Fantastic question

This file should give you an idea where you are lacking.
I think you should definitely know the squares from 0-10 and preferrably from 10 to 20 as well.

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Great resource

Thank you!

I have added this post to the Math Tips: new-to-the-math-forum-please-read-this-first-77764.html
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As far as common squares are concerned, I only remember the ones with 0 or 5 in the units digit. For the latter category, I use the following process:

For example: 65*65

1) Always write down 25 as this is always the last two digits of the result:
...25

2) Multiply (non-units digits) times (non-units digits + 1)
6 * (6+1) = 42

2c) Combine:
4225

This way I always have the important squares handy... very useful for estimations!

Any other math shortcuts? Anyone

Steve

And if it equals more than 10, add a 1 to the first digit

EG

68*11 -> 6+8=14 -> 6 14 8 -> 748

Also, see this post for some good theory: math-number-theory-88376.html
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Guys! I just found another way of checking whether a number is divisible by 8 or not ( the rule is same but another approach or route ). It's for a number with more than two digits.

Let's take 1936
1) First of all check whether last two digits of the number are divisible by 4 or not.
For 1936, we do this way 36/4=9

2) If it is divisible by 4 then add the quotient to the 3rd last digit of the number and if the sum of them is divisible by 2 then the whole number is divisible by 8.

--> 9 (quotient)+ 9 ( 3rd digit from right)= 18, and -->18/2=9
So the whole number is divisible by 8.

Once you understand it and do a little practice, you'll find it easy and fast.
**You can try other numbers to see whether it is true or not
Hope it helps!
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hi,
i feel the process is bit complicated as it doesn't give the value of quotient, it just tells you whether no. is divisible by 8.
here is another tric, if the no. formed by last three digits is divisible by 8 then the whole no. is divisible by 8.

953360 is divisible by 8 since 360 is divisible by 8,
529418: not divisible as 418 is not divisible by 8.

plug in different values and try.
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Now, what does this mean:

Area of Isosceles Triangle = 1/2[(leg)^2]
(from Geometry Formulas.pdf)

I haven't been able to give myself any convincing explanation of this formula...

Thanks for this memory sheet, very useful!


However I believe some formulas, details might be added...

Angles of a polygons (n-2)* 180, angles inscribed in a circle (compared to central angle there a section about it in the VERITAS Prep book)


Also I did not see two real IMPORTANT triangles sides ratio:

3:4:5
5:12:13

Good you put the formula for the equilateral triangle (which is not given in the OG and allow you to gain so much time)

I found formula I did not know! Thank you for sharing

These are a few math tricks my brother used when studying for the MCAT. Hope they help!
(attached a word document)

1. A nice math trick is multiplying two integers that have multiple digits relatively quickly. It does not apply to all integers the following has to be met:
TENS DIGIT in both integers HAS TO BE SAME
ONES DIGIT in each integer HAS TO ADD UP TO 10
Also, if the ones digits are 1 and 9 you just write 09.

Example 34x36:
Step 1: Add one to tens place then multiply (1+3)x3 = 12
Step 2: Ones place 4x6 = 24
Step 3: Place Steps 1 & 2 = 1224

Example 1 & 9 in ones place: 21x29
Step 1: Add one to tens place then multiply (1+2)x2 = 6
Step 2: Ones place 1x9= 09
Step 3: Place Steps 1 & 2 together = 609

2. This one is for people having difficulty memorizing a few square root numbers!
sqrt 1 = 1 (as in 1/1 = New Year's Day)
sqrt 2 = 1.4 (as in 2/14 = Valentine's Day)
sqrt 3 = 1.7 (as in 3/17 = St. Patrick's Day)

3. The next math trick is the Babylonian Method it can be useful when estimating square roots.
First guess roughly what you think it would be

Step 1: For a number less than 1 guess bigger.
For a number greater than 1 guess smaller.
Step 2: Divide your guess into the square root number.
Step 3: Take your answer (from step 2) and add it to your guess
Step 4: Divide by 2

Example sqrt(.78):
Step 1: sqrt of .78 < 1 so guess = .85
Step 2. .78/.85 = ~.9
Step 3: (.85+.9) = 1.75
Step 4: 1.75/2 = ~.88 And this should be your answer (or close enough)

If you guess really wildly just use the answer from your first guess and run through the process again. You can do it in seconds once you get good at it.

Wild Guess Example: sqrt 70 = ?
Step 1 sqrt of 70>1 so guess 10
Step 2: 70/10= 7
Step 3: 7+10= 17
Step 4: 17/2 = 8.5
*8.5x8.5 = 72.25 Still off (10 kind of a wild guess, so repeat process with the new answer from step 4)
Step 1: guess = 8.5
Step 2: 70/8.5= 8.2
Step 3: 8.2+8.5= 16.7
Step 4: 16.7/2 = ~8.4
8.4*8.4 = 70.6

4. If two numbers (both even or odd) are close together and their average is an integer, then this method can be used.
Need to recognize that:
x^2 - y^2 = (x + y)(x - y) and vice-versa (x + y)(x - y) = x^2 - y^2
Example 1
48*52 = (50-2)(50+2) = 50^2 - 2^2 = 2496.

Example 2
3^2 - 2^2 = 3 + 2
4^2 - 3^2 = 4 + 3
5^2 - 4^2 = 5 + 4

5. When x and y are consecutive integers, then (x - y) = 1.

It's useful for calculating large squares:

Example: 71^2 = ?
71^2 - 70^2 = 71 + 70
so 71^2 = 70^2 + (141)
= 4900 + 141 = 5041

Example: 53^2 = ?
53^2 – 52^2 = (53 + 52) + (52 + 51) + (51 + 50)
53^2 = 50^2 + (105) + (103) + (101)
= 2500 + 309 = 2809

0.79^2
80^2 - 79^2 = 80 + 79
so 80^2 - (80 + 79) = 79^2
6400 - 159 = 6241 so 0.79^2 = 0.6241