GRE® Equation Guide

Essential GRE® Quant Skills Multiplying Fractions Converting a Fraction to a Percent Properties of a Number Between 0 and 1

a d ad To convert a fraction to a percent, convert If 0 < x < 1 , it must be true that x2 < x < x
Adding Fractions × = the fraction to a decimal, multiply the
b c bc The Zero Product Property
Same Denominator decimal by 100 and attach the percent
Example: sign. If a × b = 0, then one of the following is true:
a c a+c
+ =
b b b 2 5 10 → a=0
× = → b=0
Different Denominators
3 7 21 Linear & Quadratic Equations
→ a and b = 0
a c ad + bc
+ = Factoring Out Common Factors
b d bd Dividing Fractions Example:
Expression Set Equal to Zero
Example: a c a d ad → ab + ac = d
÷ = × = x can equal 0
2 5 14 + 15 b d b c bc → a(b + c) = d
+ =
3 7 21 Since a is common to all of the terms on the → x(x + 100) = 0
left side of the equation, it can be factored → x = 0 or x + 100 = 0
Example:
out.
Subtracting Fractions 2 5 2 7 14
÷ = × = Example:
Same Denominator 3 7 3 5 15 General Form of a Quadratic Equation
→ 4x + 4y = 7
a c a−c → 4(x + y) = 7 ax2 + bx + c = 0
. − = .
b b b Reciprocals Since 4 is common to all of the terms on the Before a quadratic equation can be
left side of the equation, it can be factored factored, it must be written in the general
Different Denominators To get the reciprocal of a non-zero form.
out.
number, divide 1 by that number.
a c ad − bc
− =
b d bd Squares of Fractions
Factoring a Quadratic Equation
Example: Comparing Fraction Size: Bow Tie Method 2 2
⎛ a ⎞ a x2 + bx + c = 0 factors to:
2 5 14 − 15 a c ⎜ ⎟ = 2 (x + p)(x + q) = 0
− = > if ad > bc ⎝ b ⎠ b
3 7 21 b d → p and q must multiply to c
Example: Square Roots of Fractions → p and q must add to b.

The Distributive Property 3 5 because 21 > 20

>
4 7 x x Example:
=
a+c a c y y
= + x2 – 3x – 28 = 0 factors to:
b b b (x – 7)(x + 4) = 0

→ -7 and 4 multiply to -28

→ -7 and 4 add to -3
1
 GRE® Equation Guide

FOILing Quadratic Equations PEMDAS: The Order of Mathematical Prime Numbers Less Than 100 A Formula for Division
Operations
Example: 2, 3 , 5 , 7 , 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, x remainder
Parentheses 43, 47, 53 , 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97 = Quotient +
y y
( x − 7 )( x + 4) = 0
Exponents
Example:
Multiply the First terms:
→ Multiplication and Division Multiplication and Division of Numbers 23 3
( x ) × ( x ) = x2 with the Same Sign
=4+
Addition and Subtraction
5 5
(+)(+) = (+) (-)(-) = (+) Divisibility Rules
→ Multiply the Outside terms:
( x ) × ( +4 ) = +4x Number Divisible by 2
Properties of Numbers
( +) ( −) A number is divisible by 2 if the ones digit
Multiply the Inside terms:
= ( +) = ( +) is 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8
→ Even/Odd Rules for Addition/Subtraction ( +) ( −)
( −7 ) × ( x ) = −7x Number Divisible by 3
→ (odd) + (odd) = even A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of all
→ Multiply the Last terms: → (even) + (even) = even Multiplication and Division of Numbers the digits is divisible by 3.
( −7 ) × ( +4 ) = −28 → (even) + (odd) = odd with Different Signs
Number Divisible by 4
→ (odd) – (odd) = even
2
= x − 3x − 28 = 0 (+)(-) = (-)
( +) If the last two digits of a number are a
→ (even) – (even) = even = ( −) number divisible by 4, then the number is
( −)
divisible by 4.
Factors
Multiplication Rules for Even and Odd Number Divisible by 5
Numbers If y divides evenly into x, we say y is a A number is divisible by 5 if the last digit is
3 Common Quadratic Identities factor of x. a 0 or 5.
2 2 2 → even × even = even
1. (x + y) = (x + y)(x + y) = x + 2xy + y
Example: Number Divisible by 6
→ even × odd = even
2 2 2 What are the factors of 16? A number is divisible by 6 if the number is
2. (x - y) = (x - y)(x - y) = x - 2xy + y → odd × even = even
divisible by both 2 and 3.
→ odd × odd = odd → 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16
2 2
3. (x + y)(x - y) = x - y Number Divisible by 8
If the last three digits of a number are a
Division Rules for Even and Odd Numbers number divisible by 8, then the number is
Multiples
Some Examples of a Difference of divisible by 8.
Squares even A multiple of a number is the product of
is even Number Divisible by 9
odd that number and any integer.
2 A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of all
(
⇒ x −9 = x −3 x+3 )( ) odd Example: the digits is divisible by 9.
2
⇒ 4x − 100 = ( 2x − 10 )( 2x + 10 ) is odd
odd
What are the multiples of 4? Number Divisible by 11:
⇒ x 2 y 2 − 16 = ( xy − 4 )( xy + 4 )
even A number is divisible by 11 if the sum of the
2 2 is even or odd → 4,8,12,16,20,….,4n odd-numbered place digits minus the sum
⇒ 330 − 230 = ( 315 ) − (215 ) = ( 315 + 215 )( 315 − 215 ) even of the even-numbered place digits is
divisible by 11.
2
 GRE® Equation Guide

