Mathematics: Section 2

Mathematics Question 1 Choice (A) is correct. If 2

a k

1 9, then 2

a k

9 1 8, and so

a k

8 2

4.

Choice (B) is not correct. If However, 2

a k

a a 1 would equal (2)(5) + 1 = 11. were equal to 5, then 2 k k a 1 is equal to 9, not 11. Therefore, cannot equal 5. k
a a 1 would equal (2)(6) + 1 = 13. were equal to 6, then 2 k k a 1 is equal to 9, not 13. Therefore, cannot equal 6. k

Choice (C) is not correct. If However, 2

a k

Choice (D) is not correct. If However, 2

a k

a a 1 would equal (2)(7) + 1 = 15. were equal to 7, then 2 k k a 1 is equal to 9, not 15. Therefore, cannot equal 7. k a a 1 would equal (2)(8) + 1 = 17. were equal to 8, then 2 k k a 1 is equal to 9, not 17. Therefore, cannot equal 8. k

Choice (E) is not correct. If However, 2

a k

Mathematics Question 2 Choice (E) is correct. In rectangle OBCD, point B (0, 5) is 5 units directly above point O (0, 0). Hence point C must likewise be 5 units directly above point D (10, 0). Therefore, the coordinates of point C must be (10, 5). Choice (A) is not correct. The point with coordinates (0, 10) is 5 units directly above point B (0, 5). But point C is 5 units directly above point D (10, 0), not point B, and has coordinates (10, 5). Choice (B) is not correct. The point with coordinates (5, 0) is 5 units to the left of point D (10, 0). But point C is 5 units directly above, not to the left of, point D and has coordinates (10, 5). Choice (C) is not correct. Point C is 5 units directly above point D (10, 0) and thus has coordinates (10, 5). The point with coordinates (5, 5) is 5 units to the left of point C. Choice (D) is not correct. Point C is 5 units directly above point D (10, 0) and thus has coordinates (10, 5). The point with coordinates (5, 10) is 5 units to the left of and 5 units above point C.

2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations

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Mathematics Question 3 Choice (E) is correct. Of the 4 cans of paint, only one contains green paint, and so the remaining 3 do not contain green paint. Therefore, the probability that the can chosen by the painter does not contain green paint is

3 . 4

Choice (A) is not correct. The probability that the can chosen by the painter contains green paint

1 . However, the question asks for the probability that the can chosen does not contain green 4 1 1 3 paint, which is 1 , not . 4 4 4
is Choice (B) is not correct. The ratio of the number of cans that contain green paint to the number that do not contain green paint is 1 to 3. However, the probability that the can chosen by the painter does not contain green paint is

3 1 , not . 4 3 3 1 , not . 4 2
2 . 3

Choice (C) is not correct. Of the 4 cans of paint, 3, not 2, do not contain green paint. Therefore, the probability that the can chosen by the painter does not contain green paint is

Choice (D) is not correct. If 1 of a total of 3 cans of paint contained green paint, then the probability that the can chosen by the painter does not contain green paint would be

However, 1 of a total of 4 cans contain green paint, so the probability that the can chosen by the painter does not contain green paint is Mathematics Question 4 Choice (C) is correct. Considering each of the given possibilities separately, substitute the values 2 given in I, II and III for y in the equation 49 = (7y) . I When 1 is substituted for y in the equation, the result is 49 = [(7)(1)] = (7) = 49, so y could equal 1. II When 1 is substituted for y in the equation, the result is 49 = [(7)(1)] = (7) = 49, so y could equal 1. III When 7 is substituted for y in the equation, the result is 49 = [(7)(7)] = 49 Since 49 is not 2 equal to 49 , y cannot equal 7. Therefore, of the three values, only the values in I and II could be values of y that satisfy the equation. Choice (A) is not correct. The y value in II satisfies the equation, but so does the y value in I. Choice (B) is not correct. The y value in III does not satisfy the equation. Choice (D) is not correct. The y value in I satisfies the equation, but the y value in III does not.
2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations 2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved
2 2 2 2 2 2

