Question ID 91e7ea5e

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 91e7ea5e

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

intersects the x-axis at the points and , where t is a constant.
What is the value of t ?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 4

D. 8

ID: 91e7ea5e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It’s given that the graph of intersects the x-axis at and , where t is a constant. Since
this graph intersects the x-axis when or when , it follows that and . If , then

. Adding 32 to both sides of this equation yields . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2

yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields . Adding 4 to both sides of this
equation yields . Therefore, the value of t is 8.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a9084ca4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: a9084ca4

The given function models the number of advertisements a company sent to its clients each year, where represents the
number of years since , and . If is graphed in the xy-plane, which of the following is the best
interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph in this context?

A. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

B. The minimum estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients during the years was .

C. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

D. The estimated number of advertisements the company sent to its clients in was .

ID: a9084ca4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b8f13a3a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: b8f13a3a

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

ID: b8f13a3a Answer

Correct Answer: 20

Rationale
The correct answer is 20. It’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Substituting -𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 for 𝑓𝑥 in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 yields
75 75
𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12. It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 - 12 is 0, - 7 . Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and - 7 for 𝑦 in the
75 75 75
equation 𝑦 = - 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 - 12 yields - 7 = - 𝑎0 + 𝑏 - 12, which is equivalent to - 7 = - 1 + 𝑏 - 12, or - 7 = 𝑏 - 13. Adding 13 to
16 320 320 16
both sides of this equation yields = 𝑏. It’s given that the product of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is , or 𝑎𝑏 = . Substituting for 𝑏 in this
7 7 7 7
16 320 16
equation yields 𝑎7 = 7
. Dividing both sides of this equation by 7
yields 𝑎 = 20.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9654add7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 9654add7

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

given by the function f above, where x is the unit price, in dollars, of the product.
The graph of in the xy-plane intersects the x-axis at 0 and a. What does a
represent?

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

B. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue

C. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0

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

ID: 9654add7 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. By definition, the y-value when a function intersects the x-axis is 0. It’s given that the graph of the
function intersects the x-axis at 0 and a, that x is the unit price, in dollars, of a product, and that , where , is the
revenue, in dollars, that a company receives from the sales of the product. Since the value of a occurs when , a is the
unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in a revenue of $0.

Choice A is incorrect. The revenue, in dollars, when the unit price of the product is $0 is represented by , when .
Choice B is incorrect. The unit price, in dollars, of the product that will result in maximum revenue is represented by the x-
coordinate of the maximum of f. Choice D is incorrect. The maximum revenue, in dollars, that the company can make is
represented by the y-coordinate of the maximum of f.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 263f9937
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 263f9937
Growth of a Culture of Bacteria
Number of bacteria per
Day
milliliter at end of day

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

At this rate, on which day would the number of bacteria per milliliter reach
?

A. Day 5

B. Day 9

C. Day 11

D. Day 12

ID: 263f9937 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The number of bacteria per milliliter is doubling each day. For example, from day 1 to day 2, the number
of bacteria increased from 2.5 × 105 to 5.0 × 105. At the end of day 3 there are 106 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 4,
there will be 106 × 2 bacteria per milliliter. At the end of day 5, there will be (106 × 2) × 2, or 106 × (22) bacteria per milliliter,
and so on. At the end of day d, the number of bacteria will be 106 × (2d – 3). If the number of bacteria per milliliter will reach
5.12 × 108 at the end of day d, then the equation must hold. Since 5.12 × 108 can be rewritten

as 512 × 106, the equation is equivalent to . Rewriting 512 as 29 gives d – 3 = 9, so d = 12. The number of
bacteria per milliliter would reach 5.12 × 108 at the end of day 12.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Given the growth rate of the bacteria, the number of bacteria will not reach 5.12 × 108 per
milliliter by the end of any of these days.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4dd4efcf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 4dd4efcf

In the given quadratic function, and are constants. The graph of in the xy-plane is a parabola that opens
upward and has a vertex at the point , where and are constants. If and , which of the
following must be true?

