CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 13

DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Time: 60 minutes

Directions: Select the BEST answer for each of the 50 multiple-choice questions. If the exact solution is not one of the
five choices, select the answer that is the best approximation. Then, fill in the appropriate oval on the answer sheet.

Notes:

1. A calculator will be needed to answer some of the questions on the test.

Scientific, programmable, and graphing calculators are permitted. It is up
to you to determine when and when not to use your calculator.
2. Angles on the Level 2 test are measured in degrees and radians. You need
to decide whether your calculator should be set to degree mode or radian
mode for a particular question.
3. Figures are drawn as accurately as possible and are intended to help solve
some of the test problems. If a figure is not drawn to scale, this will be
stated in the problem. All figures lie in a plane unless the problem indi-
cates otherwise.
4. Unless otherwise stated, the domain of a function f is assumed to be the
set of real numbers x for which the value of the function, f (x), is a real
number.
5. Reference information that may be useful in answering some of the test
questions can be found below.

Reference Information

1 2
Right circular cone with radius r and height h: Volume = πr h
3
1
Right circular cone with circumference of base c Lateral area = cl
2
and slant height ᐉ:

4 3
Sphere with radius r: Volume = πr
3
Surface area = 4πr2

1
Pyramid with base area B and height h: Volume = Bh
3

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14 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

DIAGNOSTIC TEST QUESTIONS

1. c −1 ( 1
a
+
1
b
) =
USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER

2
(A)
c
a+b
(B) c
ab

a+b
(C)
abc
a+b
(D) − c
abc

1
(E)
abc

2. (x + y + 3)(x + y − 3) =

(A) x2 + y2 − 32
(B) (x + y)2 + 6(x + y) + 9
(C) (x + y)2 + 6(x + y)
(D) (x + y)2 − 9
(E) x2 + 2xy + y2 + 32

3. If 2x = 5, 5x =
(A) 2
(B) 2.32
(C) 11.61
(D) 41.97
(E) 25

4. If 7 x = 6.24, then what is the value of x?

(A) 38.94
(B) 5.56
(C) 30.94
(D) 2.36
(E) 6.49

5. If E and F are different points in a plane, then the set

of all points in this plane the sum of whose distances
from E and F is constant is
(A) a square
(B) a circle
(C) a parabola
(D) a hyperbola
(E) an ellipse

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CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 15

6. Assuming cos and sec are defined, cos (4θ) sec (4θ) = USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
(A) 4
(B) −1
(C) 1
(D) 0
(E) cot 4θ

7. What is the equation of a line that contains the point

(−5, 2) and is parallel to the y-axis and perpendicular
to the x-axis?
2
(A) y = − x
5
(B) y = −5
(C) y = x + 2
(D) x = −5
(E) y = 2

8. What is the distance in space between the points

A(−2, 1, 3) and B(3, 4, −1)?

(A) 5 2

(B) 3 2

(C) 34

(D) 41
(E) 10
π
9. sin =
2
(A) sin 4π
π
(B) sin 3
2
(C) cos 2π
π
(D) sin −
2
(E) cos π

10. If 1 and −4 are both roots of a given polynomial,

then which of the following must be a factor of the
polynomial?

(A) x + 1
(B) x2 − 3x − 4
(C) x2 + 3x − 4
(D) x − 4
(E) x2 − 1

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16 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

11. Figure 1 shows one cycle of the graph of y = sin 2x USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
for 0 ≤ x < π. What are the coordinates of the point
where the maximum value of the function occurs on y
this interval?
⎛π ⎞
(A) ⎝ , π⎠
4
⎛π ⎞
(B) ⎝ , 1⎠
4

⎛π ⎞
(C) ⎝ , π⎠
2
x
⎛π ⎞
(D) ⎝ , 1⎠
2
⎛π ⎞
(E) ⎝ , 2⎠
3

Figure 1

12. In Figure 2, r sin θ =

(A) x
(B) y
(C) r
y (x,y)
(D)
r
r y
ry
(E)
x θ
x

1
13. If f(x) = 4x − 1 and f ( g(6) ) = − , then g(x) could Figure 2
3
equal which of the following?
1
(A)
x
(B) x2
x
(C)
6
x
(D) −
18
2 GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
(E)
x
CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 17

