Navigating the road to college can feel overwhelming for both students and parents. From SATs and ACTs to AP exams, applications, essays, timelines and testing strategies, there are countless questions along the way. In this new column, local college preparation experts will provide practical advice, insider tips and answers to readers’ most common questions to help students feel more confident, prepared and ready for the next step in their academic journey. This question was on the March SAT and appeared in Eaton materials before the test.

Question: How does the College Board make geometry difficult?

Answer: Difficult geometry questions often require the test takers to draw an additional line and are often multi-step. This question was on the March SAT and appeared in Eaton materials before the test.

Example: A square is inscribed in a circle.  If the area of the circle is 18 pi, what is the side of the square?

Answer: The diagonal of the square is the diameter of the circle which must be drawn.  This line creates two isosceles triangles.  The side of the square is 6.  For centuries a mathematical mystery was trying to construct a square that had the same area as a circle.  Finally, it was deemed impossible because the value of pi is transcendental (infinite).

Even though this mathematical problem was impossible, the phrase “how do you square that?” became an idiom that means how do you reconcile two conflicting ideas. 

Eaton Prep’s next class begins at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center at 2 p.m. on June 14. For more information or to enroll, call 412-831-2723.