Question ID 6d99b141

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 6d99b141

In the figure, . The measure of angle is , and the measure of angle is . What is the
value of ?

ID: 6d99b141 Answer

Correct Answer: 83

Rationale
The correct answer is 83. It's given that in the figure, 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐶𝐷. Thus, triangle 𝐴𝐶𝐷 is an isosceles triangle and the
measure of angle 𝐶𝐷𝐴 is equal to the measure of angle 𝐶𝐴𝐷. The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle
is 180°. Thus, the sum of the measures of the interior angles of triangle 𝐴𝐶𝐷 is 180°. It's given that the measure of angle
𝐴𝐶𝐷 is 104°. It follows that the sum of the measures of angles 𝐶𝐷𝐴 and 𝐶𝐴𝐷 is 180 - 104°, or 76°. Since the measure of
angle 𝐶𝐷𝐴 is equal to the measure of angle 𝐶𝐴𝐷, the measure of angle 𝐶𝐷𝐴 is half of 76°, or 38°. The sum of the
measures of the interior angles of triangle 𝐵𝐷𝐸 is 180°. It's given that the measure of angle 𝐸𝐵𝐶 is 45°. Since the
measure of angle 𝐵𝐷𝐸, which is the same angle as angle 𝐶𝐷𝐴, is 38°, it follows that the measure of angle 𝐷𝐸𝐵 is
180 - 45 - 38°, or 97°. Since angle 𝐷𝐸𝐵 and angle 𝐴𝐸𝐵 form a straight line, the sum of the measures of these angles is
180°. It's given in the figure that the measure of angle 𝐴𝐸𝐵 is 𝑥°. It follows that 97 + 𝑥 = 180. Subtracting 97 from both
sides of this equation yields 𝑥 = 83.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4b7bb316
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 4b7bb316

The length of each edge of a box is inches. Each side of the box is in the shape of a square. The box does not have a
lid. What is the exterior surface area, in square inches, of this box without a lid?

ID: 4b7bb316 Answer

Correct Answer: 4205

Rationale
The correct answer is 4,205. The exterior surface area of a figure is the sum of the areas of all its faces. It's given that the
box does not have a lid and that each side of the box is in the shape of a square. Therefore, the box consists of 5
congruent square faces. It's also given that the length of each edge is 29 inches. Let 𝑠 represent the length of an edge of
a square. It follows that the area of a square is equal to 𝑠2 . Therefore, the area of each of the 5 square faces is equal to
2
29 , or 841, square inches. Since the box consists of 5 congruent square faces, it follows that the sum of the areas of all
its faces, or the exterior surface area of this box without a lid, is 5841, or 4,205, square inches.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e10d8313
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: e10d8313

In the figure shown, points , , , and lie on line segment , and line segment intersects line segment at
point . The measure of is , the measure of is , the measure of is , and the
measure of is . What is the measure, in degrees, of ?

ID: e10d8313 Answer

Correct Answer: 123

Rationale
The correct answer is 123. The triangle angle sum theorem states that the sum of the measures of the interior angles of
a triangle is 180 degrees. It's given that the measure of ∠𝑆𝑄𝑋 is 48° and the measure of ∠𝑆𝑋𝑄 is 86°. Since points 𝑆, 𝑄,
and 𝑋 form a triangle, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑄𝑆𝑋 is
180 - 48 - 86, or 46. It's also given that the measure of ∠𝑆𝑊𝑈 is 85°. Since ∠𝑆𝑊𝑈 and ∠𝑆𝑊𝑅 are supplementary angles,
the sum of their measures is 180 degrees. It follows that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑆𝑊𝑅 is 180 - 85, or 95. Since
points 𝑅, 𝑆, and 𝑊 form a triangle, and ∠𝑅𝑆𝑊 is the same angle as ∠𝑄𝑆𝑋, it follows from the triangle angle sum theorem
that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑊𝑅𝑆 is 180 - 46 - 95, or 39. It's given that the measure of ∠𝑉𝑇𝑈 is 162°. Since ∠𝑉𝑇𝑈
and ∠𝑆𝑇𝑈 are supplementary angles, the sum of their measures is 180 degrees. It follows that the measure, in degrees,
of ∠𝑆𝑇𝑈 is 180 - 162, or 18. Since points 𝑅, 𝑇, and 𝑈 form a triangle, and ∠𝑈𝑅𝑇 is the same angle as ∠𝑊𝑅𝑆, it follows
from the triangle angle sum theorem that the measure, in degrees, of ∠𝑇𝑈𝑅 is 180 - 39 - 18, or 123.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bcb66188
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: bcb66188

Triangle is similar to triangle , where angle corresponds to angle and angles and are right angles.
If , what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: bcb66188 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. If two triangles are similar, then their corresponding angles are congruent. It's given that right triangle
𝐹𝐺𝐻 is similar to right triangle 𝐽𝐾𝐿 and angle 𝐹 corresponds to angle 𝐽. It follows that angle 𝐹 is congruent to angle 𝐽 and,
therefore, the measure of angle 𝐹 is equal to the measure of angle 𝐽. The sine ratios of angles of equal measure are
308
equal. Since the measure of angle 𝐹 is equal to the measure of angle 𝐽, sin𝐹 = sin𝐽. It's given that sin𝐹 = . Therefore,
317
308
sin𝐽 is .
317

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of cos𝐽, not the value of sin𝐽.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the reciprocal of the value of sin𝐽, not the value of sin𝐽.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the reciprocal of the value of cos𝐽, not the value of sin𝐽.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f88f27e5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: f88f27e5
Intersecting lines r, s, and t are shown below.

What is the value of x ?

ID: f88f27e5 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 97. The intersecting lines form a triangle, and the angle with measure of is an exterior angle of
this triangle. The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of the two nonadjacent
interior angles of the triangle. One of these angles has measure of and the other, which is supplementary to the
angle with measure , has measure of . Therefore, the value of x is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f67e4efc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: f67e4efc

A right circular cylinder has a volume of . If the height of the cylinder

is 5, what is the radius of the cylinder?

A. 3

B. 4.5

C. 9

D. 40

ID: f67e4efc Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The volume of a right circular cylinder with a radius of r is the product of the area of the base, ,
and the height, h. The volume of the right circular cylinder described is and its height is 5. If the radius is r, it follows

that . Dividing both sides of this equation by yields . Taking the square root of both sides
yields or . Since r represents the radius, the value must be positive. Therefore, the radius is 3.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from finding that the square of the radius is 9, but then from dividing 9 by 2, rather
than taking the square root of 9. Choice C is incorrect. This represents the square of the radius. Choice D is incorrect and
may result from solving the equation for , not r, by dividing by on both sides and then by
subtracting, not dividing, 5 from both sides.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e5c57163
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: e5c57163

Square A has side lengths that are times the side lengths of square B. The area of square A is times the area of
square B. What is the value of ?

ID: e5c57163 Answer

Correct Answer: 27556

Rationale
The correct answer is 27,556. The area of a square is 𝑠2 , where 𝑠 is the side length of the square. Let 𝑥 represent the
length of each side of square B. Substituting 𝑥 for 𝑠 in 𝑠2 yields 𝑥2 . It follows that the area of square B is 𝑥2 . It’s given that
square A has side lengths that are 166 times the side lengths of square B. Since 𝑥 represents the length of each side of
square B, the length of each side of square A can be represented by the expression 166𝑥. It follows that the area of
square A is 166𝑥2 , or 27,556𝑥2 . It’s given that the area of square A is 𝑘 times the area of square B. Since the area of
square A is equal to 27,556𝑥2 , and the area of square B is equal to 𝑥2 , an equation representing the given statement is
27,556𝑥2 = 𝑘𝑥2 . Since 𝑥 represents the length of each side of square B, the value of 𝑥 must be positive. Therefore, the
value of 𝑥2 is also positive, so it does not equal 0. Dividing by 𝑥2 on both sides of the equation 27,556𝑥2 = 𝑘𝑥2 yields
27,556 = 𝑘. Therefore, the value of 𝑘 is 27,556.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 33e29881
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 33e29881

In right triangle , the sum of the measures of angle and angle is degrees. The value of is . What
is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 33e29881 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The sine of any acute angle is equal to the cosine of its complement. It’s given that in right triangle
𝑅𝑆𝑇, the sum of the measures of angle 𝑅 and angle 𝑆 is 90 degrees. Therefore, angle 𝑅 and angle 𝑆 are complementary,
√15 √15
and the value of sin𝑅 is equal to the value of cos𝑆. It's given that the value of sin𝑅 is 4
, so the value of cos𝑆 is also 4
.

1
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of tan𝑆. Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of .
cos𝑆

1
Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of .
tan𝑆

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 5afbdc8e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 5afbdc8e

What is the length of one side of a square that has the same
area as a circle with radius 2 ?

A. 2

B.

C.

D.

ID: 5afbdc8e Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The area A of a circle with radius r is given by the formula . Thus, a circle with radius 2 has

area , which can be rewritten as . The area of a square with side length s is given by the formula . Thus,

if a square has the same area as a circle with radius 2, then . Since the side length of a square must be a

positive number, taking the square root of both sides of gives . Using the properties of square roots,

can be rewritten as , which is equivalent to . Therefore, .

Choice A is incorrect. The side length of the square isn’t equal to the radius of the circle. Choices B and D are incorrect
and may result from incorrectly simplifying the expression .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 983412ea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 983412ea

A right square prism has a height of units. The volume of the prism is cubic units. What is the length, in units, of
an edge of the base?

ID: 983412ea Answer

Correct Answer: 12

Rationale
The correct answer is 12. The volume, 𝑉, of a right square prism can be calculated using the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠2 ℎ, where 𝑠
represents the length of an edge of the base and ℎ represents the height of the prism. It’s given that the volume of the
prism is 2,016 cubic units and the height is 14 units. Substituting 2,016 for 𝑉 and 14 for ℎ in the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠2 ℎ yields
2,016 = 𝑠2 14. Dividing both sides of this equation by 14 yields 144 = 𝑠2 . Taking the square root of both sides of this
equation yields two solutions: -12 = 𝑠 and 12 = 𝑠. The length can't be negative, so 12 = 𝑠. Therefore, the length, in units,
of an edge of the base is 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 947a3cde
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 947a3cde

In the figure above, and intersect at point P, , and .

What is the measure, in degrees, of ? (Disregard the degree symbol
when gridding your answer.)

ID: 947a3cde Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 30. It is given that the measure of is . Angle MPR and are collinear and

therefore are supplementary angles. This means that the sum of the two angle measures is , and so the measure

of is . The sum of the angles in a triangle is . Subtracting the measure of from yields
the sum of the other angles in the triangle MPR. Since , the sum of the measures of and
is . It is given that , so it follows that triangle MPR is isosceles. Therefore and
must be congruent. Since the sum of the measure of these two angles is , it follows that the measure of each angle

is .

An alternate approach would be to use the exterior angle theorem, noting that the measure of is equal to the
sum of the measures of and . Since both angles are equal, each of them has a measure of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1f0b582e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 1f0b582e

Square X has a side length of centimeters. The perimeter of square Y is times the perimeter of square X. What is the
length, in centimeters, of one side of square Y?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1f0b582e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The perimeter, 𝑃, of a square can be found using the formula 𝑃 = 4𝑠, where 𝑠 is the length of each
side of the square. It's given that square X has a side length of 12 centimeters. Substituting 12 for 𝑠 in the formula for the
perimeter of a square yields 𝑃 = 412, or 𝑃 = 48. Therefore, the perimeter of square X is 48 centimeters. It’s also given
that the perimeter of square Y is 2 times the perimeter of square X. Therefore, the perimeter of square Y is 248, or 96,
centimeters. Substituting 96 for 𝑃 in the formula 𝑃 = 4𝑠 gives 96 = 4𝑠. Dividing both sides of this equation by 4 gives
24 = 𝑠. Therefore, the length of one side of square Y is 24 centimeters.

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: Medium

Question ID 686b5212
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 686b5212

In the figure, line is parallel to line , and both lines are intersected by line . If , what is the value of ?

ID: 686b5212 Answer

Correct Answer: 57

Rationale
The correct answer is 57. Based on the figure, the angle with measure 𝑦° and the angle vertical to the angle with
measure 58° are same side interior angles. Since vertical angles are congruent, the angle vertical to the angle with
measure 58° also has measure 58°. It’s given that lines 𝑞 and 𝑟 are parallel. Therefore, same side interior angles between
lines 𝑞 and 𝑟 are supplementary. It follows that 𝑦 + 58 = 180. If 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 8, then the value of 𝑥 can be found by
substituting 2𝑥 + 8 for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑦 + 58 = 180, which yields 2𝑥 + 8 + 58 = 180, or 2𝑥 + 66 = 180. Subtracting 66
from both sides of this equation yields 2𝑥 = 114. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑥 = 57. Thus, if
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 8, the value of 𝑥 is 57.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 81b664bc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 81b664bc

In the figure above, , , and are parallel. Points B and E lie on and

, respectively. If , and , what is the length of

, to the nearest tenth?

A. 16.8

B. 17.5

C. 18.4

D. 19.6

ID: 81b664bc Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Since , , and are parallel, quadrilaterals and are similar. Let x represent the

length of . With similar figures, the ratios of the lengths of corresponding sides are equal. It follows that

. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 18.5 and by x yields , or .

Dividing both sides of this equation by 9 yields , which to the nearest tenth is 17.5.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from errors made when setting up the proportion.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 902dc959
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 902dc959

In the figure above, what is the

value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 902dc959 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Angle A is an acute angle in a right triangle, so the value of tan(A) is equivalent to the ratio of the
length of the side opposite angle A, 20, to the length of the nonhypotenuse side adjacent to angle A, 21. Therefore,

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of sin(A). Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of cos(A). Choice D is incorrect.
This is the value of tan(B).

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e86f0651
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: e86f0651

A circle has a radius of meters. What is the area, in square meters, of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e86f0651 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The area, 𝐴, of a circle is given by the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 , where 𝑟 is the radius of the circle. It’s given
2
that the circle has a radius of 43 meters. Substituting 43 for 𝑟 in the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 yields 𝐴 = 𝜋43 , or 𝐴 = 1,849𝜋.
Therefore, the area, in square meters, of the circle is 1,849𝜋.

43
Choice A is incorrect. This is the area, in square meters, of a circle with a radius of √ 2 meters.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the area, in square meters, of a circle with a radius of √43 meters.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the circumference, in meters, of the circle.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 858fd1cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 858fd1cf

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at . Line is tangent to this circle at the point . Which of the
following points also lies on line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 858fd1cf Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the circle has its center at -1, 1 and that line 𝑡 is tangent to this circle at the point 5, - 4.
Therefore, the points -1, 1 and 5, - 4 are the endpoints of the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. The slope of a
𝑑-𝑏
line or line segment that contains the points 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐, 𝑑 can be calculated as 𝑐-𝑎
. Substituting -1, 1 for 𝑎, 𝑏 and 5, - 4 for
𝑑-𝑏 -4 - 1 5 5
𝑐, 𝑑 in the expression yields , or - . Thus, the slope of this radius is - . A line that’s tangent to a circle is
𝑐-𝑎 5 - -1 6 6
perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. It follows that line 𝑡 is perpendicular to the radius at the
5 6
point 5, - 4, so the slope of line 𝑡 is the negative reciprocal of the slope of this radius. The negative reciprocal of - is .
6 5
6
Therefore, the slope of line 𝑡 is 5 . Since the slope of line 𝑡 is the same between any two points on line 𝑡, a point lies on line
6
𝑡 if the slope of the line segment connecting the point and 5, - 4 is . Substituting choice C, 10, 2, for 𝑎, 𝑏 and 5, - 4 for 𝑐, 𝑑
5
𝑑-𝑏 -4 - 2 6
in the expression 𝑐-𝑎
yields 5 - 10
, or 5 . Therefore, the point 10, 2 lies on line 𝑡.

6
6 -4 - 26 6
Choice A is incorrect. The slope of the line segment connecting 0, and 5, - 4 is 5, or - , not .
5 5-0 25 5

-4 - 7 6
Choice B is incorrect. The slope of the line segment connecting 4, 7 and 5, - 4 is 5-4
, or -11, not 5 .

-4 - 1 5 6
Choice D is incorrect. The slope of the line segment connecting 11, 1 and 5, - 4 is , or , not .
5 - 11 6 5

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ec5d4823
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: ec5d4823

What is the volume, in cubic centimeters, of a right rectangular prism that has a
length of 4 centimeters, a width of 9 centimeters, and a height of
10 centimeters?

ID: ec5d4823 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 360. The volume of a right rectangular prism is calculated by multiplying its dimensions: length,
width, and height. Multiplying the values given for these dimensions yields a volume of cubic
centimeters.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9966235e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 9966235e

A cube has an edge length of inches. A solid sphere with a radius of inches is inside the cube, such that the sphere
touches the center of each face of the cube. To the nearest cubic inch, what is the volume of the space in the cube not
taken up by the sphere?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9966235e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The volume of a cube can be found by using the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠3 , where 𝑉 is the volume and 𝑠 is the
3
edge length of the cube. Therefore, the volume of the given cube is 𝑉 = 68 , or 314,432 cubic inches. The volume of a
4
sphere can be found by using the formula 𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟3 , where 𝑉 is the volume and 𝑟 is the radius of the sphere. Therefore,
4 3
the volume of the given sphere is 𝑉 = 3 𝜋34 , or approximately 164,636 cubic inches. The volume of the space in the cube
not taken up by the sphere is the difference between the volume of the cube and volume of the sphere. Subtracting the
approximate volume of the sphere from the volume of the cube gives 314,432 - 164,636 = 149,796 cubic inches.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a0369739
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: a0369739

In triangle , the measure of angle is and is an altitude of the triangle. The length of is and the
length of is greater than the length of . What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a0369739 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, the measure of angle 𝐵 is 90° and 𝐵𝐷 is an altitude of the triangle.
Therefore, the measure of angle 𝐵𝐷𝐶 is 90°. It follows that angle 𝐵 is congruent to angle 𝐷 and angle 𝐶 is congruent to
angle 𝐶. By the angle-angle similarity postulate, triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is similar to triangle 𝐵𝐷𝐶. Since triangles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐵𝐷𝐶 are
𝐴𝐶 𝐵𝐶 ¯ ¯
similar, it follows that 𝐴𝐵
= 𝐵𝐷
. It's also given that the length of 𝐴𝐵 is 15 and the length of 𝐴𝐶 is 23 greater than the length
¯ ¯ 𝐴𝐶 𝐵𝐶
of 𝐴𝐵. Therefore, the length of 𝐴𝐶 is 15 + 23, or 38. Substituting 15 for 𝐴𝐵 and 38 for 𝐴𝐶 in the equation 𝐴𝐵
= 𝐵𝐷
yields
38 𝐵𝐶 𝐵𝐶 38
15
=
𝐵𝐷
. Therefore, the value of 𝐵𝐷
is 15
.

𝐵𝐷
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of . Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
𝐵𝐶

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a07ed090
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: a07ed090

The figure shown is a right circular cylinder with a radius of and height of . A second right circular cylinder (not
shown) has a volume that is times as large as the volume of the cylinder shown. Which of the following could
represent the radius , in terms of , and the height , in terms of , of the second cylinder?

A. and

B. and

C. and

D. and

ID: a07ed090 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. The volume of a right circular cylinder is equal to 𝜋𝑎2 𝑏, where 𝑎 is the radius of a base of the cylinder
and 𝑏 is the height of the cylinder. It’s given that the cylinder shown has a radius of 𝑟 and a height of ℎ. It follows that the
volume of the cylinder shown is equal to 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. It’s given that the second right circular cylinder has a radius of 𝑅 and a
2
height of 𝐻. It follows that the volume of the second cylinder is equal to 𝜋𝑅 𝐻. Choice C gives 𝑅 = 7𝑟 and 𝐻 = 8ℎ.
Substituting 7𝑟 for 𝑅 and 8ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second cylinder yields 𝜋7𝑟2 8ℎ, or
𝜋49𝑟2 8ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋392𝑟2 ℎ, or 392𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to 392 times the volume of the cylinder
shown, 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. Therefore, 𝑅 = 7𝑟 and 𝐻 = 8ℎ could represent the radius 𝑅, in terms of 𝑟, and the height 𝐻, in terms of ℎ, of
the second cylinder.

