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Math Questions
Math Questions
Yes
always look for factoring! Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Easy , but tricky No
no need to solve! no
I don't agree no
No
greater than -1 is 1, not negative 2! Yes
im an asshole No
good problem yes
rewrite equations to see answers no
read mofo No
read "represent two positions of same No
ladder!"
No
No
No
No
No
No
good problem Yes
good problem No
No
No
best yet Yes
Hard Yes
Percents
How do you convert a fractions to a Multiple by 100%. 1/12 x 100% = 100/12 = 8.33
percent?
How to find numbers divided by 406/1.16 for example. BACKSOLVE! Take the reasonable
complicated decimails? answer choices and do reverse!!! If not, multiple by 100 to
make easier calculation.
What are the principal interest Simple interest occurs when interested in not reinvested into
formulas? Difference between simple the principal. Principal (1 + %)years = simple interest
and compound interest Compound = P(1+%)^years.
A percent of a percent is what? Like a fraction of a fraction. 25% of 25% is 1/4 of 1/4 = (1/4)
(1/4)= 1/16. And these can be added to find percents of
totals~!!! See Data Sufff. Challen Quiz problem 3
20% on x and 20% on remainder of x. 80% is the remainder. So the answer would be .2*.8(x)
What is the remainder?
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N. Properties
What are the odd/even rules for odd + odd = even, even + even = even, even + odd = odd. So
addition? when they are mixed = odd.
what are the odd/even rules for Even x Even = Even, Odd x Odd = Odd, Odd x Even = Even.
Multiplication? So anything times Even is even. So anything with even is
EVEN.
What is a prime number? A prime number is a number that only have two factors: Itself
and 1.
Is Z^3 < 2 1? We can tell because nothing says that z had to be an integer!
If the sum of 3 consecutive integers = A/3 = middle consecutive integer, so add to that. (a/3 +2) +
A. What is the sum of the next 3? (a/3 +3) etc….
What is the implication of having a the It means that the middle term is thus odd and that there is an
average of a set of consecutive odd number of consecutive numbers. Means the sum of those
numbers be odd? number will be odd to. (worth playing with this to learn more)
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N. Properties
If X is POSITIVE, is x Prime? X^3 has 2^3 meets criteria. 6 also has 4 factors, but cube root of 6 is
4 factors. X^2 - x -6 = 0 not even an integer! For the second one, you can get two
answers, but as the stem mentions - X IS POSITIVE - so there
can only be one answer which means that x is prime!
Is 0 positive or negative? Neither!
How many multiples of 4 are there Well, 96/4 = 24. 12 has 3 but since it said inclusive you can't
between 12 and 96 inclusive? count 12. So 24-2 = 22. There are 22 multiples of 4 between
12 and 96 inclusive.
You have two sets Y and X. Y has 10 The union is the amounts in X and Y minus the intersection
and X has 18. 6 integers are in both (which the number in both). So, 10+18-6=22. That is the total
sets. What is the union? What is the number of member in both groups accounting for those
intersection? What number is in either members that they share! To find the number that is in either
Y or X, but no both? but not both you must subtract the intersection again. 22-6 =
16. Also, think about a Venn Diagram to make it easier.
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Algebra
What are the two types of exponent 2^3 x 2^7 = 2^10 (they are added)
calculations that are easily confused? (2^3)^7 = 2^21 (they are multipled)
What does the square root sign mean? The square of 16 can be -4 or 4
But the common Square sign can only mean the
POSITIVE square. This is important in terms of
data sufficiency.
What is the quickest way to find out which of Cross multiply. Whichever has the bigger
two fractions have the larger decimal number on top wins.
equivalent?
Is the reciprocal of a fraction between 0 and 1 It is greater than 1. 2/3 => 3/2
smaller or larger than the original
Is the reciprocal of a fraction between 0 and -1 It is less than -1. -2/3 => -3/2
smaller or larger than the original
Is the square of a fraction larger or smaller than It is smaller. (1/2)^2 = 1/4
the original fraction?
Is the square of a negative fractions larger or It is larger. (-1/2)^2 = 1/4
smaller than the original?
What is the equation of line? y = mx + b.
When is a formula "undefined" When its denominator = 0
What does value of X in terms of y mean? Means x = y
How are units found from a product of two Multiple they units. 93x95? 3x5=15 so 5 is units.
numbers?
How to you find the sum of consecutive Take the average say 10+50 / 2 = 30
integers? Take number of terms 50-10+1 = 41
Sum = 30*41 = 1230
How do you solve group problems involving Gp1 +Gp2 + neither -both = total
both/Neither?
3^0 = ? 1
subtracting b from both sides of b = 2b is b=0,
what?
