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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: Define the formula for calculating slope.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
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
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.

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

3. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
360 degrees
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.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.

4. Define 'proportionate' values
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
3:4:5 5:12:13
2
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.

5. 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
S*v2
x²-y²
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

6. HIGH: Area of a circle
A=pr²
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.
(x+y)(x-y)
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

7. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
1.7
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

8. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
The value that appears most often in a data set.

9. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
40%
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
1.7

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

11. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
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.
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 radius
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

12. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
x² -2xy + y²
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.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

13. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
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)+
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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'.

14. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
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
x² + 2xy + y²
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.

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

16. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
Groups - teams - or committees.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Example: 1 < x < 10
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.

17. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
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.
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.
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.

18. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
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 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.
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13

19. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
6
1.7
x²-y²

20. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
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.
1.4
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

21. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
V=s³
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.

22. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
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.
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.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
x²-y²

23. 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.
The total # of possible outcomes.
6
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

24. Diameter of a circle?
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.
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.
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.
2r

25. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

26. What do permutation problems often ask for?
(x+y)²
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.

27. What degree angle is a line?
1/1
A 90-degree angle.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

28. What is the equation for a group problem?
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
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.

29. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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.

30. What is the formula to determine probability?
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
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
3:4:5 5:12:13
(x+y)²

31. How many degrees does a circle contain?
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
360 degrees
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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.

32. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
A=pr²
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.
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.
1.4

33. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
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.
Probability A + Probability B
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.
The value that appears most often in a data set.

34. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
1/1
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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

35. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
360 degrees
60%
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

36. What is a 'Right' angle?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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.
A 90-degree angle.
25%

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

38. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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)+
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
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
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
25%
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

40. v4 =
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
2

41. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
1.4
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
The average - mean - median - or mode.
180 degrees.

42. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
Probability A + Probability B
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.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
A radius

43. HIGH: What is the median?
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
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.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

44. What is a 'Right' triangle?
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%.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Example: 1 < x < 10
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

45. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
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.
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.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
60%

46. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
Example: 1 < x < 10
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Probability A + Probability B
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

47. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
A=pr²
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

48. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
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.
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.
90 degrees each.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

49. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
1.7
S²
60%

50. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
90 degrees each.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5