Basic Math

[edkNARF]

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I cracked open my Kaplan DAT prep book last week, and I am sad to say that I realized I don't know basic math. I can perform a chi square analysis, integrate by parts, differeniate, and solve a taylor serious; but i just seem to remember long division and my multiplication tables! My dad laughed at me when he saw me using flash cards to study the multiplication tables. Has anyone else had to "relearn" there basic math for the QR section? If so, what was your strategy to master material as quickly as possible?

 

[blankguy]

For that matter what math is being tested in the DAT?
Calculus, Pre calculus?

 

[rsweeney]

Pre-calculus: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability and statistics, applied mathematics (word problems: age word problems (coin word problems, distance, area, perimeter, volume)

 

[rsweeney]

oops, another biggie:

percentages: % increase, decrease, interest rates (simple or compounded)

 

[blankguy]

What resource(books,etc...) would you recommend to review pre calculus? This is high school math for me.

 

[rsweeney]

Barnes & Noble has a plethera of pre-calculus prep books. Also, GRE Math is a good resource to have---it seems to be the consensus on SDN. For word problems, I utilized online lessons, and with Liponcott, Williams, and Wilkins text, and it helped a lot. For online lessons, I just typed words like "age and word problem", or "probabilty lecture notes" in the URL box and a number of links popped up. Also, Kaplan has a pretty thourough review, except in probability and statistics. All-in-all, though, Kaplan is the best bang for your buck. DO NOT GET BARRON'S---too many unaccounted errors in the ohter sections, that I would not trust it in math either. For example, I believe the equation it gives for variance, in math, is different than what's in other books. I believe Barrons says the denometer is "n", where I believe it should be "n-1"---just an example. Also, in the natural sciences section, the answer to one of Barron's questions is that catalysts alter the free energy---we ALL know that's wrong, but some may get fooled by Barron's wrong answer. Use Barron's for PAT and that's about it. Good luck!

-Richard