PICKING NUMBERS
You read about Kaplan’s backdoor method of picking numbers in the Introducing SHSAT Math chapter of this book. You should
remember that the picking numbers strategy is particularly helpful on algebra problems. Reread the passage to refresh your
recollection of this strategy.
Some typical questions that can be solved by picking numbers are these:
TAKE YOUR PICK
Don’t be afraid to pick numbers out of thin air if the answer choices contain variables.Age stated in terms of variables
Remainder problems
Percentages or fractions of variables
Even/odd variables calculations
Questions with algebraic expressions as answers
Number Property problems are great for picking numbers.