# SAT Math Formula Chart: What to Know for the SAT | 1600.now

Source: https://1600.now/sat-math-formula-chart

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Math · chart

## SAT Math Formula Chart

Bluebook's reference sheet covers [area and volume](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Area%20and%20volume), the [Pythagorean](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Right%20triangles%20and%20trigonometry) theorem, special [right triangles](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Right%20triangles%20and%20trigonometry), and angle totals. It leaves out [slope](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20functions), the [quadratic formula](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Nonlinear%20equations%20in%20one%20variable%20and%20systems%20of%20equations%20in%20two%20variables), [circle equations](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Circles), and trig [ratios](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Ratios%2C%20rates%2C%20proportional%20relationships%2C%20and%20units), so memorize those.

Updated September 2026

### Download this resource

- [Download the SAT Math formula chart (PDF)](https://1600.now/downloads/sat-math-formula-chart.pdf)

![One-page SAT Math formula chart: Bluebook reference formulas with diagrams, then slope, quadratic, circle and trig formulas](https://1600.now/downloads/sat-math-formula-chart-preview.png)

### Given in Bluebook

You can open the reference sheet at any time in either Math module.

| Shape or fact | Formula |
| --- | --- |
| Circle | $A=\pi r^2$ and $C=2\pi r$ |
| Rectangle | $A=lw$ |
| Triangle | $A=\dfrac{1}{2}bh$ |
| [Pythagorean](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Right%20triangles%20and%20trigonometry) theorem | $c^2=a^2+b^2$ |
| 30°-60°-90° triangle | Short leg $x$, long leg $x\sqrt{3}$, hypotenuse $2x$ |
| 45°-45°-90° triangle | Legs $s$, hypotenuse $s\sqrt{2}$ |
| Rectangular solid | $V=lwh$ |
| Cylinder | $V=\pi r^2h$ |
| Sphere | $V=\dfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3$ |
| Cone | $V=\dfrac{1}{3}\pi r^2h$ |
| Rectangular pyramid | $V=\dfrac{1}{3}lwh$ |
| Arc of a circle | 360°, or $2\pi$ radians |
| Angles of a triangle | Add to 180° |

### Not given: memorize these

| Topic | Formula |
| --- | --- |
| [Slope](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20functions) | $m=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$ |
| [Slope-intercept form](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20functions) | $y=mx+b$ |
| [Point-slope form](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20functions) | $y-y_1=m(x-x_1)$ |
| Parallel and perpendicular lines | Parallel: $m_1=m_2$. Perpendicular: $m_1m_2=-1$. |
| [Quadratic formula](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Nonlinear%20equations%20in%20one%20variable%20and%20systems%20of%20equations%20in%20two%20variables) | $x=\dfrac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$ |
| Discriminant | $b^2-4ac$: positive means 2 real solutions, zero means 1, negative means none |
| [Vertex form](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Nonlinear%20functions) | $y=a(x-h)^2+k$, vertex $(h,k)$ |
| Vertex x-coordinate | $x=-\dfrac{b}{2a}$ |
| Sum and product of solutions | $-\dfrac{b}{a}$ and $\dfrac{c}{a}$ for $ax^2+bx+c=0$ |
| [Exponential growth](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Nonlinear%20functions) and decay | $y=a(1+r)^t$ and $y=a(1-r)^t$ |
| [Percent change](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Percentages) | $\dfrac{\text{new}-\text{old}}{\text{old}}\times 100\%$ |
| Circle equation | $(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2$, center $(h,k)$, radius $r$ |
| Arc length | $\dfrac{\theta}{360}\cdot 2\pi r$ with $\theta$ in degrees, or $r\theta$ in radians |
| Sector area | $\dfrac{\theta}{360}\cdot \pi r^2$ with $\theta$ in degrees, or $\dfrac{1}{2}r^2\theta$ in radians |
| Distance | $\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}$ |
| Midpoint | $\left(\dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2},\ \dfrac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)$ |
| Sine, cosine, tangent | $\sin\theta=\dfrac{\text{opp}}{\text{hyp}}$, $\cos\theta=\dfrac{\text{adj}}{\text{hyp}}$, $\tan\theta=\dfrac{\text{opp}}{\text{adj}}$ |
| Complementary angles | $\sin x^\circ=\cos(90^\circ-x^\circ)$ |
| Similar figures | Scale factor $k$: lengths $\times k$, areas $\times k^2$, volumes $\times k^3$ |
| Mean | Sum of the values divided by the number of values |
| [Probability](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Probability%20and%20conditional%20probability) | $\dfrac{\text{favorable outcomes}}{\text{total outcomes}}$ |

### How to turn this into SAT Math points

For Math resources, the useful question is always: which setup gets me to the answer fastest? Decide between mental math, paper [algebra](https://1600.now/bank/math/domain/Algebra), Desmos, or answer-choice testing before you start calculating.

- Use Desmos for [intersections](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Systems%20of%20two%20linear%20equations%20in%20two%20variables), roots, vertices, tables, and [regression](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Two-variable%20data%3A%20Models%20and%20scatterplots).
- Use paper [algebra](https://1600.now/bank/math/domain/Algebra) when the equation is short or already factored.
- Use answer choices when they are ordered and easy to substitute.
- After every miss, label it as setup, [algebra](https://1600.now/bank/math/domain/Algebra), calculator, or reading error.

Sources: [College Board, SAT Bluebook test directions and reference sheet (PDF)](https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/english-sat-test-directions-bb.pdf).

### Next steps

[Practice SAT Math](https://1600.now/bank/math/browse) [Practice Algebra](https://1600.now/bank/math/domain/Algebra) [Practice Geometry](https://1600.now/bank/math/domain/Geometry%20and%20Trigonometry) [Practice hard Math](https://1600.now/hard) [Take timed modules](https://1600.now/modules)

### FAQs

#### Does the SAT give you a formula sheet?

Yes. Bluebook has a reference sheet you can open throughout both Math modules. It covers [area and volume](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Area%20and%20volume), the [Pythagorean](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Right%20triangles%20and%20trigonometry) theorem, special [right triangles](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Right%20triangles%20and%20trigonometry), and angle totals for [circles](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Circles) and triangles.

#### Are arc length and sector area on the SAT reference sheet?

No. The sheet says a circle has 360 degrees, or 2π radians, of arc, but the arc length and sector area formulas aren't on it.

### Related SAT resources

- [SAT Linear Functions Worksheet](https://1600.now/sat-linear-functions-worksheet)

  Free printable linear functions worksheet PDF with 12 questions and explained answers. Available in Letter and A4.
- [SAT Circles Worksheet](https://1600.now/sat-circles-worksheet)

  Free printable circles worksheet PDF with 12 questions and explained answers. Available in Letter and A4.
- [SAT Right Triangles and Trigonometry Worksheet](https://1600.now/sat-right-triangles-and-trig-worksheet)

  Free printable right triangles and trigonometry worksheet PDF with 12 questions and explained answers. Available in Letter and A4.

[Browse the complete SAT resource library →](https://1600.now/sat-resources)