SAT Subject Test Physics (2012)
APPENDIXES
APPENDIX A. MATHEMATICS REVIEW
It is often said that mathematics is the language of physics. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be comfortable with the basic math knowledge you will need to interpret and solve physics problems.
Algebra
Scientific notation: Any number can be written as a power of The first number must be
Exponents: Any number can be written in the form of a base number raised to a power.
Undefined values: A fraction is undefined when the denominator equals 0. is undefined when .
Factorial: The symbol n! represents the product of all positive integers from 1 to n.
Multiplication involving binomials (FOIL method): Distribute each value:
Logarithms: If , then .
Geometry
Equations of common shapes:
Line with slope m and y-intercept b: (slope-intercept)
(point-slope)
Circle with radius r centered at the origin:
Parabola whose vertex is at
Ellipse with semimajor axis a and semiminor axis
Pythagorean Theorem:
For a right triangle:
Area:
Triangle:
Rectangle:
Circle:
Sector of a circle:
Volume:
Prism:
Pyramid:
Cylinder:
Cone:
Sphere:
Trigonometry
Trigonometric functions:
Laws: