GRE Math Flashcards
triangle inequality theorem
The length of any side of a triangle is 1. less than the sum of the lengths of the other two sides 2. greater than the positive difference of the lengths of the other two sides
When to backsolve?
When answer choices have real values
When to pick numbers?
If the question is a multiple choice question, with undefined variables in Q, or has to do with number properties (multiples, factors, primes), or percentage (pick 100 for % questions)
even x even
even
even x odd
even
odd x odd
odd
even to power of positive integer
even
odd to power of positive integer
odd
even +/- even
even
odd +/- odd
even
odd +/- even
odd
multiply or divide two numbers with same signs
positive
multiply or divide two numbers with different signs
negative
negative number to the power of even number
positive
negative number to the power of odd number
negative
Prime numbers property
- positive integers (whole number) that are divisible by itself and 1 only 2. 0 and 1 are NOT prime 3. 2 is the smallest and ONLY even prime
First 10 prime numbers
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29
Compare fractions
cross multiply: bottom gets multiplied to other side
Properties for 0
- 0 is a integer 2. 0 is even 3. 0 is neither positive or negative 4. 0 is always a multiple
Multiples properties
multiples could be both positive AND negative all integers are multiples of 1 0 is a multiple of all integers multiples do not need to be integer
When to consider negative root
IF x^2= 81, then consider both +9 and -9 IF √81=x, then consider only +9
Combination and Permutation, which gives more possible sets?
permutation does, because order matters, so you get a lot more combinations
Combination (order doesn’t matter)
If order doesn’t matter, you get a smaller number, so be sure to divide by the number of slots. E.g., 12 x 11 x 10 x 9 x 8 / 5! ; you get to pick from 12 things for 5 slots without replacement
Permutation (order matters)
If order matters, you get bigger number, so no need to divide by the number of slots
Prob of something AND something
X
Prob of something OR something
+
For probability questions…
keep in mind: 1. multiply for AND 2. add for OR 3. picture ALL the scenarios that match with prompt and then just add or multiply depending on prompt
Time management
Go slower on easy questions and straight up guess, mark, and skip harder/time-consuming ones
Percentage changes
As long as you stay in same pie chart or that the total amount does change, it is NOT necessary to calculate the actual numbers, just use %. E.g., 8% of 2800= 224 and 25% of 2800= 700, so together is 924; 32% of 2800= 896, so % increase is (924-896)/896 = 3.13% THIS IS SAME AS: ((8% + 25%) - 32%)/32%= 3.13%
Percent increase
diff/orig x 100% [i.e., Increase (100%) / Original] where original number is the SMALLER number
Percent decrease
diff/orig x 100% [i.e., Decrease (100%) / Original] where original number is the BIGGER number
Sum of interior angles for polygons with n sides
180 (n-2)