When the SAT shows a figure with parallel lines, check if they actually SAY the lines are parallel. "Looks parallel" ≠ IS parallel. Look for arrows or explicit statements.
Angle Relationships Practice 🎯
Deep Dive: Multi-Step Angle Problems
Worked Example 1: Parallel Lines with Algebra
Step
Work
Problem
Lines l∥m are cut by a transversal. One angle is (3x+10)° and its alternate interior angle is . Find and the angle measure.
Advanced Angle Problems 🎯
Identify the Angle Relationship — Name each angle pair.
Part 1 Summary: Angle Relationships
Rule
Formula/Fact
When to Use
Supplementary
a+b=180°
Angles on a straight line
Complementary
a+b=
Part 2: Triangle Properties
Triangle Properties & Theorems
Part 2 of 7 — Special Triangles, Similarity, Congruence
Special Right Triangles
The SAT provides these in the reference sheet, but memorizing them saves time:
45-45-90 Triangle:
Legs: x, x
Hypotenuse: x2
Part 3: Circle Properties
Area, Perimeter, and Quadrilaterals
Part 3 of 7 — Polygons and Their Properties
Essential Area Formulas
Shape
Area
Perimeter
Rectangle
A=lw
P=2l+2w
Part 4: Area & Volume
Circles: Arc Length, Sector Area, Central Angles
Part 4 of 7 — Circle Geometry
Circle Fundamentals
Property
Formula
Circumference
C=2πr=πd
Area
A=
Part 5: Coordinate Geometry
Volume and Surface Area
Part 5 of 7 — 3D Figures
The SAT reference sheet includes these formulas, but knowing them cold saves time.
Volume Formulas
Shape
Volume
Rectangular prism
V=lwh
Cylinder
V=πr
Part 6: Problem-Solving Workshop
Coordinate Geometry
Part 6 of 7 — Distance, Midpoint, and Equations of Lines/Circles
Distance Formula
d=(x2−x
Part 7: Review & Applications
Geometry Review & SAT Strategy
Part 7 of 7 — Comprehensive Review
Formula Quick Reference
Category
Key Formulas
Angles
Triangle sum =180°, exterior angle = sum of remotes
Triangles
A=, Pythagorean theorem:
(5x−30)°
x
Set up
Alternate interior angles are equal: 3x+10=5x−30
Solve
40=2x → x=20
Answer
Each angle =3(20)+10=70° ✓
Worked Example 2: Exterior Angle with Algebra
Step
Work
Problem
In △ABC, ∠A=(2x+5)°, ∠B=(x+10)°, exterior angle at C=(4x−5)°. Find all angles.
Apply theorem
Exterior = sum of remotes: 4x−5=(2x+5)+(x+10)
Solve
4x−5=3x+15 → x=20
Angles
A=45°, B=30°, C=180°−
Check
Exterior at C: 4(20)−5=75° = 45°+30° ✓
Angle Relationship Quick Reference
Relationship
Rule
How to Spot
Vertical angles
Equal
X shape at intersection
Supplementary
Sum to 180°
Adjacent on straight line
Corresponding
Equal
Same position at each parallel crossing
Alternate interior
Equal
Z or S pattern between parallels
Co-interior
Sum to 180°
U or C pattern between parallels
Exterior angle
Sum of two remotes
Outside vertex of triangle
90°
Corner/right angle split
Vertical angles
a=b
Intersecting lines
Triangle sum
A+B+C=180°
Any triangle
Exterior angle
=remote1+remote2
Angle outside triangle vertex
Parallel + transversal
Corresponding & alternate = equal; co-interior sum to 180°
Arrows on lines or stated parallel
SAT Strategy
If angles involve variables, set up an equation using the appropriate rule.
Always check: do the angles sum correctly?
Angles at a point sum to 360° — don't confuse with straight line (180°).
Next: Triangle properties, special right triangles, and similarity →
30-60-90 Triangle:
Short leg: x (opposite 30°)
Long leg: x3 (opposite 60°)
Hypotenuse: 2x (opposite 90°)
Example
A 30-60-90 triangle has a hypotenuse of 10. Find the legs.
