OAR Math Formulas

OAR Math Formulas

TL;DR: The Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) Math Skills subtest doesn’t give you a formula sheet, and no calculator is allowed. This page collects every formula you should know cold, algebra, geometry, percent change, exponent rules, and basic word-problem essentials.

Quick answer: The OAR math section gives no formula sheet and no calculator, so memorize the core formulas: percent change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100, distance = rate × time, average = sum ÷ count, slope = (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁), area of a circle = πr², and a² + b² = c². Example: a price going from $80 to $100 is a 25% increase.

Want to memorize these formulas? Drill them with our free OAR Math Flashcards, flip each card, mark “Know it,” and restudy just the ones you missed.

Key takeaways:

  • OAR Math Skills: 30 questions in 40 minutes.
  • No calculator allowed on any OAR subtest.
  • No formula reference is provided.
  • Used for Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard officer candidate selection.
  • Composite OAR score on 20-80 scale; competitive candidates typically score 50+.

Rounding

Putting a number up or down to the nearest whole number or the nearest hundred, etc. 
Example: 64 rounded to the nearest ten is 60 because 64 is closer to 60 than to 70.

Whole Number

The numbers \( \{0,1,2,3,…\} \)

Estimates

Find a number close to the exact answer.

Decimals

Is a fraction written in a special form? For example, instead of writing \(\frac{1}{2}\) you can write \(0.5\).

Mixed Numbers

A number is composed of a whole number and a fraction. Example: \(2 \frac{2}{ 3}\) Converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers: \(a \frac{c}{b}=a+\frac{c}{b}= \frac{ab+ c}{b}\)

Factoring Numbers

Factor a number means breaking it up into numbers that can be multiplied together to get the original number. Example:\(12=2×2×3\)

Divisibility Rules

Divisibility means that you are able to divide a number evenly. Example: 24 is divisible by 6, because \(24÷6=4\)

Greatest Common Factor

Multiply common prime factors
Example:\( 200=2×2×2×5×5 60=2×2×3×5\)
GCF \((200,60)=2×2×5=20\)

Least Common Multiple

Check multiples of the largest number
Example: LCM (200, 60): 200 (no), 400 (no), 600 (yes!)

Integers

\( \{…,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,…\} \)
Includes: zero, counting numbers, and the negative of the counting numbers

Real Numbers

All numbers that are on a number line. Integers plus fractions, decimals, and irrationals, etc.) (\(\sqrt{2},\sqrt{3},π\), etc.)

Order of Operations

PEMDAS
(parentheses/ exponents/ multiply/ divide/ add/ subtract)

Absolute Value

Refers to the distance of a number from, the distances are positive as the absolute value of a number cannot be negative. \(|-22|=22\)
or (|x| = x for x ≥ 0, and |x| = −x for x < 0)
\(|x|<n⇒-n<x<n\)
\(|x|>n⇒x<-n or x>n\)

Ratios

A ratio is a comparison of two numbers by division.
Example: \(3: 5\), or \(\frac{3}{5}\)

Percentages

Use the following formula to find part, whole, or percent
part \(=\frac{percent}{100}×whole\)

Proportional Ratios

A proportion means that two ratios are equal. It can be written in two ways:
\(\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}\), \(a: b = c: d  \)

Percent of Change

\(\frac{New \ Value \ – \ Old \ Value}{Old Value}×100\%\)

Markup

Markup \(=\) selling price \(-\) cost
Markup rate \(=\) markup divided by the cost

Discount

Multiply the regular price by the rate of discount
Selling price \(=\) original price \(-\) discount

Expressions and Variables

A variable is a letter that represents unspecified numbers. One may use a variable in the same manner as all other numbers: Addition: \(2+a\): \(2\) plus a
Subtraction: \(y-3\): \(y\) minus \(3\)
Division: \(\frac{4}{x}\): 4 divided by x
Multiplication: \(5a\): \(5\) times a

Tax

To find tax, multiply the tax rate by the taxable amount (income, property value, etc.)

