ACT Test Prep

Math

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Before we start

• Get a good night’s rest. Eat what you always eat for
breakfast.
• Use the test booklet for scratch paper. You can’t
bring your own.
• Remember your formulas. You will not get them
on the test.
• Turn word problems into equations or equations
into word problems -- whichever is easiest for you!
• You can use a calculator.
• Don’t be afraid! Self-doubt lowers scores.
• Hard questions vs. easy questions
–Must answer all easy questions
–Go back and guess on hard ones if you run out of time
• One minute per question
–Faster on easy questions
–Skip questions that take too much time
–Guess if you run out of time
 60 questions in 60 minutes

Content Percent of Test Number of Questions

Pre-Algebra 23% 14

Elementary Algebra 17% 10

Intermediate Algebra 15% 9

Coordinate Geometry 15% 9

Plane Geometry 23% 14

Trigonometry 7% 4

TOTAL 100% 60

Scores reported:
Total Mathematics Test score based on all 60 questions.
Pre-Alegebra/Elementary Algebra Subscore
Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Subscore
Plane Geometry/Trigonometry Subscore

Source: The Real ACT Prep Guide. ACT. 2nd Ed.

Math Section of the ACT

60 Questions in 60 Minutes

Goal: Answer 70% correctly (42 out of 60)

This means you need a strategy to confidently

answer 42 questions correctly in 60 minutes.

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Math Section Content

• Pre-algebra
• Elementary algebra
• Intermediate algebra
• Coordinate geometry
• Plane geometry
• Trigonometry
• Miscellaneous topics
• Math test-taking strategy

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Math Vocabulary
area of a circle perimeter
chord perpendicular
circumference pi
collinear polygon
complex number prime number
congruent quadrant
consecutive quadratic equation
diagonal quadrilateral
directly proportional quotient
endpoints radian
function y = R (x) radii
hypotenuse radius
integer rational number
intersect real number
irrational number slope
least common denominator standard coordinate plane
logarithm transversal
matrix trapezoid
mean vertex
median x-intercept
obtuse y-intercept

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Math Vocabulary
area of a circle—A = π r2
chord—a line drawn from the vertex of a polygon to another non adjacent vertex of the polygon
circumference—the perimeter of a circle = 2 π r
collinear—passing through or lying on the same straight line
complex number—is an expression of the form a+bi, where a & b are real numbers and i 2 = -1
congruent—corresponding; equal in length or measure
consecutive—uninterrupted sequence
diagonal—a line segment joining two nonadjacent vertices of a polygon or solid (polyhedron)
directly proportional—increasing or decreasing with the same ratio
endpoints—what defines the beginning and end-of-line segment
Function y = R (x)—a set of number pairs related by a certain rule so that for every number to which
the rule may be applied, there is exactly one resulting number
hypotenuse—the longest side of a right-angle triangle, which is always the side opposite the right angle
integer—a member of the set ..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, …
intersect—to share a common point
irrational number—cannot be expressed as a ratio of integers, eg., √ 3 , π, etc.
least common denominator—the smallest number (other than 0) that is a multiple of a set of
denominators (for example, the LCD of ¼ and ⅓ is 12)
logarithm—log a x means ay = x
matrix—rows and columns of elements arranged in a rectangle
mean—average; found by adding all the terms in a set and dividing by the number of terms
median—the middle value in a set of ordered numbers
obtuse—an angel that is larger than 90°

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Math Vocabulary (continued)
perimeter—the distance from one point around the figure to the same point
perpendicular—lines that intersect and form 90-degree angles
pi— = 3.14 …
polygon—a closed, plane geometric figure whose sides are line segments
prime number—a positive integer that can only be evenly divided by 1 and itself
quadrant—any one of the four sectors of a rectangular coordinate system, which is formed by two
perpendicular number lines that intersect at the origins of both number lines
quadratic equation—Ax2 + bx + C = D, A ≠ 0
quadrilateral—a four sided polygon
quotient—the result of division
radian—a unit of angle measure within a circle
radii—the plural form of radius
radius—a line segment with endpoints at the center of the circle and on the perimeter of the circle, equal to
one-half the length of the diameter
m
rational number—r can be expressed as r = where m & n are integers and n ≠ 0
n
real number—all numbers except complex numbers
y2 – y1
slope—m = 2 1
x –x
standard coordinate plane—a plane that is formed by a horizontal x-axis and a vertical y-axis that meet at point
(0,0) (also known as the Cartesian Coordinate Plane)
transversal—a line that cuts through two or more lines
trapezoid—a quadrilateral (a figure with four sides) with only two parallel lines
vertex—a point of an angle or polygon where two or more lines meet
x-intercept—the point where a line on a graph crosses the x-axis
y-intercept—the point where a line on a graph crosses the y-axis

