SAT MATH FOR DUMMIES

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Getting Started with SAT Math
	Chapter 1 Welcome to SAT Math
		SAT Math Basics
			Using the Reference list of formulas
			Filling answers into the grid
		Overview of SAT Math Topics
			Heart of Algebra
			Problem Solving and Data Analysis
			Passport to Advanced Math (and Other Topics)
		SAT Math Strategy
			Isn’t there some way to get a good SAT Math score without actually knowing math?
			Is there a penalty for guessing?
			Are some questions harder than others?
			Do I have to answer every question?
			So, how many questions should I answer?
			When’s the latest I can take the SAT and still get into school?
			Hey wait — do I even have to take the SAT to go to college?
		Three SAT Success Stories
			Jay’s story — clearing 500
			Shaun’s story — breaking solidly beyond 600
			Amy’s story — reaching 700 and beyond
	Chapter 2 Review of Pre-Algebra
		Sets of Numbers
			Natural numbers
			Integers
			Rational numbers
			Real numbers
			Complex numbers
		Fractions, Ratios, Decimals, and Percentages
			Review of fractions and ratios
			Review of decimals and percentages
		Absolute Value
		Radicals
			Understanding radicals
			Multiplying and dividing radicals
			Simplifying radicals
			Adding and subtracting radicals
			Rationalizing radicals in the denominator
		Understanding Algebra Terminology
			Algebra and arithmetic
			Equations, identities, and inequalities
			Expressions
			Polynomial basics
		Graphing on the xy-Plane
			Understanding the axes, the origin, and the quadrants
			Plotting coordinates on the xy-plane
			Plotting equations on the xy-plane
		Choosing and Using a Calculator
			Knowing which calculators to avoid on the SAT
			Choosing a calculator
			Knowing some basic calculator moves
			Getting familiar with a few advanced calculator moves
Part 2 Conquering the Heart of Algebra
	Chapter 3 Algebra I Reboot Part 1: Expressions
		Evaluating Expressions
		Simplifying Expressions
			Combining like terms
			Distributing to remove parentheses
			FOILing to multiply the contents of parentheses
		Factoring Expressions
			GCF Factoring
			Difference of squares
			Sum and difference of cubes
			Factoring quadratic trinomials
			Factoring cubic expressions
	Chapter 4 Algebra I Reboot Part 2: Equations and Inequalities
		Solving Simple and Intermediate Algebra Equations
			Solving basic algebra equations
			Working with equations that have more than one variable
		Solving More Difficult Equations
			Solving quadratic equations
			Solving rational equations
		Solving Inequalities
			Using equation-solving skills with inequalities
			Knowing when to flip the inequality sign
			Lining up inequalities to solve systems
	Chapter 5 Linear Functions
		Interpreting Linear Functions as Words, Tables, Graphs, and Equations
			Understanding linear functions in four complementary ways
			Answering SAT questions about linear functions
		Linear Function Basics
			Slope-intercept form
			Standard form
		Using Two Formulas to Find the Slope
			Measuring the slope of a graph
			Measuring slope using two points
		Solving Linear Function Problems
			Finding the equation when you have two pieces of information
			Understanding problems with parallel and perpendicular lines
		Solving Word Problems
			Angela’s flowers
			Peter’s autos
			Jacqueline’s ascent
	Chapter 6 Systems of Equations
		Systems of Linear Equations
			Solving systems of linear equations
			Looking for a fast solution
			Solving word problems with a system of linear equations
		Working with Problematic Systems of Equations
			Understanding systems with one solution
			Troubleshooting problematic systems
			Understanding what makes a system problematic
			Answering SAT questions about problematic systems
		Systems of Linear Inequalities
			Setting up systems of linear inequalities to solve word problems
			Graphs with linear inequalities
		Systems of Non-Linear Equations
Part 3 Tackling Problem Solving and Data Analysis
	Chapter 7 Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages
		Understanding Ratios and Proportions
			Understanding ratios
			Creating proportional equations
		Using Ratios and Proportions to Solve SAT Word Problems
			Solving unit conversion problems
			Using population density in a proportional equation
			Answering questions involving similar triangles
			Understanding direct proportionality
		Using Percentages to Answer SAT Questions
			Setting up equations to solve percentage problems
			Solving percent increase and percent decrease problems
	Chapter 8 Statistics and Probability
		Statistics
			Statistical calculations
			Collecting data and interpreting statistics
		Probability
			Understanding the probability formula
			Answering SAT probability questions
			Answering table-based SAT probability questions
	Chapter 9 Understanding Data and Information from Tables and Graphs
		Reading Information from Tables
		Understanding Bar Graphs, Histograms, and Dot Plots
			Bar graphs
			Histograms
			Dot plots
		Working with Line Graphs and Scatterplots
			Mapping time with line graphs
			Understanding scatterplots
Part 4 Your Passport to Advanced Math
