DSAT Problem Solving Strategies 3

Question 1

A rate problem says a car travels 240 miles in 4 hours. A student must find how far it travels in 7 hours at the same rate. Which setup is correct?

Accepted Answer

240 × 7 ÷ 4

Answer

240 ÷ 7

Answer

240 + 7 × 4

Answer

240 ÷ 4 + 7

Question 2

On the DSAT, when a geometry problem provides a figure but says 'not drawn to scale,' what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Trust the labeled values and use formulas, ignoring visual proportions

Answer

Measure the figure with the edge of your answer sheet

Answer

Assume all angles are right angles

Answer

Skip the problem and guess

Question 3

A student sees two linear equations and must find their intersection. Which method is fastest when one equation is already solved for y?

Accepted Answer

Substitution

Answer

Graphing both lines

Answer

Elimination by multiplying both equations

Answer

Guessing and checking each answer choice

Question 4

Which strategy should you use when an SAT problem has variables in the answer choices and you're unsure how to set up the algebra?

Accepted Answer

Pick a simple number for the variable and test each answer choice

Answer

Always choose the middle answer choice

Answer

Pick the answer with the most variables

Answer

Leave it blank to save time

Question 5

A problem asks: 'What is 15% of 80?' A student wants the quickest mental math approach. Which is best?

Accepted Answer

Find 10% of 80 and add half of that result

Answer

Convert 15% to 15/100 and multiply by 80

Answer

Divide 80 by 15

Answer

Multiply 80 by 1.15

Question 6

When a DSAT problem involves a system with no solution, what must be true about the two linear equations?

Accepted Answer

They have the same slope but different y-intercepts

Answer

They have the same y-intercept but different slopes

Answer

They have different slopes and different y-intercepts

Answer

They are identical equations

Question 7

A student is stuck on a hard problem with 90 seconds left. What is the most strategic action?

Accepted Answer

Eliminate obviously wrong answers, then guess among remaining choices

Answer

Skip it and move on to review easier problems

Answer

Write out all work even if incomplete

Answer

Leave the answer blank since wrong answers aren't penalized on the DSAT