PRACTICE TEST 8 393

ANSWER KEY
1. C 11. D 21. C 31. B 41. D

2. D 12. B 22. B 32. D 42. B

3. B 13. E 23. D 33. C 43. A

4. E 14. C 24. B 34. A 44. E

5. A 15. C 25. D 35. D 45. B

6. A 16. C 26. A 36. B 46. A

7. C 17. A 27. C 37. E 47. C

8. C 18. B 28. C 38. C 48. C

9. C 19. E 29. E 39. D 49. D

10. D 20. E 30. C 40. E 50. B

ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS

1. C 4. E Because a + b + 14i = 4 + (3a − b)i, a + b = 4
and 3a − b = 14. Set up a system and use the linear
Because i = −1, i2 = −1( −1) = −1. combination method to solve for a and b.
(6 − i)(6 + i) = a+b = 4

36 + 6i − 6i − i2 = + 3 a − b = 14

36 − i2 = 4 a + 0 b = 18
36 − (−1) = 37. 9
a=
2
2. D Given f(x) = x2 − 8x,
9 1
+ b = 4, so b = − .
2 2
2 f (2 x) = 2[(2 x)2 − 8(2 x)]

= 2(4 x2 − 16 x) 5. A Let h = the height of the tree.

= 8 x2 − 32 x. h
tan 26 º = .
25
3. B An odd function is symmetric with respect
h = 25(tan 26 º ) ≈ 12.2 feet.
to the origin. If (x, y) is a point on f, then (−x, −y), the
reflection of the point about the origin, is also on
the graph.
394 PART III / EIGHT PRACTICE TESTS

6. A Think of sine either in terms of the opposite leg 11. D Graph f(x) =⎟ x2 − 5⎟ to determine its range on the
and hypotenuse of a right triangle or in terms of the specified interval. Because the domain is specified as −1
3π ≤ x ≤ 4, the curve has a beginning and an ending point.
point (x, y) and r of a unit circle. Because π < θ < ,
2 When x = −1, y = 4, and when x = 4, y = 11. The range is
θ lies in quadrant III and its cosine is negative.
the set of all possible y values, so realize that the y values
9 y decrease between 4 and 11. The range is 0 ≤ y ≤ 11.
sin θ = − =− .
41 r
12. B Recall that sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1, so cos2 θ = 1 −
Because r = x + y , 41 =
2 2
x + (−9) .
2 2 sin2 θ.

x = 40. (1 + sin θ)(1 − sin θ) =

x 40 1 + sin θ + sin θ − sin 2 θ =

cos θ = − =−
r 41
1 − sin 2 θ =
7. C The line passes through the points (5, 0) and cos2 θ.
1
(0, −1). The slope of the line is m = .
5 13. E The minimum value of the function is the
y-coordinate of the parabola’s vertex. For the function
Because the y-intercept is given, you can easily write
f (x) = (x − 1)2 + 18, the vertex is (1, 18). (You can check
the equation in slope-intercept form.
this by graphing the parabola on your graphing calcu-
1 lator.) The minimum value is, therefore, 18.
y= x − 1.
5
14. C
x − 5 y = 5.
6!
6 C3 =
8. C Recall that a quadratic equation can be 3!(6 − 3)!
thought of as: a[x2 − (sum of the roots)x + (product of
the roots)] = 0. Substitute the sum = −4, and the prod- 4×5×6
=
uct = −5 to get: 1× 2 × 3
= 20.
a( x2 − −4 x + −5) = 0.

a( x2 + 4 x − 5) = 0. 15. C The mean is the sum of the data divided by the

number of terms.
When a = 1, the result is the equation given in Answer C: (0 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 2 )
=
x2 + 4x − 5 = 0. 14
9. C 14
=1
14
⎛ 1⎞
f ⎜ − ⎟ = 9 −( 4 ) = 9 4
−1 1

⎝ 4⎠ 16. C There are 4 possible points of intersection as

1 2 1
shown:
= (32 ) = 3 = 3
4 4 2

= 3.

10. D
log 4 x + 3 log 4 x = 9

4 log 4 x = 9

9
log 4 x =
4
9
44 = x

x = 22.6.
PRACTICE TEST 8 395

⎛ π⎞ 22. B
17. A The graph of y = −2 cos ⎜ x + ⎟ is the graph of
⎝ 4⎠
π ( x2 + y2 ) = (2 cos θ)2 + (2 sin θ)2
y = cos x with a phase shift of units left, an amplitude
4
of 2, and reflected over the x-axis. The maximum = [4(cos2 θ + sin 2 θ)].
π 3π
value occurs at the point where x = π − = . The
4 4 Recognize that you can use one of the Pythagorean
y-coordinate at that point is 2.
Identities, cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1, to simplify the expression.
18. B Let s = the sum of the scores of Matt’s first four
tests. = [4(cos2 θ + sin 2 θ)] = 4(1) = 2.

s
= 84. 23. D The sum of the roots is: 7 + i + 7 − i = 14.
4
The product of the roots is: (7 + i)(7 − i) = 49 − i2 = 50.
s = 336.
The quadratic equation is, therefore, given by the
336 + 94
Matt’s new average is = 86%. equation:
5
⎡ x2 − (sum of the roots ) x ⎤
19. E Use the formula s = r θ, where s = the arc length a⎢ = 0.
⎣ +( product of the rootts) ⎥⎦
and r = the radius of the circle. Convert 80° to radian
measure first. a( x2 − 14 x + 50) = 0.