14. At a distance of 50 feet from a flagpole, the angle USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
from the ground to the top of the flagpole is 42°.
Assuming the flagpole is perpendicular to the
ground, what is its height?
(A) 75 ft
(B) 56 ft
(C) 37 ft
(D) 33 ft
(E) 45 ft

15. If f ( x ) = x − 4 and g(x) = x 3 + 1, then g(f(12)) =

(A) 9
(B) 16 2 + 1

(C) 5 69

(D) 2 2

(E) 8 2 + 1

16. What is the domain of the function defined by

f (x) = 3
4x2 − 1?

1 1
(A) − ≤ x ≤
2 2
1 1
(B) − ≤ x or x ≥
2 2
1
(C) x ≥
2
(D) x ≥ 0
(E) All real numbers

17. The half-life of a radioactive substance is 9 years. If

40 grams of the substance exist initially, how much
will remain after 23.5 years?
(A) 0.077 grams
(B) 244.30 grams
(C) 6.11 grams
(D) 2.49 grams
(E) 6.55 grams

18. Which of the following could be a quadratic equation

with integral coefficients having roots 3 + i and 3 − i?

(A) x2 + 9x − 10 = 0
(B) x2 − 6x + 10 = 0
(C) x2 − 9x + 8 = 0
(D) x2 − 9 = 0
(E) x2 + 9x − 8 = 0
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18 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

x 2 − 25 USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER

19. If f ( x ) = , what value does the function
x−5
approach as x approaches 5?
(A) 5
(B) 10
(C) 0
(D) 11
(E) Undefined

20. Figure 3 shows the graph of y = f (x). Which of the

following could be the graph of y =⎟ f (x)⎟ ?

(A)

Figure 3

(B)

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CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 19

USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER

(C)

(D)

(E)

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20 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

21. What is the equation, in standard form, of the hyper- USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
bola having foci at (0, 4) and (6, 4) and vertices (1, 4)
and (5, 4)?

( x − 3)2 ( y − 4)2
(A) − =1
4 9
( x − 3)2 ( y − 4)2
(B) − =1
5 4
( x − 3)2 ( y − 4)2
(C) − =1
4 5

( y − 4)2 ( x − 3)2
(D) − =1
5 4
( x − 3)2 ( y − 4)2
(E) − =1
5 9

22. In how many ways can the letters of the word

NUMBER be arranged using all of the letters?
(A) 16
(B) 24
(C) 120
(D) 720
(E) 5,040

23. The second term of a geometric sequence is 6 and the

81
5th term is . What is the common ratio of the
4
sequence?

3
(A)
2
27
(B)
8
19
(C)
4
2
(D)
3

6
(E) 3
4

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CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 21

24. If x 2 − 5x + 1 = (x − a)2 + c, then what is the value USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
of c?

29
(A) −
4
21
(B) −
4
5
(C) −
2
25
(D) −
4
(E) 1

25. Solve 3 x − 5 x − 2 = 0

(A) { }
1
9
, 4

⎧1 ⎫
(B) ⎨ ⎬
⎩9 ⎭
(C) {4}

⎧1 ⎫
(D) ⎨ ,− 4 ⎬
⎩ 9 ⎭
(E) {−4}

26. If 162 − x = 88 − x, then x =

(A) 16
(B) −16
(C) −3
(D) 32
(E) 8

27. If f (x) = 4x + 1 and g(x) = x2 − 3x + 1, then

( f + g)(−2) =
(A) 8
(B) −7
(C) −8
(D) 4
(E) 3

28. (2x − 1)5 =

(A) 32x5 + 80x4 + 80x3 + 40x2 + 10x + 1
(B) 32x5 − 80x4 + 80x3 − 40x2 + 10x − 1
(C) (2x − 1)(8x3 − 12x2 + 6x − 1)
(D) 32x5 − 1
(E) x5 − 5x4 + 10x3 − 10x2 + 5x − 1

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22 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

