SAT Linear equations in two variables Practice Question 13 (Medium) | SAT Owl

Question bank / Linear equations in two variables

Math · AlgebraMedium

The equation $1.5x + 2y = 30$ relates the number of pounds of peanuts, $x$ , and the number of pounds of almonds, $y$ , that a store can buy for exactly $\$30$ . What is the best interpretation of the $y$ -intercept of the graph of this equation in the $xy$ -plane?

A

Almonds cost $\$15$ per pound.

B

The store must buy at least 15 pounds of almonds.

C

The store can buy 15 pounds of peanuts if it buys no almonds.

D

The store can buy 15 pounds of almonds if it buys no peanuts.

Show answer and explanation

Answer: D

The $y$ -intercept occurs when $x = 0$ : $2y = 30$ , so $y = 15$ . With no peanuts purchased, the store can buy 15 pounds of almonds.

Choice C confuses the variables; buying no almonds means $y = 0$ , which gives $x = 20$ pounds of peanuts.

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