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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
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.
80%
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
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

2. 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.
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.
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+b)(a-b)

3. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
A radius
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)+
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
180 degrees.

4. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
Between 0 and 1.

5. Area of a parallelogram?
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.
Bh
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).

6. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
3:4:5 5:12:13
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.

7. Simplify this: v32
(x-y)²
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

8. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

9. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.

10. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

11. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
A line is a 180-degree angle.
3:4:5 5:12:13
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.
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

12. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
25%

13. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
Probability A + Probability B
1/1
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
The average - mean - median - or mode.

14. HIGH: Area of a circle
A=pr²
Groups - teams - or committees.
2pr -or- pd
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.

15. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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
90 degrees each.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

16. What do combination problems usually ask for?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Groups - teams - or committees.
Bh

17. Explain how to divide fractions.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

18. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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
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
2r

19. Define the range of a set of numbers.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
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.

20. Define 'proportionate' values
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
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.

21. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
x² + 2xy + y²
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)+
S²
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

22. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
V=s³
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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
1.4

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

24. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
(x-y)²

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

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

27. How do you solve a combination?

28. How do you add or subtract fractions?
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

29. Explain the special properties of zero.
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.
(x+y)(x-y)
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
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

30. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

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

32. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
1.7
1.4

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

34. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
1
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
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.

35. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

36. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
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.

37. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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'.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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.

38. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
x²-y²
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
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

39. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
Probability A + Probability B
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
40%
90 degrees each.

40. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
A radius
The total # of possible outcomes.
Probability A * Probability B
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

41. What is a 'Right' angle?
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
A 90-degree angle.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

42. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
60%
x² -2xy + y²

43. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
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
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
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.
(x+y)(x-y)

44. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
The total # of possible outcomes.
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.
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
(x+y)²

45. HIGH: Explain a method for quickly comparing fractions with different denominators - to determine which is larger.

46. a² - b² is equal to
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 equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
x² + 2xy + y²
(a+b)(a-b)

47. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
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.
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
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

48. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
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)+
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

49. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
Groups - teams - or committees.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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.

50. What is the equation for a group problem?
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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 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