Math Rules Flashcards
If starting fraction is <1, adding same # to top and bottom does what to the fraction?
Increases
If starting fraction is >1, adding same # to top and bottom does what to the fraction?
Decreases
a5 * a3
6(6x)
a5 * a3 = a8
6(6x) = 61 * 6x = 61+x
a5/a3
a5/a3 = a2
Divide terms with the same base, subtract exponents
a0
00
a0 = 1
00 = undefined
Anything to the power of 0 = 1, except 0
(a2)4
x-3(x2)4 / x5
(a2)4 = a8
x-3(x2)4 / x5 = x8 / x5x3 = x8 / x8 = 1
Apply two exponents: multiply the exponents
(ab)3
(2-2y2)-3
(ab)3 = a3b3
(2-2y2)-3 = 26/y6 = 64/y6
Applying exponent to a product: apply exponent to each factor
a2/3
a2/3 = 3√a2
If you raise a number to a fractional power, apply two exponents: the numerator as a power, and the denominator as a fractional root
135 + 133
x5+x3
135 + 133 = 133132 + 133 = 133 (132 + 1)
x5+x3 = x3x2+x3 = x3(x2 + 1)
Add or subtract terms with the same base: pull out a common factor
√2
√3
√2 = 1.4
√3 = 1.7
Square root of a number between 0 and 1 is greater or less than the original number?
√0.5
√2/3
Greater than!
√0.5 > 0.5 –> approx. 0.7
√2/3 > 2/3 –> approx. 0.8
√8 * √2
√27/√3
√15 * √12 / √5
√8 * √2 = √8*2 = √16 = 4
√27/√3 = √27/3 = √9 = 3
√15 * √12 / √5 = √(15 * 12)/ 5 = √(3 * 12) = 6
Multiplying square roots: put everything under the root
√32+42
√310+311
√32+42 = √9+16 = √25 = 5
CANNOT BREAK INTO √32+√42, MUST FOLLOW PEMDAS
√310+311 = √310(1+3) = √310 *√4 = (310)1/2 * 2 = 35 * 2
CANNOT COMBINE FURTHER
Percent Change
x2 - x1 / x1
x2 = final value
x1 = initial value
F - O / O
How to multiply decimals
- 02 * 1.4
- 0003 * 40,000
Multiply as if whole #s and count digits to the right of the decimal:
0.02 * 1.4
- Digits to the right of decimal: 3
- 2 * 14 = 28
- Move decimal three digital to the left: 0.028
Move the same # of places left and right and multiply whole numbers:
0.0003 * 40,000
- Move 0.0003 to the right four places (3)
- Move 40,000 to the left four places (4)
- 3*4 = 12
How to divide decimals
0.0045/0.09
Shift decimal same # in numerator and denominator to make whole number:
0.0045/0.09 = 45/900 (and divide from there)
When should I test cases?
Data sufficiency “theory” problem
Problem solving with a must be or could be question
When should I use smart numbers?
Problem solving with variables, fractions or percents
Ratios
When should I work backwards?
Problem-solving with real values in the answers, answer choices represent a single variable in the problem.
(x+y)2
(x+y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y2
(x-y)2
(x-y)2 = x2 - 2xy + y2
(x+y)(x-y)
(x+y)(x-y) = x2-y2
1 +