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Problem Solving And Data Analysis · Ratios Rates And Proportions

SAT Ratios Rates And Proportions Practice Questions (Free + Explanations) | Quiz 9

Question 12345 of 5

Question 1 of 5

A delivery company tracks the distances and driving times of three vans on the same day, as shown in the table.

Because of traffic conditions, the company models each van's average speed as being equal to a common base speed plus a van-specific increase or decrease. Specifically, the average speed of van is miles per hour, the average speed of van is , and the average speed of van is miles per hour, where is a constant. Based on the data, what is the value of ?

Explanation

First find each van's average speed from the table using .

For van :

So van traveled at mph.

For van :

So van traveled at mph.

For van :

So van traveled at mph.

Now match these to the model:
- van :
- van :
- van :

Each equation gives the same value:

So the correct answer is .

Concept summary

Use a rate table to compute actual unit rates first, then connect those rates to a proportional or algebraic model to find the unknown constant.

Question 2 of 5

A laboratory has two saline solutions. Solution X is 20% salt by volume, and solution Y is 50% salt by volume. A technician mixes some of each to make 30 liters of a solution that is 32% salt by volume. Which statement must be true?

Explanation

Let be the number of liters of solution X and be the number of liters of solution Y. Since the total mixture is 30 liters, . The amount of salt in the final mixture is liters. The salt equation is . Substitute into the salt equation: . This gives , so . Then , so . Therefore, . Since , the volume of solution X was greater than the volume of solution Y. So choice A must be true.

Concept summary

To analyze mixture problems, use one equation for total amount and another for the amount of the key ingredient. Then compare the resulting quantities to test which statement must be true.

Question 3 of 5

A recipe uses a ratio of 3 cups of flour to 2 cups of sugar. A baker says, "If I use 15 cups of flour and 12 cups of sugar, then the mixture must be too sweet." Which statement must be true?

Explanation

The original ratio of flour to sugar is . To keep the same ratio when using 15 cups of flour, multiply both parts of the ratio by 5, since . That gives cups of sugar. But the baker uses 12 cups of sugar, which is 2 cups more than needed to keep the ratio the same. Therefore, the mixture has a greater proportion of sugar than the original recipe, so it must be too sweet compared with the original. Choice A is correct.

Concept summary

To decide whether two quantities are proportional, compare whether both parts of the ratio are scaled by the same factor or find the expected amount using equivalent ratios.

Question 4 of 5

A cylindrical water tank is being filled at a constant rate. After 6 minutes, the tank contains 180 gallons of water. At this rate, how many gallons of water will be in the tank when the water level has risen from 2 feet to 5 feet, assuming the tank was empty when filling began?

Explanation

Because the tank is cylindrical, its cross-sectional area is constant, so the volume of water is proportional to the height of the water level. If 2 feet of water corresponds to 180 gallons, then 1 foot corresponds to gallons. A water level of 5 feet therefore corresponds to gallons. So the correct answer is .

Concept summary

In a cylinder, volume is proportional to height because the base area stays constant. A ratio can be used to scale from one height and volume pair to another.

Question 5 of 5

A sports drink is made by mixing fruit concentrate and water in the ratio . Which expression gives the amount of water, in cups, needed to make a batch using cups of fruit concentrate?

Explanation

The ratio of concentrate to water is . That means for every cups of concentrate, there are cups of water. To find the amount of water for cups of concentrate, multiply by the ratio :

So the correct expression is .

Concept summary

In a ratio , if you know the amount for the first quantity, multiply by to find the equivalent amount of the second quantity.

Your results

0of 5 correct

Estimated SAT Math band

500-550

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

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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