Algebra 2 SOL Things to Remember

Test-taking strategy
Graphing Calculator Tips negative numbers in parenthesis; fractions in parenthesis; numerator in
parenthesis and denominator in parenthesis
Properties
Properties In words Algebra
Commutative* Switch order + + + + a b c a c b ; a b c a c b
Associative* Switch grouping ( ) ( ) + + + + a b c a b c
; ( ) ( ) ab c a bc
Identity Back where we started from ( ) + 0 ; 1 a a a a
Inverse Back to the identity ( )
_
+

,
1
0; 1 a a a
a
Distributive Addition over multiplication ( ) + + a b c ab ac
Reflexive
a a
Symmetric
, a b then b a
Transitive
, , a b b c then a c
*Commutative and Associative of Multiplication doesnt apply to Matrices.
Solving Equations
Absolute value ABS - under MATH and NUM
> or
- shaded out
< or
- shaded in
>
a negative number = all real numbers
<
a negative number = no solution
Other equations
Put one side in Y1 and the other side in Y2 and find the intersection.
Plug answers in to find the one that satisfies the equation.
Factoring
Difference of Perfect Squares
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
+
+
+ +
2 2
4 4 2 2 2 2
2 2
a b a b a b
a b a b a b
a b a b a b
Sum and/or Difference of Perfect Cubes ( ) ( )
t t + m
3 3 2 2
a b a b a ab b
a = root; ( ) x a
= factor; where it crosses the x-axis
Double root function just touches the x-axis
Only one variable? Plug in the original into Y1 and plug the answers into Y2. Graph
and find the one that matches the original.
Plug in values for the variables. Avoid plugging in 0 and 1.
Functions
Types of Functions
Function Sample Equation Sample Graph Regression
Linear
+ 2 5 y x
LinReg
Quadratic +
2
3 4 y x x QuadReg
Cubic +
3
3 2 1 y x x CubicReg
Quartic +
4 2
2 3 1 y x x x QuartReg
Absolute Value
3 4 y x
Step
1
]
y x
Exponential 2
x
y ExpReg
Logarithmic

2
log y x
LnReg
Evaluating -
( ) f a
; plug in a into the function for x
Plug function into y1 and look at the table
Composition - ( ) ( ) [ ] ( ) o f g x or f g x
Plug in
( ) g x
for x in the function
( ) f x
Inverse switch x and y and solve for y; opposite operations; reflected over the line
y x
Translations
t ( ) f x c Left (+) c units; Right (-) c units
t ( ) f x c Up (+) c units; Down (-) c units
( ) af x Multiply all y-values by a
( ) f ax Divide all x-values by a
( ) f x Flips over the x-axis; multiplies all y-values by -1
( ) f x Flips over the y-axis; multiplies all x-values by -1
Domain and Range
Domain = input; no zeros in the denominator; no negative numbers under the radical (even roots)
Range = output; watch out for fractions; exponentials; radicals
Plug into the calculator and use the TABLE feature.
Look at the graph squash to the x to find domain; squash to the y to find the
range.
Exponent Rules
Multiplying with like bases add the exponents ( ) ( )
+

a b a b
x x x
Dividing with like bases subtract the exponents

a
a b
b
x
x
x
Raising to a power multiply the exponents
( )

b
a ab
x x
Raising to -1 flip


_


,
1
1
1 a b a
or
b a b ab
Fractional exponents*
( )

a
a
b a b
b
x x x
*There have consistently been questions on Fractional exponents on each Algebra 2 SOL.

Powers of i

Remember the i key; Reset the calculators MODE to
+ a bi
Systems of Equations
Matrix multiplication can only multiply if the number of columns in the first = number or rows in the second
2 x 4 by 4 x 5 - result is 2 x 5
[ ]
1
A - find the inverse of matrix A
i i
2
i
-1
3
i i
4
i 1
Conjugate multiply by the conjugate to eliminate radicals
from the denominator
+ 2 7 conjugate = 2 7
3 2i conjugate = + 3 2i
Matrix Equation
+
+
Ax By C
Dx Ey F
1 1 1

1 1 1
] ] ]
A B x C
D E y F

1 1 1

1 1 1
] ] ]
1
x A B C
y D E F
Plug the answers into the equations to see if they satisfy both.
Solve for y and graph both. Solution is where the equations intersect.
Use the PlySmlt2 APP
Systems of Inequalities
Solve for y and graph in the calculator. Remember to flip the sign when multiplying or
dividing by a negative.
Use Inequality APP
Check the lines - < or > should be dashed;

or

should be solid
When solved for y: shaded above - > or

; shaded below - < or

Linear Programming
Find the corner points and PLUG into the given equation. Dont guess, actually plug them in!
Variation
Direct Divide y varies directly x
y
k
x
Inverse Multiply z varies inversely with x zx k
Joint Divide and multiply s varies directly with x and inversely with m
sm
k
x
Sequences and Series
Arithmetic = add the same thing each time
Geometric = multiply by the same thing each time

= find the sum; write them out and add them up!

end
start
rule
Plug the formula into Y1 and go to the table to find the values to add up
Statistics
Scatter plots - STAT EDIT STAT Plot (setup/turn on) ZOOM 9 (STAT)
Decide what type of function (see the types above) it is in order to choose the appropriate equation to find.
STAT CALC Choose the function to match your graph.
Dont guess! Use your calculator!!
How to calculate the percentage under the normal curve
1. Pressing 2
nd
, VARS, and 2:normalcdf( .
2. Enter the lower end of your range, the upper end of your range, the mean (

) and the
standard deviation (

).
3. Press ENTER.
Permutations order makes the set different; Remember your locker combination is a PERMUTATION
total objects MATH PRB 2: nPr number of objects in subset
Combinations order doesnt matter; same set even in a different order; ex. toppings on a pizza
total objects MATH PRB 3: nCr number of objects in subset
Conic Sections
Identify Equation Sample Graph
Parabolas One squared term
( )
( )
+
+
2
2
y a x h k
x a y k h
Ellipse
Two squared terms;
addition; different
coefficients
( ) ( )
( ) ( )

+

+
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
1
1
x h y k
a b
x h y k
b a
Circle
Two squared terms;
addition; same
coefficients
( ) ( ) +
2 2
2
x h y k r
Hyperbola
Two squared terms;
subtraction
( ) ( )
( ) ( )




2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
1
1
x h y k
a b
y k x h
a b