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GMAT Word Translations

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. The order a ratio is given in is vital. To avoid reversals - always write units on either the ratio or the variables.






2. If X and Y are independent events - AND means multiply the probabilities. You will wind up with a smaller number - which indicates a lower probability of success. If X and Y are mutually exclusive - OR means add the probabilities. You will wind up wi






3. Twice/half/n times as fast as - slower/faster - relative rates






4. If a probability problem seems to require extensive calculation - try to reformulate it in a way that either takes advantage of symmetry in the problem or groups several individual cases together at once.






5. Avoid writing relationships backwards. Quickly check your translations with easy numbers. Write an unknown percent as a variable divided by 100. Translate bulk discounts and similar relationships carefully.






6. Marked by 3 primary components: rate - time & distance or work. Rate x Time = Distance (RT=D) Rate x Time= Work (RT = W)






7. 1. Assign variables - make up letters to represent unknown quantities to set up equations - choose meaningful letters - avoid subscripts - try to minimize the number of variables 2. Write equations - translate verbal relationships into math symbols.






8. In some probability problems - both the 'desired' possibilities and the total possibilities require counting. Use combinatorial methods to calculate the numbers of possibilities. After finding the numbers - set up the probability as a fraction - 'win






9. Check the problem to see if the are any implied constraints to variables like whole numbers. You can solve a data sufficiency question with little information if whole numbers are involved. You can use a table to generate - organize - and eliminate i






10. For sets with an odd number of values - the median is the middle value when in order. For sets with an even number of values - the median is the average of the two middle values. You maybe able to determine a specific value for the median even if unk






11. Optimization: inversion between finding the min/max and the values givens typical. Be careful to round up or down appropriately. Grouping: determine the limiting factor on the number of complete groups. Think about the most or least evenly distribute






12. Planning a timeline to coordinate events to a set of restrictions. Focus on the extreme scenarios: 1. Be aware of both explicit and hidden constraints.2. Choose the highest or lowest values of the variables. 3. Be very careful about rounding.






13. Pay close attention to the wording of the problem to see if you need to use algebra to represent the unknowns.From the relationships in the table - set up an equation to solve for unknowns. With that information - fill in the rest of the double-set m






14. If you have to construct and manipulate completely abstract sets - use alphabetical order to make the sets a little more concrete. If the problem is complex - create a column chart. Each column is a number in the set. Put the columns in order with t






15. Venn diagrams should ONLY be used for problems that involve 3 sets with only 2 choices per set. Work from the inside out when filling in. When filling in each outer level - remember to subtract out the members in the inner levels. To determine the to






16. Express a relationship between two or more quantities. - the relationship they express is division. Can be expressed with the word 'to' - using a colon - or by writing a fraction. Can express a part-part relationship or part-whole. Cannot find the qu






17. 1. Draw empty slots corresponding to each of the choices you have to make. 2. Fill in each slot with the number of options for that slot. Choose the most restricted opt ins first. 3. Multiply the numbers in the slots to find the total number of combi






18. For problems involving percents or fractions - use smart numbers and a double-set matrix to solve. For problems with percents - pick a total of 100. For problems with fractions - pick a common denominator for the total. You can only assign a number t






19. Can be solved with a proportion. 1. Set up a labeled proportion. 2. Cross-multiply to solve. Cancel factors out before multiplying to save time. Can cancel either vertically within a fraction or horizontally across the equals sign.






20. If a GMAT problem requires you to choose two or more sets of items from separate pools - count the arrangements separately. Then multiply the numbers of possibilities for each step.






21. Don't just add and divide! If something moves the same distance twice but at different rates - then the average rate will NEVER be the average of the two given rates. The average rate will be closer to the slower of the two rates. Find the total comb






22. Contains no variables; simply plug and chug. 1. Take careful inventory of qtys - numbers and units. 2. Use math techniques and tricks to solve; assign variables. 3. Draw diagrams - tables and charts to organize the information. 4. Read the problem ca






23. A rearrangement of the letters in a word or phrase. Count the anagrams of a simple word with n letters by using n! When there are repeated items in a set - reduce the number of arrangements. The number of arrangements of a word is the factorial of th






24. Slower/faster - left... and met/arrived at






25. Scheduling: focus on the extreme possibilities (earliest/latest time slots). Read the problem carefully!






26. Make a table with a few rows with NOW in the middle row. Work forwards and backwards from NOW using the problem's information. Maybe pick a smart number for the starting point - choose a number that makes the math simple.






