SAT Math Formula Sheet Preview
SAT Math Formula Sheet Preview
A number is
divisible by...
if...
Multiplying Fractions
1. Cross cancel any common factors from the denominators and
the numerators.
2. Multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators.
1 1
3
11
1
Ex: 5--- ----- = ------------ = --6 10
22
4
2 2
Dividing Fractions
To divide any number by a fraction, multiply the number the
reciprocal of the divisor fraction.
3 2
3 7
37
21
Ex: --- --- = --- --- = ------------ = -----5 7
5 2
52
10
Multiplying/Dividing Fractions with Decimals
Convert decimals into fractions, and then calculate.
1
3
1 1
3
33
2 5
1
2
33
2
Ex: 0.33 ------ 0.6 = --------- ------ --- = --------- ----- --- = -----100 11 3
10
11
100 11 5
1
20 1
10
Simplifying Radicals
Move square factors out of the radical until no square factor is
left.
Ex: 800 = 8 100 = 8 100 = 10 8 = 10 4 2
PEMDAS
1. Parentheses.
2. Exponents.
3. Multiplication and Division from left to right.
4. Addition and Subtraction from left to right.
= 10 4 2 = 10 2 2 = 20 2
Ex: 3 5 + 8 2 2 4 + 3
= 3 13 2 2 4 + 3
= 3 13 4 4 + 3
= 39 1 + 3 = 38 + 3 = 41
Simplifying Fractions
If a fraction is in its simplest form, then the numerator and the
denominator contain no common factor other than 1. Otherwise,
simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the
denominator by the common factors until the only common
factor that is left is 1. When working with fractions on the SAT,
always simplify first.
18
9
3
Ex: ------ = ------ = -----60
30
10
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
1. Find the least common denominator (LCD) of the two
fractions.
2. Rewrite the fractions as equivalent fractions with the LCD as
the denominator.
3. Add or subtract the numerators.
Multiplying Radicals
Multiply the numbers under the radicals, then write the product
under a single radical.
Ex:
3 2 =
32 =
Dividing Radicals
Similar to multiplying radicals, divide the numbers under the
radicals. Write the quotient under a single radical.
42
Ex: ---------- =
30
42
------ =
30
7
--5
3 5
33 52
9 10
9 + 10
19
Ex: --- + ------ = ------------ + --------------- = ------ + ------ = --------------- = -----8 12
8 3 12 2
24 24
24
24
x y 2 = x 2 2xy + y 2
Ex: 5 3 2 = 5 2 2 5 3 + 3 2 = 5 2 15 + 3
= 8 2 15
Difference of Squares
x + y x y = x2 y2
Ex: 3 5 3 + 5 = 3 2 5 2 = 9 5 = 4
FOIL Method
When multiplying binomials, expressions that contain exactly
two terms, apply the FOIL (First Outer Inner Last) method.
Ex: x + 1 2x + 3 = 2x 2 + 3x + 2x + 3 = 2x 2 + 5x + 3
Perfect Squares
x + y 2 = x 2 + 2xy + y 2
Ex: 5x + 2y 2 = 5x 2 + 2 5x 2y + 2y 2
= 25x 2 + 20xy + 4y 2
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Ex:
x if x 0
x =
x if x 0
2 8 = 6 = 6
If x = y , then x = y or x = y .
Ex: Solve for x .
3x + 1 = 5
3x + 1 = 5 or 3x + 1 = 5
4
x = --- or x = 2
3
Solving by Substitution
1. From any of the two equations, write y in terms of x .
2. Plug the expression for y into the other equation.
3. Solve for x in the new one-variable linear equation.
4. Compute y by plugging the value of x into the expression
found in step 2.
For what value of x and y are the following equations both true?
Ex: x + y = 3
x y = 1
1
2
Equations
Distance = Rate Time
Time = Distance
--------------------Rate
Distance
Rate = --------------------Time
m0
m0
m = 0
m undefined
y-axis
Quadrant II
Quadrant I
a b
Origin
Quadrant III
x-axis
Quadrant IV
Equation of a Line
Equation: y = mx + b
where m is the slope and b is the y -intercept. We will be using
this representation throughout the coordinate section.
Vertical Angles
Vertical angles are the opposite angles formed by two
intersecting lines. Vertical angles have the same measure.
1
4
Complementary Angles
Two angles whose measures have a sum of
90 are called complementary angles.
3
m 1 = m 3 m 2 = m 4
Supplementary Angles
Two angles whose measures sum to 180
are call supplementary angles, i.e. two
angles formed by a straight line.
Parallel Lines
Two lines that do not intersect or
meet are called parallel lines.
l
m
m 1 + m 2 = 180
3
1
Rectangle
Area = base height = bh
Perimeter = 2 base + height = 2 b + h
h
b
Parallelogram
Area = base height = bh
h
b
b1
Trapezoid
1
Area=(average base)height = --- b 1 + b 2 h
2
h
b2
h3
B
h1
Triangle
1
h 2 Area = --- base height
2
1- AB h = -1- BC h
C = --1- AC h = -1
2
3
2
2
2
Circle
Area = radius 2 = r 2
Perimeter = 2 radius = 2r
Rectangular Solid
Surface Area = 2 lw + lh + hw
Volume = Base area height = lwh
w
h
h
r
Arithmetic Mean/Average
The arithmetic mean of a list of n values is defined as the sum
of the n values divided by n .
The arithmetic mean of a list of n evenly spaced values is equal
to the sum of the smallest value and the largest value divided by
2.
Ex: The arithmetic mean of the set {3, 6, 9, 12, 15} is
3
+ 6 + 9 + 12 + 15- = 9
3 + 15
--------------------------------------------or --------------- = 9 .
5
2
Median
If a list of n values are ordered from least to greatest, the median
is defined as the middle value if n is odd and the sum of the two
middle values divided by 2 if n is even.
The median is equal to the arithmetic mean for a list of n evenly
spaced values.
+6
Ex: The median of the set {4, 1, 6, 9} is 4----------- = 5.
2
Mode
The mode of a list of values is the value or values that appear the
greatest number of times.
Ex: The mode of the set {5, 6, 1, 5, 6, 2, 6} is 6.
Multiple Modes
Ex: Consider the following list:
2, 3, 5, 2, 2, 6, 5, 5, 100, 12, 6, 3, 3
In the list above, there are three modes: 2, 3, and 5.
Range
The range of a list of values is defined as the greatest value
minus the least value.
Ex: The range of the set {2, 6, 4, 1, 5, 6, 3} is 6 1 = 5 .
You do NOT need to know the computation of standard
deviation for the SAT.
Cylinder
Surface Area = 2r 2 + 2rh
Volume = Base area height = r 2 h