29. How many different chords can be drawn from 8 dis- USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
tinct points on a circle?
(A) 48
(B) 7
(C) 8
(D) 16
(E) 28

30. The diagonals of a rhombus measure 24 and 18 inches.

What is the measure of the larger angle of the
rhombus?
(A) 73.7°
(B) 53.1°
(C) 145°
(D) 120°
(E) 106.3°

31. The first three terms of an arithmetic sequence are

3n, 6n − 2, and 8n + 1 where n is any real number.
What is the value of the fourth term of the sequence?
(A) 41
(B) 56
(C) 54
(D) 58
(E) 14

32. Which of the following is NOT a factor of

x4 − 3x3 − 11x2 + 3x + 10?
(A) x + 1
(B) x − 1
(C) x + 2
(D) x − 2
(E) x − 5

33. f (x) = ax2 + bx + c for all real numbers x. If

f(0) = −1, f(1) = 3, and f(2) = 5, then what is f(x)?
(A) 2x2 + 2x − 1
(B) −x2 + 5x − 1
(C) x2 + 3x − 1
(D) x2 + 4x − 1
(E) −2x2 + 6x − 1

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CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 23

34. If ( a b ) = 10 b 2 and a and b are nonzero real

4 USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
numbers, then which of the following could equal a?

(A) 10
(B) 0.1
(C) 10
(D) 4 10
(E) −10

35. In a class of 25 students, 80% are passing the class

with a grade of C or better. If two students are ran-
domly selected from the class, what is the probabil-
ity that neither student is passing with a grade of C
or better?
(A) 0.03
(B) 0.20
(C) 0.08
(D) 0.63
(E) 0.64

36. If, for all real numbers x, f (4x − 8) = 2x − 2, then f (x)

could equal which of the following?

1
(A) x
4
(B) 4x − 4
1
(C) x+2
2
1
(D) x−2
2
(E) 2x − 4

37. If f(x) = 2x3 + 6, then what is f −1(−10)?

(A) 1.26
(B) −2
(C) −7.08
(D) −2.52
(E) 2.83

38. What are the intercepts of the circle given by the

equation (x + 3)2 + (y − 3)2 = 9?
(A) (−3, 3)
(B) (0, 3)
(C) (0, ±3), (±3, 0)
(D) (0, 3), (−3, 0)
(E) (0, −3), (3, 0)

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24 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

39. If 11x − 2y = −4 and x2 − y = 1, then what is the value USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
of y, assuming y ≥ 0?

3
(A)
4
(B) 35
(C) 6
1
(D)
2
(E) 8

40. The height of a right circular cone is twice its diam-

eter. If the volume of the cone is 6, what is the length
of its diameter?
(A) 1.42
(B) 1.56
(C) 1.79
(D) 2.25
(E) 3.39

41. If fn+1 = fn−1 − 2fn for n = 2, 3, 4, . . . and f1 = 2 and

f2 = 6, then what is f4?
(A) 6
(B) −10
(C) −62
(D) 26
(E) −14

42. A line has parametric equations x = 4 t + 1 and

y = −3 + 2t, given t is the parameter. What is the
y-intercept of the line?
(A) −3
(B) 3
7
(C) −
2
1
(D)
2
1
(E) −
3

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CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 25

43. The mean age of 21 students in a biology class was USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
16.20 years. When a new student enrolled in the
class, the mean age increased to 16.27 years. What
was the age of the new student?
(A) 16.3
(B) 15.5
(C) 16.5
(D) 18
(E) 17.7

44. In how many ways can 12 people be divided into two

groups if one group has 8 people and the other has 4?
(A) 40,320
(B) 495
(C) 60
(D) 1,485
(E) 11,880
5
45. Given θ is in the first quadrant, if sec θ = , what is
3
the value of sin 2θ?
(A) 0.80
(B) 0.48
(C) 0.96
(D) 0.60
(E) −0.28

46. The graph of f (x) =⎟ x⎟ is translated 5 units down,

1 unit left, and reflected over the x-axis. If the result-
ing graph represents g(x), then g(−4) =
(A) 2
(B) −2
(C) 4
(D) 1
(E) 8

