Final Math Notes:

General
1. Read the exercises carefully and stop periodically.
2. Read the question again after you answer it.
3. Time Management
 QC: 1 minute
 Numerical Entry: 2-3 minutes
 Multiple Choice: 1-2 minutes
 Multiple Answer: 1-2 minutes
 Data Interpretation: 2-3 minutes
4. ZONEF (Zero, One, Negative, Extremes and Fractions) for plugging values, especially in QC with
inequalities or absolute values. Specially if there’s no condition statement.
5. Percents change can mean increase or decrease
6. When trying to answer analytically always consider if the variable is positive or negative, it will
develop multiple scenarios to which the sign of inequality or the value of the variable in
absolute value (k or -k) will change.
7. Consider all scenarios, you might feel tempted to do integers if it shows ratios but consider all in
QC. But also, pay attention to the restrictions.
8. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter if it is multiple answer questions or multiple choice. Sometimes,
you have to test every single answer. Others you may find something really concluding that will
let you answer right away everything. This is stronger with inequality or absolute value solving,
especially with multiple answer.
9. Remember Advanced Techniques: Picking numbers and back solving (B-D Method).
10. Try to simplify QC first!
11. In QC inequalities or with absolute values, see if the statements can be rephrased to your advantage.
12. In “could be’’ you only need to find one scenario where it works.
13. Do not assume anything with figure. Must say perpendicular or give you something or say they are not
parallel (remember the practice test, they meet at the right), etc.
14. In multiple answer questions we usually need to find a range or a pattern (maybe they must be multiples
of 20).
15. Max range exercises can be solved by picking numbers. Especially when they give you some restrictions
like only positive integers.
16. Mixture problems and growth and decay could be good exercises for picking numbers and back solving.
17. Percentage increase means relative variation. If it says absolute increase, then you subtract the
percentage values.
18. When an exercise seems extremely difficult try back-solving. Do not block yourself with the algebra.
Remember to make lists with remainders.
19. Contemplate radicals can be re-expressed like 6 √ 6=3 √ 24
20. Read carefully when they are asking if a number is divisible by something. Consider if they are even, odd
or even if they are asking of another thing altogether like is the average divisible by 2.
21. They might ask you to find the scale factor directly (k). Perimeter maintain the scale factor, but areas are
the scale factor squared.
22. Parallel lines have supplementary angles. Trapezoid have supplementary angles from the base.
23. Look at the graph, the scales, all the information on graphs.
24. Differences:
2x 2x
a. −4 ≠ (−4 )
 2
b. |x| =x 2
2
c. √ x2 ≠ x It represents √ x =|x|
Numbers

1. 1 nor 0 are composites or primes. But, zero is even and one is odd.
2. For counting factors, do the Magoosh trick. If you wan’t to count them, then remember to start
with one, so you won’t forget.
3. 0 is divisible by every single number.
4. 0 is a multiple of every number.
5. 0 is neutral not positive.
6. Every single number is divisible by 1 or itself.
7. Read carefully for integers, positive, negative decimals cues.
8. Rounding nearest 0.1, nearest integer, nearest percent.
9. If squared root is part of the question, only consider the positive root
10. If you get the root out of an algebraic process, consider both roots.
11. Confirm answers with radicals. Remember radicals cannot be equal to a negative number.
12. Even factors = Total Factor-Odd factors. But, you to count multiples for examples, you can
calculate do this Total Multiples-Total Even Multiple=Total Odd Multiples.
13. Prime Numbers only have two factors. Squares from prime numbers have 3 factors.
14. Numbers of two digits cannot start with zero. Many problems assume this unless it a money
saving machine type of exercise (different).
15. Don’t stress too much about decreasing percent, always go to basics
Xf=(1-P%) Xo (decreasing)
Xf=(1+P%) Xo (increasing)
16. Factor divisible by 10 are composed by 5*2 (remember the exercise where the 5 are the
restrictions), usually the 5’s are the limiting factor.
17. MCM=factores más grandes de cada número. It is used to see when two values coincide. Ver
bajo cual interval los valores coinciden de nuevo.
18. GCF=término común más grande entre todos los números. Se usa para romper cosas en partes
más pequeñas. Tengo 36 caminadoras y 48 pesas. Tengo 12 sets the 3 caminadoras y 4 pesas
cada uno. Como tengo GCF sets identicos.
19. XY>0 must find out if X<0 or Y<0
20. Round to nearest whole percent 33.3333%=33%.
21. A prime + composite= prime
22. Number divisible by 8, look at the three last digits and see if they’re divisible by 8.