3 2 , not . 4 3

Choice (E) is not correct. The y value in II satisfies the equation, but the y value in III does not. Mathematics Question 5 Choice (B) is correct. Square ACEG has one side of length x. It follows that AC = CE = EG = GA = x. Triangles ABC, CDE, EFG, and GHA are all equilateral, and each has one side of length x, so AB = BC = CD = DE = EF = FG = GH = HA = x. Thus each of the 12 segments in the figure has length x. Therefore, the sum of the lengths of all the segments in the figure is 12x. Choice (A) is not correct. The perimeter of the figure consists of 8 segments, each of length x, and so the perimeter of the figure is 8x. However, the question asks for the sum of the lengths of all the segments in the figure, which is 12x. Choice (C) is not correct. Each of the 4 triangles in the figure has perimeter 3x, and square ACEG has perimeter 4x, so the sum of the perimeters of all the triangles and the square is (4)(3x) + 4x = 12x + 4x = 16x. However, the question asks for the sum of the lengths of all the segments in the figure, which is 12x. Choice (D) is not correct. Square ACEG has area x , so 3 times the area of ACEG is 3x . However, the question asks for the sum of the lengths of all the segments in the figure, which is 12x. Choice (E) is not correct. Square ACEG has area x , so 5 times the area of ACEG is 5x . However, the question asks for the sum of the lengths of all the segments in the figure, which is 12x. Mathematics Question 6 Choice (D) is correct. By definition, a point (x, y) in the xy-plane lies on the graph of f if and only if the value of f(x) is equal to y. From the graph, the point (b, k) lies on the graph of f, and so f(b) = k. Likewise, the point (j, k) lies on the graph of f, and so f(j) = k. Therefore, f(b) = f(j). Choice (A) is not correct. From the graph, the point (a, h) lies on the graph of f, and so f(a) = h. Also, the point (b, k) lies on the graph of f, and so f(b) = k. Since h k, it follows that f(a) f(b). Choice (B) is not correct. From the graph, the point (a, h) lies on the graph of f, and so f(a) = h. Also, the point (c, r) lies on the graph of f, and so f(c) = r. Since h r, it follows that f(a) f(c). Choice (C) is not correct. From the graph, the point (b, k) lies on the graph of f, and so f(b) = k. Also, the point (c, r) lies on the graph of f, and so f(c) = r. Since k r, it follows that f(b) f(c). Choice (E) is not correct. From the graph, the point (c, r) lies on the graph of f, and so f(c) = r. Also, the point (j, k) lies on the graph of f, and so f(j) = k. Since r k, it follows that f(c) f(j).
2 2 2 2

2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations

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Mathematics Question 7 Choice (D) is correct. Line p forms a 180 angle with vertex at the point of intersection of the three lines , p and m. This angle is made up of three nonoverlapping angles one of measure 40, one unmarked and one of measure x. Since m, the unmarked angle measures 90. It follows that 40 + 90 + x = 180. Solving this equation for x gives x = 50. Choice (A) is not correct. Line p forms a 180 angle with vertex at the point of intersection of the three lines , p and m. This angle is made up of three nonoverlapping angles of measures 40, 90 and x. If the value of x were 20, then 40 + 90 + 20 would equal 180. However, 40 + 90 + 20 = 150, not 180. Therefore, the value of x cannot be 20. Choice (B) is not correct. Line p forms a 180 angle with vertex at the point of intersection of the three lines , p and m. This angle is made up of three nonoverlapping angles of measures 40, 90 and x. If the value of x were 30, then 40 + 90 + 30 would equal 180. However, 40 + 90 + 30 = 160, not 180. Therefore, the value of x cannot be 30. Choice (C) is not correct. Line p forms a 180 angle with vertex at the point of intersection of the three lines , p and m. This angle is made up of three nonoverlapping angles of measures 40, 90 and x. If the value of x were 40, then 40 + 90 + 40 would equal 180. However, 40 + 90 + 40 = 170, not 180. Therefore, the value of x cannot be 40. Choice (E) is not correct. Line p forms a 180 angle with vertex at the point of intersection of the three lines , p and m. This angle is made up of three nonoverlapping angles of measures 40, 90 and x. If the value of x were 60, then 40 + 90 + 60 would equal 180. However, 40 + 90 + 60 = 190, not 180. Therefore, the value of x cannot be 60. Mathematics Question 8 Choice (C) is correct. By the commutative property of multiplication, wx = xw, so wx + yw 2w is equal to xw + yw 2w. By the commutative property of addition, xw + yw 2w is equal to yw 2w + xw. By the distributive property of multiplication over addition, yw 2w + xw is equal to (y 2 + x)w. Finally, by the commutative property of multiplication, (y 2 + x)w is equal to w(y 2 + x). Therefore, for all values of x, y, and w, the expression wx + yw 2w is equal to w(y 2 + x). Choice (A) is not correct. If x = y = 1 and w = 2, then wx + yw 2w = (2)(1) + (1)(2) (2)(2) = 0, but w(x + y) 2 = (2)(1 + 1) 2 = 2. Therefore, it is not true that the expression wx + yw 2w is equal to w(x + y) 2 for all values of x, y, and w. Choice (B) is not correct. If x = y = 1 and w = 0, then wx + yw 2w = (0)(1) + (1)(0) (2)(0) = 0, but 2(x + y) 2w = (2)(1 + 1) (2)(0) = 4. Therefore, it is not true that the expression wx + yw 2w is equal to 2(x + y) 2w for all values of x, y, and w. Choice (D) is not correct. If x = y = 1 and w = 0, then wx + yw 2w = (0)(1) + (1)(0) (2)(0) = 0, but y(x + w) 2 = (1)(1 + 0) 2 = 1. Therefore, it is not true that the expression wx + yw 2w is equal to y(x + w) 2 for all values of x, y, and w. Choice (E) is not correct. If x = y = 2 and w = 3, then wx + yw 2w = (3)(2) + (2)(3) (2)(3) = 6, but 2w w(x + x) = (2)(3) (3)(2 + 2) = 6. Therefore, it is not true that the expression wx + yw 2w is equal to 2w w(x + x) for all values of x, y, and w.

