Math Help for the GRE General Test
WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > GRE Math
 Introduction
If you need help in preparing for the math part of the GRE
general
test, you have come to the right place. Note that you do not have
to be a student at WTAMU to
use
this study session. It was created as a service to anyone who
needs
help getting ready for this test.
If this is your first visit to our website, please read the disclaimer.
The math part of the GRE General Test is split into four main
areas:
Under each specific concept, you will find links to in-depth
tutorials
that will help learn and review the material. These tutorials
come
from the WTAMU Virtual Math Lab, which I
created. Within these tutorials, you will find pertinent
definitions,
formulas, step-by-step explanations, an answer/discussion section with
step-by-step solutions, and links to other credible webpages that can
help
you further with that topic.
In math, when you study a specific topic, a lot of times you
are incorporating
other mathematical topics into solving the problem. Some of the
tutorials
will overlap each other. This will help reinforce the concepts
you
need to know for the GRE. |
HOW TO EFFECTIVELY
USE THIS
WEBPAGE:
|
Under the algebra area,
there is a lot
of overlapping between the different levels (beginning, intermediate,
and
college) of tutorials. Find the algebra level that agrees
with
you most and do all of the tutorials under that level. If you
start below college level algebra, make sure that you make your way
up through college algebra before you take the GRE general test.
When you are done with a tutorial, you can come back
to this webpage
by clicking on the back arrow link marked GRE Math Help Page found on
the
top left corner of the tutorial page OR clicking on the back arrow on
the
top left of your Internet window until you are back to this page. |
|
Arithmetic
The first area that we will be looking at is
arithmetic. You
know, fun things like making sure you have the negative in the right
place
and remembering when you have to find the common denominator of your
fractions.
Don't worry, I have the utmost confidence that you
will do much better with arithmetic than Calvin.
SPECIAL
NOTE:
You need to go to all the links that are under each topic for
arithmetic to get the full benefit.
The arithmetic area covers:
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Integers, Ordering and the Real
Number Line, Absolute Value, Fractions, and Decimals
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 2:
Symbols and Sets of Numbers
This tutorial covers:
- sets
- elements
- equal and inequality signs
- various sets of numbers
- including integers and real numbers
- Order Property for Real Numbers
- absolute value of a number
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 3:
Sets of Numbers
This tutorial covers:
- graphing a point on a real number line
- knowing what a set and an element are
- indicating if something is an element or is not an element of a set
- subsets
- roster
- set builder forms of sets
- the empty set and how to notate it
- identifying what numbers belong to the set of:
- natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, irrational
numbers, and real numbers
- finding the absolute value of a number
- finding the opposite of a number
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 3:
Fractions
This tutorial covers:
- numerators and denominators of a fraction
- the prime factorization of a number
- simplifying a fraction
- finding the least common denominator of given fractions
- multiplying, dividing, adding and subtracting fractions
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 5:
Adding Real Numbers
This tutorial covers:
- adding real numbers
- finding the additive inverse or the opposite of a number
Keep in mind that real numbers include integers, fractions and decimals
as well as other types of numbers. |
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 6:
Subtracting Real Numbers
This tutorial covers:
Keep in mind that real numbers include integers, fractions and decimals
as well as other types of numbers. |
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 7:
Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers
This tutorial covers:
- finding the reciprocal of a number
- multiplying and dividing real numbers
- multiplying by zero
- the fact that dividing by zero is undefined
Keep in mind that real numbers include integers, fractions and decimals
as well as other types of numbers. |
|
Exponents and Square Roots |
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 4:
Operations on Real Numbers
This tutorial covers:
- adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing real numbers
- evaluating a numeric exponential expression
- evaluating a numeric radical expression
- using the order of operations appropriately
This is a good tutorial to review the topics covered
above as well as teaching you about exponents and square roots. |
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 16:
Percent and Problem Solving
This tutorial covers:
- converting percents into decimal numbers
- converting decimal numbers into percents
- solving word problems involving percents
- pie charts with percents
- tables with percents
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Algebra
|
SPECIAL NOTE:
You need to go to all the links that are under each topic for
Algebra to get the full benefit. Note that most of the topics under Algebra contain tutorials from three
levels (lowest to highest): beginning, intermediate, and college.
Ideally, for the Algebra section, you want to be able
to work the college level by the time you take the GRE test.
