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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. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
(x-y)²
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.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

2. What are 'vertical angles'?
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

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

4. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
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.
x²-y²
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.

5. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
V=s³
(x+y)²

6. Explain how to divide fractions.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

7. HIGH: Explain a method for quickly comparing fractions with different denominators - to determine which is larger.

8. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
1.7
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)+

9. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
x² -2xy + y²

10. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and 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.
Groups - teams - or committees.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

11. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
Groups - teams - or committees.

12. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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'.
Example: 1 < x < 10
The value that appears most often in a data set.

13. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
360 degrees
S²
(x+y)²
1.4

14. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)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.
2pr -or- pd
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
x² -2xy + y²

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

16. What is the equation for a group problem?
2
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
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
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.

17. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
1/1
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
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
The total # of possible outcomes.

18. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
1.4
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
90 degrees each.
Probability A * Probability B

19. v4 =
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
2
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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

20. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
25%

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

22. 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 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.
360 degrees
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.

23. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

24. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
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
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
40%
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

25. 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.
x² -2xy + y²
2pr -or- pd
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

26. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
Probability A * Probability B
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.
2r

27. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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'.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
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.

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

29. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
1
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

30. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
3:4:5 5:12:13
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
1
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.

31. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
2pr -or- pd
A=pr²
180 degrees.

32. What is a 'Right' triangle?
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
2pr -or- pd
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.

33. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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 average - mean - median - or mode.
2r

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

35. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
40%
The average - mean - median - or mode.
A radius
180 degrees

36. Define the range of a set of numbers.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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
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 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.

37. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
Groups - teams - or committees.
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
3:4:5 5:12:13
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

38. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and 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.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Bh

39. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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
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
2pr -or- pd

40. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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)+
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.

41. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
1/1
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.
2pr -or- pd

42. How do you multiply fractions?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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'.
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.

43. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
60%
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.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

44. Explain the special properties of zero.
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.
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.
2r

45. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

46. 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.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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

47. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
60%
1
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

48. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
90 degrees each.
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Groups - teams - or committees.
80%

49. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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.
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.
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 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.

50. List two odd behaviors of exponents
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)