TSI Math Formulas

TSI Math Formulas

TL;DR: The TSI test has officially been the TSI Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) since January 2021. The TSIA2 math test has no general formula sheet, and a question shows a formula only when it is needed. This page collects every formula you should know cold, slope, quadratic, area, volume, Pythagorean, percent change, and the statistics basics, with quick explanations.

Quick answer: The TSIA2 math test starts with a 20-question adaptive College Readiness Classification test in four areas: quantitative reasoning, algebraic reasoning, geometric and spatial reasoning, and probabilistic and statistical reasoning. There is no general formula sheet, so learn the key formulas: slope m = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁), the quadratic formula, area and volume, percent change, and mean. A score of 950 or higher meets the math benchmark, and so does Diagnostic Level 6 if you score below 950.

Want a one-page version to print and review? Use the printable TSI math cheat sheet.

Want to memorize these formulas? Drill them with our free TSIA2 Math Flashcards, flip each card, mark “Know it,” and restudy just the ones you missed.

Key takeaways:

  • There is no general formula sheet, so learn the essentials by heart.
  • You cannot bring a calculator. Some questions show an on-screen calculator (basic, square root or graphing), and many do not.
  • The four TSIA2 math areas are quantitative reasoning, algebraic reasoning, geometric and spatial reasoning, and probabilistic and statistical reasoning; algebraic reasoning is the largest, with 7 of the 20 questions.
  • Memorize the quadratic formula, slope, percent change, and the right-triangle ratios, since there is no general reference sheet.
  • Knowing each formula well saves time and lets you focus on the problem itself.

First and foremost, you should understand that the TSI Math test provides formulas for some math questions so that you may focus on the application, rather than the memorization, of formulas.

However, the test does not provide a list of all the basic formulas that will be required to know for the test. This means that you will need to be able to recall many math formulas on the TSI.

Below you will find a list of all Math formulas you MUST have learned before test day, as well as some explanations for how to use them and what they mean.

Keep this list around for a quick reminder when you forget one of the formulas.

Review them all, then take a look at the math topics to begin applying them!

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different denominator:
\(\frac{a}{b}+\frac{c}{d}=\frac{ad+cb}{bd}\)
\(\frac{a}{b}-\frac{c}{d}=\frac{ad-cb}{bd}\)
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions:
\(\frac{a}{b} × \frac{c}{d}=\frac{a×c}{b×d}\)
\(\frac{a}{b} ÷ \frac{c}{d}=\frac{\frac{a}{b}}{\frac{c}{d}}=\frac{ad}{bc}\)

Comparing Numbers Signs

Equal to \(=\)
Less than \( <\)
Greater than \(>\)
Greater than or equal \(≥\)
Less than or equal \(≤\)

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 \(0\) on the number line. The distances are positive as the absolute value of a number cannot be negative. \(|-22|=22\)
or \(|x| =\begin{cases}x \ for \ x≥0 \\-x \ for \ x < 0\end{cases} \)
\(|x|<n⇒-n<x<n\)
\(|x|>n⇒x<-n \ or \ x>n\)

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 \(y=f(x )+k\) 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

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

\(a^2+b^2=c^2\)

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: \(180°\)

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Right triangles:

A good example of a right triangle is one with a=3, b=4, and c=5, also called a \( 3-4-5\) right triangle. Note that multiples of these numbers are also right triangles. For example, if you multiply these numbers by 2, you get a=6, b=8 and
\(c=10(6-8-10)\), which is also a right triangle.

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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.

Circles

Circ 1

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

Rectangles

H 2

(Square if l=w)
Area=lw

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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: \(\frac{sum \ of \ the \ data}{of \ data \ entires}\)

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 are:
P(A and B)=p(A).p(B)
as long as the events are independent (one event does not affect the probability of the other).

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
\(0<x^3<x^2<x<\sqrt{x}<\sqrt{3x}<1\).

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 computed on the accumulated unpaid interest as well as on the original principal.
A \(=P(1+r)^t\)
A= amount at end of 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 power of a 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:
nPr = 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 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 order is NOT important, we use the formula for COMBINATIONS:
nCr = n! / (r!(n − r)!)

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What Math Is on the TSIA2?

The TSIA2 math test, also called the College Readiness Classification (CRC) test, has 20 multiple-choice questions. It is computer adaptive, so the next question depends on how you did on earlier ones. Here is how the 20 questions are split, according to the official TSIA2 Mathematics test specifications:

Content areaQuestionsFormulas to know
Quantitative reasoning6Ratios and proportions, percent, percent change, unit conversions
Algebraic reasoning7Slope, slope-intercept form, systems of equations, exponent rules, quadratic formula
Geometric and spatial reasoning3Area, perimeter, volume, Pythagorean theorem, right-triangle trig
Probabilistic and statistical reasoning4Mean, median, range, basic probability

Algebra makes up the biggest share, so spend the most time on slope, linear equations and exponents.

TSIA2 Math Scores, Calculator and Formula Sheet

  • Scores: The CRC test is scored from 910 to 990.
  • College ready: You meet the math benchmark with a score of 950 or higher. If you score below 950, you take a 48-question diagnostic test, and a diagnostic level of 6 also meets the benchmark.
  • Calculator: You cannot bring your own. Some questions show an on-screen calculator (basic, square root, or graphing), and others do not, so practice mental math.
  • Formula sheet: There is no general reference sheet. When a less common formula is needed, the question usually gives it. Everything else on this page you should know by heart.
  • Time: The test is untimed, but work steadily so you stay focused.

Frequently Asked Questions

What math is on the TSI?

The TSIA2 math test covers four areas: quantitative reasoning, algebraic reasoning, geometric and spatial reasoning, and probabilistic and statistical reasoning. That means percents and ratios, linear and quadratic equations, area and volume, and basics like mean and probability. Knowing the matching formulas, such as slope and percent change, lets you spend your time on the problem instead of the setup.

Is there a TSI math formula sheet?

There is no general TSI math formula sheet. A question shows a formula only when the test decides you need it, so most of the basics must come from memory. Make sure you can write slope, the quadratic formula, percent change, the Pythagorean theorem and common area and volume formulas without looking. A cylinder, for example, has V = πr²h.

Can I use a calculator on the TSI?

You cannot bring your own calculator to the TSIA2. Some questions include an on-screen calculator, which may be a basic, square root or graphing version, but many questions show none. Practice key steps by hand, such as simplifying 3/4 + 1/6 = 9/12 + 2/12 = 11/12, so you are not stuck when no calculator appears.

How many questions are on the TSIA2 math test?

The TSIA2 math test starts with 20 adaptive multiple-choice questions. If you do not reach the college-readiness benchmark there, you continue to a diagnostic section of 48 questions, 12 in each of the four content areas. Neither part is timed, so use your formula knowledge carefully instead of rushing.

What is a good score on the TSIA2 math?

TSIA2 math scores run from 910 to 990, and 950 or higher meets the college-readiness benchmark for math. If you score below 950, reaching level 6 on the diagnostic test also meets the benchmark. Texas sets this standard for every public college, but colleges place students into courses in different ways, so check with your school.

What TSI math formulas should I know?

Start with slope m = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁), slope-intercept form y = mx + b, the quadratic formula, and percent change = (new − old)/old × 100. Add area and volume formulas, the Pythagorean theorem and the mean. A quick check: a price rising from $60 to $75 is (75 − 60)/60 × 100 = 25% higher.

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