SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

SAT
GEOMETRY
SOLUTIONS
1

I. Two-Sided Figures
1. (D) 72 The degree measure around any point is
360, just like a circle. Since there are 5 xs here, 5x
= 360. Therefore x = 72.
2. (A) 65 The angle that is opposite the 50 angle
is also 50. That angle and the two angles labeled y
will add up to 180. Therefore,

85
95

y
x

2y + 50 = 180
2y = 130
y = 65
3. (C) 70 Since the lines are parallel, the angle
adjacent to the angle marked 2x 30 will equal x.
Since the degree measure of a line is 180, an

equation can be formed.

x + (2x 30) = 180
3x 30 = 180
3x = 210
x = 70
4. (B) 5 Since lines 1 and 2 are parallel, and x is
95, the labeled angle must be 95 (See the figure
below.) Therefore, the labeled supplementary angle
must be 85.
Since lines 3 and 4 are perpendicular, one of the
other angles of the triangle must be a right angle.

4
All of the angles in a triangle must add up to 180.
Therefore, the angle y can be found by:
y + 90 + 85 = 180
y + 175 = 180
y = 5
5. (B) 80 Since l and m are parallel and w and b
are alternate interior angles, then w = b = 80. The
angles x, w, and a must add up to 180, because the
angles all comprise one side of a line. Since a = 20
and w = 80, solve for x.
x + 20 + 80 = 180
x + 100 = 180
x = 80
Since x and y are corresponding angles, then x = y
= 80. Now that the values for x, y and z are known,
find x + y z.
x + y z = 80 + 80 80 = 80

AA-1

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AA-1

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

6. (C) Six Draw 4 lines following the given rules.

Here is one example with the points of intersection
circled.

III. Area of a Triangle

1
bh.
2
Use this formula to solve for height, given the area
of 60 and the base of 10.

1. (D) 36

The area of a triangle is equal to

1
(10)h
2
60 = 5h
12 = h

60 =

If drawn correctly according to the given rules there

will always be six points of intersection.

Since the height is always perpendicular to the base,

it creates a right triangle as shown below. Also, note
that the base of the right triangle will be 5, because
the height bisects the base of the isosceles triangle.

II. The 4 Types of Triangles

1. (D) 105 Remember that when lines intersect,
the angles opposite each other are equal. Therefore,
the angle opposite the 45 angle will also be 45.
Also remember that the sum of the angles in a
triangle is 180. Therefore,
30 + 45 + x = 180
75 + x = 180
x = 105
2. (B) 105 If BAC = 80, then ABC must equal
70 because the sum of the angles of any triangle is
1
1
180. Since x = BAC and y = ABC, x = 40
2
2
and y = 35. Also note that x + y + z = 180.
Substitute in values for x and y and then solve for z.
40 + 35 + z = 180
z = 105
3. (A) 50 Since AB = BC, the triangle is isosceles.
Therefore, BAC = ACB = x. Since the sum of
the angles of a triangle equal 180, make an
equation.
x + x + 80 = 180
2x + 80 = 180
2x = 100
x = 50

AA-2

12

5
Use Pythagorean Theorem to solve for x.
52 + 122 = x2
25 + 144 = x2
169 = x2
13 = x
The perimeter equals x + x + 10 or 13 + 13 + 10 =
36.
2. (A) AOX
Since all the triangles have the
same base (OX), the determining factor is the height.
Since AOX has the least height, it also has the
least area.

IV. The Right Triangle

The figure is comprised of two
1. (C) 30 + 12 2
right triangles. The height of the figure can be found
by using Pythagorean Theorem with the base and
hypotenuse of the left-side triangle. The height of
the figure is labeled as h.

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AA-2

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

52 + h2 = 132
25 + h2 = 169
h2 = 144
h = 12
The right-side triangle has one 90 angle and one 45
angle. Therefore, the remaining angle must be 45
and the triangle is a 45-45-90 triangle. Since it is a
45-45-90 triangle, the remaining two sides of the
triangle are 12 and 12 2 . See the figure below for
all labeled sides.