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Pre-Algebra

• Operations using whole numbers, fractions,

and decimals.
–PEMDAS
–2x3= ?
– 4/2 x 6/2= ?
–1/5 x .5 = ?
–4/.5 = ?
• Numbers raised to powers and square roots.
–22
–4.5
• Simple linear equations with one variable.
–3x+7=16. Solve for X.
• Simple probability and counting the number of
ways something can happen.
–On a six sided die, what are the chances of rolling a
five?
Pre-Algebra

• Ratio, proportion, and percent.

–3 is what percent of 6? What is 50% of 6?
• Absolute value.
–What is the absolute value of -3?
–|-3| = ?
• Ordering numbers from least to greatest.
• Reading information from charts and
graphs.
• Simple stats
–Mean: add all terms together and divide by
number of terms.
–Median: order terms from lowest to highest.
Eliminate high and low terms till you’ve reached
the middle. If two terms are left, take the mean.
–Mode: most frequent term.
Pre-Algebra – Word Problems

Converting a word problem into an equation:

If a discount of 20% off the retail price of a

desk saves Mark $45, how much did Mark
pay for the desk?

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Pre-Algebra

If a discount of 20% off the retail price of a

desk saves Mark $45, how much did Mark
pay for the desk?
Amount Paid (Sales Price) = Retail Price – Discount

Discount = 20% × Retail Price

$45 = 20% × Retail Price

Retail Price = $45/.2 = $225

Sales Price = $225 − $45 = $180

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Pre-Algebra

A lawn mower is on sale for $1600. This is

20% off the regular price. How much is the
regular price?

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Pre-Algebra

A lawn mower is on sale for $1600 which is 20%

off the regular price. How much is the regular
price?
Sales Price = Regular Price – Discount

Discount = 0.20 × Retail Price

Sales Price = Regular Price – 0.20 × Retail Price

$1600 = 0.80 × Regular Price

Regular Price = $1600 / 0.8 = $2000

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Pre-Algebra

If 45 is 120% of a number, what is 80% of

the same number?

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Practice Questions

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 Practice Questions
4. Marlon is bowling in a tournament and has the
highest average after 5 games, with scores of 210, 225,
254, 231, and 280. In order to maintain this exact
average, what must be Marlon’s score for his 6th game?
F. 200
G. 210
H. 231
J. 240
K. 245

5. Joelle earns her regular pay of $7.50 per hour for up to 40 hours of
work in a week. For each hour over 40 hours of work in a week, Joelle
is paid 1 times her regular pay. How much does Joelle earn for a week
in which she works 42 hours?
A. $126.00
B. $315.00
C. $322.50
D. $378.00
E. $472.50

6. Which of the following mathematical expressions is equivalent to

the verbal expression “A number, x, squared is 39 more than the
product of 10 and x” ?
F. 2x = 390 + 10x
G. 2x = 39x + 10x
H. x2 = 390 − 10x
J. x2 = 390 + x10
K. x2 = 390 + 10x 17
Practice Questions

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Pre-Algebra

If 45 is 120% of a number, what is 80% of

the same number?

45 = 1.2 (X)

X = 45/1.2 = 37.5

Y = 0.8 (37.5) = 30

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Elementary algebra

• Substituting the value of a variable in an

expression.
–Add like terms. Separate different terms.
–2x+2x+7y=15.
–Y=2. Solve for X.
• Performing basic operations on polynomials
and factoring polynomials.
–FOIL
–(x-3)(x+7) = ?
–x2+8x+12=0. Solve for X.
–Factor x2-11+30.
• Solving linear inequalities with one variable.
–X+7<12. What do we know about x?
–X+6>19 and x-8<6. What do we know about x?
Elementary Algebra – Substitution,
2 Equations, 2 Unknowns

If a – b = 14, and 2a + b = 46, then b = ?