How are 1/3^7 and 1/3^8 Related? 1/3^8 = 1/3^7 (3^1)
(13^3) and 7^3 are equivalent to what? 13*7 = 91^3
4^k+1 is = ? (4^k)(4^1)
What is the squ. root Of x if x = 9a^2 and a<0? Doesn't sound intuitively but plug in number and
see.: -3a.
a = root 2 + root 5, a^2 = ? (root 2 + root 5)(root 2 + root 5), not individual
squares of roots!
simplify (1/x)^n+1 (1/x)^n * (1/x)^1
Sequence starting with 6 and has sum of 63. 6+7=13
How many in sequences? 13+8 =21 and so on until 63
0 < p < 1. When comparing 1/p^2 and Fractions! Instead of something like .4, use
1/(p+1)^2 what is quicker? Decimals or something like (1/9). It squares nicely and will
Fractions? make comparisons quicker.
If M and N are both + what is the value of M The key here is to remember that you can
root n if MN/Root N = 10? multiple by 1 or root n / root n then use that to
simplify.
What are the rules of inequalities? If you multiple or divide by a negative number,
you must switch the direction of the sign.
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Algebra
If X is not = to 0, is 1/x > 1? (1) y/x > y (2) x^3 > Analyze the stem and try to simplify. Remember
x^2 the rules of inequalities. What can make this
true? Only if x is positive can this be true, so
x>0. Also, if x is positive then 1>x, so we are
really asking is 0<x<1? (1) is dependent on y
being positive or negative since it would switch
the inequality signs giving two answers - so
insufficient. (2) Since we know x <> 0, then we
know that x^2 is positive. Simplify we get x>1 so
that answer is NO.
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Ratios
What is a rate? A rate is a special kind of ratio that relates one kind of quantity
to a completely different kind of quantity.
Can rates be added? yes. 200 meters/hr + 100 meters/hr = 300 meters/hr. 1800 sq
meter / 300 meters/hr = 6 hr when working together
Can time in rates be added? (work It takes me 2 hours it take her 3 hours. How long does it take
problems) together? (1/2) + (1/3) = 5/6 = 1/T => T = 72 minutes or 6/5
hours
What is the work formula? T = ab/a+b (a,b time it takes to complete job). Or the inverse of
total time = sum inverse of time of individuals.
Explain the reasoning behind the work if a task takes 3 days to complete, then 1 day of working would
formula be 1/3 of the task. These one day ratios can be added. Then
take the reciprocal of that addition to get total days agains.
(1/3)+(1/2) => then reciprocal! = axb/(a+b)
In rate problems, when trying to solve for a The equation you are NOT trying to solve for gets changed.
variable which one get altered? Hence t+10 or r - 10 (would be for the equation that is not
being asked to solve for.
What should one do when picking number in Pick the lowest common multiple of the numbers available if it
time distance based problems? makes sense.
When looking for "average speed" what "Total Distance / Total Time" Remember you can't add the
formula should one be thinking about? rates!
What is something that always catches me I fail to read whether "round trip" or one way!!!!!!! Always!!!!!!!!!
in distance, speed type problems? Pay attention!!!!!!!!!
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Ratios
How to solve problem when we have speed Since distance is the same. S(t) = S(t). Think about this: How
and we want to find time and distance is the much distance is covered in (t) time? Will the one on the left or
same right "cover" more distance? So 30 (t + 5/6) will cover 30 per hr
plus whatever it's advantage is over the other side. Use some
degree of logic.
What do you do if have rates irregardles of 3 day for 1 and 5 days for 1. Means 5n=3n => 5/3n=n if 42 is
time? total, then 5/3n + n = 42. Solve for n. Then subtract n from 42
to find where they will meet.
When doing a d/s = d/s problem how does if the distances are crazy. Normalize to 0. So if something
one normalize? starts off at 11. then subtract both distances by 11 to get one
to 0. Then 0 = d.
what is the alternative way to find "when will Add the speeds together, then d/(s1 + s2) = T. Multiple T by
they meet problems"? either rate to find the distances they will travel when they
meet!!!
What do you do if you have rates and time x/5 + x/6 = 2 hrs/ , x = distance.
for the entire trip, but are trying to total
distance?
If you have a proportion, say 3/4 and 3/4 = x//16, the solve to find x.
wanted to find how of a missing component
is necessary when you have for example,
x/16, what do you do?
How do you determine a combined ratio? A:b = 7:3 and b:c = 2:5 what is the ratio of A:C? Multiple the
common variables in the two ratios so that they are equal.
Then you can put a:c properly.
If working with ratios is difference in speeds Yes. 50% faster than x is not the same as x + 4 feet. It's a
the same as different in ratios of speeds? trick. the former an be used the latter not.
what is the trick with rate problems? Be careful to which Quantity is being compared to which.
miles/ hr is not the same as hours per mile. See problem R7 in
black book
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Factors
How are multiples and factors tied A number that is evenly divisible by another number is also a
together? multiple of that second number.
