SAT

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 371) Large triangle: base = 12, height = 3 + 3 + Sh (height of smaller triangle) Smaller triangle (inside larger triangle): base = 8 Area of Large triangle - area of small triangle = 52 square units Q19: In the figure above, the area of the shaded region is 52 square units. What is the height of the larger triangle?

ANSWER: 14 Additional Topics in Math / Geometry Solve for formulas presented. (page 411)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 194) Q22: Pluto is, however, still a part of our solar system, located by calculations, careful observations, and a lot of patience. A) NO CHANGE B) Pluto is however, C) Pluto is; however, D) Pluto is however

ANSWER: A Punctuation Rule: Words such as "however" show a relationship between two things or ideas and that to emphasize that relationship, they are typically set off with punctuation. (page 236)

Official SAT Guide (page 574) As used in line 50 ("unless freedom strengthen her reason till she comprehend her duty"), "reason" most nearly means A) motive. B) sanity. C) intellect. D) explanation.

ANSWER: C Need to read lines 41-46 in which author argues education will improve a women's intellect and allow women to consider their role in society.

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 34) Q15: If g is a function defined over the set of all real numbers and g(x - 1) = 3x^2 + 5x - 7, then which of the following defines g(x)? A) 3x^2 - x - 9 B) 3x^2 + 5x + 1 C) 3x^2 + 11x + 1 D) 3x^2 + 11x - 6

ANSWER: C Passport to Advanced Math /Functions Let u = x - 1 (therefore, x = u + 1) Substitute this into the equation: g(u) = 3 (u+1)^2 + 5(u + 1) - 7 Simplify and you end up with C (page 71)

Official SAT Guide (page 356) Q18: ...produced great amounts of soot, some of it drifted over Greenland in giant plumes of smoke then FELL as particles onto the ice sheet. A) NO CHANGE B) falls C) will fall D) had fallen

ANSWER: A Verb tense is consistent with the preceding past tense verbs in the sentence, specifically "produced" and "drifted."

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 118) Q16: If 0.2x + 1.8 = 3 - 0.6x, what is the value of x?

ANSWER: 3/2 or 1.5 Heart of Algebra / Linear Equations Multiply each term by 10 to eliminate decimals and solve. (page 154)

What are the solutions to 3x^2 + 12x + 6 = 0? A) x = -2 +/- 2^0.5 B) x = -2 +/- 30^0.5/3 C) x = -6 +/- 2^0.5 D) x = -6 +/- 6*2^0.5

ANSWER: A Dividing each side of the given equation by 3 gives the equivalent equation x^2 + 4x + 2 = 0. Then using the quadratic formula, gives the solution in choice A. Choices B, C, and D may be the result of incarcerating applying the quadratic equation.

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 34) Q9: If x = k ^ (-1/3), where x > 0 and k > 0, which of the following equations gives k in terms of x? A) k = 1/x^3 B) k = 1/x^(1/3) C) k = -1*x^(1/3) D) k = -x^3

ANSWER: A Passort to advance Math / Exponents You'll need to relate fractional exponents to radicals and understand how to use negative exponents. You're not just rewriting, you're solving for k. Raising a quantity to the one-third power is the same as taking its cube root. Apply a negative exponent to a quantity is the same as writing its reciprocal. Note, the inverse of taking a cube root of a quantity is cubing the quantity. (page 69)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 128) Q30: If h is a function defined over the set of all real numbers and h(x-4) = 6x^2 + 2x = 10, then which of the following defines h(x)? A) h(x) = 6x^2 - 2x + 114 B) h(x) = 6x^2 - 46x + 98 C) h(x) = 6x^2 + 2x + 98 D) h(x) = 6x^2 + 50x + 114

ANSWER: D Passport to Advanced Math / Functions You have to realize that x-4=u, therefore x=u+4 h(x) = 6 (u + 4)^2 + 2 ( u +4) +10 (page 163)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 207) Q17: If 1/3 <= 2 - d/6 <= 5/4, what is the minimum possible value of d?

ANSWER: 9/2 or 4.5 Passport to Advanced Math / Functions Whatever you do to one piece, you must do to all 3 pieces, and don't forget to reverse the inequality symbols if you multiple or divide by a negative number. Start cleaning fractions by multiplying everything by 12. The question asks for the minimum possible value of d. (page 244)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 371) ( 3x / (x + 5) ) / ( 6 / (4x + 20) ) Q2: Which of the following is equivalent to the expression above, given that x does not equal -5? A) 2x B) x/2 C) 9x/2 D) 2x + 4

ANSWER: A Passport to Advanced Math / Exponents To divide one rational expression by another, multiply the first expression by the reciprocal (the flip) of the second expression. (page 406)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 205) Q11: Suppose you know that 0 degrees < m < beta < 90 degrees and 0 < m < theta < 90 degrees, and that sin(beta) = cos(theta). If m < beta = (7n - 12) degrees and m < theta = (3n -8) degrees, then, what is the value of n? A) 1 B) 5 C) 8 D) 11

ANSWER: D Additional Topics in Math / Trigonometry You just need to understand the complementary angle property of sines and cosines. RULE: This property states that the sine of an acute angle is equal to the cosine of the angle's complement. Conversely, if the sine of an acute angle is equal to the cosign of another acute angle, then those angles must be complementary (i.e., the sum of the two angles is 90 degrees). m < beta + m < theta = 90 (7n - 12) + (3n - 8) = 90 (page 242)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 122) (12 - a) / 2 [insert symbol] 8 open dot on -4 with arrow to the left Q8: Which inequality symbol would make the above statement true? A) <_ B)>_ C) < D) >

ANSWER: D Heart of Algebra / Inequalities There is an open dot on the number line, which means the sign must be < or > (C or D). You don't even need to solve the equation. The graph is shaded to the left which means the graph shows a < -4. However, there is a negative sign in front of the a term, therefore you have to change the sign. Check answer by solving the inequality using the sign you chose. (page 157)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 211) Q10: If 5n - 3(n - 1) = 1/2(4n + 16) - 5, what is the value of n? A) n = 1 B) n = 3 C) There is no value of n for which the equation is true. D) There are infinitely many values of n for which the equation is true.

ANSWER: D Heart of Algebra / Linear Equations Using the distributive property to simplify each of the terms. (page 247)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 216) 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2) Q30: In electronic circuits, resistors are often paired to manage the flow of the electrical current. To find the total resistance of a pair of parallel resistors, electricians use the formula shown above, where R1 is the resistance of the first resistor and R2 is the resistance of the second resistor. Which of the following is another way to represent this formula? A) R1R2 / (R1 + R2) B) (R1 + R2) / R1R2 C) 1/R2 - 1/R1 D) R1 + R2

ANSWER: A Passport to Advanced Math / Exponents Start by writing 1/R1 + 1/R2 as a single term: = (R1 + R2)/ R1R2. 1/(R1 + R2) / R1R2 = R1R2 / (R1 + R2) = A (Page 252)

Official SAT Guide (pages 346-347) Q48: As used in line 68, "hold" most nearly means A) maintain. B) grip. C) restrain. D) withstand.