47. If each score in a set of scores is decreased by 2,

which of the following would be true statements?
I. The mean is decreased by 2.
II. The mean is unchanged.
III. The standard deviation is decreased by 2.
IV. The standard deviation is unchanged.
(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and IV only
(E) I and IV only

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26 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

48. ⌬ABC has sides measuring 4, 13, and 16 inches. USE THIS SPACE AS SCRATCH PAPER
What is the measure of its largest angle?
(A) 46.9°
(B) 120°
(C) 139.9°
(D) 133.1°
(E) 135°

49. ⎟ 4 + 2i⎟ =
(A) 6
(B) 2
(C) 2 5
(D) 2 3
(E) 20

cos B sin A B
50. In ⌬ABC in Figure 4, =
sec A

a2 c
(A) a
c2
a2
(B)
b A C
b
a3
(C) Figure 4
c3
ab 2
(D)
c3
a2b
(E)
c3
CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 27

ANSWER KEY
1. C 11. B 21. C 31. C 41. D

2. D 12. B 22. D 32. D 42. C

3. D 13. A 23. A 33. B 43. E

4. B 14. E 24. B 34. A 44. B

5. E 15. B 25. C 35. A 45. C

6. C 16. E 26. B 36. C 46. A

7. D 17. E 27. D 37. B 47. E

8. A 18. B 28. B 38. D 48. D

9. C 19. B 29. E 39. B 49. C

10. C 20. A 30. E 40. D 50. E

ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS

1. C 3. D Take either the log or natural log of both
sides of the equation to solve for x.

⎛ 1 1⎞ 1 ⎛ 1 1⎞ 2 x = 5.
c−1 ⎝ + ⎠ = ⎝ + ⎠ . ln 2 x = ln 5.
a b c a b
1 1 Based on the properties of logarithms, the equation
The LCD of and .
a b can be written as:
1⎛ b a⎞ x ln 2 = ln 5.
+ =
c ⎝ ab ab ⎠
ln 5
1⎛ b⎞ x= ≈ 2.321928.
a+ = ln 2
c ⎝ ab ⎠
5x = 52.321928 ≈ 41.97.
( a + b)
. 4. B Square both sides to solve for x.
abc

2. D You don’t need to start multiplying the sec-

ond trinomial by the first. Instead, group x and y as 7 x = 6.24.
a single expression. 7 x = 6.242 = 38.9376.
38.9376
( x + y + 3) ( x + y − 3) = x=
7
≈ 5.56.

[( x + y) + 3][( x + y) − 3] =
( x + y)2 − 3 ( x + y) + 3 ( x + y) − 9
( x + y)2 − 9.
28 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

5. E By definition, an ellipse is the set of all points 10. C If 1 and −4 are both roots of a given polyno-
(x, y) in a plane the sum of whose distance from two mial, then (x − 1) and (x + 4) must be factors of the
distinct foci is constant. Answer E is the correct polynomial. The product of the two must also be a
choice. factor:

6. C Recall that cosine and secant are reciprocal ( x − 1)( x + 4) =

functions.
x2 + 3 x − 4.
cos(4θ)sec(4θ) =
11. B The sine function can be thought of as y = c +
⎡ 1 ⎤ π
cos(4θ) ⎢ = a sin bx whose period is 2 . The period of y = sin 2x
⎣ cos ( 4θ ) ⎦⎥ b
π
cos(4θ) is 2 = π, and the maximum value of the sine function
= 1. 2
cos(4θ)
π
is 1. This occurs at on the interval 0 ≤ x < π. The
7. D The graph of the line containing the point 4
(−5, 2) that is parallel to the y-axis and perpendicular coordinates of the point where the maximum value
to the x-axis is as follows: ⎛π ⎞
occurs are, therefore,
⎝ 4 , 1⎠ .

