A Full ASVAB Math Knowledge Study Guide for Beginners

ASVAB Math Knowledge Study Guide: How to Be Well-Prepared

Are you baffled by how you can crack the Math Knowledge section and on the way to seek an ASVAB Math Knowledge study guide? You are in the right place! Here, we will cover all that you need to know to ace the ASVAB Math Knowledge test. From topics to study tips, the objective of this guide is to equip you with skills and the confidence to make a high score. Let’s dive into the essential strategies that will set you up for success now!

What is on the ASVAB Math Knowledge Test?

The ASVAB Math Knowledge test will address the bulk of mathematical disciplines, primarily algebra and geometry. While the P&P-ASVAB has 25 questions and a 24-minute time limit, the CAT-ASVAB has 15 questions and a 31-minute time limit. Knowing what kinds of questions to anticipate will help you prepare more effectively, so these are breakdowns you have to focus on:

Algebra

Much of the ASVAB Math Knowledge test is made up of algebra, which is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols to be solved correctly. The following are some of the crucial topics to be discussed:

Expressions

  • Classifications generally refer to different algebraic expressions and/or equations you might encounter. These classifications name the nature of the expression or equation at hand, like whether it is a monomial, a binomial, a polynomial, a linear equation, or a quadratic equation.
  • Monomial is an algebraic expression with only one term; it may be a number, a variable, or the product of numbers and variables.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Binomial is an algebraic expression that contains precisely two terms, often separated by a plus (+) or minus (−) sign.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Polynomial is an expression that contains at least two algebraic terms. Every polynomial contains at least one term with a coefficient and a variable with a nonnegative integer exponent.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Linear equation is an equation that produces a straight line when graphed. It generally contains one or two variables with no exponent greater than one. 

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree whose graph is a parabola.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Operations Involving Monomials are the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division mathematical operations performed over the monomials. A monomial is an algebraic expression of one term, which could be a number (coefficient), a variable, or a product of numbers and variables that are raised to some non-negative integer power. 
  • Addition and Subtraction of Monomials: only if they are like terms, that is, are raised to exactly the same power and raised to the same variable.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Multiplication of Monomials: multiply the coefficients and add the exponents of like variables.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Division of Monomials: divide the coefficients and subtract the powers of like variables.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Multiplying Binomials involves the expansion of the product of two binomials, where binomials are algebraic expressions containing two terms each. This operation is usually done by distribution, applying the distributive property, or by the FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last) method. First: Multiply the first terms in each binomial. Outside: Multiply the outer terms. Inside: Multiply the inner terms. Last: Multiply the last terms in each binomial.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Factoring Quadratic involves breaking down a quadratic expression into the product of two binomials. Generally, a quadratic expression is in the form:

asvab math study knowledge study guide

 

Where a, b, c are constants, and x is the variable. The factoring process is the opposite operation of expanding binomials.

asvab math study knowledge study guide
Photo: wikiHow

Solving Equations

  • One Variable: solving for the value of one variable that makes an equation true. These equations are typically in the form ax + b = c, where x is the variable, and a, b, and c are constants. In this situation, what is needed is to isolate a variable on one side of the equation.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Two Variables: Equations with two variables can often be solved by determining values for the two variables that satisfy a system of linear equations. This can be interpreted as finding the point of intersection between two equations and thus the solution to the system.
  • Two Equations: A system of equations in two equations is used to find values of two variables that satisfy them simultaneously. All of these methods used to find the answer most commonly are substitution, elimination, and graphing. The solution to the system is the point where the two equations intersect, representing a common solution to both.
  • Quadratic Equations are solved by finding those values for x that make the equation true. These solutions are usually referred to as the roots of the equation. 

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Inequalities: answer a question about the range of values a variable can take to make an inequality true. Inequalities express a relation where one thing is not equal to something else but rather smaller or larger than, small or equal to, or large or equal to something.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

Geometry

Lines & Angles

  • Line Segment is a part of a line fixed by two different points or by a couple of endpoints. It does not extend infinitely in both directions, unlike a line; it has a fixed length and does not extend beyond the endpoints.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Right Angle is an angle that measures exactly 90 degrees; it is one of the main or principal angles in geometry and has a vast application in very many types of geometric calculations and proofs. Right angles are mostly represented by a small square at the corner of the angle.
  • Acute Angle is one measuring greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees. Otherwise, it is defined as any angle that is “sharp” or less than a right angle.
  • Obtuse Angle is an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. It is fatter than a right angle.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Angles Around Lines: Angles on a straight line add up to 180°. 
  • Angles Around Points: The total measure of all angles around a single point is always 360°.
  • Parallel Lines: No matter the length, parallel lines will never meet. They are always at a constant distance from one another and never cross each other. If plotted on a coordinate plane, they would have an equal slope.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

Polygons

  • Triangle Geometry: A triangle is a three-sided polygon containing three angles. The sum of the interior angles is always 180°. Triangles are classified based on side lengths and angles, such as equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

Perimeter of a Triangle:

asvab math study knowledge study guide

Area of a Triangle:

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Triangle Classification

Equilateral Triangle: All three sides are equal in length, and all three interior angles are equal to each other, each measuring 60°.

Isosceles Triangle: Two of its sides are equal in length, with the angles opposite the equal sides being equal.

