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"Best Interpretation" Explained

What does the value mean in real life.

Key Idea: Best Interpretation

When asked for the best interpretation of a value, the question is asking:
“What does this number actually represent in real life?”

General Rule:

  • Identify what the number measures.

  • Explain it in context of the problem, not just mathematically.

  • Translate it into plain, real-world meaning.

Why this matters for the SAT:

SAT data analysis and word problems often require interpreting results, not just calculating them. Understanding the real-world meaning ensures your answer is practical and accurate, not just a number.

"Solution" Explained

A value that makes the math true.

Key Idea: Solution

A solution is a value that makes an equation or inequality true.

General Rule:

  • Substitute the solution into the equation: if both sides are equal, it is correct.

  • Equations can have one, many, or no solutions.

Why this matters for the SAT:

Identifying solutions is fundamental in algebra and word problems.
It allows you to check your answers and ensure your calculations satisfy the original problem.

"Value of a Function" Explained

Plug into one variable to solve for the other.

Key Idea: Value of a Function

The value of a function is the output you get when you substitute a number into the function’s variable.

General Rule:

  • Substitute the given input (usually ) into the function:

    f(x)=expression with x

  • Plug in the value of  to solve for the output { or f(x)}.

Why this matters for the SAT:

Finding function values is a common algebra skill on the SAT.
It helps you evaluate expressions, interpret function notation, and solve problems involving inputs and outputs quickly.

"Which Is Equivalent To..." Explained

Which answer choice matches the given equation if you were to move things around using a valid order of operations.

Key Idea: “Which Is Equivalent To…”

These questions ask you to find the expression or equation that means the same thing as the original — after simplifying or rearranging it correctly.

General Rule:

  • Use valid algebraic moves (distributive property, combining like terms, factoring, etc.).

  • Apply the order of operations (PEMDAS) correctly.

  • The correct answer is the one that is mathematically identical to the original expression.

Why this matters for the SAT:

“Equivalent” questions test your ability to simplify, rearrange, and recognize algebraic structure.
They appear often in algebra, factoring, and equation manipulation problems.

"In Terms Of" Explained

The variables before the “in terms of” should be alone on one side of the equal sign. The variables after should end up on the other side of the equal side.

Key Idea:

When a problem says “in terms of,” it’s telling you which variable should be by itself (isolated) on one side of the equation, and which variables should be used to express it on the other side.

General Rule:

  • You’ll often be asked to rewrite equations this way.

  • Sometimes the equation will need algebraic manipulation (adding, subtracting, dividing, factoring).

  • The trick is to focus on the variable named first in “in terms of” — that’s the one you solve for.

Why this matters for the SAT:

  • You’ll often be asked to rewrite equations this way.

  • Sometimes the equation will need algebraic manipulation (adding, subtracting, dividing, factoring).

  • The trick is to focus on the variable named first in “in terms of” — that’s the one you solve for.

"Is" Explained

Means equal.

Key Idea: “Is”

In math problems, the word “is” signals equality.

General Rule:

  • “Is” can be replaced with an equals sign (=) in equations.

  • Example: “5 is x plus 2” → 5 = x+2

Why this matters for the SAT:

Recognizing “is” as equality helps translate word problems into equations quickly and accurately, which is essential for algebra and problem solving.