ACT Math Session - Easy-to-Read Format
Easy-to-Read Format
What we covered today:
• Factoring quadratic expressions
• Pythagorean theorem
• Circle formulas
• Probability problems
• Counting principle
• Test timing strategy
Big win today:
I understand probability now!
I know when to multiply (AND) vs add (OR)
What to practice:
Focus on first 20 questions carefully.
That's where most of my points come from.
1. Slope formula:
(y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)
2. Pythagorean theorem:
a² + b² = c²
c is ALWAYS the hypotenuse!
3. Circle area:
πr²
(radius only!)
4. Circle circumference:
2πr
(radius only!)
5. Probability:
AND = multiply
OR = add
6. Counting principle:
Multiply all the options
Memory hack:
• Diameter ÷ 2 = radius (always convert!)
• "AND" = harder = multiply
• "OR" = easier = add
What happened:
We tried factoring 9x² - 32x - 56
It was HARD
Where I got stuck:
I had the right numbers (7 and 8)
But put them in wrong spots
What clicked:
These take trial and error!
It's not about being "smart enough"
You literally have to test different arrangements
Steps to remember:
• Find what multiplies to make LAST number
• Find what ADDS to make MIDDLE number
• Try different positions until FOIL works
• IT'S OKAY TO GUESS AND CHECK
What happened:
Problem gave me one leg (40) and hypotenuse (50)
Where I got stuck:
Almost added 50 + 40
Instead of using the formula
What clicked:
Read carefully!
C is ALWAYS the hypotenuse (longest side)
Steps to remember:
• If they give you hypotenuse + one leg:
Use c² - a² = b²
• Rearrange formula based on what's missing
• Always check: is this hypotenuse or leg?
What happened:
Found circumference of two circles
r=5 and r=6
Then found difference
What clicked:
Don't let fancy words scare me!
"Concentric" just means circles inside circles
Steps to remember:
• ALWAYS use radius (not diameter!)
• Check answer choices BEFORE calculating
• Might leave π in the answer
• Diameter ÷ 2 = radius
What happened:
Learned when to multiply vs add probabilities
The breakthrough moment:
• OR = ADD
(picking red OR yellow = 3/10 + 4/10 = 7/10)
• AND = MULTIPLY
(picking red AND yellow = 3/10 × 4/10)
Steps to remember:
• OR = more ways to be happy = ADD
• AND = harder to do = MULTIPLY (gets smaller!)
• "Without replacement" =
subtract from top AND bottom
What happened:
How many combinations with
4 noses, 3 lips, 2 wigs?
What clicked:
Draw blanks for each choice
Write the number of options
Then MULTIPLY
Pattern:
Watch out:
If a digit can't repeat (like phone numbers),
it's minus 1 for used digits!
By Friday:
• Review "Math Formula Sheet" (~15 min)
• Review "Types of Math Questions" (~20 min)
• Practice 10 probability problems (~15 min)
Saturday Morning (TEST DAY):
• Wake up early for warm-up
• Do 1 English passage (untimed, ~5 min)
• Do 10 random math questions (~10 min)
• Eat breakfast!
This Week (if time):
• Take NEW FORMAT practice test (~50 min)
• Time first 20 questions (finish in 20 min)
• Check scoring guide
Goal: Hit question 20 in 20 minutes
This gives me 30-35 minutes for harder second half
After Question 20, work in ROUNDS:
Round 1: Skim and do ALL the ones I definitely know
Round 2: Go back and do ones where I can try something
Round 3: Struggle through or guess on the rest
Why this works:
I might be able to do question 45
even if I can't do question 30!
I need to SEE all of them.
1. Read questions SLOWLY
(once carefully beats 10 times panicked)
2. Write everything down
(even on digital test - use scratch paper)
3. Before I bubble an answer:
Re-read the question ONE more time
4. Check: Am I answering what they asked?
Right units?
5. First 20 questions = my money questions
Be EXTRA careful here
6. Don't panic on hard factoring
These are time traps, skip if stuck
✓ I write everything down
(this prevents silly mistakes!)
✓ I caught my own mistakes today
(40+50 almost became 90 instead of using formula)
✓ I understand probability now
(the AND/OR rule makes sense)
✓ I know when to use calculator's fraction button
✓ I'm not afraid to ask "wait, how do I do this?"
when confused
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