a = 14 + b; substitute

2(14 + b) + b = 46

28 + 2b + b = 46

3b = 18

b = 6, a = 20

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Elementary Algebra

a + c = (a + c) / b
b b
a + c = (ad + bc) / bd
b d

3x3 + 9x2 – 27x = 0; 3x (x2 + 3x – 9) = 0

(x+2)2 = (x+2)(x+2)

(x/y)2 = x2/y2

X0 = 1

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Intermediate algebra

• Quadratic Formula
–When you can’t factor a polynomial cleanly.
You can always use the quadratic formula
–In x2+7x+15=0, what is a, b, and c?
Intermediate algebra

Source: http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/act-facts-and-
formulas.pdf
 Intermediate algebra

• What are the dimensions of a matrix?

–Up and over.
• Multiplying Matrices
–Scalar multiplication
–A number times everything inside the matrix.

Source: http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/matrix-
multiplying.html
 Intermediate algebra

• Multiplying a matrix by another matrix

–2x3 * 3x2.
–Can we do it?
–What will the final matrix look like?

Source: http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/matrix-
multiplying.html
Intermediate Algebra – Quadratics

x2 + 3x – 4 = y x2 + 3x – 4 = 0

Factoring:

(x – 1) (x + 4) = 0

X = 1, -4

For ax2 + bx + c = 0, the value of x is given by:

X= (-3 + (32 – 4*1*-4).5)/2 = 1

X= (-3 - (32 – 4*1*-4).5)/2 = -4

Quadratic Formula

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Intermediate Algebra – Factoring
Polynomials, Solve for x

x2 - 2x - 15 = 0

(x - 5) (x + 3) = 0

x = 5, -3

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Intermediate Algebra – Factoring
Polynomials
Example 1 Example 2

x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 6 x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 6 / (x + 3)

(x3 + 3x2) + (2x + 6) ((x3 + 3x2) + (2x + 6)) / (x+3)

x2(x + 3) + 2(x + 3) (x2(x + 3) + 2(x + 3)) / (x+3)

(x + 3) (x2 + 2) ((x + 3) (x2 + 2)) / (x+3)

x2 + 2

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Intermediate Algebra – Exponents

x 3 * x 2 = x5 x2 * x.5 = ? x2 * x.5 = x2.5

x9 / x2 = x7 x4 / x 8 = ? x4 / x8 = x-4

(x2)5 = x10 (x.5)2 = ? (x.5)2 = x

1/x4 = x-4 1/x-z = ? 1/x-z = xz

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Intermediate Algebra – Imaginary
Numbers

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Coordinate geometry

• Graphs of lines, curves, points,

polynomials, circles in an (x,y) plane.
• Relationship between equations and
graphs, slope, parallel and perpendicular
lines, distance, midpoints,
transformations, and conics.
• It’s coordinate, so draw it on the graph!
 Coordinate geometry

• Lines
–A line goes through points A(2, 3) and B(4,
5). You should be able to find the following:

–Parallel lines have the same slope.

Perpendicular lines have inverted slopes.
Source: http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/act-facts-and-
formulas.pdf
Coordinate Geometry –
Coordinates Equation of a Line

y = mx + b, equation of a linear (straight) line

m = slope of the line = change in Y / change in X

b = y intercept

If m is negative, the line is going down and if positive the line is

going up (left to right).

What is the equation for the line between points, (1, -2) & (6, 8)?

m = change in y values / change in x values = (y1 – y2) / (x1 – x2)

m = [8- (-2)] / (6 - 1) = 10/5 = 2

b = y – mx; b = 8 – (2) × (6) = 8 – 12 = -4

y = 2x -4

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Coordinate Geometry –
Coordinates

What is the distance between these points

(-1, 2) and (6, 8)?

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Coordinate Geometry –
Coordinates

What is the distance between these (-

1, 2) and (6, 8)?

* 6, 8

c b 6

a
* -1, 2

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Plane geometry

• Relations and properties of shapes

(triangles, rectangles, parallelograms,
trapezoids, and circles), angles, parallel
lines, and perpendicular lines.
• What happens when you move or
change these shapes?
–Translations, rotations, reflections
• Proofs
–Justification, logic.
• Three-dimensional geometry
• Measurements: perimeter, area, and
volume.
 Plane geometry

• Circles

Source: http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/act-facts-and-
formulas.pdf
Plane geometry

• Lines in a plane

• What do we know about a and b in both

of these cases?
Source: http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/act-facts-and-
formulas.pdf
 Plane geometry
• Other shape areas and perimeters.

