Mathematics Formula Sheet

Place Value

The value of the place, or position, of a digit in a number.

Example: In 456, the 5 is in “tens” position. 

Fractions  

A number expressed in the form 𝑎𝑏ab

Adding and Subtracting with the same denominator:
𝑎𝑏+𝑐𝑏=𝑎+𝑐𝑏ab+cb=a+cb
𝑎𝑏−𝑐𝑏=𝑎−𝑐𝑏ab−cb=a−cb
Adding and Subtracting with the different denominator:
𝑎𝑏+𝑐𝑑=𝑎𝑑+𝑐𝑏𝑏𝑑ab+cd=ad+cbbd
𝑎𝑏−𝑐𝑑=𝑎𝑑−𝑐𝑏𝑏𝑑ab−cd=ad−cbbd
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions:
𝑎𝑏×𝑐𝑑=𝑎×𝑐𝑏×𝑑ab×cd=a×cb×d
𝑎𝑏÷𝑐𝑑=𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑=𝑎𝑑𝑏𝑐ab÷cd=abcd=adbc    

Comparing Numbers Signs

Equal to ==
Less than <<
Greater than >>
Greater than or equal ≥≥
Less than or equal ≤≤  

Rounding

Putting a number up or down to the nearest whole number or the nearest hundred, etc. 
Example: 64 rounded to the nearest ten is 60 , because 64 is closer to 60 than to 70.  

Whole Number  

The numbers {0,1,2,3,…}{0,1,2,3,…}

Estimates  
Find a number close to the exact answer.  

Decimals  

Is a fraction written in a special form. For example, instead of writing  1212 you can

write 0.50.5.  

Mixed Numbers

A number composed of a whole number and fraction. Example: 223223 Converting between

improper fractions and mixed numbers: 𝑎𝑐𝑏=𝑎+𝑐𝑏=𝑎𝑏+𝑐𝑏acb=a+cb=ab+cb

Factoring Numbers

Factor a number means to break it up into numbers that can be multiplied together to get the
original number. Example:12=2×2×312=2×2×3

Divisibility Rules

Divisibility means that you are able to divide a number evenly. Example: 24 is divisible by 6,
because 24÷6=424÷6=4

Greatest Common Factor

Multiply common prime factors

Example:200=2×2×2×5×560=2×2×3×5200=2×2×2×5×560=2×2×3×5
GCF (200,60)=2×2×5=20(200,60)=2×2×5=20

Least Common Multiple  

Check multiples of the largest number

Example: LCM (200, 60): 200 (no),  400 (no), 600 (yes!)

Integers  

{…,−3,−2,−1,0,1,2,3,…}{…,−3,−2,−1,0,1,2,3,…}
Includes: zero, counting numbers, and the negative of the counting numbers

Real Numbers  
All numbers that are on number line. Integers plus fractions, decimals, and irrationals  etc.)
(2‾√,3‾√,π2,3,π, etc.)  

Order of Operations  

PEMDAS
(parentheses / exponents / multiply / divide / add / subtract)  

Absolute Value

Refers to the distance of a number from , the distances are positive as absolute value of a number
cannot be negative. |−22|=22|−22|=22

or |𝑥|={𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥≥0𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥<0|x|={x for x≥0x for x<0
|𝑥|<𝑛⇒−𝑛<𝑥<𝑛|x|<n⇒−n<x<n
|𝑥|>𝑛⇒𝑥<−𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑥>𝑛|x|>n⇒x<−norx>n  

Ratios

A ratio is a comparison of two numbers by division.