Choice A is incorrect. Substituting 8𝑟 for 𝑅 and 7ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second
cylinder yields 𝜋8𝑟2 7ℎ, or 𝜋64𝑟2 7ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋448𝑟2 ℎ, or 448𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to 448, not 392,
times the volume of the cylinder shown.

Choice B is incorrect. Substituting 8𝑟 for 𝑅 and 49ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second
cylinder yields 𝜋8𝑟2 49ℎ, or 𝜋64𝑟2 49ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋3,136𝑟2 ℎ, or 3,136𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to 3,136,
not 392, times the volume of the cylinder shown.

Choice D is incorrect. Substituting 49𝑟 for 𝑅 and 8ℎ for 𝐻 in the expression that represents the volume of the second
cylinder yields 𝜋49𝑟2 8ℎ, or 𝜋2,401𝑟2 8ℎ, which is equivalent to 𝜋19,208𝑟2 ℎ, or 19,208𝜋𝑟2 ℎ. This expression is equal to
19,208, not 392, times the volume of the cylinder shown.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3b931fb0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 3b931fb0

A right circular cylinder has a volume of cubic centimeters. The area of the base of the cylinder is square
centimeters. What is the height, in centimeters, of the cylinder?

ID: 3b931fb0 Answer

Correct Answer: 29

Rationale
The correct answer is 29. The volume, 𝑉, of a right circular cylinder is given by the formula 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ, where 𝑟 is the radius
of the base of the cylinder and ℎ is the height of the cylinder. Since the base of the cylinder is a circle with radius 𝑟, the
area of the base of the cylinder is 𝜋𝑟2 . It's given that a right circular cylinder has a volume of 377 cubic centimeters;
therefore, 𝑉 = 377. It's also given that the area of the base of the cylinder is 13 square centimeters; therefore, 𝜋𝑟2 = 13.
Substituting 377 for 𝑉 and 13 for 𝜋𝑟2 in the formula 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ yields 377 = 13ℎ. Dividing both sides of this equation by 13
yields 29 = ℎ. Therefore, the height of the cylinder, in centimeters, is 29.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 94364a79
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 94364a79

Two nearby trees are perpendicular to the ground, which is flat. One of these trees is feet tall and has a shadow that is
feet long. At the same time, the shadow of the other tree is feet long. How tall, in feet, is the other tree?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 94364a79 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Each tree and its shadow can be modeled using a right triangle, where the height of the tree and the
length of its shadow are the legs of the triangle. At a given point in time, the right triangles formed by two nearby trees
and their respective shadows will be similar. Therefore, if the height of the other tree is 𝑥, in feet, the value of 𝑥 can be
10 feet tall 𝑥 feet tall 10 𝑥 𝑥
calculated by solving the proportional relationship 5 feet long
=
2 feet long
. This equation is equivalent to = , or 2 = .
5 2 2
𝑥
Multiplying each side of the equation 2 = 2
by 2 yields 4 = 𝑥. Therefore, the other tree is 4 feet tall.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from calculating the difference between the lengths of the shadows, rather than the
height of the other tree.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from calculating the difference between the height of the 10-foot-tall tree and the
length of the shadow of the other tree, rather than calculating the height of the other tree.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 51f26ce8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 51f26ce8

is similar to . The lengths represented by , , , and in the figure are , , , and ,

respectively. What is the length of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 51f26ce8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The figure shows that angle 𝑃 in △ 𝑄𝑃𝑅 and angle 𝑇 in △ 𝑆𝑇𝑅 are right angles. It follows that angle
𝑃 is congruent to angle 𝑇. The figure also shows that the measures of angle 𝑄𝑅𝑃 and angle 𝑆𝑅𝑇 are both 𝑥°. Therefore,
angle 𝑄𝑅𝑃 is congruent to angle 𝑆𝑅𝑇. It’s given that △ 𝑄𝑃𝑅 is similar to △ 𝑆𝑇𝑅. Since angle 𝑃 is congruent to angle 𝑇,
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
and angle 𝑄𝑅𝑃 is congruent to angle 𝑆𝑅𝑇, it follows that 𝑄𝑅 corresponds to 𝑆𝑅, and 𝑄𝑃 corresponds to 𝑆𝑇. Since
𝑆𝑅 𝑆𝑇 ¯ ¯
corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional, it follows that = . It’s also given that the lengths of 𝑆𝑇,
𝑄𝑅 𝑄𝑃
𝑄𝑃,
¯ 𝑆𝑅 𝑆𝑇
and 𝑄𝑅 are 14, 15, and 25, respectively. Substituting 14 for 𝑆𝑇, 15 for 𝑄𝑃, and 25 for 𝑄𝑅 in the equation = yields
𝑄𝑅 𝑄𝑃
𝑆𝑅 14 14 350 ¯ 350
25
=
15
. Multiplying each side of this equation by 25 yields 𝑆𝑅 = 15
25, or 𝑆𝑅 = 15
. Thus, the length of 𝑆𝑅 is 15
.

𝑆𝑅 14 𝑆𝑅 14
Choice B is incorrect. This is the result of solving the equation 25
= 20
, not 25
= 15
.

𝑆𝑅 15 𝑆𝑅 14
Choice C is incorrect. This is the result of solving the equation 14
=
20
, not 25
=
15
.

𝑆𝑅 15 𝑆𝑅 14
Choice D is incorrect. This is the result of solving the equation 14
= 25
, not 25
= 15
.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 2d2cb85e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 2d2cb85e

In the figure, , the measure of angle is , and the measure of angle is . What is the value of
?

ID: 2d2cb85e Answer

Correct Answer: 156

Rationale
The correct answer is 156. In the figure shown, the sum of the measures of angle 𝑈𝑉𝑆 and angle 𝑅𝑉𝑆 is 180°. It’s given
that the measure of angle 𝑅𝑉𝑆 is 41°. Therefore, the measure of angle 𝑈𝑉𝑆 is 180 - 41°, or 139°. The sum of the measures
of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°. In triangle 𝑈𝑉𝑆, the measure of angle 𝑈𝑉𝑆 is 139° and it's given that the
measure of angle 𝑉𝑆𝑇 is 29°. Thus, the measure of angle 𝑉𝑈𝑆 is 180 - 139 - 29°, or 12°. It’s given that 𝑅𝑇 = 𝑇𝑈. Therefore,
triangle 𝑇𝑈𝑅 is an isosceles triangle and the measure of 𝑉𝑈𝑆 is equal to the measure of angle 𝑇𝑅𝑈. In triangle 𝑇𝑈𝑅, the
measure of angle 𝑉𝑈𝑆 is 12° and the measure of angle 𝑇𝑅𝑈 is 12°. Thus, the measure of angle 𝑈𝑇𝑅 is 180 - 12 - 12°, or
156°. The figure shows that the measure of angle 𝑈𝑇𝑅 is 𝑥°, so the value of 𝑥 is 156.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 345cc36a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 345cc36a

In the figure shown, and intersect at point . , , , and . What is the

length of ?

ID: 345cc36a Answer

Correct Answer: 54

Rationale
The correct answer is 54. The figure shown includes two triangles, triangle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 and triangle 𝑌𝑄𝑍, such that angle 𝑊𝑄𝑋
and angle 𝑌𝑄𝑍 are vertical angles. It follows that angle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 is congruent to angle 𝑌𝑄𝑍. It’s also given in the figure that
the measures of angle 𝑊 and angle 𝑌 are 𝑎°. Therefore angle 𝑊 is congruent to angle 𝑌. Since triangle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 and triangle
𝑌𝑄𝑍 have two pairs of congruent angles, triangle 𝑊𝑄𝑋 is similar to triangle 𝑌𝑄𝑍 by the angle-angle similarity postulate,
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
where 𝑌𝑍 corresponds to 𝑊𝑋, and 𝑌𝑄 corresponds to 𝑊𝑄. Since the lengths of corresponding sides in similar triangles
𝑌𝑍 𝑌𝑄
are proportional, it follows that 𝑊𝑋
=
𝑊𝑄
. It’s given that 𝑌𝑄 = 63, 𝑊𝑄 = 70, and 𝑊𝑋 = 60. Substituting 63 for 𝑌𝑄, 70 for
𝑌𝑍 𝑌𝑄 𝑌𝑍 63 63
𝑊𝑄, and 60 for 𝑊𝑋 in the equation 𝑊𝑋
= 𝑊𝑄 yields 60
= 70
. Multiplying each side of this equation by 60 yields 𝑌𝑍 = 70
60,
¯
or 𝑌𝑍 = 54. Therefore, the length of 𝑌𝑍 is 54.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c8345903
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: c8345903

The circle above has center O, the length of arc is , and

. What is the length of arc ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c8345903 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The ratio of the lengths of two arcs of a circle is equal to the ratio of the measures of the central
angles that subtend the arcs. It’s given that arc is subtended by a central angle with measure 100°. Since the sum

of the measures of the angles about a point is 360°, it follows that arc is subtended by a central angle with

measure . If s is the length of arc , then s must satisfy the ratio . Reducing the

fraction to its simplest form gives . Therefore, . Multiplying both sides of by

yields .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of an arc consisting of exactly half of the circle, but arc is greater than half
of the circle. Choice C is incorrect. This is the total circumference of the circle. Choice D is incorrect. This is half the
length of arc , not its full length.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 901c3215
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 901c3215

In triangles and , angles and each have measure and angles and each have measure .
Which additional piece of information is sufficient to determine whether triangle is congruent to triangle ?

A. The measure of angle

B. The length of side

C. The lengths of sides and

D. No additional information is necessary.

ID: 901c3215 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since angles 𝐵 and 𝐸 each have the same measure and angles 𝐶 and 𝐹 each have the same measure,
triangles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐷𝐸𝐹 are similar, where side 𝐵𝐶 corresponds to side 𝐸𝐹. To determine whether two similar triangles are
congruent, it is sufficient to determine whether one pair of corresponding sides are congruent. Therefore, to determine
whether triangles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐷𝐸𝐹 are congruent, it is sufficient to determine whether sides 𝐵𝐶 and 𝐸𝐹 have equal length.
Thus, the lengths of 𝐵𝐶 and 𝐸𝐹 are sufficient to determine whether triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is congruent to triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Choice D is incorrect. The given information is sufficient to determine that triangles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐷𝐸𝐹 are similar, but not
whether they are congruent.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2bddbc1b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 2bddbc1b

What is the value of in the triangle shown?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2bddbc1b Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The cosine of an acute angle in a right triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the leg adjacent
to the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown, the length of the leg adjacent to angle 𝐴 is 41, and the
41
length of the hypotenuse is 42. Therefore, cos𝐴 = 42
.

1
Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of . Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.
cos𝐴

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID bd87bc09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: bd87bc09

Triangle above is a right triangle, and .

What is the length of side ?

ID: bd87bc09 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 24. The sine of an acute angle in a right triangle is equal to the ratio of the length of the side
opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown, the sine of angle B, or , is equal to the

ratio of the length of side to the length of side . It’s given that the length of side is 26 and that .

Therefore, . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 26 yields .

By the Pythagorean Theorem, the relationship between the lengths of the sides of triangle ABC is as follows:
, or . Subtracting 100 from both sides of yields .

Taking the square root of both sides of yields .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f7dbde16
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: f7dbde16

In triangles and , angles and each have measure , , and . Which additional
piece of information is sufficient to prove that triangle is similar to triangle ?

A. and

B. and

C. The measures of angles and are and , respectively.

D. The measures of angles and are and , respectively.

ID: f7dbde16 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Two triangles are similar if they have three pairs of congruent corresponding angles. It’s given that
angles 𝐿 and 𝑅 each measure 60°, and so these corresponding angles are congruent. If angle 𝑀 is 70°, then angle 𝑁 must
be 50° so that the sum of the angles in triangle 𝐿𝑀𝑁 is 180°. If angle 𝑇 is 50°, then angle 𝑆 must be 70° so that the sum of
the angles in triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is 180°. Therefore, if the measures of angles 𝑀 and 𝑇 are 70° and 50°, respectively, then
corresponding angles 𝑀 and 𝑆 are both 70°, and corresponding angles 𝑁 and 𝑇 are both 50°. It follows that triangles 𝐿𝑀𝑁
and 𝑅𝑆𝑇 have three pairs of congruent corresponding angles, and so the triangles are similar. Therefore, the additional
piece of information that is sufficient to prove that triangle 𝐿𝑀𝑁 is similar to triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is that the measures of angles
𝑀 and 𝑇 are 70° and 50°, respectively.

Choice A is incorrect. If the measures of two sides in one triangle are proportional to the corresponding sides in another
triangle and the included angles are congruent, then the triangles are similar. However, the two sides given are not
proportional and the angle given is not included by the given sides.

Choice B is incorrect. If the measures of two sides in one triangle are proportional to the corresponding sides in another
triangle and the included angles are congruent, then the triangles are similar. However, the angle given is not included
between the proportional sides.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a4ed5285
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: a4ed5285

The figure shows the lengths, in inches, of two sides of a right triangle. What is the area of the triangle, in square inches?

ID: a4ed5285 Answer

Correct Answer: 7.5, 15/2

Rationale
15 1
The correct answer is 2
. The area, 𝐴, of a triangle is given by the formula 𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 is the length of the base of
the triangle and ℎ is the height of the triangle. In the right triangle shown, the length of the base of the triangle is 5 inches,
1
and the height is 3 inches. It follows that 𝑏 = 5 and ℎ = 3. Substituting 5 for 𝑏 and 3 for ℎ in the formula 𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ yields
1 1 15 15
𝐴 = 53, which is equivalent to 𝐴 = 15, or 𝐴 = . Therefore, the area of the triangle, in square inches, is . Note that
2 2 2 2
15/2 and 7.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 76c73dbf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 76c73dbf

The graph of in the xy-plane is a circle. What is the length of the circle’s radius?

ID: 76c73dbf Answer

Correct Answer: 10

Rationale
199
The correct answer is 10. It's given that the graph of 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑦 = 2
in the xy-plane is a circle. The equation of a
2 2
circle in the xy-plane can be written in the form 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where the coordinates of the center of the circle are
ℎ, 𝑘 and the length of the radius of the circle is 𝑟. The term 𝑥 - ℎ2 in this equation can be obtained by adding the square of
half the coefficient of 𝑥 to both sides of the given equation to complete the square. The coefficient of 𝑥 is 1. Half the
1 1 1 199
coefficient of 𝑥 is . The square of half the coefficient of 𝑥 is . Adding to each side of 𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 𝑦2 + 𝑦 =
2 4 4
yields 2
1 199 1 12 199 1
𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑦 = 2
+ 4 , or 𝑥 + 2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑦 = 2
+ 4 . Similarly, the term 𝑦 - 𝑘2 can be obtained by adding the square
12 1 199 1 1
of half the coefficient of 𝑦 to both sides of this equation, which yields 𝑥 + + 𝑦2 + 𝑦 + = + + , or
2 4 2 4 4
12 12 199 1 1 12 12 12 12
𝑥+ +𝑦+ = + + . This equation is equivalent to 𝑥 + + 𝑦 + = 100, or 𝑥 + + 𝑦 + = 102 . Therefore,
2 2 2 4 4 2 2 2 2
the length of the circle's radius is 10.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e336a1d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: e336a1d2

A cube has an edge length of inches. What is the volume, in cubic inches, of the cube?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e336a1d2 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The volume, 𝑉, of a cube can be found using the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠3 , where 𝑠 is the edge length of the
cube. It's given that a cube has an edge length of 41 inches. Substituting 41 inches for 𝑠 in this equation yields 𝑉 = 413
cubic inches, or 𝑉 = 68,921 cubic inches. Therefore, the volume of the cube is 68,921 cubic inches.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the perimeter, in inches, of the cube.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the area, in square inches, of a face of the cube.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the surface area, in square inches, of the cube.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e4b4e9ea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: e4b4e9ea

The length of the edge of the base of a right square prism is units. The volume of the prism is cubic units. What
is the height, in units, of the prism?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e4b4e9ea Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The volume, 𝑉, of a right square prism is given by the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠2 ℎ, where 𝑠 represents the length
of the edge of the base and ℎ represents the height of the prism. It’s given that the volume of a right square prism is
2,880 cubic units and the length of the edge of the base is 6 units. Substituting 2,880 for 𝑉 and 6 for 𝑠 in the formula
𝑉 = 𝑠2 ℎ yields 2,880 = 62 ℎ, or 2,880 = 36ℎ. Dividing both sides of this equation by 36 yields 80 = ℎ. Therefore, the height,
in units, of the prism is 80.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the height, in units, of a right square prism where the length of the edge of the base is 6
units and the volume of the prism is 144√30 , not 2,880, units.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the area, in square units, of the base, not the height, in units, of the prism.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the height, in units, of a right square prism where the length of the edge of the base is 6
units and the volume of the prism is 864√5 , not 2,880, units.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID c0586eb5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: c0586eb5

A cylinder has a diameter of inches and a height of inches. What is the volume, in cubic inches, of the cylinder?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c0586eb5 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The base of a cylinder is a circle with a diameter equal to the diameter of the cylinder. The volume, 𝑉,
of a cylinder can be found by multiplying the area of the circular base, 𝐴, by the height of the cylinder, ℎ, or 𝑉 = 𝐴ℎ. The
area of a circle can be found using the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 , where 𝑟 is the radius of the circle. It’s given that the diameter of
the cylinder is 8 inches. Thus, the radius of this circle is 4 inches. Therefore, the area of the circular base of the cylinder is
𝐴 = 𝜋42 , or 16𝜋 square inches. It’s given that the height ℎ of the cylinder is 12 inches. Substituting 16𝜋 for 𝐴 and 12 for ℎ
in the formula 𝑉 = 𝐴ℎ gives 𝑉 = 16𝜋12, or 192𝜋 cubic inches.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the area of the circular base of the cylinder.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from using 8, instead of 16, as the value of 𝑟2 in the formula for the area of a circle.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from using 8, instead of 4, for the radius of the circular base.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 52f7b898
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 52f7b898

Right triangle is shown. What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 52f7b898 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. In the triangle shown, the measure of angle 𝐵 is 30° and angle 𝐶 is a right angle, which means that it
has a measure of 90°. Since the sum of the angles in a triangle is equal to 180°, the measure of angle 𝐴 is equal to
180° - 30 + 90°, or 60°. In a right triangle whose acute angles have measures 30° and 60°, the lengths of the legs can be
represented by the expressions 𝑥, 𝑥√3 , and 2𝑥, where 𝑥 is the length of the leg opposite the angle with measure 30°, 𝑥√3
is the length of the leg opposite the angle with measure 60°, and 2𝑥 is the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown,
the hypotenuse has a length of 54. It follows that 2𝑥 = 54, or 𝑥 = 27. Therefore, the length of the leg opposite angle 𝐵 is
27 and the length of the leg opposite angle 𝐴 is 27√3 . The tangent of an acute angle in a right triangle is defined as the
ratio of the length of the leg opposite the angle to the length of the leg adjacent to the angle. The length of the leg
27√3
opposite angle 𝐴 is 27√3 and the length of the leg adjacent to angle 𝐴 is 27. Therefore, the value of tan𝐴 is 27
, or √3 .