⎛ π ⎞ 4π Setting a equal to 1 results in one possible answer:

80 ⎜ = radians.
⎝ 180 ⎟⎠ 9
x2 − 14 x + 50 = 0.
Now, solve for the arc length:
24. B Because the circle is a unit circle, the coordi-
⎛ 4 π ⎞ 16 π
s = 4⎜ = cm.
⎝ 9 ⎟⎠ 9
nates of P are (cos 45°, sin 45°). This can be simplified
⎛ 2⎞
to ⎜ 2 , .
20. E The denominator cannot equal zero. ⎝ 2 2 ⎟⎠

x2 + 2 ≠ 0 If you don’t know what the cosine and sine of 45° equal,
let (x, y) be the coordinates of P, and draw a right tri-
x2 ≠ −2.
angle with legs of length x and y. The triangle is a 45°−
Recall that on the SAT Subject Test, unless otherwise 45°−90° triangle, so use the ratios of the sides of this
stated, the domain of a function f is assumed to be the special right triangle to determine that the coordinates
set of real numbers x for which f (x) is a real number. ⎛ 2 2⎞
Because x is a squared term, it will, therefore, never of point P are ⎜ , ⎟.
⎝ 2 2 ⎠
equal a negative number. The domain is the set of all real
numbers.
25. D Use either synthetic or long division to divide
21. C This problem can be done quickly and with lit- x4 − 2x3 − 8x + 5 by x − 3. Remember to include a zero
tle work if you recall that the composition of a func- placeholder for the x2 term.
tion and its inverse function, f −1[ f (x)] and f [ f −1(x)], 3 1 −2 0 −8 5
equal x.
3 3 9 3
f −1 [ f (2)] = 2.
The remainder is 8.
396 PART III / EIGHT PRACTICE TESTS

26. A Use right triangle trigonometry to determine 31. B

values for the three trigonometric functions. n!
= ( n − 1)!
opposite a 2
sin A = = .
hypotenuse c n!
= 2.
opposite b ( n − 1)!
tan B = = .
adjacent a n = 2.
1 hypotenuse c
sec A = = = . 32. D The Law of Cosines states: c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab
cos A adjacent b
cos ∠C.
a ⎛ b⎞
⎜ ⎟ 42 = 52 + 82 − 2(5)(8) cos ∠C, where C is the angle oppo-
sin A tan B c ⎝ a⎠
= . site the shortest side.
sec A c
b 16 = 89 − 80 cos ∠ C.
b −73 = −80 cos ∠ C.
b2
= c = 2. ⎛ 73 ⎞
c c cos −1 ⎜ ⎟ = 24.1º
⎝ 80 ⎠
b

27. C Recognize that the heights of the bouncing ball 33. C The length of the major axis equals 2a. In this
form a geometric sequence with a common ratio of problem, a = 9.
2
and an initial term of 8. After hitting the ground 2 a = 6.
3
for the first time, the ball will reach a height of
2 34. A Take the log of both sides of the equation to
(8) ⎛⎜⎝ ⎞⎟⎠ = 5.33. After the second bounce, the ball will solve for k.
3
2
⎛ 2⎞
reach a height of (8) ⎜ ⎟ = 3.56. After the third bounce, log(4 k ) = log(5k + 3 ).
⎝ 3⎠
3 k log 4 = ( k + 3)log 5.
⎛ 2⎞
the ball will reach a height of (8) ⎜ ⎟ = 2.37 feet.
⎝ 3⎠ ⎛ log 4 ⎞
k⎜ = k + 3.
⎝ log 5 ⎟⎠
7
28. C Solve the inequality for y to get y > x. Then,
2 k(0.86135) = k + 3.
5
graph the linear equation y = x. The solution to the k = −21.6.
2
inequality is the shaded area above the line, and that
region falls in quadrants I, II, and III. 35. D

29. E Because θ is an acute angle, think of the right

3
17n = ( 3 17 )( 3 n ) = ( 3 17 )(7.128)
triangle that contains one angle of measure θ.
= 18.3.
adjacent
cot θ = 5 = . 36. B Filling the cone-shaped cup with water creates
opposite
a cone similar to the cup itself. The radii and heights
Solve for the hypotenuse: x = (52 + 12 ) = 26 . of the two cones are proportional. Let r = the radius of
the surface of the water.
opposite 1 26
sin θ = = = . 6 r
hypotenuse 26 26 = .
10 3
18 = 10 r.
30. C
1.8 = r.
G = 0.03m + 0.2.