Example: 3:53:5, or 3535  

Percentages

Use the following formula to find part, whole, or percent

part =𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡100×𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒=percent100×whole

Proportional Ratios

A proportion means that two ratios are equal. It can be written in two ways:  
𝑎𝑏=𝑐𝑑ab=cd , 𝑎:𝑏=𝑐:𝑑a:b=c:d

Percent of Change

𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 – 𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑂𝑙𝑑𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒×100%New Value – Old ValueOldValue×100%

Markup  
Markup == selling price –– cost
Markup rate == markup divided by the cost

Discount  

Multiply the regular price by the rate of discount

Selling price == original price –– discount

Expressions and Variables  

A variable is a letter that represents unspecified numbers. One may use a variable in the same
manner as all other numbers: Addition: 2+𝑎2+a  : 22 plus a
Subtraction: 𝑦−3y−3  : 𝑦y minus 33
Division: 4𝑥4x  : 4 divided by x
Multiplication: 5𝑎5a  : 55 times a

Tax

To find tax, multiply the tax rate to the taxable amount (income, property value, etc.)

Distributive Property  

𝑎(𝑏+𝑐)=𝑎𝑏+𝑎𝑐a(b+c)=ab+ac

Polynomial

𝑃(𝑥)=𝑎0𝑥𝑛+𝑎1𝑥𝑛−1+P(x)=a0xn+a1xn−1+⋯+𝑎𝑛−2𝑥2+𝑎𝑛−1𝑥+𝑎𝑛+an−2x2+an−1x+an

Systems of Equations  

Two or more equations working together.

example:  {−2𝑥+2𝑦=4−2𝑥+𝑦=3{−2x+2y=4−2x+y=3

Equations  

The values of two mathematical expressions are equal.

𝑎𝑥+𝑏=𝑐ax+b=c
Functions

A function is a rule to go from one number (x) to another number (y), usually
written  𝑦=𝑓(𝑥)y=f(x).For any given value of x, there can only be one corresponding value y.
If  𝑦=𝑘𝑥y=kx for some number k (example:  𝑓(𝑥)=0.5𝑥f(x)=0.5x), then y is said to be
directly proportional to x. If y=𝑘𝑥=kx (example: f(x  =5𝑥=5x), then y is said to be inversely
proportional to x. The graph of  𝑦=𝑓(𝑥)+𝑘y=f(x)+k is the translation of the graph
of  𝑦=𝑓(𝑥)y=f(x)  by  (ℎ,𝑘)(h,k) units in the plane. For example,  𝑦=𝑓(𝑥+3)y=f(x+3)shifts
the graph of  𝑓(𝑥)f(x)  by 3 units to the left.  

Inequalities

Says that two values are not equal

𝑎≠𝑏a≠b    a not equal to b
𝑎<𝑏a<b   a less than b
𝑎>𝑏a>b   a greater than b
𝑎≥𝑏a≥b    a greater than or equal b
𝑎≤𝑏a≤b    a less than or equal b  

Solving Systems of Equations by Elimination

Example:  𝑥+2𝑦=6+  −𝑥+𝑦=3x+2y=6+  −x+y=3
3𝑦=9𝑦=3𝑥+6=6⇒𝑥=03y=9y=3x+6=6⇒x=0

Lines (Linear Functions)  

Consider the line that goes through points  𝐴(𝑥1,𝑦1)A(x1,y1) and  𝐵(𝑥2,𝑦2)B(x2,y2).  

Distance from A to B:

(𝑥1−𝑥2)2+(𝑦1−𝑦2)2‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾√(x1−x2)2+(y1−y2)2

Parallel and Perpendicular lines:  

Have equal slopes. Perpendicular lines (i.e., those that make a  90∘90° angle where they
intersect) have negative reciprocal slopes:  𝑚1m1 .𝑚2=−1m2=−1.
Parallel Lines (l  ∥∥  m)
Mid-point of the segment AB:  

M (𝑥1+𝑥22,𝑦1+𝑦22x1+x22,y1+y22)  

Slope of the line:  

𝑦2−𝑦1𝑥2–𝑥1=𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑢𝑛y2−y1x2–x1=riserun

Point-slope form:  

Given the slope m and a point  (𝑥1,𝑦1)(x1,y1) on the line, the equation of the line is
(𝑦−𝑦1)=𝑚 (𝑥−𝑥1)(y−y1)=m (x−x1).  