2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations

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Mathematics Question 9 Choice (A) is correct. If x = 2, then f ( x ) f(2) is undefined. Choice (B) is not correct. The function f is defined at x = 1, since

f ( 2)

1 2 2

1 . Division by 0 is not defined, so 0

f ( x ) f ( 1)

1 1 2

1 1. However, the question asks for a value of x for which the 1

function is not defined. Choice (C) is not correct. The function f is defined at x = 0, since

f ( x ) f (0)

1 0 2

1 2

2 . However, the question asks for a value of x for which the 2

function is not defined. Choice (D) is not correct. The function f is defined at x = 1, since

f ( x ) f (1)

1 1 2

1 3

3 . However, the question asks for a value of x for which the 3

function is not defined. Choice (E) is not correct. The function f is defined at x = 2, since f ( x )

f (2)

1 2 2

1 . 2

However, the question asks for a value of x for which the function is not defined. Mathematics Question 10 Choice (A) is correct. Let r be the number of red apples Ms. Jones bought, and let g be the number of green apples she bought. Since each red apple cost $0.25, Ms. Jones spent r($0.25) on red apples; since each green apple cost $0.35, she spent g($0.35) on green apples. Since Ms. Jones spent a total of $7.65 on these apples, it follows that r($0.25) + g($0.35) = $7.65. Since she bought twice as many red apples as green apples, it follows that r =2g, and so 2g($0.25) + g($0.35) =$7.65. Simplifying the previous equation gives g($0.85) = $7.65, and so g = 9. Therefore, Ms. Jones bought 9 green apples. Alternatively, for each green apple Ms. Jones bought, she bought 2 red apples, and so she spent $0.35 + $0.25 + $0.25 = $0.85. Since Ms. Jones spent a total of $7.65 on these apples, and $7.65 divided by $0.85 is 9, she must have bought 9 green apples. Choice (B) is not correct. If Ms. Jones had bought 13 green apples, she would have bought 2 13 = 26 red apples. Thus she would have spent a total of 13($0.35) + 26($0.25) = $11.05 on these apples. But Ms. Jones spent only $7.65 on these apples. Therefore, she did not buy 13 green apples. Choice (C) is not correct. Ms. Jones bought 18 red apples, but the question asks how many green apples she bought, which is 9. Choice (D) is not correct. If Ms. Jones had bought 22 green apples, she would have bought 2 22 = 44 red apples. Thus she would have spent a total of 22($0.35) + 44($0.25) = $18.70 on these apples. But Ms. Jones spent only $7.65 on these apples. Therefore, she did not buy 22 green apples.
2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations 2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