ANSWER: A In lines 60-66, authors presents environmental arguments against space mining and suggests these arguments will be hard to hold or "maintain" when faced with the possible monetary rewards of space mining.

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 289) Q12: Which of the following values satisfies the inequalities t - 3/4 > 3/2 and t/4 - 1/3 < 5/12? A) 1.75 B) 2.25 C) 2.75 D) 3.25

ANSWER: C Heart of Algebra / Inequalities Don't convert to decimals. Solve each inequality for t by learning out the fractions. Next, because the answers are given in decimals, convert the answer to decimals. (page 325)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 213) Q18: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a weighted average of the cost of certain categories of goods and services in the United States. It is one of the most widely used measures of inflation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CPI was 130.7 in 1990 and was 218.1 in 2010. If the CPI continues to experience the same percent increase over the next 20 years, approximately what will the CPI be in 2030? A) 145.8 B) 305.5 C) 363.9 D) 408.7

ANSWER: C Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Rates, Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages Find the percentage increase by using the formula, % change = amount of change / original amount Then, apply the same percent increase to the 2010 CPI to find value in 2030. Calc percentage change over past 20 years (1990 - 2010) and apply to next 20 years (2010 - 2030). (page 249)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 101) Q1: Before the holiday, the World Literature professor assigned the (1) CLASSES' next novel, Don Quixote. A) NO CHANGE B) class' C) class's D) classes

ANSWER: C Punctuation Determine whether the choice should be singular or plural. Then, ask yourself if the noun is meant to show possession and what, if any, punctuation is required. There is only one class being discussed, so a singular choice that shows ownership of the novel (c) is correct. (page 145)

Official SAT Study Guide (page 584) Which choice most logically follows the previous sentence ("In return for the servers' work, the position paid quite well for the time: $17.50 a month, plus tips, meals, room and board, laundry service, and travel expenses.")? A) The growth of Harvey's business coincided with the expansion of the Santa Fe Railway, which served large sections of the American West. B) Harvey would end up opening dozens of restaurants and dining cars, plus 15 hotels, over his lucrative career. C) These benefits enabled the Harvey Girls to save money and build new and exciting lives for themselves in the so-called Wild West. D) The compensation was considered excellent at the time, thought it may not seem like much money by today's standards.

ANSWER: C It refers directly to benefits for the restaurants' female employees, the subject of the previous sentence. All other answers are incorrect because none logically builds upon the sense that precedes it.

Official SAT Guide (pages 334-336) Q5: Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question? A) Line 33 ("His voice...refined") B) Line 49-51 ("You...mind") C) Line 63-64 ("Please...proposal") D) Line 71-72 ("Eager...face")

ANSWER: C This reveals Akira's concern that Chie may say no to the proposal simply because Akira did not follow traditional practices. A, B, D do not provide evidence for the previous question (Q4).

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 5-7) Q17: In lines 45-46 ("A free...colonial claims"), Wilson argues that to preserve peace, nations must A) engage in free, open, and fair trade with colonies. B) give up all aspirations for territorial and economic expansion. C) provide constitution protections for colonies. D) work to resolve conflicts originating from imperial conquests.

ANSWER: D Rhetoric. Though the question is asking you about a specific line, it makes sense to choose an answer that is compatible with the broader context of the passage. (page 55)

Official SAT Guide (page 575) Based on the data in the table, which of the four pathogens infected the highest percentage of honeybee colonies without colony collapse disorder? A) IAPV B) KBV C) Nosema apis D) Nosema ceranae

ANSWER: D The table shows that 81% of colonies without colony collapse disorder were affected by the pathogen Nosema ceranae. Choices A, B, C are incorrect because they do not identify the pathogen that infected the highest percentage of colonies based on the table.

Official SAT Guide (page 369) Q10: g(x) = ax^2 + 24 For the function g defined above, a is a constant and g(4) = 8. What is the value of g(-4)? A) 8 B) 0 C) -1 D) -8

ANSWER: A Since g is an even function, g(-4) = g(4) = 8 Alternatively, first find the value of a substituting x = 4.

y = a(x - 2)(x + 4) In the quadratic equation above, a is a nonzero constant. The graph of the equation in the xy-plane is a parabola with vertex (c,d). Which of the following is equal to d? A) -9a B) -8a C) -5a D) -2a

ANSWER: A The parabola crosses the x-axis at the points (-4,0) and (2,0). The x-coordinate of the vertex of the parabola is halfway between the x-coordinates of of (-4,0) and (2,0). Thus, the x-coordinate of the vertex is (-4+2)/2 = -1. This is the value of c. Sub x (-1) in equation and value of d is -9a.

Official SAT Guide (pages 334-336) Q7: The main purpose of the first paragraph is to A) describe a culture. B) criticize a tradition. C) question a suggestion. D) analyze a reaction.

ANSWER: D A is wrong: describes only one aspect of culture, not culture as a whole B is wrong: implies a criticism of Akira's individual proposal, not tradition of marriage proposals C is wrong: narrator does not question a suggestion.

Official SAT Guide (pages 343-344) Q35: According to the passage, Woolf chooses the setting of the bridge because it A) is conducive to a mood of fanciful reflection. B) provides a good view of the procession of the sons of educated men. C) is within sight of historic episodes to which she alludes. D) is symbolic of the legacy of past and present sons of educated men.

ANSWER B: A is wrong: she states that she is using the bridge "to consider the facts" (lines 6-9) not for fanciful reflection C is wrong: doesn't compare bridge to historic episodes D is wrong: Woolf doesn't suggest the bridge is symbol of male-dominated past, but good place to watch men proceed to work.

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 118) Equation 1 (x, y) values: (5, -8) (4, -5) (3, -2) (2, 1) Equation 2 (x, y) values: (-8, 3) (-6, 4) (-4, 5) (-2, 6) Q17: The table above represents data points for two linear equations. If the two equations form a system, what is the x-coordinate of the solution to that system?

ANSWER: 0 Heart of Algebra / Systems of Linear Equations The solution to the system is the point that both tables will have in common, but the tables, as given do not share any points. You could use the data to write the equation of each line and then solve the system, but this would use up valuable time on Test Day. Instead, whenever data is presented in a table, look for patterns that can be extended. In Equation 1, the x-values decrease by 1 each time and the y-values increase by 3. In Equation 2, the x-values increase by 2 and the y-values increase by 1 each time. Continue the tables until you find a common point: (0, 7). So, the x-coordinate of the system is 0 (read the question CAREFULLY). (page 154)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 36) Q17: Once an insect reaches its larval stage, its mass increases linearly for a short period of time and then slows down as it prepares to enter pupation. Suppose the larva of a certain species has an initial mass of 10 grams and grows linearly from t = 0 to t = 48 hours of its larval stage. If after 48 hours, the mass of the larva is 14 grams, what was its mass in grams at t = 6 hours?