	Chapter 10 Functions
		Understanding Function Notation
			Evaluating a function by plugging in a number
			Evaluating a function plus or minus a value
			Evaluating a function times or divided by a value
			Evaluating a function by plugging in a variable or an expression
		Working with Function Notation
			Combining functions
			Compositions of functions
			Inverse functions
		Using the Vertical Line Test for Functions
		Knowing Some Key Parent Functions
			Polynomial functions
			Other important parent functions
		Transforming Functions
			Clarifying vertical and horizontal transformations
			Understanding stretch-compress-flip transformations
			Working with all three types of transformations
	Chapter 11 Polynomials
		Knowing Polynomial Basics
			Looking at the leading term
			Using the constant term to find the y-intercept
		Identifying Odd and Even Polynomials
			Identifying odd and even functions
			Spotting end behavior as x approaches 
		Finding the x-Intercepts of Polynomials
			Knowing a few names for x-intercepts
			Finding the x-intercepts of a polynomial in factored form
			Finding the x-intercepts of a polynomial in standard form
		Sketching the Graph of a Polynomial
			Sketching a polynomial from its factored form
			Sketching “bounce” x-intercepts
			Sketching a polynomial from its standard form
		Equivalent Polynomials
		Recalling Synthetic Division for Polynomials
	Chapter 12 Quadratic Functions
		The Quadratic Function in Standard Form
			Understanding standard-form quadratic functions
			Sketching a parabola from standard form
		The Quadratic Function in Vertex Form
			Understanding vertex form quadratic functions
			Sketching a parabola from vertex form
		Connecting Standard and Vertex Forms
			Changing vertex form to standard form
			Changing standard form to vertex form
		Finding the Roots of a Quadratic Function
			Distinguishing quadratic functions from quadratic equations
			Identifying quadratic functions with 2, 1, and no x-intercepts
			Using the discriminant to count x-intercepts
			Finding the roots of a quadratic function
			Using quadratic equations to solve word problems about projectiles
	Chapter 13 Exponential and Radical Equations
		Solving Exponential Equations
			Using exponential identities
			Solving exponential equations
		Answering SAT Math Questions Using Exponential Functions
			Understanding exponential growth
			Working with exponential decay
		Graphing Exponential Functions
		Radical Equations and Functions
			Solving radical equations
			Graphing radical functions
	Chapter 14 Geometry and Trigonometry
		Geometry
			Geometric formulas for success
			Knowing the angles
			Isosceles triangles
			Similar triangles
			Working with right triangles
		Trigonometry
			Using SOH-CAH-TOA to understand sines, cosines, and tangents
			Building a triangle from a single trig ratio
			Applying trig ratios to special right triangles
			Remembering the most important SAT identity
			Radian measure and arc length
	Chapter 15 Additional SAT Math Topics
		Imaginary and Complex Numbers
			The imaginary number i
			Complex numbers
		Circles on the xy-Plane
			Circles in center-radius form
			Plotting points on a circle on the xy-plane
			Identifying interior and exterior points on a circle
			Completing the square to solve difficult circle problems
Part 5 Practice Makes Perfect: SAT Math Section Practice Tests
	Chapter 16 Practice SAT Math Test 1
		Answer Sheet for Practice SAT Math Test 1
		Section 3 — No Calculator
		Section 4 — Calculator
	Chapter 17 Answers and Explanations for Practice SAT Math Test 1
		Section 3 — No Calculator
		Section 4 — Calculator
	Chapter 18 Practice SAT Math Test 2
		Answer Sheet for Practice SAT Math Test 2
		Section 3 — No Calculator
		Section 4 — Calculator
	Chapter 19 Answers to Practice SAT Math Test 2
		Section 3 — No Calculator
		Section 4 — Calculator
Part 6 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 20 Ten Things You Will Almost Definitely See on Your SAT Math Test
		Linear Functions
		Systems of Linear Equations
		Quadratic Functions
		Percentages
		Ratio/Proportion Problems
		The Mean and the Median
		The Trig Identity
		The Quadratic Formula
		The Imaginary Number i
		Circles on the Graph
	Chapter 21 Ten Tips to Improve Your SAT Math Score
		Study Diligently in Your Math Classes
		Get Good at Doing Basic Calculations in Your Head
		Get Good at Using Your Calculator
		Study SAT-Specific Math Skills
		Get Comfortable Turning Words into Numbers
		Take Timed Practice Tests
		When Taking Practice Tests, Budget Your Time to Maximize Your Score
		Study from Your Timed Practice Tests
		Retake Your Timed Practice Tests
		Take the SAT More than Once
	Chapter 22 Ten Tips to Be at Your Best on the SAT
		Do Something Fun the Day Before the Test
		Don’t Study for More than 20 Minutes the Night Before the Test
		Pack Everything You Need the Night Before
		Do Something Relaxing Before Bed
		Get a Good Night’s Sleep
		Wear Several Layers of Clothing
		Arrive at the Test Site Extra Early
		Spend Your Time Just Before the Test However You Please
		Remember to Breathe
		Skip Over Any Questions That Throw You
Index
EULA