What is a prime factorization? It is a number expressed in terms of the product of its prime
factors (the factors that are prime numbers).
What is the method 1 of prime what is the prime factorization of 210? Start low, then go up!
factorization? 210/2 = 105 (since 105 is not divisible by two, we go to 3)
105/3 = (2)(3)(35)
35/5 = (7)(5)
210 = (2)(3)(5)(7)
What are factors? Factors, or divisors of an integer are the POSITIVE intefegers
by whuch it is evenly divisible (leaving no remainder).
How can you find the Greatest Break down both integers into the PRIME factors and multiple
Common Factor? all prime factorizations they have in common. 36 = (2)(2)(3)(3),
48 = (2)(2)(2)(2)(3). Therefore they have (2)(2)(3) in common =
12 greatest common factor.
What is method 2 of prime Find any set of factors, then drill down
factorization?
What is the least common multiple? The LCM is the smallest number is a multiple of each of the
numbers.
When is the least common multiple When those two integers share any factors in common.
smaller than simple the product of two
integers?
How can you find the LCM? 1. Determine the prime factorization of each integer
2. Write out each prime number the maximum number of times
that it appears in any one multiple.
3. Multiple those number together to get the least common
multiple.
Take 12 and 15. it would be 2x2x3x5. You wouldn't include the
3 in 12 because it only has prime.
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Factors
How do you find the number of factors Find the prime factors, then combine to see if you can rewrite
of an integer? with exponents. Add 1 to each exponent. Then multiply those
exponents. This will give you number of factors!
How do you find which factors of an say you have 2,2,5,3 as prime factors (and 1) and want to find
integer are divisible by a certain number of factors divisible by 3. Well you have 2, 5, 2x2, 2x5,
integer? 2x2x5, 1 = 6 factors that will not be divisible 3. Then subtract
this number from the total number of available factors.
What are the first 10 prime numbers? 2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29
How best to find factors from prime Stop from bottom - be systematic!
factors? 2x2x2x2x3x5? 2, 3, 5
2x2, 2x3, 2x5
2x2x2, 2x2x3, 2x2x5 etc…
How to tell if a number is divisible? Use one of the test. 51 for example = 5+1 = 6, which is
divisible by 3.
If a number has the following Any combination of prime factors that at least includes 2x3
2x2x2x2x3. Which of its
divisors(factors) are also multiple of 6?
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Factors
If a factor of a number is divisible by x The implication is that the other factors is also divisible by x.
and the number itself is divisible by x r/x = integer and r+q/x = integer, then q/x must also be an
what is the implication for the other integer because r/x + q/x must both be integers to make r+q/4
factor(s) of the number? an integer.
Is 14 a factor of M if 14 is a factor of Yes. Since the factors of 15 are 5x3, then the factors of 14,
15M? 7x2 must be part of M. However, if one had 16M instead, it
would not necesarrily be the case because the 2 factor could
be present in 16 but no in M thereby not making 14 a factor of
M
How do you find the number of factors Say 580 and 60? Prime factors of 540 are 2x2x3x3x3x5.
of a number that are also multiples of Prime factors of 60 are 2x2x3x5. Divide 580/60 and get 9. 9
one of the factors? has three factors 1,3,9. So there are three multiples of 60 that
are also factors of 580: 60(1), 60(3), and 60(9)
If a number is said to be a factor of That implies that the factor is either a prime factor or a
another number what does that imply? combination of the multiplication of a number's prime factors.
What does it take in terms of prime There must be 2 of each prime factors: 2x2x3x3x4x4 for
factors for a number to be a perfect example.
square?
4/x +5/x + 6/x is an int and x too. Is 5/x it doesn't have to be because 15/x can be 1,3,5,15. 5/x would
an int? have to be an int for all those factors. Next would be 30/x or
2(15/x)
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Prob.
What is the combination formula? N!/k!(n-k)!, where n=number of items in group as whole;
k! = number of items in each subgroup formed.
How should one think about permutations when if 8 people but only 4 positions. Say how many in first
trying to solve? position? 8. If that position is filled, then in next position
only 7 people would be available to fill it. So 8x7x6x5
would be answer.
how does one think about multiple group Can the multiple groups be combined differently? If so,
permutations? you need to do each permutation for each combination,
then add them together.
How does one deal with indistinguishable like having a,a,b,c. Divide 4!/2! With the bottom being
elements in permutations? the number of indistinctual elements. If a,a,b,b,b,c,d,
then 6!/2!x3!
How does one calculate the probability that If the probably of one is 1/2 and the other 2/3, then
either one thing will occur? ADD the probabilities together to find one or another.
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Prob.
How does one calculate the probability that Multiple their individual probability, regardless if
both things will occur? independent or not.