Intersecting lines:

Opposite angles are equal. Also, each pair of angles along the same line add to  180∘180°. In
the figure above,  𝑎+𝑏=180∘a+b=180°.

Slope-intercept form:

given the slope m and the y-intercept b, then the equation of the line is:
𝑦=𝑚𝑥+𝑏y=mx+b.

Transversal: Parallel lines:

Eight angles are formed when a line crosses two parallel lines. The four big angles (a) are
equal, and the four small angles (b) are equal.

Parabolas:

A parabola parallel to the y-axis is given by  𝑦=𝑎𝑥2+𝑏𝑥+𝑐y=ax2+bx+c.

If  𝑎>0a>0, the parabola opens up.
If  𝑎<0a<0, the parabola opens down. The y-intercept is c, and the x-coordinate of the vertex
is:  𝑥=−𝑏2𝑎x=−b2a.

Factoring:

“FOIL”
(𝑥+𝑎)(𝑥+𝑏)(x+a)(x+b)
=𝑥2+(𝑏+𝑎)𝑥+𝑎𝑏=x2+(b+a)x+ab  “Difference of Squares”
𝑎2−𝑏2=(𝑎+𝑏)(𝑎−𝑏)a2−b2=(a+b)(a−b)
𝑎2+2𝑎𝑏+𝑏2=(𝑎+𝑏)(𝑎+𝑏)a2+2ab+b2=(a+b)(a+b)
𝑎2−2𝑎𝑏+𝑏2=(𝑎−𝑏)(𝑎−𝑏)a2−2ab+b2=(a−b)(a−b) “Reverse FOIL”
𝑥2+(𝑏+𝑎)𝑥+𝑎𝑏=x2+(b+a)x+ab=  (𝑥+𝑎)(𝑥+𝑏)(x+a)(x+b)
You can use Reverse FOIL to factor a polynomial by thinking about two numbers a and b which
add to the number in front of the x, and which multiply to give the constant. For example, to
factor  𝑥2+5𝑥+6x2+5x+6, the numbers add to 5 and multiply to 6,
i.e.:  𝑎=2a=2 and  𝑏=3b=3, so that  𝑥2+5𝑥+6=(𝑥+2)(𝑥+3)x2+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3). To
solve a quadratic such as  𝑥2+𝑏𝑥+𝑐=0x2+bx+c=0, first factor the left side to get  (𝑥+𝑎)
(𝑥+𝑏)=0(x+a)(x+b)=0, then set each part in parentheses equal to zero. For
example,  𝑥2+4𝑥+3=(𝑥+3)(𝑥+1)=0x2+4x+3=(x+3)(x+1)=0  so
that  𝑥=−3x=−3 or  𝑥=−1x=−1.
To solve two linear equations in x and y: use the first equation to substitute for a variable in the
second. E.g., suppose  𝑥+𝑦=3x+y=3 and  4𝑥−𝑦=24x−y=2. The first equation gives y=3-x, so
the second equation
becomes  4𝑥−(3−𝑥)=2⇒5𝑥−3=24x−(3−x)=2⇒5x−3=2  ⇒𝑥=1,𝑦=2⇒x=1,y=2.

Exponents:  

Refers to the number of times a number is multiplied by itself.

8=2×2×2=238=2×2×2=23

Scientific Notation:  

It is a way of expressing numbers that are too big or too small to be conveniently written in
decimal form.
In scientific notation all numbers are written in this form:  𝑚×10𝑛m×10n
Decimal notation:
5
−25,000−25,000
0.5
2,122.456
Scientific notation:
5×1005×100
−2.5×104−2.5×104
5×10−15×10−1
2,122456×1032,122456×103
Square:  

The number we get after multiplying an integer (not a fraction) by itself.

