Nonlinear Functions Hard Answers

Question ID 91e7ea5e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions
ID: 91e7ea5e
The quadratic function h is defined as shown. In the xy-plane, the graph of

intersects the x-axis at the points and , where t is a constant.
What is the value of t ?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 8
ID: 91e7ea5e Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the graph of intersects the x-axis at and , where t is a constant.
Since this graph intersects the x-axis when or when , it follows that and . If , then
. Adding 32 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2
yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields . Adding 4 to both sides of this
equation yields . Therefore, the value of t is 8.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect and may result from calculation errors.
Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8490cc45
ID: 8490cc45
The function is defined by . What is the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 8490cc45 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane occurs at the point on the graph where 𝑥 = 0. In
other words, when 𝑥 = 0, the corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the
given equation yields 𝑓0 = -820 + 22, which is equivalent to 𝑓0 = -81 + 22, or 𝑓0 = 14. Thus, when 𝑥 = 0, the
corresponding value of 𝑓𝑥 is 14. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, 14.
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 the y-intercept for 𝑓𝑥 = -82𝑥, not 𝑓𝑥 = -82𝑥 + 22.

Question ID a9084ca4
ID: a9084ca4
The given function models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year, where represents
the number of years since , and . If is graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following is the best
interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?
A. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .
B. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .
C. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .
D. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .
ID: a9084ca4 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the xy-plane is the point where 𝑥 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 9,0000.66𝑥, which
gives 𝑦 = 9,0000.660 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 9,0001, or 𝑦 = 9,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is
0, 9,000. It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year.
Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 represents the estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients each year. It's also given
that 𝑥 represents the number of years since 1997. Therefore, 𝑥 = 0 represents 0 years since 1997, or 1997. Thus, the best
interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is that the estimated number of advertisements the company sent
to its clients in 1997 was 9,000.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question ID 2c6f214f
ID: 2c6f214f
The first term of a sequence is . Each term after the first is times the preceding term. If represents the th term of the
sequence, which equation gives in terms of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2c6f214f Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since 𝑤 represents the 𝑛th term of the sequence and 9 is the first term of the sequence, the value of 𝑤
is 9 when the value of 𝑛 is 1. Since each term after the first is 4 times the preceding term, the value of 𝑤 is 94 when the
value of 𝑛 is 2. Therefore, the value of 𝑤 is 944, or 942 , when the value of 𝑛 is 3. More generally, the value of 𝑤 is 94𝑛 - 1 for a
𝑛-1
given value of 𝑛. Therefore, the equation 𝑤 = 94 gives 𝑤 in terms of 𝑛.
Choice A is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9, and each term after
the first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.
Choice B is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 4, rather than 9, and each term after
the first is 9, rather than 4, times the preceding term.
Choice C is incorrect. This equation describes a sequence for which the first term is 36, rather than 9.

Question ID b8f13a3a
ID: b8f13a3a
Function is defined by , where and are constants. In the xy-plane, the graph of has a
y-intercept at . The product of and is . What is the value of ?
ID: b8f13a3a Answer

Correct Answer: 20
Rationale
The correct answer is 20. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Substituting -𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 yields
75 75
𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12. It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 is 0, - 7
. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and - 7
for 𝑦 in the
75 75 75
equation 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12 yields - 7 = - 𝑎0 + 𝑏 - 12, which is equivalent to - 7 = - 1 + 𝑏 - 12, or -7 = 𝑏 - 13. Adding 13 to
16 320 320 16
both sides of this equation yields = 𝑏 . It’s given that the product of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is , or 𝑎𝑏 = . Substituting for 𝑏 in
7 7 7 7
16 320 16
this equation yields 𝑎 7 =
7
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 7
yields 𝑎 = 20.

Question ID 7902bed0
ID: 7902bed0
A machine launches a softball from ground level. The softball reaches a maximum height of meters above the
ground at seconds and hits the ground at seconds. Which equation represents the height above ground , in
meters, of the softball seconds after it is launched?
A.
B.
C. msup
D. msup
ID: 7902bed0 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. An equation representing the height above ground ℎ, in meters, of a softball 𝑡 seconds after it is
2
launched by a machine from ground level can be written in the form ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are positive
constants. In this equation, 𝑏 represents the time, in seconds, at which the softball reaches its maximum height of 𝑐
meters above the ground. It's given that this softball reaches a maximum height of 51.84 meters above the ground at 1.8
seconds; therefore, 𝑏 = 1.8 and 𝑐 = 51.84. Substituting 1.8 for 𝑏 and 51.84 for 𝑐 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 yields
2
ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.8 + 51.84. It's also given that this softball hits the ground at 3.6 seconds; therefore, ℎ = 0 when 𝑡 = 3.6.
2 2
Substituting 0 for ℎ and 3.6 for 𝑡 in the equation ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.8 + 51.84 yields 0 = - 𝑎3.6 - 1.8 + 51.84, which is
2
equivalent to 0 = - 𝑎1.8 + 51.84, or 0 = - 3.24𝑎 + 51.84. Adding 3.24𝑎 to both sides of this equation yields
3.24𝑎 = 51.84. Dividing both sides of this equation by 3.24 yields 𝑎 = 16. Substituting 16 for 𝑎 in the equation
ℎ = - 𝑎𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 yields ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84. Therefore, ℎ = - 16𝑡 - 1.82 + 51.84 represents the height above
ground ℎ, in meters, of this softball 𝑡 seconds after it is launched.
Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the maximum height is 3.6 meters above the ground at 0
seconds, not 51.84 meters above the ground at 1.8 seconds.
Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a situation where the maximum height is 51.84 meters above the ground at
0 seconds, not 1.8 seconds.

Question ID 4a0d0399
ID: 4a0d0399
The function is defined by , where and are constants. In the -plane, the graph of has an
-intercept at and a -intercept at . What is the value of ?
ID: 4a0d0399 Answer

Correct Answer: -324
Rationale
The correct answer is -324. It's given that the function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants. It's also
given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 has a y-intercept at 0, - 323. It follows that 𝑓0 = - 323. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and -323 for 𝑓𝑥
in 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields -323 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or -323 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from each side of this equation yields -324 = 𝑏.
Therefore, the value of 𝑏 is -324.

Question ID 9654add7
ID: 9654add7
The revenue , in dollars, that a company receives from sales of a product is

given by the function f above, where x is the unit price, in dollars, of the product.
The graph of in the xy-plane intersects the x-axis at 0 and a. What does
a represent?
A. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0
B. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue
C. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0
D. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make
ID: 9654add7 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. By definition, the y-value when a function intersects the x-axis is 0. It’s given that the graph of the
function intersects the x-axis at 0 and a, that x is the unit price, in dollars, of a product, and that , where , is
the revenue, in dollars, that a company receives from the sales of the product. Since the value of a occurs when , a is
the unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0.
Choice A is incorrect. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0 is represented by , when .
Choice B is incorrect. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue is represented by the x-
coordinate of the maximum of f. Choice D is incorrect. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make is
represented by the y-coordinate of the maximum of f.

