Math: c4ea43ef

ID: c4ea43ef 

(SAT Suite Question Bank > Find Questions > Assessment: SAT + Test: Math + Domain: Algebra)

Comment: This has a sister question in c362c210, and what worked there will work just as well here.

Method 1: It tends to be easier to work with smaller numbers than larger numbers, unless those larger numbers end in 0. Because the graph shows a y-intercept of (0, 8) and we know from the given information that Avery can earn $20 per hour working at one of the jobs, we can ignore the lesser paying job altogether and calculate that 8 hours * $20 per hour = $160. Thus, the value of s, which represents the amount Avery could earn working either or both jobs at their respective rates, must be 160, and the correct answer is (B). Alternatively, you could use the x-intercept, (16, 0), and arrive at the same answer: 16 hours * $10 per hour = $160. What you do not want to do in these questions is work with information in the middle of the graph, since there is no reason to track two unknowns simultaneously. 

Method 2: The graph is given, so the calculator might be useful only for the arithmetic (if you want confirmation on every calculation, even if tens are easy to work with).

Method 3: I suppose if you have really good eyesight, you could pick out two points from the tiny graph and create a system of equations, but that is more trouble than it is worth. You could also use the answers to disprove the incorrect options. I will give one example, say answer choice (C).

For Avery to earn $200 at $20 per hour, she would have to work for 10 hours.

For Avery to earn $200 at $10 per hour, she would have to work for 20 hours.

Neither of these points shows up on the graph, so this cannot be the correct answer. Neither would (D) make sense, since it would take more hours worked to earn an amount greater than $200.