How does one calculate the probability of Find the probability of each scenario, then add them
multiple scenarios? together. However, within each scenario there could
issues where you need to multiple AND probability type
stuff. IMPORTANT. For 1-opposite probability, better to
find probability of one scenario, then add them all
together (especially if each scenario has different
number of slots! SEE grape flavor question in
permutation quiz!).
When should one use the subtraction method If you are in an a multiple scenario situation where
of probability? there are fewer way for an event not to occur.
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Geometry
What is the relationship between the angle of the The larger the angle, the larger the opposing side.
triangle and the opposing side?
How can you find the internal angles of a Make triangles in it, then count the number of triagles.
polygon?
What are pythagorean triples? They are a set of integer ratios that always satisfy the
pythagorean theorem. 3,4,5 or 5,12,13 or 6,8,10
(MEMORIZE)
What are the sides of the isosceles right triangle? 45 degree sides = X, the 90 degree side = x (square
root 2)
What are the side of the 30, 60, 90 triangle? 30 = x, 60 = x(square of 3), 90 = 2x
What is a parallelogram? Has two pairs of parallel sides. Opposite sides are
equal in length.
What is the circumference of a circle? C = d(pie)
What is the area of a circle? A = r^2(pie)
How do you calculate the arc length? arc length = n/360 (circumference). n = central angle
Take an inscribed quadrilateral. The degree No. To be a square arc of each side must be 90
measure of a minor arc is 45 degrees, is it a degrees.
square?
what is the rule of triangles related to its sides?a side must be greater than the difference or smaller
than the sum of the two other sides
what is the mid point formula? average of the sum of x 1 and x 2.
What is the relationship between the exterior the exterior angle is = to the sum of the remote interior
angle of a triangle and the remote interior angles angles. See gmat review ds 117.
of the abutting triangle?
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Geometry
Triangles formed within rectangles. The See problem g38. Excellent example.
transversal that cuts across a rectangle can be
used to create smaller triangles that are similar
because they share same angles but different
sized legs. IF TWO ANGLES of triangle are the
same, then if means the third is as well and it
means that they are SIMILAR!!!
What is the difference between a trapezoid and a The trapezoid only have 1 set of parallel sides unlike
parallelogram? the parallelogram which has two.
What is the area formula for a trapezoid? Average of parallel sides / height
What is the area formula for a parallelogram? Base * height
How do you find the diagonal of a rectangular You have to use the pythagorean formula twice or look
solid? out for special triangles.
How do you find the volume of a sphere? 4/3PiR^3
□BAE=□BCD ? This means that the triangular portion of two sides of a
trapezoid are the same.
If you have two sides of a triangle 8 and 12 what That the 3rd sides can vary between 20 and 4. That
do you know? the greatest area will occur when 12 and 8 are
perpendicular to one another. There can be no area
greater than that. See G44
Inscribed square that whose area has a ratio of It could be any positive integer. See PS 175.
25 to 39. What could be the width in inches for
the strip between the inscribed square and the
larger area?
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Geometry
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Averages
What is the balanced value concept and how can The net sum of the difference between each value and
it be used to find the missing average? it's average must be 0. 3-5, 7-5, 4-5, x - 5: -2 + 2 + -1 +
(x-5) = 0: therefore x = 6
How can use combine averages? Use the weighted average formula. What is the average
score? 100 average of 4 games, 200 average of 8
games= (100*4) + (200*8)/12 = 400+1600/12 = 2000/12
= 166.66
Averages and data suffiency? know the formula! Sum of terms/number of terms =
average!
What is the median? Is the middle number if the groups of terms is odd. If
even, then the average between the two middle
numbers.
What is the implication of having a the average of It means that the middle term is thus odd and that there
a set of consecutive numbers be odd? is an odd number of consecutive numbers. Means the
sum of those number will be odd to. (worth playing with
this to learn more)
Dec Sales are 4 times that average for the rest of x for each of the first months, 4x for december. Total of
the 11 months. Dec sales are what fraction of the 15x. So 4x/15x is answer.
entire years sales?
Rememer how to do long division? 20100/26. Since all the answer choices start with 7 you know you
This seems hard. Answer choices all start with 7 can use that. Then narrow it down until you can
differentiate the choices. See P137.
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ToMemorization
What are pythagorean triples? They are a set of integer ratios that always satisfy the
pythagorean theorem. 3,4,5 or 5,12,13 or 6,8,10 (MEMORIZE)
21 of 22
References Types Reason Data
Kaplan Gmat 2005 Algebra Careless Yes
Gmat 800 Averages Forget Principal No
Gmat Review Factors Lack of knowledge Need To
Gmat Quantitative Geometry No idea
Gmat Coursebook N.Properties Other
Gmat Kaplan Online Percents Word Trick
Probability Guessed
Ratios Hard
Statistics