Absolute Values

1. The absolute value of a variable can be the negative of the variable, if the variable has a
negative value.
 2. Properties of Absolute Values

3. In absolute value, when considering value or negative cases for answers, you can substitute |
x| for X or -X. Even though the result of an absolute value will always be positive, the number
of the variable does not always have to be positive. You must have this skill to be able to
consider variables when they are positive or negative.
4. |X-1| Mueve hacia la derecha.
5. Use smart numbers. 0,1,2.
6. Confirm answers if you develop something algebraic with an absolute value.

Inequalities

1. ZONEF is extremely important here, specially when the inequality is in the statement.
2. In inequalities sometimes is easier to answer logically than by picking numbers. However,
sometimes with multiple selection you do have to pick numbers.
3. You can add inequalities with the same sign and subtract with opposite sign. Nothing can be
assumed when multiplying or dividing inequalities.
4. Always have in mind that multiplying two negatives can achieve a higher positive.
5. For quadratic inequalities you must test the outside vs the inside answer to know the interval.
6. When trying to answer analytically always consider if the variable is positive or negative, it will
develop multiple scenarios to which the sign of inequality or the value of the variable in
absolute value (k or -k) will change.

Algebra

1. Ejercicio 1

x + y=13
xy=30

x 2+ y 2=?

( x + y )2=1 32

x 2+ y 2+2 xy=1 32−2∗30

2. Ejercicio 2

l m n
= = =k
m+ n l+n m+l
l+m+n=k ( m+ n ) +k ( l+n ) +k (m+l)
1
k=
2
3. Ejercicio 3:

First Rectangle: (x+2)(x+3)=100

x 2+ 5 x +6=100

x 2+ 5 x=94
Square= (2x+5)^2

4 x2 +20 x +25=4 ( x 2 +5 x ) + 25
¿ 4∗94+25=401
4. Ejercicio 4:

Area Triangle=28
Diagonal=12
P=?

122=x 2 + y 2

122 +2 xy =x 2+ y 2 +2 xy

122 +112=x 2 + y 2 +2 xy

256=( x+ y )2
16=( x+ y )=16+12=28
5. Do not confuse how many unique solutions (intercepts) Vs how many solutions (roots) an
equation has…

Ratios:
 1. Giving a constant will be your best friend. See examples in Finals document.
2. Remember that in some cases you can figure out the answers because it must be a multiple in
some way of the data, they are giving you.
3. You really have to understand when the multiplier can or cannot be an integer.

Sets:

1. Carefully read the text when they say it could either be X, Y or both there are not any items
classified as none.
2. How do we know T=A+B-(A&B)+None where none=0. Read carefully…
3. Sometimes it is easier to build a bidimensional table.
4. When a triple circles, consider overcounting with a+2b3c+N=Total
5. The minimum of AUB is A or B, the maximum is A+B.
6. The minimum of A^B is 0 if they’re mutually exclusive. The maximum is A or B if they are
completely inclusive.

Geometry:

1. Triangle inequality theorem |a+b|<= |a|+|b|

a. In our polygon exercises we create it as bigger-small other sides <third side < sum of
other two sides. No equal sign.
2. Pay attention to the values of the sides, that way you can know if it is a 30-60-90, or 45-45-90.
Pay attention if one is the double or another one, do not only memorize the triplets.
3. How to calculate areas: important! Try to find many ways to find the area or base. Area of
rhombus is p*q/2
4. Parallel lines for coordinate geometry must have the same slope. Skip those exercises and come
to them later.
5. Given an area for a rectangle the perimeter is always minimized when the rectangle is a
square.
6. Given a perimeter, the area is always maximized when the rectangle is a square.
7. Angles are proportional to side ratios and arc lengths.
8. Always check area formula. Remember with triangles =xy/2
9. Remember sum of interior angles of quadrilaterals is 360 (avoid traps).
10. Parallelograms must have sum of angles 360 and opposite angles equal.
11. Remember the sum of exterior angles=360 always.
12. If multiple scenarios are possible in exercises with QC always remember to check all scenarios.
13. Equal inscribed or central angles will return the same chords.
14. Equal chords will return the same inscribed angles.
15. You can maximize area. Remember that this only happens if angle =90. If its greater or less, then
it will have less area.
16. Triangle Triplets:
3-4-5
6-8-10
5-12-13
8-15-17
17. Area of equilateral is half*half*squared root of three.
 18. Never assume two lines are parallel (triangle exercise). They must say so or they should show
you some lines are perpendicular.
19. Pay attention to supplementary angles in parallelogram.
20. Inscribed Angles Properties:
a. Central angles=2*inscribed angles.
b. If inscribed angles are the same, then chords will be the same. If chords are the same,
then the inscribed angles will be the same.
c. If it goes through the diameter, then the opposite angle will be 90.
d. Line tangent to the circle makes a 90-degree angle (when radius meets tangent).
e. Inscribed angle form two pairs of congruent sides.
21. Largest side < SUM(other sides) it is impossible for the largest side to be equal or greater than
the sum of the rest.
22. Diferencia entre líneas paralelas es 180 grados.
23. Number of triangles in a polygon is nCr.
24. Number of diagonals is n*n(-3)/2.
25. Scale factor of areas with similar triangles is k 2, scale factor of a perimeter is k .
26. They must state the center of the circle. Do not assume it.
27. To maximize the areas of inscribed figures, you have to regularize de figure.

