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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: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.
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 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.

2. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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 necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
(0 -0)
Probability A + Probability B

3. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
360 degrees
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'.
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.

4. HIGH: What is a 'Right isosceles' triangle?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

5. HIGH: What is the order of math operations - and the mnemonic to remember it?
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.
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
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.

6. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
(x+y)²
25%
2r
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%.

7. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
A=pr²
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
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

8. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
A=pr²
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.
360 degrees
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.

9. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
Bh
Between 0 and 1.
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.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

10. HIGH: Simplify this: v75/v27
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.

11. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
Probability A * Probability B
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Example: 1 < x < 10

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

13. Explain the difference between handling a permutation versus a combination.
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.
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
2 - 14 - and 34. So - a Bell - standard deviation - or normal distribution curve would be segmented: | 2% | 14% | 34% |average score| 34% | 14% | 2% |
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.

14. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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
40%
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.
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

15. Simplify this: v32
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
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.
(x+y)²
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

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.
40%
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
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.

17. Solve this: v6 * -v6 = ?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
6
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.

18. HIGH: Area of a circle
360 degrees
90 degrees each.
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=pr²

19. How do you solve a combination?

20. What is the equation for a group problem?
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
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.
Probability A * Probability B
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

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

22. 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
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!

23. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
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.
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.
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'.

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

25. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
2pr -or- pd
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Probability A * Probability B

26. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
60%
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
S*v2

27. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
1
A 90-degree angle.
360 degrees
1.4

28. What do combination problems usually ask for?
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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
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.
Groups - teams - or committees.

29. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
The total # of possible outcomes.
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.
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
1.7

30. The three interior angles of a triangle add up to...
360 degrees
180 degrees
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
1.4

31. Probability Formula
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
80%
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
(a+b)(a-b)

32. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
1/1
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.
S*v2
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. An integer is divisible by 6 if...

34. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
1/1
2pr -or- pd
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.

35. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
x²-y²

36. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
(x+y)²
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.

37. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
The average - mean - median - or mode.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
A radius
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'.

38. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100

39. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
3:4:5 5:12:13
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
360 degrees
40%

40. Define the mode of a set of numbers.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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.

41. List two odd behaviors of exponents
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.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
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.
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

42. HIGH: What is the median?
1.7
A line is a 180-degree angle.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.

43. a² - b² is equal to
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.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
(a+b)(a-b)
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.

44. Define the median of a set of numbers - and how to find it for an odd and even number of values in a set.

45. What degree angle is a line?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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.

46. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
Groups - teams - or committees.
Bh

47. What are 'vertical angles'?
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
S²
80%
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)+

48. How do you divide fractions?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
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.
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.

49. What is the formula to determine probability?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
(# 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.
Probability A + Probability B

50. What is the 'distributive law'?
Probability A * Probability B
A radius
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.
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.