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

1
Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of , not the value of tan𝐴.
tan𝐴

Choice D is incorrect. This is the length of the leg opposite angle 𝐴, not the value of tan𝐴.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 151eda3c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 151eda3c

A manufacturing company produces two sizes of cylindrical containers that

each have a height of 50 centimeters. The radius of container A is 16
centimeters, and the radius of container B is 25% longer than the radius of
container A. What is the volume, in cubic centimeters, of container B?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 151eda3c Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. If the radius of container A is 16 centimeters and the radius of container B is 25% longer than the
radius of container A, then the radius of container B is centimeters. The volume of a cylinder is

, where r is the radius of the cylinder and h is its height. Substituting and into yields that the

volume of cylinder B is cubic centimeters.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying the radius of cylinder B by the radius of cylinder A rather than
squaring the radius of cylinder B. Choice C is incorrect and may result from multiplying the radius of cylinder B by 25
rather than squaring it. Choice D is incorrect and may result from taking the radius of cylinder B to be 25 centimeters
rather than 20 centimeters.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID e50afdd3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: e50afdd3

The graph of the given equation is a circle in the xy-plane. The point lies on the circle. Which of the following is a
possible value for ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e50afdd3 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. An equation of the form 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 , where ℎ, 𝑘, and 𝑟 are constants, represents a circle in the
xy-plane with center ℎ, 𝑘 and radius 𝑟. Therefore, the circle represented by the given equation has center -4, 19 and radius
11. Since the center of the circle has an x-coordinate of -4 and the radius of the circle is 11, the least possible x-
coordinate for any point on the circle is -4 - 11, or -15. Similarly, the greatest possible x-coordinate for any point on the
circle is -4 + 11, or 7. Therefore, if the point 𝑎, 𝑏 lies on the circle, it must be true that -15 ≤ 𝑎 ≤ 7. Of the given choices,
only -14 satisfies this inequality.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2266984b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 2266984b

The equation above defines a circle in the xy-plane. What are the
coordinates of the center of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2266984b Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The standard equation of a circle in the xy-plane is of the form , where
are the coordinates of the center of the circle and r is the radius. The given equation can be rewritten in standard form by
completing the squares. So the sum of the first two terms, , needs a 100 to complete the square, and the sum

of the second two terms, , needs a 64 to complete the square. Adding 100 and 64 to both sides of the given

equation yields , which is equivalent to

. Therefore, the coordinates of the center of the circle are .

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and may result from computational errors made when attempting to complete the
squares or when identifying the coordinates of the center.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d621cffb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: d621cffb

A sphere has a radius of feet. What is the volume, in cubic feet, of the sphere?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d621cffb Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
4
Choice D is correct. The volume, 𝑉, of a sphere can be found using the formula 𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟3 , where 𝑟 is the radius of the
17 17 4 4 17 3
sphere. It’s given that the sphere has a radius of 5
feet. Substituting 5
for 𝑟 in the formula 𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟3 yields 𝑉 = 3 𝜋 5 ,
4 4,913 19,652𝜋 19,652𝜋
which is equivalent to 𝑉 = 3 𝜋 125
, or 𝑉 = 375
. Therefore, the volume, in cubic feet, of the sphere is 375
.

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

17
Choice B is incorrect. This is the volume, in cubic feet, of a sphere with a radius of 3√ feet.
5

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1429dcdf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 1429dcdf

In the triangle shown, what is the value of ?

ID: 1429dcdf Answer

Correct Answer: .6956, .6957, 16/23

Rationale
16
The correct answer is 23
. In a right triangle, the sine of an acute angle is defined as the ratio of the length of the side
opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown, the length of the side opposite the angle with
16
measure 𝑥° is 16 units and the length of the hypotenuse is 23 units. Therefore, the value of sin𝑥° is 23
. Note that 16/23,
.6956, .6957, 0.695, and 0.696 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 69b0d79d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 69b0d79d

Point O is the center of the circle above, and the measure of is . If

the length of is 18, what is the length of arc ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 69b0d79d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Because segments OA and OB are radii of the circle centered at point O, these segments have equal
lengths. Therefore, triangle AOB is an isosceles triangle, where angles OAB and OBA are congruent base angles of the
triangle. It’s given that angle OAB measures . Therefore, angle OBA also measures . Let represent the

measure of angle AOB. Since the sum of the measures of the three angles of any triangle is , it follows that
, or . Subtracting from both sides of this equation yields , or

radians. Therefore, the measure of angle AOB, and thus the measure of arc , is radians. Since is a

radius of the given circle and its length is 18, the length of the radius of the circle is 18. Therefore, the length of arc

can be calculated as , or .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ebbf23ae
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: ebbf23ae

A circle in the xy-plane has a diameter with endpoints and . An equation of this circle is
, where is a positive constant. What is the value of ?

ID: ebbf23ae Answer

Correct Answer: 5

Rationale
2 2
The correct answer is 5. The standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane is 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where ℎ, 𝑘, and
𝑟 are constants, the coordinates of the center of the circle are ℎ, 𝑘, and the length of the radius of the circle is 𝑟. It′s given
that an equation of the circle is 𝑥 - 22 + 𝑦 - 92 = 𝑟2 . Therefore, the center of this circle is 2, 9. It’s given that the endpoints
of a diameter of the circle are 2, 4 and 2, 14. The length of the radius is the distance from the center of the circle to an
endpoint of a diameter of the circle, which can be found using the distance formula, 𝑥1 - 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 - 𝑦2 2 . Substituting the
√
center of the circle 2, 9 and one endpoint of the diameter 2, 4 in this formula gives a distance of √2 - 22 + 9 - 42 , or
√02 + 52 , which is equivalent to 5. Since the distance from the center of the circle to an endpoint of a diameter is 5, the
value of 𝑟 is 5.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4c95c7d4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 4c95c7d4

A graphic designer is creating a logo for a company. The logo is shown in the
figure above. The logo is in the shape of a trapezoid and consists of
three congruent equilateral triangles. If the perimeter of the logo is
20 centimeters, what is the combined area of the shaded regions, in square
centimeters, of the logo?

A.

B.

C.

D. 16

ID: 4c95c7d4 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the logo is in the shape of a trapezoid that consists of three congruent equilateral
triangles, and that the perimeter of the trapezoid is 20 centimeters (cm). Since the perimeter of the trapezoid is the sum

of the lengths of 5 of the sides of the triangles, the length of each side of an equilateral triangle is . Dividing
up one equilateral triangle into two right triangles yields a pair of congruent 30°-60°-90° triangles. The shorter leg of each
right triangle is half the length of the side of an equilateral triangle, or 2 cm. Using the Pythagorean Theorem,
, the height of the equilateral triangle can be found. Substituting and and solving for b yields

cm. The area of one equilateral triangle is , where and . Therefore, the

area of one equilateral triangle is . The shaded area consists of two such triangles, so its area

is .

Alternate approach: The area of a trapezoid can be found by evaluating the expression , where is the
length of one base, is the length of the other base, and h is the height of the trapezoid. Substituting , ,

and yields the expression , or , which gives an area of for the

trapezoid. Since two-thirds of the trapezoid is shaded, the area of the shaded region is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the height of the trapezoid. Choice B is incorrect. This is the area of one of the equilateral
triangles, not two. Choice D is incorrect and may result from using a height of 4 for each triangle rather than the height of
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b8a225ff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: b8a225ff

Circle A in the xy-plane has the equation . Circle B has the same center as circle A. The radius
of circle B is two times the radius of circle A. The equation defining circle B in the xy-plane is ,
where is a constant. What is the value of ?

ID: b8a225ff Answer

Correct Answer: 16

Rationale
The correct answer is 16. An equation of a circle in the xy-plane can be written as 𝑥 - 𝑡2 + 𝑦 - 𝑢2 = 𝑟2 , where the center of
the circle is 𝑡, 𝑢 , the radius of the circle is 𝑟, and where 𝑡, 𝑢, and 𝑟 are constants. It’s given that the equation of circle A is
2 2 2 2
𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 5 = 4, which is equivalent to 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 5 = 22 . Therefore, the center of circle A is -5, 5 and the radius of
circle A is 2. It’s given that circle B has the same center as circle A and that the radius of circle B is two times the radius
of circle A. Therefore, the center of circle B is -5, 5 and the radius of circle B is 22, or 4. Substituting -5 for 𝑡, 5 for 𝑢, and 4
2 2 2 2
for 𝑟 into the equation 𝑥 - 𝑡2 + 𝑦 - 𝑢2 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 5 = 42 , which is equivalent to 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 5 = 16. It follows
2 2
that the equation of circle B in the xy-plane is 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 5 = 16. Therefore, the value of 𝑘 is 16.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b0a72bdc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: b0a72bdc

What is the diameter of the circle in the xy-plane with equation ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b0a72bdc Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
2 2
Choice B is correct. The standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane is 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where the
coordinates of the center of the circle are ℎ, 𝑘 and the length of the radius of the circle is 𝑟. For the circle in the xy-plane
2
with equation 𝑥 - 5 + 𝑦 - 32 = 16, it follows that 𝑟2 = 16. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields
𝑟 = 4 or 𝑟 = - 4. Because 𝑟 represents the length of the radius of the circle and this length must be positive, 𝑟 = 4.
Therefore, the radius of the circle is 4. The diameter of a circle is twice the length of the radius of the circle. Thus, 24
yields 8. Therefore, the diameter of the circle is 8.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the radius of the circle. Choice C is incorrect. This is the square of the radius of the circle.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 933fee1a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 933fee1a

Triangles ABC and DEF are shown above. Which of the

following is equal to the ratio ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 933fee1a Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. In right triangle ABC, the measure of angle B must be 58° because the sum of the measure of angle
A, which is 32°, and the measure of angle B is 90°. Angle D in the right triangle DEF has measure 58°. Hence, triangles
ABC and DEF are similar (by angle-angle similarity). Since is the side opposite to the angle with measure 32° and AB

is the hypotenuse in right triangle ABC, the ratio is equal to .

Alternate approach: The trigonometric ratios can be used to answer this question. In right triangle ABC, the ratio

. The angle E in triangle DEF has measure 32° because . In triangle DEF, the

ratio . Therefore, .

Choice A is incorrect because is the reciprocal of the ratio . Choice C is incorrect because , not

. Choice D is incorrect because , not .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ba8ca563
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: ba8ca563

A cube has a volume of cubic units. What is the surface area, in square units, of the cube?

ID: ba8ca563 Answer

Correct Answer: 36504

Rationale
The correct answer is 36,504. The volume of a cube can be found using the formula 𝑉 = 𝑠3 , where 𝑠 represents the edge
length of a cube. It’s given that this cube has a volume of 474,552 cubic units. Substituting 474,552 for 𝑉 in 𝑉 = 𝑠3 yields
474,552 = 𝑠3 . Taking the cube root of both sides of this equation yields 78 = 𝑠. Thus, the edge length of the cube is 78
units. Since each face of a cube is a square, it follows that each face has an edge length of 78 units. The area of a square
can be found using the formula 𝐴 = 𝑠2 . Substituting 78 for 𝑠 in this formula yields 𝐴 = 782 , or 𝐴 = 6,084. Therefore, the
area of one face of this cube is 6,084 square units. Since a cube has 6 faces, the surface area, in square units, of this
cube is 66,084, or 36,504.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b1e1c2f5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: b1e1c2f5

In right triangle , angle is the right angle and . Point on side is connected by a line segment
with point on side such that line segment is parallel to side and . What is the length of line
segment ?

ID: b1e1c2f5 Answer

Correct Answer: 54

Rationale
The correct answer is 54. It’s given that in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, point 𝐷 on side 𝐴𝐵 is connected by a line segment with point 𝐸 on
side 𝐴𝐶 such that line segment 𝐷𝐸 is parallel to side 𝐵𝐶. It follows that parallel segments 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐵𝐶 are intersected by
sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶. If two parallel segments are intersected by a third segment, corresponding angles are congruent. Thus,
corresponding angles 𝐶 and 𝐴𝐸𝐷 are congruent and corresponding angles 𝐵 and 𝐴𝐷𝐸 are congruent. Since triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸
has two angles that are each congruent to an angle in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸 is similar to triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 by the angle-
angle similarity postulate, where side 𝐷𝐸 corresponds to side 𝐵𝐶, and side 𝐴𝐸 corresponds to side 𝐴𝐶. Since the lengths
𝐷𝐸 𝐴𝐸
of corresponding sides in similar triangles are proportional, it follows that = . Since point 𝐸 lies on side 𝐴𝐶,
𝐵𝐶 𝐴𝐶
𝐴𝐸 + 𝐶𝐸 = 𝐴𝐶. It's given that 𝐶𝐸 = 2𝐴𝐸. Substituting 2𝐴𝐸 for 𝐶𝐸 in the equation 𝐴𝐸 + 𝐶𝐸 = 𝐴𝐶 yields 𝐴𝐸 + 2𝐴𝐸 = 𝐴𝐶, or
𝐷𝐸 𝐴𝐸 𝐷𝐸 𝐴𝐸
3𝐴𝐸 = 𝐴𝐶. It’s given that 𝐵𝐶 = 162. Substituting 162 for 𝐵𝐶 and 3𝐴𝐸 for 𝐴𝐶 in the equation 𝐵𝐶
= 𝐴𝐶
yields 162
= 3𝐴𝐸
, or
𝐷𝐸 1
162
= 3 . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 162 yields 𝐷𝐸 = 54. Thus, the length of line segment 𝐷𝐸 is 54.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e0874bc2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: e0874bc2

The table gives the perimeters of similar triangles and , where corresponds to . The length of is
.

Perimeter

Triangle

Triangle
What is the length of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: e0874bc2 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is similar to triangle 𝑇𝑈𝑉. Therefore, each side of triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is 𝑘 times
its corresponding side of triangle 𝑇𝑈𝑉, where 𝑘 is a constant. It follows that the perimeter of triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is 𝑘 times the
¯ ¯ ¯
perimeter of triangle 𝑇𝑈𝑉. It's also given that 𝑇𝑈 corresponds to 𝑋𝑌 and the length of 𝑇𝑈 is 18. Let 𝑥 represent the length
¯
of 𝑋𝑌. It follows that 𝑥 = 18𝑘. The table shows that the perimeters of triangles 𝑇𝑈𝑉 and 𝑋𝑌𝑍 are 37 and 333, respectively.
It follows that 333 = 37𝑘, or 9 = 𝑘. Substituting 9 for 𝑘 in the equation 𝑥 = 18𝑘 yields 𝑥 = 189, or 𝑥 = 162. Therefore, the
¯
length of 𝑋𝑌 is 162.

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

¯ ¯
Choice B is incorrect. This is the length of 𝑇𝑈, not the length of 𝑋𝑌.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID a4bd60a3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: a4bd60a3

The perimeter of an equilateral triangle is centimeters. The height of this triangle is centimeters, where is a
constant. What is the value of ?

ID: a4bd60a3 Answer

Correct Answer: 104

Rationale
The correct answer is 104. An equilateral triangle is a triangle in which all three sides have the same length and all three
angles have a measure of 60°. The height of the triangle, 𝑘√3 , is the length of the altitude from one vertex. The altitude
divides the equilateral triangle into two congruent 30-60-90 right triangles, where the altitude is the side across from the
60° angle in each 30-60-90 right triangle. Since the altitude has a length of 𝑘√3 , it follows from the properties of 30-60-
90 right triangles that the side across from each 30° angle has a length of 𝑘 and each hypotenuse has a length of 2𝑘. In
this case, the hypotenuse of each 30-60-90 right triangle is a side of the equilateral triangle; therefore, each side length of
the equilateral triangle is 2𝑘. The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the lengths of each side. It's given that the
perimeter of the equilateral triangle is 624; therefore, 2𝑘 + 2𝑘 + 2𝑘 = 624, or 6𝑘 = 624. Dividing both sides of this
equation by 6 yields 𝑘 = 104.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 899c6042
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 899c6042

A right circular cone has a height of and a base with a diameter of . The volume of this cone
is . What is the value of ?

ID: 899c6042 Answer

Correct Answer: 66

Rationale
The correct answer is 66. It’s given that the right circular cone has a height of 22 centimeters cm and a base with a
diameter of 6 cm. Since the diameter of the base of the cone is 6 cm, the radius of the base is 3 cm. The volume 𝑉,
1
in cm3 , of a right circular cone can be found using the formula 𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ, where ℎ is the height, in cm, and 𝑟 is the
1 2
radius, in cm, of the base of the cone. Substituting 22 for ℎ and 3 for 𝑟 in this formula yields 𝑉 = 3 𝜋3 22, or 𝑉 = 66𝜋.
Therefore, the volume of the cone is 66𝜋 cm3 . It’s given that the volume of the cone is 𝑛𝜋 cm3 . Therefore, the value of 𝑛
is 66.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 498d6795
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 498d6795

In triangle , angle is a right angle. The length of side is and the length of side is . What
is the length of side ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 498d6795 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The Pythagorean theorem states that for a right triangle, 𝑐2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 , where 𝑐 represents the length
of the hypotenuse and 𝑎 and 𝑏 represent the lengths of the legs. It’s given that in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, angle 𝐵 is a right angle.
Therefore, triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is a right triangle, where the hypotenuse is side 𝐴𝐶 and the legs are sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶. It’s given
that the lengths of sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶 are 10√37 and 24√37 , respectively. Substituting these values for 𝑎 and 𝑏 in the
2 2
formula 𝑐2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 yields 𝑐2 = 10√37 + 24√37 , which is equivalent to 𝑐2 = 10037 + 57637, or 𝑐2 = 67637. Taking the
square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑐 = ± 26√37 . Since 𝑐 represents the length of the hypotenuse, side 𝐴𝐶, 𝑐
must be positive. Therefore, the length of side 𝐴𝐶 is 26√37 .

2 2
Choice A is incorrect. This is the result of solving the equation 𝑐 = 24√37 - 10√37 , not 𝑐2 = 10√37 + 24√37 .

2 2
Choice C is incorrect. This is the result of solving the equation 𝑐 = 10√37 + 24√37 , not 𝑐2 = 10√37 + 24√37 .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 740bf79f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 740bf79f

In the figure above, what is the

length of ?

A. 2.2

B. 2.3

C. 2.4

D. 2.5

ID: 740bf79f Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. First, is the hypotenuse of right , whose legs have lengths 3 and 4. Therefore,

, so and . Second, because corresponds to and because

corresponds to , is similar to . The ratio of corresponding sides of similar triangles is

constant, so . Since and it’s given that and , . Solving for NQ results in

, or 2.4.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect and may result from setting up incorrect ratios.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3b225698
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 3b225698

Triangle is similar to triangle such that , , and correspond to , , and , respectively. The measure
of is and . What is the measure of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3b225698 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is similar to triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇, such that 𝑋, 𝑌, and 𝑍 correspond to 𝑅, 𝑆, and 𝑇,
respectively. Since corresponding angles of similar triangles are congruent, it follows that the measure of ∠𝑍 is
congruent to the measure of ∠𝑇. It’s given that the measure of ∠𝑍 is 20°. Therefore, the measure of ∠𝑇 is 20°.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from a conceptual error. Choice B is incorrect. This is half the measure of ∠𝑍.

Choice D is incorrect. This is twice the measure of ∠𝑍.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 249d3f80
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 249d3f80

Point is the center of a circle. The measure of arc on this circle is . What is the measure, in degrees, of its
associated angle ?

ID: 249d3f80 Answer

Correct Answer: 100

Rationale
The correct answer is 100. It's given that point 𝑂 is the center of a circle and the measure of arc 𝑅𝑆 on the circle is 100°. It
¯ ¯
follows that points 𝑅 and 𝑆 lie on the circle. Therefore, 𝑂𝑅 and 𝑂𝑆 are radii of the circle. A central angle is an angle formed
by two radii of a circle, with its vertex at the center of the circle. Therefore, ∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is a central angle. Because the degree
measure of an arc is equal to the measure of its associated central angle, it follows that the measure, in degrees, of
∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is 100.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a4c05a1b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: a4c05a1b

In the figure shown, lines and are parallel, and line intersects both lines. If , which of the following must be
true?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a4c05a1b Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. In the figure shown, the angle measuring 𝑦° is congruent to its vertical angle formed by lines 𝑠 and 𝑚,
so the measure of the vertical angle is also 𝑦°. The vertical angle forms a same-side interior angle pair with the angle
measuring 𝑥°. It's given that lines 𝑟 and 𝑠 are parallel. Therefore, same-side interior angles in the figure are
supplementary, which means the sum of the measure of the vertical angle and the measure of the angle measuring 𝑥° is
180°, or 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 180. Subtracting 𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑦 = 180 - 𝑥. Substituting 180 - 𝑥 for 𝑦 in the
inequality 𝑦 < 65 yields 180 - 𝑥 < 65. Adding 𝑥 to both sides of this inequality yields 180 < 65 + 𝑥. Subtracting 65 from
both sides of this inequality yields 115 < 𝑥, or 𝑥 > 115. Thus, if 𝑦 < 65, it must be true that 𝑥 > 115.