Word Problems:

1. Always check the units of the problems. If they are different, your first step should be to
transform the units.
2. In gap closing problems you must subtract the rates not adding them.
3. Work problems with many individuals W=n*r*t.
4. Mixture:
Adding a 30% solution:
8+0.3 k 2
=
20+k 5

Usually a way to solve these problems is to obtain the solute after they give you the % and the
total. These problems are good for picking numbers and back-solving.
5. Hardest word problem is with multiple giving equations. Write two equations independently,
you can always pick numbers it is easier.

Counting:

1. In arithmetic series (like consecutive integers) mean=median

2. Halfway between percentile is way bigger than halfway between scores.
3. Distribution 68-95-99.7
4. SD(k)=0
SD(kx)=kx
SD(k+x)=SD(x)
Si se añade misma dispersión +/- entonces se mantiene SD
Observación que diminuye más la SD es agregar la media.
 You cannot assume anything about the rank or the distribution whatsoever of the sample.
5. Properties of evenly spaced sets:
a. The mean and the median are equal.
b. Mean and median are equal to the average of the first and last terms
c. If n is odd the sum of n consecutive integers is divisible by n.
6. Observe if the interval starts or ends with odd or even numbers. This will give you an idea if
there are more even or odd number. This could also change if they tell you the interval is
inclusive or not.

Combinations and Permutations:

1. Try to solve them with permutations and combinations rules, but sometimes its simpler to use
the FCP, especially when the exercise has restrictions (gregmat usually solves them like this,
meanwhile Nova uses more formulas).
2. When using FCP always think about permutations vs combinations, indistinguishable or
repeatable.
3. Consider when grouping an item (perhaps letters XXY) if they are fixed on a position or if they
are rotating with other items.
4. The problems with finding combinations of factors multiplication are combinations in most cases
as 2*3*5 is the same as 3*5*2 in those exercises.
5. One approach for counting problems is to consider one specific case and then generalize it. The
same way the binomial formula is built.
6. Plenty of exercises have the 1-P(x) complement mindset. Be careful.
7. If a simple problem allows repetitions, then the total number of permutations will be N*N*N (r
times). Examples a test with 8 questions and each of them 5 possible answers, the test could be
answered 5^8.

Coordinate Geometry:

1. Always think about intercepts and symmetry when they are mixing geometry and coordinate.
2. Find slopes between points.
3. Reflexions:
1. X-> (x,h);(x,-h)
2. Y-> (z,y);(-z,y)
3. Y=K -> (x,y);(y,x)
4. Y=-K -> (x,y);(-y,-x)
5. In the last two symmetries it forms a isosceles triangle.

Statistics

1. A percentile will always be 1% of the sample

2. Distribution with less variance will concentrate more items around its mean, but
3. The measurement of 68-95-99.7 is relative to their standard deviation. If you are comparing
absolute measures then the one with the lower standard deviation will have greater probability,
but in relative terms to their standard deviation they are the same.
Probability

1. 0.6=P(A)*P(B)
P(A)>=0.6; P(B)>=0.6

Advanced Quant Tips

A. Picking Numbers:

Sometimes instead of using some abstract variables, picking numbers may be more efficient and
can get our brain to start understanding the problem.

If all answers are variables you can pick numbers, if all answers are numbers you can do back
solving.

Three Cases:

i. Best Case: You cannot solve the problem; you must pick numbers (extremes) and make
a conclusion.
ii. The Borderline Case: you can solve them algebraically or by picking numbers.
iii. The Worst Case: you can solve the problem easily. Get the values of X. Also, stating one
of the answers as an exact number tells you that picking numbers may be time
consuming.

