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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: Volume of a cube?
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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=s³
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

2. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
2
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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)+

3. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
360 degrees
S*v2
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.

4. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
90 degrees each.
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.
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

5. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
(x+y)(x-y)
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
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.
180 degrees

6. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 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.
1.4

7. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
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
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
1.7
A 90-degree angle.

8. v4 =
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
2
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
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

9. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total 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
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

10. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
(x+y)²
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
(x-y)²
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.

11. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
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.
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.
A radius
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.

12. What is the equation for a group problem?
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
180 degrees.
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

13. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

14. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
(a+b)(a-b)
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.
6

15. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

16. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
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
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.
(0 -0)
3:4:5 5:12:13

17. How do you solve a combination?

18. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
180 degrees.
360 degrees
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

19. HIGH: What is the mode?
(x+y)²
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
The value that appears most often in a data set.

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

21. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
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.
S²
(0 -0)
2pr -or- pd

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

23. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
The total # of possible outcomes.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

24. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

25. What should you do BEFORE you start to solve a GRE math problem?

26. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

27. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
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.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
1
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

28. What are 'vertical angles'?
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
90 degrees each.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

29. What do permutation problems often ask for?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
x² -2xy + y²
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

30. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
1/1
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
2r

31. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
Probability A * Probability B
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.

32. a² - b² is equal to
(a+b)(a-b)
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
360 degrees

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

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

35. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
A radius
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
'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.

36. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
Between 0 and 1.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

37. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
2pr -or- pd

38. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
6
2r
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 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.

39. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
360 degrees
The total # of possible outcomes.
S*v2
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.

40. What degree angle is a line?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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 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.

41. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
A 90-degree angle.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

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

43. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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.
2pr -or- pd
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.
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

44. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
x² + 2xy + y²
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)+
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

45. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
The total # of possible outcomes.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
40%

46. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13

47. What is a 'Right' triangle?
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
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
2r

48. Area of a parallelogram?
25%
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
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
Bh

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

50. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
2r
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.
S*v2