The Range of Possible Remainders Step 4: Multiply together what you found in Steps 2 and 3: Terminating Decimals
Steps 2 and 3. The result is the least
A remainder must be a non-negative 22 , 31 The decimal equivalent of a fraction will
common multiple. →
integer that is less than the divisor. terminate if and only if the denominator of
Example: Step 4: the reduced fraction has a prime
The LCM of 24 and 60 factorization that contains only 2s or 5s, or
→ 4 × 3 = 12 both.
Finding the Number of Factors in a Step 1:
Particular Number Examples:
→ 24 = 23 × 31
1
Step 1: Find the prime factorization of the 60 = 22 × 31 × 51 → = 0.05
→ LCM × GCF 20
number.
Step 2: If the LCM of x and y is p and the GCF of x 1
Step 2: Add 1 to the value of each and y is q, then xy = pq → = 0.08333333…
→ 23 , 31 12
exponent. Then multiply these results and
the product will be the total number of Step 3:
factors for that number. Patterns in Units Digits
→ 51 Any Factorial ≥ 5!
Number 0:
Example:
Step 4: Any factorial ≥ 5! will always have zero as All powers of 0 end in 0.
The number of factors of 240 → 8 × 3 × 5 = 120 its units digit.
Number 2:
→ 240 = 24 × 31 × 51 The units digits of positive powers of 2 will
→ (4 + 1) × (1 + 1) × (1 + 1) = 20 follow the four-number pattern 2-4-8-6.
Trailing Zeroes
Finding the GCF
Number 3:
→ 240 has a total of 20 factors The number of trailing zeros of a number is
Step 1: Find the prime factorization of each The units digits of powers of 3 will follow
the number of (5 × 2) pairs in the prime
number. That is, prime factorize each the four-number pattern 3-9-7-1.
factorization of that number.
number and put the prime factors of each
Finding the LCM number in exponent form. Examples: Number 4:
The units digits of powers of 4 follow a
Step 1: Find the prime factorization of each Step 2: Of any repeated prime factors ⇒ 520 can be expressed as 52 ×
two-number pattern: 4-6. All positive odd
integer. That is, prime factorize each among the numbers, take only those with 10 = 52 × (5 × 2) and thus has
powers of 4 end in 4, and all positive even
integer and put the prime factors of each the smallest exponent. (If no repeated one trailing zero.
powers of 4 end in 6.
integer in exponent form. prime factors are found, the GCF is 1.)
⇒ 5,200 can be expressed as
Number 5:
Step 2: Of any repeated prime factors Step 3: Multiply together the numbers that 52 × 100 = 52 × 102 = 52 × (5 × 2)2 and
among the integers in the set, take only All positive integer powers of 5 end in 5.
you found in step 3; this product is the has two trailing zeros.
those with the largest exponent. For GCF. Number 6:
example, if we had 32 and 33, we’d choose
Leading Zeroes in a Decimal All positive integer powers of 6 end in 6.
33 and not 32. If we’re left with two of the Example:
same power (for example, 32 and 32), just Number 7:
If X is an integer with k digits, then 1/x will
take that number once. The GCF of 24 and 60
have k – 1 leading zeros unless x is a perfect The units digits of positive powers of 7 will
Step 3: Of what is left, take all non- Step 1: power of 10, in which case there will be k – 2 follow the four-number pattern 7-9-3-1.
repeated prime factors of the integers. leading zeroes.
→ 24 = 23 × 31 Number 8:
→ 2
60 = 2 × 3 × 51 1 The units digits of positive powers of 8 will
follow the four-number pattern 8-4-2-6.
3
 GRE® Equation Guide

