STUDENT COPY

SAT
Heart of Algebra
Lecture 1
 MATH SECTION OVERVIEW
Basic Facts about the Math Section

Section Number of Questions Time

Module 1 22 questions (Multiple Choice + Grid ins) 35 minutes
Module 2 22 questions (Multiple Choice + Grid ins) 35 minutes

SAT Math Question Types:

College Board sorts the question types into three main categories: Heart of Algebra, Passport to Advanced
Math, and Problem Solving and Data Analysis. These three realms describe about 90% of the SAT math
questions. The remaining 10% are simply called Additional Topics, and they mainly include geometry, and
basic trigonometry.

Heart of Algebra Official Topics:

 Solving linear equations and linear inequalities (in these expressions, x is a constant or the product
of a constant)
 Interpreting linear functions
 Linear inequality and equation word problems
 Graphing linear equations
 Linear function word problems
 Systems of linear inequalities word problems
 Solving systems of linear equations

Passport to Advanced Math Official Topics:

 Solving quadratic equations

 Interpreting nonlinear expressions
 Quadratic and exponential word problems
 Radicals and rational exponents
 Operations with rational expressions and polynomials
 Polynomial factors and graphs
 Nonlinear equation graphs
 Linear and quadratic systems
 Structure in expressions
 Isolating quantities
 Functions

Problem Solving and Data Analysis Official Topics:

 Ratios, rates, and proportions

 Percent
 Units
 Table data
 Scatterplots
 Key features of graphs
 Linear and exponential growth
 Data inferences
 Center, spread, and shape of distributions
 Data collection and conclusions

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Additional Topics in Math Official Topics:

 Volume word problems

 Right triangle word problems
 Congruence and similarity
 Right triangle geometry
 Angles, arc lengths, and trig functions
 Circle theorems
 Circle equations

BASIC OVERVIEW
All numbers on the SAT are real numbers. Real numbers include the following sets:

 Natural numbers are also known as counting numbers.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 …

 Integers are positive and negative whole numbers and the number zero.

. . . − 3, − 2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 . ..

 Rational numbers are all numbers that can be written as fractions, terminating decimals, and repeating
decimals. Rational numbers include integers.

3 2
, , 0.25, 0.666, 0.38357
4 1
 Irrational numbers are number that cannot be expressed as terminating or repeating decimals.

𝜋, Ö2, 1.6066951524 . ..
omparison symbols

The following table shows the various comparison symbols used on the SAT.

SYMBOL MEANING EXAMPLE

= is equal to 3 = 3

¹ is not equal to 7¹6

> is greater than 5 > 4

³ is greater than or equal to 𝑥 ³ 2 (x can be 2 or 5 any number greater

than 2)

< is less than 1 < 2

£ is less than or equal to 𝑥 £ 8 (x can be 8 or any number less than

8)

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 LINEAR EQUATION AND GRAPHS

Equation of the Line:

 Distance: √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2

𝑥1 +𝑥2 𝑦1 +𝑦2
 Midpoint: ( , )
2 2
𝑦2 −𝑦1
 Slope:
𝑥2 −𝑥1

If the line passes through the origin point:

 Distance: √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
𝑥 𝑦
 Midpoint: ( , )
2 2
𝑦
 Slope:
𝑥

Slope-Intercept Form
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
m = slope or rate

 The change in output for every increase of 1 for the input.

b = y-intercept

 For graphs: The output when x = 0.

x = input value of the function

y = output value of the function

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Slope Formula

𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝑚=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
m = slope

 Change in height divided by change in horizontal distance.

 "Rise over run."

𝑥1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 = 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑥 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠

𝑦1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦2 = 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠

Standard Form
𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶

If y is isolated for the standard form, the equation becomes:

𝐴 𝐶
𝑦= − 𝑥+
𝐵 𝐵
Where, −𝐴/𝐵 is the slope, and 𝐶/𝐵 is the y-intercept.
Point Slope Form

𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ), where

 m = slope of the line

 (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) is the point on the line

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The y-intercept is always at (0, b) for 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏. Note that the y-axis is the line x = 0, so the x value
will always be 0 for the y-intercept of a graph. By plugging in 0 for x for 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, you get 𝑦 =
𝑚(𝑥) + 𝑏. Therefore, y = b when x = 0.

Visualization of the "rise" and "run" of a slope, represented by 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 , and 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 , respectively.

If the coordinates are given as variables, use them as you would numbers to find the slope or other
values of a line.