ANSWER: 10.5 or 21/2 Heart of Algebra / Linear Equations Write the info as ordered pairs (time, mass) so you can find the slope. m = (14 - 10)/(48 - 0) = 1/12 y = 1/12 x + 10 (y = mass, x = hours) Substitute 6 for x and you get 10.5 grams. (page 71)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 118) Q20: If g(x) = 2x^3 - 5x^2 + 4x + 6, and P is the point on the graph of g(x) that has an x-coordinate of 1, then what is the y-coordinate of the corresponding point on the graph of g(x - 3) + 4?

ANSWER: 11 Passport to Advance Math / Functions Start by finding y-coordinate of P in the original equation. Then, perform the transformation on the coordinates (rather than the function) to save yourself valuable time. Substitute 1 for x in the original equation. Graphically, the resulting value of g(1) is the y-coordinate of the point. The point on the graph of g(x) is (1, 7). When performing transformations, the operations grouped with the x are performed on the x-coordinate and the operations not grouped with the x are performed on the y-coordinate. So, add 4 to the 7 to find the y-coordinate of the point on the transformed graph is 11. (page 155)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 118) 18 - ((3x)^0.5 / 2) = 15 Q18: What value of x satisfies the equation above?

ANSWER: 12 Passport to Advanced Math / Exponents Rewrite the equation using a radical instead. Then, solve the equation the same way you would any other: isolate the variable using inverse operations, one step at a time. After rewriting the equation using a radical, subtract 18 from both sides. Next, multiple both sides by -2. Then, square both sides to remove the radical. Finally, divide both sides by 3. (page 155)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 207) Q19: A toy saber is stuck at a right angle into the group 4 inches deep. It casts a shadow that is 4 feet long. The brick wall (to the right of the saber) casts a shadow three times that long. If the wall is 7 feet 6 inches tall, how many inches is the toy saber?

ANSWER: 34 Additional Topics in Math / Geometry Add information to diagram: base of small triangle / base of large triangle = length of saber (in.) / height of wall (in.) 4/(3 x 4) = h / 90 in. (7 ft x 12 in + 6 in) Don't forget to add the 4 inches that are stuck in the ground. 30 + 4 = 34 inches. (page 244)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 118) Q19: The figure above shows a fish tank with sand in the bottom. If the water level is to be 3 inches below the top, how many cubic inches of water are needed to fill the tank? Tank width: 12 in. Tank length: 30 in. Tank height: 15 in. Sand height: 2 in. (covers bottom of tank equally)

ANSWER: 3600 Additional Topics in Math / Geometry Use formula for finding volume of a rectangle ( l x w x h). 2 inches of sand at the bottom and 3 inches of space at the top mean: 30 x 12 x (15-2-3) = 30 * 12 * 10 = 360 * 10 = 3600 (page 155)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 205) Q14: The circle shown has a radius of r centimeters. If chord PQ is parallel to diameter MN, and the length of chord PQ is 3/4 of the length of the diameter, what is the distance in centimeters between MN and PQ in terms of r? A) 7^0.5/4 x r B) 3^0.5/2 x r C) 1/4 x pi x r D) 3/4 x pi x r

ANSWER: A Additional Topics in Math / Geometry Drawing a radius or two is usually a good way to start a circle question, especially when there doesn't seem to be a lot of information given. Draw radius from center to point P and point Q on the chord to create 2 equal right triangles. The chord is 3/4 as long as the diameter which means half the chord is 3/4 as long as the radius. apply Pythagorean theorem. (page 243)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 103) Q8: To illustrate the book's importance, many students cited a famous 2002 survey of authors worldwide and the ensuing compilation of the world's "100 Best Books." This survey, students found, listed every qualifying "best" book at equal ranking, isolated only one as undeniably first: Don Quixote. Which sentence provides information that best supports the paragraph? A) Most students also discovered that Don Quixote was second only to the Bible in its number of translations and publications across history, signifying its paramount global influence. B) Students learned that around 100 well-known authors participated in the survey to identify the "most meaningful book of all time," organized by editors in Oslo, Norway. C) Authors noted in the survey were few and far between but included Doris Lessing, Salman Rushdie, Chinua Achebe, and Toni Morrison. D) The survey, although often cited by literary critics, has not been repeated since 2002.

ANSWER: A Development Closely examine the topic sentence and the supporting details to identify the central idea of the paragraph. What piece of information enhances this idea? The focus of the paragraph is the global importance of Cervantes's masterpiece. Choice A is the only option that adds supporting information regarding the significance of the novel rather than the structure of the survey. (page 146)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 105) Q18: In Knight's case, her profession helped her perceive the demand for an invention. (18) A) NO CHANGE B) At least some of this can be attributed to her own qualities rather than social conditions. C) This is obvious when one considers the impressive rate of her creations. D) This was a quality few women had at the time, as it was considered unfeminine.

ANSWER: A Development Consider which answer choice describes a way in which Knight perceived--and met--a demand as claimed in the topic sense. The first sentence states that Knight's profession "helped her perceive the demand for an invention." Choice A provides direct support for this claim, citing an invention that was inspired by Knight's workplace. The other choices provide opinions or unrelated details rather than concrete evidence. (page 147)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 106) Q22: In the future, if women can attain more university research positions, graduate-level degrees in science and engineering, and leadership positions in high-tech companies, the result may well be more participation as patentees. Which choice most effectively concludes the paragraph? A) Given that we all benefit from new inventions that improve the quality of our lives, let us hope this becomes reality. B) Recent social changes have had a positive impact on today's women inventors. C) Unfortunately, women today are barely doing better than in Knight's day. D) The patent system is alive and well in the twenty-first century, thanks to women trailblazers such as Margaret Knight.

ANSWER: A Development Read the entire paragraph and then reach each of the choices. Decide which one is a fitting conclusion for the rest of the information in the paragraph. Note that the question asks for an appropriate conclusion for the paragraph, not a conclusion for the passage as a whole. In the previous sentence, the author states that if women can attain educational and leadership opportunities in science and technology, more patents by women will result. It is consistent with the idea and the of this sentence to conclude the paragraph with A, a sentence that expresses hope for this to occur. (page 148)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 19) Fortunately, he had not worked with anything poisonous or corrosive, or the story 7 MAY HAVE a different ending. 8 HE HAD DISCOVERED SACCHARIN, WHICH HE NAMED FOR ITS INTENSE SWEETNESS. Q8: Which choice most clearly and effectively conveys the central idea of the paragraph? A) NO CHANGE B) The substance was saccharin, and it became known as an artificial sweetener. C) Instead, the substance was a harmless sweetener called saccharin. D) Interestingly, the substance was extremely sweet and would later be known as saccharin.

