Sat math Essentials

C o m p a r i s o n S y m b o l s
The following table shows the various comparison symbols used on the SAT.
SYMBOL
MEANING
EXAMPLE
=
is equal to
3 = 3
≠
is not equal to
7 
≠
6
>
is greater than
5 > 4
≥
is greater than or equal to
x
≥
2 (
x
can be 2 or any number greater than 2)
<
is less than
1 < 2
≤
is less than or equal to
x
≤
8 (
x
can be 8 or any number less than 8)
Practice Question
If
a
> 37, which of the following is a possible value of
a
?
a.
–43
b.
–37
c.
35
d.
37
e.
41
Answer
e.
a
> 37 means that 
a
is greater than 37. Only 41 is greater than 37.
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N U M B E R S A N D O P E R AT I O N S R E V I E W
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3 8

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Symbols of Multiplication
A 
factor
is a number that is multiplied. A 
product
is the result of multiplication.
7 
8 
56. 7 and 8 are 
factors.
56 is the 
product
.
You can represent multiplication in the following ways:
■
A multiplication sign or a dot between factors indicates multiplication:
7 
8 
56
7 • 8 
56
■
Parentheses around a factor indicate multiplication:
(7)8 
56
7(8) 
56
(7)(8) 
56
■
Multiplication is also indicated when a number is placed next to a variable:
7
a
7 
a
Practice Question
If
n
(8 – 5), what is the value of 6
n
?