There is a subset of word problems on the SAT I: those involving tables, charts and graphs.  These provide a great chance for the SAT to try to trip you up by asking for information that does not readily appear to be on the graph!

The main difficulty students have with line graphs is keeping track of what the axes represent.  To avoid this difficulty, you simply need to read the question with this in mind, then look at the graphs to confirm where this information can be found.

Here’s a question with a line graph:

According to the graph, which of the following is closest to the decrease per year in the number of books sold between 1929 and 1936?

(A)    2
(B)    4
(C)    13
(D)    30
(E)    52

So our two axes represent both the year that the books were sold, and the total amount sold that year.  The axes DO NOT include information about the decrease each year, the information you’ll need to answer the question.   We’ll have to dig for this.

In 1929, approximately 73 books were sold.  In 1936 approximately 43 books were sold.  That’s a decrease of 30 books.  Seven years passed in that time, so per year the decrease was:

The correct answer choice is B.

QUICK TIP: This advice goes for all bar and line graphs, pie charts, tables and scatter plots.  Make sure to take a few seconds to examine the figure before diving right in.  Misinterpretation of the graph (not the question!) is the number source of error on these types of problems!

Word problems never cease to be intimidating, whether in math class or on standardized tests.  You probably find yourself thinking, “If this is math class, then why are there all these words in the question?  If they want me to do the math, why don’t they write out the problem properly?!”

While that is a question best left to pedagogical studies, we can give you a way to decipher those problems on the SAT and “translate” them into the mathematical expressions you find so familiar.

Luckily, just like an encrypted code, each key word in a word problem represents a symbol or operation in a number expression.  Take a look at the table below.

English equivalents of math symbols

Now, let’s translate almost word for word the problem below, strictly adhering to the chart!

EXAMPLE:
If 25 percent of 60 percent of a positive number is equal to 30 percent of p percent of the same number, what is the value of p?

TRANSLATION:
If 25 percent (25 over 100) of (multiply) 60 percent (60 over 100) of (multiply) a positive number (positive x) is equal to (equals sign) 30 percent (30 over 100) of (multiply) p percent (p over 100) of the same number (positive x)…

Without the words, that would look something like this–>

Wow!  This is much more manageable than the word problem we were given a moment ago.

QUICK TIP:  Practice “translating” word problems according to the chart above.  You’ll be surprised at how easily you can break down the problems.  Don’t forget to look for that little word “of,” in particular!