GRE Basic Math

Question 1

What does “and” mean in a word problem?

Answer 1

ADDITION

Question 2

What does “removed/left” mean in a word problem?

Answer 2

SUBTRACTION

Question 3

What does “of” mean in a word problem?

Answer 3

MULTIPLICATION

Question 4

Negative - Positive = ?

Answer 4

Negative + -Positive = Negative #

Question 5

Positive - Negative = ?

Answer 5

Cancels –> Add Positives

Question 6

LCD for converting unlike fractions

Answer 6

Find the least common dem. of each fraction presented

Question 7

Adding Fractions

Answer 7

Add straight across if LCD

Question 8

Subtracting Fractions

Answer 8

Subtract straight across if LCD

Question 9

Multiplying Fractions

Answer 9

Cross multiply for any cancellations, then just multiply straight across! Don’t need LCD.

Question 10

True or False: A ratio is the same thing as a fraction.

Answer 10

TRUE!

Question 11

Multiplying Exponents

Answer 11

Add exponents together if the base is the same

Question 12

Dividing Exponents

Answer 12

Subtract exponents if the base is the same

Question 13

6 (0) exponent = ?

Answer 13

1

Question 14

6 (1) exponent = ?

Answer 14

6

Question 15

What is a square root?

Answer 15

A whole number multiplied by itself –> SR of 16 = 4 because 4 X 4 = 16

Question 16

Adding or Subtracting Square Roots

Answer 16

Only with equal base #s

Question 17

Multiplying or Dividing Square Roots

Answer 17

Multiply or Divide straight across

Question 18

Simplifying Square Roots

Answer 18

Break down the base # into numbers that have whole square roots –> SR80 can be broken down into SR4 (which is 2) X SR 20, and simply on down from there.

Question 19

s with Fractions as Exponents

Answer 19

Base # X the numerator, then take the Square Root of the denom.

Question 20

Fractions as Exponents quickies…

Answer 20

1/2 = square root of the base #
1/3 = cube root of the base #

Question 21

Mean

Answer 21

Average = sum of #/total of all #s

Question 22

Mode

Answer 22

The middle # in a set of numbers listed from highest to lowest

Question 23

Mode

Answer 23

The # that occurs most often in a series

Question 24

What does “absolutely value” mean?

Answer 24

The # is ALWAYS positive!

Question 25

Can you take the Square Root of a Negative #?

Answer 25

NO!

Question 26

How do you "cancel" the X in an equation?

Answer 26

Apply the opposite operation

Question 27

When solving algebraic equations, remember to "combine like...."

Answer 27

Terms

Question 28

Algebra --> Substitution means...

Answer 28

Plug it in like a lightbulb!

Question 29

Algebra --> How do you treat inequalities?

Answer 29

Just like a normal equation with an = sign

Question 30

Algebra --> Reverse the equality sign to make a fraction positive when you...

Answer 30

Divide by a negative #

Question 31

Monomials --> You can perform the operation on #s when the variables & exponents are...

Answer 31

The same!

Question 32

When do you combine coefficients and variables?

Answer 32

When you multiple 2 or more monomials

Question 33

When you divide polynomials, you ___ the coefficients and ___ the exponents...

Answer 33

Divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents

Question 34

Multiplying Binomials --> FOIL

Answer 34

First, Outer, Inner, Last (then combine like terms)

Question 35

How do you FACTOR MONomials?

Answer 35

Find the largest common monomial and take it out of each section --> 6y(2z + x)

Question 36

How do you FACTOR TRInomials?

Answer 36

What numbers multiply to the last number, and add to the middle number? (x +/- #)(x +/- #) Check each factor with both +/- options to see which one is correct Reverse FOIL to check your answers (x-2)(x-3)

Question 37

How do you solve quadratic equations? | Ones = 0

Answer 37

Find their factors, set each factor to 0, and solve --> you should have TWO DIFFERENT solutions!

Question 38

Solving an Algebraic equation with fractions --> what do you do?

Answer 38

1. Multiply the num. by a common factor 2. Divide the coefficients to get a new eq. 3. Solve for x

Question 39

When you feel doubtful about solving an algebraic equation...

Answer 39

Isolate x and solve

Question 40

Equation - Distance Between 2 points

Answer 40

AB = SR of (Xa - Xb)^2 + (Ya - Yb)^2

Question 41

Equation - Midpoint of a line

Answer 41

(Xa + Xb), (Ya + Yb) all divided by 2

Question 42

Equation - Slope of a line

Answer 42

m = Yb - Ya / Xb - Xa

Question 43

Equation of a line (can also be used to find y-intercept)

Answer 43

Y = mx + b

Question 44

How do you solve a basic function problem?

Answer 44

Substitute the # given

Question 45

Trick for solving f(x-4) tricky functions?

Answer 45

Use FOIL