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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
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What are the most important SAT math formulas to know?

Hi guys, I'm prepping for the SAT and I want to focus on the most crucial math formulas. What should I prioritize for the SAT Math section to get the best score possible? Any advice would be appreciated!

9 months ago

Hi there! Focusing on key formulas is a smart way to prepare for the SAT Math section. Here are some important formulas that you should be familiar with:

1. Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b

m represents the slope and b represents the y-intercept. You might need to find the equation of a line given two points or interpret information from a linear equation.

2. Quadratic formula: x=(-b±√(b²-4ac))/2a

This is used to find the roots (x-intercepts) of a quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0.

3. Distance formula: d = √((x₁-x₂)²+(y₁-y₂)²)

It's useful when you need to find the distance between two points (x₁, y₁), (x₂, y₂) in a coordinate plane.

4. Midpoint formula: M = ((x₁+x₂)/2, (y₁+y₂)/2)

This helps you find the midpoint between two points (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) in a coordinate plane

5. Pythagorean Theorem: a² + b² = c²

To find the length of a side in a right triangle, use this theorem, where a and b are the legs and c is the hypotenuse.

6. Area and Perimeter:

- Rectangle: A = lw, P = 2l + 2w

- Triangle: A = (1/2)bh

- Circle: A = πr², C = 2πr

Knowing these formulas is essential for solving problems related to shapes and their properties.

7. Special right triangles:

- 30-60-90: The sides are in the ratio of x:x√3:2x

- 45-45-90: The sides are in the ratio of x:x:x√2

Familiarize yourself with these special triangles to quickly find side lengths.

8. Sine, cosine, and tangent:

- sinθ = opposite/hypotenuse

- cosθ = adjacent/hypotenuse

- tanθ = opposite/adjacent

Being able to use these trigonometric ratios is necessary for solving problems involving right triangles.

9. Probability: P(A) = favorable outcomes/total outcomes

This formula is helpful when determining the likelihood of a particular event.

These are some of the most important formulas to be familiar with for the SAT Math section. In addition to memorizing the formulas, make sure to practice applying them to various problem types. Good luck with your preparation!

9 months ago

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