SAT Subject Test Mathematics Level 1

THE GOLDEN RULE OF EQUATIONS

You probably remember the basic procedure for solving algebraic equations:
Do the same thing to both sides. You can do almost anything you want to one
side of an equation as long as you preserve the equality by doing the same
thing to the other side. Your aim in whatever you do to both sides is to get the
variable (or expression) you’re solving for all by itself on one side. Look at
Example 5.

PICK NUMBERS

When    the answer  choices are algebraic   expressions,    it  is  often   quickest

to  pick    numbers for the unknowns,   plug    those   numbers into    the stem

and see what    you get,    and then    plug    those   same    numbers into    the

answer  choices to  find    matches.

Warning:    When    you pick    numbers,    you have    to  check   all the answer

choices.    Sometimes   more    than    one works   with    the number(s)   you

pick,   in  which   case    you have    to  pick    numbers again.

Example 5

1. If       what    is  the value   of  x?

(A) –4.125

(B) –2.625

(C) –1.875

(D) –1.125