.

B. Account A always earns less money per year than Account B.

C. Account A earns more money per year than Account B at first but eventually earns less money per year.

D. Account A earns less money per year than Account B at first but eventually earns more money per year.

ID: af142f8d Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. Account A starts with $500 and earns interest at 6% per year, so in the first year Account A earns (500)
(0.06) = $30, which is greater than the $25 that Account B earns that year. Compounding interest can be modeled by an
increasing exponential function, so each year Account A will earn more money than it did the previous year. Therefore, each
year Account A earns at least $30 in interest. Since Account B always earns $25 each year, Account A always earns more
money per year than Account B.

Choices B and D are incorrect. Account A earns $30 in the first year, which is greater than the $25 Account B earns in the first
year. Therefore, neither the statement that Account A always earns less money per year than Account B nor the statement
that Account A earns less money than Account B at first can be true. Choice C is incorrect. Since compounding interest can
be modeled by an increasing exponential function, each year Account A will earn more money than it did the previous year.
Therefore, Account A always earns at least $30 per year, which is more than the $25 per year that Account B earns.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 20b69297
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Ratios, rates,

and Data Analysis proportional
relationships, and
units

ID: 20b69297

Anita created a batch of green paint by mixing 2 ounces of blue paint with 3
ounces of yellow paint. She must mix a second batch using the same ratio of blue
and yellow paint as the first batch. If she uses 5 ounces of blue paint for the
second batch, how much yellow paint should Anita use?

A. Exactly 5 ounces

B. 3 ounces more than the amount of yellow paint used in the first batch

C. 1.5 times the amount of yellow paint used in the first batch

D. 1.5 times the amount of blue paint used in the second batch

ID: 20b69297 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that Anita used a ratio of 2 ounces of blue paint to 3 ounces of yellow paint for the first batch.

For any batch of paint that uses the same ratio, the amount of yellow paint used will be , or 1.5, times the amount of blue
paint used in the batch. Therefore, the amount of yellow paint Anita will use in the second batch will be 1.5 times the amount
of blue paint used in the second batch.

Alternate approach: It’s given that Anita used a ratio of 2 ounces of blue paint to 3 ounces of yellow paint for the first batch
and that she will use 5 ounces of blue paint for the second batch. A proportion can be set up to solve for x, the amount of

yellow paint she will use for the second batch: . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 3 yields , and
multiplying both sides of this equation by x yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields . Since

Anita will use 7.5 ounces of yellow paint for the second batch, this is times the amount of blue paint (5 ounces)
used in the second batch.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly interpreting the ratio of blue paint to yellow paint used.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 94237701
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving One-variable data:

and Data Analysis Distributions and
measures of center
and spread

ID: 94237701
For a certain computer game, individuals receive an integer score that ranges from 2 through 10. The table below shows the
frequency distribution of the scores of the 9 players in group A and the 11 players in group B.

Score
Score Frequencies

Group A Group B

2 1 0

3 1 0

4 2 0

5 1 4

6 3 2

7 0 0

8 0 2

9 1 1

10 0 2

Total 9 11

The median of the scores for group B is how much greater than the median of the
scores for group A?

ID: 94237701 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 1. When there are an odd number of values in a data set, the median of the data set is the middle
number when the data values are ordered from least to greatest. The scores for group A, ordered from least to greatest, are
2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, and 9. The median of the scores for group A is therefore 5. The scores for group B, ordered from least to
greatest, are 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 8, 8, 9, 10, and 10. The median of the scores for group B is therefore 6. The median score for
group B is more than the median score for group A.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9d95e7ad
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Problem-Solving Two-variable data:

and Data Analysis Models and
scatterplots

ID: 9d95e7ad

The scatterplot above shows the numbers of grams of both total protein and total fat for eight sandwiches on a restaurant
menu. The line of best fit for the data is also shown. According to the line of best fit, which of the following is closest to the
predicted increase in total fat, in grams, for every increase of 1 gram in total protein?

A. 2.5

B. 2.0

C. 1.5

D. 1.0

ID: 9d95e7ad Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The predicted increase in total fat, in grams, for every increase of 1 gram in total protein is represented
by the slope of the line of best fit. Any two points on the line can be used to calculate the slope of the line as the change in
total fat over the change in total protein. For instance, it can be estimated that the points and are on the line

of best fit, and the slope of the line that passes through them is , or 1.4. Of the choices given, 1.5 is the
closest to the slope of the line of best fit.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly finding ordered pairs that lie on the line of best fit or of
incorrectly calculating the slope.

Question Difficulty: Hard