Haven't learned half the stuff on the SAT

[Sheepocalypse]

My SATs are tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure I have most of the stuff down -- except for math.
I've been doing SAT practice tests all week, and I haven't learned a lot of the material thats on the SATs.

Something like this?

I've learned about angles of triangles and stuff, but if I was given a question similar to this I wouldn't have a clue of what to do.

This?

I don't even know what the forget this is saying.

Or this.



or LITERALLY MOST OF THE TEST.

[Ad Bot]

[Super Suit 12]

First one's trigonometry.
Second one wants you to use algebra to move F to a side by itself.
Third one just wants to know what value can replace M and have the thing still be true (meaning equals zero), it's multiple-choice so just try all four choices and see which fits.

[Aide33]

First one's trigonometry.
Second one wants you to use algebra to move F to a side by itself.
Third one just wants to know what value can replace M and have the thing still be true (meaning equals zero), it's multiple-choice so just try all four choices and see which fits.

no the third one wants you to find the roots of the equation and sum them up, then that will be the answer

i'll give you a hint for #1, just draw a triangle with sides that represent sinx = 4/5
remember that sin x = opposite/hypotenuse and cosx = adjacent/hypotenuse  

also if you don't mind me asking, what grade/level are you in? because I don't know when they teach you basic algebra, but the second one is like 7th grade algebra it should be pretty obvious that they just want you to isolate F

[Mega-Bear]

Something like this?

I've learned about angles of triangles and stuff, but if I was given a question similar to this I wouldn't have a clue of what to do.

Have you taken any trigonometry classes?

If sin(x) = 4/5 then do the inverse to find x.
arcsin(4/5) = x

Knowing cos(A - B) = cosA*cosB + sinA*sinB just plug n chug (beer that is, cause you have this test in the bag)

edit: and as Aide said, drawing a triangle always helps to visualize trig problems.

[Aide33]

Have you taken any trigonometry classes?

If sin(x) = 4/5 then do the inverse to find x.
arcsin(4/5) = x

Knowing cos(A - B) = cosA*cosB + sinA*sinB just plug n chug (beer that is, cause you have this test in the bag)

edit: and as Aide said, drawing a triangle always helps to visualize trig problems.

yeah i find actually drawing a triangle helps students understand trig a lot more than just equations pulled out of seemingly thin air, but to each their own

[SeventhSandwich]

For the first one, look at the graphs of sin(x) and cos(x). If you notice, they're the same thing but sin(x) is just cos(x), but phase-shifted +90 degrees. (It's 90 degrees 'ahead' of cos(theta).

If you think about cos(90 - x), what that's really saying is 'take cos(x), shift it 90 degrees to the left, and then flip it over the y-axis'. If you draw out cos(x) and do this, you'll quickly notice that the graph you get is the exact same thing as sin(x). Thus, cos(90-x) = sin(x) = 4/5, as given in the question.


Second one is just algebra.
R = F / (N + F)

We want an equation that says F = <the rest of the stuff>

so we do this:
R(N+F) = F
RN + RF = F
RN = F - RF
RN = F(1-R)
RN/(1-R) = F

So answer B.


The third question is a quadratic equation question. You have basically two options for how to deal with these: either google how to make a calculator program that will solve the roots for you, or memorize the equation.

For functions that look like ax^2 + bx + c = 0, there are generally only one or two values of 'x' that when you plug them into the left-hand side of the equation, it comes out equaling zero. To find them, you use the quadratic formula

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbABbfU6Zc

(it's a patronizing song but it works)

By doing this, you get two roots: 4 - 2*sqrt(3) and 4 + 2*sqrt(3). Add them both together and you get 8.

[Sheepocalypse]

yeah i find actually drawing a triangle helps students understand trig a lot more than just equations pulled out of seemingly thin air, but to each their own

I don't think I personally would have enough time to draw something.

[Sheepocalypse]

thanks for the help though, guys

[SeventhSandwich]

I don't think I personally would have enough time to draw something.

It doesn't take that long, and it's arguably easier than transforming triangles and other weird stuff. Here, I drew a picture of the thought-process I used.

[Nonnel]

first is trig which i don't get at all but the other two are just algebra

[Tactical Nuke]

The SAT likes to throw trick questions at you all the time. That first question about triangles is one of them. The answer is still 4/5.
Think about it. A right triangle has 180 degrees in total. The x amount of degrees subtracted from the 90 degrees gets you the other angle. The cosine of the other angle is basically the same as the sine of the first angle. sin(x)=O/H, cos(x)=A/H, tan(x)=O/A; O means "opposite side" as in the side across from the angle, A means "adjacent", which is the other side that isn't the hypotenuse H. Just remember "SohCahToa" and you'll be fine there.

Second question is asking you to solve for favorable ratings in terms of the other variables. That means rearrange the equation so that F is the thing you're solving for. Answer there should be B.

Third question is asking you to take all the roots of that polynomial and add them together. Use the quadratic formula. Answer should be D.

[Whackin]

uh well do you remember ur order of operations

[Tactical Nuke]

and if none of that works don't forget that you can (at least when I did it last year) leave the question blank and nothing happens

solve the ones you know first and then come back to the difficult ones
I believe you have about a minute per question, so pace yourself

[ReddBoi]

maxwell this is your time to shine

[Gock.]

you aren't supposed to know a lot of it. in state standardized tests like the ACT and SAT it's not a bad idea to go into the exam mostly blind. you need to find your areas for improvement, iron it out, and take it again