Example:  2×2=4,22=42×2=4,22=4

Square Roots:

A square root of  𝑥x is a number r whose square is  𝑥:𝑟2=𝑥x:r2=x

𝑟r  is a square root of  𝑥x

Pythagorean Theorem:  

𝑎2+𝑏2=𝑐2a2+b2=c2

Triangles

Right triangles:

A good example of a right triangle is one with a=3 , b=4 and c=5, also called
a  3−4−53−4−5 right triangle. Note that multiples of these numbers are also right triangles.
For example, if you multiply these numbers by 2, you get a=6, b=8   and
𝑐=10(6−8−10)c=10(6−8−10) , which is also a right triangle.
All triangles:

Area  =12=12  b . h
Angles on the inside of any triangle add up to  180∘180∘.
The length of one side of any triangle is always less than the sum and more than the difference of
the lengths of the other two sides.
An exterior angle of any triangle is equal to the sum of the two remote interior angles. Other
important triangles:

Equilateral:  

These triangles have three equal sides, and all three angles are  60∘60∘.  

Isosceles:

An isosceles triangle has two equal sides. The “base” angles (the ones opposite the two sides)
are equal (see the  45∘45∘   triangle above).  
Similar:  

Two or more triangles are similar if they have the same shape. The corresponding angles are
equal, and the corresponding sides are in proportion. For example, the  3−4−53−4−5  triangle
and the  6−8−106−8−10 triangle from before are similar since their sides are in a ratio of
to .

Circles

Area  =π𝑟2=πr2
Circumference  =2π𝑟=2πr
Full circle  =360∘=360∘

Length Of Arc  =(𝑛∘/360∘).2π𝑟=(n∘/360∘).2πr

Area Of Sector  =(𝑛∘/360∘).π𝑟2=(n∘/360∘).πr2
Equation of the circle (above left figure):  (𝑥−ℎ)2+(𝑦−𝑘)2=𝑟2(x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2.

Rectangles
(Square if l=w)
Area=lw

Parallelogram

(Rhombus if l=w)
Area=lh
Regular polygons are n-sided figures with all sides equal and all angles equal.
The sum of the inside angles of an n-sided regular polygon is
(𝑛−2).180∘(n−2).180∘.

Area of a parallelogram:  

  𝐴=𝑏ℎA=bh

Area of a trapezoid:  

𝐴=12ℎ(𝑏1+𝑏2)A=12h(b1+b2)

Surface Area and Volume of a rectangular/right prism:  

𝑆𝐴=𝑝ℎ+2𝐵SA=ph+2B
𝑉=𝐵ℎV=Bh

Surface Area and Volume of a cylinder:

𝑆𝐴=2π𝑟ℎ+2π𝑟2SA=2πrh+2πr2
𝑉=π𝑟2ℎV=πr2h

Surface Area and Volume of a Pyramid

𝑆𝐴=12 𝑝𝑠+𝑏SA=12 ps+b
𝑉=13 𝑏ℎV=13 bh
Surface Area and Volume of a Cone  

𝑆𝐴=π𝑟𝑠+π𝑟2SA=πrs+πr2
𝑉=13 π𝑟2 ℎV=13 πr2 h

Surface Area and Volume of a Sphere  

𝑆𝐴=4π𝑟2SA=4πr2
𝑉=43 π𝑟3V=43 πr3
(p  == perimeter of base B;  π 3.14π 3.14)

Solids

Rectangular Solid
Volume =lwh
Area =2(lw+wh+lh)

Right Cylinder
Volume  =π𝑟2 ℎ=πr2 h
Area  =2π𝑟(𝑟+ℎ)=2πr(r+h)
Quadratic formula:  

𝑥=−𝑏±𝑏2−4𝑎𝑐√2𝑎x=−b±b2−4ac2a

Simple interest:

𝐼=𝑝𝑟𝑡I=prt
(I  = interest, p = principal, r = rate, t = time)

mean:

mean:  𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑠sum of the dataof data entires

mode:

value in the list that appears most often

range:

largest value  −− smallest value

Median  

Middle value in the list (which must be sorted)

Example: median of
{3,10,9,27,50}=10{3,10,9,27,50}=10
Example: median of
{3,9,10,27}=(9+10)2=9.5{3,9,10,27}=(9+10)2=9.5

Sum  

average \(×\) (number of terms)

Average

𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠sum of termsnumber of terms

Average speed

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒total distancetotal time
Probability

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠number of desired outcomesnumber of total 
outcomes
The probability of two different events A and B both happening is:
P(A and B)=p(A) .p(B)
as long as the events are independent (not mutually exclusive).

