ACT Math

Strategies:
1) Work on content and time management
2) Understand every problem that you got wrong (any problem that you-re 20% unsure about)
3) Improve your understanding of every topic
4) Re-solve every question your got wrong. Dont just look at the explanation
5) Finish with extra time and check problems you werent sure about. Also, dont spend more
than 30 seconds on a problem.
6) Eliminate careless errors and answer the question.
7) Memorize common math facts and formulas
8) Stay positive during the test

How to Fix a Problem:

a. In a note book, write down all the problems you get wrong, or are unsure about.
b. Know why you missed the problem, and review them every day.
c. Answer these question
Content: I didn't learn the skill or knowledge needed to answer this question.

One step further: What specific skill do I need to learn, and how will I learn this skill?
Incorrect Approach: I knew the content, but I didn't know how to approach this question.
One step further: How do I solve the question? How will I solve questions like this in the
future?
Careless Error: I misread what the question was asking for or solved for the wrong thing.
One step further: Why did I misread the question? What should I do in the future to avoid
this?
Content Overview:
The content breakdown for ACT math is Pre-Algebra (20-25%), Elementary Algebra (15-20%),
Intermediate Algebra (15-20%), Coordinate Geometry (15-20%), Plane Geometry (20-25%), and
Trigonometry (5-10%).
1. Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra

Basic operations using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers

Place value

Square roots and approximations

The concept of exponents

Scientific notation

Factors

Ratio, proportion, and percent

Linear equations in one variable

Absolute value and ordering numbers by value

Elementary counting techniques and simple probability

Data collection, representation, and interpretation

Understanding simple descriptive statistics

Properties of exponents and square roots

Evaluation of algebraic expressions through substitution

Using variables to express functional relationships

Understanding algebraic operations

The solution of quadratic equations by factoring

3. Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry

The quadratic formula

Rational and radical expressions

 Absolute value equations and inequalities

Sequences and patterns

Systems of equations

Quadratic inequalities

Functions and modeling

Matrices

Roots of polynomials

Complex numbers

Graphing and the relations between equations and graphs, including points, lines,
polynomials, circles, and other curves

Graphing inequalities

Slope

Parallel and perpendicular lines

Distance

Midpoints

Conics

3. Plane Geometry/Trigonometry

Properties and relations of plane figures, including angles and relations among
perpendicular and parallel lines

Properties of circles, triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids

Transformations

The concept of proof and proof techniques

Volume
 Applications of geometry to three dimensions

Trigonometric relations in right triangles

Values and properties of trigonometric functions

Graphing trigonometric functions

Modeling using trigonometric functions

Use of trigonometric identities

Solving trigonometric equations

For every test, make sure that when youre finished you look over the test and see how well you
did on each topic.