SAT Math: SAT Math: Word Problems Practice Questions
Test yourself on SAT Math: Word Problems with 10 original SAT practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
Free original practice questions for study purposes. Open Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the makers of SAT.
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Answer the questions below — you get instant feedback and a full explanation for each.
1. A printer can produce 24 pages per minute. At this rate, how many minutes does it take to print a 600-page document?
Explanation. Divide total pages by rate: 600 ÷ 24 = 25 minutes. The unit rate (pages per minute) is the divisor when finding time.
2. A jacket originally priced at $80 is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?
Explanation. 25% of 80 = 20, so the discount is $20. Sale price = 80 − 20 = $60. Alternatively, pay 75% of 80 = 0.75 × 80 = $60.
3. Maria has twice as many dimes as nickels. If the total value of her coins is $2.75, how many nickels does she have?
Explanation. Let n = nickels, dimes = 2n. Value: 0.05n + 0.10(2n) = 0.05n + 0.20n = 0.25n = 2.75, so n = 11 nickels.
4. A car travels 150 miles in 3 hours, then 120 miles in 2 hours. What is the average speed for the entire trip, in miles per hour?
Explanation. Average speed = total distance ÷ total time = (150 + 120) ÷ (3 + 2) = 270 ÷ 5 = 54 mph. Do not average the two speeds directly.
5. A phone plan charges a $30 monthly fee plus $0.10 per text message. If Jordan's bill was $48 one month, how many texts did he send?
Explanation. Texts cost 48 − 30 = $18. At $0.10 each, number of texts = 18 ÷ 0.10 = 180.
6. The sum of three consecutive integers is 72. What is the largest of the three integers?
Explanation. Let middle = n, then (n−1)+n+(n+1)=3n=72, so n=24. The largest is n+1=25.
7. A solution is 40% acid. How many liters of pure water must be added to 10 liters of this solution to make it 25% acid?
Explanation. Acid amount = 0.40 × 10 = 4 L, which stays constant. New total = 10 + w. We need 4 / (10 + w) = 0.25, so 10 + w = 16, w = 6 liters.
8. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for children. A group bought 20 tickets for a total of $200. How many adult tickets were bought?
Explanation. Let a = adults, c = children. a + c = 20 and 12a + 8c = 200. Substitute c = 20 − a: 12a + 8(20 − a) = 200 → 4a + 160 = 200 → a = 10 adults.
9. A worker is paid $15 per hour for the first 40 hours and 1.5 times that rate for overtime. If she earned $735 in one week, how many overtime hours did she work?
10. A recipe requires flour and sugar in a ratio of 5:2. If a baker uses 15 cups of flour, how many cups of sugar are needed?
Explanation. The ratio flour:sugar = 5:2 means sugar = (2/5) × flour = (2/5) × 15 = 6 cups.
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FAQ
How should I approach SAT word problems efficiently?
Read carefully and identify what's being asked, define variables for unknowns, translate sentences into equations, and check that your answer's units and reasonableness match the question. Underlining key numbers and the question itself helps avoid careless errors.
What word-problem types appear most on the SAT?
Common types include rates and ratios, percentages and percent change, mixtures, systems of equations (like ticket or coin problems), distance-speed-time, and linear relationships with a fixed fee plus a per-unit charge.
Can I use the calculator for these, and should I plug in answer choices?
Yes—the SAT now allows a calculator throughout. Plugging in answer choices (back-solving) is a great strategy when setting up an equation is tricky: test choices to see which satisfies the conditions, often starting with the middle value.