Algebra 2 Regents Cheat Sheet

Here’s a streamlined Algebra 2 Regents “cheat sheet” to help you prep efficiently: Print & Save: as a handy reference while studying. Highlight the formulas you don’t automatically remember.

📐 Key Formulas & Concepts

1. Quadratics

• Vertex form: y=a(x−h)2+ky = a(x – h)^2 + ky=a(x−h)2+k

• Quadratic formula: x=−b±b2−4ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 – 4ac}}{2a}x=2a−b±b2−4ac​​

• Discriminant: D=b2−4acD = b^2 – 4acD=b2−4ac (dictates number/type of roots)

2. Circles

• Standard equation: (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2(x – h)^2 + (y – k)^2 = r^2(x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2

3. Slopes & Lines

• Slope (rate of change): m=y2−y1x2−x1m = \frac{y_2 – y_1}{x_2 – x_1}m=x2​−x1​y2​−y1

• Slope-intercept form: $y=mx+b$

4. Sequences & Series

• Arithmetic: an=a1+(n−1)da_n = a_1 + (n – 1)dan​=a1​+(n−1)d

• Sum of arithmetic series: Sn=n (a1+an)2S_n = n\,\frac{(a_1 + a_n)}{2}Sn​=n2(a1​+an​)​

• Geometric (recursive): an=an−1×ra_n = a_{n-1} \times ran​=an−1​×r

5. Exponents & Logs

• General growth: A=P(1±r)tA = P(1 \pm r)^tA=P(1±r)t

• Compounded: A=P(1+rn)ntA = P\left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}A=P(1+nr​)nt

• Continuous: A=PertA = Pe^{rt}A=Pert

6. Trigonometry

• Identities:

  • sin⁡2θ+cos⁡2θ=1\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1sin2θ+cos2θ=1

  • 1+tan⁡2θ=sec⁡2θ1 + \tan^2\theta = \sec^2\theta1+tan2θ=sec2θ

  • 1+cot⁡2θ=csc⁡2θ1 + \cot^2\theta = \csc^2\theta1+cot2θ=csc2θ

• Function form: $y=A\sin (bx-h)+k$

  • Amplitude = $|A|$, Period = 2π∣b∣\frac{2\pi}{|b|}∣b∣2π​

7. Probability & Stats

• Independent events: $P(A\cap B)=P(A)P(B)$

• Conditional: P(A∣B)=P(A∩B)P(B)P(A|B) = \frac{P(A ∩ B)}{P(B)}P(A∣B)=P(B)P(A∩B)​

• “Or” formula: $P(A\cup B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(A\cap B)$

• Normal distribution (empirical rule):

  • ~68% within 1σ, ~95% within 2σ, ~99.7% within 3σ

• Confidence (approx): mean ± 2 SD

8. Miscellaneous

• Circle/Slope/Line Review above covers most essentials.

• On the Regents exam, you’ll get a reference sheet with quadratics, trig identities, and probability formulas.

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🧠 Exam Strategy & Vocabulary

• When you see “compound interest”, use the A=P(1+rn)ntA = P(1 + \frac{r}{n})^{nt}A=P(1+nr​)nt formula.

• “Inverse” means swap x and y to find f−1(x)f^{-1}(x)f−1(x).

• For phrases like period/amplitude, recall their definitions in trig graphs .

📎 Bonus: Printable Resources

• MathSux.org Cheat Sheet & PDF: quick download for formulas and graphs

• NYSED EngageNY Guide: official test guide with sample questions

• Quiz Gecko Flashcards: great for memorizing flashcard-style formulas

✅ How to Use This Cheat Sheet

1. Print & Save: as a handy reference while studying.

2. Highlight the formulas you don’t automatically remember.

3. Pair with sample questions—especially from EngageNY—to test each topic.

4. Watch MathSux videos for deep dives on weak spots