A = (15)( 2 3 )
A = 30 3

V. Similar Triangles
1. (A) 1 Because the two triangles share two
angles (90 and x), they are similar. Because BC =
CD, the two triangles are not only similar, they are
identical because those sides correspond to one
another. Since ABC is a right triangle, use the
Pythagorean Theorem to solve for BC.
32 + BC2 = 52
9 + BC2 = 25
BC2 = 16
BC = 4

12

12
The perimeter will 5 + 12 + 13 + 12 2 =
30 + 12 2 .

1
2. (D) 30 3 The area of a triangle is bh. First,
2
find the height of the triangle. Since the height is
always perpendicular to the base, labeling the height
creates a right triangle. One of the angles is 60 and
the other is 90, so the remaining angle is 30.
Therefore, the triangle is a 30-60-90 triangle as
shown below.

Since the triangles are identical, then AC = CE = 3.

The length of BE will be equal to the length of BC
minus the length of CE.
BE = BC CE
BE = 4 3 = 1
2. (D) 12.5 Set up a proportion of height raised to
horizontal distance of the corresponding sides. Let x
be the height.

1
x

8 100
100 = 8x
12.5 = x

30

3. (A) 5
Since AB = 1 and CD = 3, the two
triangles have a ratio of 1 : 3. The line segments x
and 3x can then be labeled, since the length of the
larger segment must be 3 times the length of the
smaller. Also, label the hypotenuse of the smaller
triangle as c. See the figure below.
The height of this 30-60-90 triangle must be 4 3
because is corresponds to the 60 angle. The area of
the triangle can be found using the formula.
A=
A=

C
3x

1
bh
2

1
(15)( 4 3 )
2

c
A

AA-3

x
B

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AA-3

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

Since x + 3x is 4x and the sum of the line segments

is CB which is 3,
4x = 3
3
x=
4
3
Since x = , the length of the hypotenuse of the
4
smaller triangle can be found with the Pythagorean
Theorem.

This right triangle will have a height equal to CB,

which is 3. The base of the triangle will be equal to
AB + CD, which is 1 + 3 = 4. Using the
Pythagorean Theorem, the length of the hypotenuse
AD can be found.
AD2 = 32 + 42
AD2 = 9 +16
AD2 = 25
AD = 5

3
c = + 12
4
9
+1
c2 =
16
25
c2 =
16
5
c=
4
2

VI. Three More Rules

1. (A) 21 and 29 The third, unknown side of this
triangle must be greater than the difference of the
two known sides. The third side must be less than
the sum of the two known sides. Therefore, where x
is the third side,

Since the hypotenuse of the larger triangle must be 3

times as long, the length is

5
15
3=
4
4
The total length of AD is the sum of the hypotenuses
of both triangles.

5 15
20
+
=
=5
4
4
4
ALTERNATE SOLUTION
A right triangle can be created by drawing the lines
shown below.
C

10 5 < x < 10 + 5
5 < x < 15
Since the perimeter is an integer (positive or
negative whole number) x must be a whole number.
Since 5 < x < 15, the largest integer value for x is
14. The smallest integer value for x is 6.
If x is as large as possible, the perimeter of the
triangle will be 5 + 10 + 14 = 29. If x is as small as
possible, the perimeter of the triangle will be 5 + 10
+ 6 = 21.

VII. Four-sided Figures

y2
The area of a rectangle equals lw and in
2
this case, l = x and w = y. Therefore the area is equal
y
to xy. Since x is half of y, or as an equation x = ,
2
the area is equal to

1. (D)

AA-4

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AA-4

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

r = 6 : (6)2 = 36
r = 2 : (2)2 = 4

y
y2
(y) =
2
2
2. (C) 540 The indicated angles are equal to the
interior angles of the pentagon because they are
corresponding angles. The sum of the angles for any
polygon is equal to (180)(n 2) where n is the
number of sides. Since n = 5 in this case, the total
number of degrees equals (180)(3) or 540.
3. (B) 8 The perimeter of any rectangle equals 2l
+ 2w. In this case, l = 3x and w = 2x. Plug these
values into the formula and set it equal to 80.
2l + 2w = 80
2(3x) + 2(2x) = 80
6x + 4x = 80
10x = 80
x=8
4. (C)18 Divide the shape into 3 rectangular
regions as shown below.

Then, divide the larger area by the smaller area.

36
=9
4
9
The region that is described is a
2
semicircle (half of a circle) with a radius equal to the
length of AB, 3. See the figure below.

