Must-know formulas for Praxis Core Math

For the Praxis test, it’s important to study hard AND study smart. Picture yourself midway through the Praxis Core Math section, and suddenly an unfamiliar question appears: maybe a geometry formula you recognize, but can’t quite recall. That stressful moment is exactly what we want to prevent. By mastering the essential Praxis Math formulas in advance, you’ll not only solve math problems more efficiently during the exam, but also boost your confidence and ease any test-day anxiety.

This guide brings together all the critical formulas you need for the Praxis Core Math (Praxis 5733) section, organized by topic to streamline your review. As you move through each part, challenge yourself: take notes, create flashcards, or quiz yourself to reinforce key concepts. You’ll also discover expert strategies for memorizing and applying these math formulas effectively on the Praxis Math test.

Ready to strengthen your formula skills and maximize your Praxis Math score? Let’s dive in.

Geometry formulas

Geometry is a key component of the Praxis Math section on the Praxis Core exam. Expect the Praxis exam to assess your ability to work with geometric shapes, calculate area, perimeter, surface area, and volume. Mastering these formulas is essential for acing the test, and having a reliable Praxis Core Math formula sheet is a smart way to prepare.

1. Perimeter and Area

Rectangle

Perimeter: P = 2(l + w)

Area: A = l × w

Triangle

Perimeter: Add all sides

Area: A = 1/2(b × h)

Circle

Circumference: C = 2πr or C = πd

Area: A = πr²

The Praxis Math portion of the Praxis Core often includes questions requiring these formulas, so review them thoroughly as part of your Praxis 5733 prep.

2. Surface Area and Volume

Cube

Surface Area: SA = 6s²

Volume: V = s³

Rectangular Prism

Surface Area: SA = 2(lw + lh + wh)

Volume: V = lwh

Cylinder

Surface Area: SA = 2πr(h + r)

Volume: V = πr²h

These geometry facts commonly appear on the Praxis exam and should be on your Praxis Core Math formula sheet. Practicing these surface area and volume calculations will help you feel confident when tackling geometry questions on the test.

Algebra & arithmetic formulas

Algebra and arithmetic are the foundation of Praxis math, serving as the basis for more complex operations. The essential formulas below are the skeleton keys to solving a number of math problems.

3. Slope & linear equations

• Slope: m = (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)
• Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b
• Point-Slope Form: y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)

4. Quadratic formula

Used to solve: ax² + bx + c = 0

5. Properties of exponents

6. Order of operations (PEMDAS)

• Parentheses
• Exponents
• Multiplication / Division (from left to right)
• Addition / Subtraction (from left to right)

7. Mean (average)

Mean = Sum of terms / Number of terms

8. Median and Mode

Median: middle value in ordered data

Mode: most frequent value

9. Probability

Probability = Number of favorable outcomes / Total number of outcomes

Tips for memorization and application

Flashcards: Build a deck of Praxis Core Math formula flashcards for daily practice. Regularly quiz yourself on each essential formula until it becomes second nature, making sure you’re fully prepared for the Praxis 5733.

Mnemonics: Use proven memory aids, like “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” for PEMDAS, to quickly recall math operations. Mnemonics are valuable for memorizing core formulas you’ll need on the Praxis Core Math Exam.

Practice Problems: Move beyond simple memorization by solving real Praxis Core Math and Praxis test-style questions. Applying formulas to practice problems helps reinforce your understanding and builds confidence.

Sketch It Out: For geometry questions on the Praxis Core, draw diagrams and label them clearly. Visualizing problems will clarify which formula from your Praxis Core Math formula sheet is needed, even if you can’t bring a formula sheet into the test. This will help commit complex formulas to memory.

Closing thoughts

Mastering these core math formulas is critical for top performance on the Praxis Core Math test. Since you won’t have access to a Praxis Core Math formula sheet during the real Praxis test, internalizing each formula now will keep your problem-solving skills sharp and efficient. Make review and consistent practice a daily part of your Praxis exam prep, and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of passing with confidence.