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

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

3. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
Probability A + Probability B
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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

4. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

5. What is the formula to determine probability?
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
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
The total # of possible outcomes.

6. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
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.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
1.7

7. HIGH: What is the side ratio for 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.
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.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
A=pr²

8. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
Bh
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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
x²-y²

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

10. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
Probability A * Probability B
A=pr²
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 90-degree angle.

11. HIGH: What is the median?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
S²
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

12. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
(x+y)(x-y)
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

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

14. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
40%
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

15. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
Probability A + Probability B
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.

16. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
x² -2xy + y²
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.
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.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

17. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
80%
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
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. 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

18. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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
40%
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

19. What do permutation problems often ask for?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

20. What are the side ratios for 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.
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.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
(0 -0)

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

22. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
A radius
90 degrees each.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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.

23. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
1.7
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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'.
6

24. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
2
A radius
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

25. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
The total # of possible outcomes.
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.
x² + 2xy + y²
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

26. How do you multiply fractions?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

27. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
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 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.
A=pr²
360 degrees

28. 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.
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.
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
2r

29. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
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'.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

30. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 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.
(x+y)²
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

31. Define 'proportionate' values
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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 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.

32. Simplify this: v32
A median is the middle value of a set of numbers. For an odd number of values - it'S simply the middle number. For an even number of values - take the average of the center two values.
Example: 1 < x < 10
x² -2xy + y²
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

33. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
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
2pr -or- pd
1.4

34. HIGH: What must be true before a quadratic equation can be solved?

35. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
1.7
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
The total # of possible outcomes.

36. What is a 'Right' angle?
x² + 2xy + y²
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.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
A 90-degree angle.

37. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
(x-y)²
6
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

38. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
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 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
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.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

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

40. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

41. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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.

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

43. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
(x+y)(x-y)
25%
Probability A * Probability B

44. How do you solve a permutation?
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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

45. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
1
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 numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.

46. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
(0 -0)
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.
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
The average - mean - median - or mode.

47. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
2r
1/1
180 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.

48. HIGH: Area of a circle
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
A=pr²
Groups - teams - or committees.
1.4

49. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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.
1.7
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

50. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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 total # of possible outcomes.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
360 degrees