Distributive Property

\(a(b+c)=ab+ac\)

Polynomial

\(P(x)=a_{0} x^n+ a_{1} x^{n-1}+\)⋯\(+a_{n-2} x^2+a_{n-1} x+an\)

Systems of Equations

Two or more equations working together.
example: \( \begin{cases}-2x+2y=4\\-2x+y=3\end{cases} \)

Equations

The values of the two mathematical expressions are equal.
\(ax+b=c\)

Functions

A function is a rule to go from one number (x) to another number (y), usually written \(y=f(x)\). For any given value of x, there can only be one corresponding value y. If (y=kx) for some number k (example: \(f(x)= 0.5 x\)), then y is said to be directly proportional to x. If y\(=\frac{k}{x }\) (example: f(x \(=\frac{5}{x}\)), then y is said to be inversely proportional to x. The graph of \(y=f(x-h)+k\) is the translation of the graph of \(y=f(x)\) by ((h,k)) units in the plane. For example, \(y=f(x+3)\) shifts the graph of (f(x)) by 3 units to the left.

Inequalities

Says that two values are not equal
\(a≠b\) a not equal to b
\(a<b\) a less than b
\(a>b\) a greater than b
(a≥b) a greater than or equal to b
(a≤b) a less than or equal to b

Solving Systems of Equations by Elimination

Example: \(\cfrac{\begin{align} x+2y =6 \\ + \ \ -x+y=3 \end{align}}{}\)
\(\cfrac{ \begin{align} 3y=9 \\ y=3 \end{align} }{\begin{align} x+6=6 \\ ⇒ x=0 \end{align}} \)

Lines (Linear Functions)

Consider the line that goes through points \(A(x_{1},y_{1}) \) and \(B(x_{2},y_{2})\).

Distance from A to B:

\(\sqrt{(x_{1}-x_{2})^2+(y_{1}-y_{2})^2 }\)

Parallel and Perpendicular lines:

Have equal slopes. Perpendicular lines (i.e., those that make a \(90^° \) angle where they intersect) have negative reciprocal slopes: \(m_{1}\).\(m_{2}=-1\).
Parallel Lines (l \(\parallel\) m)

Mid-point of the segment AB:

M (\(\frac{x_{1}+x_{2}}{2}, \frac{y_{1}+y_{2}}{2}\))

Slope of the line:

\(\frac{y_{2}- y_{1}}{x_{2} – x_{1} }=\frac{rise}{run}\)

Point-slope form:

Given the slope m and a point \((x_{1},y_{1})\) on the line, the equation of the line is
\((y-y_{1})=m \ (x-x_{1})\).

Intersecting lines:

Opposite angles are equal. Also, each pair of angles along the same line add to \(180^°\). In the figure above, \(a+b=180^°\).

Slope-intercept form:

given the slope m and the y-intercept b, then the equation of the line is:
\(y=mx+b\).

Transversal: Parallel lines:

Eight angles are formed when a line crosses two parallel lines. The four big angles (a) are equal, and the four small angles (b) are equal.

Parabolas:

A parabola parallel to the y-axis is given by \(y=ax^2+bx+c\).
If \(a>0\), the parabola opens up.
If \(a<0\), the parabola opens down. The y-intercept is c, and the x-coordinate of the vertex is: \(x=-\frac{b}{2a}\).

Factoring:

“FOIL”
\((x+a)(x+b)\)
\(=x^2+(b+a)x +ab\) “Difference of Squares”
\(a^2-b^2= (a+b)(a-b)\)
\(a^2+2ab+b^2=(a+b)(a+b) \)
\(a^2-2ab+b^2=(a-b)(a-b)\) “Reverse FOIL”
\(x^2+(b+a)x+ab=\) \((x+a)(x+b)\)

You can use Reverse FOIL to factor a polynomial by thinking about two numbers a and b which add to the number in front of the x, and which multiply to give the constant. For example, to factor \(x^2+5x+6\), the numbers add to 5 and multiply to 6, i.e.: \(a=2\) and \(b=3\), so that \(x^2+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3)\). To solve a quadratic such as \(x^2+bx+c=0\), first factor the left side to get \((x+a)(x+b)=0\), then set each part in parentheses equal to zero. For example, \(x^2+4x+3= (x+3)(x+1)=0\) so that \(x=-3\) or \(x=-1\).
To solve two linear equations in x and y: use the first equation to substitute for a variable in the second. E.g., suppose \(x+y=3\) and \(4x-y=2\). The first equation gives y=3-x, so the second equation becomes \(4x-(3-x)=2 ⇒ 5x-3=2\) \(⇒ x=1,y=2\).

