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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: Rough est. of v1 =
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
1
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.
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. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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
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.

3. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
1.4
2pr -or- pd
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

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

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

6. 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.
Groups - teams - or committees.
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
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.

7. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
Probability A + Probability B
Between 0 and 1.

8. What degree angle is a line?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
180 degrees
A line is a 180-degree angle.

9. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
x² -2xy + y²

10. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
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.
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.
40%
Groups - teams - or committees.

11. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
80%
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
A 90-degree angle.

12. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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'.
180 degrees.
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.
Probability A + Probability B

13. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
The total # of possible outcomes.
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)+
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.

14. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
6
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
90 degrees each.

15. Area of a square?
S²
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.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.

16. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
360 degrees
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

17. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.

18. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
x²-y²
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
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

19. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
2
(a+b)(a-b)

20. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
S*v2
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'.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 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.

21. How do you solve a permutation?
(a+b)(a-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
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.
The total # of possible outcomes.

22. 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.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Example: 1 < x < 10

23. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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. 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.
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.

24. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
3:4:5 5:12:13

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

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

27. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
A radius
40%
2pr -or- pd
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. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
25%
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
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.

29. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
360 degrees
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%.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.

30. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these 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% |
1.4
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

31. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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

32. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
(x+y)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.
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.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

33. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

34. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
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
80%
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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

35. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.
x² + 2xy + y²

36. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
60%
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

37. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
1
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
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.

38. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

39. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
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
1.4

40. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
Probability A * Probability B
(a+b)(a-b)
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

41. Define the mode of a set of numbers.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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.
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.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

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

43. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
80%
A radius
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.

44. Explain the special properties of zero.
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.
2r
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.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

45. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.
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.

46. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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

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

48. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
S*v2

49. What is the equation for a group problem?
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.
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.
25%
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. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
(x+y)²
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.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
(a+b)(a-b)