GRE Math                                                  

GRE Math Section

In the GRE Math section, questions can be classified into the following categories :

GRE Math - 

•  Arithmetic Questions involve

• Arithmetic operations
• Powers
• Operations on radical expressions
• Estimation
• Percent
• Absolute value
• Properties of numbers (e.g. divisibility, prime numbers, odd and even integers)
• Factoring

GRE Math - Algebra
Questions involve

• Rules of exponents
• Factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions
• Understanding concepts of relations and functions
• Solving first and second degree equations and inequalities
• Solving simultaneous equations
• Setting up equations to solve word problems
• Applying basic algebra skills to solve problems

GRE Math- Geometry
Questions involve properties of

• Parallel lines
• Circles and their inscribed central angles
• Triangles
• Rectangles
• Other polygons
• Area
• Perimeter
• Volume
• Pythagoras theorem
• Angle measure in degrees
• Simple coordinate geometry (including slopes, intercepts, and inequalities)

GRE Math - Data Analysis
Questions involve

• Elementary probability
• Basic descriptive statistics
• Mean
• Median
• Mode
• Range
• Standard deviation
• Percentiles
• Interpretation of data in graphs and tables
• Line graphs
• Bar graphs
• Circle graphs
• Frequency distributions

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The types of questions in GRE Math section that you'll come across are :

• GRE Math - Quantitative Comparisons
• GRE Math - Problem Solving
• GRE Math - Data Interpretation

GRE Math - Quantitative Comparisons :-
Quantitative comparison in GRE Math measures your ability to:

• Determine the relative sizes of two quantities
• Perceive that not enough information is provided to make such a decision

GRE Math - Quantitative comparison Strategies :

• Convert algebraic expressions to a standard form in order to compare them.
• Avoid performing needless calculations, such as trying to decide how much larger or smaller one quantity is than the other.
• Don't assume that all variables represent positive integers - be aware of negative numbers, fractions, and zero as possible numbers.
• Geometric figures aren't always drawn to scale, so don't make assumptions simply based on the appearance of a figure shown.

GRE Math - Quantitative comparison GRE Sample question :
         7x² = 21
Column A    Column B
    x               2
A. The quantity in Column A is greater
B. The quantity in Column B is greater
C. The two quantities are equal
D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given
Answer: B

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GRE Math - Problem Solving :-
Problem solving questions in GRE Math section test your:

• Knowledge of maths involving percentages, simultaneous equations, polygons, probability, etc.
• Ability to read, understand, and solve problems quickly and accurately

GRE Math - Problem solving Strategies :

• Determine what is given and what is being asked
• Scan options to decide the level of approximation required
• Avoid long computations
• Scan all options before answering a question

GRE Math - Problem solving GRE Sample question :
       
In the fig shown, if CP=BP and x=120, then y=
A. 30
B. 45
C. 60
D. 75
E. 90
Answer: C

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GRE Math - Data Interpretation :-
This is the toughest section in GRE Math. Many have poor Math scores because of the high difficulty of Data intreptation GRE questions. Practice with lots of tough DI questions to do get a good GRE Math score. Data interpretation in GRE Math section measures your ability to:

• Read and interpret data
• Perform statistical calculations on the data provided

GRE Math - Data Interpretation Strategies :

• Look carefully at the data and understand how it's presented
• Try to make visual comparisons and estimate products and quotients rather than perform computations.
• For graphs, pay attention to the scales as well as read any accompanying notes
• Answer questions only on the basis of data given.

GRE Math - Data Interpretation GRE Sample question :
     
A. 1985
B. 1986
C. 1988
D. 1990
E. 1991
Answer: B