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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: Area of a circle
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
A=pr²
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
x² -2xy + y²

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

3. 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
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

4. What is a 'Right' angle?
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.
(x-y)²
6
A 90-degree angle.

5. Area of a square?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
S²

6. What do combination problems usually ask for?
6
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Groups - teams - or committees.
360 degrees

7. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
6
Between 0 and 1.
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.
The total # of possible outcomes.

8. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
90 degrees each.
V=s³
The total # of possible outcomes.
180 degrees.

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. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
180 degrees.
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.
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.
2pr -or- pd

11. What are 'vertical angles'?
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.

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

13. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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.

14. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
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.
60%
90 degrees each.
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.

15. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
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.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

16. 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 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.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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

17. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
1.7
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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'.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

18. What degree angle is a line?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
60%
A line is a 180-degree angle.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

19. a² - b² is equal to
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.
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
(a+b)(a-b)
(x+y)(x-y)

20. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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.
V=s³

21. HIGH: What is the mode?
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.
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 value that appears most often in a data set.
Probability A * Probability B

22. What do permutation problems often ask for?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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
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%.
(0 -0)

23. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-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.
(x+y)(x-y)
A=pr²
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

24. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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%.
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

25. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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)+
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.

26. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
Probability A * Probability B
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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.
A=pr²

27. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
360 degrees
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.

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

29. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
40%
(a+b)(a-b)

30. Probability Formula
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

31. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
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
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 90-degree angle.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3

32. Define the range of a set of 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.
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.
360 degrees
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

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

34. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

35. Diameter of a circle?
2r
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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

36. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
90 degrees each.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

37. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
S*v2
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
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.
x²-y²

38. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
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.
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.
6

39. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
3:4:5 5:12:13
360 degrees
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

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

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

42. Area of a parallelogram?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.
Bh
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.

43. What is the equation for a group problem?
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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
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.

44. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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 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
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
A line is a 180-degree angle.

45. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
V=s³
25%
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.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

46. How many degrees does a circle contain?
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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
360 degrees

47. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
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
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.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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. What'S a handy rough estimate for a circle'S perimeter - if you know it'S diameter?

49. How do you divide fractions?
Between 0 and 1.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
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.
6

50. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
The average - mean - median - or mode.