Scalene Triangle: All three sides are of different lengths, all three interior angles being different.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Pythagorean Theorem: is one of the most fundamental problems in geometry. It is concerned, therefore, with right triangles and states that in such triangles the square of the length of the hypotenuse (side opposite to the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.
asvab math study knowledge study guide
Photo: CHILIMATH.COM
  • Quadrilateral is a four-sided polygon that consists of four angles. The sum of the interior angles of any quadrilateral is  360°. Quadrilaterals may be classified based on properties, including rectangles, squares, parallelograms, rhombuses, and trapezoids. The perimeter of a quadrilateral is the total length of its four sides; thus, for a quadrilateral with sides a, b, c, and d, the perimeter is given by a + b + c + d.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Rectangle is a quadrilateral with four right angles of each 90° and with opposite sides equal. It is also a kind of parallelogram in which all angles become right angles.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Square is a special kind of quadrilateral where all the sides carry the same length and all four interior angles are of right measure, or 90°. A square is a regular polygon and can be considered as one type of rectangle in which the opposite sides possess equal lengths.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Parallelogram is a four-sided polygon (quadrilateral) in which opposite sides are both equal in length and parallel. In addition, opposite angles are equal, and adjacent angles are supplementary (add up to 180°).

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Rhombus is a parallelogram in which all sides are of equal length; sometimes it is called an equilateral parallelogram. 
asvab math study knowledge study guide
Photo: wikiHow
  • Trapezoid is a four-sided polygon or quadrilateral that has at least one pair of parallel sides. The parallel sides are defined as the “bases,” and the non-parallel sides are known as the “legs.” The height of a trapezoid is the perpendicular distance between the two bases.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

Circles

The geometry of a circle incorporates the radius, diameter, and circumference. The radius is the distance between the center of the circle and any point on the circle. Twice of this length is the diameter, which is the distance across the circle through its center. The circumference is the total distance around the circle.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • All circle formulas:

asvab math study knowledge study guide

Solids

  • A Cube is a three-dimensional solid object bounded by six square faces, with three parallel faces in pairs. All sides of a cube are of equal length, and each of its angles is a right angle, that is to say, 90°. The cube is one sort of regular polyhedron: a Platonic solid.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • Cylinder is a three-dimensional solid having two parallel circular bases a given fixed distance apart, joined by a curved surface. Any segment whose endpoints are the centers of the bases is an axis; it is perpendicular to the bases in the prism right cylinder and slanted to the bases in the oblique cylinder.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

Coordinate Geometry

  • Coordinate Grid or coordinate plane, is a two-dimensional plane established by the intersection of two perpendicular number lines called the x-axis and y-axis. The x-axis is horizontal, and the y-axis is vertical. The two axes divide the plane into four quadrants and locate the positions of points, lines, and shapes using ordered pairs that are usually expressed as (x, y).

asvab math study knowledge study guide

  • The slope-Intercept Equation is just a linear equation of the line on the coordinate grid.

asvab math study knowledge study guide

How do I study for the ASVAB Math Knowledge?

Preparation for the ASVAB Math Knowledge section includes reviewing key topics, practicing related problems, and taking practice tests. For areas in which you feel less confident, emphasize those and focus your attention on study guides, online resources, and flash cards. Below are some recommended areas you should focus on: 

Reviewing key concepts

Start with a complete review of the basic topics in math which are tested in the ASVAB Math Knowledge section. Those topics include operations with algebraic expressions and geometry. From solving equations and working with variables to understanding basic geometric properties, they can heal your fundamental knowledge. Basics such as these are the root of exam success.

Memorize formulas

Memorizing the key mathematical formulas is the one surefire method to perform well on the ASVAB Math Knowledge subtest. These formulae, which include the Pythagorean theorem, area, volume, and quadratic formula, are valuable enough to have at your disposal. For further reinforcement, write these formulas as mnemonic devices on noteboards or flashcards that you may display throughout your memory.

Taking the ASVAB Math Comprehension Practice Test

Practice is the consistent key that shows mastery of the types of problems presented on the ASVAB. Take a look at some of the samples and practice assorted questions, keeping in mind the primary goal of applying the concepts reviewed. The more problems you can solve, the more acquainted you will get with the various question formats, and the faster you can find the solution during the test. Don’t wait—start your ASVAB Math prep today and take a significant step toward achieving your military career goals right now!

Take ASVAB Mathematics Knowledge Practice Test

FAQs

  1. What kind of math is on the ASVAB test?

All fields of algebra, including geometry, together with problem-solving, are encompassed in the ASVAB Math Knowledge test. More explicit details include questions concerning equations, inequalities, and properties of shapes.

2. Can you pass the ASVAB if you’re bad at math?

Absolutely, you can pass the ASVAB even if you don’t feel your math competence is at its best. Concentrate on improving those math skills of yours through focused practice, and do not hesitate to seek further help or resources if you need to. Here are some more strategies to increase your chances of passing the ASVAB. 

3. Can I use a calculator for ASVAB?

The ASVAB is given by computer at the MEPS and most MET site locations. The test is administered on paper with a pencil at some MET sites. Testing rules are different regarding how the two tests are administered. You cannot bring a personal calculator to the test. Understanding more information about using a calculator on the test at this post

Conclusion

Preparation for the ASVAB Math Knowledge subtest requires certain areas to be well-polished in mathematics, including algebra and geometry. Practice mastering concepts like solving equations, learning different geometric shapes, and applying important formulae. Besides, you can follow our post on The best ASVAB study guide for dummies which chops the ASVAB into bite-sized pieces to help you ace the ASVAB in every subtest. Apply our ASVAB Math Knowledge study guide now and make a head start toward your military career goals!


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Sarah Wilson