Algebra

Exponents

(p. 38) Exponents can be distributed to a product of numbers

103 = (2 x 5)3 = 23 x 53 = 8 x 125 = 1,000
(3z)4 = 34 x z4 = 81z4

(p. 48) It is important to note that as long as the exponents are all integers, each side of the
equation must have the same number of each type of prime factor
(218)(5m) = (20n)
218 x 5m = (2 x 2 x 5)n
218 x 5m = 22n x 5n
18 = 2n & m = n n = m = 9

Quadratic Equations

(p. 66) Square-rooting the square of something is the same as taking the absolute value of that
thing
If (z+3)2 = 25, what is z?
[(z+3)2]1/2 = (25)1/2
|z+3|=5
z + 3 = 5 z = -3 5 z = {-8, 2}

(p. 69) The 3 Special Products

o x2 - y2 = (x + y)(x - y)
o x2 + 2xy + y2 = (x + y)(x + y) = (x + y)2
o x2 - 2xy + y2 = (x - y)(x - y) = (x - y)2

Inequalities

(p. 92) You cannot multiply or divide an inequality by a variable, unless you know the sign of the
number that the variable stands for

(p. 95) Never subtract or divide two inequalities

(p. 96) Only multiply inequalities together if both sides of both inequalities are positive

Inequalities (Continued)

(p. 98) When dealing with the negative scenario of an absolute value inequality, simply flip the
inequality sign and negate the non-absolute value sign

Given that | x - 2 | < 5, what is the range of possible values of x?

positive scenario: x 2 < 5 x < 7
negative scenario: x -2 > -5 x > -3
-3 < x < 7

(p. 116) When a Data Sufficiency question contains an equation in the question stem, isolate the
wanted variable and create the simplest combo you can
If xy 0 and [(xy)/3]1/2 = x, what is y?
Isolate y y = 3x

Algebra Strategies

(p. 127) Any positive proper fraction raised to a power greater than 1 will result in a number
SMALLER than the original fraction

(p. 127) Any positive proper fraction raised to a power between 0 and 1 will result in a number
LARGER than the original fraction

Extra Equations Strategies

(p. 136) Inequalities combined with integer constraints typically yield 1 solution

(p. 152) Direct proportionality: y1 / x1 = y2 / x2

(p. 152) Inverse proportionality: y1 x1 = y2 x2

(p. 154) Any exponential growth can be written as y(t) = y o kt