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

Choice C is incorrect. 𝑥 + 𝑦 must be equal to, not less than, 180.

Choice D is incorrect. 𝑥 + 𝑦 must be equal to, not greater than, 180.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 38517165
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 38517165

A circle has a circumference of centimeters. What is the diameter, in centimeters, of the circle?

ID: 38517165 Answer

Correct Answer: 31

Rationale
The correct answer is 31. The circumference of a circle is equal to 2𝜋𝑟 centimeters, where 𝑟 represents the radius, in
centimeters, of the circle, and the diameter of the circle is equal to 2𝑟 centimeters. It's given that a circle has a
circumference of 31𝜋 centimeters. Therefore, 31𝜋 = 2𝜋𝑟. Dividing both sides of this equation by 𝜋 yields 31 = 2𝑟. Since
the diameter of the circle is equal to 2𝑟 centimeters, it follows that the diameter, in centimeters, of the circle is 31.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ab176ad6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: ab176ad6

The equation defines a circle in the

xy‑plane. What is the radius of the circle?

ID: ab176ad6 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 11. A circle with equation , where a, b, and r are constants, has center
and radius r. Therefore, the radius of the given circle is , or 11.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d3fe472f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: d3fe472f

Triangle is similar to triangle , such that , , and correspond to , , and respectively. The length of
each side of triangle is times the length of its corresponding side in triangle . The measure of side is
. What is the measure of side ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: d3fe472f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is similar to triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍, such that 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 correspond to 𝑋, 𝑌, and 𝑍,
respectively. Therefore, side 𝐴𝐵 corresponds to side 𝑋𝑌. Since the length of each side of triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍 is 2 times the
length of its corresponding side in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶, it follows that the measure of side 𝑋𝑌 is 2 times the measure of side 𝐴𝐵.
Thus, since the measure of side 𝐴𝐵 is 16, then the measure of side 𝑋𝑌 is 216, or 32.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure of side 𝐴𝐵, not side 𝑋𝑌.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID fd8745fc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: fd8745fc

In triangle , the measures of and are each . What is the measure of , in degrees? (Disregard the
degree symbol when entering your answer.)

ID: fd8745fc Answer

Correct Answer: 84

Rationale
The correct answer is 84. The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°. It's given that in triangle
𝐽𝐾𝐿, the measures of ∠𝐾and ∠𝐿 are each 48°. Adding the measures, in degrees, of ∠𝐾 and ∠𝐿 gives 48 + 48, or 96.
Therefore, the measure of ∠𝐽, in degrees, is 180 - 96, or 84.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 3e577e4a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 3e577e4a

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at . Line is tangent to this circle at the point . What is the
slope of line ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 3e577e4a Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. A line that's tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. It's
given that the circle has its center at -4, - 6 and line 𝑘 is tangent to the circle at the point -7, - 7. The slope of a radius
𝑡-𝑟
defined by the points 𝑞, 𝑟 and 𝑠, 𝑡 can be calculated as 𝑠 - 𝑞 . The points -7, - 7 and -4, - 6 define the radius of the circle at
-6 - -7 1
the point of tangency. Therefore, the slope of this radius can be calculated as -4 - -7
, or 3 . If a line and a radius are
1
perpendicular, the slope of the line must be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the radius. The negative reciprocal of 3
is -3. Thus, the slope of line 𝑘 is -3.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the slope of the radius of the circle at the point of tangency, not the slope of line 𝑘.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b0dc920d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: b0dc920d

A manufacturer determined that right cylindrical containers with a height that is

4 inches longer than the radius offer the optimal number of containers to be
displayed on a shelf. Which of the following expresses the volume, V, in cubic
inches, of such containers, where r is the radius, in inches?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b0dc920d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The volume, V, of a right cylinder is given by the formula , where r represents the radius of
the base of the cylinder and h represents the height. Since the height is 4 inches longer than the radius, the expression
represents the height of each cylindrical container. It follows that the volume of each container is represented by

the equation . Distributing the expression into each term in the parentheses yields .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from representing the height as instead of . Choice B is incorrect and may
result from representing the height as instead of . Choice C is incorrect and may result from representing the

volume of a right cylinder as instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 55bb437a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 55bb437a

In the figure above, . If and

, what is the length of ?

ID: 55bb437a Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 6. Since , and are both similar to 3-4-5 triangles. This means that
they are both similar to the right triangle with sides of lengths 3, 4, and 5. Since , which is 3 times as long as the

hypotenuse of the 3-4-5 triangle, the similarity ratio of to the 3-4-5 triangle is 3:1. Therefore, the length of

(the side opposite to ) is , and the length of (the side adjacent to ) is . It is also given
that . Since and , it follows that , which means that the similarity ratio of

to the 3-4-5 triangle is 2:1 ( is the side adjacent to ). Therefore, the length of , which is the side
opposite to , is .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c7bed21d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: c7bed21d

Quadrilateral is similar to quadrilateral , where , , , and correspond to , , , and ,

respectively. The measure of angle is , the measure of angle is , and the measure of angle is . The
length of each side of is times the length of each corresponding side of . What is the measure of
angle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c7bed21d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
' ' ' '
Choice B is correct. It's given that quadrilateral 𝑃 𝑄 𝑅 𝑆 is similar to quadrilateral 𝑃𝑄𝑅𝑆, where 𝑃, 𝑄, 𝑅, and 𝑆 correspond to
𝑃' , 𝑄' , 𝑅' , and 𝑆' , respectively. Since corresponding angles of similar quadrilaterals are congruent, it follows that the
measure of angle 𝑃 is equal to the measure of angle 𝑃' . It's given that the measure of angle 𝑃 is 30°. Therefore, the
'
measure of angle 𝑃 is 30°.

1 '
Choice A is incorrect. This is 3
the measure of angle 𝑃 .

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

Choice D is incorrect. This is 3 times the measure of angle 𝑃' .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8e7689e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 8e7689e0

The number of radians in a 720-degree angle can be written as , where

a is a constant. What is the value of a ?

ID: 8e7689e0 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 4. There are radians in a angle. An angle measure of is 4 times greater than an

angle measure of . Therefore, the number of radians in a angle is .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID de550be0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: de550be0

For the triangle shown, which expression represents the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: de550be0 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. For the right triangle shown, the lengths of the legs are 𝑎 units and 6 units, and the length of the
hypotenuse is 21 units. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of
the two legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, 𝑎2 + 62 = 212 . Subtracting 62 from both
sides of this equation yields 𝑎2 = 212 - 62 . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = ± √212 - 62 .
Since 𝑎 is a length, 𝑎 must be positive. Therefore, 𝑎 = √212 - 62 . Thus, for the triangle shown, √212 - 62 represents the
value of 𝑎.

Choice B is incorrect. For the triangle shown, this expression represents the value of 𝑎2 , not 𝑎.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual errors.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 901e3285
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 901e3285

In triangle ABC, the measure of angle A is . If triangle ABC is isosceles,

which of the following is NOT a possible measure of angle B ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 901e3285 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The sum of the three interior angles in a triangle is . It’s given that angle A measures . If
angle B measured , the measure of angle C would be . Thus, the measures of the

angles in the triangle would be , , and . However, an isosceles triangle has two angles of equal measure.
Therefore, angle B can’t measure .

Choice A is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle C would measure , and ,

, and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle. Choice B is incorrect. If angle B has measure ,

then angle C would measure , and , , and could be the angle measures of an
isosceles triangle. Choice C is incorrect. If angle B has measure , then angle C would measure

, and , , and could be the angle measures of an isosceles triangle.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID bd7f6e30
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: bd7f6e30

In the figure above, .

What is the value of x ?

A. 72

B. 66

C. 64

D. 58

ID: bd7f6e30 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since , it follows that is an isosceles triangle with base RU. Therefore,
and are the base angles of an isosceles triangle and are congruent. Let the measures of both and

be . According to the triangle sum theorem, the sum of the measures of the three angles of a triangle is .
Therefore, , so .

Note that is the same angle as . Thus, the measure of is . According to the triangle exterior

angle theorem, an external angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the opposite interior angles. Therefore, is equal
to the sum of the measures of and ; that is, . Thus, the value of x is 64.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure of , but is not congruent to . Choices A and D are
incorrect and may result from a calculation error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2adbf1b1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 2adbf1b1

In the figure, lines and are parallel. If and , what is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 2adbf1b1 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is correct. Vertical angles, which are angles that are opposite each other when two lines intersect, are
congruent. The figure shows that lines 𝑡 and 𝑚 intersect. It follows that the angle with measure 𝑥° and the angle with
measure 𝑦° are vertical angles, so 𝑥 = 𝑦. It's given that 𝑥 = 6𝑘 + 13 and 𝑦 = 8𝑘 - 29. Substituting 6𝑘 + 13 for 𝑥 and 8𝑘 - 29
for 𝑦 in the equation 𝑥 = 𝑦 yields 6𝑘 + 13 = 8𝑘 - 29. Subtracting 6𝑘 from both sides of this equation yields 13 = 2𝑘 - 29.
Adding 29 to both sides of this equation yields 42 = 2𝑘, or 2𝑘 = 42. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields
𝑘 = 21. It's given that lines 𝑚 and 𝑛 are parallel, and the figure shows that lines 𝑚 and 𝑛 are intersected by a transversal,
line 𝑡. If two parallel lines are intersected by a transversal, then the same-side interior angles are supplementary. It
follows that the same-side interior angles with measures 𝑦° and 𝑧° are supplementary, so 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 180. Substituting
8𝑘 - 29 for 𝑦 in this equation yields 8𝑘 - 29 + 𝑧 = 180. Substituting 21 for 𝑘 in this equation yields 821 - 29 + 𝑧 = 180, or
139 + 𝑧 = 180. Subtracting 139 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑧 = 41. Therefore, the value of 𝑧 is 41.

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

Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑘, not 𝑧. Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of 𝑥 or 𝑦, not 𝑧.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID ffe862a3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: ffe862a3

An isosceles right triangle has a hypotenuse of length inches. What is the perimeter, in inches, of this triangle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ffe862a3 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Since the triangle is an isosceles right triangle, the two sides that form the right angle must be the
same length. Let 𝑥 be the length, in inches, of each of those sides. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right
triangle, 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 , where 𝑐 is the length of the hypotenuse and 𝑎 and 𝑏 are the lengths of the other two sides.
2 2
Substituting 𝑥 for 𝑎, 𝑥 for 𝑏, and 58 for 𝑐 in this equation yields 𝑥2 + 𝑥2 = 58 , or 2𝑥2 = 58 . Dividing each side of this
2 2
58 2 · 58
equation by 2 yields 𝑥2 = , or 𝑥2 = . Taking the square root of each side of this equation yields two solutions:
2 4
58√2 58√2 58√2
𝑥=
2
and 𝑥 = - 2
. The value of 𝑥 must be positive because it represents a side length. Therefore, 𝑥 = 2
, or
𝑥 = 29√2 . The perimeter, in inches, of the triangle is 58 + 𝑥 + 𝑥, or 58 + 2𝑥. Substituting 29√2 for 𝑥 in this expression
gives a perimeter, in inches, of 58 + 229√2 , or 58 + 58√2 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length, in inches, of each of the congruent sides of the triangle, not the perimeter, in
inches, of the triangle.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the sum of the lengths, in inches, of the congruent sides of the triangle, not the perimeter, in
inches, of the triangle.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 24cec8d1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 24cec8d1

A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. In triangle , the measure of is . What is the
measure of , in degrees? (Disregard the degree symbol when entering your answer.)

ID: 24cec8d1 Answer

Correct Answer: 46

Rationale
¯
The correct answer is 46. It's given that 𝑂 is the center of a circle and that points 𝑅 and 𝑆 lie on the circle. Therefore, 𝑂𝑅
¯
and 𝑂𝑆 are radii of the circle. It follows that 𝑂𝑅 = 𝑂𝑆. If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite
them are congruent. It follows that the angles ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂 and ∠𝑂𝑅𝑆, which are across from the sides of equal length, are
congruent. Let 𝑥° represent the measure of ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂. It follows that the measure of ∠𝑂𝑅𝑆 is also 𝑥°. It's given that the
measure of ∠𝑅𝑂𝑆 is 88°. Because the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°, the equation
𝑥° + 𝑥° + 88° = 180°, or 2𝑥 + 88 = 180, can be used to find the measure of ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂. Subtracting 88 from both sides of this
equation yields 2𝑥 = 92. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields 𝑥 = 46. Therefore, the measure of ∠𝑅𝑆𝑂, in
degrees, is 46.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8c1aa743
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 8c1aa743

Rectangles and are similar. The length of each side of is times the length of the
corresponding side of . The area of is square units. What is the area, in square units, of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 8c1aa743 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The area of a rectangle is given by 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 is the length of the base of the rectangle and ℎ is its
height. Let 𝑥 represent the length, in units, of the base of rectangle ABCD, and let 𝑦 represent its height, in units.
Substituting 𝑥 for 𝑏 and 𝑦 for ℎ in the formula 𝑏ℎ yields 𝑥𝑦. Therefore, the area, in square units, of ABCD can be
represented by the expression 𝑥𝑦. It’s given that the length of each side of EFGH is 6 times the length of the
corresponding side of ABCD. Therefore, the length, in units, of the base of EFGH can be represented by the expression 6𝑥,
and its height, in units, can be represented by the expression 6𝑦. Substituting 6𝑥 for 𝑏 and 6𝑦 for ℎ in the formula 𝑏ℎ
yields 6𝑥6𝑦, which is equivalent to 36𝑥𝑦. Therefore, the area, in square units, of EFGH can be represented by the
expression 36𝑥𝑦. It’s given that the area of ABCD is 54 square units. Since 𝑥𝑦 represents the area, in square units, of
ABCD, substituting 54 for 𝑥𝑦 in the expression 36𝑥𝑦 yields 3654, or 1,944. Therefore, the area, in square units, of EFGH is
1,944.

1
Choice A is incorrect. This is the area of a rectangle where the length of each side of the rectangle is √ 6 , not 6, times the

length of the corresponding side of ABCD.

2
Choice B is incorrect. This is the area of a rectangle where the length of each side of the rectangle is √ 3 , not 6, times the

length of the corresponding side of ABCD.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the area of a rectangle where the length of each side of the rectangle is √6 , not 6, times the
length of the corresponding side of ABCD.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 44b2b894
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 44b2b894

A rectangle is inscribed in a circle, such that each vertex of the rectangle lies on the circumference of the circle. The
diagonal of the rectangle is twice the length of the shortest side of the rectangle. The area of the rectangle is
square units. What is the length, in units, of the diameter of the circle?

ID: 44b2b894 Answer

Correct Answer: 66

Rationale
The correct answer is 66. It's given that each vertex of the rectangle lies on the circumference of the circle. Therefore, the
length of the diameter of the circle is equal to the length of the diagonal of the rectangle. The diagonal of a rectangle
forms a right triangle with the shortest and longest sides of the rectangle, where the shortest side and the longest side of
the rectangle are the legs of the triangle and the diagonal of the rectangle is the hypotenuse of the triangle. Let 𝑠
represent the length, in units, of the shortest side of the rectangle. Since it's given that the diagonal is twice the length of
the shortest side, 2𝑠 represents the length, in units, of the diagonal of the rectangle. By the Pythagorean theorem, if a
2
right triangle has a hypotenuse with length 𝑐 and legs with lengths 𝑎 and 𝑏, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏 = 𝑐2 . Substituting 𝑠 for 𝑎 and 2𝑠
2 2 2 2
for 𝑐 in this equation yields 𝑠2 + 𝑏 = 2𝑠 , or 𝑠2 + 𝑏 = 4𝑠2 . Subtracting 𝑠2 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑏 = 3𝑠2
. Taking the positive square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑏 = 𝑠√3 . Therefore, the length, in units, of the
rectangle’s longest side is 𝑠√3 . The area of a rectangle is the product of the length of the shortest side and the length of
the longest side. The lengths, in units, of the shortest and longest sides of the rectangle are represented by 𝑠 and 𝑠√3 ,
and it’s given that the area of the rectangle is 1,089√3 square units. It follows that 1,089√3 = 𝑠𝑠√3 , or 1,089√3 = 𝑠2 √3 .
Dividing both sides of this equation by √3 yields 1,089 = 𝑠2 . Taking the positive square root of both sides of this equation
yields 33 = 𝑠. Since the length, in units, of the diagonal is represented by 2𝑠, it follows that the length, in units, of the
diagonal is 233, or 66. Since the length of the diameter of the circle is equal to the length of the diagonal of the rectangle,
the length, in units, of the diameter of the circle is 66.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9e44284b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 9e44284b

In the xy-plane, the graph of is a

circle. What is the radius of the circle?

A. 5

B. 6.5

C.

D.

ID: 9e44284b Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. One way to find the radius of the circle is to rewrite the given equation in standard form,
, where is the center of the circle and the radius of the circle is r. To do this, divide the

original equation, , by 2 to make the leading coefficients of and each equal to 1:

. Then complete the square to put the equation in standard form. To do so, first rewrite

as . Second, add 2.25 and 0.25 to

both sides of the equation: . Since ,

, and , it follows that . Therefore, the radius of the circle is

5.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may be the result of errors in manipulating the equation or of a misconception
about the standard form of the equation of a circle in the xy-plane.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 568d66a7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 568d66a7

An isosceles right triangle has a perimeter of inches. What is the length, in inches, of one leg of this triangle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 568d66a7 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that the right triangle is isosceles. In an isosceles right triangle, the two legs have equal
lengths, and the length of the hypotenuse is √2 times the length of one of the legs. Let 𝑙 represent the length, in inches,
of each leg of the isosceles right triangle. It follows that the length of the hypotenuse is 𝑙√2 inches. The perimeter of a
figure is the sum of the lengths of the sides of the figure. Therefore, the perimeter of the isosceles right triangle is
𝑙 + 𝑙 + 𝑙√2 inches. It's given that the perimeter of the triangle is 94 + 94√2 inches. It follows that 𝑙 + 𝑙 + 𝑙√2 = 94 + 94√2
. Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields 1 + 1 + √2 𝑙 = 94 + 94√2 , or 2 + √2 𝑙 = 94 + 94√2 . Dividing both
94 + 94√2
sides of this equation by 2 + √2 yields 𝑙 = 2 + √2
. Rationalizing the denominator of the right-hand side of this equation
2 - √2 94 + 94√2 2 - √2
by multiplying the right-hand side of the equation by 2 - √2
yields 𝑙 = 2 + √2 2 - √2
. Applying the distributive property to the
188 - 94√2 + 188√2 - 94√4
numerator and to the denominator of the right-hand side of this equation yields 𝑙 = 4 - 2√2 + 2√2 - √4
. This is
94√2
equivalent to 𝑙 = 2
, or 𝑙 = 47√2 . Therefore, the length, in inches, of one leg of the isosceles right triangle is 47√2 .

