Tactics

Question 1

Draw a diagram

Answer 1

Draw a diagram

Question 2

Trust diagrams that are drawn to scale, redraw diagrams that are not drawn to scale

Answer 2

Trust diagrams that are drawn to scale, redraw diagrams that are not drawn to scale

Question 3

when necessary, change a diagram and then trust your figure

Answer 3

when necessary, change a diagram and then trust your figure

Question 4

Add a line to a diagram

Answer 4

Add a line to a diagram

Question 5

Subtract to find shaded region

Answer 5

Subtract to find shaded region

Question 6

Don’t do more than you have to

Answer 6

Don’t do more than you have to

Question 7

Pay attention to units

Answer 7

Pay attention to units

Question 8

Systematically make lists

Answer 8

Systematically make lists

Question 9

Test the choices, starting with C

Answer 9

Test the choices, starting with C

Question 10

Replace variables with numbers

Answer 10

Replace variables with numbers including fractions and negatives

Question 11

Choose an appropriate number (fractions: LCD; percents: 100)

Answer 11

Choose an appropriate number

Question 12

Add equations

Answer 12

Add equations

Question 13

Eliminate absurd choices and guess

Answer 13

Eliminate absurd choices and guess

Question 14

Comparisons - All the time, no matter what

Answer 14

Comparisons - All the time, no matter what

Question 15

replace variables with numbers -1, 0, 1, 1/2

Answer 15

Best numbers to use first are 1, 0, and -1
fractions between 0 and 1 can be helpful
large numbers such as 10 or 100 can be used
if there is more than one variable, you can replace each with the same number
don’t impose any conditions not specifically stated (don’t forget decimals)

Question 16

Choose an appropriate number

Answer 16

Choose an appropriate number

Question 17

Make the problem easier: do the same thing to each quantity

Answer 17

1/3 + 1/4 + 1/9 1/9 + 1/3 + 1/5
square each quantity

Question 18

Ask Could they be Equal? and Must they be Equal?

Answer 18

Could they be equal? - yes - then eliminate A and B

then ask Must they be equal? - yes - then C is correct; no - then D is correct

Question 19

Don’t calculate, compare

Answer 19

A: The number of years from 1492 to 1929
B: The number of years from 1429 to 1992

Question 20

Data Interpretation Rules

Answer 20

• First Read the Titles
• Don’t confuse percents and numbers
• Whenever possible, estimate
• Do each calculation separately
• use only the information given
• Always use the proper units
• Be sure that your answer is reasonable
• Try to visualize the answer