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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. List all the prime numbers that are less than 30:
x² + 2xy + y²
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
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.

2. What is the key to dealing with ratio questions?
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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(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.

3. HIGH: To divide powers with the same base...
80%
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
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
x²-y²

4. HIGH: What is 'absolute value' - and how is it represented?

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

6. Explain how to use a 'Rate Pie'
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

7. What is the 'distributive law'?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
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.
The total # of possible outcomes.

8. What degree angle is a line?
A line is a 180-degree angle.
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.
Probability A + Probability B
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

9. Does order matter for a permutation? How about for a combination?
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
6
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

10. How do you multiply fractions?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

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

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

13. HIGH: What is a '30:60:90' triangle?
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
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
60%
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

14. HIGH: what is the side ratio for a Right Isosceles triangle?
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.
40%

15. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

16. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
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.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
V=s³
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

17. If x² = 144 - does v144 = x?
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.
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 necessarily. This is a trick question - because x could be either positive or negative.
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: Simplify this: v75/v27
A 90-degree angle.
The value that appears most often in a data set.
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.
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)+

19. Define 'proportionate' 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.
Using a simple '3' is usually close enough. Just remember that p is slightly more than 3 - if a comparison is called for.
Proportionate values are equivalent. Example: 1/2 and 4/8 are proportionate - but 1/2 and 2/3 are not.
A 90-degree angle.

20. What'S the most important thing to remember about charts you'll see on the GRE?
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.

21. How many degrees does a circle contain?
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.
1.7
360 degrees
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)

22. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
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.
A radius
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 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.

23. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
360 degrees
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
V=s³
2pr -or- pd

24. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
The total # of possible outcomes.
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/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

25. HIGH: What is the formula for the diagonal of any square?
Probability A + Probability B
S²
S*v2
A=pr²

26. HIGH: Area of a triangle?
1.4
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
(x+y)(x-y)

27. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
60%
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
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

28. What is the formula to determine probability?
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)
1/1
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

29. HIGH: how do you calculate a diagonal inside a 3-dimensional rectangular box?
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
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.

30. When 2 lines are perpendicular to each other - their intersection forms 4 angles. What degree are these 4 angles?
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
90 degrees each.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4

31. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
A radius
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 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.
(x+y)²

32. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
(x+y)(x-y)
25%

33. Diameter of a circle?
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
2r
2
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')

34. Define the range of a set of numbers.
180 degrees
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
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.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set

35. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
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 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.

36. HIGH: What numbers does ETS hope you'll forget to consider - for quant comp questions?
Groups - teams - or committees.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7

37. HIGH: How do you multiply powers with the same base?
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
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
(x+y)²

38. HIGH: How do you calculate the circumference of a circle?
2pr -or- pd
90 degrees each.
For RIGHT triangles only: c² = a² + b² 'c' is the length of the hypotenuse; 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides ('legs')
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.

39. If something is certain to happen - how is the probability of this event expressed mathematically?
1/1
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
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.

40. What kind of triangle is this: has two sides of equal length - and a 90 degree angle?
2 -3 -5 -7 -11 -13 -17 -19 -23 -29. Note that 0 and 1 are not prime numbers.
60%
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

41. Explain the difference between a digit and a number.

42. Area of a square?
180 degrees.
A=pr²
S²
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

43. How is a range expressed with inequalities?
V=pr²h (This is just the area multiplied by the height)
An integer is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
Example: 1 < x < 10
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.

44. a² - b² is equal to
(a+b)(a-b)
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.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2

45. HIGH: Rough est. of v2 =
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.
80%
Percentage Change = Difference/Original * 100
1.4

46. HIGH: Describe and define three expressions of quadratic equations - in both factored and unfactored forms. Know these cold.
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.
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
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

47. HIGH: What is the median?
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.

48. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
(x+y)(x-y)
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 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.
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.

49. HIGH: Rough est. of v1 =
Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator.
1
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
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.

50. What is a 'Right' triangle?
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.
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
The value that appears most often in a data set.