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GRE High Frequency Math Terms

Subjects : gre, math

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. What'S a handy rough estimate for a circle'S perimeter - if you know it'S diameter?

2. How do you add or subtract fractions?
Groups - teams - or committees.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
PEMDAS (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally): P = Parentheses. Solve anything inside of parentheses first. E = Exponents. Solve these second. MD = Multiplication - Division. From left to right - do all multiplication and division during one step through

3. How many degrees does a circle contain?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
360 degrees
V=s³
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

4. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
Bh
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

5. Define 'proportionate' values
Groups - teams - or committees.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
x²-y²
Probability A + Probability B

6. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Always read the answer choices first. Try to eliminate choices by ballparking or estimating. But watch out for 'Trap' answers that look temptingly correct at first glance.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Probability A + Probability B

7. Explain the difference between a digit and a number.

8. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
A 90-degree angle.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

9. HIGH: What is the side ratio for a 30:60:90 triangle?
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
The equation must be set equal to zero. If during the test one appears that'S not - before you can solve it you must first manipulate it so it is equal to zero.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
T = G1 + G2 - B + N Where T = Total G1 = first Group G2 = second Group B = members who are in Both groups N = members who are in Neither group

10. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
The factorial of a number is that number times every positive whole number smaller than that number - down to 1. Example: 6! means the factorial of 6 - which = 65432*1 = 720.
This is similar to an Average Pie - and can be used for some story problems. Draw a circle. Top half holds the Distance or other Amount. Bottom left holds Time. Bottom right holds Rate. Rate * Time = Amount
60%
An integer is divisible by 4 if its last two digits form a number that'S divisible by 4. For example - 712 is divisible by 4 because its last two digits (12) is divisible by 4.

11. Probability Formula
Groups - teams - or committees.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

12. How precise do you need to be - using p on the GRE?

13. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
180 degrees
(a+b)(a-b)
If order matters - then you have a permutation -- do NOT divide. If order does NOT matter - then you have a combination -- divide by the factorial of the number of available slots.

14. v4 =
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
2
V75 = v253 = 5v3 - and v27 = v93 = 3v3. So we have 5v3/3v3. The v3 in the top and bottom of the fraction cancel - leaving 5/3.

15. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

16. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
Example: 1 < x < 10
2pr -or- pd
x²-y²
1/1

17. Define the median of a set of numbers - and how to find it for an odd and even number of values in a set.

18. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
A(b+c) = ab + ac a(b-c) = ab - ac - For example - 12(66) + 12(24) is the same as 12(66+24) - or 12(90) = 1 -080.
1. Raising a fraction (between 0 and 1) to a power greater than 1 results in a SMALLER number. For example: (1/2)² = 1/4. 2. A number raised to the 0 power is 1 - no matter what the number is. For example: 1 -287° = 1.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
(x+y)²

19. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Probability A * Probability B
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
y = mx + b -- where: x -y are the coordinates of any point on the line (allows you to locate) m is the slope of the line b is the intercept (where the line crosses the y-axis) Sometimes on the GRE - 'a' is substituted for 'm' - as in 'y = ax + b'.

20. HIGH: What is the median?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
This is similar to an Average Pie - and can be used for some story problems. Draw a circle. Top half holds the Distance or other Amount. Bottom left holds Time. Bottom right holds Rate. Rate * Time = Amount
2
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

21. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
(a+b)(a-b)
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Between 0 and 1.
1.7

22. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
The length of any one side of a triangle must be less than the sum of the other two sides - and greater than the difference between the other two sides.
(x+y)²
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Example: 1 < x < 10

23. Area of a square?
S²
The length of any one side of a triangle must be less than the sum of the other two sides. It must also be greater than the difference between the other two sides. So - 'A' will always be < B+C - and > B-C or C-B.
Multiply all elements of both sides of the equation by 2 (the denominator of the fraction). This will produce 10x + 3 = 14x. Solve from there: 3 = 4x - x = 3/4.
That - unlike a normal chart - they are constructed to HIDE information or make it HARDER to understand. Be sure to scroll down - read everything - and look carefully for hidden information - asterisks - footnotes - small print - and funny units.

24. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
A=pr²
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
That they often have not just one answer - but two. For example - solving x² -10x + 24 = 0 factors to (x-4)(x-6)=0 - which means x could equal either 4 or 6. Just accept it.
Use the FOIL method: First - Outer - Inner - Last. This simply means to multiply every term in the first parentheses by every term in the second parentheses. Example: (x+4)(x+3) = First: (xx) + Outer: (x3) + Inner: (4x) + Last: (43) = (xx)+(x3)+(x4)+

25. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
Probability A * Probability B
The mode is the number in a set that occurs most frequently. Example: for the set {3 -6 -3 -8 -9 -3 -11} the number 3 appears most frequently so it is the mode.
V75 = v253 = 5v3 - and v27 = v93 = 3v3. So we have 5v3/3v3. The v3 in the top and bottom of the fraction cancel - leaving 5/3.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

26. HIGH: Explain the process to solve '56 is what percent of 80?'

27. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
(x-y)²

28. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Example: 1 < x < 10
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
(x-y)²

29. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
This is an equilateral triangle that has been divided along its height. Interior angles are 30:60:90 degrees. Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse. This allows you to deduce any side - given
3:4:5 5:12:13
180 degrees
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

30. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
x² + 2xy + y²
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
The average - mean - median - or mode.
y = mx + b -- where: x -y are the coordinates of any point on the line (allows you to locate) m is the slope of the line b is the intercept (where the line crosses the y-axis) Sometimes on the GRE - 'a' is substituted for 'm' - as in 'y = ax + b'.

31. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
180 degrees.
25%
Always read the answer choices first. Try to eliminate choices by ballparking or estimating. But watch out for 'Trap' answers that look temptingly correct at first glance.
1. Factored: x² - y² Unfactored: (x+y)(x-y) 2. Factored: (x+y)² Unfactored: x² + 2xy + y² 3. Factored: (x-y)² Unfactored: x² - 2xy + y²

32. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
If order matters - then you have a permutation -- do NOT divide. If order does NOT matter - then you have a combination -- divide by the factorial of the number of available slots.
V=s³

33. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
1/1
PEMDAS (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally): P = Parentheses. Solve anything inside of parentheses first. E = Exponents. Solve these second. MD = Multiplication - Division. From left to right - do all multiplication and division during one step through
Multiply all elements of both sides of the equation by 2 (the denominator of the fraction). This will produce 10x + 3 = 14x. Solve from there: 3 = 4x - x = 3/4.
1.7

34. What are 'vertical angles'?
Zero is even. It is an integer. It is neither positive nor negative. Zero multiplied by any other number = zero. You cannot divide by zero.
(a+b)(a-b)
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

35. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
An integer is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. For example - adding the digits of the number 2 -145 (2+1+4+5) = 12 - which is divisible by 3.
Bh
Multiply all elements of both sides of the equation by 2 (the denominator of the fraction). This will produce 10x + 3 = 14x. Solve from there: 3 = 4x - x = 3/4.
Between 0 and 1.

36. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
25%
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

37. What'S one way to avoid mistakes on algebra questions in the GRE?

38. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
S*v2
A radius
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

39. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
The length of any one side of a triangle must be less than the sum of the other two sides - and greater than the difference between the other two sides.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

40. What is the formula to determine probability?
S*v2
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

41. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
If order matters - then you have a permutation -- do NOT divide. If order does NOT matter - then you have a combination -- divide by the factorial of the number of available slots.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

42. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
360 degrees
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
1/1
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

43. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
Multiply all elements of both sides of the equation by 2 (the denominator of the fraction). This will produce 10x + 3 = 14x. Solve from there: 3 = 4x - x = 3/4.
Groups - teams - or committees.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
A 90-degree angle.

44. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
180 degrees.
Multiply each numerator by the other fraction'S denominator. Example: 3/7 and 7/12. Multiply 312 = 36 - and 77 = 49. If you completed the full calculation - you'd also cross-multiply the denominators - but you don'T have to in order to compare values

45. How do you solve a combination?

46. What is a 'Right' angle?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
A 90-degree angle.
The length of any one side of a triangle must be less than the sum of the other two sides - and greater than the difference between the other two sides.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

47. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
80%
Use the FOIL method: First - Outer - Inner - Last. This simply means to multiply every term in the first parentheses by every term in the second parentheses. Example: (x+4)(x+3) = First: (xx) + Outer: (x3) + Inner: (4x) + Last: (43) = (xx)+(x3)+(x4)+
The range is the difference between the biggest and smallest numbers in the set. Example: for the set {2 -6 -13 -3 -15 -4 -9} the smallest number is 2 - largest is 15 - so the range is 15-2=13.
Length of an Arc = (n/360)(2pr) - where 'n' equals the central angle (the angle formed by the two edge radii of the arc). For example: if n=60 - then n/360 = 1/6 - which means the arc formed by the 60-degree central angle will be 1/6 of the circle'S

48. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
The length of any one side of a triangle must be less than the sum of the other two sides - and greater than the difference between the other two sides.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
The factorial of a number is that number times every positive whole number smaller than that number - down to 1. Example: 6! means the factorial of 6 - which = 65432*1 = 720.

49. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
60%
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

50. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
40%
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
T = G1 + G2 - B + N Where T = Total G1 = first Group G2 = second Group B = members who are in Both groups N = members who are in Neither group