G = 0.03(100) + 0.2.

G = 3.2.
PRACTICE TEST 8 397

37. E The critical points of the inequality x(x − 4) The sum of a finite arithmetic sequence is:
(x − 2) > 0 are x = 0, 4, and 2. Evaluate the 4 intervals
created by these points by determining if the inequal- n
Sn = (a1 + an ), where n = the number of terms.
ity is satisfied on each interval. 0 < x < 2 or x > 4 is the 2
correct answer choice. 20
Sn = (13 + 108) = 1, 210.
2
38. C The volume a rectangular prism is given by the
formula V = ! × w × h, so you need to find three inte-
42. B Because f (x) is a third-degree function, it can
gers whose product is 18. There are four possibilities:
have, at most, three zeroes.
1 × 1 × 18
x3 − 2 x2 − 8 x = 0.
1× 2 × 9 x( x2 − 2 x − 8) = 0.
1× 3 × 6 x( x − 4)( x + 2) = 0.
x = 0, x = 4, and x = −2.
2×3×3
nt
⎛ r⎞
39. D A = P ⎜1 + ⎟ where n is the number of times 43. A The function f (x) = −3 sin(4x + π ) + 1 has an
⎝ n⎠
amplitude of ⎟ a⎟ =⎟ −3⎟ = 3 and a vertical shift of 1 unit
the investment is compounded per year.
up. The range spans from y = 1 − 3 = −2 to y = 1 + 3 = 4,
4( 4 ) so −2 ≤ y ≤ 6 is the correct answer choice.
⎛ 0.06 ⎞
A = 2, 200 ⎜1 + ⎟ .
⎝ 4 ⎠ 44. E Factor the numerator and denominator. Then,
simplify the expression and evaluate it when x = −2.
A = 2, 200(1.015)16 .
x2 + 7 x + 10 ( x + 5)( x + 2)
A ≈ 2, 792. f ( x) = =
2 x2 + 3 x − 2 (2 x − 1)( x + 2)

40. E Answer A equals one and Answer B is less ( x + 5)

=
than one, so both can be eliminated. Because C and (2 x − 1)
E have the same denominator, and a < a + 1, C will
( x + 5) 3
always be less than E. It can also be eliminated as a When x = −2, =− .
possible answer choice. Substitute a few values of a (2 x − 1) 5
into answers D and E to compare the expressions.
45. B The figure shows the graph of y = tan x shifted
6 8 2 units down with a period of 2π . The correct equation
If a = 7, < .
5 6 ⎛ x⎞
is y = tan ⎜ ⎟ − 2.
9 11 ⎝ 2⎠
If a = 10, < .
8 9
46. A Substitute k = 0, 1, 2, . . . 7 into the summation
Answer E will always result in a greater value. to get:
1 − 2 + 4 − 8 + 16 − 32 + 64 − 128 = −85.
41. D Because the expressions represent the terms of
an arithmetic sequence, there must be a common dif-
47. C Because x = t − 12, t = x + 12. Substitute this
ference between consecutive terms.
value into the second equation to get:
6 n − (4 n + 1) = 7n + 2 − 6 n.
y = 4( x + 12) − 1.
2n − 1 = n + 2.
y = 4 x + 48 − 1.
n = 3.
y = 4 x + 47.

The first three terms are, therefore, 13, 18, and 23, mak- The y-intercept of the resulting line is (0, 47).
ing the common difference between terms, d, equal 5.
The first term of the sequence is a1 = 13, and the 20th
term is a20 = a1 + (n − 1)d = 13 + (20 − 1)(5) = 108.
398 PART III / EIGHT PRACTICE TESTS

48. C
1
Area = ( base × height )
2
1
A= (6 a).
2
Use trigonometry to determine a:
a
tan 21º = .
6
a ≈ 2.303.

1
A= (6)(2.303) ≈ 6.9.
2

49. D Find the number of permutations of six letters

taken six at a time, 2 of which are repeated.

6! 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1
= = 360.
2! 2 ×1

50. B

C2 ( 11 C2 )
9
=
20 C4

⎛ 9! ⎞ ⎛ 11! ⎞
⎜⎝ ⎟⎜ ⎟
2 ! 7 ! ⎠ ⎝ 2! 9 ! ⎠
=
⎛ 20! ⎞
⎜⎝ ⎟⎠
4!16!
1, 980 132
= .
4,845 323