Question ID 263f9937
ID: 263f9937
Growth of a Culture of Bacteria
Number of bacteria per
Day
milliliter at end of day
A culture of bacteria is growing at an exponential rate, as shown in the table

above. At this rate, on which day would the number of bacteria per milliliter reach
?
A. Day 5
B. Day 9
C. Day 11
D. Day 12
ID: 263f9937 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of bacteria per milliliter is doubling each day. For example, from day 1 to day 2, the
number of bacteria increased from 2.5 × 105 to 5.0 × 105. At the end of day 3 there are 106 bacteria per milliliter. At the
end of day 4, there will be 106 × 2 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 5, there will be (106 × 2) × 2, or 106 × (22) bacteria
per milliliter, and so on. At the end of day d, the number of bacteria will be 106 × (2d – 3). If the number of bacteria per
milliliter will reach 5.12 × 108 at the end of day d, then the equation must hold. Since 5.12 ×
108 can be rewritten as 512 × 106, the equation is equivalent to . Rewriting 512 as 29 gives d – 3 = 9, so d =
12. The number of bacteria per milliliter would reach 5.12 × 108 at the end of day 12.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Given the growth rate of the bacteria, the number of bacteria will not reach 5.12 × 108
per milliliter by the end of any of these days.

Question ID 4dd4efcf
ID: 4dd4efcf
In the given quadratic function, and are constants. The graph of in the xy-plane is a parabola that opens
upward and has a vertex at the point , where and are constants. If and , which of the
following must be true?
I.
II.
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II
D. Neither I nor II
ID: 4dd4efcf Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is a parabola with vertex ℎ, 𝑘. If 𝑓-9 = 𝑓3, then for the
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the point with an x-coordinate of -9 and the point with an x-coordinate of 3 have the same y-coordinate.
In the xy-plane, a parabola is a symmetric graph such that when two points have the same y-coordinate, these points are
equidistant from the vertex, and the x-coordinate of the vertex is halfway between the x-coordinates of these two points.
Therefore, for the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, the points with x-coordinates -9 and 3 are equidistant from the vertex, ℎ, 𝑘, and ℎ is
-9 + 3
halfway between -9 and 3. The value that is halfway between -9 and 3 is , or -3. Therefore, ℎ = - 3. The equation
2
defining 𝑓 can also be written in vertex form, 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘. Substituting -3 for ℎ in this equation yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - -32 + 𝑘,
or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 32 + 𝑘. This equation is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 𝑘, or 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 6𝑎𝑥 + 9𝑎 + 𝑘. Since
4
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that 6𝑎 = 4 and 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐. Dividing both sides of the equation 6𝑎 = 4 by 6 yields 𝑎 = 6 , or
2 2 2
𝑎 = . Since < 1, it's not true that 𝑎 ≥ 1. Therefore, statement II isn't true. Substituting for 𝑎 in the equation 9𝑎 + 𝑘 = 𝑐
3 3 3
2
yields 9 3 + 𝑘 = 𝑐, or 6 + 𝑘 = 𝑐. Subtracting 6 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑘 = 𝑐 - 6. If 𝑘 < 0, then 𝑐 - 6 < 0, or
𝑐 < 6. Since 𝑐 could be any value less than 6, it's not necessarily true that 𝑐 < 0. Therefore, statement I isn't necessarily
true. Thus, neither I nor II must be true.

Question ID 841ef26c
ID: 841ef26c
The function is defined by . For what value of does reach its minimum?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 841ef26c Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 5. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 64𝑥 + 262, it follows that
2 2
𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥 + 5 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262. Expanding the quantity 𝑥 + 5 in this equation yields
𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 10𝑥 + 25 + 64𝑥 + 5 + 262. Distributing the 4 and the 64 yields
𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 40𝑥 + 100 + 64𝑥 + 320 + 262. Combining like terms yields 𝑓𝑥 + 5 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. Therefore,
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘
are constants and 𝑎 is positive, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum, 𝑘, when the value of 𝑥 is ℎ. The equation 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 104𝑥 + 682
can be rewritten in this form by completing the square. This equation is equivalent to 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26 + 682, or
2
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥2 + 26𝑥 + 169 - 169 + 682. This equation can be rewritten as 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 13 - 169 + 682, or
2 2 2
𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 13 - 4169 + 682, which is equivalent to 𝑔𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 13 + 6. This equation is in the form 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where
𝑎 = 4, ℎ = - 13, and 𝑘 = 6. Therefore, 𝑔𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is -13.
Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥, rather than 𝑔𝑥, reaches its minimum.
Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 - 5, rather than 𝑓𝑥 + 5, reaches its minimum.

Question ID d135f4bf
ID: d135f4bf
The function is defined by . In the xy-plane, the graph of is the result of

translating the graph of up units. What is the value of ?
ID: d135f4bf Answer

Correct Answer: 76
Rationale
The correct answer is 76. It's given that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 is the result of translating the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 up 4 units in the
xy-plane. It follows that the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 is the same as the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑔𝑥 for 𝑦 in the equation
𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4 yields 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 6. Substituting 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 6 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation
𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4 yields 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 2𝑥 + 6 + 4. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑔0 = 0 - 60 - 20 + 6 + 4, or 𝑔0 = 76.
Thus, the value of 𝑔0 is 76.

Question ID 271ffad7
ID: 271ffad7
A quadratic function models a projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in terms of the time, in seconds, after it was
launched. The model estimates that the projectile was launched from an initial height of meters above the ground and
reached a maximum height of meters above the ground seconds after the launch. How many seconds after the
launch does the model estimate that the projectile will return to a height of meters?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 271ffad7 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that a quadratic function models the projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in terms
of the time, in seconds, after it was launched. It follows that an equation representing the model can be written in the
2
form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑓𝑥 is the projectile's estimated height above the ground, in meters, 𝑥 seconds after the launch,
𝑎 is a constant, and 𝑘 is the maximum height above the ground, in meters, the model estimates the projectile reached ℎ
seconds after the launch. It's given that the model estimates the projectile reached a maximum height of 51.1 meters
above the ground 3 seconds after the launch. Therefore, 𝑘 = 51.1 and ℎ = 3. Substituting 51.1 for 𝑘 and 3 for ℎ in the
2 2
equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 3 + 51.1. It's also given that the model estimates that the projectile was
launched from an initial height of 7 meters above the ground. Therefore, when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑓𝑥 = 7. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 7 for
2 2
𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 3 + 51.1 yields 7 = 𝑎0 - 3 + 51.1, or 7 = 9𝑎 + 51.1. Subtracting 51.1 from both sides of this
equation yields -44.1 = 9𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 9 yields -4.9 = 𝑎. Substituting -4.9 for 𝑎 in the equation
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 32 + 51.1 yields 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 32 + 51.1. Therefore, the equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 32 + 51.1 models the projectile's
height, in meters, above the ground 𝑥 seconds after it was launched. The number of seconds after the launch that the
model estimates that the projectile will return to a height of 7 meters is the value of 𝑥 when 𝑓𝑥 = 7. Substituting 7 for 𝑓𝑥 in
2 2
𝑓𝑥 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 + 51.1 yields 7 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 + 51.1. Subtracting 51.1 from both sides of this equation yields
2 2
-44.1 = - 4.9𝑥 - 3 . Dividing both sides of this equation by -4.9 yields 9 = 𝑥 - 3 . Taking the square root of both sides of
this equation yields two equations: 3 = 𝑥 - 3 and -3 = 𝑥 - 3. Adding 3 to both sides of the equation 3 = 𝑥 - 3 yields 6 = 𝑥.
Adding 3 to both sides of the equation -3 = 𝑥 - 3 yields 0 = 𝑥. Since 0 seconds after the launch represents the time at
which the projectile was launched, 6 must be the number of seconds the model estimates that the projectile will return to a
height of 7 meters.
Alternate approach: It's given that a quadratic function models the projectile's height, in meters, above the ground in terms
of the time, in seconds, after it was launched. It's also given that the model estimates that the projectile was launched
from an initial height of 7 meters above the ground and reached a maximum height of 51.1 meters above the ground 3
seconds after the launch. Since the model is quadratic, and quadratic functions are symmetric, the model estimates that
for any given height less than the maximum height, the time the projectile takes to travel from the given height to the
maximum height is the same as the time the projectile takes to travel from the maximum height back to the given height.
Thus, since the model estimates the projectile took 3 seconds to travel from 7 meters above the ground to its maximum
height of 51.1 meters above the ground, the model also estimates the projectile will take 3 more seconds to travel from its
maximum height of 51.1 meters above the ground back to 7 meters above the ground. Thus, the model estimates that the
projectile will return to a height of 7 meters 3 seconds after it reaches its maximum height, which is 6 seconds after the
launch.
Choice A is incorrect. The model estimates that 3 seconds after the launch, the projectile reached a height of 51.1 meters,
not 7 meters.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question ID ee857afb
ID: ee857afb
The given equation relates the variables and . For what value of does the value of reach its minimum?
ID: ee857afb Answer

