Nathaniel – Math On The Fly

Author: Nathaniel

Hi, this is Nathaniel. I sell Math Books for the ACT. I have helped students pass the test for nearly 15 years. We all know students have a lot to worry about. Not understanding math should not be one of them.

Algebra ACT Math Prep: Exponential Equations

Posted on October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math video, we cover Exponential Equations. In these types of problems, you have bases that are raised to powers and we need to find the value of x that makes both sides equal to each other.

We show how to change the bases to make the problem easier to solve. We also show how to use the answer choices to solve the problem.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

This practice problem is considered a MEDIUM difficulty problem.

Geometry ACT Math Prep: Area of Compound Figures

Posted on October 17, 2024October 20, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math video, we delve into Geometry and cover compound figures, which are also called composite figures. Compound figures are figures that when cut are made up of common shapes such as squares, rectangles, circles, triangles and trapezoids.

When the ACT test gives problems like this, you will usually need to find unknown sides of the figure before you can proceed to find the area. For this ACT Math example, we find missing sides of the compound figure, and then show four different ways to get the area.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

This practice problem is considered a MEDIUM difficulty problem.

Trigonometry ACT Math Prep: The Law of Sines

Posted on October 14, 2024October 20, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math video, we cover The Law of Sines. The rules of SOH-CAH-TOA and hypotenuse, opposite and adjacent sides only apply to right triangles. When we don’t have a right triangle, other formulas sometimes need to be used to find sides and angles. One of those formulas is The Law of Sines.

A brief overview of the formula is given, and then two different methods using the formula are used to solve the problem.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

Because this is a formula that students do not use often, the practice problem is considered a HARD difficulty problem.

Geometry ACT Math Prep: Midpoints and Endpoints

Posted on October 10, 2024October 14, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math prep video, we cover a classic ACT math problem that shows up all the time on the ACT. You are given the midpoint and one of the endpoints of a segment, and you must find the coordinates of the other endpoint of the segment.

This problem continues to show up on the ACT, mainly because students continue to get it incorrect. In the video, we show three different methods for using the given midpoint to find the missing endpoint.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

This practice problem is considered a MEDIUM difficulty problem.

Algebra ACT Math Prep: Quadratic Equations

Posted on September 27, 2024September 29, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math prep video, we cover quadratic equations, which are polynomial equations where the highest degree or power is x². We cover various methods for solving the problem which includes factoring, solving by square roots, using the quadratic formula, as well using the discriminant.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

This practice problem is considered a MEDIUM to HARD difficulty problem.

Algebra ACT Math Prep: Geometric Series

Posted on September 25, 2024September 29, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math prep video, we get into the topic of geometric sequences and series. A geometric series occurs when numbers in a multiplication pattern are added together. When there are few terms in a geometric series to add up, it is easy to use a basic calculator. When you need to add up a lot of terms, a formula can to be used to quickly get the sum.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

This practice problem is considered a MEDIUM difficulty problem.

Algebra ACT Math Prep: Distance, Rate & Time

Posted on September 23, 2024September 29, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math prep video, we cover a distance, rate and time problem. Many students have a hard time with these types of problems because they are usually in the form of long word problems that require careful reading comprehension. In this ACT math example, we break down a trip into parts to get the desired solution.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

This practice problem is considered a MEDIUM to HARD difficulty problem.

Trigonometry ACT Math Prep: Right Triangle Trigonometry

Posted on August 15, 2024September 29, 2024 by Nathaniel

In this ACT Math post, we cover right triangle trigonometry, a concept that shows up on every ACT test. We go through a brief overview of sine, cosine and tangent, draw triangles to find the ratios, and use the Pythagorean Theorem to aid in solving the problem.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video:

This practice problem is considered a MEDIUM difficulty problem.

Pre-Algebra ACT Math Prep: Factors and Primes

Posted on July 19, 2024September 29, 2024 by Nathaniel

For this ACT Math post, we are going to delve briefly into number theory. On every ACT test, you are going to see problems related to either factors, multiples, primes, or a combination of all three types of numbers. We cover a basic example that involves finding factors of numbers, as well as recognizing prime numbers.

The example used in the video will be based off the following ACT math problem below:

Click here to see the problem.

This is the practice exercise we will work out in the video: