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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. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
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.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
25%
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.

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

3. What do combination problems usually ask for?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
2pr -or- pd
Groups - teams - or committees.
40%

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

5. HIGH: Area of a circle
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
A=pr²
Between 0 and 1.
180 degrees

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

7. HIGH: What is the mode?
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
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

8. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
40%
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.

9. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
(0 -0)
The value that appears most often in a data set.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Example: 1 < x < 10

10. HIGH: Define the 'Third side' rule for triangles

11. The probability of an event happening and the probability of an event NOT happening must add up to what number?
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
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

12. An integer is divisible by 4 if...

13. What are 'vertical angles'?
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
60%
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
S*v2

14. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
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.
Between 0 and 1.
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.
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15. HIGH: Explain the process to solve '56 is what percent of 80?'

16. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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)+
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

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

18. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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.
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.
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.

19. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

20. What degree angle is a line?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
A=pr²

21. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
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
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.
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
Probability A * Probability B

22. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
2
A=pr²
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

23. How many degrees does a circle contain?
360 degrees
(a+b)(a-b)
Example: 1 < x < 10
3:4:5 5:12:13

24. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
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
2pr -or- pd
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

25. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
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.
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

26. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
2r
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

27. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
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28. How do you solve a permutation?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
60%
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
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.

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

30. HIGH: how do you calculate the surface area of a rectangular box?
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
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.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

31. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
180 degrees.
2r
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

33. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
Probability A * Probability B
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
S*v2
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.

34. 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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
(a+b)(a-b)
180 degrees.

35. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
1.4
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

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

37. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
1/1
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

38. Area of a parallelogram?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Groups - teams - or committees.
Bh
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.

39. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
Probability A + Probability B
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.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

40. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
Between 0 and 1.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
(0 -0)
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41. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
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
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.
180 degrees
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.

42. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
S*v2
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

43. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
V=s³
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
1.7
Probability A + Probability B

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

45. How do you solve a combination?

46. a² - b² is equal to
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
1.4
(a+b)(a-b)
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

47. What is the factored version of x² -2xy + y² ?
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
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
(a+b)(a-b)
(x-y)²

48. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
90 degrees each.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

49. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
x² -2xy + y²
80%
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%.
90 degrees each.

50. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
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
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