• If an angle is greater than 90, it is obtuse.

• If an angle is less than 90, it is acute.
• If an angle is 90, it is a right angle.
• TRIANGLE: SUM OF ALL ANGLES = 180
• SQUARE AND RECTANGLE: SUM OF ALL ANGLES = 360

Source: http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/act-facts-and-formulas.pdf
 Plane geometry

• Right Triangles
How do you find the length of a side in a right triangle? Pythagorean
Theorem.

• Other Triangles: Equilateral (all three sides are equal),

Isosceles (two equal sides), and Similar (corresponding
angles are equal and sides are in proportion).
Source: http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/act-facts-and-
formulas.pdf
Plane Geometry

• Lines and Angles

• Triangles
• Circles
• Squares and Rectangles
• Multiple Figures

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Plane Geometry: Lines
c
abc + cbd = 1800

a d
b

a
b

d
c
Opposite (vertical) angles are
Transversal line thru two congruent (equal)
parallel lines creates equal
opposite angles. All angles combined = 3600

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Plane Geometry: Triangles

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Plane Geometry

Area of a triangle = ½ (base * height) The sum of the three angles = 180 0

Area of a trapezoid = ½ (a +b)*(height) where a and b are the lengths of the parallel sides
a

b
Diameter = 2 * radius of a circle

Volume of cylinder = area of circle * height h

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Plane Geometry Example

What is the area of the square if the radius equals 5?

L r

Diameter = 2 x r
The diameter = 1 side of the square
Area = L x L
Diameter = 10 (same as a length of a side), Area = 100

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Plane Geometry Parallelogram

Area = Base x Height

Note a rectangle is a parallelogram.

The sum of the angles = 3600

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Plane Geometry Circles

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Plane Geometry Circles

What is the equation

of these circles?

(x-1)2 + y2 = 1

(x-3)2 + (y-1)2 = 4

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Plane Geometry Terms

Congruent = equal lengths

Co-linear = on same line

abc = the angle of b in the triangle abc

Acute = less than 90 degrees

(A cute little angle)

Obtuse = greater than 90 degrees

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 Trigonometry

• Trigonometric functions for right

triangles:
–SINE
–COSINE
–TANGENT

Source: http://www.mathsisfun.com
Source: http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/act-facts-and-
formulas.pdf
 Trigonometry

Source: http://www.mathsisfun.com
 trigonometry

Source: http://www.mathsisfun.com
Trigonometry

For all right triangles

H
O

90°
Memory Aid t
SOH CAH TOA
A
opposite side O
sin (t) = sine t = =
hypotenuse H
adjacent side A
cos (t) = cosine t = =
hypotenuse H
opposite side O
tan (t) = tangent t = =
adjacent side A
1 adjacent side A
cot (t) = cotangent t = = =
tangent t opposite side O

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Trigonometry

H
O

t
A

H2 = A 2 + O 2

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Trigonometry

Tan (t) = O/A

if O = 2 and A = 2, then O/A = 2/2 = 1

Tan (t) = 1 H
O

t
A

H2 = A 2 + O 2

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Miscellaneous Topics – You May See
These On The ACT Math

Fundamental Counting Principles

3 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, 4 sweaters – how many

days with a different outfit?

(3)(2)(4) = 24 day of a unique combination

How many different and unique phone numbers

of a 7 digit number?

(10)(10)(10)(10)(10)(10)(10) = 107

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Miscellaneous Topics –
Probabilities – Examples
Given: 5 red marbles are placed in a bag along
with 6 blue marbles and 9 white marbles:
Question: if three white marbles are removed,
what is the probability the next marble
removed will be white?
• Originally, there were 9 white marbles out
of 20; with 3 white marbles removed, there
are 6 out of 17 remaining. The probability
the next marble removed is white = 6/17.
Question: if 4 blue marbles are added to the
original amount, what is the probability the first
marble removed is NOT white?
• Now there are 24 marbles total with 15
non-white. The probability that the first
marble removed is not white is 15/24.

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