GRE Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Use Scientific Notation

The speed of light is approximately \displaystyle 3.00\cdot10^8 \text{ meters}/\text{sec}.  

In scientific notation how many kilometers per hour is the speed of light?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 8.33\cdot 10^{4}

\displaystyle 3.00\cdot 10^{6}

\displaystyle 1.08\cdot 10^9

\displaystyle 1.08\cdot 10^{12}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 1.08\cdot 10^9

Explanation:

For this problem we need to convert meters into kilometers and seconds into hours. Therefore we get,

\displaystyle \frac{3.00\cdot10^8 m}{sec}\times \frac{60sec}{1min}\times \frac{60min}{1hour} \times\frac{.001km}{1m}

Multiplying this out we get

\displaystyle =1,080,000,000 = 1.08\cdot10^9

Example Question #1 : How To Use Scientific Notation

If one mile is equal to 5,280 feet, how many feet are 100 miles equal to in scientific notation?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 528,000

\displaystyle 5280\times10^2

\displaystyle .528\times10^6

\displaystyle 5.28\times10^5

\displaystyle 528\times10^3

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 5.28\times10^5

Explanation:

100 miles = 528,000 feet. To put a number in scientific notation, we put a decimal point to the right of our first number, giving us 5.28. We then multiply by 10 to whatever power necessary to make our decimal equal the value we are looking for. For 5.28 to equal 528,000 we must multiply by 10^5.

Therefore, our final answer becomes:

\displaystyle 5.28\times 10^5

Example Question #1 : Other Exponents

\displaystyle 0.0075 \cdot 0.0126 =?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 9.45\cdot 10^{-6}

\displaystyle 9.45\cdot 10^{-5}

\displaystyle 0.000945

\displaystyle 0.945\cdot 10^{-5}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 9.45\cdot 10^{-5}

Explanation:

This question requires you to have an understanding of scientific notation. Begin by multiplying the two numbers:

\displaystyle 0.0075 \cdot 0.0126 =0.0000945

To use scientific notation, the number to the left of the decimal has to be between 1 and 10. In this case, we are looking to move the decimal place until we are left with 9 on the left of the decimal. Count the number of places that the decimal will have to move. In this case, it is five. Therefore:

\displaystyle 9.45\cdot 10^{-5}

Note: The notation is raised to a negative power because we moved the decimal from left to right.

Example Question #651 : Algebra

A five-year bond is opened with \displaystyle \$5000 in it and an interest rate of \displaystyle 2.5%, compounded annually. This account is allowed to compound for five years. Which of the following most closely approximates the total amount in the account after that period of time?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \$5518

\displaystyle \$6143

\displaystyle \$5625

\displaystyle \$5657

\displaystyle \$5811

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \$5657

Explanation:

Each year, you can calculate your interest by multiplying the principle (\displaystyle \$5000) by \displaystyle 1.025. For one year, this would be:

\displaystyle 1.025*5000=5125

For two years, it would be:

\displaystyle 5125*1.025, which is the same as \displaystyle 1.025*1.025*5000

Therefore, you can solve for a five year period by doing:

\displaystyle 1.025^5*5000

Using your calculator, you can expand the \displaystyle 1.025^5 into a series of multiplications. This gives you \displaystyle 5657.041064453125, which is closest to \displaystyle \$5657

Example Question #1 : How To Find Compound Interest

Jack has \displaystyle \$15,\displaystyle 000 to invest. If he invests two-thirds of it into a high-yield savings account with an annual interest rate of \displaystyle 8\%, compounded quarterly, and the other third in a regular savings account at \displaystyle 6\% simple interest, how much does Jack earn after one year?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \$901.43

\displaystyle \$1081.98

\displaystyle \$1128.75

\displaystyle \$1051.32

\displaystyle \$1124.32

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \$1124.32

Explanation:

First, break the problem into two segments: the amount Jack invests in the high-yield savings, and the amount Jack invests in the simple interest account (10,000 and 5,000 respectively).