Choice (E) is not correct. Ms. Jones bought 27 apples in all, but the question asks how many green apples she bought, which is 9. Mathematics Question 11 Choice (D) is correct. Let d be the positive integer that is added to each term to obtain the next term in the sequence. Then z = 10 + d and 18 = z + d. Substituting 10 + d for z in 18 = z + d gives 18 = 10 + 2d. Hence d = 4. Thus y + 4 = 10, which gives y = 2; and then x + 4 = 6, from which x = 2. Therefore, the first five terms of the sequence are 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18, and the sum of these terms is 50. Choice (A) is not correct. From the conditions given, z is halfway between 10 and 18, that is, z = 14. Thus each term is the sequence after x is 4 more than the preceding term. It follows that the first five terms of the sequence are 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18. Their sum is 50, not 44. Choice (B) is not correct. From the conditions given, z is halfway between 10 and 18, that is, z = 14. Thus each term is the sequence after x is 4 more than the preceding term. It follows that the first five terms of the sequence are 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18. Their sum is 50, not 46. Choice (C) is not correct. From the conditions given, z is halfway between 10 and 18, that is, z = 14. Thus each term is the sequence after x is 4 more than the preceding term. It follows that the first five terms of the sequence are 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18. Their sum is 50, not 48. Choice (E) is not correct. From the conditions given, z is halfway between 10 and 18, that is, z = 14. Thus each term is the sequence after x is 4 more than the preceding term. It follows that the first five terms of the sequence are 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18. Their sum is 50, not 52. Mathematics Question 12 Choice (B) is correct. In the xy-plane, the points with coordinates (3, 2), (13, 2) and (a, 2) all lie on the line y = 2. Since the points (3, 2) and (13, 2) are on a circle and the point (a, 2) is the center of the circle, the order of the three points from left to right on the line is (3, 2), (a, 2), and (13, 2); hence the distance from (3, 2) to (a, 2) is a 3, and the distance from (a, 2) to (13, 2) is 13 a. Since (a, 2) is the center of the circle and the other two points are on the circle, the distance from (3, 2) to (a, 2) is the same as the distance from (a, 2) to (13, 2), so a 3 = 13 a. This equation simplifies to 2a = 16, and so a = 8. Choice (A) is not correct. Since (a, 2) is the center of the circle and the other two points are on the circle, the distance from (3, 2) to (a, 2), which is a 3, is the same as the distance from (a, 2) to (13, 2), which is 13 a. If the value of a were 5, then 5 3 = 2 would equal 13 5 = 8. However, 2 does not equal 8. Therefore, the value of a cannot be 5. Choice (C) is not correct. Since (a, 2) is the center of the circle and the other two points are on the circle, the distance from (3, 2) to (a, 2), which is a 3, is the same as the distance from (a, 2) to (13, 2), which is 13 a. If the value of a were 10, then 10 3 = 7 would equal 13 10 = 3. However, 7 does not equal 3. Therefore, the value of a cannot be 10. Choice (D) is not correct. In the xy-plane, the points with coordinates (3, 2), (13, 2) and (a, 2) all lie on the line y = 2. Since the points (3, 2) and (13, 2) are on a circle and the point ( a, 2) is the center of the circle, the order of the three points from left to right on the line is (3, 2), (a, 2) and (13, 2). If the value of a were 16, then the order of the three points from left to right on the line would be (3, 2), (13, 2) and (16, 2), and the point (a, 2) could not be the center of the circle. Therefore, the value of a cannot be 16.
2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations 2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

Choice (E) is not correct. In the xy-plane, the points with coordinates (3, 2), (13, 2) and (a, 2) all lie on the line y = 2. Since the points (3, 2) and (13, 2) are on a circle and the point ( a, 2) is the center of the circle, the order of the three points from left to right on the line is (3, 2), (a, 2) and (13, 2). If the value of a were 18, then the order of the three points from left to right on the line would be (3, 2), (13, 2) and (18, 2), and the point (a, 2) could not be the center of the circle. Therefore, the value of a cannot be 18. Mathematics Question 13 Choice (D) is correct. Each year, the manufacturer distributed 20, 30, and 30 percent of its fabric to retailers A, B, and C, respectively, so each year the manufacturer distributed 100 20 30 30 = 20 percent if its fabric to retailer D. In 2000 the manufacturer distributed a total of 1,500,000 yards of fabric to these retailers, so 20 percent or (0.20)(1,500,000) = 300,000 yards was distributed to retailer D. In 2005 the manufacturer distributed a total of 2,800,000 yards of fabric to these retailers, so 20 percent or (0.20)(2,800,000) = 560,000 yards was distributed to retailer D. Therefore, the increase in the number of yards of fabric distributed to retailer D from 2000 to 2005 was 560,000 300,000 = 260,000. Choice (A) is not correct. The increase in the number of yards of fabric distributed to retailer D from 2000 to 2005 was (0.2)(1,300,000) = 260,000, not (0.2)(100,000) = 20,000. Choice (B) is not correct. The increase in the number of yards of fabric distributed to retailer D from 2000 to 2005 was (0.2)(1,300,000) = 260,000, not (0.02)(1,300,000) = 26,000. Choice (C) is not correct. The increase in the number of yards of fabric distributed to retailer D from 2000 to 2005 was (0.2)(1,300,000) = 260,000, not (0.03)(1,300,000) = 39,000. Choice (E) is not correct. The increase in the number of yards of fabric distributed to each of retailers B and C from 2000 to 2005 was (0.3)(1,300,000) = 390,000. However, the question asks for the increase in the number of yards of fabric distributed to retailer D from 2000 to 2005, which was (0.2)(1,300,000) = 260,000. Mathematics Question 14

