PSAT Math 2 (Mixed)

PSAT Tips and Tricks for Mixed Math

Read the question first and decide exactly what you are solving for.
Circle key words like value of x, slope, zeros, probability, or percent.
On linear equations, isolate the variable step by step and move slowly with negatives.
On systems, look for the fastest method:
add/subtract if terms cancel easily
substitute if one variable is already isolated
Remember:
same slope, different intercepts = no solution
same exact line = infinitely many solutions
different slopes = one solution
For slope, use rise over run carefully. Watch the subtraction order.
In slope-intercept form y = mx + b:
m is slope
b is y-intercept
When asked for a y-intercept, plug in x = 0.
For function questions, plug in the input exactly as written.
If it says f(3), replace every x with 3.
If it says f(g(4)), do the inside first.
On quadratics, know what they are asking:
zeros
vertex
factored form
expanded form
transformation
Quick quadratic reminders:
(x – a)(x + a) = x² – a²
(x + a)² = x² + 2ax + a²
(x – a)² = x² – 2ax + a²
In vertex form a(x – h)² + k, the vertex is (h, k).
If a is positive, the parabola opens up. If a is negative, it opens down.
For transformations:
x – 3 means right 3
x + 3 means left 3
+5 outside means up 5
-5 outside means down 5
For percent questions:
percent = part / whole
convert to percent at the end
For probability:
favorable outcomes / total outcomes
For mean, add all values and divide by how many there are.
For range, subtract smallest from largest.
For geometry:
triangle area = 1/2 bh
rectangle perimeter = 2l + 2w
circle circumference = 2πr
square area = side²
On right triangles, know common values like 5-12-13.
Rewrite word problems into equations before solving.
If the answer choices are numbers, estimate first so you can catch mistakes.
Check whether your answer makes sense before moving on.
If a problem is getting too long, skip it and come back.
The PSAT rewards clean algebra, calm pacing, and avoiding careless mistakes more than fancy math.