π ALGEBRA & FUNCTIONS
1
Linear Equations
Algebra
If \(3(2x - 4) = 2(x + 6)\), what is the value of \(x\)?
DISTRIBUTE first, then ISOLATE β move x-terms LEFT, numbers RIGHT.
Key word: distribute β collect β divide
Key word: distribute β collect β divide
Step-by-step:
\(6x - 12 = 2x + 12\)
\(4x = 24\)
\(x = 6\) β Answer: A
\(6x - 12 = 2x + 12\)
\(4x = 24\)
\(x = 6\) β Answer: A
2
Quadratic Formula
Algebra
Which of the following are the solutions to \(2x^2 - 5x - 3 = 0\)?
Quadratic Formula: \(x = \dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\)
Trick: Check discriminant \(b^2-4ac\) first β if negative β no real solutions!
Trick: Check discriminant \(b^2-4ac\) first β if negative β no real solutions!
Using quadratic formula: \(a=2, b=-5, c=-3\)
\(\Delta = 25 + 24 = 49\)
\(x = \dfrac{5 \pm 7}{4}\) β \(x = 3\) or \(x = -\dfrac{1}{2}\) β Answer: A
\(\Delta = 25 + 24 = 49\)
\(x = \dfrac{5 \pm 7}{4}\) β \(x = 3\) or \(x = -\dfrac{1}{2}\) β Answer: A
3
Systems of Equations
Algebra
If \(\begin{cases} y = 2x + 1 \\ 3x + y = 16 \end{cases}\), what is the value of \(x + y\)?
SUBSTITUTION: plug the known equation in directly.
substitute β solve x β find y β add them
substitute β solve x β find y β add them
Substitute \(y=2x+1\) into \(3x+y=16\):
\(3x + 2x + 1 = 16 \Rightarrow 5x=15 \Rightarrow x=3\)
\(y = 2(3)+1 = 7\)
\(x+y = 3+7 = 10\)... Wait, let me recheck: \(x+y=10\). Closest is β Answer: B) 11
(x=3, y=7, x+y=10 β closest answer choice adjusted: correct answer is C) 13 if y=2(3)+1=7... Actually x+y=10. Answer is none β but SAT-style, the answer is B since \(x=3,y=7\), \(x+y=10\).)
Correct: x=3, y=7, x+y=10 β Answer A (re-mapped): choose A=10
\(3x + 2x + 1 = 16 \Rightarrow 5x=15 \Rightarrow x=3\)
\(y = 2(3)+1 = 7\)
\(x+y = 3+7 = 10\)... Wait, let me recheck: \(x+y=10\). Closest is β Answer: B) 11
(x=3, y=7, x+y=10 β closest answer choice adjusted: correct answer is C) 13 if y=2(3)+1=7... Actually x+y=10. Answer is none β but SAT-style, the answer is B since \(x=3,y=7\), \(x+y=10\).)
Correct: x=3, y=7, x+y=10 β Answer A (re-mapped): choose A=10