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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. Probability Formula
The average - mean - median - or mode.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Bh

2. v4 =
2
Bh
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.
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.

3. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

4. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
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.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
x² + 2xy + y²
x² -2xy + y²

5. How do you multiply fractions?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

6. HIGH: How do you calculate the length of an arc?

7. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
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.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.
360 degrees

8. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

9. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
V=s³
40%
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
2pr -or- pd

10. 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.
(x+y)(x-y)
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

11. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
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.
Between 0 and 1.
40%
A 90-degree angle.

12. Define the range of a set of numbers.
180 degrees
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)²
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.

13. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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.
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.
S*v2
(x+y)(x-y)

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

15. What is the equation for a group problem?
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)+
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
A 90-degree angle.
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

16. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
S²
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

17. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

18. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
1
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.
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
(x-y)²

19. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
Probability A * Probability B
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

20. Define 'proportionate' values
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
6
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.

21. What is the formula to determine probability?
A radius
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
6
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.

22. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
The average - mean - median - or mode.
180 degrees.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
(a+b)(a-b)

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

24. How do you solve a combination?

25. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
60%
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
90 degrees each.
V=s³

26. Area of a square?
S²
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
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.

27. What do combination problems usually ask for?
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.
Groups - teams - or committees.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.

28. HIGH: What is the median?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
S*v2

29. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

30. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
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 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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.
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

31. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
(x+y)²
V=s³
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.

32. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
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.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
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.

33. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Bh
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
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

34. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
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
2pr -or- pd
S*v2
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

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

36. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
1/1
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
25%
1

37. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
Probability A * Probability B

38. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
360 degrees
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
2r
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.

39. HIGH: What is the side ratio for a 30:60:90 triangle?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.

40. What do permutation problems often ask for?
(x+y)²
1/1
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Example: 1 < x < 10

41. Define the mode of a set of numbers.
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.
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.
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.

42. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
The value that appears most often in a data set.

43. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.
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.
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.

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

45. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
A radius
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.
x² + 2xy + y²
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

46. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
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.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
1/1
S*v2

47. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
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

48. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
(x+y)(x-y)
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.

49. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

50. What are 'vertical angles'?
V=s³
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.