SAT Math Question

Question

A store is selling apples at a price of $0.60 per apple. If John has $12 and wants to buy as many apples as possible, how many apples can he buy, and how much money will he have left?

A. 19 apples, $0.60 left

B. 20 apples, $0.00 left

C. 20 apples, $0.60 left

D. 21 apples, $0.60 short

Ragdoll hit

Answer 1

[NOTE 1: My tutoring is highly individualized. My multi-strategy problem solving approach leads to best results with fine-tuning to individual student’s weaknesses and strengths.]

[NOTE 2: Among many other things I teach, is using observation-reading-based shortcuts. This word problem calls for that, especially so, as we are talking about taking the SAT Test. Time-management skills are paramount in this timed test. Developed skills to spot a shortcut can be, and will be, the deciding factor on the Test taking day.]

[NOTE 3: On Wyzant, I am not in the business of solving problems. I am supposed to pass to students my knowledge in skills. I teach getting to the core of a problem. What a word problem means in Math, operations, properties, etc.? Read attentively the text to get that idea. That leads to shortest reasoning and procedural fluency. Developed number sense is always helpful]

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1. [Observation!]

This problem is about a single operation, division with remainder!

12 / 0.60 = 2 * (6 / 0.60) = 20 (exactly, with no remainder)

In this multiple choice, mark: B. 20 apples, $0.00 left

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2. [Observation!]

In this very specific case, where three of the four choices have "remainder" or "excess" of exactly $0.60, the price of one apple, so John may have more or less apples. So choices A), C), D) are invalid.

In this multiple choice, mark: B. 20 apples, $0.00 left

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3. [Back to tutoring]

Note, that in multiple choice, putting down text in solutions #1 and #2 is unnecessary. With the respective mental observations,

#1. [Observation. Mental math 12 / 0.60 = 2 * (6 / 0.60) = 20]. Mark B).

#2. [Observation.] Mark B).

If Observation $2 was made, that would be the fastest way to get the right choice in this very special case. Practice this!

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When solving this problem with a student, are there opportunities to give more?

What if that was an open question?

The elimination method of Solution #2 would not be available! Solution #1 would be the fastest one.

What if mathematical reasoning and complete answers were requested?

Practice precise reasoning and complete answers. Reasoning, based on observations, is presented in the Solutions #1 and #2. (Complete) Answer must be sharp to the point of the question(s).

Answer:

He can buy 20 apples.

He will have no money left.

Answer 2

Hi Katy,

The division approach is a good way to answer this question. Here's a slightly different approach that might also appeal to your intuition:

1. Answers A and C don't make sense, because if we have $0.60 left we could buy another apple
2. Answer D doesn't make sense, because we can't buy 21 apples if that leaves us $0.60 short
3. That leaves answer B, which is the correct answer

This "process of elimination" approach can be helpful, because it's a really fast way to solve problems if you get the trick.

Best of luck and don't hesitate to be in touch with any further questions,

Viv

Answer 3

This is one of the "easy" questions on the SAT. No pencil and paper should be used.

Think:

Answer 4

I need to find how many apples John can buy with $12 when apples cost $0.60 each.

Step 1: Find how many apples John can buy

Number of apples = Total money ÷ Price per apple Number of apples = $12 ÷ $0.60 Number of apples = 12 ÷ 0.6 = 20

Step 2: Calculate the money spent

Money spent = 20 apples × $0.60 per apple = $12.00

Step 3: Calculate money left over

Money left = $12.00 − $12.00 = $0.00

John can buy exactly 20 apples with no money remaining.

The answer is B. 20 apples, $0.00 left

Answer 5

Let’s break it down:

John has $12, and apples cost $0.60 each.

To find how many apples he can buy:

12 / 0.60 = 20

So, he can buy 20 apples.

20 × 0.60=12.00

He spends exactly $12 — no money left over.

Answer: B. 20 apples, $0.00 left

Hope that helps! Happy to walk through more SAT-style questions anytime.

Best regards,

Sid Bhatia

Answer 6

Let’s break this SAT math problem down step by step:

🧠 What do we know?

1. Each apple costs $0.60
2. John has $12.00
3. We want to know:
4. How many whole apples John can buy (no half-apples!)
5. How much money he’ll have left over
6. 
   

🧮 Step 1: Divide the total money by the price per apple

We do this to see how many apples he could buy if he had exact change:

12.000.60=20\frac{12.00}{0.60} = 200.6012.00​=20So, John can buy exactly 20 apples.

💵 Step 2: Check how much money that uses

20×0.60=12.0020 \times 0.60 = 12.0020×0.60=12.00So he spends exactly $12.00 — no money left over.

✅ Final Answer:

B. 20 apples, $0.00 left

🎯 Pro Tip: On questions like this, divide first to see how many full items you can buy, then multiply to double-check how much was spent and what’s left. Always watch out for whether the question wants you to round down or check leftover money!

Let me know if you want help with more SAT questions — I love breaking them down like this!

Answer 7

A store is selling apples at a price of $0.60 per apple. If John has $12 and wants to buy as many apples as possible, how many apples can he buy, and how much money will he have left?

A. 19 apples, $0.60 left

B. 20 apples, $0.00 left

C. 20 apples, $0.60 left

D. 21 apples, $0.60 short

On SAT Math, always write your work, especially when it's simple. Mental math can lead to mistakes.

We can't do anything. When working the SAT Math, you're on your own.

12/.6 = 120/6 = 20

There's nothing left over.

B

Answer 8

Essentially, the question is asking how many times $0.60 "goes into" $12.00. So, the first step is to recognize it as a division problem. Furthermore, the question also asks for "how much money is left," which represents the remainder. So, the problem is a division problem, and the answer is the quotient and the remainder.

Knowing that we need a remainder also tells us we are going to deal in whole numbers.

We can divide $12.00 by $0.60 as decimal fractions, but it is easier to deal with whole numbers since we know we don't want fractions at the end anyway. Why deal with fractions when not needed.

$12.00 is 1200 cents. $0.60 is 60 cents.

Divide 1200 by 60, and you get a quotient of 20, with no remainder.

This allows us to select the correct answer B.

Answer 9

First check you're working with the same units - both amounts are given in dollars.

Simply divide $12/ $0.60.

I prefer working with fractions, so I convert 0.60 to 6/10.

So 12 = 12 × 10 = 12 × 5 = 60 = 20

6/10. 6 3 3

So John can buy 20 apples exactly...choice (B).

Answer 10

We are told that John has $12 to spend on apples, and each apple costs $0.60.

To find out how many apples he can buy:

$12 / $0.60 = 20 apples

So John can buy 20 apples:

20 apples * $0.60 = $12.00

John started with $12 and he spent $12, therefore he will have no money left. The correct answer is choice B.

Answer 11

Let x = number of apples that can be bought

0.60x ≤ 12

x ≤ 20

He can buy no more than 20 apples, but 20 apples cost ($0.60)(20) = $12.

So, if he buys 20 apples, he will have no money left over (Answer is B)