27. For counting the possible number of ways of putting n distinct objects in order - if there are no restrictions - is n! (n factorial).






28. Indicates how far from the average data points typically fall. A small SD indicates a set is clustered closely around the average while a large SD indicates the set is spread out widely. You will not need to calculate an exact SD. GMAT questions invo






29. If a problem has unusual constraints - try counting arrangements without constraints first. Then subtract the forbidden arrangements. Glue Method: for problems in which items or people must be next to each other - pretend that the items 'stuck togeth






30. Quantity that expresses the chance - or likelihood - of an event. To find a probability - you need to know the total number of possibilities and the number of successful scenarios. All outcomes must be equally likely. Use a counting tree to find the






31. Changes to Mean: Change in mean = New term - Old mean / New number of terms -- Using residuals: Residual = Data point - Mean - Keep track of signs of residuals. The residuals sum to zero in any set. All residuals cancel out.






32. Will be closer to the number with the bigger weight. If the weights don't add to one - sum the weights and use that to divide in order to have a total weight of one. Weighted average = weight/sum of weights(data point) + weight/sum of weights(data po






33. For complicated ratio problems - the unknown multiplier technique is useful. Represent ratios with some unknown number/variable to reduce the number of variables and make the algebra easier. You can only use it once per problem. You should use it whe






34. Maximize or minimize a quantity by choosing optimal values.






35. Many word problems with 'how many' are combinatorics. Many combinatorics masquerade as probability problems. Looking for analogies to known problem types will help find a viable solution. Break down complicated counting problems into separate decisio






36. In certain types of OR problems - the probability of the desired event NOT happening may be easier to find. If on a problem - 'success' contains multiple possibilities -- especially if the wording contains phrases such as 'at least' and 'at most' --






37. Be able to write word problems with two different types of equations: - relate the quantities or numbers of different goods - relate the total values of the goods. 1. Assign variables - try to use as few variables as possible. 2. Write equations - fo






38. Counting the number of possibilities/ways you can arrange things.Fundamental Counting Principle: if you must make a number of separate decisions - then MULTIPLY the numbers of ways to make each individual decision to find the number of ways to make a






39. To combine ratios with common elements - multiply all of the ratios by the same number (a common multiple). Make the term you are working with the least common multiple of the current values.






40. If switching elements in a chosen set creates a different set - it is a ______________. There are usually fewer combinations than permutations.






41. Combination: selection of items from a larger pool where the order doesn't matter. Number of r items chosen from a pool of n items: n!/(n-r)!*r! Permutation: selection of items from a larger pool where the order matters. n!/(n-r)!






42. Use anagram grids to solve combinations with repetition. Set up an anagram grid to put unique items or people on the top row. Only the bottom row should have repeats. To count possible groups - divide the total factorial by two factorials: one for th






43. For problems with only two categories or decisions - use a double-set matrix: Rows correspond to the options for one DECISION - columns correspond to the options for the other DECISION. Last row and column contain totals. Bottom right corner has tota






44. I - or interval - amount of time given for the quantity to grow or decay S - or starting value - size of the population at time zero t - or time - is the variable (make sure all time units are the same) x - growth or decay factor - Population = S*x^(






45. Determine the combined rate of all the workers working together: sum the individual working rates. If one agent is undoing the work of another - subtract their working rates. If a work problem involves time relations - then the calculations are just






46. 1. Basic motion problems 2. Average rate problems 3. Simultaneous motion problems 4. Work problems 5. Population problems






47. The average of consecutive integers is the middle term - same for any set with terms that are evenly spaced. The average is the middle term. If the set has two middle terms - take the average of the two middle numbers. To find the average (middle ter






48. Basic motion problems involve rate - time and distance. Rate = ratio of distance and time Time = a unit of time Distance = a unit of distance - Use an RTD chart to solve. Fill in 2 of the variables then use the RT=D formula to solve.






49. Multiply the probabilities of events in a sequence - taking earlier events into account. When you have a symmetrical problem with multiple equivalent cases - calculate the probability of one case (often using the domino effect rule above). Then multi






50. The numbers in the same row of an RTD table will always multiply across. The specifics of the problem determine which columns will add up into a total row. R x T = D 1. The kiss (or crash) ADD SAME ADD 2. the quarrel (away from) ADD SAME ADD 3. The c