Powers, Exponents, Roots

𝑥𝑎.𝑥𝑏=𝑥𝑎+𝑏xa.xb=xa+b
𝑥𝑎𝑥𝑏=𝑥𝑎−𝑏xaxb=xa−b
1𝑥𝑏=𝑥−𝑏1xb=x−b
(𝑥𝑎)𝑏=𝑥𝑎.𝑏(xa)b=xa.b
(𝑥𝑦)𝑎=𝑥𝑎.𝑦𝑎(xy)a=xa.ya
𝑥0=1x0=1
𝑥𝑦‾‾‾√=𝑥‾‾√.𝑦√xy=x.y
(−1)𝑛=−1(−1)n=−1, if n is odd.
(−1)𝑛=+1(−1)n=+1, if n is even.
If  0<𝑥<10<x<1, then
0<𝑥3<𝑥2<𝑥<𝑥‾‾√<3𝑥‾‾‾√<10<x3<x2<x<x<3x<1.

Interest

Simple Interest

The charge for borrowing money or the return for lending it.
Interest = principal  ××  rate  ×× time
OR
𝐼=𝑝𝑟𝑡I=prt

Compound Interest

Interest computed on the accumulated unpaid interest as well as on the original principal.
A  =𝑃(1+𝑟)𝑡=P(1+r)t
A= amount at end of time
P= principal (starting amount)
r= interest rate (change to a decimal i.e.  50%=0.5050%=0.50)
t= number of years invested
Powers/ Exponents

Positive Exponents

An exponent is simply shorthand for multiplying that number of identical factors. So  4343 is the
same as (4)(4)(4), three identical factors of 4. And  𝑥3x3 is just three factors of x,  (𝑥)(𝑥)(𝑥)(x)
(x)(x).

Negative Exponents

A negative exponent means to divide by that number of factors instead of multiplying.

So  4−34−3 is the same as  143143  and
𝑥−3=1𝑥3x−3=1x3

Factorials  

Factorial- the product of a number and all counting numbers below it.
8 factorial  =8!==8!=
8×7×6×5×4×3×2×1=40,3208×7×6×5×4×3×2×1=40,320
5 factorial  =5!==5!=
5×4×3×2×1=1205×4×3×2×1=120
2 factorial  =2!=2×1=2=2!=2×1=2

Multiplying Two Powers of the SAME Base  

When the bases are the same, you find the new power by just adding the exponents
𝑥𝑎.𝑥𝑏=𝑥𝑎+𝑏xa.xb=xa+b

Powers of Powers

For power of a power: you multiply the exponents.

(𝑥𝑎)𝑏=𝑥(𝑎𝑏)(xa)b=x(ab)

Dividing Powers

𝑥𝑎𝑥𝑏=𝑥𝑎𝑥−𝑏=𝑥𝑎−𝑏xaxb=xax−b=xa−b

The Zero Exponent

Anything to the 0 power is 1.
𝑥0=1x0=1

Permutation: 

When different orderings of the same items are counted separately, we have a permutation
problem:
𝑛𝑝𝑟=𝑛!(𝑛−1)!npr=n!(n−1)!

Combination:

The fundamental counting principle, as demonstrated above, is used any time the order of the
outcomes is important.  When selecting objects from a group where order is NOT important, we
use the formula for COMBINATIONS:
The fundamental counting principle, as demonstrated above, is used any time the order of the
outcomes is important. When selecting objects from a group where order is NOT important, we
use the formula for COMBINATIONS:
𝑛𝐶𝑟=𝑛!𝑟!(𝑛−1)!