Correct Answer: 7
Rationale
The correct answer is 7. When an equation is of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the value of 𝑦
𝑏
reaches its minimum when 𝑥 = - . Since the given equation is of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, it follows that 𝑎 = 1,
2𝑎
-14
𝑏 = - 14, and 𝑐 = 22. Therefore, the value of 𝑦 reaches its minimum when 𝑥 = - , or 𝑥 = 7.
21

Question ID a45ffacb
ID: a45ffacb
Function is defined by , where and are constants. In the xy-plane, the graph of has a
y-intercept at . The product of and is . What is the value of ?
ID: a45ffacb Answer

Correct Answer: 5
Rationale
The correct answer is 5. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Substituting -𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 15 yields
99 99
𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 15. It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 15 is 0, - . Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and - for 𝑦 in the
7 7
99 99 99
equation 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 15 yields - 7
= - 𝑎0 + 𝑏 - 15, which is equivalent to -
7
= - 1 + 𝑏 - 15, or -
7
= 𝑏 - 16. Adding 16 to
13 65 65 13
both sides of this equation yields = 𝑏 . It’s given that the product of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is , or 𝑎𝑏 = . Substituting for 𝑏 in this
7 7 7 7
13 65 13
equation yields 𝑎 7 =
7
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 7
yields 𝑎 = 5.

Question ID 18e35375
ID: 18e35375
The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 18e35375 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 14𝑥 + 19, which can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 266. Since the coefficient of
the 𝑥2 -term is positive, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane opens upward and reaches its minimum value at its vertex. The
x-coordinate of the vertex is the value of 𝑥 such that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. For an equation in the form
𝑏
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the x-coordinate of the vertex is - . For the equation
2𝑎
5 5
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 266, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 5, and 𝑐 = - 266. It follows that the x-coordinate of the vertex is - , or - 2 . Therefore, 𝑓𝑥
21
5
reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - .
2
Alternate approach: The value of 𝑥 for the vertex of a parabola is the x-value of the midpoint between the two x-intercepts
of the parabola. Since it’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 14𝑥 + 19, it follows that the two x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-
plane occur when 𝑥 = 14 and 𝑥 = - 19, or at the points 14, 0 and -19, 0. The midpoint between two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 14 + -19 0 + 0 5
, is , . Therefore, the midpoint between 14, 0 and -19, 0 is , , or - , 0. It follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its
2 2 2 2 2
5
minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - 2 .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.
Choice B is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Question ID ce579859
ID: ce579859
A model estimates that at the end of each year from to , the number of squirrels in a population was
more than the number of squirrels in the population at the end of the previous year. The model estimates that at the end
of , there were squirrels in the population. Which of the following equations represents this model, where is the
estimated number of squirrels in the population years after the end of and ?
A. msup
B. msup
C. msup
D. msup
ID: ce579859 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since the model estimates that the number of squirrels in the population increased by a fixed
𝑝 𝑡
percentage, 150%, each year, the model can be represented by an exponential equation of the form 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 100 , where 𝑎
is the estimated number of squirrels in the population at the end of 2015, and the model estimates that at the end of each
year, the number is 𝑝% more than the number at the end of the previous year. Since the model estimates that at the end of
each year, the number was 150% more than the number at the end of the previous year, 𝑝 = 150. Substituting 150 for 𝑝 in
𝑝 𝑡 150 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡
the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 100 yields 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 100 , which is equivalent to 𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 1.5 , or 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5 . It’s given that the
estimated number of squirrels at the end of 2016 was 180. This means that when 𝑡 = 1, 𝑛 = 180. Substituting 1 for 𝑡 and
𝑡 1
180 for 𝑛 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5 yields 180 = 𝑎2.5 , or 180 = 2.5𝑎. Dividing each side of this equation by 2.5 yields
𝑡 𝑡
72 = 𝑎. Substituting 72 for 𝑎 in the equation 𝑛 = 𝑎2.5 yields 𝑛 = 722.5 .
Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a model where at the end of each year, the estimated number of squirrels
was 150% of, not 150% more than, the estimated number at the end of the previous year.
Choice C is incorrect. This equation represents a model where at the end of each year, the estimated number of squirrels
was 150% of, not 150% more than, the estimated number at the end of the previous year, and the estimated number of
squirrels at the end of 2015, not the end of 2016, was 180.
Choice D is incorrect. This equation represents a model where the estimated number of squirrels at the end of 2015, not
the end of 2016, was 180.

Question ID 2f51abc2
ID: 2f51abc2
The function is defined by the given equation. For which of the following values of does ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2f51abc2 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The value of 𝑘 for which 𝑓𝑘 = 3𝑘 can be found by substituting 𝑘 for 𝑥 and 3𝑘 for 𝑓𝑥 in the given
equation, 𝑓𝑥 = 59 - 2𝑥, which yields 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘. For this equation to be true, either -3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 or 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘. Adding
2𝑘 to both sides of the equation -3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields -𝑘 = 59. Dividing both sides of this equation by -1 yields 𝑘 = - 59. To
check whether -59 is the value of 𝑘, substituting -59 for 𝑘 in the equation 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields 3-59 = 59 - 2-59, which is
equivalent to -177 = 177, or -177 = 177, which isn't a true statement. Therefore, -59 isn't the value of 𝑘. Adding 2𝑘 to both
59
sides of the equation 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields 5𝑘 = 59. Dividing both sides of this equation by 5 yields 𝑘 = . To check whether 5
59 59 59 59 177 177
5
is the value of 𝑘, substituting 5
for 𝑘 in the equation 3𝑘 = 59 - 2𝑘 yields 3 5
= 59 - 2
5
, which is equivalent to 5
=
5
177 177 59
, or = , which is a true statement. Therefore, the value of 𝑘 for which 𝑓𝑘 = 3𝑘 is .
5 5 5

Question ID 9afe2370
ID: 9afe2370
The population P of a certain city y years after the last census is modeled by the equation below, where r is a constant
and is the population when .
If during this time the population of the city decreases by a fixed percent each
year, which of the following must be true?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 9afe2370 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The term (1 + r) represents a percent change. Since the population is decreasing, the percent change
must be between 0% and 100%. When the percent change is expressed as a decimal rather than as a percent, the
percentage change must be between 0 and 1. Because (1 + r) represents percent change, this can be expressed as 0 < 1 +
r < 1. Subtracting 1 from all three terms of this compound inequality results in –1 < r < 0.
Choice A is incorrect. If r < –1, then after 1 year, the population P would be a negative value, which is not possible. Choices
C and D are incorrect. For any value of r > 0, 1 + r > 1, and the exponential function models growth for positive values of
the exponent. This contradicts the given information that the population is decreasing.

