Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Functions

Link of the Day

As you look for current events to use in an SAT essay, pick news that you can relate to so that it will be easier for you to remember.  For example, take a look at this article about high school graduation rates.  Education and the economy will definitely affect your lifestyle.  Identify other themes that are present in this article.  What does it have to say about change, progress, motivation, rewards, and other words that have shown up in previous SAT essay topics?  There are also a lot of numbers in this article.  Numbers and statistics are fantastic because you can insert them into an essay quickly and seem knowledgeable without taking time away from your argument to explain a whole situation.  Don’t try to memorize all the numbers – focus on a few eye-catching statistics! 

Algebra: Functions

Read the following SAT test question and then select the correct answer. 

Read each question carefully and identify the bottom line to avoid making careless mistakes.  Then assess your options and choose the most efficient method to attack the problem.  When you have an answer, loop back to verify that it matches the bottom line.

If f(x) = x + ax, and  what is ?

Bottom Line

Assess your Options:  You could use your graphing calculator to solve this problem, but it would probably take you more time to type in the fractions than to just solve the problem.  You are given a value for each variable in the problem so all you need to do is plug them in.

Attack the Problem:  Start by plugging in the value of a to the function that you were given.




Simplify the problem by adding.  Remember that the first x is a whole 1x, but that you must have like terms before you can add fractions.




Now solve your function by plugging in the value for x that you were given.


Loop Back:  You found your bottom line, so you are ready to look down at the answer choices.

(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D)
(E) 

The correct answer is (E).


On sat.collegeboard.org, 61% of the responses were correct.

For more help with SAT math, visit www.myknowsys.com!

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