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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: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
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.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
x²-y²
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. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
80%
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

3. What is the equation for a group problem?
1.7
60%
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
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.

4. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
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
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x 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.

5. a² - b² is equal to
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
(a+b)(a-b)
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
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.

6. Area of a parallelogram?
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
6
A=pr²
Bh

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

8. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
S²
25%
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.
180 degrees.

9. How do you add or subtract fractions?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

10. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

11. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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.
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.
90 degrees each.

12. What is the 'distributive law'?
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.
(# 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
90 degrees each.

13. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
60%
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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)+
360 degrees

14. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
360 degrees
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
6
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

15. What do permutation problems often ask for?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

16. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
A 90-degree angle.
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.
1.7
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.

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

18. HIGH: What is the median?
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
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 # falling in the center of an ordered data set
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

19. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
(0 -0)
2

20. What do combination problems usually ask for?
2r
Groups - teams - or committees.
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.
The value that appears most often in a data set.

21. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
(x+y)(x-y)
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
S*v2
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

22. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
x²-y²
180 degrees
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 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.

23. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
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. 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
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'.
1.4

24. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
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.
Between 0 and 1.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

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

26. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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.

27. Define the range of a set of numbers.
(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.
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

28. 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.
1.7
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.
Between 0 and 1.

29. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
1.7
40%
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
6

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

31. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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.
Bh
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. HIGH: Area of a circle
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
A=pr²
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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

33. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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 line is a 180-degree angle.

34. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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.
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.
180 degrees

35. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
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.
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.
S²
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

36. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
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
25%
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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

37. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.

38. What is a 'Right' angle?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
(a+b)(a-b)
A 90-degree angle.

39. Explain how to divide fractions.
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.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

40. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
x² + 2xy + y²
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.
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.

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

42. Define 'proportionate' values
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
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.
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.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.

43. Explain the special properties of zero.
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.
180 degrees
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

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

45. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Example: 1 < x < 10
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

46. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
90 degrees each.
25%
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

47. What'S one way to avoid mistakes on algebra questions in the GRE?

48. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
360 degrees
1.7
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

49. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
40%
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

50. How do you solve a combination?