Introduction to the ACT MATH

Content Covered by the ACT Mathematics Test3 sub-scores are based on 6 areas: pre-algebra, elementary algebra,

intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry.

60 Questions60 Minutes

If you correctly answer the first 40 and simply guess on the last 20 questions, your score is roughly a 25.

Your PLAN score will give you an idea of your predicted score.

Out of a 32… it will give you your score and percentage correct in

both Algebra and Geometry

We review this with you during your first Junior Meeting.

Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra (20-25%) Basic operations:

whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers; place value; square roots and

approximations; exponents; scientific notation; factors; ratio, proportion, and percent; linear equations in one variable; absolute value and

ordering numbers by value; elementary counting techniques and simple probability;

data collection, representation, and interpretation; and understanding simple

descriptive statistics.

Elementary Algebra (15-20%) Questions are based on properties of exponents and square roots, evaluation of algebraic expressions through substitution, using variables to express functional relationships, understanding algebraic

operations, and the solution of quadratic equations by factoring.

Intermediate Algebra (15-20%) Questions are based on an

understanding of the quadratic formula, rational and radical

expressions, absolute value equations and inequalities, sequences and patterns, systems of equations,

quadratic inequalities, functions, modeling, matrices, roots of

polynomials, and complex numbers.

Plane Geometry (20-25%) Questions are based on the properties

and relations of plane figures, including angles and relations among

perpendicular and parallel lines; properties of circles, triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, and

trapezoids; transformations; the concept of proof and proof techniques; volume; and applications of geometry to three

dimensions.

Coordinate Geometry (15-20%)Questions in this content area are

based on graphing and the relations between equations and graphs,

including points, lines, polynomials, circles, and other curves; graphing

inequalities; slope; parallel and perpendicular lines; distance;

midpoints; and conics.

Trigonometry (5-10%) Questions are based on

understanding trigonometric relations in right triangles; values and properties of trigonometric functions;

graphing trigonometric functions; modeling using trigonometric

functions; use of trigonometric identities; and solving trigonometric

equations.

Example:

What fraction of 2 ⅓ is 1 ⅙?

(What if it said… what fraction of 4 is 2? What would you do?)

LET’S TRY USING THE CALCULATOR!ALPHA F1ARROW DOWN TO #2, PRESS ENTERIN THE FIRST BOX, PUT 1ARROW OVER TO THE FRACTIONIN THE NUMERATOR PUT 1, THEN ARROW DOWNIN THE DENOMINATOR PUT 6PRESS ENTER WHICH GIVES YOU 7/6NOW PRESS DIVIDEANS/BLINKING CURSORALPHA F1ARROW DOWN TO #2, PRESS ENTERIN THE FIRST BOX, PUT 2ARROW OVER TO THE FRACTIONIN THE NUMERATOR PUT 1, THEN ARROW DOWNIN THE DENOMINATOR PUT 3ENTER

CLICK ON THEARROW NEXT TO REPORTS

LESSONS

TESTS

HASKELL STRATEGIESTip #1: Make sure you answer what

the question is asking! ________________________________

Example: 5x + 40 ÷ 2x =Solve for the measure of the smaller angle(Reminder: Are you looking for x or 2x?):

a. 10b. 20c. 30d. 40

Tip #2: Make sure you are using common sense – that your answer

MAKES SENSE_______________________________

Example:Pair of skiis normally costs $800. They

are on sale for 30% off. What is the new price?

The new price is 70% of the original..7 x 800

Tip #3: Pictures are almost always drawn to scale. Make sure that your figure also MAKES SENSE VISUALLY!_______________________________

Example:

The angle < is NOT 90 degrees

Tip #4: Learn to recognize your danger zones… where do you normally make careless mistakes? If you can recognize where you tend to mess up, you can put the brakes on and slow down on that problem.

__________________________________Example: Solve for x: -8 (x-5)

The careless mistake is to forget the negative when distributing to the -5

Tip #5:Balance SPEED with ACCURACY

When you are running out of time, skim the later problems to see if any of them are easier for

you to answer

Tip #6: Temptation on the tough problems is to waste time trying to figure it out.

First – Ask Yourself: Is this as tough as they are making it look? Give it a few seconds.

Tip #7: This strategy ONLY works if you have a question with a lot of text AND have a geometric diagram…

save yourself some time and headache by just reading the last sentence (80% of the time you don’t need the information in the word problem).

Before you guess, try these techniques:

1) Plug in Answers (pg. 420, #9)

2) Use your own numbers3) Graph It (on your calculator)

For the MEDIUM problems, stop and THINK. Really use your head. Figure out what

math to do. (select the proper tool)

(x+a) (x+b) = 0x² + ab + bx + ab = 0 NO

On every section EXCEPT Math, force your timing to stay on PACE:

English = 9 min/passageReading = 9 min/passage

Science = 5 min/passage* (Hypothesis is 7 questions, typically you need more time)

Writing = 5 min to plan5 min per paragraph

This is a DAMAGE CONTROL

Final Tip:

Keep things in perspective. Do your best but know that your score is not going to make or break your

future.