Does the SAT provide any formulas?

Hello, I'm a bit nervous about my upcoming SAT exam and I was wondering if they give you any formulas for the math section. Are there formulas I should be memorizing beforehand, or do they provide some reference on the exam itself?

Hello! The SAT does provide a formula reference sheet at the beginning of each Math section (both the no-calculator and calculator sections). This reference sheet contains basic geometric formulas and a few other key formulas, so you don't have to memorize everything.

However, there are some formulas and concepts that are not included on the reference sheet but could be tested on the SAT. It would be helpful to familiarize yourself with these formulas beforehand. Some examples of these include:

1. Quadratic formula: For ax² + bx + c = 0, the solutions for x are given by x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a.

2. Distance formula: The distance between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given by √[(x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²].

3. Midpoint formula: The midpoint of a line segment between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is ((x1 + x2) / 2, (y1 + y2) / 2).

4. Slope formula: For a line passing through two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the slope is given by (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).

5. SOHCAHTOA: This acronym is used for remembering the trigonometric ratios in right triangles: Sine = Opposite / Hypotenuse, Cosine = Adjacent / Hypotenuse, and Tangent = Opposite / Adjacent.

You do not need to memorize all formulas, but make sure you are comfortable with the foundational concepts and can quickly derive the formulas if needed. Practicing a variety of SAT math problems and reviewing topics you're less confident in will help make the test day experience smoother. Good luck with your preparation!