12. B You may recall that in the polar coordinate

system y = r sin θ, so y is the correct answer choice.
An alternate way to solve the problem is to use right
y
(–5,2) triangle trigonometry to determine that sin θ = .
r

⎛ y⎞
r sin θ = r ⎝ ⎠ = y
r

13. A
1
f ( g(6) ) = − , so
3
1
4 ( g(6) ) − 1 = − ,
x = −5 is the correct answer choice. 3
2
8. A 4 ( g(6) ) = ,
3
Distance = ( x1 − x2 )2 + ( y1 − y2 )2 + ( z1 − z2 )2 ] 2 1
g(6) = = .
12 6
= (3 − −2) + (4 − 1) + (−1 − 3)
2 2 2 ]
1 1 1
= 52 + 32 + (−4)2 ] If g( x ) = , then g(6) = . g( x ) = is a possible
x 6 x
= 50 = 5 2 . solution.

9. C 14. E

π Let h = the height of the flagpole.

sin = 1.
2 h
tan 42º = .
50
Because cos 2π also equals 1, Answer C is the correct
answer choice. h = 50 tan 42º.

h ≈ 45 feet.
CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 29

15. B 18. B The quadratic equation that has roots 3 + i

and 3 − i is x2 − 6x + 10 = 0
f (12) = (12 − 4) = 8 = 2 2.
x = 3 + i or x = 3 − i
g ( f (12)) = g ( 2 2 ) + 1 =
3
x − 3 − i = 0 or x − 3 + i = 0
(x − 3 − i) (x − 3 + i) = 0
8 ( 2 ) + 1 = 16 2 + 1.
3

([x − 3] − i) ([x − 3] + i) = 0
16. E The radicand in a cube root can be either
[x − 3]2 − i2 = 0
positive or negative. This differs from the radicand
in a square root. If the problem asked for the domain x2 − 6x + 9 − (−1) = 0 since i2 = −1
of f ( x) = (4 x2 − 1), then 4x2 − 1 would be have to x2 − 6x + 10 = 0.
be greater than or equal to zero. Here, there is no
restriction on x, so the domain of the function is the 19. B Factor the numerator and denominator.
set of all real numbers. Then, simplify the expression and evaluate it when
x = 5.
17. E Set up an equation to represent the exponen-
tial decay, y = Ce−kt where C is the initial amount of the x2 − 25 ( x − 5)( x + 5)
f ( x) = =
substance, k is the rate of decay, and t is the time. It x−5 x−5
is given that the half-life of the substance is 9 years, = x + 5,
meaning that half of the initial amount, 20 grams,
will remain in 9 years. Use the half-life to solve for the when x = 5, x + 5 = 10.
rate of decay.
20. A The figure depicts the graph of y = x2 − 3. In
20 = 40 e − k(9 ) the graph of y =⎟ f(x)⎟ , y must be positive because it
equals the absolute value of an expression. B and C
1
= e−9 k can be eliminated as possible answer choices because
2 they contain negative y values. Reflecting the portion
of the graph of y = f(x) in which y < 0 over the x-axis
Now, take the natural log of both sides. Use the prop-
results in the correct graph. Answer A is the correct
erties of logarithms and the fact that ln e = 1 to solve
answer choice.
for k.
1 21. C The center of the hyperbola is the midpoint
ln = ln e−9 k . of the segment connecting (0, 4) and (6, 4), so the
2
center is (3, 4). The distance from the center to each
1 focus point is 3, so c = 3. The distance from the cen-
ln = −9 k ln e.
2 ter to each vertex is 2, so a = 2. The hyperbola opens
1 right and left because the transverse axis connecting
ln = −9 k. (1, 4) and (5,4) is horizontal.
2
k ≈ 0.077. c2 = a2 + b2 .

32 = 22 + b2 .
Use k to solve for y when t = 23.5 years.
y = Ce− kt 5 = b2 .

y = 40 e−0.077(23.5) . The standard form of the equation of a hyperbola

y ≈ 6.55 grams. ( x − h)2 ( y − k)2
opening right and left is − =1
a2 b2
where (h, k) is the center. This results in:

( x − 3)2 ( y − 4)2
− = 1.
4 5
30 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

22. D Find the number of permutations of six let- 26. B Note that both 16 and 8 can be written in
ters taken six at a time. base 2.

6! = 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 720. 162 − x = 88 − x.