Question ID b7c74b73
ID: b7c74b73
The function gives the value, in dollars, of a certain piece of equipment after months of use. If the value of the
equipment decreases each year by of its value the preceding year, what is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b7c74b73 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
𝑥
Choice C is correct. For a function of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑘 , where 𝑎, 𝑟, and 𝑘 are constants and 𝑟 < 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥
decreases by 1001 - 𝑟% for every increase of 𝑥 by 𝑘. In the given function, 𝑎 = 5,470, 𝑟 = 0.64, and 𝑘 = 12. Therefore, for
the given function, the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 1001 - 0.64%, or 36%, for every increase of 𝑥 by 12. Since 𝑓𝑥 represents
the value, in dollars, of the equipment after 𝑥 months of use, it follows that the value of the equipment decreases every 12
months by 36% of its value the preceding 12 months. Since there are 12 months in a year, the value of the equipment
decreases each year by 36% of its value the preceding year. Thus, the value of 𝑝 is 36.

Question ID f2d60b99
ID: f2d60b99
The function gives a metal ball's height above the ground , in inches, seconds after it
started moving on a track, where . Which of the following is the best interpretation of the vertex of the graph
of in the xy-plane?
A. The metal ball's minimum height was inches above the ground.
B. The metal ball's minimum height was inches above the ground.
C. The metal ball's height was inches above the ground when it started moving.
D. The metal ball's height was inches above the ground when it started moving.
ID: f2d60b99 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
2
Choice A is correct. The graph of a quadratic equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are positive constants,
1 2 2
is a parabola that opens upward with vertex ℎ, 𝑘. The given function 𝑓𝑥 = 9 𝑥 - 7 + 3 is in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where
1
𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥, 𝑎 = 9 , ℎ = 7, and 𝑘 = 3. Therefore, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is a parabola that opens upward with vertex 7, 3. Since the
parabola opens upward, the vertex is the lowest point on the graph. It follows that the y-coordinate of the vertex of the
1
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is the minimum value of 𝑓𝑥. Therefore, the minimum value of 𝑓𝑥 is 3. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 72 + 3
9
represents the metal ball’s height above the ground, in inches, 𝑥 seconds after it started moving on a track. Therefore, the
best interpretation of the vertex of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is that the metal ball’s minimum height was 3 inches above the
ground.

Question ID 1f353a9e
ID: 1f353a9e
The given function models the number of coupons a company sent to their customers at the end of each year, where
represents the number of years since the end of , and . If is graphed in the ty-plane, which of the
following is the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?
A. The minimum estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers during the years was .
B. The minimum estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers during the years was .
C. The estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of was .
D. The estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of was .
ID: 1f353a9e Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The y-intercept of a graph in the ty-plane is the point where 𝑡 = 0. For the given function 𝑓, the y-
𝑡
intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 in the ty-plane can be found by substituting 0 for 𝑡 in the equation 𝑦 = 8,0000 . 65 , which
0
gives 𝑦 = 8,0000 . 65 . This is equivalent to 𝑦 = 8,0001, or 𝑦 = 8,000. Therefore, the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 is
0, 8,000. It’s given that the function 𝑓 models the number of coupons a company sent to their customers at the end of
each year. Therefore, 𝑓𝑡 represents the estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of
each year. It's also given that 𝑡 represents the number of years since the end of 1998. Therefore, 𝑡 = 0 represents 0 years
since the end of 1998, or the end of 1998. Thus, the best interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑡 is that the
estimated number of coupons the company sent to their customers at the end of 1998 was 8,000.

Question ID 92f812bb
ID: 92f812bb
In the xy-plane, a parabola has vertex and intersects the x-axis at two points. If the equation of the parabola is
written in the form , where , , and are constants, which of the following could be the value of
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 92f812bb Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
2
Choice D is correct. The equation of a parabola in the xy-plane can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎 is a
constant and ℎ, 𝑘 is the vertex of the parabola. If 𝑎 is positive, the parabola will open upward, and if 𝑎 is negative, the
parabola will open downward. It’s given that the parabola has vertex 9, - 14. Substituting 9 for ℎ and -14 for 𝑘 in the
2 2
equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 gives 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 9 - 14, which can be rewritten as 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 9𝑥 - 9 - 14, or 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 18𝑥 + 81 - 14.
Distributing the factor of 𝑎 on the right-hand side of this equation yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 18𝑎𝑥 + 81𝑎 - 14. Therefore, the equation
of the parabola, 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 - 18𝑎𝑥 + 81𝑎 - 14, can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎 = 𝑎, 𝑏 = - 18𝑎, and
𝑐 = 81𝑎 - 14. Substituting -18𝑎 for 𝑏 and 81𝑎 - 14 for 𝑐 in the expression 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 yields 𝑎 + -18𝑎 + 81𝑎 - 14, or 64𝑎 - 14.
Since the vertex of the parabola, 9, - 14, is below the x-axis, and it’s given that the parabola intersects the x-axis at two
points, the parabola must open upward. Therefore, the constant 𝑎 must have a positive value. Setting the expression
64𝑎 - 14 equal to the value in choice D yields 64𝑎 - 14 = - 12. Adding 14 to both sides of this equation yields 64𝑎 = 2.
2
Dividing both sides of this equation by 64 yields 𝑎 = 64 , which is a positive value. Therefore, if the equation of the parabola
is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 could be - 12.
Choice A is incorrect. If the equation of a parabola with a vertex at 9, - 14 is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎,
𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants and 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = - 23, then the value of 𝑎 will be negative, which means the parabola will open
downward, not upward, and will intersect the x-axis at zero points, not two points.
Choice B is incorrect. If the equation of a parabola with a vertex at 9, - 14 is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎,
𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants and 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = - 19, then the value of 𝑎 will be negative, which means the parabola will open
downward, not upward, and will intersect the x-axis at zero points, not two points.
Choice C is incorrect. If the equation of a parabola with a vertex at 9, - 14 is written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎,
𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants and 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = - 14, then the value of 𝑎 will be 0, which is inconsistent with the equation of a
parabola.

Question ID 0121a235
ID: 0121a235
x p(x)
The table above gives selected values of a polynomial function p. Based on the
values in the table, which of the following must be a factor of p ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0121a235 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. According to the table, when x is or 2, . Therefore, two x-intercepts of the graph of p are
and . Since and are x-intercepts, it follows that and are factors of the polynomial
equation. This is because when , the value of is 0. Similarly, when , the value of is 0. Therefore,
the product is a factor of the polynomial function p.
Choice A is incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice B is
incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice C is incorrect.
The factors and correspond to x-intercepts and , respectively, which aren’t present in the table.

Question ID bba18ecb
ID: bba18ecb
When the quadratic function is graphed in the xy-plane, where , its vertex is . One of the x-intercepts of
this graph is . What is the other x-intercept of the graph?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: bba18ecb Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Since the line of symmetry for the graph of a quadratic function contains the vertex of the graph, the x-
coordinate of the vertex of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 is the x-coordinate of the midpoint of its two x-intercepts. The midpoint of
𝑥 +𝑥
two points with x-coordinates 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 has x-coordinate 𝑥𝑚, where 𝑥𝑚 = 1 2 . It′s given that the vertex is -3, 6 and one of
2
17
17 17 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 - + 𝑥2
the x-intercepts is - , 0. Substituting -3 for 𝑥𝑚 and
- for 𝑥1 in the equation 𝑥𝑚 = yields -3 = 4 . Multiplying
4 4 2 2
17 17 7
each side of this equation by 2 yields -6 = - 4 + 𝑥2 . Adding 4 to each side of this equation yields - 4 = 𝑥2 . Therefore, the
7
other x-intercept is - 4 , 0.

