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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: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

2. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
Probability A + Probability B
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.
1

3. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
1.7

4. List two odd behaviors of exponents
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
2
1.4
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.

5. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
A radius
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.
S²

6. What is the equation for a group problem?
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.
Probability A + Probability B
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
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

7. How many degrees does a circle contain?
1
S²
3:4:5 5:12:13
360 degrees

8. Area of a square?
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
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.
S²
1.7

9. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

10. Simplify this: v32
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

11. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
A=pr²
2r

12. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
Probability A * Probability B
360 degrees
(0 -0)
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.

13. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
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.
90 degrees each.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

14. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
3:4:5 5:12:13
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.
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 triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

15. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
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.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
180 degrees
Bh

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

17. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
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
180 degrees
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
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

18. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
(0 -0)
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
S*v2
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

19. 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.
Between 0 and 1.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

20. HIGH: What is the mode?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
1
The value that appears most often in a data set.

21. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
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.
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.
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.
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.

22. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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)+
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.
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.

23. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
(a+b)(a-b)
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
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
x² -2xy + y²

24. Define the mode of a set of numbers.
2r
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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.
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.

25. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
Probability A * Probability B

26. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
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.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
(x+y)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

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

28. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

29. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
Bh
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.
6

30. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
2pr -or- pd

31. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
A 90-degree angle.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
(x+y)²
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

32. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
x²-y²
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
1/1

33. Explain the difference between a digit and a number.

34. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
1
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
60%
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

35. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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.
90 degrees each.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

36. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
(x+y)²
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.

37. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.
Example: 1 < x < 10

38. 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 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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

39. How do you multiply fractions?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
S*v2
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.
60%

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

41. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
x² + 2xy + y²
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
(x-y)²

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

43. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
360 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.
Probability A + Probability B

44. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
3:4:5 5:12:13
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
x² + 2xy + y²

45. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

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

47. An integer is divisible by 6 if...

48. Diameter of a circle?
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 total # of possible outcomes.
2r
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.

49. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
V=s³
Probability A * Probability B
25%
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

50. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
1.7
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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.