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GRE High Frequency Math Terms

Subjects : gre, math

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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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. Simplify this: v32
(a+b)(a-b)
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

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

3. 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.
(0 -0)
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
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

4. What is the 'distributive law'?
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
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.
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.
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'.

5. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
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 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.

6. HIGH: Explain a method for quickly comparing fractions with different denominators - to determine which is larger.

7. What do permutation problems often ask for?
180 degrees.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

8. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
1.7
2r
360 degrees
A=pr²

9. Explain how to divide fractions.
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.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

10. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
6
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.

11. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
40%
(x-y)²
60%
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

12. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
(x-y)²
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

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

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

15. How do you solve a permutation?
Example: 1 < x < 10
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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

16. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
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.
Probability A * Probability B
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

17. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
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.
1.7
The total # of possible outcomes.
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'.

18. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
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/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
The total # of possible outcomes.
(x+y)(x-y)

19. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.

20. HIGH: What is the median?
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
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.

21. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
6
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
60%
2pr -or- pd

22. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
60%
360 degrees
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

23. What degree angle is a line?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

24. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

25. What are 'vertical angles'?
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
25%
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
3:4:5 5:12:13

26. 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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
360 degrees

27. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
x²-y²
The value that appears most often in a data set.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Example: 1 < x < 10

28. How do you divide fractions?
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

29. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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.

30. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
180 degrees.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
1
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.

31. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

32. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
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
V=s³
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

33. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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.
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.
A radius
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.

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

35. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
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
180 degrees
60%
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. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
1/1
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
(x-y)²
180 degrees

37. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
Probability A + Probability B
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
2
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

38. Define the range of a set of numbers.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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.
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.
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

39. v4 =
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.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
2
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.

40. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
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%.
Groups - teams - or committees.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

41. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 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.
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. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
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
180 degrees.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

43. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
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 value that appears most often in a data set.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

44. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
S²
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
The total # of possible outcomes.

45. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
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.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
(0 -0)
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.

46. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
The average - mean - median - or mode.
Groups - teams - or committees.

47. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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)+

48. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
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
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Between 0 and 1.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

49. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
(x+y)²
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

50. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
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
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
S²
Probability A * Probability B