Question ID 70753f99
ID: 70753f99
The function f is defined by . The graph of f in the xy-plane

is a parabola. Which of the following intervals contains the x-coordinate of the
vertex of the graph of f ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 70753f99 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The graph of a quadratic function in the xy-plane is a parabola. The axis of symmetry of the parabola
passes through the vertex of the parabola. Therefore, the vertex of the parabola and the midpoint of the segment
between the two x-intercepts of the graph have the same x-coordinate. Since , the x-coordinate of the
vertex is . Of the shown intervals, only the interval in choice B contains –2. Choices A, C, and D are
incorrect and may result from either calculation errors or misidentification of the graph’s x-intercepts.

Question ID 58dcc59f
ID: 58dcc59f
A landscaper is designing a rectangular garden. The length of the garden is to be

5 feet longer than the width. If the area of the garden will be 104 square feet,
what will be the length, in feet, of the garden?
ID: 58dcc59f Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 13. Let w represent the width of the rectangular garden, in feet. Since the length of the garden will
be 5 feet longer than the width of the garden, the length of the garden will be feet. Thus the area of the garden will
be . It is also given that the area of the garden will be 104 square feet. Therefore, , which is
equivalent to . Factoring this equation results in . Therefore, and

. Because width cannot be negative, the width of the garden must be 8 feet. This means the length of the
garden must be feet.

Question ID 2d1614a1
ID: 2d1614a1
The function models the population, in thousands, of a certain city years after . According to the model, the
population is predicted to increase by every months. What is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 2d1614a1 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that the function 𝑃 models the population of the city 𝑡 years after 2005. Since there are 12
18 18
months in a year, 18 months is equivalent to 12 years. Therefore, the expression 12
𝑥 can represent the number of years in
4 18
18 18 𝑥
𝑥 18-month periods. Substituting 12
𝑥 for 𝑡 in the given equation yields 𝑃 𝑥
12
= 2901.04 6 12 , which is equivalent to
18 𝑥
𝑃 𝑥 = 2901.04 . Therefore, for each 18-month period, the predicted population of the city is 1.04 times, or 104% of, the
12
previous population. This means that the population is predicted to increase by 4% every 18 months.
Choice B is incorrect. Each year, the predicted population of the city is 1.04 times the previous year's predicted population,
which is not the same as an increase of 1.04%.

Question ID 84dd43f8
ID: 84dd43f8
For the function , , and for each increase in by , the value of decreases by . What is the value of
?
ID: 84dd43f8 Answer

Correct Answer: 3.44, 86/25
Rationale
The correct answer is 3.44. It’s given that 𝑓0 = 86 and that for each increase in 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 80%.
Because the output of the function decreases by a constant percentage for each 1-unit increase in the value of 𝑥, this
relationship can be represented by an exponential function of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑏 𝑥, where 𝑎 represents the initial value of the
function and 𝑏 represents the rate of decay,
expressed as a decimal. Because 𝑓0 = 86, the value of 𝑎 must be 86. Because the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 80% for each 1
-unit increase in 𝑥, the value of 𝑏 must be ( 1 − 0 . 80 ) , or 0 . 2. Therefore, the function 𝑓 can be defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 860 . 2𝑥.
Substituting 2 for 𝑥 in this function yields 𝑓2 = 860 . 22 , which is equivalent to 𝑓2 = 860 . 04, or 𝑓2 = 3 . 44. Either 3.44 or
86 / 25 may be entered as the correct answer.
Alternate approach: It’s given that 𝑓0 = 86 and that for each increase in 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 80%.
Therefore, when 𝑥 = 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is ( 100 − 80 ) %, or 20%, of 86, which can be expressed as 0 . 2086. Since
0 . 2086 = 17 . 2, the value of 𝑓1 is 17.2. Similarly, when 𝑥 = 2, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 20% of 17.2, which can be expressed as
0 . 2017 . 2. Since 0 . 2017 . 2 = 3 . 44, the value of 𝑓2 is 3.44. Either 3.44 or 86 / 25 may be entered as the correct answer.

Question ID 59d1f4b5
ID: 59d1f4b5
The equation above models the number of members, M, of a gym t years after the
gym opens. Of the following, which equation models the number of members of
the gym q quarter years after the gym opens?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 59d1f4b5 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. In 1 year, there are 4 quarter years, so the number of quarter years, q, is 4 times the number of years, t ;
that is, . This is equivalent to , and substituting this into the expression for M in terms of t gives
Choices B and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly using instead of . (Choices B and D are
nearly the same since is equivalent to , which is approximately .) Choice C is incorrect and may
be the result of incorrectly using and unnecessarily dividing 0.02 by 4.

Question ID 01668cd6
ID: 01668cd6
The functions and are defined by the given equations, where . Which of the following equations displays, as a
constant or coefficient, the maximum value of the function it defines, where ?
I.
II.
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II
D. Neither I nor II
ID: 01668cd6 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. Functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both exponential functions with a base of 0.40. Since 0.40 is less than 1,
functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both decreasing exponential functions. This means that 𝑓𝑥 and 𝑔𝑥 decrease as 𝑥 increases. Since 𝑓𝑥
and 𝑔𝑥 decrease as 𝑥 increases, the maximum value of each function occurs at the least value of 𝑥 for which the function
is defined. It's given that functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined for 𝑥 ≥ 0. Therefore, the maximum value of each function occurs at
𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation defining 𝑓 yields 𝑓0 = 330.40 + 3 , which is equivalent to 𝑓0 = 330.43 , or
𝑥+3
𝑓0 = 2.112. Therefore, the maximum value of 𝑓 is 2.112. Since the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 330.4 doesn't display the value 2.112,
the equation defining 𝑓 doesn't display the maximum value of 𝑓. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation defining 𝑔 yields
1 1
𝑔0 = 330.160.40 - 2 , which can be rewritten as 𝑔0 = 330.16 2 , or 𝑔0 = 330.16 , which is equivalent to 𝑔0 = 33.
0.4 0.16
𝑥-2
Therefore, the maximum value of 𝑔 is 33. Since the equation 𝑔𝑥 = 330.160.4 displays the value 33, the equation
defining 𝑔 displays the maximum value of 𝑔. Thus, only equation II displays, as a constant or coefficient, the maximum
value of the function it defines.

Question ID ef926848
ID: ef926848
Square P has a side length of inches. Square Q has a perimeter that is inches greater than the perimeter of square P.
The function gives the area of square Q, in square inches. Which of the following defines ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: ef926848 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. Let 𝑥 represent the side length, in inches, of square P. It follows that the perimeter of square P is 4𝑥
inches. It's given that square Q has a perimeter that is 176 inches greater than the perimeter of square P. Thus, the
perimeter of square Q is 176 inches greater than 4𝑥 inches, or 4𝑥 + 176 inches. Since the perimeter of a square is 4 times
4𝑥 + 176
the side length of the square, each side length of Q is 4
, or 𝑥 + 44 inches. Since the area of a square is calculated by
multiplying the length of two sides, the area of square Q is 𝑥 + 44𝑥 + 44, or 𝑥 + 442 square inches. It follows that function
2
𝑓 is defined by 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 44 .
Choice B is incorrect. This function represents a square with side lengths 𝑥 + 176 inches.
Choice C is incorrect. This function represents a square with side lengths 176𝑥 + 44 inches.
Choice D is incorrect. This function represents a square with side lengths 176𝑥 + 176 inches.

Question ID 635f54ee
ID: 635f54ee
The surface area of a cube is , where a is a positive constant. Which of

the following gives the perimeter of one face of the cube?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 635f54ee Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. A cube has 6 faces of equal area, so if the total surface area of a cube is , then the area of one
face is . Likewise, the area of one face of a cube is the square of one of its edges; therefore, if the area of one face is
, then the length of one edge of the cube is . Since the perimeter of one face of a cube is four times the length of
one edge, the perimeter is .
Choice A is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is , then the total surface area of the cube is
, which is not . Choice C is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is 4a, then
the total surface area of the cube is , which is not . Choice D is incorrect because if the perimeter
of one face of the cube is 6a, then the total surface area of the cube is , which is not .