Interpreting Linear Equations

Imagine this scenario: Betty is selling popcorn at a school event. She spent $12 on cotton candy
ingredients and supplies in total, and she is charging $1.50 per cotton candy that she sells, where p is the
profit she earns and c is the number of cotton candies sold.

Below are some ways that p as a function of c may be expressed for this situation.

𝑝 = 1.5𝑐 − 12

𝑝 = 1.5(𝑐 − 8)

3
𝑝= 𝑐 − 12
2
3
𝑝 = −12 + 𝑐
2
3𝑐 − 24
𝑝=
2

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Those 5 equations all represent the same function, and there are even more ways to rewrite the function.
For interpreting linear functions, you will typically have to figure out whether a given part of the function
represents the rate or initial condition of a situation.

For example, if the function is written as:

3
𝑝 = −12 + 𝑐
2

What is the best interpretation of the number -12 in the equation?

A. Betty loses $12 for every cotton candy that she sells.
B. It cost Betty $12 originally to set up her operation.
C. Betty will need to sell 12 cotton candies to break even.
D. There are 12 cotton candies left for Betty to sell.

Answer: B

Explanation: When Betty has sold 0 cotton candies, c = 0. By plugging in 0 for the variable c in the
equation, 𝑝 = −12. This means that her profit when she started is −12 dollars. In other words, she has
spent 12 dollars before selling any cotton candies.

If you're having trouble interpreting parts of a linear function because of its form, take a few moments to
rewrite it in the form y = mx + b (slope-intercept form) so that you can quickly tell what the parts of the
equation represent.

Finding the Rate:

 It is the value being multiplied by the input variable (the variable on the x-axis) for slope-intercept
form.
 For graphs, it is the value of the slope.
 In each of the five equations above, p increases by 1.5, or 3/2, for each increase of 1 for c.
Therefore, the rate of change of p in terms of c is 1.5, or 3/2.

Finding the Initial/Starting Condition (Initial Output):

 It is the constant on the side with the input variable for slope-intercept form.
 For graphs, it is the y-intercept.
 In the equations above, 𝑝 = −12 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑐 = 0. Therefore, the profit is −12 dollars when 0 cotton
candies are sold.

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Slopes of Linear Equation

Slopes of horizontal lines are 0

Slopes of vertical lines are undefined

Slopes of parallel lines are equal.

Slopes of perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals. For example: 5/3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 3/5.

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Systems of Linear Equations

A system of linear equations in two variables is the collection of two linear equations considered
simultaneously. The solution to a system of equations in two variables is the set of all ordered pairs for
which both equations are true. There are three possible types of solutions for systems of linear equations.

One solution: The lines intersect at one point.

 If the slopes of two lines are different, they will have exactly one solution.

No solutions: The lines intersect nowhere.

 If the slopes of two lines are the same (they are parallel) but the y-intercept is different, they will
have no solutions.
 Algebraically, this occurs when you get an obviously untrue mathematical statement. For
instance:
o 3𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 10
o −6𝑥 + 8𝑦 = −17

Infinite Solutions: The lines intersect at infinite points (they are overlapping lines).

 If the slopes and y-intercepts are the same for both lines, they will have infinite solutions.

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More about Infinite Solutions

 If each of the coefficients and constants of one linear equation are proportional to the
corresponding coefficients or constants of another linear equation, the lines will have infinite
solutions.
 For example: −2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 9 and −4𝑥 + 6𝑦 = 18 will have infinite solutions because the
second equation's coefficients and constant are all twice the value of the first equation.
2
 Written in 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 form, both equations could be rewritten as 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 3. In other
3
words, they are the same line.

Solving Systems of Equations

As mentioned above, the solution to a system of equations is the point or points where two lines
intersect. If you're given two lines in either the slope-intercept form (𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏) or standard form
(𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = 𝐶), you can solve for the places the lines intersect by either the Combination Method
(sometimes called the Elimination Method) or the Substitution Method.

Solving a System of Linear Equations Using the Substitution Method

The substitution method involves solving one of the equations for one variable in terms of the other, then
substituting that expression into the other equation. The substitution method can be summarized in the
following four steps.

 Step 1: Choose an equation and solve for one variable in terms of the other variable.
 Step 2: Substitute the expression from step 1 into the other equation.
 Step 3: Solve the equation in one variable.
 Step 4: Substitute the value found in step 3 into one of the original equations to find the value of
the other variable.

