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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. What degree angle is a line?
1.7
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
The total # of possible outcomes.
180 degrees.
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

3. What is the 'distributive law'?
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
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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.

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

5. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

6. What do combination problems usually ask for?
80%
Groups - teams - or committees.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
x² + 2xy + y²

7. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
360 degrees
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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.

8. HIGH: What is the median?
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
S*v2
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

9. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
360 degrees
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.
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.
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.

10. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
1.4
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.
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
6

11. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
60%
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

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

13. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
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
3:4:5 5:12:13
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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)+

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

15. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
x² + 2xy + y²
2r
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.

16. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
Example: 1 < x < 10
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
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 total # of possible outcomes.

17. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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.
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.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
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. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
(a+b)(a-b)
60%
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.

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

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

21. Area of a square?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
S²
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

22. 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.
180 degrees.
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.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

23. What is a 'Right' angle?
1/1
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
2pr -or- pd
A 90-degree angle.

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
Probability A + Probability B
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
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.

25. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

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

27. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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.
180 degrees
40%

28. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
(x+y)²
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
V=s³

29. 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
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
S*v2
180 degrees

30. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
A=pr²
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

31. HIGH: Area of a circle
A=pr²
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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

32. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
180 degrees.
25%
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

33. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
The average - mean - median - or mode.

34. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Between 0 and 1.

35. How do you multiply fractions?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
(x+y)²
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.

36. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
1
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

37. How do you add or subtract fractions?
Probability A + Probability B
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

38. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
360 degrees
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.
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.

39. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
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.
80%
The average - mean - median - or mode.
2r

40. Define the range of a set of numbers.
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.
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
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.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

41. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
x²-y²
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
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

42. v4 =
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
2
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 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.

43. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
80%
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.

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

45. Explain how to divide fractions.
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.
S²
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Between 0 and 1.

46. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

47. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
90 degrees each.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

48. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
x²-y²
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
A line is a 180-degree angle.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

49. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
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.
Probability A + Probability B

50. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
1.4
Probability A * Probability B
2
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.