Now let's work with the high-yield savings account. $10,000 is invested at an annual rate of 8%, compounded quarterly. We can use the compound interest formula to solve:

\displaystyle \text{Final Balance}=\text{ Principal} \cdot \bigg(1+\frac{\text{Interest Rate}}{c}\bigg)^{(\text{Time})(c)}

Plug in the values given:

\displaystyle =10,000\cdot \bigg(1+\frac{.08}{4}\bigg)^{(1)(4)}

\displaystyle =10,000 \cdot (1.02)^{4}

\displaystyle =10,824.32

Therefore, Jack makes $824.32 off his high-yield savings account. Now let's calculate the other interest:

\displaystyle \text{Interest}=\text{Principal} \cdot \text{ Interest Rate} \cdot \text{ Time}

\displaystyle =5,000 \cdot (0.06)\cdot (1)

\displaystyle =300

 

Add the two together, and we see that Jack makes a total of, \displaystyle \$1124.32 off of his investments.

Example Question #1 : How To Find Compound Interest

If a cash deposit account is opened with \displaystyle \$7500 for a three year period at \displaystyle 3.5% interest compounded once annually, which of the following is closest to the positive difference between the interest accrued in the third year and the interest accrued in the second year?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \$9.51

\displaystyle \$11.41

\displaystyle \$281.2

\displaystyle \$81.41

\displaystyle \$0

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \$9.51

Explanation:

It is easiest to break this down into steps. For each year, you will multiply by \displaystyle 1.035 to calculate the new value. Therefore, let's make a chart:

After year 1: \displaystyle 7500*1.035=7762.5; Total interest: \displaystyle 262.5

After year 2: \displaystyle 7762.5*1.035=8034.1875; Let us round this to \displaystyle 8034.19; Total interest: \displaystyle 271.69

After year 3: \displaystyle 8034.19 * 1.035 = 8315.38665; Let us round this to \displaystyle 8315.39; Total interest: \displaystyle 281.2

Thus, the positive difference of the interest from the last period and the interest from the first period is: \displaystyle 281.2-271.69=9.51

Example Question #11 : Algebra

Quantitative Comparison

Quantity A: x2

Quantity B: x3

Possible Answers:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Quantity A is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

Quantity B is greater.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation:

Let's pick numbers. For quantitative comparisons with exponents, it's good to try 0, a negative number, and a fraction.

0: 02 = 0, 03 = 0, so the two quantities are equal.

–1: (–1)2 = 1, (–1)3 = –1, so Quantity A is greater.

Already we have a contradiction so the answer cannot be determined.

Example Question #1 : How To Find Patterns In Exponents

If \displaystyle x^7y^8z^{10} < 0, then which of the following must also be true?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle zx > 0

\displaystyle yz < 0

\displaystyle zy > 0

\displaystyle x < 0

\displaystyle y < 0

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x < 0

Explanation:

We know that the expression must be negative. Therefore one or all of the terms x7, y8 and z10 must be negative; however, even powers always produce positive numbers, so y8 and z10 will both be positive. Odd powers can produce both negative and positive numbers, depending on whether the base term is negative or positive. In this case, x7 must be negative, so x must be negative. Thus, the answer is x < 0.

Example Question #12 : Algebra

Which quantity is the greatest?

Quantity A

\displaystyle 7^{-5} 

Quantity B

\displaystyle 49^{^-3}

Possible Answers:

Quantity A is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

The realationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Quantity B is greater.

 

 

Correct answer:

Quantity A is greater.

Explanation:

First rewrite quantity B so that it has the same base as quantity A.

\displaystyle 49^{^{-3}} can be rewriten as \displaystyle (7^{^{2}})^{^{-3}}, which is equivalent to \displaystyle 7^{^{-6}}.  

Now we can compare the two quantities.

\displaystyle 7{^{-5}} is greater than \displaystyle 7^{^{-6}}.  

Example Question #271 : Exponents

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

With problems like this, it is always best to break apart your values into their prime factors. Let's look at the numerator and the denominator separately:

Numerator

Continuing the simplification:

Now, these factors have in common a . Factor this out:

Denominator

This is much simpler:

 

Now, return to your fraction:

Cancel out the common factors of \displaystyle 2:

 

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