Okay, so I'm prepping for the ACT, and math's not exactly my strongest suit. Do I need to memorize a ton of formulas, or are there just some key ones that I should know? If anyone's got like a cheatsheet or just advice on which formulas come up a lot, that would be super helpful!
Understanding your concerns about the ACT Math section, it's more about grasping concepts than memorizing formulas. Yet, there are key formulas that you'll definitely need to know since they aren't provided during the test. You should feel comfortable with basic algebra, geometry, and some trigonometry formulas.
For algebra, make sure you can work with linear equations, slope-intercept form, and the quadratic formula. For geometry, know the area and circumference of a circle, as well as the formulas for the area and volume of different shapes like rectangles, triangles, and cylinders. Trigonometry essentials include the Pythagorean theorem, sine, cosine, and tangent ratios.
Since calculators are allowed, knowing how to use your calculator effectively can save you a lot of time, so practice with it before the test day. Also, be sure to understand how to apply these formulas rather than just memorizing them, as ACT problems often require several steps to solve. A study guide specific to the ACT Math section can be a useful tool as it can provide a more comprehensive list of the formulas along with example problems.
Stay focused on understanding the problems the ACT typically presents and how to apply the formulas to solve them. Good luck with your studying, and remember, practice makes perfect!
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