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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. An integer is divisible by 6 if...

2. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
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.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

3. 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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
V=s³

4. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
1
V=s³

5. 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
360 degrees
A=pr²
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.

6. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
V=s³

7. How do you solve a combination?

8. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
Bh
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
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
3:4:5 5:12:13

9. Explain how to divide fractions.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
60%
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

10. What is the 'distributive law'?
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
(x+y)(x-y)
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.

11. Area of a square?
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.
S²
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

12. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
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
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.

13. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
(x+y)²
x²-y²
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

14. v4 =
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
2
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
25%

15. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Probability A + Probability B
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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
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

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

17. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
60%
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.
V=s³
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.

18. For a bell curve - what three terms might be used to describe the number in the middle?
A radius
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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.

19. 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.
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

20. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
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.
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

21. What do permutation problems often ask for?
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

22. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
90 degrees each.
2
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.

23. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
(x-y)²
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
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.
2

24. List two odd behaviors of exponents
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.

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

26. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
25%
(0 -0)
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
The total # of possible outcomes.

27. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
180 degrees.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
Between 0 and 1.

28. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
90 degrees each.
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.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

29. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
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 90-degree angle.
S*v2
1/1

30. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
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
6
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
The average - mean - median - or mode.

31. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
25%
180 degrees.

32. Simplify this: v32
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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
2pr -or- pd

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

34. What is the equation for a group problem?
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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
(x+y)(x-y)

35. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
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
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

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

37. 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% |
Probability A + Probability B
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

38. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
90 degrees each.
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'.
The total # of possible outcomes.

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

40. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
x² + 2xy + y²
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
360 degrees
(x+y)²

41. What is a 'Right' angle?
2r
A 90-degree angle.
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.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.

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

43. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
x²-y²
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.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
Between 0 and 1.

44. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
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
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
(0 -0)

45. What is the formula to determine probability?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

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

47. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.

48. Diameter of a circle?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
2r
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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

49. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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 radius
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.

50. HIGH: Area of a circle
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.
40%
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
A=pr²