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the length, in inches, of the hypotenuse.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0e709a29
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 0e709a29

The side lengths of right triangle are given. Triangle is similar to triangle , where corresponds to
and corresponds to . What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0e709a29 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The hypotenuse of triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is the longest side and is across from the right angle. The longest
side length given is 584, which is the length of side 𝑇𝑅. Therefore, the hypotenuse of triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is side 𝑇𝑅, so the right
angle is angle 𝑆. The tangent of an acute angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side, which is
the side across from the angle, to the length of the adjacent side, which is the side closest to the angle that is not the
hypotenuse. It follows that the opposite side of angle 𝑇 is side 𝑅𝑆 and the adjacent side of angle 𝑇 is side 𝑆𝑇. Therefore,
𝑅𝑆 440 55
tan𝑇 =
𝑆𝑇
. Substituting 440 for 𝑅𝑆 and 384 for 𝑆𝑇 in this equation yields tan𝑇 = 384
. This is equivalent to tan𝑇 = 48
. It’s
given that triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is similar to triangle 𝑈𝑉𝑊, where 𝑆 corresponds to 𝑉 and 𝑇 corresponds to 𝑊. It follows that 𝑅
𝑈𝑉
corresponds to 𝑈. Therefore, the hypotenuse of triangle 𝑈𝑉𝑊 is side 𝑊𝑈, which means tan𝑊 = 𝑉𝑊
. Since the lengths of
𝑅𝑆 𝑈𝑉 𝑈𝑉 𝑅𝑆
corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional, = . Therefore, tan𝑊 = is equivalent to tan𝑊 = , or
𝑆𝑇 𝑉𝑊 𝑉𝑊 𝑆𝑇
55
tan𝑊 = tan𝑇. Thus, tan𝑊 = 48
.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of cos𝑊, not tan𝑊. Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of sin𝑊, not tan𝑊.

1
Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of tan𝑊
, not tan𝑊.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID eeb4143c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: eeb4143c

The area of triangle ABC above is at least 48 but no more than 60. If y is an
integer, what is one possible value of x ?

ID: eeb4143c Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is either , , or . The area of triangle ABC can be expressed as or . It’s
given that the area of triangle ABC is at least 48 but no more than 60. It follows that . Dividing by 6 to
isolate y in this compound inequality yields . Since y is an integer, . In the given figure, the two
right triangles shown are similar because they have two pairs of congruent angles: their respective right angles and angle

A. Therefore, the following proportion is true: . Substituting 8 for y in the proportion results in . Cross

multiplying and solving for x yields . Substituting 9 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and

solving for x yields . Substituting 10 for y in the proportion results in . Cross multiplying and solving for x

yields . Note that 10/3, 15/4, 25/6, 3.333, 3.75, 4.166, and 4.167 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5b2b8866
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 5b2b8866

A rectangular poster has an area of square inches. A copy of the poster is made in which the length and width of the
original poster are each increased by . What is the area of the copy, in square inches?

ID: 5b2b8866 Answer

Correct Answer: 2592/5, 518.4

Rationale
The correct answer is 518.4. It's given that the area of the original poster is 360 square inches. Let 𝑙 represent the length,
in inches, of the original poster, and let 𝑤 represent the width, in inches, of the original poster. Since the area of a
rectangle is equal to its length times its width, it follows that 360 = 𝑙𝑤. It's also given that a copy of the poster is made in
which the length and width of the original poster are each increased by 20%. It follows that the length of the copy is the
20
length of the original poster plus 20% of the length of the original poster, which is equivalent to 𝑙 + 100 𝑙 inches. This
length can be rewritten as 𝑙 + 0.2𝑙 inches, or 1.2𝑙 inches. Similarly, the width of the copy is the width of the original poster
20
plus 20% of the width of the original poster, which is equivalent to 𝑤 + 100
𝑤 inches. This width can be rewritten as
𝑤 + 0.2𝑤 inches, or 1.2𝑤 inches. Since the area of a rectangle is equal to its length times its width, it follows that the area,
in square inches, of the copy is equal to 1.2𝑙1.2𝑤, which can be rewritten as 1.21.2𝑙𝑤. Since 360 = 𝑙𝑤, the area, in square
inches, of the copy can be found by substituting 360 for 𝑙𝑤 in the expression 1.21.2𝑙𝑤, which yields 1.21.2360, or 518.4.
Therefore, the area of the copy, in square inches, is 518.4.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9f934297
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 9f934297

A right rectangular prism has a length of , a width of , and a height of . What is the
surface area, , of the right rectangular prism?

ID: 9f934297 Answer

Correct Answer: 2216

Rationale
The correct answer is 2,216. The surface area of a prism is the sum of the areas of all its faces. A right rectangular prism
consists of six rectangular faces, where opposite faces are congruent. It's given that this prism has a length of 28 cm, a
width of 15 cm, and a height of 16 cm. Thus, for this prism, there are two faces with area 2815 cm2 , two faces with
area 2816 cm2 , and two faces with area 1516 cm2 . Therefore, the surface area, in cm2 , of the right rectangular prism is
22815 + 22816 + 21516, or 2,216.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 74d8b897
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 74d8b897

An angle has a measure of radians. What is the measure of the angle in degrees?

ID: 74d8b897 Answer

Correct Answer: 81

Rationale
The correct answer is 81. The measure of an angle, in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in radians, by
180 degrees 9𝜋 180 degrees 9𝜋 180 degrees
𝜋 radians
. Multiplying the given angle measure, 20
radians, by 𝜋 radians
yields 20
radians 𝜋 radians
, which is equivalent
to 81 degrees.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID dc71597b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: dc71597b

A right circular cone has a volume of cubic feet and a height of 9 feet.
What is the radius, in feet, of the base of the cone?

A.

B.

C.

D. 3

ID: dc71597b Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The equation for the volume of a right circular cone is . It’s given that the volume of the

right circular cone is cubic feet and the height is 9 feet. Substituting these values for V and h, respectively, gives

. Dividing both sides of the equation by gives . Dividing both sides of the equation by 9

gives . Taking the square root of both sides results in two possible values for the radius, or .

Since the radius can’t have a negative value, that leaves as the only possibility. Applying the quotient property of

square roots, , results in , or .

Choices B and C are incorrect and may result from incorrectly evaluating . Choice D is incorrect and may result

from solving instead of .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a0cacec1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: a0cacec1

An angle has a measure of radians. What is the measure of the angle, in degrees?

ID: a0cacec1 Answer

Correct Answer: 192

Rationale
The correct answer is 192. The measure of an angle, in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in radians, by
180 degrees 16𝜋 180 degrees 16𝜋 180 degrees
𝜋 radians
. Multiplying the given angle measure, 15
radians, by
𝜋 radians
yields 15
radians
𝜋 radians
, which simplifies to
192 degrees.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f811d345
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: f811d345

A right triangle has legs with lengths of centimeters and centimeters. If the length of this triangle's hypotenuse, in
centimeters, can be written in the form , where is an integer, what is the value of ?

ID: f811d345 Answer

Correct Answer: 113

Rationale
The correct answer is 113. It's given that the legs of a right triangle have lengths 24 centimeters and 21 centimeters. In a
right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two legs.
It follows that if ℎ represents the length, in centimeters, of the hypotenuse of the right triangle, ℎ2 = 242 + 212 . This
equation is equivalent to ℎ2 = 1,017. Taking the square root of each side of this equation yields ℎ = √1,017 . This
equation can be rewritten as ℎ = √9 · 113 , or ℎ = √9 · √113 . This equation is equivalent to ℎ = 3√113 . It's given that the
length of the triangle's hypotenuse, in centimeters, can be written in the form 3√𝑑 . It follows that the value of 𝑑 is 113.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c9931030
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: c9931030

The side lengths of right triangle are given. Triangle is similar to triangle , where corresponds to
and corresponds to . What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: c9931030 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It's given that right triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is similar to triangle 𝑈𝑉𝑊, where 𝑆 corresponds to 𝑉 and 𝑇
corresponds to 𝑊. It's given that the side lengths of the right triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 are 𝑅𝑆 = 20, 𝑆𝑇 = 48, and 𝑇𝑅 = 52.
Corresponding angles in similar triangles are equal. It follows that the measure of angle 𝑇 is equal to the measure of
angle 𝑊. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is the longest side. It follows that the hypotenuse of triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is side 𝑇𝑅.
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is the side opposite the right angle. Therefore, angle 𝑆 is a right angle. The adjacent
side of an acute angle in a right triangle is the side closest to the angle that is not the hypotenuse. It follows that the
adjacent side of angle 𝑇 is side 𝑆𝑇. The opposite side of an acute angle in a right triangle is the side across from the
acute angle. It follows that the opposite side of angle 𝑇 is side 𝑅𝑆. The tangent of an acute angle in a right triangle is the
𝑅𝑆
ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side. Therefore, tan 𝑇 = 𝑆𝑇
. Substituting 20 for 𝑅𝑆
20 5
and 48 for 𝑆𝑇 in this equation yields tan 𝑇 = 48
, or tan 𝑇 = 12
. The tangents of two acute angles with equal measures
are equal. Since the measure of angle 𝑇 is equal to the measure of angle 𝑊, it follows that tan 𝑇 = tan 𝑊. Substituting
5 5 5
for tan 𝑇 in this equation yields = tan 𝑊. Therefore, the value of tan 𝑊 is .
12 12 12

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of sin 𝑊. Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of cos 𝑊.

1
Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of tan 𝑊
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6933b3d9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 6933b3d9

In triangle RST above, point W (not shown) lies on . What is the value of
?

ID: 6933b3d9 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 0. Note that no matter where point W is on , the sum of the measures of and

is equal to the measure of , which is . Thus, and are complementary angles. Since the
cosine of an angle is equal to the sine of its complementary angle, . Therefore,
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9ec76b54
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 9ec76b54

A right triangle has legs with lengths of centimeters and centimeters. What is the length of this triangle's
hypotenuse, in centimeters?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9ec76b54 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of the
two legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse. It's given that the right triangle has legs with lengths of 28
centimeters and 20 centimeters. Let 𝑐 represent the length of this triangle's hypotenuse, in centimeters. Therefore, by the
2 2
Pythagorean theorem, 28 + 20 = 𝑐2 , or 1,184 = 𝑐2 . Taking the positive square root of both sides of this equation yields
√1,184 = 𝑐, or 4√74 = 𝑐. Therefore, the length of this triangle's hypotenuse, in centimeters, is 4√74 .

Choice A 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 is the square of the length of the triangle’s hypotenuse.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID f1c1e971
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: f1c1e971

The measure of angle is radians. The measure of angle is radians greater than the measure of angle .
What is the measure of angle , in degrees?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f1c1e971 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
2𝜋 5𝜋
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the measure of angle 𝑅 is 3
radians, and the measure of angle 𝑇 is 12
radians greater
2𝜋 5𝜋 2𝜋 4
than the measure of angle 𝑅. Therefore, the measure of angle 𝑇 is equal to 3
+ 12
radians. Multiplying 3 by 4 to get a
5𝜋 8𝜋 2𝜋 5𝜋 8𝜋 5𝜋 13𝜋
common denominator with yields . Therefore, + is equivalent to + , or . Therefore, the measure of
12 12 3 12 12 12 12
13𝜋 180
angle 𝑇 is 12 radians. The measure of angle 𝑇, in degrees, can be found by multiplying its measure, in radians, by 𝜋
.
13𝜋 180
This yields 12 × 𝜋 , which is equivalent to 195 degrees. Therefore, the measure of angle 𝑇 is 195 degrees.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the number of degrees that the measure of angle 𝑇 is greater than the measure of angle 𝑅.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the measure of angle 𝑅, in degrees.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 6ab30ce3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 6ab30ce3

Triangle is similar to triangle , where corresponds to and corresponds to . Angles and are
right angles. If and , what is the length of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6ab30ce3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Corresponding angles in similar triangles have equal measures. It's given that triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is similar
to triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹, where 𝐴 corresponds to 𝐷, so the measure of angle 𝐴 is equal to the measure of angle 𝐷. Therefore, if
tan𝐴 = √3 , then tan𝐷 = √3 . It's given that angles 𝐶 and 𝐹 are right angles, so triangles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐷𝐸𝐹 are right triangles.
The adjacent side of an acute angle in a right triangle is the side closest to the angle that is not the hypotenuse. It follows
that the adjacent side of angle 𝐷 is side 𝐷𝐹. The opposite side of an acute angle in a right triangle is the side across from
the acute angle. It follows that the opposite side of angle 𝐷 is side 𝐸𝐹. The tangent of an acute angle in a right triangle is
𝐸𝐹
the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side. Therefore, tan𝐷 = 𝐷𝐹
. If 𝐷𝐹 = 125, the length
𝐸𝐹 𝐸𝐹
of side 𝐸𝐹 can be found by substituting √3 for tan𝐷 and 125 for 𝐷𝐹 in the equation tan𝐷 = , which yields √3 = .
𝐷𝐹 125
Multiplying both sides of this equation by 125 yields 125√3 = 𝐸𝐹. Since the length of side 𝐸𝐹 is √3 times the length of
side 𝐷𝐹, it follows that triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹 is a special right triangle with angle measures 30°, 60°, and 90°. Therefore, the length
¯
of the hypotenuse, 𝐷𝐸, is 2 times the length of side 𝐷𝐹, or 𝐷𝐸 = 2𝐷𝐹. Substituting 125 for 𝐷𝐹 in this equation yields
¯
𝐷𝐸 = 2125, or 𝐷𝐸 = 250. Thus, if tan𝐴 = √3 and 𝐷𝐹 = 125, the length of 𝐷𝐸 is 250.

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. This is the length of 𝐸𝐹, not 𝐷𝐸.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1c3d613c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 1c3d613c

Triangle ABC and triangle DEF are shown. The relationship between the side

lengths of the two triangles is such that . If the

measure of angle BAC is 20°, what is the measure, in degrees, of angle EDF ?
(Disregard the degree symbol when gridding your answer.)

ID: 1c3d613c Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 20. By the equality given, the three pairs of corresponding sides of the two triangles are in the
same proportion. By the side-side-side (SSS) similarity theorem, triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF. In similar
triangles, the measures of corresponding angles are congruent. Since angle BAC corresponds to angle EDF, these two
angles are congruent and their measures are equal. It’s given that the measure of angle BAC is 20°, so the measure of
angle EDF is also 20°.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9acd101f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 9acd101f

The equation represents circle A. Circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down units in the xy-
plane. Which of the following equations represents circle B?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 9acd101f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The graph in the xy-plane of an equation of the form 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 is a circle with center ℎ, 𝑘 and
a radius of length 𝑟. It's given that circle A is represented by 𝑥2 + 𝑦 - 12 = 49, which can be rewritten as 𝑥2 + 𝑦 - 12 = 72 .
Therefore, circle A has center 0, 1 and a radius of length 7. Shifting circle A down two units is a rigid vertical translation of
circle A that does not change its size or shape. Since circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down two units, it follows
that circle B has the same radius as circle A, and for each point 𝑥, 𝑦 on circle A, the point 𝑥, 𝑦 - 2 lies on circle B. Moreover,
if ℎ, 𝑘 is the center of circle A, then ℎ, 𝑘 - 2 is the center of circle B. Therefore, circle B has a radius of 7 and the center of
circle B is 0, 1 - 2, or 0, - 1. Thus, circle B can be represented by the equation 𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 12 = 72 , or 𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 12 = 49.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle obtained by shifting circle A right 2 units.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle obtained by shifting circle A up 2 units.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle obtained by shifting circle A left 2 units.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 244ff6c4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 244ff6c4

What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 244ff6c4 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. A trigonometric ratio can be found using the unit circle, that is, a circle with radius 1 unit. If a central
angle of a unit circle in the xy-plane centered at the origin has its starting side on the positive x-axis and its terminal side
intersects the circle at a point 𝑥, 𝑦, then the value of the tangent of the central angle is equal to the y-coordinate divided
92𝜋 92 2
by the x-coordinate. There are 2𝜋 radians in a circle. Dividing by 2𝜋 yields , which is equivalent to 15 + . It follows
3 6 3
92𝜋
that on the unit circle centered at the origin in the xy-plane, the angle 3
is the result of 15 revolutions from its starting
2𝜋 92𝜋 2𝜋
side on the positive x-axis followed by a rotation through 3
radians. Therefore, the angles 3
and 3
are coterminal
92𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋
angles and tan
3
is equal to tan .
3
Since 3
is greater than 2
and less than 𝜋, it follows that the terminal side of the
𝜋
angle is in quadrant II and forms an angle of , or 60°, with the negative x-axis. Therefore, the terminal side of the angle
3
√3
1 3 2𝜋
intersects the unit circle at the point - 2 , √2 . It follows that the value of tan 3 is 2
1 , which is equivalent to -√3 . Therefore,
-
2
92𝜋
the value of tan is -√3 .
3

1 92𝜋 1 92𝜋
Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of 92𝜋 , not tan 3
. Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of 𝜋,
tan 3
not tan 3
.
tan 3

𝜋 92𝜋
Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of tan 3 , not tan 3
.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 08b7a3f5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 08b7a3f5

A triangular prism has a height of and a volume of . What is the area, , of the base
of the prism? (The volume of a triangular prism is equal to , where is the area of the base and is the height of the
prism.)

ID: 08b7a3f5 Answer

Correct Answer: 27

Rationale
The correct answer is 27. It's given that a triangular prism has a volume of 216 cubic centimeters cm3 and the volume
of a triangular prism is equal to 𝐵ℎ, where 𝐵 is the area of the base and ℎ is the height of the prism. Therefore, 216 = 𝐵ℎ.
It's also given that the triangular prism has a height of 8 cm. Therefore, ℎ = 8. Substituting 8 for ℎ in the equation
216 = 𝐵ℎ yields 216 = 𝐵8. Dividing both sides of this equation by 8 yields 27 = 𝐵. Therefore, the area, in cm2 , of the
base of the prism is 27.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 0acfddb5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 0acfddb5

A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. Line segments and are tangent to the circle at
points and , respectively. If the radius of the circle is millimeters and the perimeter of quadrilateral is
millimeters, what is the distance, in millimeters, between points and ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0acfddb5 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that the radius of the circle is 168 millimeters. Since points 𝑀 and 𝑁 both lie on the circle,
segments 𝐺𝑀 and 𝐺𝑁 are both radii. Therefore, segments 𝐺𝑀 and 𝐺𝑁 each have length 168 millimeters. Two segments
that are tangent to a circle and have a common exterior endpoint have equal length. Therefore, segment 𝑀𝐻 and
segment 𝑁𝐻 have equal length. Let 𝑥 represent the length of segment 𝑀𝐻. Then 𝑥 also represents the length of segment
𝑁𝐻. It's given that the perimeter of quadrilateral 𝐺𝑀𝐻𝑁 is 3,856 millimeters. Since the perimeter of a quadrilateral is
equal to the sum of the lengths of the sides of the quadrilateral, 3,856 = 168 + 168 + 𝑥 + 𝑥, or 3,856 = 336 + 2𝑥.
Subtracting 336 from both sides of this equation yields 3,520 = 2𝑥, and dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields
1,760 = 𝑥. Therefore, the length of segment 𝑀𝐻 is 1,760 millimeters. A line segment that's tangent to a circle is
perpendicular to the radius of the circle at the point of tangency. Therefore, segment 𝐺𝑀 is perpendicular to segment 𝑀𝐻.
Since perpendicular segments form right angles, angle 𝐺𝑀𝐻 is a right angle. Therefore, triangle 𝐺𝑀𝐻 is a right triangle
with legs of length 1,760 millimeters and 168 millimeters, and hypotenuse 𝐺𝐻. By the Pythagorean theorem, if a right
2
triangle has a hypotenuse with length 𝑐 and legs with lengths 𝑎 and 𝑏, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏 = 𝑐2 . Substituting 1,760 for 𝑎 and 168
for 𝑏 in this equation yields 1,7602 + 1682 = 𝑐2 , or 3,125,824 = 𝑐2 . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation
yields ±1,768 = 𝑐. Since 𝑐 represents a length, which must be positive, the value of 𝑐 is 1,768. Therefore, the length of
segment 𝐺𝐻 is 1,768 millimeters, so the distance between points 𝐺 and 𝐻 is 1,768 millimeters.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the distance between points 𝐺 and 𝑀 and between points 𝐺 and 𝑁, not the distance between
points 𝐺 and 𝐻.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the distance between points 𝑀 and 𝐻 and between points 𝑁 and 𝐻, not the distance
between points 𝐺 and 𝐻.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5b4757df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 5b4757df

In triangle , angle is a right angle, point lies on , point lies on , and is parallel to . If the length
of is units, the length of is units, and the area of triangle is square units, what is the length of
, in units?

