Rod Powers

Flashcards have been around for a long time. They're still in wide use in these days of electronics and computers because they work. For example, if you need to memorize definitions for the Word Knowledge Subtest of the ASVAB AFQT, flashcards are a great way to help you find, and fix, your vocabulary weaknesses.

In mathematics, just like in the military, order of operations is very important. On the ASVAB AFQT, every time you tackle a math equation, you'll need to follow the correct order of operations or you may not get the right answer. If you have trouble remembering the correct order, think of the acronym 'PEMDAS': Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.

Some math problems on the ASVAB AFQT will require you to apply formulas to solve real-world problems. It's important to not only be familiar with these formulas, but also to know when and how to apply them. Practice exercise In the following practice exercise, you need to match the word problem to the appropriate formula.

Anything that saves you time and brain power on the ASVAB AFQT Mathematics Knowledge subtest is useful for two reasons: first, because you're working on a limited time budget, and second, because you can't use a calculator. That's where math properties, like the commutative and associative properties, can help.

Some problems on the ASVAB AFQT involve working with percentages, such as discount savings, pay raises, and so on. You often see these problems on the Arithmetic Reasoning subtest, and they're relatively simple to solve.Here's an example: Jamie makes $8.95 per hour. He's such a good worker that his boss gives him a 25 percent raise.

Many of the algebra and geometry questions on the ASVAB AFQT require you to plumb the depths of your memory for a specific mathematical formula. If you can't remember it, you're going to have a tough time coming up with the right answer.In the following practice exercise, you need to match each type of problem with the appropriate formula to solve it.

Quadratic equations on the ASVAB AFQT can often be solved with the square-root method (when they're simple) or the factoring method (as long as a = 1 in the form, ax2 + bx + c = 0).But what if they're more complicated? And what if you try to use the factoring method, but you find that a doesn't equal 1, or that you can't easily find two numbers that multiply to c and add up to b?

If you encounter a quadratic equation on an ASVAB AFQT math subtest, don't panic: you may be able to solve it by simply putting the equation into the quadratic form and then factoring.The quadratic form is ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are just numbers. All quadratic equations can be expressed in this form, as in the following examples.

Dividing decimals without a calculator can be a challenge, but it's necessary on the ASVAB AFQT. When you divide decimals, you have to use both subtraction and multiplication. You also need to be pretty good at rounding and estimating numbers. Don't worry, though. You can divide decimals in one of two ways: long division and conversion.