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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. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
1/1

2. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
1
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
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

3. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)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
x² -2xy + y²
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.

4. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
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
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
1.7
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

5. HIGH: Describe how to deal with 2 sets of parentheses.
2
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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)+
1.4

6. How many degrees does a circle contain?
360 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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
x²-y²

7. How do you solve a permutation?
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
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)+
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
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

8. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
Groups - teams - or committees.

9. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
V=s³
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Between 0 and 1.

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

11. Define the range of a set of numbers.
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 reading the problems carefully enough!
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.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

12. HIGH: What is the median?
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.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
(x-y)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.

13. What is the equation for a group problem?
(x+y)(x-y)
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
A=pr²
Example: 1 < x < 10

14. Explain how to divide fractions.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
The value that appears most often in a data set.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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.

15. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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.
6

16. 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.
x²-y²
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

17. 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
2
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
The average - mean - median - or mode.

18. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
(x+y)²
Between 0 and 1.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

19. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
Example: 1 < x < 10
25%
S*v2
A 90-degree angle.

20. What degree angle is a line?
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.
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 line is a 180-degree angle.
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)+

21. Explain how to solve for 7/¼
1
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
80%

22. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
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
(a+b)(a-b)
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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.

23. What are 'vertical angles'?
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.
Between 0 and 1.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.

24. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
Example: 1 < x < 10
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.

25. What is the formula to determine probability?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.

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

27. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
(0 -0)
1.4
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.
6

28. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
90 degrees each.
360 degrees
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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

29. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
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.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
A=pr²
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.

30. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
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.
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.
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.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

31. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

32. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
(x+y)²
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.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

33. An integer is divisible by 6 if...

34. An integer is divisible by 9 if...
V=s³
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |

35. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
(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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
A=pr²

36. What is an 'equilateral' triangle?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
x² + 2xy + y²
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

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

38. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
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.
40%
2

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

40. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
(a+b)(a-b)
Probability A + Probability B
3:4:5 5:12:13
x² -2xy + y²

41. When a pair of parallel lines is intersected by another line - two types of angles are formed. What are they?

42. Convert to a percentage: 4/5
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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.
80%

43. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
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.

44. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
A 90-degree angle.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
x²-y²
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5

45. What is the 'distributive law'?
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.
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.

46. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
x²-y²
V=s³
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

47. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
2
Between 0 and 1.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
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

48. HIGH: Volume of a cylinder?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
The average - mean - median - or mode.
(x-y)²
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.

49. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
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
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
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
A 90-degree angle.

50. How do you solve a combination?