Tips:

1. You can try to simplify an equation first and then pick numbers.
2. Avoid fractions.
3. Try to establish a minimum and a maximum.
4. Be aware if you need to pick numbers in every single answer or if by picking numbers you
can chose the correct answers.
5. Sometimes the number we initially choose are not correct and you may need to adjust.
6. If picking numbers with percent, almost always pick 100, but watch out if the numerator is
divisible by 100.
7. With remainders always try to make a list.

GREG Mat (Exercises):

1.

0.32X=A
0.45(0.32X)=W^A

You can pick a number easily (percent) X=100. Then A=32; 0.45(32)/100=12.4%.

2.

You can solve algebraically and quickly get 2h*h/2=h^2. But sometimes it is hard to answer.
Remember in a practice if the answer is multiple choice, there can only be one answer. So if
you start pick numbers, there can only be one answer who re-expresses your result.

H=3 B=6; HB/2=18/2=9

Then start using number 9 in the answers.

3.
For all integers:
You can pick a number and see with of the answers apply. In multiple selection you’d like to
try each of the answers.

4.

You know 4.6<=A<=8.5

 You must test A=4.6 (min) and A=8.5 (max).

5.

The shortest way to solve this is by picking numbers, but you also can realize that if the
maximum average possible is less that 50 then the answer is B. If the minimum is higher than
50, then the answer is A.

First for the max: 20*30+10*60=1200/30=40. This is less than 50 so answer is B.

6.

You can make a table and test numbers, If you test 4 numbers consciously and they all say
the same thing, you select an answer and keep going.

7.

This is a borderline case where you are simply can-do algebraic law of exponents or pick
number. Personally, in this exercise, I feel more comfortable picking numbers.

8.

If you do not pick numbers, you may fall in a trap. You might think they are the same, but if
you pick numbers like 2 or 3 you see that they are different.

B. Back solving
Apply the B-D method. If the answers are in increasing order, you start by testing B and later D.
If it is still not big enough, then you can conclude that the answer is E. Apply the technique in
steps…be aware of this.

1.

Instead of using the B-D method, we can go one step further with back-solving because
these are very specific numbers. Lets say r=10%, then X(t+1)=6,600, so R must be bigger
than 10%. Then we try 14%. Apply the technique in steps, be aware of this.

2.
Yet, sometimes there is no noticeable pattern. In those cases, you might need to back-solve
more than two options. In this case back solving is not efficient, it is easier to just use
algebra and your coordinate geometry knowledge.

3.

Evaluate:
a. 2^2-12+k=0; k=8
b. 16-24+k=0
c. 1-6+k=0 This
4.

Test c R=400, then O=20, O+10=30, 400/30 must be equal to 16.

Test E=800, then O=40, O+10=50, 800/50 =16

5.

6.

Watch our for cheeky tricks. Consider ZONEF.

Remainder
1. Remainder has to be less than divisor.
2. When finding the common n is too hard, you could write a system of equations.

3. The remainder can be subdivided into the sum of the parts. You can add or multiply the
remainder of the parts. If the aggregate remainder is bigger than the divisor, then you
must keep dividing until the r<b.
4. You must break the remainder in the sum and or the product of a big number and use
your knowledge. See which parts are multiples, etc.
5. Whenever you try to divide a number(x) by another number greater(x+1), then the same
number will be the remainder (r=x).
6. Keep dividing them.
Rules of remainder:
In some cases, there are no standard rules and then you find a cycle for the remainder,
First for the units and then for the remainder. But when the numbers are too large, you
must use the binomial method.

a. Remainder of numbers when divided by 2

When we try to find remainder of a number by 2 then we just need to know if the
number is odd or even.
If the number is odd then remainder is 1
If the number is even then the remainder is 0

b. Remainder of numbers when divided by 3

Remainder of a number by 3 is same as the remainder of sum of digits of the number by

3

c. Remainder of numbers when divided by 5

Remainder of a number by 5 is same as the remainder of the unit's digit of the number
by 5

d. Remainder of numbers when divided by 9

Remainder of a number by 9 is same as the remainder of sum of digits of the number by

9

e. Remainder of numbers when divided by 10

Remainder of a number by 10 is same as the unit's digit of the number

Steps!

1. Find A divisible by the divisor

2. Find B as a+b-A
3. The last term of the binomial theorem should be b^n
4. You should find the cycle of the remainder! Not only the cycle of the
unit digits!
5. Its is extremely important, because you have to always check for a
number that is less than the divisor! The remainder always has to be
less than de divisor.