Question ID de39858a
ID: de39858a
The function is defined by , where and are positive constants. The graph of in the -plane
passes through the points ( , ) and ( , ). What is the value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: de39858a Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the function ℎ is defined by ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 and that the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ ( 𝑥 ) in the xy-plane
325
passes through the points 0, 10 and -2, . Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 10 for ℎ𝑥 in the equation ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields
36
325
10 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏, or 10 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from both sides of this equation yields 9 = 𝑏. Substituting -2 for 𝑥 and 36
for ℎ𝑥
325 1
in the equation ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑎 + 9 yields
𝑥
= 𝑎 + 9. Subtracting 9 from both sides of this equation yields 36 = 𝑎 , which
-2 -2
36
2
can be rewritten as 𝑎 = 36. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = 6 and 𝑎 = - 6, but because
it’s given that 𝑎 is a positive constant, 𝑎 must equal 6. Because the value of 𝑎 is 6 and the value of 𝑏 is 9, the value of 𝑎𝑏 is
( 6 ) ( 9 ) , or 54.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the value of 𝑎-2 𝑏 rather than the value of 𝑎𝑏.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly finding the value of 𝑎 as 6, but multiplying it by the y-value in the first
ordered pair rather than by the value of 𝑏.

Question ID 1178f2df
ID: 1178f2df
The table shows three values of and their corresponding values of , where and is a quadratic function.
What is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of in the xy-plane?
ID: 1178f2df Answer

Correct Answer: -2112
Rationale
The correct answer is -2,112. It's given that 𝑓 is a quadratic function. It follows that 𝑓 can be defined by an equation of the
form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are constants. It's also given that the table shows three values of 𝑥 and their
2 2
corresponding values of 𝑦, where 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 for 𝑓𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 + 4. This
equation represents a quadratic relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦, where 𝑘 + 4 is either the maximum or the minimum value of
𝑦, which occurs when 𝑥 = ℎ. For quadratic relationships between 𝑥 and 𝑦, the maximum or minimum value of 𝑦 occurs at
the value of 𝑥 halfway between any two values of 𝑥 that have the same corresponding value of 𝑦. The table shows that x-
values of 21 and 25 correspond to the same y-value, -8. Since 23 is halfway between 21 and 25, the maximum or
minimum value of 𝑦 occurs at an x-value of 23. The table shows that when 𝑥 = 23, 𝑦 = 8. It follows that ℎ = 23 and
𝑘 + 4 = 8. Subtracting 4 from both sides of the equation 𝑘 + 4 = 8 yields 𝑘 = 4. Substituting 23 for ℎ and 4 for 𝑘 in the
2 2 2
equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 + 4 yields 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 23 + 4 + 4, or 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 - 23 + 8. The value of 𝑎 can be found by substituting
any x-value and its corresponding y-value for 𝑥 and 𝑦, respectively, in this equation. Substituting 25 for 𝑥 and -8 for 𝑦 in this
2
equation yields -8 = 𝑎25 - 23 + 8, or -8 = 𝑎22 + 8. Subtracting 8 from both sides of this equation yields -16 = 𝑎22 , or
-16 = 4𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 yields -4 = 𝑎. Substituting -4 for 𝑎, 23 for ℎ, and 4 for 𝑘 in the equation
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = - 4𝑥 - 232 + 4. The y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is the point on the graph
where 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = - 4𝑥 - 232 + 4 yields 𝑓0 = - 40 - 232 + 4, or 𝑓0 = - 4-232 + 4. This is
equivalent to 𝑓0 = - 2,112, so the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is 0, - 2,112. Thus, the y-coordinate of
the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane is -2,112.

Question ID 84e8cc72
ID: 84e8cc72
A quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms of the time, in seconds, after the
object is launched off an elevated surface. The model indicates the object has an initial height of feet above the ground
and reaches its maximum height of feet above the ground seconds after being launched. Based on the model,
what is the height, in feet, of the object above the ground seconds after being launched?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 84e8cc72 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It's given that a quadratic function models the height, in feet, of an object above the ground in terms of
the time, in seconds, after the object is launched off an elevated surface. This quadratic function can be defined by an
equation of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑘, where 𝑓𝑥 is the height of the object 𝑥 seconds after it was launched, and 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘
are constants such that the function reaches its maximum value, 𝑘, when 𝑥 = ℎ. Since the model indicates the object
reaches its maximum height of 1,034 feet above the ground 8 seconds after being launched, 𝑓𝑥 reaches its maximum
value, 1,034, when 𝑥 = 8. Therefore, 𝑘 = 1,034 and ℎ = 8. Substituting 8 for ℎ and 1,034 for 𝑘 in the function
2 2
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘 yields 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 8 + 1,034. Since the model indicates the object has an initial height of 10 feet above the
2
ground, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 10 when 𝑥 = 0. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 10 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - 8 + 1,034 yields
10 = 𝑎0 - 82 + 1,034, or 10 = 64𝑎 + 1,034. Subtracting 1,034 from both sides of this equation yields 64𝑎 = - 1,024.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 64 yields 𝑎 = - 16. Therefore, the model can be represented by the equation
2 2
𝑓𝑥 = - 16𝑥 - 8 + 1,034. Substituting 10 for 𝑥 in this equation yields 𝑓10 = - 1610 - 8 + 1,034, or 𝑓10 = 970. Therefore,
based on the model, 10 seconds after being launched, the height of the object above the ground is 970 feet.

Question ID cd358b89
ID: cd358b89
Function is defined by . Function is defined by . The graph of

in the xy-plane has x-intercepts at , , and , where , , and are distinct constants. What is the
value of ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: cd358b89 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 - 1. Since 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 1, it follows that 𝑓𝑥 - 1 = 𝑥 - 1 + 6𝑥 - 1 + 5𝑥 - 1 + 1.

Combining like terms yields 𝑓𝑥 - 1 = 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 4𝑥. Therefore, 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 4. The x-intercepts of a graph in the xy-plane
are the points where 𝑦 = 0. The x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 in the xy-plane can be found by
solving the equation 0 = 𝑥𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 4. Applying the zero product property to this equation yields three equations: 𝑥 = 0,
𝑥 + 5 = 0, and 𝑥 + 4 = 0. Solving each of these equations for 𝑥 yields 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = - 5, and 𝑥 = - 4, respectively. Therefore,
the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔𝑥 are 0, 0, -5, 0, and -4, 0. It follows that the values of 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are 0, -5, and -4.
Thus, the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 is 0 + -5 + -4, which is equal to -9.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 1.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 - 1 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 5𝑥 - 1.
Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 if 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 6𝑥 - 5𝑥 - 1.

Question ID 4b642eef
ID: 4b642eef
The total distance d, in meters, traveled by an object moving in a straight line can
be modeled by a quadratic function that is defined in terms of t, where t is the
time in seconds. At a time of 10.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by the
object is 50.0 meters, and at a time of 20.0 seconds, the total distance traveled
by the object is 200.0 meters. If the object was at a distance of 0 meters when
, then what is the total distance traveled, in meters, by the object after 30.0
seconds?
ID: 4b642eef Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 450. The quadratic equation that models this situation can be written in the form ,
where a, b, and c are constants. It’s given that the distance, d, the object traveled was 0 meters when seconds.
These values can be substituted into the equation to solve for a, b, and c: . Therefore, , and it
follows that . Since it’s also given that d is 50 when t is 10 and d is 200 when t is 20, these values for d and t
can be substituted to create a system of two linear equations: and , or
and . Subtracting the first equation from the second equation yields , or .
Substituting for a in the first equation and solving for b yields . Therefore, the equation that represents this
situation is . Evaluating this function when seconds yields , or meters.

