Study on the flySSAT UpperQuantitative (Math)Patterns, sequences, and series
Quantitative (Math)
Patterns, sequences, and series questions ask you to find the rule behind a list and use it, either to name the next term or to add several terms.
In an arithmetic sequence the same amount is added each time, so the sum of its terms equals the number of terms times the average of the first and last terms. Powers create repeating cycles in their last digit: powers of three end in three, nine, seven and one, then repeat, which lets you find the units digit of a huge power without computing it.
SSAT Upper answer choices often include the result you would get by miscounting the terms by one.
Pick an answer to see whether it is right — nothing is saved, and nothing needs an account.
Question 1Harder
What is the units digit of ?
Answer: D — 6
Powers of 3 have units digits 3,9,7,1, repeating every 4 powers, so has units digit 7. Powers of 7 have units digits 7,9,3,1, repeating every 4 powers, so has units digit 9. The sum has units digit 6.
Question 2Easier
What is the next term in the sequence?
Answer: D — 162
Each term is 3 times the preceding term, so the next term is .
Question 3Easier
Leah practices the cello for 13 minutes on Monday. On each of the next four days, she practices 2 minutes longer than on the preceding day. How many minutes does she practice during the five days altogether?
Answer: C — 85
The five practice times are and 21 minutes. Their sum is 85 minutes.
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Harder than the exam: SSAT Upper Challenge · Competition-style problems
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