math ultimatiums!!

can you always add the two equations in a systems

no--only if they are both written as full equations, (left=right) and adding the left side gives you EXACTLY what you're solving for ( like x+y)

what must be true if you want to keep an equation balanced?

whatever you do to one side you MUST do to the other

what are the 4 major algebra topics on the SAT?

systems of equations, linear word problems, quadratics and expressions with variables

can you combine x and y together in 3x + 2y?

nope, you can only combine like terms (x and x, y and y, constants)

what are ways to isolate a variable?

inverse operations: undo + with -, * with /, etc.

what’s true about ALL linear equations?

all variables have exponents of 1. no x², no sqr. rts. or anything fancy

does x always have to come before y in an equation?

doesn’t HAVE to, but in the SAT it usually does, but the math still works even if the order changes.

if x=4, and y=4, what else must be true?

x = y (this is called the transitive property)

When can you sub a # in for a variable?

as soon as you know its value

GOLDEN rule for dealing with equations?

equations are relationships, not operations; what happens to one side must happen to another, to keep things balanced and equal.

why are linear word problems worth mastering on the SAT?

they are 25-30% of the math section, and GREAT for boosting scores

absolute value

how far away a number is from 0, no matter the sign

integer

a whole number, no decimals. (eg -5 and 0 also count!!)