This is when our number line really comes in handy. We start, as always, on our
first number, 5, but now we have to determine whether we go right or left. The
minus sign makes us think we should go left, but the negative sign on the four
means we should go right four spaces to our answer: 9.
With multiplication and division of two numbers, just remember the rule:
Different signs give you negative products; same signs give you positive
products.
PROBLEM SOLVING AND DATA ANALYSIS
The first content area of the Math section is Problem Solving and Data Analysis.
Vague, right? Don’t worry, they just mean standard word problems involving
ratios, probability, percentages, statistics (which really means mean, median, and
mode), and interpreting graphs. Let’s dig in!
This section of the Math Test requires fewer calculations and more common sense.
—Samantha
Ratios and Proportions
A ratio is basically just a fraction, and a proportion is a way to compare two
equal ratios. Here’s an example of a proportion, written in two different ways
(that mean the same thing):