SAT Math / Topic
Algebra
Algebra is the largest content domain on the SAT Math section — roughly 35% of the test. It covers linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables, systems of linear equations, and linear functions as models of real situations.
What the exam asks
- Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including ones with no solution or infinitely many solutions
- Build and interpret linear functions from word problems, tables, and graphs
- Solve systems of two linear equations algebraically and graphically, and reason about how many solutions a system has
- Interpret slope and intercepts in context (rate of change, starting value)
- Work with linear inequalities and the half-plane regions they define
Key formulas and rules
m = (y2 − y1) / (x2 − x1)
y = mx + b
y − y1 = m(x − x1)
Ax + By = C, slope = −A/B
parallel: equal slopes; perpendicular: slopes multiply to −1
one solution: different slopes; none: same slope, different intercepts; infinite: same line
Question bank breakdown
117
39 easy · 44 medium · 34 hard
Skills covered
Every question in the bank comes with a per-choice explanation, so you learn why each wrong answer is wrong — not just the key.
Sample question
From the free tier of the ScoreMint SAT Math bank — try it, then check the answer.
If 5(x - 2) + 3 = 2x + 5, what is the value of x?
- A. 2
- B. 4
- C. 6
- D. 8
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Correct. Distribute: 5x - 10 + 3 = 2x + 5. Simplify: 5x - 7 = 2x + 5. Subtract 2x: 3x - 7 = 5. Add 7: 3x = 12. Divide by 3: x = 4. Check: left = 5(4 - 2) + 3 = 5(2) + 3 = 13; right = 2(4) + 5 = 13. ✓
Study tip
When a system question asks for an expression like x + y rather than x and y separately, try adding or subtracting the equations whole — the SAT often builds systems so the combination falls out in one step.