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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. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
S*v2
180 degrees
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.
80%

2. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
S*v2
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.
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
1.4

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

4. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
25%
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Probability A * Probability B
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

5. 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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
The average - mean - median - or mode.
(x+y)²

6. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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.
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.
60%
Groups - teams - or committees.

7. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
(x-y)²
90 degrees each.

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

9. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
V=s³
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
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
1.7

10. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
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
Probability A * Probability B
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
90 degrees each.

11. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
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.

12. What is the formula to determine probability?
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

13. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
The total # of possible outcomes.
Example: 1 < x < 10
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

14. HIGH: What is the median?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

15. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
A=pr²

16. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
180 degrees.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
S*v2
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

17. How do you multiply fractions?
Probability A + Probability B
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
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)+

18. What is the 'distributive law'?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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.
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
A radius

19. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
2r
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

20. Simplify this: v32
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
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
x² + 2xy + y²
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

21. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
x² -2xy + y²
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

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

23. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
60%
90 degrees each.
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.

24. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Groups - teams - or committees.
1.7

25. 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% |
Bh
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

26. What is a 'Right' angle?
A 90-degree angle.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
180 degrees.
x² -2xy + y²

27. What are 'vertical angles'?
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
90 degrees each.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

28. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
40%
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
(x+y)²

29. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
x² + 2xy + y²
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
(x+y)²

30. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
2
2r

31. 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.
Groups - teams - or committees.
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.
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.

32. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
x²-y²
180 degrees
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.
x² -2xy + y²

33. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
1
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.
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.
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 8 if...

35. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
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
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
(x+y)(x-y)
Probability A * Probability B

36. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
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.
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.
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'.
80%

37. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
S*v2
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.
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.

38. How do you solve a permutation?
1.7
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
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

39. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
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
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
6

40. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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.
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
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
(x-y)²

41. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
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.
60%
(x+y)(x-y)
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

42. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
Probability A + Probability B
360 degrees
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
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

43. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
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.
x² + 2xy + y²
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Probability A * Probability B

44. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

45. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is 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.
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
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.

46. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
x²-y²
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
1

47. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
40%
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Probability A + Probability B
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.

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

49. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Groups - teams - or committees.
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
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

50. How do you solve a combination?