Solving a System of Equations by the Method of Elimination

Another method used to solve a system of two equations is called the elimination method. The
elimination method involves adding the two equations together in the attempt to eliminate one of the
variables. To accomplish this task, the coefficients of one of the variables must differ only in sign. This
can be done by multiplying one or both of the equations by a suitable constant. The elimination method
can be summarized in the following 5 steps.

 Step 1: Choose a variable to eliminate.

 Step 2: Multiply one or both equations by an appropriate nonzero constant so that the
 sum of the coefficients of one of the variables is zero.
 Step 3: Add the two equations together to obtain an equation in one variable.
 Step 4: Solve the equation in one variable.
 Step 5: Substitute the value obtained in step 4 into one of the original equations to solve for the
other variable.

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 CLASS PRACTICE

1. If 5 < 2𝑥 + 3 < 11, what is the possible range of values of −4𝑥 − 6?

A. Any value greater than−10 or less than −22

B. Any value greater than −22 and less than −10
C. Any value greater than 1 and less than 4
D. Any value greater than 4 or less than 1

2. If 153 = 2(𝑧 + 𝑧)𝑛, then what is the value of 2𝑛(2𝑧) − 193?

A. -113
B. -40
C. 40
D. 113

4𝑥 + 1 = −𝑎𝑥 – 4

3. In the equation shown above, a is a constant. Which of the following values of 𝑎 results in an equation
with exactly one solution?

A. 4
B. -4
C. Neither value
D. Both values

1
4 − 𝑧 = −7𝑧 + 6
3
4. Which of the following is the solution to the equation shown above?

A. 𝑧 = 3/10
B. 𝑧 = −3/10
C. 𝑧 = 20/3
D. 𝑧 = 20/6

4 – 3𝑦 = 6𝑦 + 4 – 9𝑦
5. Which of the following best describes the solution set to the equation shown above?

A. The equation has no solutions.

B. The equation has exactly one solution, y = 0.
C. The equation has exactly one solution, y = 4/3.
D. The equation has infinitely many solutions.

44(𝑗 + 2𝑘) = 12

22𝑘 = −11𝑗 + 16

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6. Consider the system of equations above. How many solutions (j, k) does this system have?

A. 0
B. Exactly 1
C. Exactly 2
D. Infinitely many

−11𝑦 = 6(𝑧 + 1) − 13𝑦

4𝑦 − 24 = 𝑐(𝑧 − 1)

7. For what value of c does the above system of linear equations in the variables y and z have infinitely
many solutions?

1 3 1
2 (𝑥 − ) − (𝑦 − ) = 0
3 2 6

1 8 1
3 (𝑦 − ) + (𝑥 − ) = 0
2 3 6

8. Consider the system of equations above. If (x, y) is the solution to the system, then what is the value
of the sum of x and y?

A. 5/6
B. 25/36
C. 2/3
D. None of the above

𝑎(𝑝 − 𝑞) = 1

𝑝 = 2𝑞 − 1

9. Consider the system of equations above, where 𝑎 is a constant. For which value of 𝑎 is (𝑝, 𝑞) = (1, 1)
a solution?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. None of the above

5.3𝑠 + 0.1𝑟 = 0

0.7(𝑟 + 0.2) + 3.2 = −3𝑠

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10. Consider the system of equations above. If (r, s) is the solution to the system above, then what is the
value of (r + s)?

11. The average price of a certain type of coffee worldwide was $0.51 per pound in 2008. The price per
pound increased about $0.18 each year until 2014, and is expected to do so for the next two years. Which
of the following graphs represents the relationship between years after 2008, t, and price per pound, P, in
dollars, of this coffee worldwide?

A. C.

B.
D.

12. The endpoints of line segment AB are located at (5, –2) and (–3, 10). What is the equation of the line
that is the perpendicular bisector of AB?

A. 3x – 4y = –13
B. 2x – 3y = –20
C. 2x – 3y = –10
D. 3x – 4y = –4

1
13. The line represented by the equation 𝑦 = 12 − 𝑥 is graphed in the 𝑥𝑦-plane. Which of the following
statements correctly describes the graph of the line?

A. The line is perpendicular to the graph x + y = 1.

B. The line has a negative slope and a positive y-intercept.
C. The line has a positive slope and a negative y-intercept.
D. The x-intercept is equal to the negative of the y-intercept

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14. The gas mileage for a car is 23 miles per gallon when the car travels at 60 miles per hour. The car
begins a trip with 13 gallons in its tank, travels at an average speed of 60 miles per hour for h hours,
and ends the trip with 10 gallons in its tank. Which of the following equations best models this situation?

