I'm taking the SAT soon and I'm trying to make sure I've got all the important math formulas memorized. What are some must-know formulas for the SAT Math section that might come in handy? Thanks in advance!
Here's a list of must-know formulas and concepts for the SAT Math section. Keep in mind that some of these may be provided in the test instructions, but it's still useful to know them in advance to save time and improve your confidence during the test.
1. Linear equations: y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
2. Slope between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2): (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).
3. Quadratic equation: ax^2 + bx + c = 0.
4. Quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / (2a).
5. Pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where a and b are the legs of a right triangle, and c is the hypotenuse.
6. Distance formula between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2): d = √((x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2).
7. Midpoint formula between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2): M = ((x1 + x2) / 2, (y1 + y2) / 2).
8. Area of a triangle: (base × height) / 2.
9. Area of a rectangle: length × width.
10. Area of a circle: πr^2, where r is the radius.
11. Circumference of a circle: 2πr or πd, where r is the radius and d is the diameter.
12. Volume of a cube: side^3.
13. Volume of a rectangular prism: length × width × height.
14. Volume of a cylinder: πr^2h, where r is the radius and h is the height.
15. Percentages: part = (percent / 100) × whole.
16. Probability: P(event) = (number of favorable outcomes) / (total number of outcomes).
17. Combinations: nCr = n! / (r!(n-r)!), where n is the total number of objects and r is the number of objects you're choosing.
18. Mean (average): (sum of values) / (number of values).
19. Median: middle value in a sorted list of numbers.
20. Mode: value(s) that occurs most often in a data set.
Make sure to practice these formulas and concepts with real SAT Math problems to become more comfortable applying them during the test. Good luck with your SAT preparation!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.