ANSWER: A Development. The most important fact is Fahlberg discovered a new substance accidentally. The rest of the paragraph provides details about this discovery. Choice A makes this idea clear. (page 61)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 40) Q10: An occupational health org published a study showing an increase in the number of injuries that resulted from elderly people falling in the bathtub. In response to this increase, a medical supply company decided to drop its price on bathtub lifts from $450 to $375, hoping to still break even on the lifts. The company breaks even when its total revenue (income from selling n bathtub lifts) is equal to its total cost of producing the lifts. If the cost C, in dollars, of producing the lifts is C = 225n + 3150, how many more of the lifts does the company need to see at the new price to break even than at the old price? A) 7 B) 12 C) 14 D) 21

ANSWER: A Heart of Algebra / Systems of Linear Equations Old Price C = 225n + 3150 450n = 225n + 3150 n = 14 (at old price) New Price C = 225n + 3150 375n = 225n + 3150 n = 21 (at new price) 21 - 14 = 7 (page 74)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 287) Q2: A hospital hosts an annual charity drive in which volunteers sell first aid kits to raise money for the pediatric ward. The hospital ordered too many kits last year, so it already had some to start this year's drive with. The project manager estimates, based on last year's sales, that the hospital needs to order an additional 50 boxes of kits. The function k(b) = 12b + 32 where b is the number of boxes ordered, represents the number of kits the hospital will have after the order arrives. When the project manager places the order, she is told that the company has changed the number of kits per box to 8. How many more boxes will she need to order to end up with the same number of kits that she had originally planned for? A) 25 B) 32 C) 75 D) 200

ANSWER: A Passport to Advanced Math / Functions First, solve at original rate 12 kits per box to figure out how many she needs: k(50) = 12(50) + 32 = 632 Next, solve at new rate of 8 kits per box: 632 = 8b + 32 (kits on hand) b = 75 (number of boxes she needs at the new rate) BUT, READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY--It asks how many MORE boxes shel'll need over the original 50 she thought she would need to order: 75 - 50 = 25. (page 323)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 209) Q4: If a = 0 and b < 0, then which of the following could be the graph of f(x) = (x - a)(x - b)? A) u-shaped parabola crossing y-axis at (0, 0) with vertex in (-x, -y) B) u-shaped parabola crossing y-axis at (0,0) with vertex in (x, -y) C) u-shaped parabola crossing y-axis at (0, -y) with vertex in (-x, -y) D) u-shaped parabola crossing y-axis at (0, y) with vertex at (-x, 0)

ANSWER: A Passport to Advanced Math / Quadratics If a = 0, then one factor must be (a - 0), which means x = 0 is a root. This means the graph must cross through the origin, so eliminate C and D right away. b , 0 which means b is negative and other x-intercept must fall to the left of the y axis so A is correct. (page 246)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 205) U-shaped parabola, crosses (0, 8) and (12, 8). The vertex of the parabola is in quadrant IV (x, -y). Q13: The range of the parabola shown in the graph is y >= -4. If the equation y = ax^2 + bx + c is used to represent the graph, what is the value of a? A) 1/3 B) 2/3 C) 3/2 D) 3

ANSWER: A Passport to Advanced Math / Quadratics RULE: vertex form of quadratic equation: y = a(x - h)^2 + k To write the equation of a parabola, you need two things--the vertex and one other point. You already have the point. The vertex of the parabola shown must lie on its axis of symmetry, which is halfway between the two points. This means the x-coordinate is halfway between 0 and 12 which is 6. To find the y-coordinate, look at the range y >= -4, which means the minimum value o the graph is -4. Now, use vertex (6, -4) to set up the quadratic equation in vertex form: y = a(x - h)^2 + k. Plug in either of give points for x to find value of a. (page 242)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 43) Q22: The bar graph above shows the vegetable harvest, in tons, at an organic produce farm during July and August. Of the following, which best approximates the percent increase in the harvest of squash at this farm from July to August (15 to 25)? A) 67% B) 60% C) 53% D) 40%

ANSWER: A Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Statistics and Probability Percentage change = (new amount - original amount)/original amount 25 - 15 / 25 = ~66.7% (page 78)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 121) Q7: f(x)= 6(1.92)^2. What does the value of 1.92 in the function tell the dendrologist? A) The number of leaves shed almost doubles each day B) The number of leaves shed almost doubles every six days C) The number of leaves left on the tree is reduced by about 92% each day D) The number of leaves left on the tree is reduced by about 92% every six days

ANSWER: A Problem Solving and Data Analysis/Scatterplots When an exponential equation is written in the form of f(x) = ab^x, a is the starting amount, b is the rate of growth or decay. Choice A is right because 1.92 is b in the equation, which represents the growth rate, so it tells the dendrologist that the number of leaves shed almost doubles each day. (page 157)

Official SAT Guide (page 567) What function does the third paragraph (lines 20-34) serve in the passage as a whole? A) It acknowledges that a practice favored by the author of the passage has some limitations B) It illustrates with detail the arguments mad in the first two paragraphs of the passage C) It gives an overview of a problem that has not been sufficiently addressed by the experts mentioned in the passage. D) It advocates for abandoning a practice for which the passage as a whole provides mostly favorable data.

ANSWER: A While the author predominately supports the use of public transportation, in the third paragraph he recognizes some limitations to the public transportation system.

Official SAT Guide (page 579) ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SOURCES ARE ALSO COSTLY ASIDE FROM LOWER WORKER PRODUCTIVITY. THEY TYPICALLY CONSTITUTE ANYWHERE FROM 25 TO 50 PERCENT OF A BUILDING'S ENERGY USE. WHEN a plant in Seattle, Washington, was redesign for more natural light, the company was able to enjoy annual electricity cost reductions of $500,000 each year. In context, which choice best combines the ALL CAPS sentences? A) Aside from lowering worker productivity, artificial light sources are also costly, typically constituting anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of a building's energy use. B) The cost of artificial light sources, aside from lowering worker productivity, typically constitutes anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of a building's energy use. C) Typically constituting 25 to 50 percent of a building's energy use, artificial light sources lower worker productivity and are costly. D) Artificial lights, which lower worker productivity and are costly, typically constitute anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of a building's energy use.

ANSWER: A It opens with a reference to lowered worker productivity, creating a transition from the previous paragraph, and clearly positions the high energy costs of artificial light sources as an additional disadvantage. Non of the other choices offer an adequate transition from the previous paragraph.

Official SAT Guide (pages 334-336) Q4: Which reaction does Akira most fear from Chie? A) She will consider his proposal inappropriate B) She will mistake his earnestness for immaturity. C) She will consider his unscheduled visit an imposition. D) She will underestimate the sincerity of his emotions.