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and II

D. Neither I nor II

ID: 4dd4efcf Answer

Correct Answer: D

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 18e35375
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 18e35375

The function is defined by the given equation. For what value of does reach its minimum?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 18e35375 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. It's given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 14𝑥 + 19, which can be rewritten as 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 266. Since the coefficient of the
𝑥2 -term is positive, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane opens upward and reaches its minimum value at its vertex. The x-
coordinate of the vertex is the value of 𝑥 such that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum. For an equation in the form 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐,
𝑏
where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are constants, the x-coordinate of the vertex is - . For the equation 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 - 266, 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 5, and
2𝑎
5 5
𝑐 = - 266. It follows that the x-coordinate of the vertex is - , or - . Therefore, 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum when the value of 𝑥 is
21 2
5
- .
2

Alternate approach: The value of 𝑥 for the vertex of a parabola is the x-value of the midpoint between the two x-intercepts of
the parabola. Since it’s given that 𝑓𝑥 = 𝑥 - 14𝑥 + 19, it follows that the two x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane
occur when 𝑥 = 14 and 𝑥 = - 19, or at the points 14, 0 and -19, 0. The midpoint between two points, 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , is
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 14 + -19 0 + 0 5
, . Therefore, the midpoint between 14, 0 and -19, 0 is , , or - , 0. It follows that 𝑓𝑥 reaches its minimum
2 2 2 2 2
5
when the value of 𝑥 is - 2 .

Choice A is incorrect. This is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

Choice B is incorrect. This is one of the x-coordinates of the x-intercepts of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑥 in the xy-plane.

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ce579859
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: ce579859

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

A. msup

B. msup

C. msup

D. msup

ID: ce579859 Answer

Correct Answer: B

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

Choice A is incorrect. This equation represents a model where at the end of each year, the estimated number of squirrels
was 150% of, not 150% more than, the estimated number at the end of the previous year.

Choice C is incorrect. This equation represents a model where at the end of each year, the estimated number of squirrels
was 150% of, not 150% more than, the estimated number at the end of the previous year, and the estimated number of
squirrels at the end of 2015, not the end of 2016, was 180.

Choice D is incorrect. This equation represents a model where the estimated number of squirrels at the end of 2015, not the
end of 2016, was 180.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9afe2370
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 9afe2370
The population P of a certain city y years after the last census is modeled by the equation below, where r is a constant
and is the population when .

If during this time the population of the city decreases by a fixed percent each year,
which of the following must be true?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 9afe2370 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The term (1 + r) represents a percent change. Since the population is decreasing, the percent change
must be between 0% and 100%. When the percent change is expressed as a decimal rather than as a percent, the percentage
change must be between 0 and 1. Because (1 + r) represents percent change, this can be expressed as 0 < 1 + r < 1.
Subtracting 1 from all three terms of this compound inequality results in –1 < r < 0.

Choice A is incorrect. If r < –1, then after 1 year, the population P would be a negative value, which is not possible. Choices C
and D are incorrect. For any value of r > 0, 1 + r > 1, and the exponential function models growth for positive values of the
exponent. This contradicts the given information that the population is decreasing.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0121a235
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 0121a235

x p(x)

The table above gives selected values of a polynomial function p. Based on the
values in the table, which of the following must be a factor of p ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 0121a235 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. According to the table, when x is or 2, . Therefore, two x-intercepts of the graph of p are
and . Since and are x-intercepts, it follows that and are factors of the polynomial
equation. This is because when , the value of is 0. Similarly, when , the value of is 0. Therefore, the
product is a factor of the polynomial function p.

