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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. v4 =
2
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.

2. What is a 'Right' triangle?
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
6

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

4. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Probability A + Probability B
S*v2

5. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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(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.
S²

6. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
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
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.

7. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
A 90-degree angle.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

8. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
S*v2
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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.
1.4

9. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
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
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
180 degrees.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

10. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
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
S*v2
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.

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

12. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
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)+
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

13. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
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)+
180 degrees
A radius
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

14. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

15. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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.
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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
2

16. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
2pr -or- pd
The total # of possible outcomes.
1/1
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.

17. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 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.
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
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

18. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
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)+
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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

19. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
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.
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.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

20. Area of a square?
S²
3:4:5 5:12:13
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.
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.

21. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
S²
40%
S*v2
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.

22. 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
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

23. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
360 degrees
(x+y)²
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
40%

24. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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 # falling in the center of an ordered data set
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

25. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
80%
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

26. HIGH: What is the mode?
x² + 2xy + y²
The value that appears most often in a data set.
360 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

27. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
80%
1.7
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.

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

29. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
360 degrees
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
(0 -0)

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

31. HIGH: What is the side ratio for a 30:60:90 triangle?
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
360 degrees

32. 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 circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.

33. HIGH: What is the median?
The total # of possible outcomes.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
A=pr²
40%

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

35. Explain the special properties of zero.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
1.7

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

37. What is the formula to determine probability?
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

38. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
2
6
1.4
1.7

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

40. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
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
S²
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.
80%

41. Define the mode of a set of numbers.
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.
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.
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%.
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.

42. Probability Formula
2r
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.
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.

43. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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)+
25%
1.4

44. Simplify this: v32
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.
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.
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
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

45. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
x² + 2xy + y²
x²-y²
2pr -or- pd
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'.

46. Diameter of a circle?
Probability A * Probability B
1/1
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
2r

47. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
Probability A * Probability B
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.

48. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
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.
180 degrees.
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.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

49. Explain how to divide fractions.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
The total # of possible outcomes.

50. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 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% |
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
90 degrees each.