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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. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
60%
180 degrees
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 radius

2. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
6
Between 0 and 1.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.

3. Probability Formula
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
S²

4. Define the range of a set of numbers.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Example: 1 < x < 10
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.

5. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
(x+y)(x-y)
The average - mean - median - or mode.

6. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
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. 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 formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.

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

8. How do you multiply fractions?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

9. When a pair of parallel lines is intersected by another line - two types of angles are formed. What are they?

10. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

11. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Probability A * Probability B
3:4:5 5:12:13

12. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
(0 -0)
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

13. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
(x+y)(x-y)
25%
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

14. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
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.
(0 -0)
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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

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

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

17. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
1.4
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.

18. HIGH: What is the side ratio for a 30:60:90 triangle?
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.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
80%
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

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

20. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

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

22. How do you divide fractions?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

23. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
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
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
360 degrees
S*v2

24. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
Probability A + Probability B
25%
60%
80%

25. 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.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

26. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
S²
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%.

27. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

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

29. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
1.4
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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+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.

30. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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.
25%

31. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
1.4
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.

32. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
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
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Probability A + Probability B
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

33. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

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

35. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
2r
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
90 degrees each.

36. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
The value that appears most often in a data set.
S*v2
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

37. How do you solve a permutation?
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
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)+
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

38. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
1.7
The value that appears most often in a data set.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

39. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
V=s³
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

40. What is a 'Right' triangle?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 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.
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.

41. How do you add or subtract fractions?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

42. What do permutation problems often ask for?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
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.
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'.

43. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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

44. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
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.
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
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.

45. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.

46. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
40%
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Probability A * Probability B
A radius

47. How many degrees does a circle contain?
x² -2xy + y²
180 degrees
V=s³
360 degrees

48. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
1.4
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
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. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
x²-y²
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
360 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.

50. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
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%.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
80%
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.