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COLLEGE BOARD DIGITAL SAT
MATH
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
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COLLEGE BOARD DIGITAL SAT MATH
1. Fundamentals 1.6. Multiplying Binomials
Use the FOIL ( First, Outer, Inner, Last ) Method.
1.1. PEMDAS Rule Let’s Apply this method: (x + 3)(x + 5) =
When solving an equation, you have to perform several (x × x) + (x × 5) + (3 × x) + (3 × 5)
different operations. These operations must be performed F IRST OU TER INNER LAST
in the proper order.
Initials Full Form = x2 + 5x + 3x + 15
P Parentheses = x2 + 8x + 15
E Exponents
M Multiplication 1.7. Combine Like Terms First
D Division
A Addition Combine all like terms when manipulating extended,
S Subtraction complicated algebraic expressions before doing anything
else.
The Order of Operation: Let’s Apply the Rule: (x2 + 3x + 8) − (5x − 3) +
P ⟹ E ⟹ M ⟹ D ⟹ A ⟹ S (3x2 + 6x − 9)
= x2 + 3x + 8 − 5x + 3 + 3x2 + 6x − 9
1.2. The Distributive Law = (x2 + 3x2 ) + (3x − 5x + 6x) + (8 + 3 − 9)
F actored F orm ⟹ a(b + c) = 4x2 + 4x + 2
Distributed F orm ⟹ (ab + bc) 1.8. Exponents
1.3. A Little Terminology x × x × x × x × x = x5
In the example, x is called the Base, and 5 is called the
Term:
Exponent.
An equation can be compared to a sentence, and a term Exponent denotes the number of times the Base will be
can be considered similar to a word in that sentence. used as a factor.
A term can be a single number, a variable, or a number
multiplied by a variable. Multiplying numbers with Exponents
To multiply two numbers with the same Base, add the
Expression:
exponents.
An equation can be compared to a complete sentence, xy × xz = x(y+z)
while an expression is more like a phrase or a clause.
An expression is made up of terms and mathematical
Dividing numbers with Exponents
operations, and it does not include an equal or inequality
sign. To divide two numbers with the same Base, subtract the
exponents.
Polynomial:
xy
A polynomial is a mathematical expression that consists = x(y−z)
xz
of two or more algebraic terms.
A binomial is a specific polynomial containing precisely Raising a Power to Power
two terms, while a trinomial contains exactly three.
To raise a power to a power, multiply the exponents.
1.4. The Golden Rule (xy )z = x(y×z)
In an equation, any operation performed on one side of the IMPORTANT:
equation must also be performed on the other side in order
to maintain equality. A negative number raised to an even power becomes
positive.
1.5. Simplifying Expressions A negative number raised to an odd power remains
negative.
If a question contains an expression that can be x−n = x1n
factored, you will likely need to factor it in to solve the
question. 1.9. Square Roots
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COLLEGE BOARD DIGITAL SAT MATH
Important Rules:
3. Solving System Of
x×
x
y
=
y=
x
y
xy
Equations
x = P ositive Root only
3.1. The Meaning
y y
x =z x
z
Specific SAT questions in the math section may involve
1.10. Some Important Points multiple equations with two or more variables.
These questions may require solving for the value of an
Polynomial Remainder Theorem expression or one of the variables.
p(x) Despite the additional variables, these questions are
Where, remainder, r = p(a) similar to those involving just one variable.
(x − a)
Reciprocal of x is x1
3.2. No. of Solutions
Twice as (many/much) A as B → A = 2B
Round the answer to two decimal places → Example: When dealing with a system of equations, you may
5.33/2.45/34.76 encounter questions about the number of solutions.
A solution refers to the point of intersection when the
system is graphed.
2. Solving Equations Utilizing a graphing calculator can help determine the
solution.
Familiarity with the rules - when two linear equations
2.1. Radical Equations have zero, one, or infinitely many solutions, applying
some algebra will help you solve the question.
Radical equations contain a radical sign ( )
When solving these equations, the first step is to The Rules:
eliminate the radical by raising both sides of the
equation to the power corresponding to the radical Two linear equations have no solution if they have the
index. same coefficient on the variable but different constants,
which results in parallel lines that never intersect.