14 is in lowest terms, since 14 and 3 have no prime factors in 3 14 a common. Then, since a and b are integers and , it follows that a = 14k and b = 3k for 3 b
Choice (A) is correct. The fraction some nonzero integer k. Hence a + b = 17k for some nonzero integer k; in other words, a + b must be a multiple of 17. Of the given choices, only 68 = 17 4 is a multiple of 17, which corresponds to

14 3

a b

14 4 3 4

56 . 12

14 is in lowest terms, since 14 and 3 have no prime 3 14 a factors in common. Then, since a and b are integers and , it follows that a = 14k and b = 3 b
Choice (B) is not correct. The fraction 3k for some nonzero integer k. Hence a + b = 17k for some nonzero integer k; in other words, a +
2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations 2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

b must be a multiple of 17. Therefore, since 66 is not a multiple of 17, the value of a + b cannot be 66.

14 is in lowest terms, since 14 and 3 have no prime 3 14 a factors in common. Then, since a and b are integers and , it follows that a = 14k and b = 3 b
Choice (C) is not correct. The fraction 3k for some nonzero integer k. Hence a + b = 17k for some nonzero integer k; in other words, a + b must be a multiple of 17. Therefore, since 63 is not a multiple of 17, the value of a + b cannot be 63.

14 is in lowest terms, since 14 and 3 have no prime 3 14 a factors in common. Then, since a and b are integers and , it follows that a = 14k and b = 3 b
Choice (D) is not correct. The fraction 3k for some nonzero integer k. Hence a + b = 17k for some nonzero integer k; in other words, a + b must be a multiple of 17. Therefore, since 60 is not a multiple of 17, the value of a + b cannot be 60.

14 is in lowest terms, since 14 and 3 have no prime 3 14 a factors in common. Then, since a and b are integers and , it follows that a = 14k and b = 3 b
Choice (E) is not correct. The fraction 3k for some nonzero integer k. Hence a + b = 17k for some nonzero integer k; in other words, a + b must be a multiple of 17. Therefore, since 58 is not a multiple of 17, the value of a + b cannot be 58. Mathematics Question 15 Choice (C) is correct. Each match in the tournament took place between a single pair of participants. Since each participant played 2 matches against each of the other participants, the total number of matches played is twice the number of all possible pairs formed from the 6 participants. Let the participants be called A, B, C, D, E and F. The possible pairs of participants can be listed A-B, A-C, A-D, A-E, A-F, B-C, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, C-F, D-E, D-F and E-F. There are 15 distinct pairs of participants, and so there were 2 15 = 30 matches played during the tournament. Another way to find the number of possible distinct pairs that can be formed from the 6 participants is to note that to form a pair involves first choosing one member of the pair and then the second member. Any of the 6 participants can be chosen as the first member of the pair; then any of the other 5 participants can be chosen as the second member. This gives a total of 6 5 = 30 choices. However, this double counts all of the pairs, as each pair is counted a second time with the order of selection reversed. (For example, if the participants are called A, B, C, D, E and F, then the choice A, then B gives the same pair as the choice B, then A.) Therefore, the total number of distinct pairs of participants is during the tournament is 2 15 = 30. Alternatively, the number of distinct pairs of participants taken from the 6 participants in the tournament is the number of combinations of 2 participants from the field of 6 participants. This
2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations 2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

6 5 2

15, and so the total number of matches played

number is 2 15 = 30.

