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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: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
x² + 2xy + y²

2. 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.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.

3. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
x² + 2xy + y²
A 90-degree angle.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
2pr -or- pd

4. 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.
The total # of possible outcomes.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

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

6. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

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

8. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
1.7
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.
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.

9. What is a 'Right' angle?
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
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
A 90-degree angle.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

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

11. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
(x+y)(x-y)
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13

12. What is a 'Right' triangle?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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.
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
2pr -or- pd

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

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

15. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
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 ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
40%

16. Area of a square?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
x² -2xy + y²
S²
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

17. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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

18. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Between 0 and 1.
60%
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.

19. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
The total # of possible outcomes.

20. Probability Formula
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
2r
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.

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

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

23. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
25%
2r
1/1
(x-y)²

24. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

25. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
(x-y)²
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Between 0 and 1.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

26. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
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.
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.
Example: 1 < x < 10

27. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
The average - mean - median - or mode.
6
1.7

28. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
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)+
Example: 1 < x < 10
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

29. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
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
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.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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

30. HIGH: Area of a circle
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.
2r
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
A=pr²

31. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Probability A + Probability B
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

32. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
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 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
(x+y)²
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

33. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
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.
180 degrees.
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)(a-b)

34. What are the side ratios 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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

35. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
40%
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

36. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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.
x² + 2xy + y²

37. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
(x+y)(x-y)
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.
360 degrees

38. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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
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)+
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
A line is a 180-degree angle.

39. How do you solve a combination?

40. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
1
A radius
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

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

42. Explain the special properties of zero.
360 degrees
A line is a 180-degree angle.
x²-y²
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.

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

44. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
(x+y)²

45. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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.
180 degrees
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.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

46. HIGH: What is the median?
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
x² -2xy + y²

47. How do you multiply fractions?
(x+y)(x-y)
(x+y)²
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Probability A + Probability B

48. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.

49. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
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.
1
360 degrees

50. 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.
1
1.4
80%