Number 9: Non-perfect Square Roots to Memorize Exponents to Memorize Multiplication of Different Bases and Like
The units digits of powers of 9 follow a Exponents
Bases of 2
two-number pattern: 9-1. All positive odd 2 ≈ 1.4 , 3 ≈ 1.7 , 5 ≈ 2.2
powers of 9 end in 9, and all positive even 20 = 1 21 = 2 22 = 4 (xa )(ya) = (xy)a
23 = 8 24 = 16 25 = 32
powers of 9 end in 1.
26 = 64 27 = 128 28 = 256
Multiplying Radicals 29 = 512 210 = 1,024
Division of Different Bases and Like
m
Perfect Squares a × m b = m ab and
Bases of 3
Exponents
A perfect square, other than 0 and 1, is a 31 = 3 32 = 9 33 = 27 a
number such that all of its prime factors m
ab = m a × m b 34 = 81 35 = 243 x a ⎛ x ⎞
=
have even exponents.
Example: y a ⎜⎝ y ⎟⎠
Example: Bases of 4
5 × 7 = 5 × 7 = 35
41 = 4 42 = 16 43 = 64
→ 144 = 24 × 32 44 = 256
Dividing Radicals Radicals Can Be Expressed In
Exponential Form
Perfect Cubes
n
a n a and n
a na Bases of 5 1 1
= =
A perfect cube, other than 0 or 1, is a
n
b b b nb 51 = 5 52 = 25 53 = 125 x =x 2 , 3
x =x 3 , and in general
number such that all of its prime factors 54 = 625 a
Example: b
have exponents that are divisible by 3.
for any positive number x, xa = x b
54 54
Example: = = 9=3
6 6
Multiplication of Like Bases Example:
→ 27 = 33
1 2
(xa)(xb) = xa+b 2

Two Consecutive Integers Addition and Subtraction of Radicals

( )3
x = 3 x2 = ( x2 )3 = x 3
Division of Like Bases
Two consecutive integers will never share Multiple Square Roots
a+b ≠ a + b a
any prime factors. Thus, the GCF of two x
consecutive integers is 1. Example:
b
= x a−b 1
x a b
⎛ 1 ⎞ a 1 1
×
1
25 + 16 ≠ 5 + 4 x = ⎜ x b ⎟ = x b a = x ab
⎝ ⎠
Roots & Exponents 25 + 16 = 41 ≈ 6.40 Power to a Power Rule Example:
a b ab
Perfect Squares to Memorize (x ) = x
0, 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144, Taking the Square Root of a number ⇒ 3 3 3 = 3× 3× 3
and
169, 196, and 225. and/or Binomial 1 1 1
×
1 1 1
× ×
1 1 1

