<p>The hard questions on the math section always mess me up. And whats even more frustrating about it is that I don't make the mistakes because I don't know the math...I make the mistakes cause the test writers up at the Collegeboard are freakin jerkfaces and make the problems tricky...and tricky problems under stressed timed conditions is just a definite no-no. </p>
<p>For example, take a look at pg. 870 #13 Section 8 Math in the BB</p>
<p>The rate for a telephone call between City A and City B is 50 cents for the first minute and 30 cents for each additional minute or portion thereof. Which of the following functions describes the cost, in dollars, of a phone call between these two cities that lasts for n minutes, if n is a postive integer?</p>
<p>A. f(n)= 0.80n
B. f(n) = 0.50 + 0.30n
C. " " = 0.50+ 0.30(n+1)
D. " " = 0.50 + 0.30(n-1)
E. " " = 0.50n + 0.30(n-1)</p>
<p>Ok so obviously the math involved isn't very complicated (I'm in calculus right now so sorry if I'm sounding kinda arrogant with the math concepts and all) so right away u can eliminate A and E since they are obviously wrong. However, you would be tempted to choose B since the first 50cents is a constant while the other 30cents is charged per minute. Seems logical right? Well the "other word for female dog" known as collegeboard purposely tries to mess u up by making n the number of minutes EXCLUDING the first minute (the first 50cents) so the answer ends up being D since you have to subract a minute since that was already accounted for by the first 0.50. </p>
<p>So the problem and the answer make sense...but seriously how the HECK do u notice that kind of fine print detail whenver you're pressed for time on a test like the SAT? And normally you don't have time to go back to check your mistakes either so it's usually a figure it out and get it right the first time around kind of deal when it comes to math questions on the SAT. </p>
<p>Now that my rant is done, bottom line is this: How do you answer the questions on the SAT math section, given the time restraints, stress, and all those other factors, and still notice the tiny little details like in the problem above?</p>
<p>It’s common sense that all Hard questions are two step. You will find an answer, sure. But it’s not the answer. You need to go back to the question and check again. And then you find the second answer.</p>
<p>Never think the Hard are Easy. They’re not. Recheck. :)</p>
<p>When given multiple variables, or problems like these, the easiest thing to do is just plug in. Give n a value, anything. Lets say you say n = 10. Okay what will the price be? Well the first minute is 50 cents. So now we are left with 9 more minutes at a rate of 30 cents, which equals 2.70… add the 50 cents back and you get 3.20. A 10 minute call is 3.20. Now go back to the question and check each answer choice by plugging 10 in for n. For choice D, you get f(n) to equal 3.2. There’s your answer.</p>
<p>Those are great ways to approach this kind of question. Thanks.</p>
<p>But in general, more broad perspective, how do u guys see and pick out the little tricks that collegeboard has planted in their math questions. Monoclide, I like what ur trying to say but can u elaborate just a little more on that point?</p>
<p>Collegeboard does have a lot of tricks thrown into their math problems.</p>
<p>But CB isn’t that imaginative. It’s the same handful of tricks over and over again.</p>
<p>The same “trick” used in the example you posted is also used in #18 page 463. It’s probably used elsewhere too, but that was the only question that I remembered off the top of my head.</p>
<p>While reading the problem you posted, I had already been expecting the trick and knew how to deal with it because I’ve seen it before.</p>
<p>I guess thats the value of lots of practice/taking the SAT multiple times. If you get familiar with the questions and the small things they try to trip you up on, then you’re less likely to fall for them.</p>
<p>the important thing in the example is part that reads “each additional minute.” there are many tricks in the math section, but the key is take notice of every word that they are using and what it translates to in terms of your equation/whatever math technique. if you don’t, you will be trapped in various questions like this one that have answers that look right but are not.</p>
<p>Just going through the problem, any normal person would think: .50+30n. But when you look at the other answers, you also notice they are set up weirdly. So, then you go back into the problem and think about it:</p>
<p>What is n? The minutes. Why are they doing n-1? Something to do with not counting one minute. What does it say about “one” minute in the question? It doesn’t talk specifically about any minute aside from the first one. So, you realize that you need to subtract one from n because there is a .20 surcharge on that minute. </p>
<p>And, of course, you can plug in numbers. That always works. </p>
<p>Oh, and getting an answer correct is the same as proving 4/5 of the possible answers wrong.</p>
<p>Just as a general tip -I scanned your problem but am a little too lazy to go thru and actually do it atm XD But I think one of the best strategies was working backwards from the answers. Theres always one or two that are easily struck (the answers are too big/too small to make sense). With the rest see if you can plug them back into the equation.
That said, one of the most important things to do is pace yourself well on math. Lots of people end up running out of time so if you cant do the problem, star it and move on.</p>
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