2. (A)

180
A
B
A
1
The area of a semicircle is equal to the area of a
2
2
circle, which is r .

r2
2

Area A is equal to 3 3 = 9. Area C is equal to 4

2 = 8. Next, find the dimensions of area B. The
height must be equal to 3 2 = 1. The base must be
equal to 8 (4 + 3) = 8 7 = 1. Therefore area B is
equal to 1 1 = 1. The total area of the figure is
equal to A + B + C = 9 + 8 + 1 = 18.
5. (C) 320 To find the number of squares in the
shaded area, divide the shaded area by the area of
each square.

80 100 8,000

= 320
55
25

VIII. Circles
1. (A) 9 Find the area of each circle using the
formula Area = r2.

AA-5

(3) 2
2

3. (D) 112.5 Since the indicated angle is 5 marks

wide, and there are a total of 16 marks, the angle
5
must be
of the degree measure of a circle. A
16
circle has a degree measure of 360. To find the
5
degree measure of this angle, multiply
by
16
360.
5
360 = 112.5
16
4.(C)

The length of an arc is equal to the

3
circumference multiplied by the degree measure of
the arc divided by 360. The circumference of a
circle equals 2r. Solve using the given values.

30
1
4
2(2) =
4 =
=
360
12
12
3

5. (B) 4 The polygon is equilateral, meaning all

the sides are equal. The vertices of the polygon are

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AA-5

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

equally spaced apart. Therefore, the vertices divide

the circle in to equal segments. Here, the circle is
divided into 5 equal segments, and the arc PQR is 2
2
of the entire
of those segments. The arc is then
5
circumference.

2
5
by the circumference. Remember that circumference
can also be written as d.

The arc length can then be solved by multiplying

2
2
20
d = 10 =
= 4
5
5
5

Since the fan spins 1,760 revolutions per minute, the

fan travels
(3 ft)(1,760) = 5,280 ft per minute
Since there are 5,280 feet per mile, the fan travels
miles per minute. There are 60 minutes in an hour,
the fan travels 60 miles per hour.

IX. Solid Figures

6. (D) 6r2 The length and width of the rectangle

can be determined by using the radii of the two
identical circles inscribed inside the rectangle. See
the diagram below.

1. (D) 128 Start with the formula for volume of a

rectangular solid, V = lwh. Since the volume is 64
and the width is

1
,
2

64 =

Multiply both sides of the equation by 2 to get

r
r

r
r

128 = lh
3r

r
Since the length is 3r and the width is 2r, the area
can be found by
2r
3r 2r = 6r2
7. (D) 60

1
lh
2

First, draw a diagram of the fan.

1.5 feet

Since the area of the shaded face is equal to the

height of the figure times the length of the figure, the
area is 128.
2. (D) 216 Since the surface area of the cube is
given, start with the formula for surface area of a
cube, Surface Area = 6s2. Using this formula,
solve for the length of the side, s.
6s2 = 216
s2 = 36
s=6
Now that the length of the side is known, find the
volume of the cube using the formula Volume = s3.

The length of the fan blade is the radius of a circle.

Find the distance traveled in one revolution by
finding the circumference of the circle.
C = 2r = 2(1.5 ft) = 3 ft

AA-6

s3 = 63 = 216
(Note: The volume and surface area of a cube are
not typically the same number. This occurred here
only because the length of the side is 6. For any

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AA-6

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

other given side length of a cube, the volume and

surface area will be different values.)

Set the formula equal to the given volume and solve

accordingly:

3. (A) 1 The maximum height of the cylinder

would be 10 in. Therefore, the 6 in. will form the
circumference of the base. Since the shape of the
base is a circle and the circumference is 6 in, use the
formula C = 2r to solve for the radius.
2r = 6
6
3
1
r=
2
(Note: This problem did not ask for an exact value
of the radius. Approximate 3 for .)
4. (D) 2l + 2w + 4h + 20 The ribbon crosses the
length of the box twice, the width twice, and the
height 4 times. The total length of the ribbon is then
twice the length, twice the width, and 4 times the
height of the box plus 20 inches for the bow.
Mathematically, this translates into
2l + 2w + 4h + 20

X. Advanced Volume Solutions

1. (B) 38 cm3 The volume of a right circular cone is
1
given by the formula V r 2 h . Using this formula
3
and the information given by the diagram, compute
the volume. The height of the cone is 4 cm, so h = 4,
and the diameter is 6 cm, so the radius r = 3. Plug
these numbers into the formula to obtain:

1
1
(3)2(4) = (36) = 12.
3
3
Given the fact that 3.14, 12 = 12(3.14) 38
cm3, or (B).
V=

2. (B) 6 cm The question gives the formula for the

volume of a sphere and then gives the volume of one
such sphere. Given this information, it is possible to
compute the radius, since the question asks for the
diameter.

