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GRE High Frequency Math Terms

Subjects : gre, math

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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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. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
S²
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.
(x-y)²

2. Area of a parallelogram?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
Bh
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.

3. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
80%
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

4. 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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
The total # of possible outcomes.
3:4:5 5:12:13

5. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
Probability A * Probability B
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.
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.
x² -2xy + y²

6. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
90 degrees each.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Calculate and add the areas of all of 6 its sides. Example: for a rectangle with dimensions 2 x 3 x 4 - there will be 2 sides each - for each combination of these dimensions. That is - 2 each of 2x3 - 2 each of 3x4 - and 2 each of 4x2.
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.

7. HIGH: What is the mode?
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.
1
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.
The value that appears most often in a data set.

8. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

9. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
2pr -or- pd
First - translate into clear math: 56 = x/100(80) ('56 is x one-hundredths of 80') = 56 = 80x/100 = 56 = 4x/5 Divide both sides by 4/5 (multiply by 5/4) 70 = x - so 70%.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
(a+b)(a-b)

10. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
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.
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.
360 degrees
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

11. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
1.7
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

12. What do combination problems usually ask 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.
180 degrees.
Groups - teams - or committees.
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.

13. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
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.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Probability A + Probability B
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

14. What is the 'distributive law'?
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.
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.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

15. An integer is divisible by 6 if...

16. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
A 90-degree angle.
Example: 1 < x < 10
1.7
A radius

17. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
(0 -0)
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
S²
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.

18. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
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.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
First - translate into clear math: 56 = x/100(80) ('56 is x one-hundredths of 80') = 56 = 80x/100 = 56 = 4x/5 Divide both sides by 4/5 (multiply by 5/4) 70 = x - so 70%.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

19. Define 'proportionate' values
x² + 2xy + y²
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

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

21. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
360 degrees
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'.
x² -2xy + y²

22. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.
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.
1.7

23. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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.
180 degrees.

24. HIGH: What is 'absolute value' - and how is it represented?

25. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
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.
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
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.
x² + 2xy + y²

26. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

27. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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

28. Explain the special properties of zero.
60%
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.
x² + 2xy + y²

29. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
A line is a 180-degree angle.
2pr -or- pd
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
6

30. What are 'vertical angles'?
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.
Bh
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
1/1

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

32. How many degrees does a circle contain?
360 degrees
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
1/1
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

33. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
3:4:5 5:12:13
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
By Plugging In an actual value for the variable(s). This will be quicker - more accurate - you'll avoid built-in traps - and you can use the calculator. When Plugging In - use simple numbers but avoid 1 and 0.

34. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

35. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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.
6
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
The value that appears most often in a data set.

36. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
x² -2xy + y²
(x+y)(x-y)
Probability A * Probability B
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

37. HIGH: What is the median?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
1.4
A radius
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

38. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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.
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)+

39. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
1/1
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
2pr -or- pd
S²

40. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
90 degrees each.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Calculate and add the areas of all of 6 its sides. Example: for a rectangle with dimensions 2 x 3 x 4 - there will be 2 sides each - for each combination of these dimensions. That is - 2 each of 2x3 - 2 each of 3x4 - and 2 each of 4x2.

41. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
25%
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

42. How do you multiply fractions?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
2pr -or- pd
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.

43. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
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
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.

44. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
x²-y²
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

45. An integer is divisible by 8 if...

46. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
360 degrees
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.

47. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
60%
(0 -0)

48. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
A 90-degree angle.
S²

49. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
360 degrees

50. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
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.
A radius
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.