The SAT question of the day is a math question that goes like this:
The game: substitution. Continue reading
Category Archives: Algebra
SAT Question of the Day Explained – January 4, 2015
Happy new year! Today’s SAT question of the day is a math question about stamps and envelopes. How many more years before no one will know what those are?? Anyhow, the question is as follows:
A machine can insert letters in envelopes at the rate of 120 per minute. Another machine can stamp the envelopes at the rate of 3 per second. How many such stamping machines are needed to keep up with 18 inserting machines of this kind?
They’ve kindly underlined the first thing that we need to look at: we have a units mismatch. One machine is in envelopes per minute, but the other is in envelopes per second. Continue reading
SAT Question of the Day Explained – December 9, 2014 – Math
Today’s SAT question of the day is a math question about some basic algebra. The answer choices are those fun roman numeral options. The question:
If 
, the value of 
can be which of the following?
. 
. 
. 
We can solve this either by doing a little algebra or by thinking it through (and testing out the answer choices). I will show you both ways. Continue reading
SAT Question of the Day Explained – November 27, 2014 – Math, Algebra
Today’s SAT question of the day is an algebra question about the following quadratic equation:
Given that this equation contains the points (-2, 0) and (6, 0), we are asked to find c.
There are multiple ways of solving this, but I will show you the shortest. The first step is to think about the information we are given: why do they give us these two points?
SAT Question of the Day Explained – October 13, 2014 – Math
Today’s SAT Question of the day is a quick and easy math problem. The test makers would like to know how many non-overlapping squares with side length 3 can fit inside a square with side length 6. My favorite way to solve this is with some quick sketches:
SAT Question of the Day Explained – October 10, 2014 – Math, Algebra
Today’s SAT question of the day is a math question about averages.
If Kelly buys t pens priced at 2 dollars each and u pens priced at 4 dollars each…what is the average price, in dollars, of these pens in terms of t and u?
Let’s think back to the general formula for averages: Continue reading
SAT Question of the Day Explained – October 7, 2014 – Math, Ratios, Proportions
Today’s SAT question of the day is a math question that’s an excellent example for any test taker to review. One brother earns 10 dollars for each lawn he mows, while the other brother gets 3 of those dollars for each lawn with which he helps.
In other words, one brother (d) earns 10 dollar per yard, while the other (t) earns 3 dollars per yard.
Whenever you can find a per statement, you know you can make a ratio…and with two related ratios, we can make a proportion.
SAT Question of the Day Explained – September 4, 2014 – Math
Here’s today’s SAT question of the day:
The population of Norson, the largest city in Transitania, is 50 percent of the rest of the population of Transitania. The population of Norson is what percent of the entire population of Transitania?
Don’t jump to conclusions and say 50% – let’s think (briefly) first so we arrive at the correct answer. Continue reading
SAT Question of the Day Explained – March 26, 2014 – Math, Linear Equations
Today’s SAT question of the day is a math question about graphing lines. Pay attention, because I have seen this type of question too many times to count!
The question asks us for the equation of a line that is parallel to the x-axis and 4 units above the x-axis. All of the answer choices are x = an integer or y = an integer.
First, let’s figure out if this line is “x = something” or “y = something”. Continue reading
ACT Question of the Day Explained – March 19, 2014 – Math
Today’s ACT question of the day is an algebra question that’s great practice for either test. The question:
For all x > 0, 
simplifies to:
Let’s knock out the numerator first. Continue reading