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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: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
60%
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.
(x-y)²

2. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

3. What is the formula to determine probability?
1
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
2r

4. How do you divide fractions?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
The total # of possible outcomes.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
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.

5. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
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.
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
1
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.

6. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
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)+
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.

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

8. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

9. What is a 'Right' triangle?
60%
(x+y)²
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
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

10. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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
V=s³
(0 -0)

11. What is the 'distributive law'?
360 degrees
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.
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(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.

12. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
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.
Between 0 and 1.
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.
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.

13. What are the side ratios for a 30:60:90 triangle?
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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

14. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

15. 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
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
S²
Bh

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

17. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
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.

18. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
3:4:5 5:12:13
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
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

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

20. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
40%
80%
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

21. What do permutation problems often ask for?
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

22. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
1/1
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
A=pr²
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

23. Define the range of a set of numbers.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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.
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.

24. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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
1/1
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
360 degrees

25. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
60%
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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
Probability A + Probability B

26. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
60%

27. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
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.
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.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.

28. What degree angle is a line?
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.
Groups - teams - or committees.
Example: 1 < x < 10
A line is a 180-degree angle.

29. HIGH: What are the percentages for standard deviation?
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.
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)+
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.

30. Area of a parallelogram?
A radius
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Bh
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.

31. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
180 degrees.
1.4
V=s³
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

32. 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
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.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes

33. HIGH: Area of a circle
S²
A=pr²
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

34. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
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
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

35. What is the equation for a group problem?
Example: 1 < x < 10
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 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
A line is a 180-degree angle.

36. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
2pr -or- pd
180 degrees
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

37. List two odd behaviors of exponents
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

38. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
S²
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

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

40. Simplify this: v32
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
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
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

41. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
180 degrees.
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%

42. In a coordinate system - identify the quadrants and describe their location.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
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%.
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
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. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
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.
x² + 2xy + y²
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

44. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
25%
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'.
180 degrees
Groups - teams - or committees.

45. HIGH: What is the median?
The # falling in the center of an ordered 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.
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

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

47. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
x² + 2xy + y²
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
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.

48. HIGH: What is the mode?
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 line is a 180-degree angle.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
The value that appears most often in a data set.

49. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
Example: 1 < x < 10
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
3:4:5 5:12:13

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