10 10
(4 ) = 4 100 ⇒ 3 ×3 2 2 2
×3 2 2 2
= 3 × 3 × 38
2 4

Perfect Cubes to Memorize

x2 = x thus (x + y)2 = x + y
1 1 1
+ +
2 4 8
7

0, 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, 512, 729, and

⇒3 = 38
1,000.
4
 GRE® Equation Guide

Nonzero Base Raised to the Zero Power Addition and Subtraction of Like Radicals Case #4 Case #9
Base: less than -1 Base: greater than 1
When a nonzero base is raised to the zero Example:
power, the expression equals 1. Exponent: odd positive integer greater Exponent: positive proper fraction
⇒ 10 3 5 + 5 3 5 + 6 3 5 + 2 3 5 + 2 3 5
than 1 1
⇒ 3 5 ( 10 + 5 + 6 + 2 + 2) 5
⇒ Result is smaller 5 2 <
st 1 1 2 1 6 7 ⇒ Result is smaller (-5)3 < -5
Any Base Raised to the 1 Power ⇒ 3 5 (25 ) = 5 × 52 = 5
3
+
3 1
=5
+
3 3
=5 3

When a base is raised to the first power, Case #5 Case #10

the value of the expression is simply that Base: positive proper fraction Base: positive proper fraction
base. Special Addition Rule with Exponents
Exponent: even positive integer Exponent: positive proper fraction
2n + 2n = 2n+1 1
Raising a Base to a Negative Exponent
⎛ 1 ⎞
2
⎛ 1 ⎞ ⇒ Result is larger ⎛ 1 ⎞ 2 > ⎛ 1 ⎞
3n + 3n + 3n = 3n+1 ⇒ Result is smaller < ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
1 1 ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 5 ⎠
⎜ ⎟
⎝ 5 ⎠ ⎝ 5 ⎠ ⎝ 5 ⎠
x −1 = and in general, x−y = y 4n + 4n + 4n + 4n = 4n+1
x x Case #6
The rule continues on forever with different Base: negative proper fraction
Examples: Square Roots of Large Perfect Squares
bases.
Exponent: even positive integer When a perfect square ends with an even
1 1 1
2−2 = = = 3−3 2
⎛ 1 ⎞
number of zeros, the square root of such a
2 2
4 33 Number Properties of Exponents ⎛ 1 ⎞ perfect square will have exactly half of the
⇒ Result is larger
⎜ − ⎟ > ⎜ − ⎟
−3 3 Case #1 ⎝ 5 ⎠ ⎝ 5 ⎠ number of zeros to the right of the final
⎛ 3 ⎞ ⎛ 7 ⎞ Base: greater than 1
nonzero digit as the perfect square.
⎜ ⎟ = ⎜ ⎟ Case #7
⎝ 7 ⎠ ⎝ 3 ⎠ Base: positive proper fraction
Example:
Exponent: even positive integer
10,000 = 100
⇒ Result is larger 52 > 5 Exponent: odd positive integer greater than 1
3
Addition and Subtraction of Like Bases
⇒ Result is smaller
⎛ 1 ⎞ <
⎛ 1 ⎞
Case #2 ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
When adding or subtracting expressions
Base: greater than 1 ⎝ 5 ⎠ ⎝ 5 ⎠ Square Roots of Small Perfect Squares
with exponents, consider factoring out
Case #8 If a decimal with a finite number of decimal
common factors. Exponent: odd positive integer greater
places is a perfect square, its square root
than 1 Base: negative proper fraction
Example: will have exactly half of the number of
⇒ Result is larger 53 > 5 Exponent: odd positive integer greater than 1 decimal places. Thus, a perfect square
→ 210 + 211 + 212 decimal must have an even number of
210(1 + 21 + 22) = 210(7) ⎛ 1 ⎞
3
⎛ 1 ⎞ decimal places.
→ Case #3 ⇒ Result is larger ⎜ − ⎟ >
⎝ 5 ⎠
⎜ − ⎟
Base: less than -1 ⎝ 5 ⎠ Example:

