Answering SSAT Quantitative Section

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For the most part, the SSAT Math tests your arithmetic, elementary algebra and geometry skills. But, you’ll need to know a lot more than just formulas and equations. You’ll need to manipulate theories and formulas to solve word problems and real-world application problems – that’s why simply memorizing them is not enough.

SSAT Math sequence questions

Sequences are basically just patterns with simplest being {1,2,3,4…}. Or sequences can be alternating numbers {0,1,0,1,0,1…} . For these questions, try to subtract or add numbers to find patterns. In this sequence {5,10,15,20… } each number is 5 more than the previous. Or, focus on odd/even numbers, prime numbers, exponents and multiplication to answer more difficult questions.

SSAT Math percent questions

Percents are huge on the SSAT. But, this one simple equation: (Part x 100) / Total can help you answer just about every question. Consider this question: If Kyle got 12 out of 80 test questions wrong, what is the percent of questions he got wrong? Just multiply 12 x 100 = 1,200 . Then, divide that by 80 = 15 (15% is your answer).

There will also be questions like: What’s 10% of 43? To answer these, move the decimal point over two places to the left. So 10.0 becomes 0.1. Then, multiply the decimal percentage by the number (0.1 x 43 = 4.3).

You will probably even see questions like: 7 is what percent of 3? Just turn these into an algebraic equation (7 = n x 3). Then, just solve (n = 7/3 = 2.33). Then, turn 2.33 into a percent by sliding the decimal over two places to the left (2.33 become 223%).

SSAT Math ratios and proportions questions

Just remember this: a proportion is two equal ratios. A/B = C/D or 3/5 = 21/35 (multiplying each by 7). Remember, 3/5 is a ratio and the whole equation is a proportion. On the SSAT, you’ll be asked to manipulate these equations, but remember they will always be equal.

Consider this question: Solve for N: 5/10 = 15/N. First you have to find the relation between 5 and 15 (5 x 3 = 15). Now, just remember the two ratios must be equal. So, if you multiply 5 by 3 to get 15…you must multiply 10 x 3 (which equals 30). So, N = 30.

SSAT Math odd and evens questions

All you need to know with these is that even/odd numbers are always two apart in a series. Look at this set: (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8). The odd numbers are 1,3,5,7 (two apart).The even numbers are 2,4,6,8 (also two apart). Consider the following question:

If X is an odd integer, what are the next two consecutive odd integers?

A) Y and Z

B) X and X+1

C) X+1 and X+2

D) X+2 and X+4

E) X+1 and X+3

D is the correct answer because odd/even integers are always two apart in a set.

Find the sum of this infinite geometric series:

Problem 1

Possible Answers

32

96

48

64

80

Explanation:

The sum of an infinite series with first term a and common ratio r is

Set

and evaluate:

Problem 2

Give the next number in the following sequence:

3,5,10,12,24,26,52,54,__

Possible Answers

58

108

104

56

102

Explanation:

The sequence is generated by alternately adding 2, then multiplying by 2

3 + 2 = 5

5 * 2 = 10

10 + 2 = 12

12 * 2 = 24

24 + 2 = 26

26 * 2 = 52

52 + 2 = 54

54 * 2 = 108

Problem 3

What number replaces the circle?

Possible Answers

357

352

440

465

445

Correct Answer

108

Correct Answer

445

Explanation:

The sequence is formed by alternately multiplying by a number, then adding the same number; the number incrementally increases every other term.

1 * 1 = 1

1 + 1 = 2

2 * 2 = 4

4 + 2 = 6

6 * 3 = 18

18 + 3 = 21

21 * 4 = 84

84 + 4 = 88

88 * 5 = 440, the number which replaces the square

440 + 5 = 445, the number which replaces the circle

Correct Answer

32

Explanation:

Let x be the number of 10-person tables, and y be the number of 20-person tables. Since there are 40 tables in the cafeteria, x + y = 40. 10x represents the number of people sitting at 10-person tables, and 20y represents the number of people sitting at 20-person tables. Since the cafeteria can seat 600 people, 10x + 20y = 600. Now we have 2 equations and 2 unknowns, and can solve the system. To do this, multiply the first equation by 10 and subtract it from the second equation. This yields 0x + 10y = 200; solving for y tells us there are 20 tables that seat 20 people. Since x + y = 40, x = 20, so there are 20 tables that seat 10 people. The ratio of x:y is therefore 1:1.

Explanation:

The first bounce reaches a height of 175. The second bounce will equal 175 multiplied by 2/5 or 70. Repeat this process. You will get the data below. 4.48 is rounded to 4.5.

Explanation:

The number of hours required to mow the lawn remains constant and can be found by taking the original 8 workers times the 6 hours they worked, totalling 48 hours. We then split the total required hours between the 5 works that remain, and each of them have to work 9 and 3/5 hours: 48/5 = 9 and 3/5.

Problem 1

Problem 2

Problem 3

A cafeteria with 40 tables can sit 600 people. Some tables can sit 10 people and some can sit 20 people. What is the ratio of the number of 10-person tables to the number of 20-person tables?

Possible Answers:

4:1

1:4

1:1

1:2

2:1

Correct answer:

1:1

A particular ball always bounces back to 2/5 of the height of its previous bounce after being dropped. After the first bounce it reaches a height of 175 inches. Approximately how high (in inches) will it reach after its fifth bounce?

Possible Answers:4.5

14

20

11.2

Correct answer:

4.5

A lawn can be mowed by 8 people in 6 hours. If 3 people take the day off and do not help mow the grass, how many hours will it take to mow the lawn?

Possible Answers:

6 and 2/5

2 and 1/4

5 and 1/2

12 and 1/8

9 and 3/5

Correct answer:

9 and 3/5

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Breakdown of The Exam

SSAT Math sequence questions

SSAT Math ratios and proportions questions