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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. What number goes on the bottom of a probability fraction?
The total # of possible outcomes.
60%
The # falling in the center of an ordered data set
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28

2. What are 'vertical angles'?
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
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.
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.

3. Explain how to use an 'Average Pie'
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
Bh

4. 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.
Probability A * Probability B
1/1
360 degrees

5. HIGH: List the two most common side ratios for right triangles
1.4
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.
3:4:5 5:12:13
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. Define the range of a set of numbers.
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
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.
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.

7. HIGH: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

8. HIGH: Rough est. of v3 =
A 90-degree angle.
Bh
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
1.7

9. What do permutation problems often ask for?
1/1
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.
A=1/2bh. The height of the triangle must be measured by a line perpendicular to the base.
The ratio of sides is x:x:xv2 - where xv2 is the hypotenuse.

10. a² - b² is equal to
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
Quadrant 1 is top right. Q 2 is top left. Q 3 is bottom left. Q 4 is bottom right.
(a+b)(a-b)

11. What is one misleading characteristic of quadratic equations that will be exploited on the GRE?
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
(a+b)(a-b)
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.
25%

12. How do you calculate the probability of EITHER one event OR another event happening? (Probability of A or B)
1.7
25%
1. Given event A: A + notA = 1.
Probability A + Probability B

13. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x-y)² ?
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
1
x² -2xy + y²
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).

14. HIGH: What is the factored version of x² + 2xy + y² ?
(x+y)²
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
The total # of possible outcomes.
60%

15. What is the 'distributive law'?
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
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.
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'.
(# of possible outcomes that satisfy the condition) ÷ (total # of possible outcomes)

16. Convert to a percentage: 2/5
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.
40%
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

17. HIGH: Define the formula for calculating slope.
Subtract the exponents - retain the base For example - x? ÷ x4 = x?-4 = x5
Slope = rise/run. Find the change in y-coordinates (rise) and the change in x-coordinates (run) to calculate.
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
90 degrees each.

18. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of x²-y² ?
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'.
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.
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.
(x+y)(x-y)

19. List two odd behaviors of exponents
Probability A + Probability B
This equals 7 ÷¼ - or 7/1 ÷ 1/4 = 7/1 * 4/1 = 28/1 = 28
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.
S²

20. HIGH: What is the side ratio for a 30:60:90 triangle?
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
180 degrees
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
Interior angles are equal: 60:60:60 degrees each. All sides are equal length.

21. 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
'Big' angles and 'Small' angles.
Groups - teams - or committees.
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

22. How many degrees does a circle contain?
Vertical angles are the angles that are across from each other when 2 lines intersect. Vertical angles are always equal.
360 degrees
Add the exponents - retain the base. for example - x² + x5 = x²+5 = x7
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.

23. 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.
1.4
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.
Ratio of sides is x : xv3 : 2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.

24. What is a 'Right' angle?
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
Groups - teams - or committees.
A 90-degree angle.
Arrangements - orders - schedules - or lists.

25. HIGH: How much of your times table should you know - for the GRE?
A 90-degree angle.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.
80%

26. Define a factorial of a number - and how it is written.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36
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.
1/1
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.

27. What is the 'Third side' rule for triangles?
1
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.
Find the total - or whole - first - and then set up a Ratio Box.
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.

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

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

30. Simplify this: v32
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
6
Not reading the problems carefully enough!
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

31. Explain how to divide fractions.
Probability A + Probability B
Order does matter for a permutation - but does not matter for a combination.
Turn the second fraction upside down (find its reciprocal) and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 * 5/4
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.

32. What is the equation for a group problem?
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
Groups - teams - or committees.
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%.
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

33. An integer is divisible by 4 if...

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

35. HIGH: Area of a circle
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.
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=pr²
25%

36. What is a 'Right' triangle?
Example: 1 < x < 10
A triangle in which one of the three interior angles is 90 degrees.
V32 = v16*2. We can take the square root of 16 and move it outside the square root symbol - = 4v2.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees

37. HIGH: Volume of a cube?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
V=s³
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.
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.

38. HIGH: x^-n is equal to
S*v2
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.
Probability A * Probability B
1/x^n For example - 6-² = 1/6² = 1/36

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

40. The three exterior angles of a triangle add up to...
Ratio of sides is x:xv3:2x - where x is the base - xv3 is the height - and 2x is the hypotenuse.
360 degrees
40%
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

41. Convert to a percentage: 1/4
The total # of possible outcomes.
25%
A circle'S perimeter is roughly 3x its diameter (the formula is pd).
A radius

42. On the GRE - should you ever assume that diagrams are truthful?
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.
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.
Between 0 and 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'.

43. HIGH: What is the unfactored version of (x+y)² ?
x² + 2xy + y²
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.
The average - mean - median - or mode.
360 degrees

44. Area of a parallelogram?
Bh
180 degrees
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.
ZONE-F numbers: Zero - One - Negatives - Extreme values - Fractions

45. An integer is divisible by 2 if...
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
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)+
An integer is divisible by 2 if its units digit is divisible by 2.
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.

46. Convert to a percentage: 3/5
Draw a circle. The top half holds the Total. The bottom left quadrant holds Number of Things. Bottom right holds Average.
A 90-degree angle.
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%.
60%

47. What is the name of a line that extends from the center of a circle to the edge of a circle?
60%
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.
A radius
(x+y)²

48. Explain how to calculate an average (arithmetic mean)
Total of the elements divided by the number of elements. Example: (4 -6 -7) -- add 4+6+7 = 17 and divide by 3
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.
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.
It will be a great advantage on test day to have your times table memorized from 1 through 15.

49. Diameter of a circle?
x² -2xy + y²
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.
2r
No. Never believe what you see - only what you read. GRE diagrams are often deliberately designed to be misleading or confusing.

50. HIGH: How do you multiply and divide square roots?
The formula is a² + b² + c² = d² where a - b - c are the dimensions of the figure and d is the diagonal.
4 angles are formed. Their sum is 360 degrees
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.
Like any other number. For example - v3*v12 = v36 = 6 For example - v(16/4) = v16/v4 = 4/2 = 2