DSST Math for Liberal Arts study plan

Distinguish equations from expressions and evaluate both by substitution without a calculator.

Solve single-variable linear equations, including those with fractions and parentheses, and check each answer by substitution.

Graph lines from slope-intercept and standard form on graph paper, labeling intercepts and slope.

Translate two real-life word problems per day into linear equations and solve them.

Solve systems of two linear equations by substitution and by elimination, then verify the solution point on a graph.

Interpret slope and intercepts in context (cost, distance, rate) and state their units.

Solve and graph one-variable linear inequalities, remembering to flip the sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative.

Graph two-variable inequalities and shade feasible regions for systems of inequalities.

Set up and solve a two-constraint optimization-style word problem and explain the feasible region in words.

Identify domain and range from a graph and decide whether a relation is a function.

Apply the product, quotient, power, zero, and negative exponent rules to simplify 30 expressions.

Convert between radical and rational-exponent form and evaluate simple roots exactly.

Convert numbers between scientific notation and standard form, including very small values.

Classify numbers as natural, integer, rational, irrational, or real and justify each classification.

Compute absolute value and order of operations problems involving nested grouping and negatives.

Rewrite exponential equations as logarithmic equations and back, using base e and base 10.

Evaluate logs using the change-of-base formula and estimate values without a calculator.

Solve exponential growth and decay problems, including half-life, by isolating the exponential term.

Compute simple and compound interest, including continuous compounding, and identify the effect of compounding frequency.

Solve for time or rate in a compound-interest problem using logarithms.

Convert within the metric system (length, mass, volume) using powers of ten, showing unit-cancellation work.

Convert between metric and US customary units for length, weight, and temperature using given conversion factors.

Compute perimeter, area, and volume of rectangles, triangles, circles, cylinders, and spheres, keeping units consistent.

Apply the Pythagorean theorem and similar-triangle ratios to find missing lengths.

Solve multi-step real-world measurement problems involving mixed units and rounding.

Use set notation (roster and set-builder) and find unions, intersections, complements, and subsets of given sets.

Draw and interpret two-set and three-set Venn diagrams, including problems with 'neither' categories.

Translate English statements into symbolic logic using and, or, not, conditional, and biconditional.

Build truth tables for compound statements and identify tautologies and contradictions.

Test validity of short arguments using truth tables or by identifying common fallacies (converse, inverse).

Apply the fundamental counting principle, permutations, and combinations, and decide which applies in a given scenario.

Compute permutations and combinations with and without repetition using factorial notation.

Distinguish experimental from theoretical probability and compute each from a described experiment.

Apply the addition rule and multiplication rule for independent and dependent events.

Compute conditional probability and use it to check whether two events are independent.

Compute mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation for small data sets by hand.

Interpret a normal distribution using the empirical rule and estimate percentages within 1, 2, and 3 standard deviations.

Read and construct frequency tables, histograms, and box plots from given data.

Identify misleading statistics in short passages and explain the flaw.

Take a timed 60-minute mixed practice test covering all eight domains and review every missed item.