Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data
What the questions test
The math section is mostly practical: fractions, decimals, and percents; ratios and proportions; order of operations; signed numbers and exponents; solving linear equations and inequalities; geometry (perimeter, area, volume, angles, the Pythagorean relationship); coordinate geometry (slope, intercepts); and data and probability (mean, median, mode, range, simple probability, reading tables and graphs).
Traps to watch for
- Percent language. "15% of 80" is multiplication (12). "What percent of 80 is 12?" is division (15%). "Increased by 20%" means multiply by 1.20, not add 20.
- Order of operations. Parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division left to right, then addition/subtraction left to right.
- Negative signs. Subtracting a negative adds; squaring a negative gives a positive.
- Units. Convert before comparing; keep track of hours versus minutes.
- Answering the wrong question. Some items ask for the perimeter after giving area information.
Rule of thumb
Write the equation before computing, and check by substituting your answer back in. If the answer is a distance or a count, ask whether a negative or fractional result makes sense.
Worked example
Solve 3(x − 4) = 18. Distribute: 3x − 12 = 18. Add 12 to both sides: 3x = 30. Divide by 3: x = 10. Check: 3(10 − 4) = 3(6) = 18. ✓