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GRE High Frequency Math Terms

Subjects : gre, math

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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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. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.

2. Define the median of a set of numbers - and how to find it for an odd and even number of values in a set.

3. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.
180 degrees
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

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

5. HIGH: What is the median?
S*v2
6
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

6. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
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.
(0 -0)
180 degrees
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.

7. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.
180 degrees.

8. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
80%

9. How do you solve a permutation?
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
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
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. 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

10. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
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
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.
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.

11. HIGH: What must be true before a quadratic equation can be solved?

12. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
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
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.
40%
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.

13. List two odd behaviors of exponents
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.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
2r

14. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
Bh
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.

15. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
(x-y)²
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
40%
V=s³

16. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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.
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.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

17. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
80%
60%
(x+y)(x-y)
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

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

19. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
360 degrees
The total # of possible outcomes.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

20. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Between 0 and 1.

21. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
Probability A * Probability B
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)+
x² -2xy + y²
1.7

22. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
3:4:5 5:12:13
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
6

23. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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

24. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
180 degrees.
V=s³
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'.
3:4:5 5:12:13

25. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
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.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

26. Probability Formula
2r
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
(x+y)²
S*v2

27. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
x²-y²
1.7
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.
Between 0 and 1.

28. Define the mode of a set of numbers.
6
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.
A=pr²
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.

29. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
1.4
S²

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

31. How many degrees does a circle contain?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
25%
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
360 degrees

32. HIGH: Area of a circle
x²-y²
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
A=pr²
(a+b)(a-b)

33. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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.

34. How do you multiply fractions?
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
(x+y)²
1.7

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

36. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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'.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

37. Diameter of a circle?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
2r
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

38. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

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

40. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
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.
Bh
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.

41. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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

42. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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
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
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.

43. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Groups - teams - or committees.
(x+y)²

44. Explain the difference between a digit and a number.

45. What are 'vertical angles'?
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
A 90-degree angle.
1.7

46. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
360 degrees
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

47. What degree angle is a line?
(0 -0)
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.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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.

48. How do you solve a combination?

49. 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.
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.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
90 degrees each.

50. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.
x² + 2xy + y²