ANSWER: A This is clear in lines 63-64, when Akira says to Chie "Please don't judge my candidacy by the unseemliness of this proposal." B wrong: No evidence C wrong: While Akira recognizes his unscheduled visit is a nuisance, his larger concern is rejection due to inappropriateness. D: No evidence

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 371) 1/x + 4/x = 1/72 Q15: In order to create safe drinking water, cities and towns use water treatment facilities to remove contaminants from surface water and groundwater. Suppose a town has a treatment plant but decides to build a second, more efficient facility. The new treatment plant can fit the water in the reservoir four times as quickly as the older facility. Working together, the two facilities can filter all the water in the reservoir in 72 hours. The equation above represents the scenario. Which of the following describes what the term 1/x represents? A) The portion of the water the older treatment plant can filter in 1 hour B) The time it takes the older treatment plant to filter the water in the reservoir C) The time it takes the older treatment plant to filter 1/72 of the water in the reservoir D) The portion of the water the new treatment plant can filter in 4 hours

ANSWER: A Passport to Advanced Math / Exponents This is a rate problem. 1/72 = rate the two facilities can filter in 1 hour (1/72). New plan filters 4x as fast as old plant, so its hourly rate = 4/x. 1/x = hourly rate of old plant = A. (page 409-410)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 114) Q8: What is the area of the shaded sector of the circle shown in the figure above? r = 6; interior angle = 60 degrees A) 2pi B) 6pi C) 12pi D) 36pi

ANSWER: B Additional Topics in Math / Geometry The area of a sector is = area of the circle x fraction of the circle represented by the sector. Find the area of the circle (pi x r^2) = pi x 6^2 = 36pi Sector = 60 degrees = 1/6 of 360 Area of sector = 1/6 x 36pi = 6pi (page 152)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 34) Q14: The circle shown is given by the equation x^2 + y^2 + 6x - 4y = 12. What is the shortest distance from A to B (diameter of the circle)? A) 5 B) 10 C) 4*3^0.5 D) 24

ANSWER: B Additional topics in math and geometry. When the equation of a circle is written in the form (x - h)^2 + (y -k)^2 = r2, you can easily find the center and the radius of the circle. (page 70)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 374) Q12: In Delray Beach, Florida, you can take a luxury golf cart ride around downtown. The driver charges $4 for the first 1/4 mile, plus $1.50 for each additional 1/2 mile. Which inequality represents the number of miles, m, that you could ride and pay no more than $10? A) 3.25 + 1.5m <= 10 B) 3.25 + 3m <= 10 C) 4 + 1.5m <= 10 D) 4 + 3m <= 10

ANSWER: B Heart of Algebra / Inequalities Find the per mile rate for the remaining miles. Cost of the trip, not including first mile is 3(m - 1/4). Plus 4 < = 10 simplifies down to B. (page 409)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 40) Q24: If line L passes through the points (-4, -8) and (8, 1) which of the following points does line L not pass through? A) (0, -5) B) (4, -1) C) (12, 4) D) (16, 7)

ANSWER: B Heart of Algebra / Linear Equations Look for patterns. All the x coordinates are multiples of 4. y-coordinately appear to increase at intervals of 3, except for B (should be -2, not -1). Place all in a table if it's helpful. (page 78)

Official SAT Study Guide (page 587) Q29: Take Bartlett PEARS, FOR INSTANCE, unless they are treated with exactly the right amount of 1-MCP at exactly the right time, they will remain hard and green until they rot, and consumers who experience this will be unlikely to purchase them again. For the ALL CAPS portion: A) NO CHANGE B) pears, for instance: C) pears for instance, D) pears. For instance,

ANSWER: B It provides a colon to appropriately introduce the clause that follows, an elaboration on the preceding claim that Bartlett pears are an example of fruit that "do not respond as well to 1-MCP treatment." Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because each either creates a comma splice or uses a transitional phrase ("For instance") illogically. (page 650)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 213) Q19: Given the function f(x) = (1/4)x - 2, what domain value corresponds to a range value of -5/3? A) -29/12 B) 4/3 C) 7/3 D) 29/12

ANSWER: B Passport to Advanced Math / Functions The given range value is an output value, so substitute -5/3 for f(x) and use inverse operations to solve for x, which gives you the corresponding domain value. (page 249)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 114) Q7: Which of the following equations could represent the graph in the figure shown above (u-shaped parabola with vertex in (-x, -y) quadrant): A) y = x^2 - 4x - 4 B) y = x^2 + 4x - 4 C) y = x^2 - 8x + 16 D) y = x^2 + 8x + 16

ANSWER: B Passport to Advanced Math / Quadratics Factoring the quadratic equations could give you information about the x-intercepts, but upon inspection, A and B can't be factored. As an alternate strategy, find the axis of symmetry using the formula x = -b/2a (the quadratic formula without the radical part) to determine which quadrant the vertex lies. You are looking for an equation who's graph has its vertex in the third quadrant (-x, -y). Choice B is correct. (page 152)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 216) Q29: A scientist weighted a 1.0 cubic foot piece of granite and found that it weighed 168 pounds. The average density of Earth's inner core is approximately 12.8 g/cm^3. How much denser, in g/cm^3, is Earth's inner core than the piece of granite? Use any of the following conversions: 12 inches = 1 foot 16 ounces = 1 pound 1 inch = 2.54 cm 1 ounce = 28.35 grams A) 2.7 B) 10.1 C) 15.55 D) 28.35

ANSWER: B Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Rates, Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages Set up the unit conversions so that the units you don't want will cancel out. Your goal is to find the density of the piece of granite, so convert to g/cm^3. Try not to round too much as you work--wait until the end. Don't forget to subtract from 12.8 as you're trying to find out how much denser the Earth's inner core is vs. the granite. (page 252)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 215) Q25: An optician charges $125 for an eye exam, frames, and clear glass lenses, but $197 for an eye exam, frames, and tinted glass lenses. If the tinted lenses cost three times as much as the clear lenses, how much do the clear lenses cost? A) $24 B) $36 C) $48 D) $72

ANSWER: B Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Rates, Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages The trick is figuring out what accounts for the difference in prices. Difference in cost = cost of tinted - cost of clear = 3(cost of clear) - cost of clear = 2(cost of clear) Difference in cost is $197 - $125 = $72. $72 = 2(cost of clear) cost of clear = $36 (page 250-251)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 127) Q25: The company increases the amount of its power typically generated by solar panels by 60%, then reduces it by 30%, then increases it by 75% before shutting the panels down for the night. What is the net percentage increase of this company's reliance on solar panels during that day? A) 75% B) 96% C) 105% D) 165%

ANSWER: B Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Rates, Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages Use 100 as a starting point. Then take the percent that it asks and use that numerical value to either add or subtract. (page 161)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 110) Q41: Researchers have carefully tested groups of these people, giving them a diet that omitted gluten and then adding gluten back into their diet in (41) PILL FORM, SOME FELT no difference when gluten was added back into their diets. A) NO CHANGE B) pill form. Some felt C) pill form some felt D) pill form consequently some felt

ANSWER: B Sentence Formation Two complete thoughts should be two separate sentences. Be careful of inappropriate transition words. A period and a capital letter will divide the two complete thoughts correctly. (page 150)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 187) Q9: When the protocol banning extraction is re-examined in 2048, (9) IT will be waiting to capitalize on mineral claims in Antarctic locations. A) NO CHANGE B) an energy-hungry world C) they D) this banning protocol

ANSWER: B Usage Verify whether "IT" matches the noun it stands for and choose a better replacement if needed. "IT" seems to refer to "the protocol," but this does not make sense within the sentence; the protocol is not what will be "waiting for claims." A specific noun, rather than a pronoun, is needed. Replacing "IT" with "an energy-hungry world" identifies the actual subject that "will be" waiting. (page 235)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 19) Fortunately, he had not worked with anything poisonous or corrosive, or the story 7 MAY HAVE a different ending. Q7: A) NO CHANGE B) would have had C) might have D) could have had