Hypotenuse =2x=10 → x=5
Short leg =5
Long leg =53≈8.66
Triangle Inequality Theorem
For any triangle with sides a, b, c:
a+b>c
The sum of any two sides must exceed the third.
Example: Can a triangle have sides 3, 5, and 9? 3+5=8<9 → No!
Similar Triangles (AA Similarity)
If two angles of one triangle equal two angles of another, the triangles are similar (same shape, proportional sides).
a2a1=b2b1=c2c1
SAT Trap ⚠️
In 30-60-90 triangles, students often mix up which leg is which. Remember: the shortest side is opposite the smallest angle (30°).
Triangle Properties Practice 🎯
Deep Dive: Applying Triangle Properties
Worked Example 1: Special Triangle → Area
Step
Work
Problem
An equilateral triangle has side length 8. Find its area.
Strategy
Split into two 30-60-90 triangles by drawing the height.
Find height
Half-base =4 (short leg). Height =43 (long leg of 30-60-90).
Area
A=21(8)(43
SAT shortcut: Area of equilateral triangle =4s23. Plug in: ✓
Worked Example 2: Similar Triangles with Algebra
Step
Work
Problem
△ABC ~ △DEF. In △ABC: AB=6, BC=9. In △DEF: DE=10,
Pythagorean Triples to Memorize
Triple
Multiples You'll See
3,4,5
6,8,10; 9,12,15;
Recognizing these saves you from using the Pythagorean theorem every time.
Triangle Inequality: Finding the Range
If two sides are 5 and 11, the third side x must satisfy:
11−5<x<11+
Advanced Triangle Problems 🎯
Match the Triangle Property — Select the correct value for each scenario.
Part 2 Summary: Triangle Properties
Property
Key Facts
45-45-90
Legs =x, hyp =x2
30-60-90
Short =x, long =x3, hyp
Pythagorean theorem
a2+b2=c2 (right triangles only)
Triangle inequality
Sum of two sides > third side
Similar triangles
Equal angles → proportional sides
Area ratio (similar)
= (side ratio)2
SAT Strategy
Spot Pythagorean triples (3-4-5, 5-12-13) before computing.
For special right triangles, identify which angle or side you're given first, then find x.
In similar triangle problems, match corresponding sides carefully — order matters.
Next: Area, perimeter, and quadrilateral properties →
Square
A=s2
P=4s
Triangle
A=21bh
P=a+b+c
Parallelogram
A=bh
P=2a+2b
Trapezoid
A=21(b1+b2)h
Sum of all sides
Key Insight: Height ≠ Side Length
The height (altitude) is the perpendicular distance from base to top. In non-right triangles and parallelograms, the height is NOT the same as a side length.
Coordinate Geometry Areas
For a rectangle or right triangle on the coordinate plane:
Find the lengths of the sides using the distance formula or by counting grid units
Apply the appropriate area formula
Shaded Region Problems
Strategy:Shaded area=Total area−Unshaded area
Example: A circle of radius 5 is inscribed in a square. Find the shaded area (corners).
Square area: (2×5)2=100
Circle area: π(5)2=25π≈78.54
Shaded area: 100−25π≈21.46
SAT Trap ⚠️
In "shaded region" problems, make sure you subtract the RIGHT shape. Draw the overlapping shapes clearly and label dimensions.
Area & Perimeter Practice 🎯
Deep Dive: Complex Area Problems
Worked Example 1: Multi-Shape Shaded Region
Step
Work
Problem
A square with side 10 contains an inscribed circle. A smaller square is inscribed inside the circle. Find the area between the two squares.
Large square
Area =102=100
Circle
Diameter =10, so r=5. Area =25π (for reference)
Small square
Its diagonal = circle diameter =10. Side =2. Area
Between squares
100−50=50 square units
Worked Example 2: Coordinate Plane Area
Step
Work
Problem
Find the area of the triangle with vertices A(1,2), B(7,2), C(4,8).
