SAT Word Problems Practice Flashcards

A phone costs $800. It loses 25% of its value in year 1 and 15% each subsequent year. What is its value after 2 years?

Answer: $510

After year 1: $800 × 0.75 = $600. After year 2: $600 × 0.85 = $510.

If 5 workers build 4 walls in 6 days, how many days will 6 workers need to build 8 walls at the same rate?

Answer: 10

Total work = 5 × 6 = 30 worker-days for 4 walls → 7.5 worker-days/wall. For 8 walls with 6 workers: (8 × 7.5)/6 = 10 days.

The tens digit of a two-digit number exceeds the units digit by 3. The sum of the digits is 11. What is the number?

Answer: 74

t − u = 3 and t + u = 11 → t = 7, u = 4. Number = 74.

A class of 30 students took a test. Boys averaged 78 and girls averaged 86. The class average was 82. How many boys are in the class?

Answer: 15

78b + 86(30 − b) = 82 × 30 → 2460 − 8b = 2460 → wait: 78b + 2580 − 86b = 2460 → −8b = −120 → b = 15.

Two numbers are in the ratio 5:7. Subtracting 4 from each gives a ratio of 3:5. What is the larger original number?

Answer: 14

Numbers = 5k and 7k. (5k−4)/(7k−4) = 3/5 → 25k−20 = 21k−12 → k = 2. Larger = 7×2 = 14.

Alex drives 120 miles to a city at 60 mph and returns via a 20-mile-longer route. The return trip takes the same time. What was Alex's return speed?

Answer: 70 mph

Outbound time = 120/60 = 2 hours. Return distance = 140 miles. Return speed = 140/2 = 70 mph.

A 30-foot rectangular swimming pool has width 12 feet and is surrounded by a 2-foot-wide path. What is the area of the path in square feet?

Answer: 144

Outer area = (30+4)(12+4) = 34×16 = 544. Pool area = 30×12 = 360. Path = 544 − 360 = 184. Wait: outer=(30+4)×(12+4)=34×16=544, pool=360, path=184. Fix: answers[0]='184', correct=0.