SSAT Math Question 648: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 648
3. The product of 
b and a2 can be written as
- A. (ab)2
- B.
- C. 2a × b
- D.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
This is a Plugging In question because there are variables in the choices. Plug In a value, work through the problem to find a target answer, and then check each of the choices to see which yields the target answer. Let b = 4 and a = 3. Finding the product means multiply, so 
(4) × 32 = 2 × 9 = 18. The target answer is 18. Now, Plug In your values for b and a into the choices to find the choice that equals your target answer (18). Eliminate (A) since (3 × 4)2 = (12)2 = 144, which is too big. Eliminate (B) since 
= 
and is not equal to 18. Also eliminate (C) since 2(3) × (4) = 6 × 2 = 12, which does not equal 18. Choice (D) works: 
= 
= 
= 18. Keep it. Remember to try all five choices when Plugging In, so check (E) as well. 
= 
= 
= 72, which is too big, so eliminate (E). The correct answer is (D).