Basic Concepts
Numbers and Operations
Mastering the Building Blocks
Numbers and operations are the foundation of all math you'll see on the SAT. You'll work with integers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, and exponents.
Key Concepts
- Integers: Positive and negative whole numbers, including zero.
- Fractions and Decimals: Understanding equivalence and conversion.
- Percents: Calculating percentages and percentage changes.
- Ratios and Proportions: Solving problems involving part-to-whole and comparisons.
- Exponents: Simplifying expressions with powers and roots.
Why It Matters
Fluency in these basics saves you time, helps avoid common mistakes, and builds confidence for more complex problems.
Quick Tips
- Always simplify your answers.
- Watch out for negative signs!
- Convert between fractions, decimals, and percents when needed.
Real-World Use
Whether calculating a sale price or splitting a bill with friends, these skills make life easier every day.
Examples
Calculate the final price of a \$40 shirt after a 25% discount.
If 3/5 of a class are girls and there are 30 students, how many are girls?
In a Nutshell
Understand and manipulate numbers, fractions, percents, and exponents—the heartbeat of SAT Math.