Exponents:

Refers to the number of times a number is multiplied by itself.
\(8 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 2^3\)

Scientific Notation:

It is a way of expressing numbers that are too big or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form.
In scientific notation all numbers are written in this form: \(m \times 10^n\)
Decimal notation:
5
\(-25,000\)
0.5
2,122.456
Scientific notation:
\(5×10^0\)
\(-2.5×10^4\)
\(5×10^{-1}\)
\(2.122456×10^3\)

Square:

The number we get after multiplying an integer (not a fraction) by itself. Example: \(2×2=4,2^2=4\)

Square Roots:

A square root of \(x\) is a number r whose square is \(x: r^2=x\)
\(r\) is a square root of \(x\)

Pythagorean Theorem:

For any right triangle with legs \(a\) and \(b\) and hypotenuse \(c\): \(a^2+b^2=c^2\)
Solving for the hypotenuse: \(c=\sqrt{a^2+b^2}\)
Solving for a leg: \(a=\sqrt{c^2-b^2}\)
Common Pythagorean triples: \(3,4,5\); \(5,12,13\); \(8,15,17\); \(7,24,25\)

Triangles

Area: \(A=\frac{1}{2}bh\) where \(b\) is the base and \(h\) is the height.
Perimeter: \(P=a+b+c\) (sum of all three sides).
Pythagorean Theorem (right triangles): \(a^2+b^2=c^2\) where \(c\) is the hypotenuse.
Sum of interior angles: \(180°\)

Right triangles:

A right triangle has one \(90°\) angle. The two sides forming the right angle are the legs; the longest side (opposite the right angle) is the hypotenuse.
Pythagorean Theorem: \(a^2+b^2=c^2\)
Area: \(A=\frac{1}{2}\,a\,b\) (where \(a\) and \(b\) are the two legs)
The two non-right angles are complementary (they add to \(90°\)).

All triangles:

Area \(=\frac{1}{2}\) b. H
Angles on the inside of any triangle add up to \(180^\circ\).
The length of one side of any triangle is always less than the sum and more than the difference between the lengths of the other two sides.
An exterior angle of any triangle is equal to the sum of the two remote interior angles. Other important triangles:

Equilateral:

These triangles have three equal sides, and all three angles are \(60^\circ\).

Isosceles:

An isosceles triangle has two equal sides. The “base” angles (the ones opposite the two sides) are equal (see the \(45^\circ\) triangle above).

Similar:

Two or more triangles are similar if they have the same shape. The corresponding angles are equal, and the corresponding sides are in proportion. For example, the \(3-4-5\) triangle and the \(6-8-10\) triangle from before are similar since their sides are in a ratio of to.

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Circles

Circ 1

Area \(=πr^2\)
Circumference \(=2πr\)
Full circle \(=360^\circ\)

Ty

Length Of Arc \(=(n^\circ/360^\circ).2πr\)
Area Of Sector \(=(n^\circ/360^\circ).πr^2\)
Equation of the circle (above left figure): \((x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2\).

Rectangles

H 2

(Square if l=w)
Area=lw

Jk

Parallelogram

(Rhombus if l=w)
Area=lh
Regular polygons are n-sided figures with all sides equal and all angles equal.
The sum of the inside angles of an n-sided regular polygon is
\((n-2).180^\circ\).

Area of a parallelogram:

 \(A = bh\)

Area of a trapezoid:

\(A =\frac{1}{2} h (b_{1}+b_{2})\)

Surface Area and Volume of a Rectangular/right prism:

\(SA=ph+2B\)
\(V=Bh\)

Surface Area and Volume of a Cylinder:

\(SA =2πrh+2πr^2\)
\(V =πr^2 h  \)

Surface Area and Volume of a Pyramid

(SA=frac{1}{2} ps+B)
\(V=\frac{1}{3}\ bh\)

Surface Area and Volume of a Cone

\(SA =πrs+πr^2\)
\(V=\frac{1}{3} \ πr^2 \ h\)

Surface Area and Volume of a Sphere

\(SA =4πr^2\)
\(V =\frac{4}{3} \ πr^3\)
(p \(=\) perimeter of base B; \(π ~ 3.14 \))

Solids

Cube

Rectangular Solid
Volume =lwh
Area =2(lw+wh+lh)

Cylinder

Right Cylinder
Volume \(=πr^2 \ h\)
Area \(=2πr(r+h)\)

