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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. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
(0 -0)
6
40%
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

2. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
90 degrees each.
S*v2

3. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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.
x² + 2xy + y²

4. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.
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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

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

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

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

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

9. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
6
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
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%.
1.7

10. What is a 'Right' angle?
A 90-degree angle.
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.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

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

12. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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.
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
x²-y²

13. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
(x+y)(x-y)
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 90-degree angle.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

14. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
The total # of possible outcomes.

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

16. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
Groups - teams - or committees.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
90 degrees each.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

17. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
A=pr²
A 90-degree angle.
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

18. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
80%
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
V=s³
40%

19. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
25%
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
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.
Probability A + Probability B

20. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
80%
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.
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.
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.

21. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
2
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
(x-y)²

22. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

23. HIGH: Area of a circle
(a+b)(a-b)
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%.
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.
A=pr²

24. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
x² + 2xy + y²
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
60%

25. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
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%.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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.

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

27. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
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.
x² -2xy + y²

28. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
A 90-degree angle.
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.

29. Probability Formula
3:4:5 5:12:13
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Probability A * Probability B
(0 -0)

30. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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

31. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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.
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
1.4

32. a² - b² is equal to
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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 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+b)(a-b)

33. When a pair of parallel lines is intersected by another line - two types of angles are formed. What are they?

34. What do combination problems usually ask for?
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.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Groups - teams - or committees.

35. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
A radius
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
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.

36. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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

37. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
S*v2
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

38. 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.
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.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

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

40. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

41. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
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
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
(x-y)²
1.4

42. What is a 'Right' triangle?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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)+
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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.

43. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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
Example: 1 < x < 10
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

44. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
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
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
x² + 2xy + y²
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.

45. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

46. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
1. Given event A: A + notA = 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

47. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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.
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 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.

48. Define the range of a set of numbers.
1.7
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
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.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

49. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
The total # of possible outcomes.
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.

50. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
3:4:5 5:12:13
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.