Choice A is incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice B is
incorrect. The factor corresponds to an x-intercept of , which isn’t present in the table. Choice C is incorrect.
The factors and correspond to x-intercepts and , respectively, which aren’t present in the table.
Question Difficulty: Hard
Question ID bba18ecb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: bba18ecb

When the quadratic function is graphed in the xy-plane, where , its vertex is . One of the x-intercepts of
this graph is . What is the other x-intercept of the graph?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: bba18ecb Answer

Correct Answer: B

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

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 70753f99
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 70753f99

The function f is defined by . The graph of f in the xy-plane is

a parabola. Which of the following intervals contains the x-coordinate of the vertex
of the graph of f ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 70753f99 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is correct. The graph of a quadratic function in the xy-plane is a parabola. The axis of symmetry of the parabola
passes through the vertex of the parabola. Therefore, the vertex of the parabola and the midpoint of the segment between
the two x-intercepts of the graph have the same x-coordinate. Since , the x-coordinate of the vertex is

. Of the shown intervals, only the interval in choice B contains –2. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect and
may result from either calculation errors or misidentification of the graph’s x-intercepts.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 58dcc59f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 58dcc59f

A landscaper is designing a rectangular garden. The length of the garden is to be 5

feet longer than the width. If the area of the garden will be 104 square feet, what
will be the length, in feet, of the garden?

ID: 58dcc59f Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 13. Let w represent the width of the rectangular garden, in feet. Since the length of the garden will be 5
feet longer than the width of the garden, the length of the garden will be feet. Thus the area of the garden will be

. It is also given that the area of the garden will be 104 square feet. Therefore, , which is equivalent

to . Factoring this equation results in . Therefore, and . Because

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 84dd43f8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 84dd43f8

For the function , , and for each increase in by , the value of decreases by . What is the value of
?

ID: 84dd43f8 Answer

Correct Answer: 3.44, 86/25

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

Alternate approach: It’s given that 𝑓0 = 86 and that for each increase in 𝑥 by 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 decreases by 80%. Therefore,
when 𝑥 = 1, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is ( 100 − 80 ) %, or 20%, of 86, which can be expressed as 0 . 2086. Since 0 . 2086 = 17 . 2, the
value of 𝑓1 is 17.2. Similarly, when 𝑥 = 2, the value of 𝑓𝑥 is 20% of 17.2, which can be expressed as 0 . 2017 . 2. Since
0 . 2017 . 2 = 3 . 44, the value of 𝑓2 is 3.44. Either 3.44 or 86 / 25 may be entered as the correct answer.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 59d1f4b5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 59d1f4b5

The equation above models the number of members, M, of a gym t years after the
gym opens. Of the following, which equation models the number of members of
the gym q quarter years after the gym opens?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 59d1f4b5 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is correct. In 1 year, there are 4 quarter years, so the number of quarter years, q, is 4 times the number of years, t ;

that is, . This is equivalent to , and substituting this into the expression for M in terms of t gives

Choices B and D are incorrect and may be the result of incorrectly using instead of . (Choices B and D are

nearly the same since is equivalent to , which is approximately .) Choice C is incorrect and may be
the result of incorrectly using and unnecessarily dividing 0.02 by 4.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 635f54ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 635f54ee

The surface area of a cube is , where a is a positive constant. Which of the

following gives the perimeter of one face of the cube?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 635f54ee Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is correct. A cube has 6 faces of equal area, so if the total surface area of a cube is , then the area of one

face is . Likewise, the area of one face of a cube is the square of one of its edges; therefore, if the area of one face is

, then the length of one edge of the cube is . Since the perimeter of one face of a cube is four times the length of

one edge, the perimeter is .