Question ID 6d9e01a2
ID: 6d9e01a2
The given equation defines the function . For what value of does reach its minimum?
ID: 6d9e01a2 Answer

Correct Answer: 25/4, 6.25
Rationale
25 2
The correct answer is 4
. The given equation can be rewritten in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are constants.
When 𝑎 > 0, ℎ is the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. The given equation can be rewritten as
50 50 50 2 50 2
𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 -
4
𝑥 + 126, which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥2 - 4
𝑥+
8
-
8
+ 126. This equation can be rewritten as
50 2 50 2 50 2
50 2 25 2 121 25
𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - 8 - 8 + 126, or 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - - 4 8 + 126, which is equivalent
8
to 𝑓𝑥 = 4𝑥 - 4
- 4
. Therefore, ℎ = 4
, so the
25
value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum is 4 . Note that 25/4 and 6.25 are examples of ways to enter a correct
answer.

Question ID 9f2ecade
ID: 9f2ecade
The function h is defined above, where a, b, and c are integer constants. If the
zeros of the function are 6, and 7, what is the value of c ?
ID: 9f2ecade Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 210. Since , 6, and 7 are zeros of the function, the function can be rewritten as
. Expanding the function yields . Thus, , , and

. Therefore, the value of c is 210.

Question ID 0e61101e
ID: 0e61101e
The function is defined by the given equation. If , which of the following equations defines the function
?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 0e61101e Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥+2
Choice B is correct. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 94 and 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 2. Substituting 𝑥 + 2 for 𝑥 in 𝑓𝑥 = 94 gives 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 94 .
Rewriting this equation using properties of exponents gives 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 94𝑥42 , which is equivalent to 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 94𝑥16.
Multiplying 9 and 16 in this equation gives 𝑓𝑥 + 2 = 1444𝑥. Since 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 2, 𝑔𝑥 = 1444𝑥.

Question ID 04bbce67
ID: 04bbce67
ID: 04bbce67 Answer

Correct Answer: -7
Rationale
2
The correct answer is -7. For a quadratic function defined by an equation of the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘
are constants and 𝑎 > 0, the function reaches its minimum when 𝑥 = ℎ. In the given function, 𝑎 = 1, ℎ = - 7, and 𝑘 = 4.
Therefore, the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum is -7.

Question ID 6f5540a5
ID: 6f5540a5
Kao measured the temperature of a cup of hot chocolate placed in a room with a
constant temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The temperature of the hot
chocolate was 185°F at 6:00 p.m. when it started cooling. The temperature of the
hot chocolate was 156°F at 6:05 p.m. and 135°F at 6:10 p.m. The hot chocolate’s
temperature continued to decrease. Of the following functions, which best
models the temperature , in degrees Fahrenheit, of Kao’s hot chocolate
m minutes after it started cooling?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 6f5540a5 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The hot chocolate cools from 185°F over time, never going lower than the room temperature, 70°F.
Since the base of the exponent in this function, 0.75, is less than 1, decreases as time increases. Using the function,
the temperature, in °F, at 6:00 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to . The temperature,
in °F, at 6:05 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which is approximately 156°F. Finally, the
temperature, in °F, at 6:10 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which is approximately
135°F. Since these three given values of m and their corresponding values for can be verified using the function
, this is the best function out of the given choices to model the temperature of Kao’s hot
chocolate after m minutes.
Choice A is incorrect because the base of the exponent, , results in the value of increasing over time rather than
decreasing. Choice B is incorrect because when m is large enough, becomes less than 70. Choice C is incorrect
because the maximum value of at 6:00 p.m. is 115°F, not 185°F.

Question ID 1fe10d97
ID: 1fe10d97
The given function models the population of Lowell years after a census. Which of the following functions best models
the population of Lowell months after the census?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 1fe10d97 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the function 𝑝 models the population of Lowell 𝑡 years after a census. Since there are 12
𝑚 𝑚
months in a year, 𝑚 months after the census is equivalent to 12 years after the census. Substituting 12 for 𝑡 in the
𝑚
𝑚
equation 𝑝𝑡 = 90,0001.06𝑡 yields 𝑝 = 90,0001.06 . Therefore, the function 𝑟 that best models the population of Lowell
12
12 𝑚
𝑚 months after the census is 𝑟𝑚 = 90,0001.06 12 .

Question ID b73ee6cf
ID: b73ee6cf
The population of a town is currently 50,000, and the population is estimated to

increase each year by 3% from the previous year. Which of the following
equations can be used to estimate the number of years, t, it will take for the
population of the town to reach 60,000 ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: b73ee6cf Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Stating that the population will increase each year by 3% from the previous year is equivalent to saying
that the population each year will be 103% of the population the year before. Since the initial population is 50,000, the
population after t years is given by 50,000(1.03)t. It follows that the equation 60,000 = 50,000(1.03)t can be used to
estimate the number of years it will take for the population to reach 60,000.
Choice A is incorrect. This equation models how long it will take the population to decrease from 60,000 to 50,000, which
is impossible given the growth factor. Choice B is incorrect and may result from misinterpreting a 3% growth as growth by
a factor of 3. Additionally, this equation attempts to model how long it will take the population to decrease from 60,000 to
50,000. Choice C is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding how to model percent growth by multiplying the
initial amount by a factor greater than 1.

Question ID 08d03fe4
ID: 08d03fe4
For the exponential function , the value of is , where is a constant. Which of the following equivalent forms of the
function shows the value of as the coefficient or the base?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 08d03fe4 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
𝑥-1 1 -1
Choice C is correct. For the form of the function in choice C, 𝑓𝑥 = 1281.6 , the value of 𝑓1 can be found as 1281.6 ,
0 𝑥-1
which is equivalent to 1281.6 , or 128. Therefore, 𝑘 = 128, which is shown in 𝑓𝑥 = 1281.6 as the coefficient.

Question ID 7eed640d
ID: 7eed640d
The quadratic function above models the height above the ground h, in feet, of a
projectile x seconds after it had been launched vertically. If is graphed in
the xy-plane, which of the following represents the real-life meaning of the
positive x-intercept of the graph?
A. The initial height of the projectile
B. The maximum height of the projectile
C. The time at which the projectile reaches its maximum height
D. The time at which the projectile hits the ground
ID: 7eed640d Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The positive x-intercept of the graph of is a point for which . Since
models the height above the ground, in feet, of the projectile, a y-value of 0 must correspond to the height of the projectile
when it is 0 feet above ground or, in other words, when the projectile is on the ground. Since x represents the time since the
projectile was launched, it follows that the positive x-intercept, , represents the time at which the projectile hits the
ground.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from misidentifying the y-intercept as a positive x-intercept. Choice B is incorrect and
may result from misidentifying the y-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from misidentifying the x-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept.

Question ID 43926bd9
ID: 43926bd9
For the exponential function f, the table above shows several values of x and their corresponding values of , where
a is a constant greater than 1. If k is a constant and , what is the value of k ?
ID: 43926bd9 Answer
Rationale
The correct answer is 8. The values of for the exponential function f shown in the table increase by a factor of for
each increase of 1 in x. This relationship can be represented by the equation , where b is a constant. It’s
given that when , . Substituting 2 for x and for into yields . Since
, it follows that . Thus, an equation that defines the function f is . It follows that the
value of k such that can be found by solving the equation , which yields .