Exponent: even positive integer 4 2

0.0004 = = = 0.02
⇒ Result is larger (-5)2 > (-5) 10,000 100

5
 GRE® Equation Guide

Cube Roots of Large Perfect Cubes Equations with One Absolute Value Case 2: The quantities within the absolute Word Problems
values are opposites:
The cube root of a perfect cube integer When solving equations with absolute
has exactly one-third of the number of values, we need to solve the equation Basic Word Translations
⇒ 16x + 14 = −(8x + 6)
zeros to the right of the final nonzero digit twice, first for the condition in which the Translations to Memorize:
⇒ 16x + 14 = −8x − 6
as the original perfect cube. expression between the absolute value
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
bars is positive and second for the 5
⇒ 24x = −20 → x = − is =
Example: condition in which the expression is 6
negative. was =
3
1,000,000 = 100
has been =
Example:
Adding Absolute Values more +
2x + 4 = 12 , x =? years older +
Cube Roots of Small Perfect Cubes This is always true: a+b ≤ a + b years younger -
The cube root of a perfect cube decimal ⇒ 2x + 4 = 12 less -
has exactly one-third of the number of A Second Rule When Adding Absolute
⇒ 2x = 8 → x = 4 Values times ×
decimal places as the original perfect cube.
less than -
and When a + b = a + b , this means:
Example: fewer -
as many
3
0.000027 = 3
27
=
3
= 0.03
⇒ −(2x + 4) = 12 → One or both quantities are 0; or ×

1,000,000 100 → Both quantities (a and b) have the factor ×

⇒ −2x − 4 = 12
same sign. of ×
⇒ −2x = 16 → x = −8
Price Per Item
Subtracting Absolute Values
Total Cost
Inequalities & Absolute Values This is always true: a − b ≥ a − b ⇒ Price per Item =
When Two Absolute Values Are Equal to Number of Items
Each Other A Second Rule When Subtracting Values
Absolute Value
If two absolute values are equal, it must be When a − b = a − b , this means:
If a ≥ 0, a =a true that the expressions within the
absolute value bars are either equals or → The second quantity is 0; or The Profit Equation
opposites.
If a < 0, a = −a → Both quantities have the same sign
→ Profit = Total Revenue – Total Cost
Example: and the absolute value of a −b is
Examples: or
16x + 14 = 8x + 6 x = ? greater than or equal to the absolute
→ |50| = 50
value of a−b. → Profit = Total Revenue – [Total Fixed
→ |–50| = –(–50) = 50 Case 1: The quantities within the absolute Costs + Total Variable Costs]
values are equal:
Example:
⇒ 16x + 14 = 8x + 6 5 − 0 = 5 − 0 and 5 − 4 = 5 − 4
⇒ 8x = −8 → x = −1 but

0 − 5 ≠ 0 − 5 and 4 − 5 ≠ 4 − 5
6
 GRE® Equation Guide

Simple Interest Consecutive Even or Odd Integers Round-Trip Rate Formula A machine can produce 15 cars in 1
month
→ Simple Interest = Principal × Rate × Can be expressed as: Distance 1 = Distance 2
Time → x Thus, its rate is:
→ (x + 2)
Compound Interest ⎛ 15 cars ⎞ cars
→ (x + 4) Catch-Up Rate Formula ⎜ ⎟ = 15
nt ⎝ 1 month ⎠ month
(x + 6)
⎛ r ⎞
→
Distance 1 = Distance 2
⇒ A = P ⎜ 1 + ⎟ → (x + 8)
⎝ n ⎠ → (x + 2n)
Combined Worker Formula
A = amount of interest
Catch-Up and Pass Formula Work Object 1 + Work Object 2 = WorkTotal
Consecutive Multiples of Integers
P = principal
Δ Distance
Consecutive multiples of 5 can be ⇒ Time =
r = rate of interest expressed as: Δ Rate
Ratios
n = number of times per year interest is → x
compounded → (x + 5) Work Problems 3 Ways to Express a Ratio
→ (x + 10)
t = time in years cats 4
→ (x + 15) Rate-Time-Work Formula =
→ (x + 20) dogs 3
⇒ (Rate × Time) = Work
→ (x + 5n)
→ cats : dogs = 4 : 3
Work
⇒ Time = → cats to dogs = 4 to 3
Linear Growth Formula Rate
Rate Problems Work What Constitutes a Useful Ratio
Fn = kn + p ⇒ Rate =
Time number of workers 4 +m
⇒ =
Fn = final growth Rate-Time-Distance Formula number of managers m
p = initial value
n = nth growth period
⇒ Distance = Rate × Time ↑ This is NOT a ratio.
k = constant increase during each period Distance
⇒ Time =
Rate An Object’s Work Rate number of workers 5m 5
⇒ = = =5:1
Distance Jackie can paint 20 fences in 4 weeks number of managers m 1
⇒ Rate =
Time ↑ This IS a ratio.
Consecutive Integers Her rate is:
Can be expressed as:
Average Rate Formula ⎛ 20 fences ⎞ fences  
→ x ⎜ ⎟ = 5 Ratio of Part to Total
Total Distance ⎝ 4 weeks ⎠ week
→ (x + 1) ⇒ Average Rate =
Total Time → part 1 = x
→ (x + 2)
→ part 2 = 3x
→ (x + 3)
→ (x + 4) Converging/Diverging Rate Formula Part 1 Part 1 x x 1
= = = =
→ (x + n) Total Part 1 + Part 2 x + 3x 4x 4
dist object 1 + dist object 2 = total dist objects 1 and 2
7
 GRE® Equation Guide

