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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. Area of a parallelogram?
40%
Bh
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
2

2. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
1/1
180 degrees
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

3. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
x² + 2xy + y²
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.

4. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
x² + 2xy + y²
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

5. If something is possible but not certain - what is the numeric range of probability of it happening?
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
A=pr²
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
Between 0 and 1.

6. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
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%.
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)+
2r
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

7. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
A radius

8. Probability Formula
180 degrees.
Favorable Outcomes/Total Possible Outcomes
x² + 2xy + y²
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.

9. HIGH: What is the factored version of (x+y)(x-y) ?
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
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 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.
x²-y²

10. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
3:4:5 5:12:13
A radius
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

11. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
1.4
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
(a+b)(a-b)
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.

12. How do you multiply fractions?
Bh
1.4
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.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.

13. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
Invert the second fraction (reciprocal) and multiply
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
2pr -or- pd
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

14. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
The total # of possible outcomes.
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
40%
A radius

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

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

17. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
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.
(0 -0)
Not necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
2pr -or- pd

18. HIGH: How do you get rid of the fraction in this equation: 5x + 3/2 = 7x
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.
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.
(x-y)²
(x+y)²

19. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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 circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

20. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
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
2pr -or- pd

21. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
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.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
(0 -0)
25%

22. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
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.
Example: 1 < x < 10
V=s³
Probability A + Probability B

23. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

24. 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% |
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

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

26. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
90 degrees each.
40%

27. HIGH: Area of a circle
(x-y)²
180 degrees
A=pr²
6

28. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
x² + 2xy + y²
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
A radius
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

29. What is a 'Right' triangle?
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 triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
x² -2xy + y²
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

30. How do you add or subtract fractions?
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
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
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
S²

31. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Groups - teams - or committees.
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

32. What is the sum of any 'big' angle and any 'Small' angle?
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
180 degrees.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

33. Explain the special properties of zero.
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.
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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.
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'.

34. What degree angle is a line?
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
60%

35. How do you calculate the probability of two events in a row? (Probability of A and B)
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
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
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.

36. HIGH: What is the mode?
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
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.
The value that appears most often in a data set.

37. What causes 80% of errors on the math section of the GRE?
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.
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
1/1
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.

38. v4 =
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.
Find a common denominator and make equivalent fractions. Then add or subtract.
2

39. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
1.7
A 90-degree angle.
Between 0 and 1.
(0 -0)

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

41. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
An integer is divisible by 6 if it'S divisible by BOTH 2 and 3.
60%
S²
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

42. In a coordinate system - what is the origin?
Bh
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.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
(0 -0)

43. 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.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
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.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

44. An integer is divisible by 5 if...
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
Between 0 and 1.
An integer is divisible by 5 if its units digit is either 0 or 5.
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

45. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
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.
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.
Between 0 and 1.
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.

46. How do you calculate the percentage of change?
An integer is divisible by 8 if its last three digits form a number that'S divisible by 8. For example - 11 -640.
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.
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
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.

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

48. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
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.
1.4
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

49. Explain how to divide fractions.
40%
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
(a+b)(a-b)

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