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Test your basic knowledge |
GMAT Word Translations
Start Test
Study First
Subjects
:
gmat
,
reading-and-comprehension
Instructions:
Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Make a table with a few rows with NOW in the middle row. Work forwards and backwards from NOW using the problem's information. Maybe pick a smart number for the starting point - choose a number that makes the math simple.
Population Problems
Rates & Work Problems
Use Charts to Organize Variables
Use a population chart
2. Maximize or minimize a quantity by choosing optimal values.
Optimization
Multiple Ratios
Permutation
Standard Deviation (SD)
3. If switching elements in a chosen set creates a different set - it is a ______________. There are usually fewer combinations than permutations.
Slot Method (for problems where certain choices are restricted)
Algebraic Translations
Permutation
Proportions
4. Combination: selection of items from a larger pool where the order doesn't matter. Number of r items chosen from a pool of n items: n!/(n-r)!*r! Permutation: selection of items from a larger pool where the order matters. n!/(n-r)!
Combination & Permutation Formulas
Averages
Scheduling & Computation Problems
Combinatorics & Probability
5. The order a ratio is given in is vital. To avoid reversals - always write units on either the ratio or the variables.
Rates & Work Problems
Weighted Averages
Proportions
Disguised Combinatorics
6. Avoid writing relationships backwards. Quickly check your translations with easy numbers. Write an unknown percent as a variable divided by 100. Translate bulk discounts and similar relationships carefully.
Disguised Combinatorics
Probability
Translating Words Correctly
The Unknown Multiplier
7. Make a chart when several quantities and multiple relationships. Ex: age problems - people in rows - times in columnsn 1. Assign variables - try to use 1 variable for simplicity. 2. Write equations - use leftover information/relationships to write eq
Use Charts to Organize Variables
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
Combinatorics & the Domino Effect
Averages
8. Contains no variables; simply plug and chug. 1. Take careful inventory of qtys - numbers and units. 2. Use math techniques and tricks to solve; assign variables. 3. Draw diagrams - tables and charts to organize the information. 4. Read the problem ca
Computation problems
Equations for Exponential Growth or Decay
Entirely Unknown Sets
Simple ratio problems
9. If you have to construct and manipulate completely abstract sets - use alphabetical order to make the sets a little more concrete. If the problem is complex - create a column chart. Each column is a number in the set. Put the columns in order with t
Anagrams
Probability
Optimization
Entirely Unknown Sets
10. Will be closer to the number with the bigger weight. If the weights don't add to one - sum the weights and use that to divide in order to have a total weight of one. Weighted average = weight/sum of weights(data point) + weight/sum of weights(data po
Weighted Averages
Scheduling
Anagram Grids
Multiple Arrangements
11. Put people or items into groups to maximize or minimize a characteristic in the group.
Grouping
Average Rate: RTD Problems
Probability Trees
Multiple RTD Problems
12. Determine the combined rate of all the workers working together: sum the individual working rates. If one agent is undoing the work of another - subtract their working rates. If a work problem involves time relations - then the calculations are just
The Unknown Multiplier
Working Together - Add the Rates
Probability: Multiple Events
Simple Factorials
13. To combine ratios with common elements - multiply all of the ratios by the same number (a common multiple). Make the term you are working with the least common multiple of the current values.
Multiple Ratios
Shortcuts for Averages
Average Rate: RTD Problems
Entirely Unknown Sets
14. A rearrangement of the letters in a word or phrase. Count the anagrams of a simple word with n letters by using n! When there are repeated items in a set - reduce the number of arrangements. The number of arrangements of a word is the factorial of th
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
Computation problems
Anagrams
Multiple RTD Problems
15. The numbers in the same row of an RTD table will always multiply across. The specifics of the problem determine which columns will add up into a total row. R x T = D 1. The kiss (or crash) ADD SAME ADD 2. the quarrel (away from) ADD SAME ADD 3. The c
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
Shortcuts for Averages
Standard Deviation (SD)
Entirely Unknown Sets
16. Optimization: inversion between finding the min/max and the values givens typical. Be careful to round up or down appropriately. Grouping: determine the limiting factor on the number of complete groups. Think about the most or least evenly distribute
Scheduling
Reforming Difficult Problems
Optimization & Grouping
Ratios
17. Changes to Mean: Change in mean = New term - Old mean / New number of terms -- Using residuals: Residual = Data point - Mean - Keep track of signs of residuals. The residuals sum to zero in any set. All residuals cancel out.