Quadratic formula:

\( x=\frac{-b±\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\)

Simple interest:

\(I=prt\)
(I = interest, p = principal, r = rate, t = time)

mean:

mean: (frac{sum of the data}{number \ of \ data \ entries})

mode:

value in the list that appears most often

range:

largest value \(-\) smallest value

Median

The middle value in the list (which must be sorted)
Example: median of
\( \{3,10,9,27,50\} = 10\)
Example: median of
\( \{3,9,10,27\}=\frac{(9+10)}{2}=9.5 \)

Sum

average \(×\) (number of terms)

Average

\( \frac{sum \ of \ terms}{number \ of \ terms}\)

Average speed

\(\frac{total \ distance}{total \ time}\)

Probability

\(\frac{number \ of \ desired \ outcomes}{number \ of \ total \ outcomes}\)
The probability of two different events, A and B, both happening is:
P(A and B)=p(A).p(B)
as long as the events are independent.

Powers, Exponents, Roots

\(x^a.x^b=x^{a+b}\)
\(\frac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a-b}\)
\(\frac{1}{x^b }= x^{-b}\)
\((x^a)^b=x^{a.b}\)
\((xy)^a= x^a.y^a\)
\(x^0=1\)
\(\sqrt{xy}=\sqrt{x}.\sqrt{y}\)
\((-1)^n=-1\), if n is odd.
\((-1)^n=+1\), if n is even.
If \(0<x<1\), then
(0 < x³ < x² < x < √x < ∛x < 1).

Interest

Simple Interest: \(I=Prt\)
where \(P\) = principal, \(r\) = annual interest rate (as a decimal), \(t\) = time in years.
Total amount: \(A=P+I=P(1+rt)\)
Compound Interest: \(A=P(1+\frac{r}{n})^{nt}\) where \(n\) is the number of times interest is compounded per year.

Simple Interest

The charge for borrowing money or the return for lending it.
Interest = principal \(×\) rate \(×\) time
OR
\(I=prt\)

Compound Interest

Interest is computed on the accumulated unpaid interest as well as on the original principal.
A \(=P(1+r)^t\)
An amount at the end of the time
P principal (starting amount)
r interest rate (change to a decimal i.e., \(50\%=0.50\))
t= number of years invested

Powers/ Exponents

\(x^a×x^b=x^{a+b}\)
\(\frac{x^a}{x^b}=x^{a-b}\)
\((x^a)^b=x^{ab}\)
\(x^0=1\)
\(x^{-a}=\frac{1}{x^a}\)
\(x^{\frac{1}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{x}\)

Positive Exponents

An exponent is simply shorthand for multiplying that number of identical factors. So \(4^3\) is the same as (4)(4)(4), three identical factors of 4. And \(x^3\) is just three factors of x, \((x)(x)(x)\).

Negative Exponents

A negative exponent means to divide by that number of factors instead of multiplying.
So \(4^{-3}\) is the same as \( \frac{1}{4^3}\) and
\(x^{-3}=\frac{1}{x^3}\)

Factorials

Factorial- the product of a number and all counting numbers below it.
8 factorial \(=8!=\)
\(8×7×6×5×4×3×2×1=40,320\)
5 factorial \(=5!=\)
\(5×4×3×2×1=120\)
2 factorial \(=2!=2× 1=2\)

Multiplying Two Powers of the SAME Base

When the bases are the same, you find the new power by just adding the exponents
\(x^a.x^b=x^{a+b }\)

Powers of Powers

For the power of power: you multiply the exponents.
\((x^a)^b=x^{(ab)}\)

Dividing Powers

\(\frac{x^a}{x^b} =x^a x^{-b}= x^{a-b}\)

The Zero Exponent

Anything to the 0 power is 1.
\(x^0= 1\)

Permutation: 

When different orderings of the same items are counted separately, we have a permutation problem:
\(_{n}P_{r}=\frac{n!}{(n-r)!}\)

Combination:

The fundamental counting principle, as demonstrated above, is used any time the order of the outcomes is important. When selecting objects from a group where the order is NOT important, we use the formula for COMBINATIONS:
The fundamental counting principle, as demonstrated above, is used any time the order of the outcomes is important. When selecting objects from a group where the order is NOT important, we use the formula for COMBINATIONS:
\(_{n}C_{r}=\frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}\)

More from Effortless Math for OAR Test …

Do you think you still need more practice to pass the OAR math test?

