Kaplan SAT Practice Question of the Day

A projectile is any moving object that is thrown near the Earth’s surface. The path of the projectile is called the trajectory and can be modeled by a quadratic equation, assuming the only force acting on the motion is gravity (no friction). If a projectile is launched from a platform 8 feet above the ground with an initial velocity of 64 feet per second, then its trajectory can be modeled by the equationh= –16t²+ 64t+ 8, wherehrepresents the height of the projectiletseconds after it was launched. Based on this model, what is the maximum height in feet that the projectile will reach?

Difficulty:Hard

Category:Passport to Advanced Math / Quadratics

Strategic Advice:Quadratic equations can be written in several different forms, each of which reveals something special about the graph. The maximum value of a quadratic function is equal to they-value of the vertex of its graph, so vertex form,y=a(x–h)²+k, reveals the maximum.

Getting to the Answer:The quadratic equation is given in standard form, so use the method of completing the square to rewrite the equation in vertex form. Then, read the value ofkto find the maximum height of the projectile.

\begin{matrix} h = - 16 t^{2} + 64 t + 8 \\ h = - 16 (t^{2} - 4 t +__) + 8 -__ \\ h = - 16 (t^{2} - 4 t + 4) + 8 - (- 16 \times 4) \\ h = - 16 {(t - 2)}^{2} + 8 - (- 64) \\ h = - 16 {(t - 2)}^{2} + 72 \end{matrix}

The vertex is (2, 72), so the maximum height is 72 feet.

What question types are asked on the SAT?

Most of the questions on the SAT are multiple-choice, except for some math questions which ask you to enter the answer rather than select an answer.

What subjects are on the SAT?

The SAT is composed of two sections: Reading & Writing and Math, which will test you on different content areas:

Reading & Writing	Math
Information & Ideas Craft & Structures Expression of Ideas Standard English Conventions	Algebra Advanced Math Problem-Solving & Data Analysis Geometry & Trigonometry

How does the SAT work?

Each subject on the SAT has two timed modules. The first module has a mix of easy, medium, and hard difficulty levels. The second module will be, on average, easier or harder, depending on your performance on the first module.

Is the math on the SAT hard?

The SAT math section can be challenging and is specifically designed to test your ability to apply high school math concepts and formulas in algebra, data analysis, advanced math, problem-solving, and other topics, such as geometry and trigonometry. Many of the formulas are provided during the test, and a graphing calculator is built into the test interface, or you may use your own approved calculator.

Is the SAT or the ACT harder?

Whether the SAT or the ACT is more challenging for you depends on your existing knowledge and test-taking skills. Try taking both practice tests and see how you do.

What is the best guess answer for the SAT?

“C” is not the best guess answer on the SAT. Every answer choice on the SAT has a 25% chance of being correct. Statistically speaking, every letter has the same likelihood of being correct. The best way to guess on Test Day is by using a "Letter of the Day." This is a single letter that you choose to use on every single question you guess. By using the same letter every time you guess, you'll gain a statistical advantage. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, and you only earn points for correct answers.

How many SAT questions can you skip?

There is no penalty for skipping SAT questions, and it’s recommended that you answer every question - even if you have to make an educated guess in order to maximize your score.

What is the 99th percentile on the SAT?

The 99th percentile on the SAT refers to an SAT score that is higher than 99% of all scores earned by test-takers. A 99th percentile score on the SAT is a score of at least 1450. Earning this score is a huge accomplishment and means you will have a very high SAT score compared to other SAT test-takers.

Can a high SAT score compensate for a low GPA?

Yes, in some cases a high SAT score can help your college application stand out from the competition, but it’s not guaranteed. If you still have time, try to raise your grades to increase your GPA in addition to earning a good score on the SAT.

What is the lowest score you can get on the SAT?

The lowest score possible on the SAT is a score of 400.

What is the lowest SAT score a college will accept?

Each college will have a different SAT score requirement, and some institutions do not have any score requirements for being admitted. The best way to determine your school's SAT score requirement is to visit their admissions website.

How can I raise my SAT score fast?

Here are some ways to quickly raise your SAT score:

Make sure you understand the test format and subject matter
Use practice tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving the skills needed to answer the type of questions you missed most often
Thoroughly review answer explanations from your practice tests
Hire a tutor

How many practice SAT tests should you take?

Test-takers generally take 2-3 practice SAT tests prior to an official test, depending on a number of factors:

The score you get on your first practice test
Your target score goal
Your level of comfort with the test format

Kaplan recommends practicing until you're scoring close to your target score, then taking the official SAT.

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