<p>What formulas did you guys use the most for math? Did you use a variety or just stick to a few and try to apply everything to them? Which ones were the most helpful? Were classes in high school enough as far as prepping or did you tailor those hs formulas to the SAT/ACT?</p>
<p>You don't need very many formulas for SAT math. CB specifically designs the test to try to test mathematical reasoning rather than subject knowledge and formulas. There ARE a few basics you need to know, but most of these are given to you at the beginning of each section. You should know the area formulas for basic polygons (triangles, squares, rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids) and circles. Don't forget the Pythagorean Theroem, as it is very important (a^2 + b^2 = c^2 in case you forgot). It is important to know the special triangle relationships (30, 60, 90--1, sqrt 3, 2; and 45, 45, 90--1, 1, sqrt 2). You should also know the volume formulas for prisms and cylinders. You should know how to factor, etc. It would also be helpful to understand permutations and combinations (nPr = n!/(n-r)! and nCr = n!/(r!((n-r)!)) Make sure you understand how to set up proportions. Mean, Median, and Mode are important, as are weighted averages. Also know thew distance formula: D = v*t. Direct (y=kx) and inverse (y=k/x) variation sometimes show up. That is all I can think of for now.</p>
<p>Most of the stuff you have to know for SAT Math, you should learn before 11th grade, in classes such as Algebra and Geometry.</p>
<p>The ACT involves more classroom math, including trigonometry. It is more strait forward and less tricky. That is all I know about ACT math.</p>