Choice A is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is , then the total surface area of the cube is

, which is not . Choice C is incorrect because if the perimeter of one face of the cube is 4a, then

the total surface area of the cube is , which is not . Choice D is incorrect because if the perimeter of

one face of the cube is 6a, then the total surface area of the cube is , which is not .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID de39858a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: de39858a

The function is defined by , where and are positive constants. The graph of in the -plane
passes through the points ( , ) and ( , ). What is the value of ?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: de39858a Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is correct. It’s given that the function ℎ is defined by ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 and that the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ ( 𝑥 ) in the xy-plane
325
passes through the points 0, 10 and -2, 36
. Substituting 0 for 𝑥 and 10 for ℎ𝑥 in the equation ℎ𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 yields 10 = 𝑎0 + 𝑏,
325
or 10 = 1 + 𝑏. Subtracting 1 from both sides of this equation yields 9 = 𝑏. Substituting -2 for 𝑥 and 36
for ℎ𝑥 in the equation
325 1
ℎ ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 + 9 yields = 𝑎-2 + 9. Subtracting 9 from both sides of this equation yields = 𝑎-2 , which can be rewritten as
36 36
𝑎2 = 36. Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields 𝑎 = 6 and 𝑎 = - 6, but because it’s given that 𝑎 is a
positive constant, 𝑎 must equal 6. Because the value of 𝑎 is 6 and the value of 𝑏 is 9, the value of 𝑎𝑏 is ( 6 ) ( 9 ) , or 54.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from finding the value of 𝑎-2 𝑏 rather than the value of 𝑎𝑏.

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

Choice D is incorrect and may result from correctly finding the value of 𝑎 as 6, but multiplying it by the y-value in the first
ordered pair rather than by the value of 𝑏.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1178f2df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 1178f2df

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

ID: 1178f2df Answer

Correct Answer: -2112

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 84e8cc72
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 84e8cc72

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 84e8cc72 Answer

Correct Answer: C

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4b642eef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 4b642eef

The total distance d, in meters, traveled by an object moving in a straight line can
be modeled by a quadratic function that is defined in terms of t, where t is the time
in seconds. At a time of 10.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by the object is
50.0 meters, and at a time of 20.0 seconds, the total distance traveled by the
object is 200.0 meters. If the object was at a distance of 0 meters when , then
what is the total distance traveled, in meters, by the object after 30.0 seconds?

ID: 4b642eef Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 450. The quadratic equation that models this situation can be written in the form ,
where a, b, and c are constants. It’s given that the distance, d, the object traveled was 0 meters when seconds. These

values can be substituted into the equation to solve for a, b, and c: . Therefore, , and it follows that

. Since it’s also given that d is 50 when t is 10 and d is 200 when t is 20, these values for d and t can be

substituted to create a system of two linear equations: and , or

and . Subtracting the first equation from the second equation yields , or . Substituting for a

in the first equation and solving for b yields . Therefore, the equation that represents this situation is .

Evaluating this function when seconds yields , or meters.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6d9e01a2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 6d9e01a2

The given equation defines the function . For what value of does reach its minimum?

ID: 6d9e01a2 Answer

Correct Answer: 25/4, 6.25

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9f2ecade
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 9f2ecade

The function h is defined above, where a, b, and c are integer constants. If the zeros
of the function are 6, and 7, what is the value of c ?

ID: 9f2ecade Answer

Rationale
The correct answer is 210. Since , 6, and 7 are zeros of the function, the function can be rewritten as

. Expanding the function yields . Thus, , , and

. Therefore, the value of c is 210.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6f5540a5
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 6f5540a5

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 6f5540a5 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is correct. The hot chocolate cools from 185°F over time, never going lower than the room temperature, 70°F. Since
the base of the exponent in this function, 0.75, is less than 1, decreases as time increases. Using the function, the

temperature, in °F, at 6:00 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to . The temperature, in °F, at

6:05 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which is approximately 156°F. Finally, the

temperature, in °F, at 6:10 p.m. can be estimated as and is equal to , which is approximately 135°F.
Since these three given values of m and their corresponding values for can be verified using the function

, this is the best function out of the given choices to model the temperature of Kao’s hot
chocolate after m minutes.