Multipart Ratio and the LCM “Percent of” Translations “Percent Greater Than” Translations “Percent Change” Formula
Example: ”Percent of” means to multiply a given ⎛ Final Value - Initial Value ⎞
⎛ % Greater Than ⎞
→ Ratio 1: x : y = 3 : 4 percent by a given value. Final = ⎜ 1 + ⎟ × (Initial) ⎜ ⎟ × 100
⎝ 100 ⎠ ⎝ Initial Value ⎠
→ Ratio 2: x : z = 7 : 11 Examples:
Examples:
To combine ratios find the least common 5 5z z
⇒ 5 percent of z → × (z ) = = → x is 2% greater than y
multiple (LCM) of the given values of x, 100 100 20
which is 21. ⇒ x = 1.02y
36 9k Statistics
⇒ 36 percent of k → × (k ) =
Thus the combined ratio is: 100 25 → x is 60% greater than y
400 ⇒ x = 1.6y Average (Arithmetic Mean)
→ x : y : z = 21 : 28 : 33 ⇒ 400 percent of y → × ( y ) = 4y
100 sum of terms
⇒ average =
number of terms
Percent Word Problems Variable Percent Translations
→ 1x is n percent of y
Converting to a Percent “What Percent” Translation
n Evenly Spaced Sets
Example: ⇒x= ×y
To convert a fraction, decimal, or an 100 Examples:
integer to a percent, multiply the decimal → a is what percent of b?
or integer by 100 and attach the percent a A set of consecutive integers:
sign. ⇒ × 100 = ? → x is n percent less than y → {4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}
b
Example: n ⎞
⎛ A set of consecutive odd integers:
7 7 ⇒ x = ⎜ 1 − ⎟ × y
→ × 100 = 7 → 7% ⎝ 100 ⎠ → {3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15}
100 100 “Percent Less Than” Translations
⎛ 100 − n ⎞ A set of consecutive even integers:
⇒ x = ⎜ ⎟ × y
⎛ % Less Than ⎞ ⎝ 100 ⎠ → {0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12}
Final = ⎜ 1 − ⎟ × (Initial)
⎝ 100 ⎠ A set of consecutive multiples of 5:
Converting from a Percent
→ {5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35}
→ x is n percent greater than y
To convert a percent to a decimal, drop the Examples:
percent sign and divide by 100. → x is 2% less than y A set of consecutive multiples of 12:
⎛ n ⎞
Example: ⇒ x = 0.98y ⇒ x = ⎜ 1 + ⎟ × y → {12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84}
⎝ 100 ⎠
5
5% = = 0.05 → x is 60% less than y ⎛ 100 + n ⎞ Counting the Number of Integers in a Set
100 ⇒ x = 0.4y ⇒ x = ⎜ ⎟ × y
⎝ 100 ⎠ of Consecutive integers (inclusive)
Highest Number – Lowest Number + 1

8
 GRE® Equation Guide

Counting the Number of Multiples of an Calculating Median with an Even # of Overlapping Sets
Integer in a Set of Consecutive integers Terms
(inclusive) Number of Members in Either Set
Where n is the number of terms in the set:
⎛ Highest multiple − Lowest multiple ⎞ #(A or B) = #(A) + #(B) – #(A and B)
⇒ ⎜ ⎟ + 1 n
⎝ Given Number ⎠ Median = average of the values at the Example:
2
How many students play football or
and (n + 2) positions soccer? To solve:
Average (Arithmetic Mean) in a Set of 2
Consecutive integers ⇒ Total # football + Total # soccer – #
Both Football and Soccer
Highest Number + Lowest Number Mean = Median
⇒
2 In any evenly spaced set, the mean of the Three Circle Venn Diagram Equations
set is equal to the median of the set.

