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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 the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
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.
A radius
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
1/1

2. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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.
360 degrees
3:4:5 5:12:13

3. How do you divide fractions?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Probability A + Probability B

4. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
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
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.

5. How many degrees does a circle contain?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
360 degrees
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.

6. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
S*v2
1.7

7. List two odd behaviors of exponents
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'.
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

8. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.

9. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

10. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
25%
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
A 90-degree angle.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

11. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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.
1.4
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

12. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
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.
360 degrees
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Probability A * Probability B

13. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
(x+y)(x-y)
x²-y²
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
1/1

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

15. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
1.7
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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

16. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

17. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
(0 -0)
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
(x-y)²

18. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
180 degrees
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

19. Explain how to divide fractions.
6
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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 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.

20. Diameter of a circle?
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.
2r
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'.
(x+y)²

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

22. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
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.
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
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

23. Area of a square?
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
S²
80%
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

24. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
A 90-degree angle.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

25. Probability Formula
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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.
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
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

26. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
2
S*v2

27. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
(x-y)²
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
A radius
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.

28. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
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.
Example: 1 < x < 10
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

29. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
x²-y²
1/1
(x+y)²

30. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
6
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
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
80%

31. 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 formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
1.7
x² -2xy + y²

32. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
(x+y)²
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
(x-y)²
3:4:5 5:12:13

33. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
1
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

34. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
(x+y)(x-y)
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 # falling in the center of an ordered data set

35. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
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
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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

36. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
Between 0 and 1.
90 degrees each.
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

37. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
Bh
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

38. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
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 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.
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
Groups - teams - or committees.

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

40. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
60%
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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.

41. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.

42. What degree angle is a line?
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

43. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
40%
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
3:4:5 5:12:13

44. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
180 degrees
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
S*v2

45. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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.
x² -2xy + y²
40%
Probability A + Probability B

46. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
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.
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
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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

47. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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)+

48. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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.
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.
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.

49. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
180 degrees.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
1.4
S*v2

50. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
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
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
360 degrees
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.