SAT® Math Equations and Formula Sheet (2026-2027)

SAT Math Formulas You Must Know (Complete List for 2026-2027)

To score well on the SAT Math section, you need a strong command of the formulas that appear on the SAT Math formula sheet as well as the many math formulas for the SAT that do not appear on the official reference sheet. The exam tests your ability to recognize patterns, select the correct formula, and apply it efficiently. Reviewing all SAT math formulas across the four content domains helps you answer questions with confidence and accuracy.

After reviewing the complete formula list below, you can continue strengthening your skills with structured resources such as the SAT course, targeted practice in the SAT question bank, and concept explanations found in the SAT study guide.

SAT Algebra Formulas

Algebra questions make up a significant portion of the exam, and students often encounter linear relationships, systems of equations, and quadratic expressions. Important formulas include:

• Slope: $m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$
• Slope-intercept form: $y=mx+b$
• Point-slope form: $y-y_1=m(x-x_1)$
• Standard form of a line: $Ax+By=C$
• Quadratic formula: $x=\frac{-b\pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$
• Discriminant: $b^2-4ac$
• Vertex of a parabola: $x=\frac{-b}{2a}$
• Exponential growth or decay: $y=a\left(b\right){}^x$

These algebra formulas support many of the linear equations and systems of equations problems you will encounter on the SAT.

SAT Advanced Math Formulas

Advanced math questions rely on deeper algebraic foundations, often involving polynomials, exponents, and functions. Important formulas and concepts include:

• Function notation: f(x)
• Inverse functions
• Polynomial division concepts
• Exponential and logarithmic relationships (conceptual)
• Systems of nonlinear equations

Mastering these SAT math formulas helps you navigate more complex multi-step problems.

SAT Problem Solving and Data Analysis Formulas

These formulas help with interpreting data, solving ratio questions, and evaluating percentages.

• Ratio and proportion: $\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}$
• Percent change: $\frac{\mathrm{new value}-\mathrm{original value}}{\mathrm{original value}}\times 100$
• Mean, median, mode
• Basic probability: $P\left(A\right)=\frac{\mathrm{desired outcome}}{\mathrm{total outcome}}$
• Average rate of change: $\frac{\mathrm{\Delta y}}{\mathrm{\Delta x}}$

These are some of the most practical math equations for the SAT and appear frequently in data interpretation tasks.

SAT Geometry and Trigonometry Formulas

Most formulas in this domain appear on the official SAT Math reference sheet, but memorizing them increases speed.

• Area of a triangle: $\frac{1}{2}bh$
• Area of a circle: $\pi r^2$
• Circumference of a circle: $2\pi r$
• Pythagorean theorem: $a^2+b^2=c^2$
• Special right triangles: 30 - 60 - 90 and 45 - 45 - 90 ratios
• Volume formulas: prism, cylinder, cone, pyramid, sphere
• Basic trig ratios: sin = $\frac{\mathrm{opposite}}{\mathrm{hypotenuse}}$, cos = $\frac{\mathrm{adjacent}}{\mathrm{hypotenuse}}$, tan = $\frac{\mathrm{opposite}}{\mathrm{adjacent}}$

These are essential math formulas to know for the SAT, especially for geometry-heavy questions.

Additional High-Value SAT Math Formulas

These formulas are tested often but do not appear on the official digital SAT formula sheet.

• Distance formula: $\sqrt{{(x_2-x_1)}^2+{(y_2-y_1)}^2}$
• Midpoint formula: $(\frac{x_1+x_2}{2},\frac{y_1+y_2}{2})$
• Circle equation: $(x-h){}^2+(y-k){}^2=r^2$
• Compound interest: $A=P(1+\frac{r}{n}){}^{nt}$
• Percent increase and decrease
• Average speed and rate formulas

These important equations for SAT problem solving often appear in medium and high-difficulty questions.