Tip #13 to Get a Top SAT Math Score

Tables and graphs display information, just like the sports page lists a team's wins and losses. In fact, using tables and graphs should feel no different than checking stats for your favorite Red Sox pitcher, Halo III high scorer, or Guitar Hero hero.

The SAT uses six kinds of tables and graphs. Tables display information in rows and columns. Usually the SAT asks you to use the last row or column, which shows totals. Pie graphs represent information as part of a pie. Line graphs display how data changes, often over time. Bar graphs compare the values of several items, such as sales of different toothpastes. Pictographs use small pictures to represent data. The key to pictographs lies in noticing the legend. If each icon represents 8 books, then 1/2 of an icon represents 4 books, not 1/2 of a book. Scatterplots compare two aspects of a group. When the SAT gives a scatterplot, it often asks you to name the equation of the line that best fits the data. Just sketch a line, estimate its y intercept and slope, and choose the equation (see Skill 30) that matches best.

Let's look at this question:

Solution: Obviously, Top 50 Skills is a stellar book and would sell the most, not the least copies, so that is out. According to the graph, SAT Success and I♥SATs sold the fewest copies.

Correct answer: C

Answers

Easy

1. In the table above, each letter represents the number of home runs for that category. Which of the following must be equal to i ?
   1. c + f
   2. a + b + d + e
   3. g + c
   1. I only
   2. II only
   3. I and II
   4. II and III
   5. I, II, and III

Medium



2. The chart above shows the answers 500 people gave when asked to name their favorite teacher. Sra. Moran and Ms. Nicholas received the most votes. According to the graph, how many total votes were cast for these two teachers?



3. According to the graph above, the four books averaged sales closest to
   1. 22
   2. 41
   3. 22,000
   4. 41,000
   5. 160,000



4. The grid above shows the grades for students in Mr. Okin's history class on two tests. The x axis represents results on test I, and the y axis represents results on test II. Which student improved the most from test I to test II?
   1. A
   2. B
   3. C
   4. D
   5. E