SAT Math : Operations with Fractions
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math
All SAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #121 : Fractions
If xy = 1 and 0 < x < 1, then which of the following must be true?
y = 1
y < x
y = x
y < 1
y > 1
y > 1
If x is between 0 and 1, it must be a proper fraction (e.g., ½ or ¼). Solving the first equation for y, y = 1/x. When you divide 1 by a proper fraction between 0 and 1, the result is the reciprocal of that fraction, which will always be greater than 1.
To test this out, pick any fraction. Say x = ½. This makes y = 2.
Example Question #2 : Operations With Fractions
Before going to school, Joey ran 1/3 of his daily total miles. In gym class, Joey did 2/3 of the remainder. What part of his daily total miles was left for after school?
2/3
1/3
7/9
2/9
4/9
2/9
Before school, Joey did 1/3 of the total miles. In school, Joey did 2/3 of the remaining 2/3, or 4/9 of the running. When added to his in school run, his before school run of 3/9 brings his completed miles to 7/9 of his dialy total. Thus, only 2/9 of the total miles are left for after school.
Example Question #2 : How To Multiply Fractions
Sally bought five computers for her office that cost $300, $405, $485, $520, and $555 respectively. She made a down payment of 2/5 the total cost and paid the rest in nine equal payments over the next nine months. Assuming no tax and no interest, what is the value of each of the nine payments?
151
906
1359
251
351
151
The total cost of the 5 computers is 2265.
2/5 of 2265 = 906, which is what Sally pays up front.
2265 – 906 = 1359, which is what Sally still owes.
1359/9 = 151, which is the value of each of the 9 equal payments.
Example Question #4 : Operations With Fractions
The price of a computer is reduced by 1/8. The new price is then reduced by 1/6. What fraction of the original price is the current price?
1/48
35/48
13/48
23/24
1/24
35/48
Let the original price = p.
After the first reduction, the price is (7/8)p
After the second reduction, the price is (5/6)(7/8)p = (35/48)p
Example Question #5 : Operations With Fractions
If a car travels at 30 mph, how many feet per second does travel?
264 ft/s
44 ft/s
2,640 ft/s
4,400 ft/s
440 ft/s
44 ft/s
30 miles / 1 hour * 5280 ft / 1 mile * 3600 seconds / 1 hour = 44 ft/sec
Example Question #122 : Fractions
In a group of 20 children, 25% are girls. How many boys are there?
10
16
4
15
5
15
Since 
Example Question #1 : How To Divide Fractions
Simplify:
a/b/c/d
ac/bd
a2/c2
It is already in simplest terms
ad/bc
ad/bc
Division is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal. Thus, a/b ÷ c/d = a/b x d/c = ad/bc
Example Question #2 : Operations With Fractions
If p is a positive integer, and 4 is the remainder when p-8 is divided by 5, which of the following could be the value of p?
20
18
17
19
17
Remember that if x has a remainder of 4 when divided by 5, x minus 4 must be divisible by 5. We are therefore looking for a number p such that p - 8 - 4 is divisible by 5. The only answer choice that fits this description is 17.
Example Question #111 : Arithmetic
If 
Dividing by a number (in this case 
Example Question #1 : Operations With Fractions
Evaluate the following:
None of the available answers
First we will evaluate the terms in the parentheses:
Next, we will square the first fraction:
We can evaluate the division as such:
All SAT Math Resources
