How Can I Learn All of Sal's Math Tricks

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Kyle Hanan

May 19, 2024 16:09
Edited

When I watch Sal work through problems in videos like this, https://www.khanacademy.org/math/trigonometry/trig-equations-and-identities/challenge-trig-problems/v/2003-aime-ii-problem-14, I notice he does so many little tricks with fractions and simple arithmetic. I was wondering if these tricks are covered in the earlier math courses so I know if I should spend time on them. If not, how can I learn these? It would help a lot in speeding up problems in things like the SAT where time management matters.

(By arithmetic tricks I mean stuff like cross multiplication)

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Barrett Southworth

May 21, 2024 19:22
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Alright, I don't know when your SAT is, if it's June 1st this year then you won't have time. First off memorize the unit circle so you can recall it instantly. Next memorize and practice the trig identities. Make sure you at least have the 11 x 11 multiplication table memorized, possibly up to 13 by 13. I know they tended to stop at 10 x 10 but the extra little bit helps.
a x b = |a||b|sin(theta), he is doing quick symbolic and integer math in his head. Treating things like sqrt(2) and sqrt(3) as variables.

Other little tricks with fractions and simple arithmetic can be learned by practicing a LOT.

I used to be able to do some of that. That particular problem would have taken me a lot more time to do even though I had finished Calculus 3, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra before I finished Highschool over 20 years ago.
jacksonbuckman

September 13, 2024 15:23
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sal is the god of math (real)

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How Can I Learn All of Sal's Math Tricks

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