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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 are the side ratios 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.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
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.
80%

2. How do you multiply fractions?
A 90-degree angle.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

3. v4 =
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).
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
2

4. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
60%
V=s³
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

5. What do combination problems usually ask for?
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%.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
Groups - teams - or committees.

6. Area of a parallelogram?
80%
A 90-degree angle.
2pr -or- pd
Bh

7. Simplify this: v32
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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 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.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

8. What is a 'Right' angle?
x² + 2xy + y²
60%
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.
A 90-degree angle.

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

10. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
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.
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%.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

11. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
Between 0 and 1.
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)+
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%.

12. What is the 'distributive law'?
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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
25%
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.

13. What do permutation problems often ask for?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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.
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.

14. List two odd behaviors of exponents
40%
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
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. 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.

15. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
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
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
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 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.

16. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
(x+y)(x-y)
40%
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%.
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.

17. What are 'vertical angles'?
2pr -or- pd
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.

18. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
1/1
Bh
2pr -or- pd
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.

19. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
1
(a+b)(a-b)
2pr -or- pd
Probability A * Probability B

20. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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
Between 0 and 1.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

21. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
180 degrees.
1/1
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.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

22. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
1
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
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.
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

23. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
3:4:5 5:12:13
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.

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

25. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
180 degrees
360 degrees
The average - mean - median - or mode.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

26. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
x² -2xy + y²

27. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
2
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

28. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
60%
80%
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

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

30. How do you solve a permutation?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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
2

31. HIGH: What is the mode?
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
180 degrees
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 value that appears most often in a data set.

32. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.
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.

33. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
Groups - teams - or committees.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Between 0 and 1.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

34. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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.
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
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

35. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
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.
25%
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.

36. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
360 degrees
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

37. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
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).
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.

38. Diameter of a circle?
2r
Probability A + Probability B
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
360 degrees

39. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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 circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

40. How many angles are formed when 2 lines intersect? and what is the sum of these angles?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 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.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

41. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
1.7
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 ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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%.

42. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
1
80%
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 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

43. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
A=pr²
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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.

44. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
A=pr²
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply

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

46. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
180 degrees
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

47. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.

48. An integer is divisible by 3 if...
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.
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.
2pr -or- pd
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

49. Explain how to divide fractions.
Bh
90 degrees each.
2pr -or- pd
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

50. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
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.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
180 degrees