AA-7

4 3
r = 36
3
4 3
r = 36
3
r3 = 27
r=3
The radius is 3 cm. However, note that the question
asks for the diameter, NOT the radius. To obtain the
diameter, simply double the radius. The diameter is
6 cm, or (B).
3. (C) 6 Since the container is filled to the top, the
first step to finding the weight of the slag is to
calculate the volume of the container. The container
is a half cylinder, so the formula for solving the
1
volume is V = r2h. In the diagram, the height (10
2
ft.) and the diameter (8 ft.) are given, so r = 4 (half
of the diameter) and h = 10. Plug these numbers into
the formula:

1
1
(4)2 (10) = (160) = 80 ft3
2
2
Now that the volume has been obtained, calculate
the weight of the slag. The slag weighs 50 pounds
per ft3, so the weight of the slag in pounds is 50(80)
= 4000 pounds.
Note, however, that the question asks for the weight
of the slag in tons. The conversion of 1 ton = 2000
pounds has been provided, so the weight of the slag
is 2 tons, which is about 6 tons, or (C).
V=

XI. Coordinate Geometry

1. (D) (4, 3) The midpoint of any line segment is
equal to the average of the x-coordinates and the ycoordinates. Find these averages.

4 4 2 8 8 6
,
(x, y) =
, (4, 3)
2 2 2
2

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AA-7

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

SAMPLE PROBLEM: (A) 7

angles in an octagon is

The sum of the

2. (B) l A slope is positive if it moves upward

from left to right. A slope is negative if it moves
downward from left to right. The greatest slope will
be one which is positive and has the sharpest incline
upwards. The least slope will be the one which is
negative and has the sharpest decline downwards.
Line r has a negative slope. Line l has a positive
slope. Lines m and n are both positive, but neither
have a sharper incline than l. Line p has a slope of 0.
Therefore, line l has the greatest slope.

Since the figure is equiangular and there are 8

angles, every angle in the figure is equal to

3. (D) 3 Using the formula for slope, m =

y2 y1
, solve for the missing coordinate.
x2 x1

Since every angle is equal to 135 , every angle can

be divided into a 45 and 90 angle. This allows the
octagon to be divided into five rectangles and four
45-45-90 right triangles as shown in the figure.

y2 y1
x2 x1
2
7w
=
3
4 (2)
2
7w
=
3
6

(8 2)180 = 1080

1080
= 135
8

m=

45

45
1

From here, cross multiply.

12 = 3(7 w)
12 = 21 3w
3w = 9
w=3
4. (C) 4 The longer side of the rectangle is equal
to the greater difference of the coordinates. The
difference between the x-coordinates is 5 1 = 4.
The difference between the y-coordinates is 4 2 =
2. Since 4 is greater than 2, the longer side is 4.

y2 y1 12 7 5

x2 x1 8 6 2

135

1
Since each 45-45-90 right triangle has a
hypotenuse of 2 , the sides must have a length of 1.
Therefore, the area of each triangle is
A=

1
1
1
bh = (1)(1) =
2
2
2

Remember that the legs of every right triangle have

a length of 1. This means that the rectangles in the
figure are actually squares with a side length of 1.
Therefore, the area of each square is
A = s2 = (1)2 = 1

XII.Area of Many-Sided
Polygons

Since there are five squares and four triangles, the

entire figure has an area of
1

5(1) + 4 = 5 + 2 = 7
2

AA-8

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AA-8

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

(6) 9 3 = 54 3
1. (A) 54 3 The sum of the angles in a hexagon
is

XIII. Trigonometry Solutions

(6 2)180 = 720
Since the figure is equiangular and there are 6
angles, every angle in the figure is equal to

720
= 120
6

1. (A) 3 Recall that sin(x) =

sin(P) =

Therefore, the figure can be divided into six

equilateral triangles as shown in the figure.

6
120

opposite
. Therefore,
hypotenuse

QR
. Since sin(P) = 0.5 and QP = 6, this
QP

means that

QR
= 0.5
6
Multiply both sides by 6.
QR = 3

60 60
6

The base of each triangle is 6. The height of the

triangle can be determined by dividing the
equilateral triangle into two 30-60-90 triangles as
shown below.