Overlapping Sets: Double-Set Matrix
Prices & Quantities
Scheduling & Computation Problems
Shortcuts for Averages
18. Marked by 3 primary components: rate - time & distance or work. Rate x Time = Distance (RT=D) Rate x Time= Work (RT = W)
Algebraic Translations
Shortcuts for Averages
Basic Work Problems
Rates & Work Problems
19. Multiply the probabilities of events in a sequence - taking earlier events into account. When you have a symmetrical problem with multiple equivalent cases - calculate the probability of one case (often using the domino effect rule above). Then multi
Grouping
Combinatorics
Combinatorics & the Domino Effect
Rates & Work Problems
20. Indicates how far from the average data points typically fall. A small SD indicates a set is clustered closely around the average while a large SD indicates the set is spread out widely. You will not need to calculate an exact SD. GMAT questions invo
Standard Deviation (SD)
Weighted Averages
Working Together - Add the Rates
Equations for Exponential Growth or Decay
21. Venn diagrams should ONLY be used for problems that involve 3 sets with only 2 choices per set. Work from the inside out when filling in. When filling in each outer level - remember to subtract out the members in the inner levels. To determine the to
Use Charts to Organize Variables
Typical time relations
3-Set Problems: Venn Diagrams
Combinatorics & Probability
22. If a GMAT problem requires you to choose two or more sets of items from separate pools - count the arrangements separately. Then multiply the numbers of possibilities for each step.
Reforming Difficult Problems
Multiple Arrangements
Probability
3-Set Problems: Venn Diagrams
23. = sum/# of terms If you know the average - use this formula: (average) x (# of terms) = (sum) - All that matters is the sum of the terms - not the individual terms. To keep track of two average formulas - set up an RTD-style table.
Permutation
Slot Method (for problems where certain choices are restricted)
Probability Trees
Averages
24. Quantity that expresses the chance - or likelihood - of an event. To find a probability - you need to know the total number of possibilities and the number of successful scenarios. All outcomes must be equally likely. Use a counting tree to find the
Scheduling
Probability
Main forms of rate problems
Use a population chart
25. Can be solved with a proportion. 1. Set up a labeled proportion. 2. Cross-multiply to solve. Cancel factors out before multiplying to save time. Can cancel either vertically within a fraction or horizontally across the equals sign.
Reforming Difficult Problems
Simple ratio problems
Multiple Arrangements
Combinatorics
26. Scheduling: focus on the extreme possibilities (earliest/latest time slots). Read the problem carefully!
Scheduling & Computation Problems
Algebraic Translations
Multiple Ratios
Hidden Constraints
27. Be able to write word problems with two different types of equations: - relate the quantities or numbers of different goods - relate the total values of the goods. 1. Assign variables - try to use as few variables as possible. 2. Write equations - fo
Entirely Unknown Sets
Prices & Quantities
Anagram Grids
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
28. If X and Y are independent events - AND means multiply the probabilities. You will wind up with a smaller number - which indicates a lower probability of success. If X and Y are mutually exclusive - OR means add the probabilities. You will wind up wi
Probability: Multiple Events
Hidden Constraints
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
Overlapping Sets & Percents
29. Use anagram grids to solve combinations with repetition. Set up an anagram grid to put unique items or people on the top row. Only the bottom row should have repeats. To count possible groups - divide the total factorial by two factorials: one for th
Proportions
Population Problems
Anagram Grids
3-Set Problems: Venn Diagrams
30. To keep track of branching possibilities and 'winning scenarios': label each branch and input the probabilities - on the second set of branches - input the probabilities AS IF the first pick was made - remember the domino effect! - compute the probab
Rates & Work Problems
Scheduling
Probability Trees
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
31. Express a relationship between two or more quantities. - the relationship they express is division. Can be expressed with the word 'to' - using a colon - or by writing a fraction. Can express a part-part relationship or part-whole. Cannot find the qu
Reforming Difficult Problems
Optimization
Ratios
Permutation
32. The average of consecutive integers is the middle term - same for any set with terms that are evenly spaced. The average is the middle term. If the set has two middle terms - take the average of the two middle numbers. To find the average (middle ter
Probability Trees
Multiple Arrangements
Basic Motion - The RTD Chart
Averages: Evenly Spaced Sets
33. Don't just add and divide! If something moves the same distance twice but at different rates - then the average rate will NEVER be the average of the two given rates. The average rate will be closer to the slower of the two rates. Find the total comb
Multiple RTD Problems
Average Rate: RTD Problems
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
Prices & Quantities
34. For complicated ratio problems - the unknown multiplier technique is useful. Represent ratios with some unknown number/variable to reduce the number of variables and make the algebra easier. You can only use it once per problem. You should use it whe
Hidden Constraints
Anagram Grids
The Unknown Multiplier
Probability Trees
35. If a problem has unusual constraints - try counting arrangements without constraints first. Then subtract the forbidden arrangements. Glue Method: for problems in which items or people must be next to each other - pretend that the items 'stuck togeth
Basic Motion - The RTD Chart
Arrangements with Constraints
Average Rate: RTD Problems
Computation problems
36. Check the problem to see if the are any implied constraints to variables like whole numbers. You can solve a data sufficiency question with little information if whole numbers are involved. You can use a table to generate - organize - and eliminate i
Weighted Averages
Equations for Exponential Growth or Decay
Hidden Constraints
Proportions
37. Involve time - rate and work.- work: number of jobs completed or items produced - time: time spent working - rate: ratio of work to time - amount completed in one time unit Often have to calculate the work rate. Always express as jobs per unit of tim