ID: 5b4757df Answer

Correct Answer: 14.66, 14.67, 44/3

Rationale
44
The correct answer is 3
. It's given that in triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇, angle 𝑇 is a right angle. The area of a right triangle can be found
1
using the formula 𝐴 = 2 𝑙1 𝑙2 , where 𝐴 represents the area of the right triangle, 𝑙1 represents the length of one leg of the
¯ ¯
triangle, and 𝑙2 represents the length of the other leg of the triangle. In triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇, the two legs are 𝑅𝑇 and 𝑆𝑇.
¯ 1
Therefore, if the length of 𝑅𝑇 is 72 and the area of triangle 𝑅𝑆𝑇 is 792, then 792 = 2 72𝑆𝑇, or 792 = 36𝑆𝑇. Dividing both
¯ ¯
sides of this equation by 36 yields 22 = 𝑆𝑇. Therefore, the length of 𝑆𝑇 is 22. It's also given that point 𝐿 lies on 𝑅𝑆, point 𝐾
¯ ¯ ¯
lies on 𝑆𝑇, and 𝐿𝐾 is parallel to 𝑅𝑇. It follows that angle 𝐿𝐾𝑆 is a right angle. Since triangles 𝑅𝑆𝑇 and 𝐿𝑆𝐾 share angle 𝑆
and have right angles 𝑇 and 𝐾, respectively, triangles 𝑅𝑆𝑇 and 𝐿𝑆𝐾 are similar triangles. Therefore, the ratio of the length
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
of 𝑅𝑇 to the length of 𝐿𝐾 is equal to the ratio of the length of 𝑆𝑇 to the length of 𝑆𝐾. If the length of 𝑅𝑇 is 72 and the
¯ ¯ ¯ 72 ¯
length of 𝐿𝐾 is 24, it follows that the ratio of the length of 𝑅𝑇 to the length of 𝐿𝐾 is 24
, or 3, so the ratio of the length of 𝑆𝑇
¯ 22
to the length of 𝑆𝐾 is 3. Therefore, 𝑆𝐾
= 3. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 𝑆𝐾 yields 22 = 3𝑆𝐾. Dividing both
22 ¯ ¯ 22
sides of this equation by 3 yields = 𝑆𝐾. Since the length of 𝑆𝑇, 22, is the sum of the length of 𝑆𝐾, , and the length of
3 3
¯ ¯ 22 44
𝐾𝑇, it follows that the length of 𝐾𝑇 is 22 - , or . Note that 44/3, 14.66, and 14.67 are examples of ways to enter a
3 3
correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ca2235f6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: ca2235f6

A circle has center , and points and lie on the circle. The measure of arc is and the length of arc is
inches. What is the circumference, in inches, of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ca2235f6 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the measure of arc 𝐴𝐵 is 45° and the length of arc 𝐴𝐵 is 3 inches. The arc measure of
45° 3 inches
the full circle is 360°. If 𝑥 represents the circumference, in inches, of the circle, it follows that 360°
=
𝑥 inches
. This equation
45 3 1 3
is equivalent to 360
=
𝑥
, or 8
=
𝑥
. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 8𝑥 yields 1 ( 𝑥 ) = 3 ( 8 ) , or 𝑥 = 24. Therefore,
the circumference of the circle is 24 inches.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of arc 𝐴𝐵.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying the length of arc 𝐴𝐵 by 2.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from squaring the length of arc 𝐴𝐵.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 856372ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 856372ca

In the xy-plane, a circle with radius 5 has center . Which of the

following is an equation of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 856372ca Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. An equation of a circle is , where the center of the circle is and the
radius is r. It’s given that the center of this circle is and the radius is 5. Substituting these values into the equation

gives , or .

Choice A is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that has center . Choice C is incorrect. This is an equation of

a circle that has center and radius . Choice D is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that has radius .

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 9d159400
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 9d159400

Which of the following equations represents a circle in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at exactly one point?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 9d159400 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
2 2
Choice C is correct. The graph of the equation 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 in the xy-plane is a circle with center ℎ, 𝑘 and a radius of
length 𝑟. The radius of a circle is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on the circle. If a circle in the xy-
plane intersects the y-axis at exactly one point, then the perpendicular distance from the center of the circle to this point
on the y-axis must be equal to the length of the circle's radius. It follows that the x-coordinate of the circle's center must
be equivalent to the length of the circle's radius. In other words, if the graph of 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 is a circle that
intersects the y-axis at exactly one point, then 𝑟 = ℎ must be true. The equation in choice C is 𝑥 - 42 + 𝑦 - 92 = 16, or
𝑥 - 42 + 𝑦 - 92 = 42 . This equation is in the form 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 , where ℎ = 4, 𝑘 = 9, and 𝑟 = 4, and represents a circle
in the xy-plane with center 4, 9 and radius of length 4. Substituting 4 for 𝑟 and 4 for ℎ in the equation 𝑟 = ℎ yields 4 = 4, or
4 = 4, which is true. Therefore, the equation in choice C represents a circle in the xy-plane that intersects the y-axis at
exactly one point.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle that does not intersect the y-axis at any point.

Choice B is incorrect. This is an equation of a circle that intersects the x-axis, not the y-axis, at exactly one point.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the equation of a circle with the center located on the y-axis and thus intersects the y-axis at
exactly two points, not exactly one point.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bf8d843e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: bf8d843e

In above, what is the

length of ?

A. 4

B. 6

C.

D.

ID: bf8d843e Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. Triangles ADB and CDB are both triangles and share . Therefore, triangles ADB
and CDB are congruent by the angle-side-angle postulate. Using the properties of triangles, the length

of is half the length of hypotenuse . Since the triangles are congruent, . So the length of is

Alternate approach: Since angle CBD has a measure of , angle ABC must have a measure of . It follows that
triangle ABC is equilateral, so side AC also has length 12. It also follows that the altitude BD is also a median, and
therefore the length of AD is half of the length of AC, which is 6.

Choice A is incorrect. If the length of were 4, then the length of would be 8. However, this is incorrect because

is congruent to , which has a length of 12. Choices C and D are also incorrect. Following the same procedures as

used to test choice A gives a length of for choice C and for choice D. However, these results cannot

be true because is congruent to , which has a length of 12.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 981275d2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 981275d2

In the xy-plane, the graph of the equation above is a circle. Point P is on the
circle and has coordinates . If is a diameter of the circle, what are
the coordinates of point Q ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 981275d2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The standard form for the equation of a circle is , where are the
coordinates of the center and r is the length of the radius. According to the given equation, the center of the circle is
. Let represent the coordinates of point Q. Since point P and point Q are the endpoints
of a diameter of the circle, the center lies on the diameter, halfway between P and Q. Therefore, the following

relationships hold: and . Solving the equations for and , respectively, yields

and . Therefore, the coordinates of point Q are .

Alternate approach: Since point P on the circle and the center of the circle have the same y-coordinate,

it follows that the radius of the circle is . In addition, the opposite end of the diameter must have the same
y-coordinate as P and be 4 units away from the center. Hence, the coordinates of point Q must be .

Choices B and D are incorrect because the points given in these choices lie on a diameter that is perpendicular to the
diameter . If either of these points were point Q, then would not be the diameter of the circle. Choice C is
incorrect because is the center of the circle and does not lie on the circle.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 89661424
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 89661424

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at and has a radius of . An equation of this circle is
, where , , and are constants. What is the value of ?

ID: 89661424 Answer

Correct Answer: -52

Rationale
The correct answer is -52. The equation of a circle in the xy-plane with its center at ℎ, 𝑘 and a radius of 𝑟 can be written in
2 2
the form 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 . It's given that a circle in the xy-plane has its center at -5, 2 and has a radius of 9. Substituting
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
-5 for ℎ, 2 for 𝑘, and 9 for 𝑟 in the equation 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 - -5 + 𝑦 - 2 = 9 , or 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 2 = 81. It's also
given that an equation of this circle is 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants. Therefore,
2 2 2 2
𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 2 = 81 can be rewritten in the form 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0. The equation 𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 2 = 81, or
𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 5 + 𝑦 - 2𝑦 - 2 = 81, can be rewritten as 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 25 + 𝑦2 - 2𝑦 - 2𝑦 + 4 = 81. Combining like terms on the
left-hand side of this equation yields 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 10𝑥 - 4𝑦 + 29 = 81. Subtracting 81 from both sides of this equation yields
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 10𝑥 - 4𝑦 - 52 = 0, which is equivalent to 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 10𝑥 + -4𝑦 + -52 = 0. This equation is in the form
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0. Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is -52.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 196e8e6e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 196e8e6e

In the xy-plane, a circle has center with coordinates . Points and lie on the circle. Point has coordinates
, and is a right angle. What is the length of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 196e8e6e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
¯ ¯
Choice A is correct. It's given that points 𝐴 and 𝐵 lie on the circle with center 𝐶. Therefore, 𝐴𝐶 and 𝐵𝐶 are both radii of the
¯ ¯ ¯
circle. Since all radii of a circle are congruent, 𝐴𝐶 is congruent to 𝐵𝐶. The length of 𝐴𝐶, or the distance from point 𝐴 to
point 𝐶, can be found using the distance formula, which gives the distance between two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , as
𝑥 - 𝑥 2 + 𝑦1 - 𝑦2 2 . Substituting the given coordinates of point 𝐴, ℎ + 1, 𝑘 + √102 , for 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and the given coordinates of
√ 1 2
2 2
point 𝐶, ℎ, 𝑘, for 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 in the distance formula yields √ℎ + 1 - ℎ2 + 𝑘 + √102 - 𝑘 , or √12 + √102 , which is equivalent to
¯ ¯
√1 + 102 , or √103 . Therefore, the length of 𝐴𝐶 is √103 and the length of 𝐵𝐶 is √103 . It's given that angle 𝐴𝐶𝐵 is a right
¯ ¯ ¯
angle. Therefore, triangle 𝐴𝐶𝐵 is a right triangle with legs 𝐴𝐶 and 𝐵𝐶 and hypotenuse 𝐴𝐵. By the Pythagorean theorem, if
2
a right triangle has a hypotenuse with length 𝑐 and legs with lengths 𝑎 and 𝑏, then 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑐2 . Substituting √103 for 𝑎
2
2 2
and 𝑏 in this equation yields √103 + √103 = 𝑐2 , or 103 + 103 = 𝑐2 , which is equivalent to 206 = 𝑐2 . Taking the positive
¯
square root of both sides of this equation yields √206 = 𝑐. Therefore, the length of 𝐴𝐵 is √206 .

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

¯ ¯
Choice C is incorrect. This would be the length of 𝐴𝐵 if the length of 𝐴𝐶 were 103, not √103 .

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7c25b0dc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 7c25b0dc

The length of a rectangle’s diagonal is , and the length of the rectangle’s shorter side is . What is the length of the
rectangle’s longer side?

ID: 7c25b0dc Answer

Correct Answer: 12

Rationale
The correct answer is 12. The diagonal of a rectangle forms a right triangle, where the shorter side and the longer side of
the rectangle are the legs of the triangle and the diagonal of the rectangle is the hypotenuse of the triangle. It's given that
the length of the rectangle's diagonal is 3√17 and the length of the rectangle's shorter side is 3. Thus, the length of the
hypotenuse of the right triangle formed by the diagonal is 3√17 and the length of one of the legs is 3. By the Pythagorean
2
theorem, if a right triangle has a hypotenuse with length 𝑐 and legs with lengths 𝑎 and 𝑏, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏 = 𝑐2 . Substituting
2 2
3√17 for 𝑐 and 3 for 𝑏 in this equation yields 𝑎2 + 3 = 3√17 , or 𝑎2 + 9 = 153. Subtracting 9 from both sides of this
equation yields 𝑎2 = 144. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = ± √144 , or 𝑎 = ± 12. Since 𝑎
represents a length, which must be positive, the value of 𝑎 is 12. Thus, the length of the rectangle's longer side is 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e80d62c6
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: e80d62c6

The equation represents circle A. Circle B is obtained by shifting circle A down units in the xy-
plane. Which of the following equations represents circle B?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: e80d62c6 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
2 2
Choice A is correct. The standard form of an equation of a circle in the xy-plane is 𝑥 - ℎ + 𝑦 - 𝑘 = 𝑟2 , where the
coordinates of the center of the circle are ℎ, 𝑘 and the length of the radius of the circle is 𝑟. The equation of circle A,
𝑥2 + 𝑦 - 22 = 36, can be rewritten as 𝑥 - 02 + 𝑦 - 22 = 62 . Therefore, the center of circle A is at 0, 2 and the length of the
radius of circle A is 6. If circle A is shifted down 4 units, the y-coordinate of its center will decrease by 4; the radius of the
circle and the x-coordinate of its center will not change. Therefore, the center of circle B is at 0, 2 - 4, or 0, - 2, and its
radius is 6. Substituting 0 for ℎ, -2 for 𝑘, and 6 for 𝑟 in the equation 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 - 02 + 𝑦 - -22 = 62 , or
𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 22 = 36. Therefore, the equation 𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 22 = 36 represents circle B.

Choice B is incorrect. This equation represents a circle obtained by shifting circle A up, rather than down, 4 units.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation represents a circle obtained by shifting circle A right, rather than down, 4 units.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation represents a circle obtained by shifting circle A left, rather than down, 4 units.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f243c383
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: f243c383

Two identical rectangular prisms each have a height of . The base of each prism is a square, and
the surface area of each prism is . If the prisms are glued together along a square base, the resulting prism has a
surface area of . What is the side length, in , of each square base?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f243c383 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. Let 𝑥 represent the side length, in cm, of each square base. If the two prisms are glued together along
a square base, the resulting prism has a surface area equal to twice the surface area of one of the prisms, minus the area
of the two square bases that are being glued together, which yields 2𝐾 - 2𝑥2 cm2 . It’s given that this resulting surface
92 92 92 92
area is equal to 𝐾 cm2 , so 2𝐾 - 2𝑥2 = 𝐾. Subtracting 𝐾 from both sides of this equation yields 2𝐾 - 𝐾 - 2𝑥2 = 0.
47 47 47 47
47 94 92
This equation can be rewritten by multiplying 2𝐾 on the left-hand side by 47
, which yields 47
𝐾 - 47 𝐾 - 2𝑥2 = 0, or
2 2 47
47
𝐾 - 2𝑥2 = 0. Adding 2𝑥2 to both sides of this equation yields 47
𝐾 = 2𝑥2 . Multiplying both sides of this equation by 2
yields 𝐾 = 47𝑥2 . The surface area 𝐾, in cm2 , of each rectangular prism is equivalent to the sum of the areas of the two
square bases and the areas of the four lateral faces. Since the height of each rectangular prism is 90 cm and the side
length of each square base is 𝑥 cm, it follows that the area of each square base is 𝑥2 cm2 and the area of each lateral
face is 90𝑥 cm2 . Therefore, the surface area of each rectangular prism can be represented by the expression 2𝑥2 + 490𝑥,
or 2𝑥2 + 360𝑥. Substituting this expression for 𝐾 in the equation 𝐾 = 47𝑥2 yields 2𝑥2 + 360𝑥 = 47𝑥2 . Subtracting 2𝑥2 and
360𝑥 from both sides of this equation yields 0 = 45𝑥2 - 360𝑥. Factoring 𝑥 from the right-hand side of this equation yields
0 = 𝑥45𝑥 - 360. Applying the zero product property, it follows that 𝑥 = 0 and 45𝑥 - 360 = 0. Adding 360 to both sides of
the equation 45𝑥 - 360 = 0 yields 45𝑥 = 360. Dividing both sides of this equation by 45 yields 𝑥 = 8. Since a side length
of a rectangular prism can’t be 0, the length of each square base is 8 cm.

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 95ba2d09
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 95ba2d09

In the xy-plane above, points P, Q, R, and T lie on the circle with center O. The
degree measures of angles and are each 30°. What is the radian
measure of angle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 95ba2d09 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. Because points T, O, and P all lie on the x-axis, they form a line. Since the angles on a line add up to
, and it’s given that angles POQ and ROT each measure , it follows that the measure of angle QOR is
. Since the arc of a complete circle is or radians, a proportion can be set up to

convert the measure of angle QOR from degrees to radians: , where x is the radian

measure of angle QOR. Multiplying each side of the proportion by gives . Solving for x gives ,

or .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from subtracting only angle POQ from to get a value of and then finding
the radian measure equivalent to that value. Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error. Choice D is
incorrect and may result from calculating the sum of the angle measures, in radians, of angles POQ and ROT.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Question ID adae6543
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: adae6543

In the figure, intersects at point , and is parallel to . The lengths of , , and are , , and
, respectively. What is the length of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: adae6543 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The figure shows that angle 𝑀𝑅𝐿 and angle 𝑃𝑅𝑄 are vertical angles. Since vertical angles are
¯ ¯ ¯
congruent, angle 𝑀𝑅𝐿 and angle 𝑃𝑅𝑄 are congruent. It’s given that 𝐿𝑀 is parallel to 𝑃𝑄. The figure also shows that 𝐿𝑄
¯ ¯
intersects 𝐿𝑀 and 𝑃𝑄. If two parallel segments are intersected by a third segment, alternate interior angles are
congruent. Thus, alternate interior angles 𝑀𝐿𝑅 and 𝑃𝑄𝑅 are congruent. Since triangles 𝐿𝑀𝑅 and 𝑃𝑄𝑅 have two pairs of
congruent angles, the triangles are similar. Sides 𝐿𝑅 and 𝑀𝑅 in triangle 𝐿𝑀𝑅 correspond to sides 𝑅𝑄 and 𝑅𝑃, respectively,
𝑅𝑄 𝑅𝑃
in triangle 𝑃𝑄𝑅. Since the lengths of corresponding sides in similar triangles are proportional, it follows that = . It's 𝐿𝑅 𝑀𝑅
¯ ¯ ¯
given that the lengths of 𝑀𝑅, 𝐿𝑅, and 𝑅𝑃 are 6, 7, and 11, respectively. Substituting 6 for 𝑀𝑅, 7 for 𝐿𝑅, and 11 for 𝑅𝑃 in the
𝑅𝑄 𝑅𝑃 𝑅𝑄 11 11 77 ¯
equation 𝐿𝑅
= 𝑀𝑅
yields 7
= 6
. Multiplying each side of this equation by 7 yields 𝑅𝑄 = 6
7, or 𝑅𝑄 = 6
. It's given that 𝐿𝑄
¯ 77 77
intersects 𝑀𝑃 at point 𝑅, so 𝐿𝑄 = 𝐿𝑅 + 𝑅𝑄. Substituting 7 for 𝐿𝑅 and for 𝑅𝑄 in this equation yields 𝐿𝑄 = 7 + , or
6 6
119 ¯ 119
𝐿𝑄 = 6
. Therefore, the length of 𝐿𝑄 is 6
.

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

¯ ¯
Choice B is incorrect. This is the length of 𝑅𝑄, not 𝐿𝑄.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6dd463ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 6dd463ca

In the figure above, segments AE and BD are parallel. If angle BDC measures
58° and angle ACE measures 62°, what is the measure of angle CAE ?

