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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: Rough est. of v1 =
2r
1
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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.

2. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
80%
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
60%

3. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
S²
S*v2
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.
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.

4. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
A radius
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/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.

5. List two odd behaviors of exponents
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
3:4:5 5:12:13
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.
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.

6. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
A 90-degree angle.
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.
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

7. How many degrees does a circle contain?
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.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
360 degrees
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

8. v4 =
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
2
Bh
6

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

10. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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
The average - mean - median - or mode.

11. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.
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%.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

12. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

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

14. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
A 90-degree angle.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
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.
Probability A * Probability B

15. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

16. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
1. Figure out how many slots you have (i.e. you'Re supposed to bring home 3 different types of ice cream) 2. Write down the number of possible options for each slot (i.e. 5 flavors of ice cream at the store - 5 options for the 1st slot - 4 options fo
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.

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

18. HIGH: What is the median?
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 # falling in the center of an ordered data set
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

19. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
(x+y)²
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

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

21. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
2pr -or- pd
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.

22. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
x²-y²
The total # of possible outcomes.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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

23. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
1/1
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

24. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
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.
S*v2
(0 -0)
1.7

25. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
(x+y)(x-y)
V=s³
40%

26. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
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.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
40%

27. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.
360 degrees

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

29. How do you solve a combination?

30. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
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.
80%
(x-y)²
(x+y)(x-y)

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

32. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
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.
1.4
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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.

33. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
1.7

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

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

36. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
180 degrees
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
x²-y²
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.

37. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

38. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
Example: 1 < x < 10
80%
Probability A + Probability B

39. What is the formula to determine probability?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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'.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

40. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
1.4
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 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.
x² -2xy + y²

41. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
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.
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
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
1. Figure out how many slots you have (i.e. you'Re supposed to bring home 3 different types of ice cream) 2. Write down the number of possible options for each slot (i.e. 5 flavors of ice cream at the store - 5 options for the 1st slot - 4 options fo

42. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
A=pr²
A radius
(a+b)(a-b)
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

43. HIGH: Area of a circle
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
A=pr²
(x-y)²

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

45. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Between 0 and 1.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
3:4:5 5:12:13

46. Diameter of a circle?
2r
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Between 0 and 1.
60%

47. Define the range of a set of numbers.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 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.
(a+b)(a-b)
S²

48. What do permutation problems often ask for?
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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
60%
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

49. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

50. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5