All SAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Arithmetic
(25 * 10)/(5(6 – 4)2) = ?
50
200
100
25/2
25
25/2
We use the order of operations, PEMDAS to solve this equation.
(25 * 10)/[5(6 – 4)2] =
(25 * 10)/[5(2)2] =
(25 * 10)/[5(4)] =
(25 * 10)/20 =
250/20 = 25/2
Example Question #2 : Order Of Operations
i) add 3z to -2b
ii) multiply by 7
iii) subtract (4z+3b)
What is the result of the above steps in order?
17z - 17b
17z - 11b
25z - 17b
21z - 14b
17z - 17b
7(3z - 2b) - (4z + 3b) = 17z - 17b
Example Question #1 : Order Of Operations
If L = (9K-11)/(a + 2K), then K =
(La+2K)/(2L-9)
(La+11)/(9-2L)
(2L+aL)/2
(La-7K)/-11
(La+11)/(9-2L)
First multiply both sides by a + 2K to get rid of the denominator. This gives you Step #1: L (a + 2K) = 9K – 11
Step #2: La + 2KL = 9K – 11. Now put all values with K on one side of the equal sign.
Step #3: La + 11 = 9K – 2KL.
Step #4: La + 11 = K (9 – 2L).
Step #5: (La+11)/(9-2L) = K
Example Question #2 : Arithmetic
Simplify the result of following the steps below in order.
(1) Subtract 4x from 2y
(2) Multiply that value by 5
(3) Add 2x + y to the product
30x – 15y
11y – 18x
10x – 5y
22x – 9y
11y – 18x
Remember that when it says subtract from, it should look like 2y – 4x. Multiplying this by 5 = 10y – 20x. 10y – 20x + 2x +y = 11y – 18x.
Example Question #1 : Arithmetic
Evaluate:
(82 + 34/2) ÷ 9 + 1
49/10
25/10
33/10
81/10
10
10
Order of operations: PEMDAS
Parenthesis/ exponents: (64 + 17) ÷ 9 + 1
(81) ÷ 9 + 1
Division next, so 81 ÷ 9 = 9
9 + 1 = 10
Example Question #1 : Order Of Operations
Solve the problem 1+4/(3-1)-6=
0
1
-1
-3
2
-3
The order of operations is PEMDAS: Parenthesis, exponents, division and multiplication (performed left to right), addition and subtraction (performed left to right). “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” is one way to remember the order. One key is that multiplication and division are equal and addition and subtraction are equal, so they are performed in order from left to right.
Step 1. Parenthesis: 1+4/2-6; Step 2. Division 1+2-6; Step 3. Addition/Subtraction: 1+2-6= -3
Example Question #2 : Order Of Operations
Solve 6-(3+2)-4=
0
1
3
-2
-3
-3
The order of operations is PEMDAS: Parenthesis, exponents, division and multiplication (performed left to right), addition and subtraction (performed left to right). “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” is one way to remember the order. One key is that multiplication and division are equal and addition and subtraction are equal, so they are performed in order from left to right. Sowe get 6-5-4=-3
Example Question #1 : Arithmetic
For all positive integers, let a ★b be defined by a ★b = ab 2. Which of the following is equal to 8★2?
2★4
3★6
1★32
4★2
6★3
2★4
To solve this problem, we first evaluate 8★2 and then see which of the answer choices is equal to the resulting number. Using the definition of ★, we see that 8★2 = 8(22) = 8(4) = 32. The only answer choice that is equivalent to 32 is 2★4, which evaluates to 2(42) = 32.
(Tip: If we quickly scan the answer choices by squaring the number on the right of the symbol, we immediately see that 3★6 and 1★32 are too big to be 32, even before being multiplied by any of the integers on the left of the symbol.)
Example Question #1 : How To Find Order Of Operations
Eight more than four is an unknown number less than a quarter of the same unknown number. What is the value of the unknown number?
12
4
0
–16
–9
–16
Let x be the unknown number.
4 + 8 = 0.25x – x.
12 = –0.75x
x = 12/–0.75
x = –16
Example Question #1 : Arithmetic
Let a * b be defined as the following:
a * b = b2 – a2 + ab
Find the value of 4 * (3 * (2 * 1)).
11
–11
61
101
–237
61
We are told that a * b = b2 – a2 + ab, and we need to calculate 4 * (3 * (2 * 1)).
We need to start at the innermost set of parantheses, which requires us to find 2 * 1.
2 * 1 = 12 – 22 + 2(1) = 1 – 4 + 2 = –1
We can replace 2 * 1 with negative one. Then our expression becomes.
4 * (3 * (–1))
Now, we must find 3 * (–1)
3 * (–1) = (–1)2 – 32 + (3)(–1) = 1 – 9 – 3 = –11
So we can replace 3 * (–1) with –11.
Lastly, we must find 4 * (–11)
4 * (–11) = (–11)2 –42 + 4(–11) = 121 – 16 – 44 = 61
The answer is 61.
Certified Tutor