15 Key Concepts to Review for ACT Math

22Did you know that the majority of ACT test-takers find the Math Test to be the hardest section on the exam? It’s true: ACT Math can look off-putting at first glance. But it doesnt have to be a struggle. With these 15 key concepts to review for ACT Math, you have your road map to ACT Math success! A few notes: These topics are listed in order of their importance on the ACT Math Test. The topics at the bottom of the list may only show up in a handful of questions, but mastering them can make the difference between a score youre happy with and one you wish you could change. This list is not exhaustive. In other words, it doesnt cover all Math topics that appear on the ACT Math Test. These topics are those that students either find the most difficult, or ‘fall through the cracks’ as students prepare for test day. For a list and resources covering every single topic on the ACT Math test, check out our ACT Math posts! Pre-Algebra (20-25%) 1. Mean, Median, and Mode Ah yes: mean, median, and mode. They’re simple concepts to learn, but you don’t want to get them mixed up on test day. Mean: the average of all the numbers. Median: the middle value of a list of numbers. Mode: the number that appears most in a list. Remember, you can have more than one mode in a set of numbers! 2. Probability If you want the odds to be in your favor, there’s one big rule to remember about probability. To determine probability, divide the number of particular outcomes by the number of total outcomes. Got three red candies in a bag of ten candies? That means you have a 30% chance of pulling a red candy out of the bag. 3. Absolute Value If you see a vertical lines on either side of a number, that’s absolute value. If those lines are around a negative number, treat the number like a positive number as you solve an equation. Elementary Algebra (15-20%) . Solving Triangles Applying your SOHCATOA knowledge to a triangle, it is possible to solve for ‘x’ when ‘x’ is the unknown length of one of the triangle’s sides. To make this even easier process, commit some time to memorizing the Sine, Cosine, and Tangent values for the following angles: 0, 30, 45, 60, and 90. Though this will take some brain power (and possibly a few flashcards), being able to plug in these values to an equation will save you a significant amount of time on the Math ACT Test. And if you’re shooting for a perfect 36 on the ACT, this is something you cannot afford to miss. 15. Trigonometric Graphs Okay, to correctly answer the 1-2 questions concerning trigonometric graphs, you need to memorize the three graphs that represent the following equations. Y = sin x Y = cos x Y = tan x The three basic trigonometry graphs you cant afford to miss! Graph by Geek3. Now, if you know what these graphs look like in their simplest forms, it becomes a lot easier to match an equation to graph, even if the equation represents a graph where the amplitude or period has been stretched. As you go through examples, you will discover that matching a graph to the right equation (or vice versa) becomes surprisingly easy. Final Thoughts Well, Magooshers, I hope this article has helped you refresh some crucial Math topics. I certainly had a few flashbacks to high school Math classes while writing it. No matter which Math topics stump you, focus on your weaknesses as you prepare for test day. Apply your newly-honed skills to practice problems before sitting down to a full-length practice test. If you do that, you are on your way to ACT Math Test success!