There will be some overlapping between the levels.
If a topic has tutorials in more than one level, try going under the highest level
first. If that is too hard for you, go to the tutorials of the
next level down, if available. If that is too hard for you, go to the
tutorials of the next level down, if available.
Once you find a level to start with, make sure that
if it is below college level, in the end you work your way up to college algebra.
The beauty of this is it is individualized.
You can go at your own pace at the comfort of your own computer. You
know better than anyone else what your algebra skills are.
The algebra area covers:
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Operations with
Algebraic Expressions
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 11:
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
This tutorial covers:
- combining like terms
- simplifying an expression using distributive property
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 27:
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
This tutorial covers:
- identifying a term, coefficient, constant term, and polynomial
- telling the difference between a monomial, binomial, and trinomial
- finding the degree of a term and polynomial
- combining like terms
- adding and subtracting polynomials
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 28:
Multiplying Polynomials
This tutorial covers:
- multiplying any polynomial times any other polynomial
- using the FOIL method to multiply a binomial times a binomial
|
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 25:
Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
This tutorial covers:
- identifying a term, coefficient, constant term, and polynomial
- telling the difference between a monomial, binomial, and trinomial
- finding the degree of a term and polynomial
- evaluating a polynomial function
- combine like terms
- adding and subtracting polynomials
|
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 26:
Multiplying Polynomials
This tutorial covers:
- multiplying any polynomial times any other polynomial
- using the FOIL method to multiply a binomial times a binomial
- using special product rules to multiply a binomial squared and a
product of a sum and difference of two terms
|
College Algebra Tutorial 6:
Polynomials
This tutorial covers:
- identifying a term, coefficient, constant term, and polynomial
- telling the difference between a monomial, binomial, and trinomial
- finding the degree of a term and polynomial
- evaluating a polynomial function
- combining like terms
- adding and subtract polynomials
- multiplying any polynomial times any other polynomial
- using the FOIL method to multiply a binomial times a binomial
- using special product rules to multiply a binomial squared and a
product of a sum and difference of two terms
|
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 27: The
GCF and Factoring by Grouping
This tutorial covers:
- finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of a polynomial
- factoring out the GCF of a polynomial
- factoring a polynomial with four terms by grouping
|
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 28:
Factoring Trinomials
This tutorial covers:
- factoring trinomials
- factoring using substitution
- indicating if a polynomial is a prime polynomial
|
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 29:
Factoring Special Products
This tutorial covers:
- factoring a perfect square trinomial
- factoring a difference of squares
- factoring a sum or difference of cubes
- applying the factoring strategy to factor a polynomial completely
|
College Algebra Tutorial 7:
Factoring Polynomials
This tutorial covers:
- finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) of a polynomial
- factoring out the GCF of a polynomial
- factoring a polynomial with four terms by grouping
- factoring a trinomial
- indicating if a polynomial is a prime polynomial
- factoring a perfect square trinomial
- factoring a difference of squares
- factoring a sum or difference of cubes
- applying the factoring strategy to factor a polynomial completely
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 12:
Addition Property of Equality
This tutorial covers:
- knowing what a linear equation is
- knowing if a value is a solution or not
using the addition and subtraction properties of equalities to solve
linear equations
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 13:
Multiplication Property of Equality
This tutorial covers:
- using the multiplication and division properties of equalities to solve
linear equations
- solving an equation using more than one property
- knowing how to express consecutive integers in terms of
x, if the first integer is x
- knowing how to express even consecutive integers in terms of x,
if the first even integer is x
- knowing how to express odd consecutive integers in terms of x,
if the first odd integer is x
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 14:
Solving Linear Equations
This tutorial covers:
- solving linear equations by using a combination of simplifying and
various properties of equality
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 7:
Linear Equations in One Variable
This tutorial covers:
- knowing what a linear equation is
- knowing if a value is a solution or not
- using the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division properties of equalities to solve linear equations
- knowing when an equation has no solution
- knowing when an equation has all real numbers as a solution
|
College Algebra Tutorial 14:
Linear Equations in One Variable
This tutorial covers:
- knowing what a linear equation is
- knowing if a value is a solution or not
- using the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
properties of equalities to solve linear equations
- knowing when an equation has no solution
- knowing when an equation has all real numbers as a solution
|
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Translating Words into Algebraic Expressions and Applications
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 15:
Introduction to Problem Solving
This tutorial covers:
- using Polya's four step process to solve word problems involving
numbers, rectangles, supplementary angles, and complementary angles
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 17:
Further Problem Solving
This tutorial covers:
- using Polya's four step process to solve word problems involving
geometry concepts, distance, mixtures and interest
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 2:
Algebraic Expressions
This tutorial covers:
- knowing what a variable is
- knowing what an algebraic expression is
- evaluating an algebraic expression given a value for a variable
- translating an English phrase into an algebraic expression
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 8:
Introduction to Problem Solving
This tutorial covers:
- using Polya's four step process to solve word problems involving
numbers, percents, rectangles, supplementary angles, complementary angles,
consecutive integers, and breaking even
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 9:
Formulas and Problem Solving
This tutorial covers:
- solving a formula for a given variable
- using Polya's four step process to solve word problems involving
formulas
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College Algebra Tutorial 16:
Formulas and Applications
This tutorial covers:
- translating an English phrase into an algebraic expression
- using Polya's four step process to solve word problems
- solving a formula for a given variable
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 18:
Solving Linear Inequalities
This tutorial covers:
- using the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
properties of inequalities to solve linear inequalities
- drawing a graph to give a visual answer to an inequality problem
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 10:
Linear Inequalities
This tutorial covers:
- using the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
properties of inequalities to solve linear inequalities
- writing the answer to an inequality using interval notation
- drawing a graph to give a visual answer to an inequality problem
|
College Algebra Tutorial 22:
Linear Inequalities
This tutorial covers:
- using the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
properties
of inequalities to solve linear inequalities
-
solving linear inequalities involving absolute values
-
writing the answer to an inequality using interval notation
-
drawing a graph to give a visual answer to an inequality problem
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 20: The
Rectangular Coordinate System
This tutorial covers:
- plotting points on a rectangular coordinate system
- identifying what quadrant or axis a point lies on
- telling if an ordered pair is a solution of an equation in two
variables or not
- completing an ordered pair that has one missing value
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 21:
Graphing Linear Equations
This tutorial covers:
- recognizing when an equation in two variables is a linear equation
- graphing a linear equation
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 22:
Intercepts
This tutorial covers:
- finding the x- and y-intercepts
of a linear function
- graphing a linear function using the x-
andy-intercepts
- graphing vertical and horizontal lines
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 23:
Slope
This tutorial covers:
- finding the slope given a graph or two points
- knowing the relationship between slopes of parallel lines as well as
slopes of perpendicular lines
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 12:
Graphing Equations
This tutorial covers:
- plotting points on a rectangular coordinate system
- identifying what quadrant or axis a point lies on
- knowing if an equation is a linear equation
- telling if an ordered pair is a solution of an equation in two
variables or not
- graphing an equation by plotting points
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 14:
Graphing Linear Equations
This tutorial covers:
- finding the x- and y-intercepts
of a linear function
- graphing a linear function using the x-
and y-intercepts
- graphing vertical and horizontal lines
|
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 15:
The Slope of a Line
This tutorial covers:
- finding the slope given a graph, two points or an equation
- writing a linear equation in slope/intercept form
- determining if two lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither
|
College Algebra Tutorial 25:
Slope of a Line
This tutorial covers:
- knowing when a line rises, falls, is horizontal or is vertical
- finding the slope given two points on the line
|
College Algebra Tutorial 27:
Graphing Lines
This tutorial covers:
- graphing a straight line using the y-intercept and slope
- graphing vertical and horizontal lines
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 26:
Exponents
This tutorial covers:
- using the definition of exponents
- simplifying exponential expressions involving multiplying like bases,
zero as an exponent, dividing like bases, raising a base to two exponents,
raising a product to an exponent and raising a quotient to an exponent
|
Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 23:
Exponents and Scientific Notation Part I
This tutorial covers:
- using the definition of exponents, simplifying exponential expressions
involving multiplying like bases, zero as an exponent, dividing like
bases, and negative exponents
- writing a number in scientific notation
- writing a number in standard notation, without exponents
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Intermediate Algebra Tutorial 24:
Exponents and Scientific Notation Part II
This tutorial covers:
- simplifying exponential expressions involving raising a base to two
exponents, raising a product to an exponent and raising a quotient to an exponent
- multiplying and dividing numbers written in scientific notation
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College Algebra Tutorial 2:
Integer Exponents
This tutorial covers:
- using the definition of exponents
- simplifying exponential expressions involving multiplying like bases,
zero as an exponent, dividing like bases, negative exponents, raising a base
to two exponents, raising a product to an exponent and raising a
quotient to an exponent
|
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Solving Quadratic Equations |
College Algebra Tutorial 17:
Quadratic Equations
This tutorial covers:
- solving quadratic equations by factoring
- solving quadratic equations by the square root method
- solving quadratic equations by completing the square
- solving quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula
- finding the discriminant of a quadratic equation and use it to tell how
many and what type of solutions the equation has
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Geometry
|
SPECIAL NOTE:
You need to go to all the links that are under each topic for
Geometry to get the full benefit.