Question ID 4d037075
ID: 4d037075
The rational function is defined by an equation in the form , where and are constants. The partial graph
of is shown. If , which equation could define function ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 4d037075 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
𝑎
Choice C is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = and that the graph shown is a partial graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥. Substituting 𝑦 for 𝑓𝑥 in
𝑥+𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑦 = . The graph passes through the point -7, - 2. Substituting -7 for 𝑥 and -2 for 𝑦 in the
𝑥+𝑏 𝑥+𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
equation 𝑦 = yields -2 = . Multiplying each side of this equation by -7 + 𝑏 yields -2-7 + 𝑏 = 𝑎, or 14 - 2𝑏 = 𝑎. The
𝑥+𝑏 -7 + 𝑏
𝑎 𝑎
graph also passes through the point -5, - 6. Substituting -5 for 𝑥 and -6 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑥+𝑏
yields -6 = -5 + 𝑏
.
Multiplying each side of this equation by -5 + 𝑏 yields -6-5 + 𝑏 = 𝑎, or 30 - 6𝑏 = 𝑎. Substituting 14 - 2𝑏 for 𝑎 in this
equation yields 30 - 6𝑏 = 14 - 2𝑏. Adding 6𝑏 to each side of this equation yields 30 = 14 + 4𝑏. Subtracting 14 from each
side of this equation yields 16 = 4𝑏. Dividing each side of this equation by 4 yields 4 = 𝑏. Substituting 4 for 𝑏 in the
𝑎 6
equation 14 - 2𝑏 = 𝑎 yields 14 - 24 = 𝑎, or 6 = 𝑎. Substituting 6 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = yields 𝑓𝑥 = .
𝑥+𝑏 𝑥+4
6 6
It's given that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 + 4. Substituting 𝑥 + 4 for 𝑥 in the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥+4
yields 𝑓𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥+4 +4
, which is equivalent to
6 6
𝑓𝑥 + 4 =
𝑥+8
. It follows that 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑥+8
.
Choice A is incorrect. This could define function 𝑔 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 - 4.
Choice B is incorrect. This could define function 𝑔 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥.
Choice D is incorrect. This could define function 𝑔 if 𝑔𝑥 = 𝑓𝑥 · 𝑥 + 4.

Question ID 4d7064a6
ID: 4d7064a6
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 4d7064a6 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 13, which can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 3𝑥 - 130. Since the coefficient of
the 𝑥2 -term is positive, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane opens upward and reaches its minimum value at its vertex. The
x-coordinate of the vertex is the value of 𝑥 such that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. For an equation in the form
𝑏
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the x-coordinate of the vertex is - . For the equation
2𝑎
3 3
𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 3𝑥 - 130, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 3, and 𝑐 = - 130. It follows that the x-coordinate of the vertex is - , or - 2 . Therefore, 𝑓𝑥
21
3
reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - .
2
Alternate approach: The value of 𝑥 for the vertex of a parabola is the x-value of the midpoint between the two x-intercepts
of the parabola. Since it’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 10𝑥 + 13, it follows that the two x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-
plane occur when 𝑥 = 10 and 𝑥 = - 13, or at the points 10, 0 and -13, 0. The midpoint between two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2
𝑥 +𝑥 𝑦 +𝑦 10 + -13 0 + 0 3
, is 1 2 , 1 2 . Therefore, the midpoint between 10, 0 and -13, 0 is , , or - , 0. It follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its
2 2 2 2 2
3
minimum when the value of 𝑥 is - 2 .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.
Choice B is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Question ID 1853bb35
ID: 1853bb35
For the function , the value of decreases by for every increase in the value of by . If , which
equation defines ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
ID: 1853bb35 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since the value of 𝑞𝑥 decreases by a fixed percentage, 45%, for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1,
the function 𝑞 is a decreasing exponential function. A decreasing exponential function can be written in the form
𝑝 𝑥
𝑞𝑥 = 𝑎1 -
100
, where 𝑎 is the value of 𝑞0 and the value of 𝑞𝑥 decreases by 𝑝% for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1. If
𝑞0 = 14, then 𝑎 = 14. Since the value of 𝑞𝑥 decreases by 45% for every increase in the value of 𝑥 by 1, 𝑝 = 45. Substituting
𝑝 𝑥 45 𝑥 𝑥
14 for 𝑎 and 45 for 𝑝 in the equation 𝑞𝑥 = 𝑎1 - yields 𝑞𝑥 = 141 - , which is equivalent to 𝑞𝑥 = 141 - 0.45 , or
100 100
𝑥
𝑞𝑥 = 140.55 .
Choice D is incorrect. For this function, the value of 𝑞𝑥 increases, rather than decreases, by 45% for every increase in the
value of 𝑥 by 1.

Question ID a8ae0d22
ID: a8ae0d22
Two variables, and , are related such that for each increase of in the value of , the value of increases by a factor of
. When , . Which equation represents this relationship?
A. msup
B. msup
C. msup
D. msup
ID: a8ae0d22 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. Since the value of 𝑦 increases by a constant factor, 4, for each increase of 1 in the value of 𝑥, the
relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 is exponential. An exponential relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 can be represented by an
𝑥
equation of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 , where 𝑎 is the value of 𝑥 when 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 increases by a factor of 𝑏 for each increase of 1
in the value of 𝑥. Since 𝑦 = 200 when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑎 = 200. Since 𝑦 increases by a factor of 4 for each increase of 1 in the value
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
of 𝑥, 𝑏 = 4. Substituting 200 for 𝑎 and 4 for 𝑏 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 yields 𝑦 = 2004 . Thus, the equation 𝑦 = 2004
represents the relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.
Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a relationship where for each increase of 1 in the value of 𝑥, the value of 𝑦
increases by a factor of 200, not 4, and when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 is equal to 4, not 200.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question ID a7711fe8
ID: a7711fe8
What is the minimum value of the function f

defined by ?
A.
B.
C. 2
D. 4
ID: a7711fe8 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. The given quadratic function f is in vertex form, , where is the vertex of the
graph of in the xy-plane. Therefore, the vertex of the graph of is . In addition, the y-coordinate
of the vertex represents either the minimum or maximum value of a quadratic function, depending on whether the graph
of the function opens upward or downward. Since the leading coefficient of f (the coefficient of the term ) is 1,
which is positive, the graph of opens upward. It follows that at , the minimum value of the function f is
.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from making a sign error and from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice D is incorrect and may result from making a
sign error.

Question ID 1a722d7d
ID: 1a722d7d
Let the function p be defined as , where c is a constant.

If , what is the value of ?
A. 10.00
B. 10.25
C. 10.75
D. 11.00
ID: 1a722d7d Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The value of p(12) depends on the value of the constant c, so the value of c must first be determined.
It is given that p(c) = 10. Based on the definition of p, it follows that:
This means that for all values of x. Therefore:

Choice A is incorrect. It is the value of p(8), not p(12). Choices B and C are incorrect. If one of these values were correct,
then x = 12 and the selected value of p(12) could be substituted into the equation to solve for c. However, the values of c
that result from choices B and C each result in p(c) < 10.

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Question ID 91e7ea5e

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The quadratic function h is defined as shown. In the xy-plane, the graph of

ID: 91e7ea5e Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 8490cc45 Answer

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: a9084ca4 Answer

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 2c6f214f Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: b8f13a3a Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 7902bed0 Answer

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 4a0d0399 Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The revenue , in dollars, that a company receives from sales of a product is

A. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0

D. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make

ID: 9654add7 Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

A culture of bacteria is growing at an exponential rate, as shown in the table

ID: 263f9937 Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 4dd4efcf Answer

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 841ef26c Answer

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

The function is defined by . In the xy-plane, the graph of is the result of

ID: d135f4bf Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 271ffad7 Answer

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

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions