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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. a² - b² is equal to
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
(a+b)(a-b)
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

2. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

3. HIGH: What is the side ratio 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.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
1/1

4. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
1.4
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

5. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
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.
1.7
1
3:4:5 5:12:13

6. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
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.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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. Define 'proportionate' values
40%
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

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

9. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
Groups - teams - or committees.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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%.
(0 -0)

10. Define the range of a set of numbers.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

11. How do you solve a permutation?
(x+y)²
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
Bh
x² + 2xy + y²

12. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
1.7
Groups - teams - or committees.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

13. How do you solve a combination?

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

15. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
(0 -0)
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.
60%

16. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
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.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Example: 1 < x < 10

17. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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.
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.
25%

18. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
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
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
Probability A * Probability B

19. How do you multiply fractions?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

20. HIGH: What is the median?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
(0 -0)
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.

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

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

23. Area of a square?
S²
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13

24. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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.

25. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
6
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.
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.

26. What is the 'distributive law'?
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.
Between 0 and 1.
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.
360 degrees

27. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
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.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

28. List two odd behaviors of exponents
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.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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

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

30. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
Probability A * Probability B
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

31. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
80%
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.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

32. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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
2
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.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

33. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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
60%
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

34. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
1.7
x² -2xy + y²

35. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
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
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
The total # of possible outcomes.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

36. What is the formula to determine probability?
A 90-degree angle.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

37. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
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
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Example: 1 < x < 10

38. What'S a handy rough estimate for a circle'S perimeter - if you know it'S diameter?

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

40. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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 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.

41. HIGH: Area of a circle
A=pr²
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

42. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
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
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
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

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

44. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
2
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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.

45. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
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.
2r
Between 0 and 1.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

46. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Groups - teams - or committees.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
Bh

47. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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.

48. 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.
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
Example: 1 < x < 10
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.

49. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
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'.
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.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

50. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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
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.
A line is a 180-degree angle.