GMAT Math Memorize Number Properties & Formulas
=7^3
343
Pythagorean Triples (lengths)?
3:4:5 -- 5:12:13 -- 7:24:25
Another way to write cube root 5
5^(1/3)
Probability that A and B will both happen?
A*B (Multiply both probabilities)
Probability that A or B will happen?
A+B (Add both probabilities)
Adding or subtracting fractions with the same denominator
Add or subtract the numbers on top and keep the same denominator
Area of a parallelogram?
Base * Height
What is the difference between a permutation or a combination?
Combinations don't care about the order of the problems
Two fractions that equal each other with one variable how do you solve for x?
Cross multiply
How do you find the slope of a line?
Difference in the y-coordinates over the difference in the x coodinates
How do you unfactor a quadratic equation? (x+2)(x+5)
FOIL X^2+7x+10
Dividing Fractions
Invert (reciprocal) the second fraction and multiply
If you raise a negative number to an even power, what happens to the number?
It becomes positive
If you raise a negative number to an odd power, what happens to the number?
It gets smaller
If you raise a positive fraction that is less than 1 to a power, what happens to the fraction?
It gets smaller
Adding and Subtracting Decimals
Line up the decimal points and proceed as usual
Dividing Decimals
Move the decimal to the right on both numbers until there is nothing to the right of the decimal
Adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators
Multiply both fractions to get a common denominator add or subtract as usual
Problem that asks you to choose a # of items to fill specific spots, when each spot is filled from a different source?
Multiply the # of choices for each of the spots
Permutations: single source, order matters
Multiply the # of choices for each of the spots--but the number of choices keeps getting smaller
Permutations: single source, order matters BUT only for a selection
Multiply the # of choices for each of the spots--but the number of choices keeps getting smaller, stop when all the places are taken
Exponents - Raising a power to a power
Multiply the exponents (4^3)^2 = 4^(3*2) = 4^6
Multiplying Fractions
Multiply the numerators and put the product over the product of the denominators
Does (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)/(x^2 + y^2) = z^2?
NO
Does x^2 + x^3 = x^5?
NO
Does x^6 - x^2 = x^4?
NO
Order of operations
PEMDAS (parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction)
How do you tell if it's a permutation or combination?
Permutations ask for "arraingements" Combinations ask for "Groups"
How do you find the mode of a set of numbers?
Pick the # that occurs most frequently
Distance Formula?
Rate * Time = Distance (Hint: Draw a chart)
Right Isosceles triangle (lengths)?
Side, Side, Side^2
Combinations: single source, order doesn't matter
Start with the number of permutations, that is the numerator(top). The Denominator is the number of combinations (eg 4*3*2*1)
What happens if you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a negative number?
The direction of the inequality symbol changes
Any number to the negative power (y) is equal to?
The reciprocal of the same number to the positive power (y). (eg 3^-2 = 1/(3^2) = 1/9)
4/0 =
Undefined
Distributing Exponents
When several #s are inside parenthesis, the exponent outside the parentheses must be distributed to all the #s within (4y)^2 = ((4)^2)((y)^2) = (4^2) * (y^2) = 16y^2
Odds that at least one thing will happen?
Will = 1 - Won't
Odds that something doesn't happen?
Won't = 1 - Will
The solvability rule
You must have at least as many distinct equations as you have variables
Exponents - Multiplying numbers with same base
add their exponents (6^2 *6^3 = 6^5)
Key to percent increase/decrease
amount of increase/original amount = x/100 (Then cross multiply to find x)
How do you find the median of a set of numbers?
arrainge #s from least to greatest and take the middle number or the average of the two middle #s
even + even =
even
even x even =
even
even x odd =
even
odd + odd =
even
When is a number divisible by 6?
if it is divisible by both 2 and 3 (318 is because it is even and the sum of 3+1+8 is divisible by 3)
When is a number divisible by 4?
if the number formed by it's last 2 digits is divisible by 4 (3,028 is because 28 is divisible by 4)
When is a number divisible by 3?
if the sum of its can be divided evenly by 3 (216, is because 2+1+6 is divisible by 3)
0/1 =
0 (any fraction with 0 on top is 0)
Area of a triangle?
(b*h)/2
Factor x^2-y^2
(x+y)(x-y)
Factor x^2+2xy+y^2
(x+y)^2
Factor x^2-2xy+y^2
(x-y)^2
Rules for "Plugging in" for cosmic problems
1)Pick numbers that make sense for the variable in the problem 2)Find an answer using those numbers to get the "target answer" 3)plug your #s into the answer choices to see which choice equals the target answer
Rules for "Plugging in" the answer choices
1)Start with choice "c" plug that into the problem to see if it works 2)If "c" is to small go larger 3) if "c" is too big try smaller 4)If you don't know try them all
Circumference of a circle?
2pr
multiplying decimals
ignor decimal points and multiply the two numbers, then count the digits to the right of the decimal points in the original numbers and place the decimal so there are the same number of digits to the right of the decimal
Any number to the first power is?
itself
Basic probability formula?
number of outcomes you want/total number of possible outcomes
even + odd =
odd
odd x odd =
odd
Any number to the 0 power is?
one (1)
Area of a circle?
pr^2
Work Problems?
simmilar to distance but ... Think how much of the job can be done in one hour (as a fration of the whole).
Exponents - Dividing numbers with same base
subtract the bottom exponents from the top exponents (3^6 / 3^2 = 3^4)
how do you find the range of a set of numbers?
subtract the smallest number from the greatest number
30:60:90 Right Triangle (Lenghts)
x:x^(1/3):2x
Unfactor (x+y)^2
x^2+2xy+y^2
Unfactor (x-y)^2
x^2-2xy+y^2
Unfactor (x+y)(x-y)
x^2-y^2
Equation for a line?
y=mx+b where b is the y-intercept (the point which crosses the y-axis) m is the slope of the line, and x & y are the coordinates of some point on that line