Solving this equation gives QR = 3, so (A) is the

answer.

adjacent
.
hypotenuse
x
Therefore, in the diagram, cos = . Multiply both
r
2. (C) x Recall that cos(x) =

sides by r.

30

cos =

x
r

r cos = x

60
3
The height of the 30-60-90 triangle must be 3
times the side opposite the 30 angle. Therefore the
height is 3 3 . Now, the area of each triangle can

be determined.
A=

1
1
bh = (6) 3 3 = 9 3
2
2

Since there are six equilateral triangles, the total area

is

AA-9

The answer is (C).

3. (A) 2 Recall that sin(x) =

opposite
and cos(x)
hypotenuse

adjacent
. The question asks for the value of
hypotenuse
sin( A) cos( B)
. Solve for each piece. The sin(A)
cos( B )
a
a
= using the diagram. The cos(B) = according to
c
c
=

the figure. Therefore:

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AA-9

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

a a

sin( A) cos( B)
= c c
a
cos( B)
c
a a
Simplify by combining
+ .
c c
a a 2a

c c= c
a
a
c
c
Remember that dividing by a fraction is equal to
multiplying by the reciprocal.
2a
c = 2a c
a
c a
c
Simplify.

2a c
=2
c a
(A) is the answer.

XIV. Equation of a Circle

Solutions

Another way of solving this problem is to note that

the center of the circle is the midpoint of the two
points on the diameter. To find the midpoint,
average the x values and take the average of the y
values. This means that (2+x)/2 = 5 and (1+y)/2 = 1. You can solve for (x,y) to find that the other point
is at (8,-3).
3. (A) (0, 10) and (0, -10) The equation of a circle
centered at the origin is x2 + y2 = r2. Given the
equation x2 + y2 = 100, 100 = r2 and r = 10. The
points where this circle crosses the y-axis are given
by (0, r) and (0, -r). Since r = 10, the two points are
(0, 10) and (0, -10), so (A) is the correct answer.

MATH TRICKS
I. Whole minus Part
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1: (C) 4

2. (D) (8, -3) To find the coordinate of the other end

of the diameter, note that to move from the point A
(2, 1) to (5, -1), we moved 3 units right and 2 units
down. To find the other coordinate, move 3 units
right and 2 units down from the center point (5, -1)
to obtain (8, -3), or choice (D). This works because
the two points of the diameter are each the same
distance from the center of the circle and both lie on
the same line with the same slope.

AA-10

The shaded

region is equal to a square minus a semicircle. The

square has side lengths of 2. The semicircle has a
diameter of 2, so it has a radius of 1. The area of the
shaded region can now be found by
Area of square Area of semi-circle
r2
s2
2
(1) 2
(2)2
2

1. (B) ( x 5)2 ( y 3) 16 The equation is a circle

is given by the formula (x x0)2 + (y y0)2 = r2,
where (x0, y0) is the center of the circle and r is the
radius. The center of the circle is (5, -3) and the
radius is 4. Therefore, the equation of this circle is (x
5)2 + (y + 3)2 = (42) = 16, or (B).

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2: (D) mn

m2

The

shaded region is equal to a rectangle minus two

semicircles. The width of the rectangle is m and the
length is n. The diameter of the semicircles is m, so
the radius is

m
. Also, two semicircles are equivalent
2

to one whole circle. Therefore, the area of the

shaded region can be found by
Area of rectangle Area of circle
lw r2
m

mn

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AA-10

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

mn

m2
4

1.(D) The shaded area is equal to a semicircle

minus the non-shaded area in the middle. Since a
90
or
circle is 360, the sector with 90 must be
360
1
of the circle. Therefore, the area of the shaded
4
region must be equal to a semi circle minus one
fourth of the circle.
Area of semicircle Area of

r2

1
of circle
4

r2

2
4
2
(2) (2) 2

2
4
4 4

2
4
2 =

s2

1
of circle
4

r2

Since the marked angle in the

figure is 90, this section of the circle must be

AA-11

1
of circle Area of triangle
4
r2 1
bh
4
2
(6) 2 1
(6)(6)
2
4
36
18 = 9 18
4

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1: (A) 50( 2) The

shaded area is equal to the square ABCD minus the
two white curved triangles. First, find the area of
one of the curved triangles. One curved triangle
1
equals the area of the square minus the area of
a
4
circle with radius 10.

Area of square Area of

s2

1
a circle
4

r2

4
(10) 2
(10)2
4
100
100
4
100 25
Again, the area of the shaded region is equal to the
area of the square minus the area of two curved
triangles.