23. A 24(2 − x) = 23(8 − x).

81 Set the exponents equal to each other and solve for x.

a2 = a1r1 = 6 and a5 = a1r 4 = .
4
4(2 − x) = 3(8 − x).
You can now write a5 in terms of a2. 8 − 4 x = 24 − 3 x.
81
6×r×r×r = . −16 = x.
4
27. D
81
6r 3 = .
4 ( f + g )(−2) = f (−2) + g(−2)
81 27
r3 = = . = 4(−2) + 1 + (2)2 − 3(−2) + 1.
24 8
= −7 + 11 = 4.
27 3
r = 3 = .
8 2 28. B The binomial expansion of (x + y)5 =

24. B Complete the square to get a perfect binomial 1x5 + 5 x4 y + 10 x3 y2 + 10 x2 y3 + 5 xy4 + 1y5.
squared plus a constant.
Substitute x = 2x and y = −1 to get:
x2 − 5 x + 1 =
1(2 x)5 + 5(2 x)4 (−1) + 10(2 x)3 (−1)2 + 10(2 x)2 (2 x)3
⎡ 2 ⎛ 5⎞ ⎤ ⎛ 5⎞
2 2

⎢ x − 5 x + −
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎝ 2 ⎠ + 1 =
⎣ + 5(2 x)(−1)4 + 1(−1)5

⎛ 5⎞
2
25 4 = 32 x5 − 80 x4 + 80 x3 − 40 x2 + 10 x − 1.
⎝ x − 2⎠ − 4 + 4 =
Of course, you could multiply (2x − 1)(2x − 1)(2x − 1)
2
⎛ 5⎞ 21 21 (2x − 1)(2x − 1) and get the same product, but remem-
⎝ x − 2 ⎠ − 4 , so c = − 4 . bering the Binomial Theorem will save time.

25. C Isolate the radical expression and square both 29. E 7 different chords can be drawn from the first
sides to solve for x. point. 6 additional chords can be drawn from the
second point because the chords must be distinct,
3 x − 5 x − 2 = 0. and one has already been drawn. 5 additional chords
can be drawn from the third point because you can-
3x − 2 = 5 x . not count the 2 already drawn. Continue this patter
to get:
(3 x − 2)2 = ( 5 x ) .
2

7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 28 chords.
9 x2 − 12 x + 4 = 25 x.

9 x2 − 37 x + 4 = 0.

(9 x − 1)( x − 4) = 0.

1
x= or x = 4.
9

Remember to check for extraneous roots by substi-

1
tuting both solutions into the original equation. is
9
⎛ 1⎞ 1
an extraneous root because 3 ⎝ ⎠ − 5 − 2 ≠ 0. The
9 9
only solution is x = 4.
CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 31

30. E Recall that the diagonals of a rhombus are
perpendicular, bisect each other, and bisect the ver-
tex angles of the rhombus. Let x and y equal the
measures of the angles as shown below.
x y
12 9
32. D There are many ways to solve this problem.
You could use either synthetic or long division to
divide the polynomial by the given factors and deter-
mine which one results in a non-zero remainder.
Alternatively, if x − a is a factor of the polynomial,
then a is a zero.
f (−1) = (−1)4 − 3(−1)3 − 11(−1)2 + 3(−1) + 10 = 0.
f (1) = (1)4 − 3(1)3 − 11(1)2 + 3(1) + 10 = 0.

f (−2) = (−2)4 − 3(−2)3 − 11(−2)2 + 3(−2) + 10 = 0.

f (2) = (2)4 − 3(2)3 − 11(2)2 + 3(2) + 10 = −36.

f (5) = (5)4 − 3(5)3 − 11(5)2 + 3(5) + 10 = 0.

9
tan x =
12 f(2) results in a remainder of −36, so x − 2 is not a fac-
tor of the polynomial.
9
x = tan −1 = 36.87º.
12 33. B
12
tan y = Because f (0) = −1, a(0)2 + b(0) + c = −1. c = −1.
9
12 Because f (1) = 3, a(1)2 + b(1) + −1 = 3. a + b = 4.
y = tan −1 = 53.13º.
9 Because f (2) = 5, a(2)2 + b(2) + −1 = 5. 4a + 2b = 6.