The geometry area covers:
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Lines, Angles, Polygons, Triangles, Quadrilaterals,
and Circles |
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 33:
Basic Geometry
This tutorial covers:
- knowing what a line is
- identifying the different types of angles
- finding a complimentary angle to a given angle
- finding a supplementary angle to a given angle
- knowing what a polygon is
- knowing what a quadrilateral is
- identifying types of triangles
- finding the value of a corresponding angle or side given congruent
figures
- finding the value of a corresponding angle or side given similar figures
- knowing the relationship of the angles formed when a transversal cuts
through two parallel lines
- identifying parts of a circle
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Formulas for Two - and Three -
Dimensional Figures
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Beginning Algebra Tutorial 32:
Formulas
This tutorial covers:
- solving a formula for a given variable
- solving problems involving formulas for two- and three- dimensional
figures
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Data Analysis
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SPECIAL NOTE:
You need to go to all the links that are under each topic for
Data Analysis to get the full benefit.
The data analysis area covers:
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Measures of Central Location,
Measures of Dispersion,
and Frequency Distributions
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 34:
Central Tendencies
This tutorial covers:
- finding the mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation and frequency
distribution of a list of values
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Counting, Permutations,
and Combinations
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College Algebra Tutorial 55: The
Fundamental Counting Principle
This tutorial covers:
- using the Fundamental Counting Principle to determine the number of
outcomes in a problem
|
College Algebra Tutorial 56:
Permutations
This tutorial covers:
- using permutations to solve a counting problem involving order
|
College Algebra Tutorial 57:
Combinations
This tutorial covers:
- using combinations to solve a counting problem involving groups
|
College Algebra Tutorial 58:
Probability
This tutorial covers:
- finding the probability of an empirical event
- finding a theoretical probability
- knowing when two events are mutually exclusive
- using basic properties of probability to find various probabilities
- knowing when two events are independent of each other
- knowing how to find the probability of the intersection of two independent events
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Data Representation and Interpretation |
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 9:
Reading Graphs
This tutorial covers:
- reading a bar graph
- reading a line graph
- reading a double line graph
- drawing and reading a Venn diagram
|
Beginning Algebra Tutorial 16:
Percent and Problem Solving
This tutorial covers:
- converting percents into decimal numbers
- converting decimal numbers into percents
- solving word problems involving percents
- pie charts with percents
- tables with percents
Note that this tutorial is also found under Arithmetic/Percents above.
For Data Representation and Interpretation
go to the pie charts and tables in this tutorial. |
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Disclaimer:
Note that we can not
guarantee that you will pass your test after going through any of the tutorials in this website. However, it will definitely help you to
better understand the topics covered. WTAMU and Kim Seward are not
responsible for how a student does on any test for any reason including not being
able to access the website due to any technology problems.
GRE and Graduate Record Examination are the
registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS). The material here has
neither been reviewed nor endorsed by ETS.
Throughout this website, we link to various
outside sources.
WTAMU and Kim Seward do not have any ownership to any of these outside
websites and cannot give you permission to make any kind of copies of
anything
found at any of these websites that we link to. It is purely for
you to link to for information or fun as you go through the study
session.
Each of these websites have a copy right clause that you need to read
carefully
if you are wanting to do anything other than go to the website and read
it. We discourage any illegal use of the webpages found at these
sites.
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All contents copyright (C) 2003 - 2008, WTAMU and Kim Seward. All rights reserved.
Last revised on August 8, 2008 by Kim Seward. |
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