4
(2) 2
(2)2
4
4
=4
4
4
3. (B) 9 18

Area of

II. Guesstimating

2. (A) 4 The shaded area is equal to the area of

the square minus a section of the circle. Since all
angles in a square are 90, the section of the circle
must have an angle of 90. A circle is 360, so this
90
1
section of the circle must be
or
of the circle.
360
4
Therefore, the shaded region is the area of the square
1
minus
of the circle. Also, notice that the radius
4
of the circle is equal to the length of a side of the
square.
Area of the square Area of

1
of the circle. The shaded area is equal to one
4
fourth of the circle minus the area the right triangle
ABC. Notice that the base and height of the triangle
ABC are both equal to the radius of the circle.
or

90
360

Area of the square Area of two curved triangles

s2 2(100 25)
102 2(100 25)
100 200 + 50
50 100
50( 2)

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AA-11

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2: (A) 6 3 6 In the

triangle ABD, if angle A is 30 and angle B is 90,
angle D must equal 60 because the sum of the
angles of a triangle equals 180. Therefore, triangle
ABD is a 30-60-90 right triangle. If segment AD is
12, then segment BD is 6 and segment AB is 6 3 .
Since triangle ABC is an isosceles triangle, segment
BC is equal to segment AB which is 6 3 . Notice
that segment DC is equal to segment BC minus
segment BD.

4. (C) 40 Since MN is parallel to OP, angle ACP

is equal to angle x, which is 100. Since the triangle
is equilateral, angle ACB is 60. Notice that angle
ACP is equal to angle ACB plus angle y.
ACP = ACB + y
100 = 60 + y
40 = y
5. (D) 360 Label the interior angles of the triangle
as a, b, and c as shown below.

DC = BC BD
DC = 6 3 6
1. (C) 120 The angle above the line is equal to 90
minus 30, or 60. Remember that the degree
measure of a straight line is 180. Therefore,
x + 60 = 180
x = 120
2. (C) 90 Remember that when lines intersect, two
pairs of equal angles are formed. The equal angels
are shown below.

Since a straight line is 180, notice that each pair of

angles (x and b, y and a, z and c) adds up to
180. Therefore, an equation can be formed.
a + b + c + x + y + z = 180 + 180 + 180
a + b + c + x + y + z = 540
Since a triangle is 180, then a + b + c = 180.
Now, replace a + b + c with 180.
180 + x + y + z = 540
x + y + z = 360

Remember that a triangle has 180. Therefore,

x + 45 + 45 = 180
x + 90 = 180
x = 90
3. (B) 45 This problem is designed to test the
ability to guesstimate angles. (Note: This type of
problem will not appear on an actual exam. It is only
an exercise to help practice guesstimating.) This
triangle appears to have a 90 angle and two equal
angles, of which x is one of them. It therefore
appears to be a 45-45-90 triangle and the best
answer is 45.

AA-12

Guesstimating Practice
Problems
(Note: Problems 1 through 9 are designed to test the
ability to guesstimate. Problems of this sort will not
appear on an actual exam, but the ability to
guesstimate may help with certain problems on an
exam.)
1. (D) 75 The angle here is less than 90 but
greater than 45. While 60 is an acceptable guess,
the angle is closer to 75.

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AA-12

SECTION AA: Solutions For SAT Geometry

2. (A) 120 The angle here is greater than 90.

While 95 is an acceptable guess, the angle is closer
to 120.
3. (E) 90

The angle here appears to be exactly 90.

4. (A) 15 The angle made up of both xs looks like

about 30 together, so each x is likely 15.
5. (A) 90

The angle here appears to be 90.

6. (C) 175 The angle here is a little less than half

of a circle. Since a circle is 360, half of a circle is
180. Therefore, the angle here is a little less than
180 , making the best guess 175
7. (B) 120

The angle here appears to be

1
of a
3

1
of a circle is 120.
3
Therefore, the angle here is likely 120.
circle. Since a circle is 360,

8. (C) 45 The angle here is less than 45. While

15 is an acceptable guess, the angle is closer to 30.
9. (D) 720 The triangle appears to be equilateral,
meaning each angle is 60. Each of the indicated
angles would then be 120 because the degree
measure of a line is 180, so each angle would be
180 60 = 120. The sum would then be 6 120
= 720.

AA-13

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AA-13