Coordinate area shortcut: When one side is horizontal or vertical, use it as the base — the height is just the perpendicular distance.
Height vs. Slant Side — The #1 Trap
Shape
Height is...
NOT the height
Triangle
Perpendicular from base to opposite vertex
A non-perpendicular side
Parallelogram
Perpendicular distance between parallel sides
The slanted side
Trapezoid
Perpendicular between the two parallel bases
The slanted legs
SAT trap: A parallelogram has sides 8 and 5 with a height of 4. Area =8×4=32 (NOT 8×5=40).
Advanced Area & Perimeter Problems 🎯
Choose the Right Formula — Select the correct area formula for each shape.
Part 3 Summary: Area & Perimeter
Shape
Area
Perimeter
Triangle
21bh
a+b+c
Rectangle
lw
2l+2w
Square
s2
4s; diagonal =s2
Parallelogram
bh (NOT side × side)
2a+2b
Trapezoid
21(b1+b
Key Strategies
Shaded regions: Total area − unshaded area. Draw and label clearly.
Coordinate plane: Use horizontal/vertical sides as base when possible.
Height trap: Always use the PERPENDICULAR height, not the slant side.
Next: Circle geometry — arcs, sectors, and central angles →
π
r2
Arc length
L=360°θ×2πr
Sector area
Asector=360°θ×πr2
Where θ is the central angle in degrees.
The Proportion Rule
A central angle of θ° creates an arc that is 360θ of the full circle. This fraction applies to BOTH arc length AND sector area.
Example: A circle with radius 10 has a central angle of 72°.
Arc length =36072×2π(10)=51×20π=4π
Sector area =36072×π(10)2=
Inscribed Angle Theorem
An inscribed angle is HALF the central angle that subtends the same arc.
Inscribed angle=21×Central angle
Special case: An inscribed angle that subtends a diameter (semicircle) is always 90°.
Tangent Lines
A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency (
Circle Geometry Practice 🎯
Deep Dive: Multi-Step Circle Problems
Worked Example 1: Arc Length from Context
Step
Work
Problem
A clock's minute hand is 6 inches long. How far does the tip travel in 20 minutes?
Central angle
20 min =6020=31 of full rotation =31×360°=120°
Arc length
L=360120×2π(6)= inches
Worked Example 2: Sector Area to Find Radius
Step
Work
Problem
A sector with central angle 60° has area 24π. Find the radius.
Set up
360
Key Circle Relationships
Given
Find
Method
Radius
Circumference
C=2πr
Circumference
Radius
r=2
Radians on the SAT
Some SAT questions use radians instead of degrees:
Full circle =2π radians =360°
Arc length in radians: L=rθ
Sector area in radians: A
Conversion:θrad=θdeg×
Advanced Circle Problems 🎯
Circle Calculations — Select the correct result.
Part 4 Summary: Circle Geometry
Property
Formula
Key Relationship
Circumference
C=2πr
r=C/(2π)
Area
A=πr2
r=A/π
Arc length (deg)
360θ×2πr
Fraction of circumference
Sector area (deg)
360θ×πr2
Same fraction of area
Arc length (rad)
L=rθ
Simpler in radians
Inscribed angle
=21× central angle
Inscribed in semicircle =90°
Tangent line
⊥ to radius
Creates right angle at tangent point
SAT Strategy
The fraction360θ is the same for both arc length and sector area.
If the SAT gives you arc length, work backward to find radius or angle.
Watch for radian vs. degree — the formulas change.
Next: Volume and surface area of 3D figures →
2
h
Cone
V=31πr2h
Sphere
V=34πr3
Pyramid
V=31Bh (where B = base area)
Surface Area
Shape
Surface Area
Rectangular prism
SA=2(lw+lh+wh)
Cylinder
SA=2πr2+2πrh
Sphere
SA=4πr2
Common SAT Problem: Filling and Draining
"A cylindrical tank has radius 3 ft and height 10 ft. Water fills it at 2 cubic feet per minute. How long until it's full?"