A. 58°

B. 60°

C. 62°

D. 120°

ID: 6dd463ca Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that angle ACE measures . Since segments AE and BD are parallel, angles BDC and CEA

are congruent. Therefore, angle CEA measures . The sum of the measures of angles ACE, CEA, and CAE is
since the sum of the interior angles of triangle ACE is equal to . Let the measure of angle CAE be . Therefore,
, which simplifies to . Thus, the measure of angle CAE is .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the measure of angle AEC, not that of angle CAE. Choice C is incorrect. This is the measure
of angle ACE, not that of CAE. Choice D is incorrect. This is the sum of the measures of angles ACE and CEA.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 0815a5af
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 0815a5af

The circle shown has center , circumference , and diameters and . The length of arc is twice the
length of arc . What is the length of arc ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0815a5af Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
Choice B is correct. Since 𝑃𝑅 and 𝑄𝑆 are diameters of the circle shown, 𝑂𝑆, 𝑂𝑅, 𝑂𝑃, and 𝑂𝑄 are radii of the circle and are
therefore congruent. Since ∠𝑆𝑂𝑃 and ∠𝑅𝑂𝑄 are vertical angles, they are congruent. Therefore, arc 𝑃𝑆 and arc 𝑄𝑅 are
formed by congruent radii and have the same angle measure, so they are congruent arcs. Similarly, ∠𝑆𝑂𝑅 and ∠𝑃𝑂𝑄 are
vertical angles, so they are congruent. Therefore, arc 𝑆𝑅 and arc 𝑃𝑄 are formed by congruent radii and have the same
angle measure, so they are congruent arcs. Let 𝑥 represent the length of arc 𝑆𝑅. Since arc 𝑆𝑅 and arc 𝑃𝑄 are congruent
arcs, the length of arc 𝑃𝑄 can also be represented by 𝑥. It’s given that the length of arc 𝑃𝑆 is twice the length of arc 𝑃𝑄.
Therefore, the length of arc 𝑃𝑆 can be represented by the expression 2𝑥. Since arc 𝑃𝑆 and arc 𝑄𝑅 are congruent arcs, the
length of arc 𝑄𝑅 can also be represented by 2𝑥. This gives the expression 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥. Since it's given that the
circumference is 144𝜋, the expression 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 is equal to 144𝜋. Thus 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 144𝜋, or 6𝑥 = 144𝜋.
Dividing both sides of this equation by 6 yields 𝑥 = 24𝜋. Therefore, the length of arc 𝑄𝑅 is 224𝜋, or 48𝜋.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the length of arc 𝑃𝑄, not arc 𝑄𝑅.

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: Medium

Question ID f731d88b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: f731d88b

In convex pentagon , segment is parallel to segment . The measure of angle is degrees, and
the measure of angle is degrees. What is the measure, in degrees, of angle ?

ID: f731d88b Answer

Correct Answer: 47

Rationale
The correct answer is 47. It's given that the measure of angle 𝐵 is 139 degrees. Therefore, the exterior angle formed by
extending segment 𝐴𝐵 at point 𝐵 has measure 180 - 139, or 41, degrees. It's given that segment 𝐴𝐵 is parallel to segment
𝐷𝐸. Extending segment 𝐵𝐶 at point 𝐶 and extending segment 𝐷𝐸 at point 𝐷 until the two segments intersect results in a
transversal that intersects two parallel line segments. One of these intersection points is point 𝐵, and let the other
intersection point be point 𝑋. Since segment 𝐴𝐵 is parallel to segment 𝐷𝐸, alternate interior angles are congruent. Angle
𝐶𝑋𝐷 and the exterior angle formed by extending segment 𝐴𝐵 at point 𝐵 are alternate interior angles. Therefore, the
measure of angle 𝐶𝑋𝐷 is 41 degrees. It's given that the measure of angle 𝐷 in pentagon 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷𝐸 is 174 degrees.
Therefore, angle 𝐶𝐷𝑋 has measure 180 - 174, or 6, degrees. Since angle 𝐶 in pentagon 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷𝐸 is an exterior angle of
triangle 𝐶𝐷𝑋, it follows that the measure of angle 𝐶 is the sum of the measures of angles 𝐶𝐷𝑋 and 𝐶𝑋𝐷. Therefore, the
measure, in degrees, of angle 𝐶 is 6 + 41, or 47.

Alternate approach: A line can be created that's perpendicular to segments 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐷𝐸 and passes through point 𝐶.
Extending segments 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐷𝐸 at points 𝐵 and 𝐷, respectively, until they intersect this line yields two right triangles. Let
these intersection points be point 𝑋 and point 𝑌, and the two right triangles be triangle 𝐵𝑋𝐶 and triangle 𝐷𝑌𝐶. It's given
that the measure of angle 𝐵 is 139 degrees. Therefore, angle 𝐶𝐵𝑋 has measure 180 - 139, or 41, degrees. Since the
measure of angle 𝐶𝐵𝑋 is 41 degrees and the measure of angle 𝐵𝑋𝐶 is 90 degrees, it follows that the measure of angle
𝑋𝐶𝐵 is 180 - 90 - 41, or 49, degrees. It's given that the measure of angle 𝐷 is 174 degrees. Therefore, angle 𝑌𝐷𝐶 has
measure 180 - 174, or 6, degrees. Since the measure of angle 𝑌𝐷𝐶 is 6 degrees and the measure of angle 𝐶𝑌𝐷 is 90
degrees, it follows that the measure of angle 𝐷𝐶𝑌 is 180 - 90 - 6, or 84, degrees. Since angles 𝑋𝐶𝐵, 𝐷𝐶𝑌, and angle 𝐶 in
pentagon 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷𝐸 form segment 𝑋𝑌, it follows that the sum of the measures of those angles is 180 degrees. Therefore,
the measure, in degrees, of angle 𝐶 is 180 - 49 - 84, or 47.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 93de3f84
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 93de3f84

The volume of right circular cylinder A is 22 cubic centimeters. What is the

volume, in cubic centimeters, of a right circular cylinder with twice the radius and
half the height of cylinder A?

A. 11

B. 22

C. 44

D. 66

ID: 93de3f84 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is correct. The volume of right circular cylinder A is given by the expression , where r is the radius of its
circular base and h is its height. The volume of a cylinder with twice the radius and half the height of cylinder A is given

by , which is equivalent to . Therefore, the volume is twice the volume of cylinder A,

or .

Choice A is incorrect and likely results from not multiplying the radius of cylinder A by 2. Choice B is incorrect and likely
results from not squaring the 2 in 2r when applying the volume formula. Choice D is incorrect and likely results from a
conceptual error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a5aee181
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: a5aee181

The length of a rectangle’s diagonal is , and the length of the rectangle’s shorter side is . What is the length of the
rectangle’s longer side?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a5aee181 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. A rectangle’s diagonal divides a rectangle into two congruent right triangles, where the diagonal is
the hypotenuse of both triangles. It’s given that the length of the diagonal is 5√17 and the length of the rectangle’s
shorter side is 5. Therefore, each of the two right triangles formed by the rectangle’s diagonal has a hypotenuse with
length 5√17 , and a shorter leg with length 5. To calculate the length of the longer leg of each right triangle, the
2
Pythagorean theorem, 𝑎2 + 𝑏 = 𝑐2 , can be used, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are the lengths of the legs and 𝑐 is the length of the
2 2
hypotenuse of the triangle. Substituting 5 for 𝑎 and 5√17 for 𝑐 in the equation 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 yields 5 + 𝑏2 = 5√17 , which
is equivalent to 25 + 𝑏2 = 2517, or 25 + 𝑏2 = 425. Subtracting 25 from each side of this equation yields 𝑏2 = 400. Taking
the positive square root of each side of this equation yields 𝑏 = 20. Therefore, the length of the longer leg of each right
triangle formed by the diagonal of the rectangle is 20. It follows that the length of the rectangle’s longer side is 20.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from dividing the length of the rectangle’s diagonal by the length of the rectangle’s
shorter side, rather than substituting these values into the Pythagorean theorem.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from using the length of the rectangle’s diagonal as the length of a leg of the right
triangle, rather than the length of the hypotenuse.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the square of the length of the rectangle’s longer side.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID fb58c0db
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: fb58c0db

Points A and B lie on a circle with radius 1, and arc has length . What

fraction of the circumference of the circle is the length of arc ?

ID: fb58c0db Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is . The circumference, C, of a circle is , where r is the length of the radius of the circle.
For the given circle with a radius of 1, the circumference is , or . To find what fraction of the

circumference the length of arc is, divide the length of the arc by the circumference, which gives . This

division can be represented by . Note that 1/6, .1666, .1667, 0.166, and 0.167 are examples of ways to
enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ae041e52
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: ae041e52

A square is inscribed in a circle. The radius of the circle is inches. What is the side length, in inches, of the square?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ae041e52 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. When a square is inscribed in a circle, a diagonal of the square is a diameter of the circle. It's given
20√2
that a square is inscribed in a circle and the length of a radius of the circle is inches. Therefore, the length of a
2
20 2
diameter of the circle is 2 √ inches, or 20√2 inches. It follows that the length of a diagonal of the square is 20√2
2
inches. A diagonal of a square separates the square into two right triangles in which the legs are the sides of the square
and the hypotenuse is a diagonal. Since a square has 4 congruent sides, each of these two right triangles has congruent
legs and a hypotenuse of length 20√2 inches. Since each of these two right triangles has congruent legs, they are both
45-45-90 triangles. In a 45-45-90 triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is √2 times the length of a leg. Let 𝑠 represent the
length of a leg of one of these 45-45-90 triangles. It follows that 20√2 = √2 𝑠. Dividing both sides of this equation by √2
yields 20 = 𝑠. Therefore, the length of a leg of one of these 45-45-90 triangles is 20 inches. Since the legs of these two 45
-45-90 triangles are the sides of the square, it follows that the side length of the square is 20 inches.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the length of a radius, in inches, of the circle.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the length of a diameter, in inches, of the circle.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c6dff223
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: c6dff223

Triangle is similar to triangle , where angle corresponds to angle and angles and are right angles.
The length of is times the length of . If , what is the value of ?

ID: c6dff223 Answer

Correct Answer: .7241, 21/29

Rationale
21
The correct answer is 29
. It's given that triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is similar to triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹, where angle 𝐴 corresponds to angle 𝐷 and
angles 𝐶 and 𝐹 are right angles. In similar triangles, the tangents of corresponding angles are equal. Therefore, if
21 21
tan𝐴 = 20
, then tan𝐷 = 20
. In a right triangle, the tangent of an acute angle is the ratio of the length of the leg opposite the
21 ¯
angle to the length of the leg adjacent to the angle. Therefore, in triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹, if tan𝐷 = , the ratio of the length of 𝐸𝐹 to
20
¯ 21 ¯ ¯ ¯
the length of 𝐷𝐹 is 20
. If the lengths of 𝐸𝐹 and 𝐷𝐹 are 21 and 20, respectively, then the ratio of the length of 𝐸𝐹 to the
¯ 21
length of 𝐷𝐹 is 20
. In a right triangle, the sine of an acute angle is the ratio of the length of the leg opposite the angle to
¯ ¯
the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, the value of sin𝐷 is the ratio of the length of 𝐸𝐹 to the length of 𝐷𝐸. The length
¯
of 𝐷𝐸 can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, which states that if the lengths of the legs of a right triangle are
𝑎 and 𝑏 and the length of the hypotenuse is 𝑐, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 . Therefore, if the lengths of 𝐸𝐹
¯ ¯
and 𝐷𝐹 are 21 and 20,
respectively, then 212 + 202 = 𝐷𝐸2 , or 841 = 𝐷𝐸2 . Taking the positive square root of both sides of this equation yields
¯ ¯ ¯
29 = 𝐷𝐸. Therefore, if the lengths of 𝐸𝐹 and 𝐷𝐹 are 21 and 20, respectively, then the length of 𝐷𝐸 is 29 and the ratio of
¯ ¯ 21 21 21
the length of 𝐸𝐹 to the length of 𝐷𝐸 is 29
. Thus, if tan𝐴 = 20
, the value of sin𝐷 is 29
. Note that 21/29, .7241, and 0.724 are
examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID eb70d2d0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: eb70d2d0

What is the area, in square units, of the triangle formed by connecting the three points shown?

ID: eb70d2d0 Answer

Correct Answer: 24.5, 49/2
Rationale
The correct answer is 24.5. It's given that a triangle is formed by connecting the three points shown, which are -3, 4, 5, 3,
and 4, - 3. Let this triangle be triangle A. The area of triangle A can be found by calculating the area of the rectangle that
circumscribes it and subtracting the areas of the three triangles that are inside the rectangle but outside triangle A. The
rectangle formed by the points -3, 4, 5, 4, 5, - 3, and -3, - 3 circumscribes triangle A. The width, in units, of this rectangle
can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and 5, - 3. This distance is 4 - -3, or 7. The length, in
units, of this rectangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and -3, 4. This distance is 5 - -3,
or 8. It follows that the area, in square units, of the rectangle is 78, or 56. One of the triangles that lies inside the rectangle
but outside triangle A is formed by the points -3, 4, 5, 4, and 5, 3. The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be
found by calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and 5, 3. This distance is 4 - 3, or 1. The corresponding height, in
units, of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, 4 and -3, 4. This distance is 5 - -3, or
1
8. It follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle is 81, or 4. A second triangle that lies inside the rectangle but
2
outside triangle A is formed by the points 4, - 3, 5, 3, and 5, - 3. The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be found
by calculating the distance between the points 5, 3 and 5, - 3. This distance is 3 - -3 , or 6. The corresponding height, in
units, of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points 5, - 3 and 4, - 3. This distance is 5 - 4,
1
or 1. It follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle is 2 16, or 3. The third triangle that lies inside the rectangle but
outside triangle A is formed by the points -3, 4, -3, - 3, and 4, - 3. The length, in units, of a base of this triangle can be
found by calculating the distance between the points 4, - 3 and -3, - 3. This distance is 4 - -3, or 7. The corresponding
height, in units, of this triangle can be found by calculating the distance between the points -3, 4 and -3, - 3. This distance
1
is 4 - -3, or 7. It follows that the area, in square units, of this triangle is 77, or 24.5. Thus, the area, in square units, of the
2
triangle formed by connecting the three points shown is 56 - 4 - 3 - 24.5, or 24.5. Note that 24.5 and 49/2 are examples of
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f329442c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: f329442c

Circle has a radius of and circle has a radius of , where is a positive constant. The area of circle is
how many times the area of circle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: f329442c Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The area of a circle can be found by using the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 , where 𝐴 is the area and 𝑟 is the radius
of the circle. It’s given that the radius of circle A is 3𝑛. Substituting this value for 𝑟 into the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2 gives
2
𝐴 = 𝜋3𝑛 , or 9𝜋𝑛2 . It’s also given that the radius of circle B is 129𝑛. Substituting this value for 𝑟 into the formula 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟2
16,641𝜋𝑛2
gives 𝐴 = 𝜋129𝑛2 , or 16,641𝜋𝑛2 . Dividing the area of circle B by the area of circle A gives , which simplifies to
9𝜋𝑛2
1,849. Therefore, the area of circle B is 1,849 times the area of circle A.

Choice A is incorrect. This is how many times greater the radius of circle B is than the radius of circle A.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This is the coefficient on the term that describes the radius of circle B.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 92eb236a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 92eb236a

In a right triangle, the tangent of one of the two acute angles is . What
is the tangent of the other acute angle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 92eb236a Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The tangent of a nonright angle in a right triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the leg
opposite the angle to the length of the leg adjacent to the angle. Using that definition for tangent, in a right triangle with

legs that have lengths a and b, the tangent of one acute angle is and the tangent for the other acute angle is . It
follows that the tangents of the acute angles in a right triangle are reciprocals of each other. Therefore, the tangent of the

other acute angle in the given triangle is the reciprocal of or .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from assuming that the tangent of the other acute angle is the negative of the
tangent of the angle described. Choice B is incorrect and may result from assuming that the tangent of the other acute
angle is the negative of the reciprocal of the tangent of the angle described. Choice C is incorrect and may result from
interpreting the tangent of the other acute angle as equal to the tangent of the angle described.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ae33e0a1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: ae33e0a1

A right circular cylinder has a base diameter of centimeters and a height of centimeters. What is the volume, in
cubic centimeters, of the cylinder?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: ae33e0a1 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The volume, 𝑉, of a right circular cylinder is given by the formula 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ, where 𝑟 is the radius of
the base of the cylinder and ℎ is the height of the cylinder. It's given that a right circular cylinder has a height of 6
centimeters. Therefore, ℎ = 6. It's also given that the cylinder has a base diameter of 22 centimeters. The radius of a
circle is half the diameter of the circle. Since the base of a right circular cylinder is a circle, it follows that the radius of the
22
base of the right circular cylinder is 2
, or 11, centimeters. Therefore, 𝑟 = 11. Substituting 11 for 𝑟 and 6 for ℎ in the
2
formula 𝑉 = yields 𝑉 = 𝜋11 6, which is equivalent to 𝑉 = 𝜋1216, or 𝑉 = 726𝜋. Therefore, the volume, in cubic
𝜋𝑟2 ℎ
centimeters, of the cylinder is 726𝜋.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the volume of a right circular cylinder that has a base diameter of 2√22 , not 22, centimeters
and a height of 6 centimeters.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the volume of a right circular cylinder that has a base diameter of 4√11 , not 22, centimeters
and a height of 6 centimeters.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the volume of a right circular cylinder that has a base diameter of 44, not 22, centimeters
and a height of 6 centimeters.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 13d9a1c3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 13d9a1c3

In the right triangle shown above, what

is the length of ?

ID: 13d9a1c3 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 4. Triangle PQR has given angle measures of 30° and 90°, so the third angle must be 60° because
the measures of the angles of a triangle sum to 180°. For any special right triangle with angles measuring 30°, 60°, and
90°, the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is 2x, where x is the length of the side opposite the
30° angle. Segment PQ is opposite the 30° angle. Therefore, 2(PQ) = 8 and PQ = 4.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 17912810
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 17912810

In the figure, parallel lines and are intersected by lines and . If and , what is the value of ?

ID: 17912810 Answer

Correct Answer: 101/2, 50.5

Rationale
101
The correct answer is 2
. In the figure, lines 𝑞, 𝑟, and 𝑠 form a triangle. One interior angle of this triangle is vertical to the
angle marked 𝑎°; therefore, the interior angle also has measure 𝑎°. It's given that 𝑎 = 43. Therefore, the interior angle of
the triangle has measure 43°. A second interior angle of the triangle forms a straight line, 𝑞, with the angle marked 𝑏°.
Therefore, the sum of the measures of these two angles is 180°. It's given that 𝑏 = 122. Therefore, the angle marked 𝑏°
has measure 122° and the second interior angle of the triangle has measure 180 - 122°, or 58°. The sum of the interior
angles of a triangle is 180°. Therefore, the measure of the third interior angle of the triangle is 180 - 43 - 58°, or 79°. It's
given that parallel lines 𝑞 and 𝑡 are intersected by line 𝑟. It follows that the triangle's interior angle with measure 79° is
congruent to the same side interior angle between lines 𝑞 and 𝑡 formed by lines 𝑡 and 𝑟. Since this angle is
supplementary to the two angles marked 𝑤°, the sum of 79°, 𝑤°, and 𝑤° is 180°. It follows that 79 + 𝑤 + 𝑤 = 180, or
79 + 2𝑤 = 180. Subtracting 79 from both sides of this equation yields 2𝑤 = 101. Dividing both sides of this equation by 2
101
yields 𝑤 = 2
. Note that 101/2 and 50.5 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 099526fc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 099526fc

The line segment shown in the xy-plane represents one of the legs of a right triangle. The area of this triangle is
square units. What is the length, in units, of the other leg of this triangle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 099526fc Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is correct. The length of a segment in the xy-plane can be found using the distance formula, 𝑥2 - 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 - 𝑦1 2 ,
√
where 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 are the endpoints of the segment. The segment shown has endpoints at -6, 4 and 3, 10.
Substituting -6, 4 and 3, 10 for 𝑥1 , 𝑦 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦 , respectively, in the distance formula yields √3 - -62 + 10 - 42 , or √92 + 62 ,
1 2
which is equivalent to √81 + 36 , or √117 . Let 𝑥 represent the length, in units, of the other leg of this triangle. The area, 𝐴,
1
of a right triangle can be calculated using the formula 𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 and ℎ are the lengths of the legs of the triangle.
It's given that the area of the triangle is 36√13 square units. Substituting 36√13 for 𝐴, √117 for 𝑏, and 𝑥 for ℎ in the
1 1
formula 𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ yields 36√13 = 2 √117 𝑥. Multiplying both sides of this equation by 2 yields 72√13 = 𝑥√117 . Dividing
72√13
both sides of this equation by √117 yields = 𝑥. Multiplying the numerator and denominator on the left-hand side of
√117
72√1,521 7239 2,808
this equation by √117 yields = 𝑥, or = 𝑥, which is equivalent to = 𝑥, or 24 = 𝑥. Therefore, the length, in
117 117 117
units, of the other leg of this triangle is 24.