ANSWER: B Usage. Examine the context of the sentence. Notice it is describing a potentially disastrous outcome if conditions had been different. If Fahlberg had been working with poisonous materials, there is no doubt that the story would have had a different ending. The word "might" is too conditional for this situation. (page 61)

Official SAT Guide (page 368) Q7: m = ((r/1200)*(1 + r/1200)^N / (1 + r/1200)^N -1)*P The formula above gives the monthly payment m needed to pay off a loan of P dollars at r percent annual interest over N months. Which of the following gives P in terms of m, r, and N? A) P = ((r/1200)*(1 = r/1200)*N / (1 + r/1200)^N -1)*m B) P = ((1 + 4/1200)^N -1)/r/1200)*(1 + r/1200)^N)*m C) P = (r/1200)*m D) P = (1200/r)*m

ANSWER: B Since right-hand side of the equation is P times the expression, multiplying both sides of the equation by the reciprocal results in choice B.

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 189) Q7: Because of its many reserves such as coal, uranium, oil, and natural gas, Antarctica is indeed a rich continent... A) NO CHANGE B) With reserves such a coal, uranium, oil, and natural gas, C) Because it has various reserves which include coal, uranium, oil, and natural gas, D) Due to its reserves like coal, uranium, and oil, and natural gas,

ANSWER: B Effective Language Use "With reserves such as coal, uranium, oil, and natural gas" In fewer words, it articulates the same idea. (page 234)

A rectangle was altered by increasing its length by 10 percent and decreasing its width by p percent. If these alterations decreased the area of the rectangle by 12 percent, what is the value of p? A) 12 B) 15 C) 20 D) 22

ANSWER: C 0.88A = (1.1l)*(1-p/100)w Plug other answers into equation to check A wrong: result of confusing 12% decrease in area with decrease in width B wrong: yields 6.5% decrease in area, not 12% D wrong: result of adding (10+12)

Official SAT Guide (pages 343-344) Q38: Woolf characterizes the questions in line 53-57 ("For we...men") as both A) controversial and threatening. B) weighty and unanswerable. C) momentous and pressing. D) provocative and mysterious.

ANSWER: C A is wrong: Characterized as urgent and important, not controversial and threatening. B is wrong: she implies the questions to be weighty (or important) but implies they can be answered. D is wrong: Woolf does not imply the questions are mysterious.

Official SAT Guide (page 351) [1] The main environmental problem caused by the production of Greek yogurt is the creation of acid whey as a by-product. [2] Because it requires up to four times more milk to make than conventional yogurt does, Greek yogurt produces larger amounts of acid when, which is difficult to dispose of. [3] To address the problem of disposal, farmers have found a number of uses for acid whey. [4] They can add it to livestock feed as a protein supplement...[5] If it is improperly introduced into the environment, acid-wye runoff can pollute waterways...[6] Yogurt manufacturers, food scientists; and government officials are also working together to develop additional solutions for reusing whey. (5) Q5: To make this paragraph most logical, sentence 5 should be placed A) where it is now. B) after sentence 1. C) after sentence 2. D) after sentence 3.

ANSWER: C Choices A, B and D are incorrect because each would result in an illogical progression of sentences for this paragraph. If (5) were placed after sentence [3], it would appear illogically after the discussion of the "problem of disposal." If placed after sentence [1], it would illogically discuss "acid-whey runoff". (page 421)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 110) Q40: People who suspect they have celiac disease because a gluten-free diet made them feel better still need to get diagnosed, but they might never have suspected they had the disease if going gluten-free had not become so popular. (40) A RECENT STUDY ESTIMATES THAT MANY AMERICANS WITH CELIAC DISEASE DO NOT KNOW THEY HAVE IT. Which choice best supports the claim made in the previous sentence? A) NO CHANGE B) A recent study estimates that Americans do not always know they have celiac disease. C) A recent study estimates that about 5 out of every 6 Americans with celiac disease do not know they have it. D) A recent study estimates that a high percentage of Americans with celiac disease do not know they have it.

ANSWER: C Development First, reread sentence 4 to identify the claim. Then, look for the answer choices that supports this claim with specific details. Sentence 4 claims that some people on a gluten-free diet feel better "because they have celiac disease but have never been diagnosed." Choice C best supports this claim because it provides specific numbers from a study about celiac disease. (page 150)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 190) Q8: Right now, the ATS's superpowers choose to ignore the prediction that Antarctica may hold 200 billion barrels of oil. A) NO CHANGE B) At the current moment, the superpowers of the ATS fail to realize the prediction that Antarctica may hold 200 billion barrels of oil. C) Currently, the ATS's superpowers are not addressing the prediction that Antarctica may hold 200 billion barrels of oil. D) For now, the ATS's superpowers don't seem to mind the prediction that Antarctica may hold 200 billion barrels of oil.

ANSWER: C Effective Language Use Carefully reread the rest of the paragraph. Try to identify the answer choice that best matches the paragraph's tone and intent. The paragraph, like the passage as a whole, has an objective factual tone. It is not critical of anyone in particular but is simply stating facts. Choice C is the most objective and succinct choice. (page 235)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 210) Q6: At the grocery store, Gigi buys apples, a magazine, and a gallon of milk. The apples are priced per pound. In her state, there is no sales tax on food. If the total cost of her items is given by the function C(p) = 1.89p + 1.07(3.99) + 4.49, then the term 1.07(3.99) most likely represents A) The cost of one gallon of milk. B) the per-pound cost of the apples. C) the cost of the magazine, including tax. D) the cost of the magazine, not including tax.

ANSWER: C Heart of Algebra / Linear Equations Gallon of milk is a constant. Magazine is the only thing taxes. Apples is a function of the number of pounds. (page 246)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 205) ax + y = -5 -1/3x - 2y = -1 Q12: If the system of linear equations above has no solution, and a is a constant, what is the value of a? A) -1/3 B) -1/6 C) 1/6 D) 1/3

ANSWER: C Heart of Algebra / Systems of Linear Equations Graphically, a system of linear equations that has no solution indicates two parallel lines (lines have same slope). Write each equation in slope-intercept form (y = mx + b) ad set their slopes (m) equal to each other to solve for a. Before finding the slopes, multiple the bottom equation by -3 to make it easier to manipulate. (page 242)

Official SAT Guide (page 578) For one thing, lack of exposure to natural light has a significant impact on employees' health. A study conducted in 2013 by Northwestern University in Chicago showed that inadequate natural light could result in eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, as well as interference with the body's circadian rhythms. 3 Circadian rhythms, which are controlled by the bodies biological clocks, influence body temperature, hormone release, cycles of sleep and wakefulness, and other bodily functions. At this point (3), the writer is considering adding the following sentence: Workers in offices with windows sleep an average of 46 minutes more per night than workers in offices without windows. Should the writer make the addition here? A) Yes, because it supplies quantitative data that will be examined in the rest of the paragraph. B) Yes, because it explains the nature of the bodily functions referred to in the next sentence. C) No, because it interrupts the discussion of circadian rhythms. D) No, because it does not take into account whether workers were exposed to sunlight outside the office.

