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

2. Define the mode of a set of 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
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.
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.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

3. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
(x-y)²
360 degrees
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

4. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
S²
25%
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.

5. v4 =
2
25%
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.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

6. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
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.
90 degrees each.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
(0 -0)

7. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
The total # of possible outcomes.
Bh
x²-y²

8. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
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
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
40%
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.

9. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
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.
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
A=pr²
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

10. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 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.
A radius

11. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

12. HIGH: What is the median?
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
360 degrees
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.

13. Define 'proportionate' values
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Probability A * Probability B
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.

14. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
(x+y)²
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
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.
S*v2

15. HIGH: What is the mode?
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)+
The value that appears most often in a data set.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

16. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

17. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
A 90-degree angle.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
360 degrees

18. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
S*v2
25%
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

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

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

21. What is a 'Right' triangle?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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.

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
x² + 2xy + y²
V=s³
(0 -0)

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

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

25. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
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.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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.

26. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
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
60%
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
x² + 2xy + y²

27. How do you divide fractions?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
x² + 2xy + y²
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
The average - mean - median - or mode.

28. HIGH: Area of a circle
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
A=pr²
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

29. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
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
Bh
Favorable Outcomes/Total 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.

30. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
2pr -or- pd
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.
Between 0 and 1.

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

32. 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.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

33. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
6
Bh
1/1

34. How do you add or subtract fractions?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

35. 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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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.

36. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
V=s³
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.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.

37. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
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 radius
A 90-degree angle.

38. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
(x+y)(x-y)
2pr -or- pd
90 degrees each.
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

39. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
360 degrees
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
(x+y)²

40. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
A 90-degree angle.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
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.

41. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
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.
A radius
80%
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

42. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.
A radius
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

43. 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.
x² -2xy + y²
360 degrees
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

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

45. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
3:4:5 5:12:13
The total # of possible outcomes.
The value that appears most often in a data set.

46. How many degrees does a circle contain?
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
Between 0 and 1.
360 degrees

47. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
The total # of possible outcomes.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
1.4

48. Area of a parallelogram?
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x 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.
Bh

49. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
Between 0 and 1.
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.
2pr -or- pd
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

50. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
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.
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
1.7
V=s³