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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 factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
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%.
(x+y)²
A 90-degree angle.

2. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

3. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
1.7
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'.
The mode is the number in a set that occurs most frequently. Example: for the set {3 -6 -3 -8 -9 -3 -11} the number 3 appears most frequently so it is the mode.
x² + 2xy + y²

4. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
Example: 1 < x < 10
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

5. What are 'vertical angles'?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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
360 degrees

6. Define the mode of a set of numbers.
The mode is the number in a set that occurs most frequently. Example: for the set {3 -6 -3 -8 -9 -3 -11} the number 3 appears most frequently so it is the mode.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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
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.

7. How do you solve a combination?

8. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 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.
90 degrees each.

9. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
Example: 1 < x < 10
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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.
(x+y)(x-y)

10. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
1.7
25%
(0 -0)
3:4:5 5:12:13

11. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
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
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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
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.

12. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
180 degrees.
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.

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

14. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
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.
Probability A + Probability B
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

15. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
1
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.
6

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

17. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
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%.
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 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.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

18. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
2pr -or- pd
90 degrees each.
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13

19. What is the 'distributive law'?
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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.
x² + 2xy + y²

20. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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.
40%
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.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

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

22. How many degrees does a circle contain?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
360 degrees

23. 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
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

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

25. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
25%
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
60%
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

26. 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.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
80%

27. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
1/1
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
2pr -or- pd
25%

28. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
180 degrees.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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
1.4

29. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
S²
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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

30. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
x² -2xy + y²
2r
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.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

31. Simplify this: v32
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

32. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
(a+b)(a-b)
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.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.

33. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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

34. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
The total # of possible outcomes.
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
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)+
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

35. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
S*v2
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

36. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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.
180 degrees
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.
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.

37. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
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.

38. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
A 90-degree angle.
(x-y)²
2r

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

40. a² - b² is equal to
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
(a+b)(a-b)

41. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
Probability A * Probability B
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
(0 -0)

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

43. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
40%
1/1
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

44. List two odd behaviors of exponents
80%
1/1
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.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

45. What'S one way to avoid mistakes on algebra questions in the GRE?

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

47. What do permutation problems often ask for?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.

48. HIGH: What is the mode?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
1/1
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.

49. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
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.
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.
180 degrees

50. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Groups - teams - or committees.
1.4
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
360 degrees