ANSWER: C It accurately notes that the proposed sentence would be placed directly between the first mention of circadian rhythms and the explanation of the term. Other choices are incorrect because each misinterprets the relationship between the proposed additional text and the ideas in the paragraph.

Official SAT Study Guide (page 589) Q33: The writer wants a conclusion that conveys how the shortcomings of 1-MCP presented in the passage affect the actions of people in the fruit industry. Which choice best accomplishes this goal? A) NO CHANGE B) many of the improvements to fruit quality they have discovered so far have required trade-offs in other properties of the fruit. C) for now many fruit sellers must weigh the relative values of aroma, color, and freshness when deciding whether to use 1-MCP. D) it must be acknowledged that 1-MCP, despite some inadequacies, has enabled the fruit industry to ship and store fruit in ways that were impossible before.

ANSWER: C It describes an action, weighing the relative values, that fruit sellers must take as a result of 1-MCP's limitations. Other choices do not specifically connect shortcomings of 1-MCP with any action on the part of the fruit sellers. (page 651)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 213) Q16: Which of the following are solutions to the quadratic equation (x - 2)^2 = 16/25? A) x = +/- (4/5)^0.5 B) x = -4/5 , x = 4/5 C) x = 6/5 , x = 14/5 D) x = 14/5 , x = -14/5

ANSWER: C Passport to Advanced Math / Quadratics Taking the square root is the inverse operation of squaring and both sides of the equation are already perfect squares, so take their square roots, there will be two equations to solve. (page 248)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 116) Q13: The figure above shows part of the path of a planned roller coaster hill. What is the sum, in feet, of the vertical height and the horizontal distance that the roller coaster will travel while on this particular hill? Points on graph (distance (ft), approximate height (yds)): (10, 14) (20, 26) (30, 36) (40, 49) (50, 56) (60, 64) (70, 70) (80, 74) (90, 76) (100, 79) (110, 80) (120, 79) (130, 76) A) 220 B) 300 C) 460 D) 900

ANSWER: C Passport to Advanced Math / Scatterplots The question asked for the sum of the vertical height and the horizontal distance. The data points follow a parabolic (u-shaped) path which means you can use the properties of quadratic equations to find the solution. The vertical height is straight forward--the vertex of the parabola is located at (110, 80). So, vertical height = 80 YARDS (notice the units). To find the horizontal distance, think about symmetry. Because the vertex occurs at a distance of 110 feet, the total horizontal distance that the rollercoaster will travel is twice that, or 220 feet. Convert 80 yards to feet and add the result to 220 to arrive at correct answer: 80 x 3 + 220 = 460 feet. (page 154)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 125) Q18: Suppose a tourist drove to an elevation of 2,390 meters and from that point climbed to the top of the mountain, and then descended back to the car taking the same route. If it took her a total of 7 hours to climb up and back down, and she climbed at an average rate of 264 vertical meters per hour going up and twice that going down, approximately how tall is Mt. Fuji? A) 1,232 ft B) 2,464 ft C) 3,622 ft D) 3,776 ft

ANSWER: C Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Rates, Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages Distance = Rate x Time. d = 264x. She went down twice as fast for 7-x time. therefore, d=2(264(7-x)) Set them equal to each other. x= 4.6666 2,390 + (4.6666 x 264) = 3,622 (page 160)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 108) Q30: There is no service (30) DEPARTMENT (WITH WHICH TO LODGE COMPLAINTS), and there are no refunds. A) NO CHANGE B) department--with which to lodge complaints, C) department with which to lodge complaints, D) department, with which to lodge complaints,

ANSWER: C Punctuation Determine whether the underlined phrase is essential or nonessential to the meaning of the sentence. Essential elements should not be set off by punctuation; nonessential elements must be set off by punctuation. The phrase "with which to lodge complaints" is an essential element of the sentence because it is needed to explain the type of service department being described. No punctuation should be used, and the addition of parentheses or dashes complicates the sentence. (page 149)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 10-11) Q36: The author uses the fact that no bees are found in a hive after a colony collapses to A) examine the extent of damage to the honey bee population that has occurred. B) emphasizes the way in which honey bees relate to human beings. C) refute the possibility that pathogens are a reason for the collapse. D) show that pesticides are not to blame for the decrease in the honey bee population.

ANSWER: C Rhetoric. Example the part of the passage that discusses the lack of bees after a collapse. The author wants to stress the fact that research has shown that pathogens are not the reason for colony collapse. (page 58)

Official SAT Guide (page 356) Q19: "Scientists have long known that soot particles facilitate melting by darkening snow and ice, limiting it's ability to reflect the Sun's rays." A) NO CHANGE B) its C) there D) their

ANSWER: D "Their" is the possessive form of a plural noun, "snow and ice"

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 211) Triangle: height = 9 miles ; base = 40 miles ; hypotenuse = expressway Q11: The figure above shows the route that Max currently takes to work and back home every day. The city is planning to build an expressway that would cross through the city to help alleviate commuter traffic. Assuming an average gas consumption of 20 miles per gallon and a 5-day workweek, how many gallons of gas will Max save per week by taking the expressway to and from work each day instead of using his current route? A) 2 B) 4 C) 8 D) 10.25

ANSWER: D Additional Topics / Geometry Use Pythagorean Theorem to solve for distance from home to work using expressway (9^2 + 40^2 = c^2). Next, calculate current gallons of gas: current route: 49 miles (9 + 40) x 2 (round trip) = 98 miles. At 20 mpg = 90/20 = 4.9 gallons per day x 5 days a week = 24.5 gallons expressway route: 41 miles x 2 = 82 miles. At 20 mpg = 82/20 = 4.1 x 5 days/week = 20.5 gallons. 24.5 - 20.5 = 4 gallons a week he'll save. (Page 247)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 127) C = center of circle D, F lie on the circumference E is halfway between D, F and parallel to C CED and CEF both form equal right triangles radius = 2 (line CD and CF) The distance between D and F is 3.4 (portion of the circumference or length of the arc) Q27: Which of the following gives the chord length of DF in the figure above? A) 2 cos(1.7) B) 2 sin(1.7) C) 4 cos(0.85) D) 4 sin (0.85)

ANSWER: D Additional Topics in Math / Trigonometry This is in radians because there is no degree symbol. arcL = theta x radius. Theta is the central angle. (page 162)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 5-7) Q12: Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question (to outline ways to maintain peaceful relations in the world)? A) Lines 1-5 ("It will be...of any kind") B) Lines 5-6 ("The day of...is gone by") C) Lines 16-17 ("We entered...occurred") D) Lines 26-27 ("The programme is our programme")

ANSWER: D Command of evidence. The correct answer will provide information that directly relates to the answer to the previous question. The correct answer to the previous question concerns Wilson's plan to maintain peaceful relations in the world (lines 26-27). (page 54)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 34) { y - (2/k)*x <=0 { (1/k)*x -(1/2)*y <= -1 Q12: If the system of inequalities shown has no solution, what is the value of k? A) 1 B) 2 C) There is no value of k that results in no solution. D) There are infinitely many value of k that result in no solution.