6 2

6 5 2

15, and so the total number of matches played during the tournament is

Choice (A) is not correct. The total number of matches played during the tournament is twice the number of distinct pairs chosen from the 6 participants, which is 2 15 = 30, not twice the number of participants (2 6 = 12). Choice (B) is not correct. The number distinct pairs of participants that can be chosen from the 6 participants in the tournament is 15. However, each participant played 2 matches, not 1, against each of the other participants. Therefore, the total number of matches played during the tournament is 2 15 = 30. Choice (D) is not correct. The total number of ordered pairs of participants, including those that contain the same participant twice, is 36. However, this is not the same as the number of the total matches played in the tournament, because one plays matches against the other players only, not against oneself. Choice (E) is not correct. The total number of matches played during the tournament is 30, not 48. Mathematics Question 16

1 1 1 1 and must be negative and x, and must 3 x x x x2 1 1 be positive. Thus, of the choices given, only or could have the least value. If 1 < x < 0, x x3 1 1 1 3 then 1 < x < x < 0, and so has the 1. Therefore, of the five given expressions, 3 x x x3
Choice (E) is correct. If 1 < x < 0, then least value.

1 1 1 1 and must be negative and x, and 3 x x x x2 1 1 must be positive. Thus, of the choices given, only or could have the least value. In x x3
Choice (A) is not correct. If 1 < x < 0, then particular, x cannot have the least value.

1 1 1 1 and must be negative and x, and x x x3 x2 1 1 must be positive. Thus, of the choices given, only or could have the least value. If 1 < x x x3 1 1 1 3 < 0, then 1 < x < x < 0, and so 1. Therefore, of the five given expressions, , not 3 x x x3 1 , has the least value. x
Choice (B) is not correct. If 1 < x < 0, then

2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations

2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

1 1 1 1 and must be negative and x, and x x x3 x2 1 1 must be positive. Thus, of the choices given, only or could have the least value. In x x3 1 particular, cannot have the least value. x
Choice (C) is not correct. If 1 < x < 0, then

1 1 1 1 and must be negative and x, and 3 x x x x2 1 1 must be positive. Thus, of the choices given, only or could have the least value. In x x3 1
Choice (D) is not correct. If 1 < x < 0, then particular,

x2

cannot have the least value.

Mathematics Question 17 Choice (B) is correct. The lengths of the legs of right triangle RST are 6 and 8, so the hypotenuse has length 62 82 36 64 100 10. Thus the perimeter of RST is 6 + 8 + 10 = 24. Triangle XYZ is isosceles and has the same perimeter as triangle RST, so if the lengths of the sides of XYZ are a, a and b, then 2a + b = 24. Since a and b are integers and 2a and 24 are even, it follows that b must be even. If b were 12, then a would be 6, but b < 2a by the triangle inequality. Thus the greatest possible value for b is 10, in which case a = 7. The greatest possible value of a occurs when b is as small as possible. In this case, b = 2 and a = 11. Therefore, the greatest possible length for one of the sides of triangle XYZ is 11. Choice (A) is not correct. Triangle XYZ is an isosceles triangle with sides of integer length and perimeter 24. If the sides of triangle XYZ are a, a and b, the greatest possible value for b is 10, but the greatest possible value for a is 11. Therefore, the greatest possible length for one of the sides of triangle XYZ is 11, not 10. Choice (C) is not correct. Triangle XYZ is an isosceles triangle with sides of integer length and perimeter 24. If one of the sides of triangle XYZ were of length 14, then the sum of the lengths of the other two sides of the triangle would be 24 14 = 10. However, by the triangle inequality, 14 would have to be less than 10, which is not true. Therefore, 14 is not a possible length for a side of triangle XYZ and, thus, cannot be the greatest possible length for one of the sides. Choice (D) is not correct. Triangle XYZ is an isosceles triangle with sides of integer length and perimeter 24. If one of the sides of triangle XYZ were of length 16, then the sum of the lengths of the other two sides of the triangle would be 24 16 = 8. However, by the triangle inequality, 16 would have to be less than 8, which is not true. Therefore, 16 is not a possible length for a side of triangle XYZ and, thus, cannot be the greatest possible length for one of the sides. Choice (E) is not correct. The greatest possible sum of the lengths of two sides of triangle XYZ is 11 + 11 = 22, but the greatest possible length for one of the sides of this triangle is 11. Mathematics Question 18
2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations 2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

