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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. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
x² -2xy + y²
A line is a 180-degree angle.

2. HIGH: Define the 'Third side' rule for triangles

3. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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
1.4
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

4. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
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.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
(x-y)²
6

5. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
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)+

6. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
60%
x²-y²
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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

7. a² - b² is equal to
(a+b)(a-b)
The average - mean - median - or mode.
360 degrees
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

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

9. How do you solve a combination?

10. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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
6
Probability A + Probability B

11. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
A=pr²

12. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
Probability A * Probability B
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
60%
V=s³

13. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
A digit is a number that makes up other numbers. There are ten digits: 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9. Every 'number' is made up of one or more digits. For example - the number 528 is made up of three digits - a 5 - a 2 - and an 8.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Example: 1 < x < 10

14. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
V=s³
(x-y)²
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3

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

16. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
S*v2
A line is a 180-degree angle.

17. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
S*v2
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
x² + 2xy + y²
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

18. An integer is divisible by 4 if...

19. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
This triangle is a square divided along its diagonal. Interior angles are 90:45:45 degrees. The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
An isoceles right angle. Remember that interior angles are 90:45:45 degrees. The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

20. Diameter of a circle?
2r
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

21. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.

22. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
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.
60%
2
2pr -or- pd

23. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
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'.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

24. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
V=s³
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

25. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
1.4
(x+y)²
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
This triangle is a square divided along its diagonal. Interior angles are 90:45:45 degrees. The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

26. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
360 degrees
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.

27. Explain the special properties of zero.
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.
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.
S*v2
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.

28. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
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
(x+y)(x-y)
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

29. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

30. HIGH: What is the side ratio for a 30:60:90 triangle?
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
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'.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

31. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Groups - teams - or committees.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.

32. List two odd behaviors of exponents
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.
S*v2
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.
Absolute value is a number'S distance away from zero on the number line. It is always positive - regardless of whether the number is positive or negative. It is represented with | |. For example - |-5| = 5 - and |5| = 5.

33. Area of a parallelogram?
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
Bh
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
40%

34. How do you divide fractions?
(a+b)(a-b)
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
40%
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

35. How do you multiply fractions?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

36. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
360 degrees
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.

37. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
1/1
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Bh

38. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
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.
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
The total # of possible outcomes.
1

39. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
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
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

40. When a pair of parallel lines is intersected by another line - two types of angles are formed. What are they?

41. HIGH: Area of a circle
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
A=pr²
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
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

42. HIGH: Explain a method for quickly comparing fractions with different denominators - to determine which is larger.

43. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
(x-y)²
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

44. HIGH: What is the equation of a line?

45. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
(x-y)²
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

46. HIGH: How do you calculate the length of an arc?

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

48. What should you do BEFORE you start to solve a GRE math problem?

49. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
x² + 2xy + y²
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
S*v2
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.

50. How do you solve a permutation?
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
1. Figure out how many slots you have (i.e. there are 3 winning positions in a race - 1st - 2nd - and 3rd) 2. Write down the number of possible options for each slot (i.e. 5 runners in the race - so 5 options for the 1st slot - 4 options for the 2nd
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.