Typical rate (speed) relations
Reforming Difficult Problems
Basic Work Problems
Probability
38. Some population that typically increases by a common factor every time period.
Overlapping Sets & Percents
Population Problems
Proportions
Probability
39. I - or interval - amount of time given for the quantity to grow or decay S - or starting value - size of the population at time zero t - or time - is the variable (make sure all time units are the same) x - growth or decay factor - Population = S*x^(
Combinatorics
Use Charts to Organize Variables
Equations for Exponential Growth or Decay
Working Together - Add the Rates
40. Counting the number of possibilities/ways you can arrange things.Fundamental Counting Principle: if you must make a number of separate decisions - then MULTIPLY the numbers of ways to make each individual decision to find the number of ways to make a
Basic Motion - The RTD Chart
Combinatorics
Sample Multiple RTD Problems
Grouping
41. You don't need ____________ to find the weights. Having the ratios of the weights will allow you to find the weighted average. Write the ratio as a fraction; use the numerator and denominator as weights. If you are finding a weighted average of rates
Concrete values
Typical rate (speed) relations
Working Together - Add the Rates
Simple Factorials
42. Difficult problems involve rates - times and distances for more than one trip or traveler - expand the RTD chart by adding rows for each trip.
Typical time relations
Proportions
3-Set Problems: Venn Diagrams
Multiple RTD Problems
43. 1. Draw empty slots corresponding to each of the choices you have to make. 2. Fill in each slot with the number of options for that slot. Choose the most restricted opt ins first. 3. Multiply the numbers in the slots to find the total number of combi
Slot Method (for problems where certain choices are restricted)
Averages: Evenly Spaced Sets
Translating Words Correctly
Combinatorics & Probability
44. Twice/half/n times as fast as - slower/faster - relative rates
Shortcuts for Averages
Grouping
The 1-x Probability Trick
Typical rate (speed) relations
45. Many word problems with 'how many' are combinatorics. Many combinatorics masquerade as probability problems. Looking for analogies to known problem types will help find a viable solution. Break down complicated counting problems into separate decisio
Algebraic Translations
The Unknown Multiplier
Disguised Combinatorics
Use Charts to Organize Variables
46. Pay close attention to the wording of the problem to see if you need to use algebra to represent the unknowns.From the relationships in the table - set up an equation to solve for unknowns. With that information - fill in the rest of the double-set m
Overlapping Sets & Percents
Population Problems
Basic Work Problems
Overlapping Sets & Algebraic Representation
47. If a probability problem seems to require extensive calculation - try to reformulate it in a way that either takes advantage of symmetry in the problem or groups several individual cases together at once.
Reforming Difficult Problems
Basic Motion - The RTD Chart
Optimization
Use a population chart
48. 1. Assign variables - make up letters to represent unknown quantities to set up equations - choose meaningful letters - avoid subscripts - try to minimize the number of variables 2. Write equations - translate verbal relationships into math symbols.
Averages: Evenly Spaced Sets
Algebraic Translations
Scheduling & Computation Problems
Anagrams
49. For sets with an odd number of values - the median is the middle value when in order. For sets with an even number of values - the median is the average of the two middle values. You maybe able to determine a specific value for the median even if unk
Disguised Combinatorics
Median
The 1-x Probability Trick
Concrete values
50. In some probability problems - both the 'desired' possibilities and the total possibilities require counting. Use combinatorial methods to calculate the numbers of possibilities. After finding the numbers - set up the probability as a fraction - 'win
Permutation
Combinatorics & Probability
Multiple Arrangements
Overlapping Sets: Double-Set Matrix