How to Ace TEAS Math with Memory Tricks
Turn Math Concepts into Memorable Hooks for the TEAS Exam
Welcome to your math prep journey for the TEAS! Let's make math as painless as possible by turning concepts into memorable hooks. Think of it as creating a mental cheat sheet that sticks with you long after your study session. Let’s dive in!
The Magic of Prime Numbers
When it comes to prime numbers, remember, "Two is the first, the one and only even." The number 2 is the smallest prime number and the only even one at that. Prime numbers are like the exclusive club of numbers only divisible by 1 and themselves. This hook helps you remember that 2 is the smallest prime, and any number less than 2 can't join the club.
Solving Equations: The Balance Act
Equations might seem like a tightrope walk, but think of them as a balance scale. For instance, solving 3x - 5 = 16 is like adding 5 to both sides to keep it balanced, leading to 3x = 21. Then, dividing by 3 gives you balance at x = 7. Remember: what you do to one side, do to the other, and don't forget to divide when necessary.
Discounts and Deals
Picture yourself at a sale: if an item is 25% off, focus on what’s left to pay. So, for an $80 item, what’s 75% of the original price? Think "75% is the deal, $20 is the peel." You peel away $20 from $80, leaving you with a sale price of $60.
Inequality: Flip It Like a Pancake
Inequalities require a special flip when multiplying or dividing by a negative. When solving 5 - 3x > 2, subtract 5 and get -3x > -3. Divide by -3, and flip the sign: x < 1. Think of it as making pancakes: flip the sign when you flip the side with negatives.
Right Triangles: The Angle Duo
In right triangles, always think "90's duo" because the two acute angles together make 90 degrees. If one angle is 35 degrees, the other must be 55 degrees. It’s like a dance duo balancing out the 90-degree right angle to sum up to a perfect 180-degree triangle.
Order of Operations: The PEMDAS Party
Order of operations is your roadmap. Picture it as a party: Parentheses first, then Exponents, followed by Multiplication and Division (left to right), finishing with Addition and Subtraction. In 8 ÷ 2 + 3 × 4, divide first (4), multiply next (12), and then the addition leads you to the answer: 16. Stick to the PEMDAS party order to avoid any mix-ups.
Square Roots: The Inside Story
Finding the side length of a square with an area of 64 is like unwrapping a gift to find something evenly divided. The side is the square root of 64, which is 8. Remember, the square root gives you the side of the story, not the whole picture.
Greatest Common Factor: The Sharing Game
Think of the GCF as the biggest piece of pie two numbers can share. For 24 and 36, break them into factors and look for the biggest common piece. In this case, 12 is the largest piece they can both enjoy.
Practice Makes Perfect
These memory hooks are your stepping stones to mastering TEAS math. Use them as you practice and reinforce these concepts. Want more practice? Head over to NursingSchoolQuiz.com and try out some specially crafted questions to test your newfound skills. Happy studying! 🧠