Standardized tests are an inescapable part of the college application process. The ACT is a test taken by many applicants. This article is a 'laundry list' of the Math you should prepare specifically for the ACT.
You need to be prepared for each of these topics.
· Basic math word problems – you must be able to see how word problems translate to math expressesions
· Math Operations – Common operations
o Converting fractions to decimals to percents and back
o Simplifying radicals
· Math Concepts –more advanced concepts:
o Order of operations
o Path – Very often the hard problems involve a series of operations– finding that path is a skill worth refining in your preparation
o Inclusive and exclusive counting
o Absolute value
o Simple probability
o Combinatorics – This is the formal name for a fairly common kind of problem: For example: Max must choose three workers for his team. There are 8 workers. How many different teams can he create? These can be time consuming or quick and easy depending on your preparation for them.
· Algebra accounts for 70% of the test. Here are specific skills:
o Linear equations are very often presented in word problems.
o Systems of equations – These turn up frequently on the SAT, sometimes with three equations in the system.
o Averages – Problems involving these are sometimes quite simple, but be ready for problems that give the average of some numbers and expect you to solve 'backwards' for an individual number in the list.
o Factoring – This skill is essential to the harder SAT math questions. Prime factorization is also needed, both alone and as part of factoring polynomials.
o Rate and Distance Problems
o Basic Matrices – simple examples that require matrix manipulatkions
· Geometry topics: Questions involving geometry are both some of the simplest and some of the hardest ones. Unlike the SAT NO formulae are provided.
o Triangles are the most important figures to know.
o Pythagorean Theorem
o Similar triangles
o Plane figures – You will need to be able to find the perimeters and areas of plane figures.
o Solid figures – Surface area, lengths of edges and volume are called for. Again, they GIVE many formulae.
o Angle relationships
o Coordinate Algebra and Graphs
· Trigonometry is not more than 5-7% of the ACT Math and each of these topics is at the level one would expect in a combines Algebra II/Trigonometry course.
o trigonometric relations in right triangles
o values and properties of trigonometric functions
o graphing trigonometric functions
o trigonometric identities
If you have good understanding of these topics and practice them in your preparation you will be able to give a good showing on the mathematics portion of the ACT. If you struggle, by all means work with a tutor or take a preparation course. Remember that the ACT is a very important part of your college application packet.
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