NC Math 1 Study & Reference Guide
A Comprehensive Guide covering Equations, Functions, and Statistics Standards
1. Equations and Inequalities
Concept / Rule Formula / Operational Form Key Properties & Insights
Properties of Equality Addition, Subtraction, Whatever mathematical action is done to one side of
Multiplication, Division an equation must simultaneously be performed on
the opposing side to maintain equilibrium.
Literal Equations Isolate a specific target variable Rearrange structural geometric or physical formulas
(e.g., solve A = lw explicitly for w: w = A/l) using
standard inverse operations.
Linear Inequalities ax + b < c, ax + b > c, etc. When multiplying or dividing both sides of an
inequality expression by a negative numerical value,
the direction of the inequality sign must flip.
2. Linear Functions
Concept / Form Equation / Structure Key Properties & Insights
Slope Formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1) Measures the constant vertical rate of change (rise)
relative to the horizontal displacement (run) across
any two defined coordinate points.
Slope-Intercept Form y = mx + b The coefficient m explicitly designates the slope of
the line, while the constant b represents the precise
coordinates of the y-intercept (0, b).
Standard Form Ax + By = C A structural form where integers A, B, and C define
the line. It is highly efficient for computing intercepts
directly (set x=0 or y=0).
Point-Slope Form y - y1 = m(x - x1) Ideal for constructing the equation of a line when
provided with a single operational point (x1, y1) and a
known slope m.
Arithmetic Sequences an = a1 + (n - 1)d Explicit formula where a1 represents the initial term, d
represents the constant common difference, and n
denotes the target term index position.
3. Systems of Equations and Inequalities
Method / Type Analytical Definition Key Graphical Interpretations
Substitution Isolate one variable and substitute Solves algebraic systems quickly when one variable
into the other equation. already has a coefficient of 1 or -1.
Elimination Add or subtract equations to Multiply one or both linear equations by a scale factor
cancel out one variable. to align matching variable coefficients with opposite
operational signs.
Systems of Inequalities Overlapping half-planes on a The total solution set is represented graphically by
graph the shared, intersecting shaded region. Dashed lines
mean exclusive, solid lines mean inclusive.
4. Exponential Functions
Concept / Form Formula / Equation Key Properties & Insights
General Exponential Form y = abx The value a serves as the non-zero initial starting
amount (y-intercept), while b acts as the explicit
constant base multiplier.
Growth vs. Decay Growth: b = 1 + r If the multiplier base b > 1, the curve grows
Decay: b = 1 - r exponentially. If 0 < b < 1, the curve decays
exponentially. The variable r is the fractional rate.
Exponent Rules xm · xn = xm+n Fundamental laws governing base-variable tracking.
(xm)n = xm·n Note: Any non-zero base raised to the power of zero
xm / xn = xm-n equals exactly 1 (x0 = 1).
Geometric Sequences an = a1 · rn-1 An explicit model mapping a sequence where each
successive term is generated by multiplying the
preceding value by a common ratio r.
5. Quadratic Functions
Form / Attribute Formula / Equation Key Properties & Insights
Standard Quadratic Form y = ax2 + bx + c The constant c represents the exact y-intercept. If a >
0, the parabola opens upward; if a < 0, it opens
downward.
Factored / Intercept Form y = a(x - r1)(x - r2) Directly reveals the x-intercepts (also known as roots,
zeros, or solutions) of the function at points (r1, 0)
and (r2, 0).
Axis of Symmetry x = -b / (2a) The vertical, central line that mirrors the parabola.
The x-coordinate of the vertex always sits exactly on
this line.
Quadratic Methods Factoring, GCF, Square Roots Methods utilized to find the zeros of the function.
Solved algebraically by setting the entire equation
equal to zero (y = 0).
6. Statistics
Statistical Measure Formula / Criterion Key Properties & Insights
Measures of Center Mean & Median The Mean represents numerical balance (sensitive to
outliers). The Median tracks the middle data point
(resistant to outliers).
Spread & Variation IQR = Q3 - Q1 Interquartile Range (IQR) represents the spread of
the middle 50% of the dataset, calculated from the
1st and 3rd quartiles.
Outlier Threshold Rules Low: Q1 - 1.5·IQR Data points falling strictly below the Low threshold or
High: Q3 + 1.5·IQR strictly above the High threshold are mathematically
flagged as outliers.
Correlation Coefficient (r) -1 ≤ r ≤ 1 Measures the linear strength and direction of a
scatter plot. Values near ±1 represent strong trends;
values near 0 mean no trend.
Residual Values Residual = Actual - Predicted The vertical distance measuring the gap between an
observed data value and the value predicted by the
linear line of best fit.