tl;dr: Learn how to solve Linear Equations in the SAT Math section with sample practice problems, solutions and advice. The main takeaways are that you need to be able to demonstrate your understanding of linear equations and their applications, convert between graphical and algebraic representations, analyze word problems, define and isolate key variables, write expressions, equations, and inequalities, and solve them.
The SAT Math section contains approximately 60 questions, separated into:
Linear Equations fall under the Heart of Algebra content section.
Topics Related to “Linear Equations”
What You Have to Do
Non-calculator practice problems �
General directions for this section you should expect to see:
1. In 2014, County X had 783 miles of paved roads. Starting in 2015, the county has been building 8 miles of new paved roads each year. At this rate, how many miles of paved road will County X have in 2030? (Assume that no paved roads go out of service.)
The correct answer is B.
Solution & Advice 🚧
Let’s Break it Down!
⇒ Each year after 2014 (where the number of miles of paved roads has already been determined) can be represented with the variable x.
⇒ Since we already have 783 miles, the number of miles of paved roads in 2030 can be represented by 783 + 8*x, but what is x?
⇒ Glad you asked! Since x is the number of years after 2014, a quick calculation of 2030 (the year of interest) - 2014 (the current year), tells us that x = 16.
⇒ From here, we can plug this value into our linear expression!
⇒ 783 + 8(16) = 783 + 128 = 911 miles of paved roads in 2030.
Feeling good? Let’s try another one!
2. In 2014, County X had 783 miles of paved roads. Starting in 2015, the county has been building 8 miles of new paved roads each year. At this rate, in which year will County X have at least 1,000 miles of paved roads? (Assume that no paved roads go out of service.)
The correct answer is C.
Solution & Advice 🛣️
⇒ Since we start with 783 miles, x is the number of years after 2014, and the rate of paving is 8 miles a year, our expression can be represented as 783 + 8n
⇒ This question asks when there'll be at least 1,000 miles of total paved roads in County X (not when an additional 1,000 miles will be paved).
⇒ Our inequality can be written as 783 + 8n >= 1000
⇒ Why isn’t it ? We aren’t looking for when the amount of total miles will be less than 1,000, and at least indicates that we can include 1,000; therefore it’s >=
⇒ Once we add 27.125 to 2014, we get 2041.125, which does not make sense in the context of the question. In the year 2041, only 999 miles of paved road exist in the county. Therefore, we need to round up to 2042 to have at least 1,000 miles of paved roads total!
Onto Question 3!
3. To edit a manuscript, Miguel charges $50 for the first 2 hours and $20 per hour after the first 2 hours. Which of the following expresses the amount, C, in dollars, Miguel charges if it takes him x hours to edit a manuscript, where x>2?
The correct answer is B.
Solution & Advice 📝
⇒ C = 20x + 10, which is option B
Let’s try one more!
2(2y + 3) = 3x - 5
What is the solution (x,y) to the system of equations above?
The correct answer is B.
Solution & Advice 🤝
⇒ -2x = 4y + 6 ⇒ let’s simplify this and divide all terms by 2!
⇒ Now that we’ve isolated for x, we can plug this into the second equation and solve!
⇒ 2(2y + 3) = 3(-2y - 3) - 5 ⇒ Since x = -2y - 3, we plugged in -2y - 3 in place of x
⇒ 4y + 6 = -6y - 9 - 5
⇒ Now that we’ve solved for y, we can plug this back into our first equation!
⇒ Since x = 1 and y = -2, our answer is (1, -2)
TIP: Always plug your answer back into either the first or second equation (or both) to make sure they work! If your solution is correct, both sides of the equation should be equal
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of this prep activity 🙌 You learned about “SAT Math: Linear Equations ” You should have a better understanding of the Math sections for the SAT© , topic highlights, what you will have to be able to do in order to succeed, as well as have seen some practice questions that put the concepts in action. Good luck studying for the SAT Math section 👏
Need more resources? Check out our complete SAT Math Study Guide w/ Practice Problems. You got this 🥳.
