Act math prep

1. Main focus

1. Main focus

To understand experimental setups, results, and conclusions.

2. First step

Skim the passage instead of reading it fully.

3. Underlining focus

Numbers, formulas, and italicized words.

4. Passage priority

Tables and figures.

5. Design purpose

Understanding and interpretation of graphs, charts, and tables.

6. Approach

Skim quickly and focus on visuals like graphs and charts.

7. Similarity with Research Summaries

Both require underlining key elements and quickly referencing visuals.

8. Unclear visuals

Look for patterns, labels, and titles for clarification.

9. Key difference in approach

Must read the entire passage instead of skimming.

10. Underlining focus

Italicized text, numbers, and formulas.

11. Summarizing viewpoints

Condense the main theory into 2-3 words.

12. Focus while reading

Differences and contradictions between the theories.

13. First step in solving

Identify the type of problem (e.g., algebra, geometry).

14. Approach to formulas

Write down the formula and substitute values systematically.

15. Simplifying calculations

Cancel out common factors when possible.

16. Estimating answers

Quickly eliminate improbable options.

17. Triangles

The sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side.

18. Rectangle area

Length × Width.

19. Circumference of a circle

2πr, where r is the radius.

20. Pythagorean theorem

Finding the length of a side in a right triangle (a² + b² = c²).

21. Effective skimming

Focus on headings, keywords, and visuals.

22. Importance of underlining

Helps quickly locate critical information.

23. Multiple-choice strategy

Eliminate obviously incorrect answers first.

24. Stuck on a question

Move on and return to it later to save time.

25. Key steps

Observation, hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion.

26. Control groups

Provide a baseline for comparison.

27. Independent variable

The variable that is deliberately changed.

28. Dependent variable

The variable being measured or observed.

29. X-axis representation

The independent variable.

30. Y-axis representation

The dependent variable.

31. Table focus

Titles, labels, and patterns.

32. Identifying trends

Look for consistent increases, decreases, or plateaus.

33. Speed

Speed = Distance ÷ Time.

34. Slope of a line

y = mx + b, where m is slope and b is y-intercept.

35. Density

Density = Mass ÷ Volume.

36. Acceleration

Acceleration = Δv ÷ t, where Δv is change in velocity and t is time.

37. Area of a triangle

½ × base × height.

38. Volume of a cylinder

πr²h, where r is radius and h is height.

39. Diagonal of a rectangle

Use Pythagorean theorem (a² + b² = c²).

40. Interior angles of a polygon

(n-2) × 180°, where n is the number of sides.

41. Distributive property

a(b + c) = ab + ac.

42. Solving a linear equation

Isolate the variable on one side using inverse operations.

43. Quadratic formula

x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a.

44. No solution indication

Variables cancel, leaving a false statement (e.g., 0 = 1).

45. Sine function

sin(θ) = opposite/hypotenuse.

46. Cosine function

cos(θ) = adjacent/hypotenuse.

47. Tangent function

tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent.

48. Pythagorean identity

sin²(θ) + cos²(θ) = 1.

49. Analyzing scientific tables

Identify headings and units of measurement.

50. Interpreting experimental results

Look for cause-effect relationships and trends.

51. Disproved hypothesis

Consider revising or testing alternative explanations.

52. Importance of repeat trials

Increase reliability and reduce anomalies.

53. Newton’s First Law of Motion

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.

54. Formula for force

Force = mass × acceleration.

55. Kinetic energy

KE = ½mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

56. Potential energy

PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is gravity, and h is height.

57. Atomic number

The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus.

58. Covalent bond

A bond formed by sharing electrons between atoms.

59. pH scale

Measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

60. Formula for molarity

Molarity = moles of solute ÷ liters of solution.

61. Steep slope indication

A rapid change in the dependent variable.

62. Identifying an outlier

Look for a point that significantly deviates from others.

63. Histogram use

Displays frequency distribution of data.

64. Scatterplot utility

Shows relationships or correlations between two variables.

65. Probability calculation

Probability = favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes.

66. Mean of a data set

Sum of values ÷ number of values.

67. Median of a data set

Middle value when data is arranged in order.

68. Standard deviation

A measure of spread around the mean.

73. Function definition

A relation where each input has exactly one output.

74. Slope-intercept form

y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

75. Parallel lines

Same slope, different y-intercepts.

76. Standard form of a quadratic equation

ax² + bx + c = 0.

77. Surface area of a sphere

4πr², where r is the radius.

78. Volume of a cone

⅓πr²h, where r is radius and h is height.

79. Sum of exterior angles

360°, regardless of the number of sides.

80. Area of a trapezoid

½(a + b)h, where an and b are bases, and h is height.

81. Ohm’s Law

V = IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance.

82. Law of conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

83. Formula for work

Work = force × distance × cos(θ).

84. Power definition

Power = work ÷ time.

85. Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

86. Ion

An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

87. Periodic law

Elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, showing periodic trends.

88. Valence electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell that determine chemical behavior.

89. Hypothesis

A testable prediction about the outcome of an experiment.

90. Qualitative vs. Quantitative data

Qualitative data describes qualities; quantitative data involves numbers.

91. Role of replication

Ensures consistent and reliable results.

92. Peer review

Evaluation of work by others in the same field for accuracy and validity.

93. Cause of seasons

Earth’s axial tilt as it orbits the Sun.

94. Tectonic plates

Large lithospheric plates that move and interact.

95. Water cycle

Continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth’s surface.

96. Main rock types

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

97. Confidence interval

Likely range to contain the population parameter.

98. Z-score

Number of standard deviations a data point is from the mean.

99. Correlation

Measure of relationship between two variables, ranging from -1 to 1.

100. Null hypothesis

Assumption that there is no effect or difference.