Weighted Average Equation

Mode
Where dp = data point:
The mode is the number that appears most
(dp 1) × ( freq of dp 1) +...+(dp n) × ( freq of dp n) frequently in a data set.
total freq of dp's

Boundaries of a Weighted Average
The weighted average of two different data
points will be closer to the data point with
the greater number of observations or with
the greater weighted percentage.
Median
When a set is numerically ordered, the
median is the value in the middle of the
arranged set.
Calculating Median with an Odd # of
Terms
Where n is the number of terms in the set:
(n + 1)
Median = position
2 →
Range
= Highest Number in a Set – Lowest
Number in a Set
Standard Deviation Range
→ High Value = mean + x(sd)
→ Low Value = mean – x(sd)
Two Important Standard Deviation Rules
Adding / Subtracting a constant to each
term in a set of numbers
→ The standard deviation does not
change.
Multiplying / Dividing each term in a set
of numbers by a constant
The standard deviation will also be
multiplied or divided by that amount.
9
When the Number of Unique Items Is
Known
⇒ Total # of Unique Members = # [A Only
+ B Only + C Only] + #[(A and B) Only + #(A
and C) Only + #(B and C) Only] + #[(A and B
and C)] + #[Neither A nor B nor C]
When the Number of Unique Items Is
Unknown
⇒ Total # of Unique Elements = # in
(Group A) + # in (Group B) + # in (Group C)
– # in (Groups of Exactly Two) – 2[#in
(Group of Exactly Three)] + # in (Neither)
 GRE® Equation Guide

Combinations & Permutations

Combinations
Order does NOT matter
The Basic Combination Formula
The Permutation Formula for Complementary Events
Indistinguishable Items
→ P(A) + P (Not A) = 1
N!
⇒P =
( 1 ) ( 2 ) (r3 !) × L × (rn !)
r ! × r ! × The Probability of A and B
If A and B are independent:
N = the total number of objects to be
arranged. → P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B)

n! r = the frequency of each indistinguishable

⇒ n Ck =
(n − k)!k!
n = number of objects in the set
k = number of objects selected
object If A and B are not independent:
→ P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B | A)
Example:
What is the number of ways in which the
letters A, A, B, B can be arranged? The Addition Rule

4! 4 × 3 × 2! Mutually Exclusive Events

⇒P = = = 6 ways → P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B)
2!× 2! 2!× 2!
Permutations
Order DOES matter. Events That Are Not Mutually Exclusive
Circular Arrangements
→ P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A and B)
Number of ways to arrange a set of items
in a circle
The Basic Permutation Formula
→ = (k – 1)! Probability of “Choosing At Least 1
n! Object”
⇒ n Pk = k = number of objects to be arranged in the
(n − k)! P(at least 1 item occurs)
circle

n = number of objects in the set → = 1 – P(none of these items occur)

k = number of objects selected
Probability

The Basic Probability Formula

favorable #of outcomes

⇒ Probability =
total # of outcomes

The Probability of a Sample Space

Must sum to 1.

10

Geometry
Angles
Supplementary Angles
Angles are supplementary if their
measures sum to 180°.
GRE® Equation Guide
Exterior Angle of a Triangle Triangle Inequality Theorem The Ratio of the Sides of a 45-45-90 Right
Triangle
An exterior angle of a triangle is equal to In any triangle, the sum of the lengths of
the sum of its two remote interior angles. any two sides of the triangle is greater than
the length of the third side.
Pythagorean Theorem
The Hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 Right
Triangle is the Diagonal of a Square
A square’s diagonal cuts the square into
Parallel Lines Intersected by a Transversal
two 45-45-90 right triangles.
Pythagorean Triples
→ 3-4-5 Right Triangle
→ 5-12-13 Right Triangle
Isosceles Right Triangle
The Ratio of the Sides of a 30-60-90
Right Triangle
Area of a Triangle
base × height 1
area = = bh
2 2
11
 GRE® Equation Guide