Converting General Form to Standard Form (Completing the Square)
x2+y2−6x+4y−12=0
Group and complete the square:
(x2−6x+9)+(y2+4y+4)=12+9+4(x−3)2+(y+2)2=25
SAT Trap ⚠️
When reading circle equations, remember: (x−h)2 means the center's x-coordinate is +h, and (y+k)2 means the center's y-coordinate is −k. The signs flip!
Coordinate Geometry Practice 🎯
Deep Dive: Coordinate Geometry Problem Solving
Worked Example 1: Finding a Missing Vertex
Step
Work
Problem
A rectangle has three vertices at A(1,1), B(7,1), C(7,5). Find vertex D.
Strategy
Opposite sides of a rectangle are equal and parallel.
Reasoning
D has the same x as A and same y as C: .
Verify
AB=6, CD=6 ✓. BC=4, ✓.
Worked Example 2: Is It a Right Triangle?
Step
Work
Problem
Triangle with vertices P(0,0), Q(4,0), R(0,3). Is it a right triangle?
Equation of a Line — Forms You Need
Form
Equation
When to Use
Slope-intercept
y=mx+b
Know slope and y-intercept
Point-slope
y−y
Perpendicular Bisector Strategy
To find the perpendicular bisector of segment AB:
Find the midpoint of AB
Find the slope of AB
Take the negative reciprocal for the perpendicular slope
Write the line through the midpoint with that slope
Advanced Coordinate Geometry 🎯
Coordinate Geometry Quick Checks — Select the correct answer.
Part 6 Summary: Coordinate Geometry
Tool
Formula
Key Fact
Distance
(x2−x1)2+(y2−y1)2
Same as Pythagorean theorem
Midpoint
(2x1+x
Slope
x2−x1y
Parallel lines
m1=m2
Same slope
Perpendicular lines
m1⋅m2=−1
Negative reciprocals
Circle (standard)
(x−h)2+(y−k)2=
SAT Strategy
Know your Pythagorean triples — saves time on distance problems.
Completing the square converts general form circles to standard form.
Watch the sign flip in circle equations: (x+3)2 means center x=−3.
Next: Comprehensive geometry review and SAT strategy →
21
bh
a2+b2=c2
Special △
30-60-90: x,x3,2x; 45-45-90: x,x,x2
Circles
C=2πr, A=πr2, sector =360θ of full
Volume
Cylinder =πr2h, Cone =31πr2h, Sphere =34πr3
Coordinate
d=Δx2+Δy2, circle: (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r
Common SAT Geometry Question Patterns
"Find the missing angle" → Use angle sum rules
"Find the area of the shaded region" → Total minus unshaded
"Similar triangles" → Set up proportions
"Volume word problem" → Identify the shape, plug into formula
"Coordinate geometry" → Distance, midpoint, or circle equation
Strategy: Draw It
If the SAT doesn't give you a figure, draw one yourself. Even a rough sketch helps you avoid errors.
If they DO give you a figure:
"Not drawn to scale" → Don't trust visual proportions
"Figure drawn to scale" → You can estimate to eliminate wrong answers
Top 3 Geometry Mistakes
Using the wrong formula (mixing up circumference and area)
Forgetting to take the square root when finding radius from area
Not converting units (e.g., diameter given but formula needs radius)
Geometry Comprehensive Review 🎯
Deep Dive: Multi-Step SAT Geometry Problems
Worked Example 1: Combining Multiple Concepts
Step
Work
Problem
A circle is inscribed in an equilateral triangle with side 12. Find the area of the region inside the triangle but outside the circle.
Triangle area
A=4s23=41443=363
Inscribed circle radius
r=6s3
Circle area
A=π(23)2=
Shaded region
363−12π≈62.35−37.70
Worked Example 2: Coordinate + Geometry Hybrid
Step
Work
Problem
A circle has center (3,4) and passes through the origin. Find the circle's area.