Advanced Math
Polynomials and Factoring
Polynomial Manipulation
The SAT Math section will have you simplify polynomial expressions using
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
To add or subtract two polynomials, add or subtract the coefficient of like terms.
Multiplying Polynomials
The Distributive Property and the various laws of exponents can be used to
multiply a polynomial by a monomial.
Dividing Polynomials
Synthetic Division
Synthetic division is a method used to perform the division operation on
polynomials when the divisor is a linear factor.
The Remainder Theorem
The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial p(x) is divided
by (x - c), the remainder is p(c).
The Factor Theorem
The Factor Theorem says that if a polynomial, f(x), has a factor (x - c) if
and only if f(c) = 0.
Common Factoring Patterns
a³ - b³ = (a - b)(a² + ab + b²)
a³ + b³ = (a + b)(a² - ab + b²)
ax + ay + bx + by = (a + b)(x + y)
Rational Equations
A rational equation is an equation that includes one or more rational
expressions. These expressions are in the form of P(x)/Q(x), where P(x) and Q(x)
are polynomials, and Q(x) cannot be zero.
To solve rational expressions,
To solve rational equations, find the least common denominator (LCD), clear the
fractions by multiplying both sides by the LCD, solve the resulting equation, and
check for extraneous solutions by ensuring no denominator becomes zero.
Exponents and Radicals
Exponent Rules
The Laws of Radicals
Solving Quadratic Equations
Quadratics Equation
A quadratic equation is an equation that can be written as ax2 + bx + c = 0 .
A quadratic expression is any expression of the form ax2 + bx + c. It is also called a
second-degree polynomial because it includes only whole-number powers of x and the
highest of these powers is 2.
Factoring Quadratic Equations ax2 + bx + c = 0
To factor any quadratic, follow these steps:
1. Factor out any common factors using the Distributive Law.
2. If a quadratic equation does not have an x term, you may use the square root method
3. Apply any relevant factoring formulas:
4. If necessary, use the Product-Sum Method
5. If it’s still not completely factored, use the Quadratic Formula
Sums and Products of the solutions of Quadratics
Quadratic Functions
Quadratic Functions
A quadratic function is a function of the form f(x) = ax2 + bx + c.
Quadratic functions and their graphs, called “Parabolas”.
A parabola is a “U” shape that opens either upward or downward.
Zeros of a Function
The root or zero of a function is the value of x for which a function like
f(x) has a value of zero.
Parabola Graphing
▪ The vertex form of a parabola is y = a(x − h)2 + k.
▪ The quadratic form of a parabola is y = ax2+bx+c, where c is y-intercept.
▪ The factor form of a parabola is y = a(x − x1)(x − x2), where x1, x2 are two
distinct x intercepts or zeros of the parabola.
▪ If a > 0, the graph opens upward and the vertex is the minimum point.
If a < 0, the graph opens downward and the vertex is the maximum point.
▪ The maximum or minimum point of a parabola is called the vertex.
▪ The vertex has the coordinates (h, k).
▪ The x-coordinate of the vertex gives the axis of symmetry for the parabola.
There are four major approaches to doing this.
y = a(x − h)2 + k
y = a(x − x1)(x − x2)
x-coordinate of the vertex = (x1 + x2)/2.
Visualizing Polynomial Graphs
EQUATION OF A CIRCLE
The equation of a circle is (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2 .
In the circle equation, the center of the circle is the point (h, k), and the
radius of the circle is r.
Nonlinear Systems
A nonlinear system of equations is a set of two or more equations where at least one
equation is not linear (i.e., it's not a straight line when graphed).
Nonlinear systems obey many of the same rules that linear systems do. For instance,
their solutions correspond to points of intersection on their graphs, and they can often
be solved by algebraic methods like Substitution and Elimination.
Functions
Definition of a Function
A function is defined as a mathematical relationship between a variable 𝑥 and the
function 𝑓(𝑥). For every value of 𝑥, there is exactly one value of 𝑓(𝑥). For any
function, there will be an input 𝑥, which appears as the term in the parentheses of
a function, and an output, which will be the value that 𝑓(𝑥) equals.
Output,
Function,
Input, x y = f(x)
+5
=x+5
Representing Functions
TEG: Tables, Equations, Graphs
Table:
Undefined Functions
When a function is divided by zero, it may be undefined—that is, it will
have no solutions.
Compositions of Functions
The notation f(g(x)) indicates the composition of two functions, g and f.
The number x is put into the function g and this result is put into the function f ;
the final result is called f(g(x)).
Exponential Functions and Graphs
An exponential function is a function of the form
Function Transformations
Suppose we have the function y = x2 with the graph below:
Treat h and k as constants for these rules.
Rule 1: If you transform f(x) to f(x) + k, the function will shift UP k units.
The graph of y = x 2 + 2 is this:
y=x 2
Rule 2: If you transform f(x) to f(x) − k, the function will shift DOWN k units.
2 The graph of y = x 2 − 2 is this:
y=x
Rule 3: If you transform f(x) to f(x + h), the function will shift LEFT h units.
The graph of y = (x + 2) 2 is this:
y=x 2
Rule 4: If you transform f(x) to f(x − h), the function will shift RIGHT h units.
The graph of y = (x − 2) 2 is this:
y = x2
Rule 5: If you transform f(x) to −f(x), the function will be REFLECTED
across the x-axis.
y = x2 The graph of y = −x2 is this: