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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. Explain how to divide fractions.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

2. HIGH: Area of a circle
Groups - teams - or committees.
A=pr²
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.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

3. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
1.7
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
1/1
Between 0 and 1.

4. Area of a parallelogram?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Bh
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Probability A + Probability B

5. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
x²-y²
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.
6
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

6. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
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.
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

7. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
360 degrees
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

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

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9. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
3:4:5 5:12:13
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.
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

10. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
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
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. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

11. How many degrees does a circle contain?
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.
360 degrees
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
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.

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

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13. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
1.4

14. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
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.
25%
Between 0 and 1.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

15. What degree angle is a line?
A 90-degree angle.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
90 degrees each.

16. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
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.
1.7
(x-y)²
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

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

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18. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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.

19. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
x² + 2xy + y²
1
6

20. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
Favorable Outcomes/Total 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
360 degrees
60%

21. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
60%
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.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

22. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
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.
(x+y)(x-y)
x² + 2xy + y²
Between 0 and 1.

23. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
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.
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.
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.

24. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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
2
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.
Probability A + Probability B

25. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
(x+y)²
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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.

26. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
1
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
A=pr²

27. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
x²-y²
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

28. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
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.
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

29. Area of a square?
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.
1.7
S²
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

30. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
360 degrees
S*v2

31. What is the 'distributive law'?
A=pr²
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.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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)+

32. v4 =
2
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
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 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

33. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
1/1

34. HIGH: What is the side ratio for a 30:60:90 triangle?
x² -2xy + y²
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.

35. Explain the special properties of zero.
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 circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

36. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
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.
1.4
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

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
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%.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
2r

38. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
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

39. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
2
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.
180 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% |

40. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
1.7
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

41. What is the equation for a group problem?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
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)+

42. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
60%
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
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

43. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
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.
Between 0 and 1.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
x² -2xy + y²

44. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
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.
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.
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.

45. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
3:4:5 5:12:13
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
The total # of possible outcomes.

46. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
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
(x-y)²
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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.

47. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
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.
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 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.
The average - mean - median - or mode.

48. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
40%
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
A=pr²

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

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50. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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)+
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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.