TEAS Math Formulas Cheat Sheet: Essential Formulas You Must Know

The TEAS Math section tests your ability to perform calculations that nurses use daily—from medication dosages to fluid measurements. With 38 questions in 57 minutes, you need to work efficiently. This cheat sheet covers every formula and conversion you need to know.

TEAS Math Section Overview

The Math section of the ATI TEAS 7 is divided into two main categories:

• Numbers and Algebra (~20 questions): Arithmetic operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, and basic algebra
• Measurement and Data (~18 questions): Unit conversions, geometric calculations, and data interpretation from graphs and tables

Essential Arithmetic Formulas

Fractions

• Adding fractions: a/b + c/d = (ad + bc) / bd
• Subtracting fractions: a/b - c/d = (ad - bc) / bd
• Multiplying fractions: a/b × c/d = ac / bd
• Dividing fractions: a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c = ad / bc
• Converting mixed numbers: 2¾ = (2×4 + 3)/4 = 11/4

Decimals and Percentages

• Decimal to percent: Multiply by 100 (0.75 = 75%)
• Percent to decimal: Divide by 100 (75% = 0.75)
• Fraction to percent: Divide numerator by denominator, then multiply by 100 (3/4 = 0.75 = 75%)
• Finding a percentage: Part = Whole × (Percent/100)
• Finding the whole: Whole = Part / (Percent/100)
• Percent change: ((New - Original) / Original) × 100

Ratios and Proportions

These are CRITICAL for nursing calculations!

• Ratio: Comparison of two quantities (3:5 or 3/5)
• Proportion: Two equal ratios (a/b = c/d)
• Cross multiplication: If a/b = c/d, then ad = bc
• Unit rate: Amount per 1 unit (60 miles/2 hours = 30 miles per hour)

Algebra Essentials

Solving Equations

• One-step equations: x + 5 = 12 → x = 7
• Two-step equations: 2x + 5 = 15 → 2x = 10 → x = 5
• Equations with fractions: x/3 = 4 → x = 12
• Equations with variables on both sides: 3x + 2 = x + 10 → 2x = 8 → x = 4

Order of Operations (PEMDAS)

• P - Parentheses first
• E - Exponents second
• M/D - Multiplication and Division (left to right)
• A/S - Addition and Subtraction (left to right)

Exponent Rules

• Multiplying same base: x^a × x^b = x^(a+b)
• Dividing same base: x^a / x^b = x^(a-b)
• Power of a power: (x^a)^b = x^(ab)
• Zero exponent: x^0 = 1
• Negative exponent: x^(-a) = 1/x^a

Unit Conversions: Metric System

Memorize these metric prefixes and their values:

• Kilo (k) = 1,000 base units
• Hecto (h) = 100 base units
• Deka (da) = 10 base units
• Base unit (meter, gram, liter) = 1
• Deci (d) = 0.1 base units
• Centi (c) = 0.01 base units
• Milli (m) = 0.001 base units

Length Conversions

• 1 kilometer (km) = 1,000 meters (m)
• 1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
• 1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)
• 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
• 1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 cm
• 1 yard = 3 feet = 0.914 meters
• 1 mile = 5,280 feet = 1.609 kilometers

Volume Conversions (Critical for Nursing!)

• 1 liter (L) = 1,000 milliliters (mL)
• 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 3.785 liters
• 1 quart = 2 pints = 0.946 liters
• 1 pint = 2 cups = 473 mL
• 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 237 mL
• 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp) = 15 mL
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL

Weight/Mass Conversions

• 1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
• 1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)
• 1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces = 453.6 grams
• 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
• 1 ounce = 28.35 grams

Temperature Conversions

• Fahrenheit to Celsius: °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
• Celsius to Fahrenheit: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
• Normal body temperature: 98.6°F = 37°C
• Water freezes: 32°F = 0°C
• Water boils: 212°F = 100°C

Geometry Formulas

Perimeter and Area

• Rectangle perimeter: P = 2l + 2w
• Rectangle area: A = l × w
• Square perimeter: P = 4s
• Square area: A = s²
• Triangle perimeter: P = a + b + c
• Triangle area: A = ½ × base × height
• Circle circumference: C = 2πr or C = πd
• Circle area: A = πr²

Volume Formulas

• Rectangular prism: V = l × w × h
• Cube: V = s³
• Cylinder: V = πr²h
• Sphere: V = (4/3)πr³
• Cone: V = (1/3)πr²h

Data and Statistics

• Mean (average): Sum of all values / Number of values
• Median: Middle value when arranged in order
• Mode: Most frequently occurring value
• Range: Highest value - Lowest value
• Probability: Number of favorable outcomes / Total number of possible outcomes

Time Calculations

• 1 hour = 60 minutes
• 1 minute = 60 seconds
• 1 day = 24 hours
• 1 week = 7 days
• 1 year = 365 days (366 in leap year)

Roman Numerals (Used in Nursing)

• I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000
• Common examples: II = 2, IV = 4, VI = 6, IX = 9, XV = 15, XX = 20

Practice Problems

Test your knowledge with these sample problems:

• A patient weighs 176 pounds. What is their weight in kilograms? (Answer: 176 ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg)
• A medication order is for 0.5 grams. How many milligrams is this? (Answer: 0.5 × 1,000 = 500 mg)
• If 30% of patients recovered, and 45 patients recovered, how many total patients were there? (Answer: 45 / 0.30 = 150 patients)
• Convert 101.3°F to Celsius. (Answer: (101.3 - 32) × 5/9 = 38.5°C)

Tips for TEAS Math Success

• Memorize conversion factors - they appear frequently
• Practice mental math to save calculator time
• Always double-check your units
• Read word problems carefully - identify what's being asked
• Estimate answers first to catch calculation errors
• Show your work (even mentally) to avoid careless mistakes

Print this cheat sheet, keep it with your study materials, and review it regularly. The more familiar you are with these formulas, the faster and more confident you'll be on test day!