23ℎ
A. 13 − = 10
60
60ℎ
B. 13 − = 10
23
13− 60ℎ
C. = 10
23
13− 23ℎ
D. = 10
60

15. The line shown above goes through the point (3, 2). Which of the following is an equation of the line
perpendicular to the line shown at the point (3, 2)?

2
A. 𝑦 = 𝑥
3
3 5
B. 𝑦 = 𝑥 +
2 2
3 5
C. 𝑦 = 𝑥–
2 2
3 13
D. 𝑦 = − 𝑥 +
2 2

16. On January 1st, 2014, approximately 450 thousand buildings in the United States (US) had solar panels.
This number increased by a total of about 180 thousand over the next 12 months. Assuming a constant
rate of change, approximately how many months after January 1st, 2014 would 900 thousand buildings
in the US have solar panels?

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17. A meteorologist estimates that on a sunny day, the air temperature decreases by about 4° F for every
1000 feet of elevation gain. On a certain day, the air temperature outside an airplane flying above
Dhaka is −58° F, and the ground level temperature in Dhaka is 70° F. If x is the height, in feet, at which
the plan is flying, which of the following best models the situation?

4
A. 70 = − 1000 𝑥 − 58
4
B. 70 = 𝑥 − 58
1000

C. −58 = −4𝑥 + 70
D. −58 = 4𝑥 + 70

18. Irtifa and Mohini work part time stocking shelves at a grocery store. At 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, Irtifa
begins unpacking boxes at a rate of 1 box every 6 minutes. Mohini joins her at 7:45 a.m. and unpacks
1 box every 5 minutes. When finished with this task, a total of 24 boxes have been unpacked since
7:00 a.m. If x represents the number of minutes for which Irtifa has been working, which of the following
equations best models the situation?

1 1
A. 𝑥 + 5 (𝑥 − 45) = 24
6
1 1 3
B. 𝑥 + 5 (𝑥 − 4) = 24
6
C. 6𝑥 + 5(𝑥 − 45) = 24
3
D. 6𝑥 + 5 (𝑥 − 4) = 24

19. Zabir mows lawns in his neighborhood. He charges $10 for each regular yard he mows, and he charges
an extra $5 for each large yard that he mows. In one week, he mowed 6 more large yards than regular
yards and made $265. If r represents the number of regular yards that Zafar mowed, which equation
best models the situation?

A. 10(𝑟 + 6) + 15𝑟 = 265

B. 10(𝑟 + 6) + 5𝑟 = 265
C. 10𝑟 + 15(𝑟 + 6) = 265
D. 10𝑟 + 5(𝑟 + 6) = 265

−6.4𝑥 = 4𝑦 + 2.1

𝑘𝑦 + 3.2𝑥 = 5.8

20. For what value of k does the system of linear equations in the variables x and y have no solution?

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21. Jerry has a large car which holds 22 gallons of fuel and get 20 miles per gallon. Kate has a smaller car
which holds 16.5 gallons of fuel and gets 30 miles per gallon. If both cars have a full tank of fuel now
and drive the same distance, in how many miles will the remaining fuel in each tank be the same?

A. 320
B. 325
C. 330
D. 335

6(1 − 𝑎) = 3(𝑎 − 𝑏) + 1

4(𝑏 − 2) = 3𝑎

22. If (a, b) is the solution to the system above, then what is the value of 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏?

A. −1276/243
B. 29/9
C. 44/27
D. 1276/243

23. Anthropologists have noticed that they can predict the height of a human being based on the length of
their femur. The relationship between the person's height, H, in centimeters, and length of the femur, f,
in centimeters, can be modeled by the equation below.

𝐻 = 2.72𝑓 + 42.12

One anthropologist found the femurs of two different people. One femur measured 22 centimeters and
the other femur measured 23 centimeters. What is the difference in their heights?

A. 1 cm
B. 2.72 cm
C. 27.2 cm
D. 42.12 cm

24. Two groups of campers went out for ice cream. The first group paid $41.60 for 5 large cones and 11
small cones. The second group paid $40.90 for 10 large cones and 4 small cones. What is the cost of
a single small cone?

A. $2.35
B. $2.60
C. $2.92
D. $3.15

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