Choice A is incorrect because the base of the exponent, , results in the value of increasing over time rather than
decreasing. Choice B is incorrect because when m is large enough, becomes less than 70. Choice C is incorrect
because the maximum value of at 6:00 p.m. is 115°F, not 185°F.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1fe10d97
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 1fe10d97

The given function models the population of Lowell years after a census. Which of the following functions best models
the population of Lowell months after the census?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: 1fe10d97 Answer

Correct Answer: D

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

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

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

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

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b73ee6cf
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: b73ee6cf

The population of a town is currently 50,000, and the population is estimated to

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

A.

B.

C.

D.

ID: b73ee6cf Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. Stating that the population will increase each year by 3% from the previous year is equivalent to saying
that the population each year will be 103% of the population the year before. Since the initial population is 50,000, the
population after t years is given by 50,000(1.03)t. It follows that the equation 60,000 = 50,000(1.03)t can be used to estimate
the number of years it will take for the population to reach 60,000.

Choice A is incorrect. This equation models how long it will take the population to decrease from 60,000 to 50,000, which is
impossible given the growth factor. Choice B is incorrect and may result from misinterpreting a 3% growth as growth by a
factor of 3. Additionally, this equation attempts to model how long it will take the population to decrease from 60,000 to
50,000. Choice C is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding how to model percent growth by multiplying the initial
amount by a factor greater than 1.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7eed640d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 7eed640d

The quadratic function above models the height above the ground h, in feet, of a
projectile x seconds after it had been launched vertically. If is graphed in
the xy-plane, which of the following represents the real-life meaning of the positive
x-intercept of the graph?

A. The initial height of the projectile

B. The maximum height of the projectile

C. The time at which the projectile reaches its maximum height

D. The time at which the projectile hits the ground

ID: 7eed640d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The positive x-intercept of the graph of is a point for which . Since models
the height above the ground, in feet, of the projectile, a y-value of 0 must correspond to the height of the projectile when it is
0 feet above ground or, in other words, when the projectile is on the ground. Since x represents the time since the projectile
was launched, it follows that the positive x-intercept, , represents the time at which the projectile hits the ground.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from misidentifying the y-intercept as a positive x-intercept. Choice B is incorrect and
may result from misidentifying the y-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept. Choice C is incorrect
and may result from misidentifying the x-value of the vertex of the graph of the function as an x-intercept.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 43926bd9
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 43926bd9

For the exponential function f, the table above shows several values of x and their corresponding values of , where a

is a constant greater than 1. If k is a constant and , what is the value of k ?

ID: 43926bd9 Answer

Rationale

The correct answer is 8. The values of for the exponential function f shown in the table increase by a factor of for

each increase of 1 in x. This relationship can be represented by the equation , where b is a constant. It’s given

that when , . Substituting 2 for x and for into yields . Since

, it follows that . Thus, an equation that defines the function f is . It follows that the value

of k such that can be found by solving the equation , which yields .

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a7711fe8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: a7711fe8

What is the minimum value of the function f

defined by ?

A.

B.

C. 2

D. 4

ID: a7711fe8 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is correct. The given quadratic function f is in vertex form, , where is the vertex of the

graph of in the xy-plane. Therefore, the vertex of the graph of is . In addition, the y-coordinate of
the vertex represents either the minimum or maximum value of a quadratic function, depending on whether the graph of the
function opens upward or downward. Since the leading coefficient of f (the coefficient of the term ) is 1, which is
positive, the graph of opens upward. It follows that at , the minimum value of the function f is .

Choice B is incorrect and may result from making a sign error and from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from using the x-coordinate of the vertex. Choice D is incorrect and may result from making a sign
error.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1a722d7d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Math Advanced Math Nonlinear functions

ID: 1a722d7d

Let the function p be defined as , where c is a constant. If

, what is the value of ?

A. 10.00

B. 10.25

C. 10.75

D. 11.00

ID: 1a722d7d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is correct. The value of p(12) depends on the value of the constant c, so the value of c must first be determined. It
is given that p(c) = 10. Based on the definition of p, it follows that:

This means that for all values of x. Therefore:

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

Question Difficulty: Hard