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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 median?
360 degrees
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
180 degrees.

2. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
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
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.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

3. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Groups - teams - or committees.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
360 degrees
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3

4. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13

5. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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.
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.
80%

6. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
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.
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.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

7. Diameter of a circle?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
2r
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

8. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
S*v2
60%
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.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

9. An integer is divisible by 4 if...

10. What is a 'Right' 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.
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.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

11. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
A 90-degree angle.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

12. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
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.
40%
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Probability A + Probability B

13. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
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.
90 degrees each.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

14. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
1/1
2pr -or- pd
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

15. HIGH: What is the factored version of (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.
1.7
x²-y²
V=s³

16. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

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

18. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
x² -2xy + y²
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

19. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
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
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
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

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

21. 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
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

22. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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)+
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

23. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
360 degrees
The total # of possible outcomes.
x² + 2xy + y²
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

24. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
Probability A * Probability B
(0 -0)
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

25. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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.
1/1
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'.
Probability A + Probability B

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

27. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
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
1/1
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
1.7

28. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
(a+b)(a-b)
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
3:4:5 5:12:13
(x+y)²

29. What do permutation problems often ask for?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
6

30. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
25%
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
360 degrees
S*v2

31. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
(x+y)(x-y)
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'.

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

33. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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%.

34. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
x² -2xy + y²
1.4
A 90-degree angle.
360 degrees

35. How do you add or subtract fractions?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
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
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.

36. Define 'proportionate' values
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
1/1
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.

37. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
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.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

38. HIGH: Area of a circle
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
A=pr²

39. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
2pr -or- pd
180 degrees
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

40. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
6
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
25%
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.

41. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
(a+b)(a-b)
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

42. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
(a+b)(a-b)
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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)+

43. Explain the special properties of zero.
S*v2
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.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
1

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

45. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
90 degrees each.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 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.

46. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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.
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 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.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

47. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
Probability A + Probability B
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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.

48. Simplify this: v32
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

49. a² - b² is equal to
(a+b)(a-b)
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Between 0 and 1.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

50. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
(0 -0)
60%
Between 0 and 1.