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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: Volume of a cube?
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
1.7
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)+
V=s³

2. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
A=pr²
1.7
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
Probability A + Probability B

3. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

4. What do combination problems usually ask for?
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'.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Groups - teams - or committees.

5. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

6. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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 total # of possible outcomes.
(x+y)²

7. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
1
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

8. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
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
(x-y)²
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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.

9. How do you solve a permutation?
(a+b)(a-b)
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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
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)+

10. 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.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
(x+y)(x-y)

11. Area of a parallelogram?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Bh
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

12. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
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
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
80%

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

14. An integer is divisible by 9 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
Probability A * Probability B
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.

15. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
2pr -or- pd
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

16. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
80%
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'.
1.4
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

17. What is a 'Right' triangle?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 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

18. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
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.
1.4
The average - mean - median - or mode.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

19. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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
(0 -0)

20. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Groups - teams - or committees.
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.
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

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

22. HIGH: What is the median?
Groups - teams - or committees.
180 degrees
(x-y)²
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

23. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
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.

24. How do you multiply fractions?
2
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.
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.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

25. v4 =
2
3:4:5 5:12:13
1/1
(x+y)(x-y)

26. How many degrees does a circle contain?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.
360 degrees

27. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

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

29. How do you divide fractions?
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
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

30. What do permutation problems often ask for?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

31. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Groups - teams - or committees.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

32. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
(x+y)(x-y)
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
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

33. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
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
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

34. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
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. 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
A radius
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

35. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
25%
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

36. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
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.
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.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

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

38. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
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.
S*v2
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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

39. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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.
Probability A * Probability B

40. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
A=pr²
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 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.
180 degrees.

41. HIGH: Area of a circle
1/1
A=pr²
(0 -0)
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

42. 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).
A 90-degree angle.
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
(x-y)²

43. Area of a square?
S²
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.
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 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

44. How do you add or subtract fractions?
S*v2
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
(x+y)(x-y)
S²

45. List two odd behaviors of exponents
x² -2xy + y²
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

46. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

47. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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'.
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
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

48. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 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.
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.
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

49. HIGH: What is the mode?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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.
Between 0 and 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

50. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
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
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.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set