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

Choice C is incorrect. 3√13 is equivalent to √117 , which is the length, in units, of the line segment shown in the xy-plane,
not the length, in units, of the other leg of the triangle.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 694b7fce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 694b7fce

In the figure shown, units, units, and units. What is the area, in square units, of triangle
?

ID: 694b7fce Answer

Correct Answer: 480

Rationale
The correct answer is 480. It's given in the figure that angle 𝐴𝐶𝐵 and angle 𝐴𝐸𝐷 are right angles. It follows that angle 𝐴𝐶𝐵
is congruent to angle 𝐴𝐸𝐷. It's also given that angle 𝐵𝐴𝐶 and angle 𝐷𝐴𝐸 are the same angle. It follows that angle 𝐵𝐴𝐶 is
congruent to angle 𝐷𝐴𝐸. Since triangles 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐴𝐷𝐸 have two pairs of congruent angles, the triangles are similar. Sides
𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶 in triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 correspond to sides 𝐴𝐷 and 𝐴𝐸, respectively, in triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸. Corresponding sides in similar
𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐸
triangles are proportional. Therefore, 𝐴𝐵
=
𝐴𝐶
. It's given that 𝐴𝐶 = 3 units and 𝐶𝐸 = 21 units. Therefore, 𝐴𝐸 = 24 units. It’s
𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐷 24
also given that 𝐴𝐵 = √34 units. Substituting 3 for 𝐴𝐶, 24 for 𝐴𝐸, and √34 for 𝐴𝐵 in the equation 𝐴𝐵
= 𝐴𝐶
yields = ,
√34 3
𝐴𝐷
or = 8. Multiplying each side of this equation by √34 yields 𝐴𝐷 = 8√34 . By the Pythagorean theorem, if a right
√34
triangle has a hypotenuse with length 𝑐 and legs with lengths 𝑎 and 𝑏, then 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 . Since triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸 is a right
triangle, it follows that 𝐴𝐷 represents the length of the hypotenuse, 𝑐, and 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐴𝐸 represent the lengths of the legs, 𝑎
2 2 2
and 𝑏. Substituting 24 for 𝑏 and 8√34 for 𝑐 in the equation 𝑎2 + 𝑏 = 𝑐2 yields 𝑎2 + 24 = 8√34 , which is equivalent to
𝑎2 + 576 = 6434, or 𝑎2 + 576 = 2,176. Subtracting 576 from both sides of this equation yields 𝑎2 = 1,600. Taking the
square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = ± 40. Since 𝑎 represents a length, which must be positive, the value
of 𝑎 is 40. Therefore, 𝐷𝐸 = 40. Since 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐴𝐸 represent the lengths of the legs of triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸, it follows that 𝐷𝐸 and
1
𝐴𝐸 can be used to calculate the area, in square units, of the triangle as 2 4024, or 480. Therefore, the area, in square units,
of triangle 𝐴𝐷𝐸 is 480.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f7e626b2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: f7e626b2

The dimensions of a right rectangular prism are 4 inches by 5 inches by

6 inches. What is the surface area, in square inches, of the prism?

A. 30

B. 74

C. 120

D. 148

ID: f7e626b2 Answer

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The surface area is found by summing the area of each face. A right rectangular prism consists of
three pairs of congruent rectangles, so the surface area is found by multiplying the areas of three adjacent rectangles by
2 and adding these products. For this prism, the surface area is equal to , or
, which is equal to 148.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the area of one of the faces of the prism. Choice B is incorrect and may result from adding
the areas of three adjacent rectangles without multiplying by 2. Choice C is incorrect. This is the volume, in cubic inches,
of the prism.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2be01bd9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 2be01bd9

Triangle is similar to triangle , where angle corresponds to angle and angle corresponds to angle .
Angles and are right angles. If , what is the value of ?

ID: 2be01bd9 Answer

Correct Answer: .14, 7/50

Rationale
7
The correct answer is 50
. It's given that triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is similar to triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹, where angle 𝐴 corresponds to angle 𝐷 and
angle 𝐶 corresponds to angle 𝐹. In similar triangles, the tangents of corresponding angles are equal. Since angle 𝐴 and
50 50
angle 𝐷 are corresponding angles, if tan𝐴 = 7
, then tan𝐷 = 7
. It's also given that angles 𝐶 and 𝐹 are right angles. It
follows that triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹 is a right triangle with acute angles 𝐷 and 𝐸. The tangent of one acute angle in a right triangle is
1 50
the inverse of the tangent of the other acute angle in the triangle. Therefore, tan𝐸 = . Substituting for tan𝐷 in this
tan𝐷 7
1 7 50 7
equation yields tan𝐸 = 50 , or tan𝐸 = 50
. Thus, if tan𝐴 = 7
, the value of tan𝐸 is 50
. Note that 7/50 and .14 are examples of
7
ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a38c0183
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: a38c0183

Circle A (shown) is defined by the equation . Circle B (not shown) is the result of shifting circle A
down units and increasing the radius so that the radius of circle B is times the radius of circle A. Which equation
defines circle B?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: a38c0183 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is correct. According to the graph, the center of circle A has coordinates -2, 0, and the radius of circle A is 3. It’s
given that circle B is the result of shifting circle A down 6 units and increasing the radius so that the radius of circle B is 2
times the radius of circle A. It follows that the center of circle B is 6 units below the center of circle A. The point that's 6
units below -2, 0 has the same x-coordinate as -2, 0 and has a y-coordinate that is 6 less than the y-coordinate of -2, 0.
Therefore, the coordinates of the center of circle B are -2, 0 - 6, or -2, - 6. Since the radius of circle B is 2 times the radius
of circle A, the radius of circle B is 23. A circle in the xy-plane can be defined by an equation of the form
𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 , where the coordinates of the center of the circle are ℎ, 𝑘 and the radius of the circle is 𝑟. Substituting
-2 for ℎ, -6 for 𝑘, and 23 for 𝑟 in this equation yields 𝑥 - -22 + 𝑦 - -62 = 232 , which is equivalent to 𝑥 + 22 + 𝑦 + 62 = 22 32 ,
2 2 2 2
or 𝑥 + 2 + 𝑦 + 6 = 49. Therefore, the equation 𝑥 + 2 + 𝑦 + 6 = 49 defines circle B.

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

Choice C is incorrect. This equation defines a circle that’s the result of shifting circle A up, not down, by 6 units and
increasing the radius.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID dba6a25a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: dba6a25a

In the figure above, is parallel to .

What is the length of ?

ID: dba6a25a Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 30. In the figure given, since is parallel to and both segments are intersected by , then
angle BDC and angle AEC are corresponding angles and therefore congruent. Angle BCD and angle ACE are also
congruent because they are the same angle. Triangle BCD and triangle ACE are similar because if two angles of one
triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, the triangles are similar. Since triangle BCD and triangle ACE are
similar, their corresponding sides are proportional. So in triangle BCD and triangle ACE, corresponds to and

corresponds to . Therefore, . Since triangle BCD is a right triangle, the Pythagorean theorem can be

used to give the value of CD: . Taking the square root of each side gives . Substituting the values

in the proportion yields . Multiplying each side by CE, and then multiplying by yields

. Therefore, the length of is 30.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID acd30391
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: acd30391

A circle in the xy-plane has equation . Which of the

following points does NOT lie in the interior of the circle?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: acd30391 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. The circle with equation has center and radius 5. For a point to be
inside of the circle, the distance from that point to the center must be less than the radius, 5. The distance between

and is , which is greater than 5. Therefore, does NOT lie

in the interior of the circle.

Choice A is incorrect. The distance between and is ,

which is less than 5, and therefore lies in the interior of the circle. Choice B is incorrect because it is the center of
the circle. Choice C is incorrect because the distance between and is

, which is less than 5, and therefore in the interior of the circle.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4ff7b652
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 4ff7b652

Right triangles and are similar, where and correspond to and , respectively. Angle has a
measure of . What is the measure of angle ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 4ff7b652 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. It’s given that triangle 𝐿𝑀𝑁 is similar to triangle 𝑃𝑄𝑅. Corresponding angles of similar triangles are
congruent. Since angle 𝑀 and angle 𝑄 correspond to each other, they must be congruent. Therefore, if the measure of
angle 𝑀 is 53°, then the measure of angle 𝑄 is also 53°.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from concluding that angle 𝑀 and angle 𝑄 are complementary rather than
congruent.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from concluding that angle 𝑀 and angle 𝑄 are supplementary rather than congruent.

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

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 8027db3f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 8027db3f

In triangle , and angle is a right angle. What is the value of ?

ID: 8027db3f Answer

Correct Answer: .8823, .8824, 15/17

Rationale
15
The correct answer is 17
. It's given that angle 𝐽 is the right angle in triangle 𝐽𝐾𝐿. Therefore, the acute angles of triangle
𝐽𝐾𝐿 are angle 𝐾 and angle 𝐿. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is the side opposite its right angle. Therefore, the
hypotenuse of triangle 𝐽𝐾𝐿 is side 𝐾𝐿. The cosine of an acute angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the length of the side
24 8
adjacent to the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. It's given that cos𝐾 = 51
. This can be written as cos𝐾 = 17
. Since
the cosine of angle 𝐾 is a ratio, it follows that the length of the side adjacent to angle 𝐾 is 8𝑛 and the length of the
hypotenuse is 17𝑛, where 𝑛 is a constant. Therefore, 𝐽𝐾 = 8𝑛 and 𝐾𝐿 = 17𝑛. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a
right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other
2 2 2 2 2 2
two sides. For triangle 𝐽𝐾𝐿, it follows that 𝐽𝐾 + 𝐽𝐿 = 𝐾𝐿 . Substituting 8𝑛 for 𝐽𝐾 and 17𝑛 for 𝐾𝐿 yields 8𝑛 + 𝐽𝐿 = 17𝑛 .
2 2
This is equivalent to 64𝑛2 + 𝐽𝐿 = 289𝑛2 . Subtracting 64𝑛2 from each side of this equation yields 𝐽𝐿 = 225𝑛2 . Taking the
𝐽𝐿 15𝑛
square root of each side of this equation yields 𝐽𝐿 = 15𝑛. Since cos𝐿 = , it follows that cos𝐿 = , which can be
𝐾𝐿 17𝑛
15
rewritten as cos𝐿 = 17
. Note that 15/17, .8824, .8823, and 0.882 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cecbdeba
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: cecbdeba

A right circular cylinder has a volume of cubic centimeters. The area of the base of the cylinder is square
centimeters. What is the height, in centimeters, of the cylinder?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: cecbdeba Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. The volume, 𝑉, of a right circular cylinder is given by the formula 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ, where 𝜋𝑟2 is the area of
the base of the cylinder and ℎ is the height. It’s given that a right circular cylinder has a volume of 432 cubic centimeters
and the area of the base is 24 square centimeters. Substituting 432 for 𝑉 and 24 for 𝜋𝑟2 in the formula 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟2 ℎ yields
432 = 24ℎ. Dividing both sides of this equation by 24 yields 18 = ℎ. Therefore, the height of the cylinder, in centimeters, is
18.

Choice B is incorrect. This is the area of the base, in square centimeters, not the height, in centimeters, of the cylinder.

Choice C is incorrect. This is the height, in centimeters, of a cylinder if its volume is 432 cubic centimeters and the area of
its base is 2, not 24, cubic centimeters.

Choice D is incorrect. This is the height, in centimeters, of a cylinder if its volume is 432 cubic centimeters and the area of
1
its base is 24
, not 24, cubic centimeters.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 1bf809b5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 1bf809b5

In the triangle shown, what is the value of ?

ID: 1bf809b5 Answer

Correct Answer: .3928, .3929, 11/28

Rationale
11
The correct answer is 28
. The cosine of an acute angle in a right triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the leg
adjacent to the angle to the length of the hypotenuse. In the triangle shown, the length of the leg adjacent to the angle
11
with measure 𝑥° is 11 units and the length of the hypotenuse is 28 units. Therefore, the value of cos𝑥° is 28
. Note that
11/28, .3928, .3929, 0.392, and 0.393 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a2e76b60
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: a2e76b60

A cylindrical can containing pieces of fruit is filled to the top with syrup before
being sealed. The base of the can has an area of , and the height of the

can is 10 cm. If of syrup is needed to fill the can to the top, which of
the following is closest to the total volume of the pieces of fruit in the can?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: a2e76b60 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The total volume of the cylindrical can is found by multiplying the area of the base of the can,
, by the height of the can, 10 cm, which yields . If the syrup needed to fill the can has a volume of

, then the remaining volume for the pieces of

fruit is .

Choice A is incorrect because if the fruit had a volume of , there would be of syrup

needed to fill the can to the top. Choice B is incorrect because if the fruit had a volume of , there would be

of syrup needed to fill the can to the top. Choice D is incorrect because it is the total volume of
the can, not just of the pieces of fruit.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 306264ab
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 306264ab

A right triangle has sides of length , , and units. What is the area of the triangle, in square units?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 306264ab Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
1
Choice B is correct. The area, 𝐴, of a triangle can be found using the formula 𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ, where 𝑏 is the length of the base of
the triangle and ℎ is the height of the triangle. It's given that the triangle is a right triangle. Therefore, its base and height
can be represented by the two legs. It’s also given that the triangle has sides of length 2√2 , 6√2 , and √80 units. Since
√80 units is the greatest of these lengths, it's the length of the hypotenuse. Therefore, the two legs have lengths 2√2 and
1 1
6√2 units. Substituting these values for 𝑏 and ℎ in the formula 𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ gives 𝐴 = 2 2√2 6√2 , which is equivalent to
𝐴 = 6√4 square units, or 𝐴 = 12 square units.

Choice A is incorrect. This expression represents the perimeter, rather than the area, of the triangle.

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6a3fbec3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Lines, angles, and

Trigonometry triangles

ID: 6a3fbec3

In the figure above, and .

What is the length of ?

ID: 6a3fbec3 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 4.5. According to the properties of right triangles, BD divides triangle ABC into two similar triangles,
ABD and BCD. The corresponding sides of ABD and BCD are proportional, so the ratio of BD to AD is the same as the ratio

of DC to BD. Expressing this information as a proportion gives . Solving the proportion for DC results in
. Note that 4.5 and 9/2 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 37dde49f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 37dde49f

The glass pictured above can hold a maximum volume of 473 cubic centimeters,
which is approximately 16 fluid ounces. What is the value of k, in centimeters?

A. 2.52

B. 7.67

C. 7.79

D. 10.11

ID: 37dde49f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is correct. Using the volume formula and the given information that the volume of the glass is 473
cubic centimeters, the value of k can be found as follows:

Therefore, the value of k is approximately 10.11 centimeters.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Substituting the values of k from these choices in the formula results in volumes of
approximately 7 cubic centimeters, 207 cubic centimeters, and 217 cubic centimeters, respectively, all of which
contradict the given information that the volume of the glass is 473 cubic centimeters.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 82c8325f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Circles

Trigonometry

ID: 82c8325f

A circle in the xy-plane has its center at and the point lies on the circle. Which equation represents this
circle?

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: 82c8325f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. A circle in the xy-plane can be represented by an equation of the form 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 , where ℎ, 𝑘
is the center of the circle and 𝑟 is the length of a radius of the circle. It's given that the circle has its center at -4, 5.
2
Therefore, ℎ = - 4 and 𝑘 = 5. Substituting -4 for ℎ and 5 for 𝑘 in the equation 𝑥 - ℎ2 + 𝑦 - 𝑘2 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 - -42 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2
2 2
, or 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2 . It's also given that the point -8, 8 lies on the circle. Substituting -8 for 𝑥 and 8 for 𝑦 in the equation
2 2 2 2 2 2
𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2 yields -8 + 4 + 8 - 5 = 𝑟2 , or -4 + 3 = 𝑟2 , which is equivalent to 16 + 9 = 𝑟2 , or 25 = 𝑟2 .
2 2 2 2
Substituting 25 for 𝑟2 in the equation 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 𝑟2 yields 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑦 - 5 = 25. Thus, the equation
2
𝑥 + 42 + 𝑦 - 5 = 25 represents the circle.

Choice A is incorrect. The circle represented by this equation has its center at 4, - 5, not -4, 5, and the point -8, 8 doesn't
lie on the circle.

Choice B is incorrect. The point -8, 8 doesn't lie on the circle represented by this equation.

Choice C is incorrect. The circle represented by this equation has its center at 4, - 5, not -4, 5, and the point -8, 8 doesn't
lie on the circle.

Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 459dd6c5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 459dd6c5

Triangles and are similar. Each side length of triangle is times the corresponding side length of
triangle . The area of triangle is square inches. What is the area, in square inches, of triangle ?

ID: 459dd6c5 Answer

Correct Answer: 135/8, 16.87, 16.88

Rationale
135
The correct answer is 8
. It's given that triangles ABC and DEF are similar and each side length of triangle ABC is 4 times
the corresponding side length of triangle DEF. For two similar triangles, if each side length of the first triangle is 𝑘 times
the corresponding side length of the second triangle, then the area of the first triangle is 𝑘2 times the area of the second
2
triangle. Therefore, the area of triangle ABC is 4 , or 16, times the area of triangle DEF. It's given that the area of triangle
ABC is 270 square inches. Let 𝑎 represent the area, in square inches, of triangle DEF. It follows that 270 is 16 times 𝑎, or
270 135
270 = 16𝑎. Dividing both sides of this equation by 16 yields 16
= 𝑎, which is equivalent to 8
= 𝑎. Thus, the area, in
135
square inches, of triangle DEF is . Note that 135/8, 16.87, and 16.88 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.
8

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 25da87f8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Right triangles and

Trigonometry trigonometry

ID: 25da87f8

A triangle with angle measures 30°, 60°, and 90° has a perimeter of .
What is the length of the longest side of the triangle?

ID: 25da87f8 Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 12. It is given that the triangle has angle measures of 30°, 60°, and 90°, and so the triangle is a
special right triangle. The side measures of this type of special triangle are in the ratio . If x is the measure of the

shortest leg, then the measure of the other leg is and the measure of the hypotenuse is 2x. The perimeter of the
triangle is given to be , and so the equation for the perimeter can be written as .
Combining like terms and factoring out a common factor of x on the left-hand side of the equation gives
. Rewriting the right-hand side of the equation by factoring out 6 gives .

Dividing both sides of the equation by the common factor gives x = 6. The longest side of the right triangle, the
hypotenuse, has a length of 2x, or 2(6), which is 12.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 310c87fe
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: 310c87fe

A cube has a surface area of 54 square meters. What is the

volume, in cubic meters, of the cube?

A. 18

B. 27

C. 36

D. 81

ID: 310c87fe Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. The surface area of a cube with side length s is equal to . Since the surface area is given as 54

square meters, the equation can be used to solve for s. Dividing both sides of the equation by 6 yields .
Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields and . Since the side length of a cube must be a
positive value, can be discarded as a possible solution, leaving . The volume of a cube with side length s is

equal to . Therefore, the volume of this cube, in cubic meters, is , or 27.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID cf53cb56
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Geometry and Area and volume

Trigonometry

ID: cf53cb56

In the xy-plane shown, square ABCD has its diagonals on the x- and y-axes.
What is the area, in square units, of the square?

A. 20

B. 25

C. 50

D. 100

ID: cf53cb56 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. The two diagonals of square ABCD divide the square into 4 congruent right triangles, where each

triangle has a vertex at the origin of the graph shown. The formula for the area of a triangle is , where b is the
base length of the triangle and h is the height of the triangle. Each of the 4 congruent right triangles has a height of 5

units and a base length of 5 units. Therefore, the area of each triangle is , or 12.5 square units. Since the 4

right triangles are congruent, the area of each is of the area of square ABCD. It follows that the area of the square
ABCD is equal to , or 50 square units.

Choices A and D are incorrect and may result from using 5 or 25, respectively, as the area of one of the 4 congruent right
triangles formed by diagonals of square ABCD. However, the area of these triangles is 12.5. Choice B is incorrect and
may result from using 5 as the length of one side of square ABCD. However, the length of a side of square ABCD is .

Question Difficulty: Medium