one works, the answer is (C). So, try (II). Use the power-multiply rule: = = . So, since
(II) works, (C) is the correct answer.
Notice that you didn’t even need to check (III). Using good POE on a Roman numeral question often
means that you don’t need to check all the Roman numerals.
HOW TO READ CHARTS AND GRAPHS
Another basic math skill you will need for the SAT is the ability to interpret data from charts, graphs,
tables, and more. This section will cover the basics of reading these figures. We will discuss how to
answer questions related to charts and other figures in detail in Chapter 14.
More Math Basics
You can get more guidance
in the fundamentals of SAT
math and math strategies
by watching the videos
in your Premium Portal.
See “Register Your Book
Online!” for more
information.What’s Up with All These Figures?
The SAT now includes charts, graphs, and tables throughout the test (not just in the Math sections) to
present data for students to analyze. ETS and the College Board believe this will better reflect what
students learn in school and need to understand in the real world. The situations will typically include
real-life applications, such as finance and business situations, social science issues, and scientific matter.
Since you’ll be seeing graphics throughout the test, let’s look at the types you may encounter and the skills
you’ll need to be familiar with when you work with charts and graphs.
Types of Graphics
The Scatterplot
A scatterplot is a graph with distinct data points, each representing one piece of information. On the
scatterplot below, each dot represents the number of televisions sold at a certain price point.