Choice (E) is correct. Each of the three statements must be true. Statement I It is given that x < y. Hence x + 1 < y + 1. Since y +1 < y +2 for any value of y, it follows that x + 1 < y + 1 < y + 2. Statement II It is given that x < y. Hence 2x < 2y. Since x <0, it follows that 3x < 2x. Therefore, 3x < 2x < 2y. Statement III Since x < y < 0, the number x is further from 0 than is the number y. Thus |x| > |y|. It follows that

x y

1, and so

x y

1. Since x and y are both negative, the quotient x y 1.

x is positive, y

and so

x y

x x . Therefore, y y

Choice (A) is not correct. Statement I must be true, but so must statements II and III. Choice (B) is not correct. Statement II must be true, but so must statements I and III. Choice (C) is not correct. Statement III must be true, but so must statements I and II. Choice (D) is not correct. Statements I and II must be true, but so must statement III. Mathematics Question 19 Choice (C) is correct. If there are k male employees at the company, then, since there are n more male employees than female employees, there are k n female employees at the company. Thus the total number of employees at the company is k + (k n) = 2k n. Therefore, the fraction of the employees who are male is

k 2k n

Choice (A) is not correct. There are 2k n, not 2k + n, total employees at the company, and the fraction of employees at the company who are male is

k 2k n

, not

1 2k n

Choice (B) is not correct. If there were k male employees and n female employees at the company, then the fraction of employees at the company who are male would be

k k n

However, n is not the number of female employees, but the number by which the male employees outnumber the female employees, and the fraction of employees at the company who are male is

k . 2k n

Choice (D) is not correct. There are 2k n, not 2k + n, total employees at the company, and the fraction of employees at the company who are male is

k 2k k 2k n n

, not

n 2k k n

Choice (E) is not correct. There are 2k n, not 2k, total employees at the company, and the fraction of employees at the company who are male is

, not

n . 2k

2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations

2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

Mathematics Question 20 Choice (A) is correct. The surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, is given as both 2 2rh and 70. Setting 2rh = 70 yields rh = 35. The volume V of a cylinder is given by r h, which can be rewritten as rrh = (rh)(r). Since rh = 35, it follows that the volume of the right circular cylinder in terms of r is 35r. Choice (B) is not correct. The surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, is given as both 2rh and 70. Setting 2rh = 70 yields rh = 35. The volume V of a cylinder is given by 2 2 r h. If the volume of the cylinder were 70r, then 70r would equal r h, and rh would equal 70. However, rh = 35, not 70. Therefore, the volume of the cylinder in terms of r cannot be 70r. Choice (C) is not correct. The volume V of a right circular cylinder is given by r h. If h = r = 70, the surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, would be
2

1 , and 2

2 rh

2 (70)

1 2

70 , and the volume of the cylinder would be

r2

1 2

1 2 r . 2

However, if h = 1 and r = 35, the surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, would still 2 2 2 be 2rh = 2(35)(1) = 70, but the volume of the cylinder would be r h = r (1) = r , which is not equal to

1 2 1 2 r . Therefore, the volume of the cylinder in terms of r need not be r . 2 2

2

Choice (D) is not correct. The volume V of a right circular cylinder is given by r h. If h = 35 and r = 1, the surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, would be 2rh = 2(1)(35) = 70, 2 2 2 and the volume of the cylinder would be r h = r (35) = 35r . However, if h = 1 and r = 35, the surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, would still be 2rh = 2(35)(1) = 70, but 2 2 2 2 the volume of the cylinder would be r h = r (1) = r , which is not equal to 35r . Therefore, 2 the volume of the cylinder in terms of r need not be 35r . Choice (E) is not correct. The volume V of a right circular cylinder is given by r=

r 2h. If h = 70 and

1 , the surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, would be 2 1 2 rh 2 (70) 70 , and the volume of the cylinder would be r2(70) = 70r2. However, if 2

h = 1 and r = 35, the surface area of the cylinder, not including the bases, would still be 2rh = 2 2 2 2(35)(1) = 70, but the volume of the cylinder would be r h = r (1) = r , which is not equal to 2 2 70r . Therefore, the volume of the cylinder in terms of r need not be 70r .

2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations

2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved

2013 PSAT/NMSQT Answer Explanations

2013 The College Board. All Rights Reserved