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Algebra · Word Problems Involving Algebraic Expressions

SAT Word Problems Involving Algebraic Expressions Practice Questions (Free + Explanations) | Quiz 6

Question 12345 of 5

Question 1 of 5

The graph of a line models the cost, in dollars, of renting a bike for hours. The line passes through the points and . Which expression represents the cost of renting the bike for hours?

Explanation

First find the slope of the line using the two points:

So the equation has the form . Substitute one of the points, such as :

so . Therefore, the expression that represents the cost is

Concept summary

From two points on a graph, find the slope, use , and substitute a point to determine the intercept.

Question 2 of 5

At a school fundraiser, only notebooks and pens were sold. Each notebook sold for \3\. A total of 41 items were sold for \94

Explanation

Let be the number of notebooks and be the number of pens. The total number of items gives . The total amount of money gives . Substitute into the second equation:

So, notebooks were sold.

Concept summary

Set up one equation for the total number of items and another for the total value, then solve the system to find the unknown quantity.

Question 3 of 5

A grocery store charges the same price per pound for each type of fruit all day. The table shows the total cost, in dollars, for different purchases.

Based on the table, what is the price per pound of grapes?

Explanation

Compare rows where only one fruit amount changes. From the first row to the second row, the number of pounds of grapes stays at , and apples increase from lb to lb, so more pounds of apples cost dollars. That means apples cost dollars per pound.

Now compare the second row to the third row. The number of pounds of apples stays at , and grapes increase from lb to lb, so more pounds of grapes cost dollars. Therefore, grapes cost dollars per pound.

So the price per pound of grapes is .

Concept summary

In a table of purchases, compare rows where one quantity stays the same so the change in total reveals the unit price of the other item.

Question 4 of 5

A theater sold only student tickets and adult tickets for a school performance. The number of adult tickets sold was fewer than times the number of student tickets sold. If the total number of tickets sold was , which statement must be true?

Explanation

Let be the number of student tickets and let be the number of adult tickets. The condition gives . Since the total number of tickets was ,

Substitute for :

This simplifies to

so

and

Therefore, the statement that must be true is that the theater sold student tickets.

Concept summary

Translate each part of the word problem into equations, then use substitution to connect the two quantities and determine which statement must be true.

Question 5 of 5

A rectangular garden is feet longer than it is wide. A stone path that is foot wide is added along the entire outside edge of the garden. The combined area of the garden and the path is square feet. What is the width, in feet, of the original garden?

Explanation

Let the original width be feet, so the original length is . Because the path is foot wide around the entire outside, each dimension increases by feet. The new dimensions are and . Set up the area equation:

Expanding gives

so

This factors as

So or . A width must be positive, so the original garden is feet wide.

Concept summary

For a uniform border around a rectangle, add twice the border width to each dimension, then use the new area to write and solve an equation.

Your results

0of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

500-550

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

1of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

500-550

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

2of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

600-650

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

3of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

600-650

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

4of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

700+

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice

Your results

5of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

700+

Illustrative range from this short quiz—not an official College Board score.

Adaptive practice, weak-area review, and timed tests live in the MCQsLearn app—pick up where you left off on your phone.

More SAT Math practice