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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 the process to solve '56 is what percent of 80?'

2. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
2
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
180 degrees.
25%

3. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
(x+y)(x-y)
Bh
3:4:5 5:12:13

4. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
80%
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.

5. What is a 'Right' angle?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.
A 90-degree angle.

6. Define 'proportionate' values
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
A=pr²
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
(x+y)²

7. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.

8. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
A 90-degree angle.
The total # of possible outcomes.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Probability A * Probability B

9. HIGH: What is the mode?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
S*v2
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

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

11. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
40%
1.7
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

12. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
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=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Probability A * Probability B

13. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
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
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 radius
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

14. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
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.
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
Between 0 and 1.
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

15. a² - b² is equal to
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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.
(a+b)(a-b)
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.

16. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
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
360 degrees

17. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
Probability A * Probability B
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
6
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.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

19. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
360 degrees
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
x² -2xy + y²

20. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
x² + 2xy + y²
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
Probability A + Probability B
40%

21. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
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.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
1.4

22. Area of a parallelogram?
90 degrees each.
Bh
6
Between 0 and 1.

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

24. Diameter of a circle?
2r
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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
Between 0 and 1.

25. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
25%
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.
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

26. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

27. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
V=s³
90 degrees each.
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.

28. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
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.
(x-y)²
A 90-degree angle.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

29. HIGH: What is the median?
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 # falling in the center of an ordered data set
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
80%

30. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
2pr -or- pd
Between 0 and 1.

31. 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. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
6

32. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
x²-y²
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

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

34. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
60%
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.
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

35. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
2pr -or- pd
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
60%

36. v4 =
(0 -0)
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
Between 0 and 1.
2

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

38. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.

39. What do permutation problems often ask for?
(a+b)(a-b)
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
V=s³

40. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
1.7
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
S*v2

41. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
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.
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

42. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
x²-y²
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 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.

43. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
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 ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
180 degrees.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

44. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
(x+y)²
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
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
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

45. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Groups - teams - or committees.
(x+y)²
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

46. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
A 90-degree angle.
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)
40%

47. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
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.
(x-y)²
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
25%

48. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
360 degrees
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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'.

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

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