Topic 5 : Rates

 In SAT Math, one of the most common types of word problems involves rates. These questions are not always difficult, but they can be confusing if you don’t understand the concept clearly.

So what are rates?

A rate simply shows how one quantity changes with respect to another for example, miles per hour, pages per minute, or dollars per item. The SAT loves to test your ability to set up and solve rate-based problems involving time, speed, work, and units.

To help you master this topic, I’ve selected two excellent videos that explain rates step by step with examples. Both are short, clear, and SAT-focused.

🎥 Watch These Two Videos on Rates

1️⃣ Introduction to Rates + Practice Problems

📺 Watch Video 1

This video breaks down what a rate is and how to identify and solve basic rate problems. It covers simple concepts like speed = distance ÷ time and unit rates.

2️⃣ Work Problems and Rate Tricks (Advanced Practice)

📺 Watch Video 2

This one goes a bit deeper into SAT-style questions involving multiple people working together, inverse relationships, and time-based logic. Very useful for scoring higher!

✅ What to Do

Watch both videos completely without skipping.

Pause and solve each example by yourself before seeing the answer.

Write down important formulas and shortcuts in a notebook.

After watching, try solving 4–5 related SAT questions to apply what you learned.

📝 Key Formulas to Remember

Speed = Distance ÷ Time

Work = Rate × Time

If A can do a job in x hours, A’s rate is 1/x

Combined rate: 1/x + 1/y = 1/T (total time)

Understanding rates helps you not only with direct word problems, but also with graphs, equations, and data interpretation in the SAT.

If you need this topic explained in Urdu or Hindi, feel free to message me. I’ll share simplified videos that match your learning style.

Keep learning,  one topic at a time. You’ve got this.

Written by Haseeb Ahmad Khattak

Founder – Prepare SAT with Haseeb