The larger angle of the rhombus measures 2(53.13) ≈ Set up a system to solve for a and b.
106.26°. 4 a + 2b = 6

31. C Because the three terms form an arithmetic + − 2( a + b) = −2(4)

sequence, there must be a common difference
2 a + 0 b = −2
between consecutive terms. In other words, the dif-
ference between the 2nd and 1st terms must equal a = −1
the difference between the 3rd and 2nd terms.
Now, solve for b using a + b = 4. −1 + b = 4, so b = 5.
6 n − 2 − 3n = 3n − 2.
f ( x) = ax2 + bx + c = − x2 + 5 x − 1.
8n + 1 − (6 n − 2) = 2n + 3.

3n − 2 = 2n + 3. 34. A
( a b ) = 10 b2 .
4
n = 5.
The third term is 8(5) + 1 = 41 and the difference ( a b )4 = 10 b2 .
1
2
1
2

between terms is 2(5) + 3 = 13. The fourth term is,

therefore, 41 + 13 = 54. a2 b2 = 10 b2 .

Because b ≠ 0, a2 = 10.

a = ± 10.

Answer A is one possible solution for a.

32 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

35. A 80% of 25 = 20 students passing with a grade
of C or better. This means 20% of 25, or 5 students,
are not passing with a grade of C or better. The prob-
ability of choosing two students that are NOT pass-
ing with a grade of C or better is:
39. B Because x2 − y = 1, y = x2 − 1. Substitute this
value of y into the second equation to get:
11x − 2( x 2 − 1) = − 4.
11x − 2 x 2 + 2 = − 4.

5 4 1 1 1 0 = 2 x 2 − 11x − 6.
× = × = ≈ 0.03.
25 24 5 6 30 0 = (22 x + 1)( x − 6).
36. C 1
x =− or x = 6.
2
f (4 x − 8) = 2 x − 2.
1
1 Using the equation y = x2 − 1, y = 62 − 1 = 35. x = −
If f ( x) = x + 2, then; 2
2 does not result in a positive value of y, so y = 35 is the
1 only solution.
f ( 4 x − 8) = ( 4 x − 8) + 2
2
40. D The volume of a right circular cone with
2 x − 4 + 2 = 2 x − 2. radius r and height h is given in the Reference Infor-
1
Answer C is the correct choice. mation at the beginning of the test. V = πr 2 h. Let
3
d
37. B Given f (x) = 2x3 + 6, interchange the x and y d = the diameter of the cone. Then, = the radius of
and solve for f −1. 2
the cone and 2d = the height of the cone.
y = 2 x3 + 6.
2
1 ⎛ d⎞
x = 2 y3 + 6. V = π (2 d ) = 6.
3 ⎝ 2⎠
x − 6 = 2 y3 .
⎛ d2 ⎞
π ⎝ ⎠ (2 d ) = 18.
x−6 4
y3 = .
2 πd 3 = 36.
1

⎛ x − 6⎞ 3 36
y=⎝ = f −1 ( x). d3 = .
2 ⎠ π
1 1
⎛ −10 − 6 ⎞ 3 ⎛ 36 ⎞ 3
f −1 (10) = ⎝ = −2. d = ⎝ ⎠ ≈ 2.25.
2 ⎠ π

38. D The circle given by the equation (x + 3)2 +
(y − 3)2 = 9 has a center of (−3, 3) and a radius of
9 = 3 units. Moving three units from the center,
the circle intersects the y-axis at (0, 3) and the x-axis
at (−3, 0).
41. D The function fn+1 = fn−1 − 2fn is recursive.
Because you are given the first two terms of the
sequence, you can define the other terms using these.
f1 = 2.
f2 = 6.

f3 = f1 − 2 f2 = 2 − 2(6) = −10.

f4 = f2 − 2 f3 = 6 − 2(10) = 26.
CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 33

x−1 5 3
42. C Because x = 4t + 1, t = . Substitute this 45. C If sec θ = , then cos θ = . Picture a 3– 4–5
4 3 5
value into the second equation to get: right triangle in quadrant I to determine that the
4
⎛ x − 1⎞ value of sin θ = .
y = −3 + 2 ⎝ . 5
4 ⎠
2 y = −6 + x − 1. Recall the double angle formula for sine:

1 7 sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ.

y= x− .
2 2 ⎛ 4⎞ ⎛ 3⎞
sin 2θ = 2 ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ .
5 5
7
The y-intercept of the resulting line is − . 24
2 = ≈ 0.96.
25
43. E
46. A Translating f (x) = | x | 5 units down and 1 unit
Let s = the sum of the ages of the 21 students. left results in:
s g( x) = | x + 1| − 5.
= 16.20.
21
Now reflect the function over the x-axis to get:
s = 340.2.
g( x ) = −(| x + 1 | − 5) .
Let x = the age of the new student.
g(−4) = −(| − 4 + 1 | − 5) = −( | − 3 | − 5)) = − (−2) = 2 .
340.2 + x
= 16.27.
22
47. E Because each score is decreased by 2, the
340.2 + x = 357.94. mean also decreases by 2.
x ≈ 17.7 years.. Recall that the standard deviation is given by the
formula:
44. B Choosing 8 people out of the twelve results in
the following:
12! 12! sum of the squares of the
12 C8 = = . deviations from the mean
8!(12 − 8)! 8! 4! σ= .
number of terms in the data set
9 × 10 × 11 × 12
= .
1× 2 × 3 × 4 A deviation is the difference between a data value
and the mean of the data set. When the scores are
= 495.
decreased by 2, the difference of each of the terms
from the mean is unchanged, however, so the stan-
Note that once the 8 members are chosen, the remain-
dard deviation remains unchanged. I and IV are true
ing 4 people are automatically placed in the second
statements.
group. There are no additional groupings to determine.
34 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

48. D The largest angle of a triangle is opposite 50. E Using right triangle trigonometric ratios:
its longest side. Let C = the triangle’s largest angle. a
The side opposite ∠C is side AB, and it measures cos B = .
c
16 inches.
a
sin A = .
Recall that the Law of Cosines states: c
c2 = a2 + b2 − 2 ab cos ∠C , 1 c
sec A = = .
cos A b
where a, b, and c are the lengths of the sides of the
⎡⎛ a ⎞ ⎛ a ⎞ ⎤
triangle. ⎢⎣⎝ c ⎠ ⎝ c ⎠ ⎦⎥
cos B sin A
162 = 42 + 132 − 2(4)(13)cos C. = .
sec A ⎛ c⎞
162 = 16 + 169 − 104 cos C. ⎝ b⎠

71 = −104 cos C. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the

LCD, c2b, to get:
71
cos C = − .
104 a2 b
.
71 c3
C = cos −1 − ≈ 133.1º.
104

49. C Recall that the absolute value of a complex

number is given by: a + bi = ( a2 + b2 ).

4 + 2i = ( 4 2 + 22 ) = 20 = 2 5.
CHAPTER 3 / DIAGNOSTIC TEST 35

DIAGNOSE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Check the number of each question answered correctly and “X” the number of each question
answered incorrectly.

Algebra 1 2 3 4 24 25 26 28 34 39 Total Number Correct

10 questions

Solid Geometry 8 40 Total Number Correct

2 questions

Coordinate
Geometry 5 7 12 21 38 46 Total Number Correct

6 questions

Trigonometry 6 9 14 30 45 48 50 Total Number Correct

7 questions

Functions 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 20 27 32 33 36 37 41 42 Total Number Correct

15 questions

Data Analysis,
Statistics,
and Probability 35 43 44 47 Total Number Correct

4 questions

Numbers
and Operations 19 22 23 29 31 49 Total Number Correct

6 questions

1
Number of correct answers − (Number of incorrect answers) = Your raw score
4
1
___________________________ − 4
(_____________________________) =
36 PART I / ABOUT THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST

Compare your raw score with the approximate SAT Math Test score below:

SAT Math
Raw Score Approximate Score

Excellent 43–50 770–800

Very Good 33–43 670–770

Good 27–33 620–670

Above Average 21–27 570–620

Average 11–21 500–570

Below Average < 11 <500