ANSWER: D Heart of Algebra / Inequalities The only way a system of inequalities can have no solution is if the graph consists of two parallel lines with shading in opposite directions so there is no overlap. Start by writing each equation in slope-intercept form. You'll need to multiply the second equation by -2, so don't forget to flip the inequality symbol. Now, think about the graphs. (page 70)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 115) Q12: Which of the following systems of inequalities could be represented by the graph shown above (two parallel lines sloping downward starting in (-x, y) quadrant and sloping downward into (x , -y) quadrant shaded above top line and below bottom line; distance between two lines = 6)? Lines have a slope of -1/3. The system in the graph shows shading on opposite sides of two parallel lines. A) 3x - y >= 4 ; 3x - y <= -2 B) 3x + y >= 4 ; 3x + y <= -2 C) x - 3y >= 12 ; x - 3y <= -6 D) x + 3y >= 12 ; x + 3y <= - 6

ANSWER: D Heart of Algebra / Inequalities The system shown means there is no solution to the system. This means you are looking for two equations with the same slope, different y-intercepts, and different inequality symbols. D is the only system with the same slope of the lines show, -1/3. (page 153)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (pages 18) He might have considered hand washing unnecessary because he had not handled any toxic chemicals that day, or he might have just been so hungry he did not thing about it. 5 The bread tasted so sweet that Fahlberg thought he might have picked up some cake by mistake. Q5: At this point, the writer wants to create an ideal transition to the next paragraph. Which choice most effectively accomplishes this goal? A) Later, hand washing would become a critical protocol in the laboratory. B) Thankfully, he didn't, or he never would have discovered what came next. C) Fahlberg had not eaten any cake, or indeed anything sweet, that day. D) Either way, he picked up his break in his unwashed hands and took a bite.

ANSWER: D Organization. The passage is telling a story. The correct answer will relate to the sentences both before and after it. While B may intrigue readers, its tone is out of place when compared with that of the rest of the passage. (page 61)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 115) Q9: Which of the following expressions has the same value as 0.25^0.5 x 2^0.5? A) 2^0.5 / 4 B) 1/2 C) 2^0.25 / 2 D) 2^0.5 / 2

ANSWER: D Passport to Advanced Math / Exponents RULES: 1) When two radical expressions with the same degree root are multiplied, you can multiply the numbers under the radicals, leaving the product inside. 2) It is not proper to leave a radical in the denominator Use the rules for radicals to simplify the product. Don't actually try to find the value of each answer choice. When two radical expressions with the same degree root are multiplied, you can multiply the numbers under the radicals, leaving the product inside. The root stays the same. Writing 0.25 as 1/4 may make finding the product easier. It is not proper to leave a radical in the denominator, so rewrite the expression by multiplying the top and bottom by 2^0.5 to get D. (page 152)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 115) Q11: Given the polynomial 6x^4 + 2x^2 - 8x - c, where c is a constant, for what value of c will (6x^4 + 2x^2 - 8x - c) / (x + 2) have no remainder? A) -120 B) -60 C) 60 D) 120

ANSWER: D Passport to Advanced Math / Exponents Use long division to divide the two expressions. Don't forget to fill in 0 as a placeholder for the missing x^3 term. (page 153)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 371) 1995 = 100 1998 = ~190 2001 = ~295 2004 = ~490 2007 = ~800 2010 = ~1,310 Q7: The blue whale is the largest creature in the world and has been found in every ocean in the world. A marine biologist surveyed the blue whale population in Monterey Bay, off the coast of California, every three years between 1995 and 2010. The figures above shows her results. If w is the number of blue whales present in Monterey Bay and t is the number of years since the study began in 1995, which of the following equations best represents the blue whale population of Monterey Bay? A) w = 100 + 2t B) w = 100 + t^2/4 C) w = 100 + 2^t D) w = 100 x 2^(t/4)

ANSWER: D Passport to Advanced Math / Scatterplots Use shape to guess equation. Population of whales grew slowly at first then more quickly. Means exponential model is probably best fit (A = linear, B = quadratic). Choose a data point and see which formula between C and D is the better fit. BE CAREFUL--question states t = number of years since study began, so 1995 = t = 0. 1998 = t = 3. (page 407)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 187) Q1: The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) was established in 1959 to provide governance over an entire continent and the surrounding Southern Ocean. Twelve member (1) COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES CURRENT MANAGE the affairs of Antarctica. A) NO CHANGE B) countries including the United States, currently manage C) countries: including the United States currently manage D) countries including the United States currently manage

ANSWER: D Punctuation Consider whether this sentence needs punctuation within it and, if so, what type. You should be able to come up with a specific reason. "Twelve member countries including the United States currently manage the affairs of Antartica" Rule: "Including the United States" is part of the subject of the sentence that begins with "Twelve member countries". Therefore, no punctuation is necessary to make this sentence grammatical. (page 234)

Kaplan SAT 2017 (page 106) Q21: NEVERTHELESS, DR. CAROL B. MULLER FOUNDER OF A NONPROFIT THAT PROMOTES WOMEN IN SCIENCE STATES, "Until women are fully represented in the field of science..." A) NO CHANGE B) Nevertheless, Dr. Carol B. Muller, founder of a nonprofit that promotes women in science states C) Nevertheless Dr. Carol B. Muller, founder of a nonprofit that promotes women in science, states, D) Nevertheless, Dr. Carol B. Muller, founder of a nonprofits that promotes women in science, states,

ANSWER: D Punctuation Remember that an appositive is a word or phrase that identifies or renames a noun that comes right before it; when an appositive adds extra information, it is set off with commas. The phrase that follows "Dr. Carol B. Muller" is an appositive and should be set off with commas. (page 148)

Official SAT Guide (pages 340-342) Q31: Based on the table, is the percentage of adenine in each organism's DNA the same or does it vary, and which statement made by the authors is most consistent with that data? A) The same; "Two of the pyrimidines" (lines 6-8) B) The same; "The important....structure" (lines 25-26) C) It varies; "Adenine...thymine" (lines 36-38) D) It varies; "It follows...information" (lines 41-45)

ANSWER: D The table clearly shows percentage is different. A and B are wrong: the table shows the percentage varies by organism C is wrong because lines 36-38 states that adenine pairs with thymine but does not mention the variability of the case composition of DNA

Not only were such regulations meant to ensure the efficiency of the business and the safety of the workers, BUT ALSO HELPED to raise people's generally low opinion of the restaurant industry. A) NO CHANGE B) but also helping C) also helping D) but they also helped

ANSWER: D It contains the pronoun "they," a necessary reference to "such regulations" in the previous clause. Other choices are incorrect because each lacks a necessary subject, such as a pronoun or noun.