2.2. Rational Equations If a single (x, y) point is a solution to both equations, then
the system of equations has precisely one solution. This
Most of the time, algebraic manipulation can solve this occurs when the two lines intersect once.
kind of equation. If the two linear equations have the same coefficient on
Algebraic manipulation is rearranging and simplifying the variable and the same constants, they have infinitely
algebraic expressions while preserving their underlying many solutions. In this case, the equations represent the
value. same line.
It's like playing with numbers and letters to make them
look different but still mean the same thing.
4. Solving Inequalities
2.3. Extraneous Solutions
4.1. The Meaning
When solving an equation containing rational or radical
expressions, verifying that the obtained solutions are In an equation, both sides are equal, while in an
valid is essential. inequality, one side is not equal to the other.
A solution is considered extraneous or extra if it does not
satisfy the original equation. 4.2. Symbols used
2.4. Solving for Expressions Symbol Meaning
> Greater Than
When tackling algebra questions on the digital SAT, there < Less Than
might be a question about determining an expression's ≥ Greater than or Equal to
value rather than a specific variable's value. ≤ Less than or equal to
In many cases, you can calculate the value of the
expression directly without assessing the value of the
individual variable.
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COLLEGE BOARD DIGITAL SAT MATH
Sum of the roots = − ab
4.3. Process of Solving Product of the roots = ac
When solving inequalities, the process is quite similar to
solving equations. 5.6. Use of Discriminant
You can gather like terms.
You can simplify by doing the same operation on both We can determine the number of roots of a quadratic by
sides. calculating the value of the Discriminant.
In the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0, the Discriminant is
Important to Remember: b2 + 4ac
If you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a If the value of the Discriminant is positive, the quadratic
negative number, the direction of the inequality sign has two real solutions.
changes. If the value of the Discriminant is equal to Zero, the
quadratic has one real solution.
5. Solving Quadratic If the value of the Discriminant is negative, the quadratic
has no real solutions.
Equations 5.7. An Important Point
5.1. Factoring Quadratics In an equation, the highest power determines the
number of roots/solutions the equation has.
When factoring an equation, use this rule:
Example: y = x³ + 2x + 5 will have three roots for x
Let’s say the Equation is x2 + bx + c
Find two numbers that add up to the middle term (b) and However, if more than one equation is present in the
multiply to give the last term (c). question, all equations must be simplified and merged to
find the number of roots.
5.2. Important Equations / Formulas Example: y = x³ + 4 & y(x − 4) = x² The number of
solutions for x will be: 4 (Not 3 or 2)
Whenever there is a quadratic with two variables, it is [ The final equation after merging and simplifying x⁴ −
frequently one of these: 4x³ − x² + 4x − 16 = 0 ]
(x + y)(x − y) = x2 − y 2
(x + y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y 2
(x − y)2 = x2 − 2xy + y 2 6. Some Special Things
5.3. Solving Quadratics set to Zero 6.1. Growth & Decay
Before you can factor most quadratic equations, setting When the growth or decay rate is a percent of the total
the equation equal to zero is essential. population:
Because doing so, for example, xy = 0, at least one of
them must equal Zero, help you solve the equation by f inal amount = original amount(1 ± rate)n
narrowing down the process. where, n = number of changes
When the growth or decay rate is a multiple of the total
5.4. The Quadratic Formula population:
For a quadratic equation in the form y = ax2 + bx + c f inal amount = original amount(multiplier)n
The Quadratic formula is where, n = number of changes
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x= 6.2. Absolute value
2a
5.5. Problems with the Root
To solve the sum or the product of the roots of a quadratic
equation, use these two small formulas to solve quickly:
When The equation is ax2 + bx + c = 0
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COLLEGE BOARD DIGITAL SAT MATH
The absolute value of a number is a measure of the
distance between that number and 0 on the number
line.
Because distances are always positive, the absolute value
of a number is also always positive.
The absolute value of a number is denoted by |x|.
An absolute equal to a negative value will have no
solution. Example:
∣ − 2x + 6∣ = −4
will have zero solution f or x
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College Board Digital SAT
Math
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