How do I succeed?• 34 questions right out of 60 is a 22.

That is 57%

• Spend time wisely on problems you can handle. FINISH the test!!

• NOT PUNISHED FOR WRONG ANSWERS - GUESS - try eliminating wrong answers or use patterns.

• Test moves from Easy to Hard for the most part.

Concept Questions Points

Pre-Algebra: factors, multiples, proportions, percents, probability

14 8.3

Algebra: exponents, roots, expressions, substitution, linear functions, polynomials, factoring & solving quadratics

10 6.1

Algebra II: quadratics, inequalities, absolute value equations, systems, matrices, radical & rational expressions, complex numbers, and sequences/functions

9 5.4

Coordinate Geo: (x,y), slope, distance, Pythagorean theorem, midpoint

9 5.4

Plane Geo: Properties of shapes like area & volume, angle measurements, and transformations

14 8.3

Trigonometry: two of the four are right triangle based. Memorize 30-60-90 and 45-45-90 relationships

4 2.5

Total 60 36

THERE ARE SOME EASY POINTS!!

TRICK # 1 Underline the question!!

• What is the fifth term of the arithmetic sequence 8,5,2,…A. -4B. -1C. 2D. 5E. 16

23% of our kids got it right. The majorityOf the wrong answers incorrectly chose the next term or 4th term -1

Answer: A. -4

TRICK # 2 - Substitution: PLUG IN the number

• The formula for the volume • of a sphere with a radius r is

If the radius is 1 ⅓, what is the volume?

A. 6

B. 7

C. 10

D. 17

E. 66

Clear memory 2nd + 712

Finding y (V or volume)

1+ ⅓

Ans = C or 10

Substitution

• If f(x) = x3 – x2 –x, what is the value of f(-3)?

A. -39

B. -33

C. -21

D. -18

E. 0

-3

Clear y= functions first

FASTER BY HAND

Trick #3 Backsolve

WHEN to USE:• This is like algebra or finding “x” value.• Substitute the answers to see if it

matches the output value the problem wants

• Usually start with middle number or “C” value

Trick #3 Backsolve – substitute an answer

• The velocity, in meters per second, of an object is given by the equation V = 5/3 t + 0.05, where t is the amount of time that has passed, in seconds. After how many seconds will the object be travelling at 0.575 meters per second?

A.0.28 finding x not yB.0.315C.0.365D.0.525E.0.57

Too High

Try .315

Answer is B

5/3*0.365+.05Use an answer not 0.575…use 0.365

Trick #3 Backsolve – substitute an answer

Of the participants at a conference, 1/3 are doctors; ½ are nurses; and the remaining 12 are trainers. Each participant has only one of those careers. What is the total number of participants at the conference?

A.36

B.48

C.60

D.72

E.76

Doctors = ⅓ (60) = 20

Nurses = ½ (60) = 30

+ trainers = 12

62

Pick 60 and backsolve

Trick #3 Backsolve – substitute an answer

Of the participants at a conference, 1/3 are doctors; ½ are nurses; and the remaining 12 are trainers. Each participant has only one of those careers. What is the total number of participants at the conference?

A.36

B.48

C.60

D.72

E.76

Doctors = ⅓ (72) = 24

Nurses = ½ (72) = 36

+ trainers = 12

72

Pick 72 and backsolve D is Answer

Trick #4 PICKING NUMBERS• When there are variables or

expressions in the answers• When it is about properties of numbers• Pick the easiest numbers to

backsolve…just not 0 or 1 normally.

• 2 and 3 are great choices unless asked for two even numbers or two odd numbers

Trick #4 PICKING NUMBERS-tables

• If m is an integer, then (m-1)2 + 3 must be:

A.An odd integerB.An even integerC.An integer divisible by threeD.A positive integerE.A negative integer

Ans: D

(2-1)2+3

(3-1)2+3

Trick #4 PICKING NUMBERSIf r is an even integer and s is an odd integer, which of the following must be odd?

A. r (r + s)B. s2 – r C. 3r + 2sD. (rs)2E. r/s

Let r be 2

2 (2+3) = 10 even32 – 2 = 7 odd3(2) +2(3) = 12 even(2x3)2 = 36 even2/3 = .667 neither

Let s be 3

B is answer

Trick 5 - USE THE CALCULATOR• Be able to square root and use exponents • Be able to use absolute value in an equation• Trace, Tables & set table, Zoom in/out, Calc Key• Find greatest common factor & least common

multiple• Solve simultaneous equations with app • Find roots by graphing or root finder app

TI-84+ACT = Success!

14

MATH→NUM for absolute value

TI-84+ACT = Success!

6

Graph it: y=x2 – 15 the x axis is y=0

2 X-intercepts show 2 solutions

TI-84+ACT = Success!

13

Graph it – the x intercepts will make factors or roots = 0

X=3 is a zero

X=-.4 is a zero (x-3) will make a zero with 3(5x+2) will make a zero with -.4

Ans=A

TI-84+ACT = Success!

7

Systems of equations: Graph

Systems of equations: Graph

• What is the solution set for 5x-7 = 5(x+2)A. {2}B. {7}C. no solutionD. all positive numbersE. all real numbers

Parallel lines have no solution

TI-84+ACT = Success!

9

2nd CALC Key

FASTER to TRACE

TI-84+ACT = Success!

12

MATH→NUM for gcd or lcm

An APP that would need to be added to the calculators

• APPS:PlySmlt2 • Can be used to find solutions and

roots of polynomials in lieu of graphing

• Can be used to solve systems of equations in standard form

TI-84+ACT = Success!

11

Systems standard form APPS:PlySmlt2

Substitute or Eliminate Faster

TI-84+ACT = Success!

8

Systems APPS:PlySmlt2

Substitute or Eliminate Faster

Trick #6 Guessing is GOOD…BUT

• Don’t randomly choose letters, NEVER randomly choose strangest answer or the never works or none of these (E, K)

• Eliminate weird answers and guess• Look for a pattern and choose most

similar OR STICK WITH YOUR LETTER OF THE DAY B, C or D

A patterned guess is the next bestthing to an educated guess!!!

What would you guess?• F.  2• G.  6• H.14• J.21• K.42

Answers are more like many of the choices to challenge you. So we can eliminate unlike answers. Here 21 is only odd answer. It is not a good guess.I like 2 digit answer that is even and has a 2 in it! Guess K.

Answer is K

A patterned guess is the next bestthing to an educated guess!!!

What would you guess?• A.$  44.44• B.$109.08• C.$118.80• D.$408.04• E.$444.40

Answer has to have a four in it and probably be in the hundreds.

I picked D because it had an 8 in it too (see all the 8s)

Answer is D! Sweet!

REVIEW TOPICS• Slope, parallel slopes, perpendicular slopes, standard

and mx+b• X and Y intercepts• FOIL and Factoring• Vocabulary of roots of a function and solutions of a

function• Percentages• Probability & Combinations (tree diagram)• Angles and intersecting lines and parallel lines• Pythagorean Theorem and distance formula• Area of circles, triangles, rectangles, trapezoids• Open or closed inequalities• Mean and average

REVIEW General Techniques• Underline the question!!!• Based on answers what can I do to get the question

right• Make a table• Use graphing calculator to find X-intercepts or y-

intercepts• Backsolve• Pick numbers• Elimination of possibilities

• By looking at drawing• By type of problem (You might need a π or √ )