The Area of an Equilateral Triangle Rectangle The Maximum Area of a Rectangle Hexagons
Given a rectangle with a fixed perimeter,
side2 3 3 3 2
Area = the rectangle with the maximum area is a Area = s
4 square. 2

The Minimum Perimeter of a Rectangle Exterior Angles of Any Polygon

Cutting an Equilateral Triangle in Half Given a rectangle with a fixed area, the They always sum to 360°.
Dropping an altitude from the upper vertex rectangle with the minimum perimeter is a
to the base of an equilateral triangle square.
produces two identical 30-60-90 triangles.
The Longest Line Segment of a Rectangle
The longest segment is the diagonal. The Trapezoid

Diagonal = L2 + W 2

The Square

The Parallelogram
→ Opposite sides are equal Circles
→ Opposite angles are equal

Interior Angles of a Polygon

The sum of the interior angles of a polygon
= (n – 2) × 180, where n = the number of
sides in the polygon.

12
 GRE® Equation Guide

Arc Length and Sector Area Right Triangle Inscribed in a Circle The Area of a Circular Ring The Cube

Arc Length
central angle arc length
=
360 circumference
Sector Area
central angle area of sector
=
360 area of circle
The Rectangular Solid
Regular Polygons Inscribed In Circles
Inscribed Angles in Circles
The Cylinder
When a regular polygon is inscribed in a
circle, the polygon divides the circle into
arcs of equal length.

13
 GRE® Equation Guide

The Diagonal of a Rectangular Solid or Coordinate Geometry The Slope-Intercept Equation

Cube
⇒ y = mx + b Negative Slope
Cube The Coordinate Plane
where :
Diagonal = side 3 → y = the y-coordinate
→ x = the corresponding x-coordinate
→ m = the slope of the line
→ b = the y-intercept of the line

Positive Slope

Rectangular Solid Slope of a Line

Zero Slope
Diagonal = L × W × H
2 2 2 2
Δy y 2 − y 1 Rise
⇒ slope = m = = =
Δx x 2 − x 1 Run
where :
→ y 2 = the second y-coordinate
→ y 1 = the first y-coordinate
→ x 2 = the second x-coordinate
→ x 1 = the first x-coordinate
→ m = slope of the line

14
 GRE® Equation Guide

Undefined Slope The Distance Formula Example:

→ 5, 10, 15, 20
Distance = (x2 − x 1 )2 + (y2 − y 1 )2 → 20 = 5 + (4 – 1)5

→ 20 = 20
Midpoint Formula

⎛ x + x 2 y 1 + y 2 ⎞ Sum of the Terms of an Arithmetic

Midpoint = ⎜ 1 , ⎟
⎝ 2 2 ⎠ Sequence

n
Sn = (a1 + an )
2
4
Functions and Sequences Sn = (5 + 20)
2
Sn = 2(25)
Range
The set of all the numbers a function can
5 + 10 + 15 + 20 = 50
generate (i.e., the set of all outputs) is
Parallel Lines called the range of the function.
Parallel lines have the same slope but Geometric Sequence
different y-intercepts, and as a result, the
A geometric sequence (or geometric
lines will never intersect. Domain progression) is one in which the ratio
The set of all the numbers that a function between every pair of consecutive terms is
can use (i.e., the set of all inputs) is called the same.
Perpendicular Lines the domain of the function.
Formula:
The slopes of two perpendicular lines are
negative reciprocals; negative reciprocals an = a1 × rn−1
multiply to -1. Arithmetic Sequences
Where an is the nth term and a1 is the first
An arithmetic sequence is a sequence in term of the sequence, and r is the common
which the difference between every pair of ratio.
Reflections consecutive terms is the same.
Example:
Reflection over the x-axis Formula:
→ 5, 10, 20, 40
(x, y) → (x, -y)
an = a1 + (n – 1)d → 40 = 5 x 24-1
Reflection over the y-axis
Where an is the nth term in the sequence, a1
(x, y) → (-x, y) → 40 = 40
is the first term of the sequence, and d is
Reflection over the origin the common difference

(x, y) → (-x, -y)

15