So do not forget to review the top questions of the test!: Top 10 OAR Math Practice Questions

Do you want to get the best result in the OAR math test?

Use our free and printable worksheets to achieve your goal: OAR Math Worksheets: FREE & Printable

Would you like to know how OAR math scores are interpreted?

How the OAR Test is Scored will answer your question!

The Perfect Prep Books for the OAR Math Test

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Have any questions about the OAR Test?

Write your questions about the OAR or any other topics below and we’ll reply!

Recommended EffortlessMath Books

For a workbook that walks through every formula on this page, the OAR Math for Beginners (resource currently unavailable) pairs each topic with worked examples and pencil-and-paper practice. For complete officer-selection prep with multiple practice tests, see the OAR Math Test Prep Bundle (resource currently unavailable).

OAR Word Problems and the Formula Each One Uses

Most OAR math questions are short word problems. The hard part is spotting which formula fits. This table pairs the common types with a worked example.

Problem typeFormulaWorked example
Distance, rate, timed = r × tA ship sails 18 knots for 4 hours: d = 18 × 4 = 72 nautical miles.
Average speedtotal distance ÷ total time60 mph for 2 hours, then 40 mph for 3 hours: (120 + 120) ÷ 5 = 48 mph, not 50.
Work together1/a + 1/b = 1/tOne crew paints a deck in 6 hours, another in 3: 1/6 + 1/3 = 1/2, so together it takes 2 hours.
Percent change(new − old) ÷ old × 10080 to 100: 20 ÷ 80 × 100 = 25% increase.
Simple interestI = P × r × t$2,000 at 5% for 3 years: 2,000 × 0.05 × 3 = $300.
Averagesum ÷ countScores 82, 90, 76, 88: 336 ÷ 4 = 84.
Right trianglea² + b² = c²Legs 6 and 8: c = √(36 + 64) = √100 = 10.

Tips for working without a calculator

  • Simplify fractions before you multiply.
  • Round answer choices in your head to rule out the obviously wrong ones.
  • Learn the common right triangles 3-4-5, 5-12-13 and their multiples, such as 6-8-10.
  • For average speed, never just average the two speeds unless the times are equal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What formulas should I know for the OAR math test?

Since the OAR gives you no formula sheet, memorize the essentials: distance = rate × time, average = sum ÷ count, percent change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100, slope = (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁), circle area = πr², rectangle area = l × w, and a² + b² = c². Most OAR questions are word problems, so practice spotting which formula a story is really asking for.

What kind of math is on the OAR?

The OAR Math Skills subtest covers arithmetic, basic algebra and introductory geometry, usually framed as word problems. Expect fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, rates, work problems, averages, exponents and simple equations. With 30 questions in 40 minutes and no calculator, you have a little over a minute per item, so fast hand arithmetic matters as much as knowing the concepts.

Is there an OAR math practice test?

Yes. Officer candidates can find full-length OAR math practice tests in prep books and online. Take at least one under real conditions: 40 minutes, no calculator and no formula sheet. Afterward, sort every missed question by the formula it needed, such as rate, percent or area, and drill that group before your next attempt.

How do you calculate what percentage a number is of another number?

Divide the part by the whole and multiply by 100. For example, 18 out of 72 is 18 ÷ 72 = 0.25, which is 25%. On the OAR you will do this by hand, so simplify the fraction first: 18/72 reduces to 1/4, and knowing that 1/4 = 25% saves time on percent word problems.

How do you find the hypotenuse and perimeter of a right triangle?

Use the Pythagorean theorem, a² + b² = c², to find the hypotenuse, then add all three sides for the perimeter. With legs 6 and 8, c² = 36 + 64 = 100, so c = 10 and the perimeter is 6 + 8 + 10 = 24. Recognizing triples like 3-4-5 and 5-12-13 lets you skip the square root on the OAR.

What conversion factors should I memorize for the OAR?

Know the common ones by heart: 12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard, 5,280 feet = 1 mile, 16 ounces = 1 pound, 4 quarts = 1 gallon, 60 minutes = 1 hour, and 1,000 meters = 1 kilometer. OAR rate problems often mix units, such as miles per hour with a time given in minutes, so convert before you plug into a formula.

Related EffortlessMath Lessons

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