GRE Math : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #73 : Algebra

Jon invested part of $16,000 at 3% and the rest at 5% for a total return of $680. 

Quantity A: The amount Jon invested at 5% interest

Quantity B: The amount Jon invested at 3% interest

Possible Answers:

Quantity A is greater

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Quantity B is greater

The two quantities are equal

Correct answer:

Quantity A is greater

Explanation:

First, let \dpi{100} \small x represent the invested amount at 3% and set up an equation like this:

\dpi{100} \small .03x+.05(16,000-x)=680

Solve for \dpi{100} \small x, and you'll find that Jon invested $6,000 at 3% and $10,000 at 5%.

Example Question #74 : Algebra


Audrey, Penelope and Clementine are all sisters. Penelope is 8 years older than Clementine and 2 years younger than Audrey. If the sum of Penelope and Clementine's age is Audrey's age, how old is Clementine's age?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Let  = Audrey's age,  = Penelope's age, and  = Clementine's age.

Since , then .

Furthermore, , and .

Through substitution, .   

Example Question #75 : Algebra

If \dpi{100} \small 3x+y =13  and \dpi{100} \small x-2y=-12, what is the value of \dpi{100} \small x?

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 2

\dpi{100} \small 1

\dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{3}

\dpi{100} \small \frac{2}{3}

\dpi{100} \small 3

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 2

Explanation:

We could use the substitution or elimination method to solve the system of equations. Here we will use the elimination method.

To solve for \dpi{100} \small x, combine the equations in a way that makes the \dpi{100} \small y terms drop out. The first equation has \dpi{100} \small y and the second \dpi{100} \small -2y, so multiplying the first equation times 2 then adding the equations will eliminate the \dpi{100} \small y terms.

Multiplying the first equation times 2:  \dpi{100} \small 2(3x+y = 13)\rightarrow 6x+2y = 26

Adding this result to the second equation: \dpi{100} \small 6x+x + 2y - 2y = 26-12\rightarrow 7x=14

Isolate \dpi{100} \small x by dividing both sides by 7:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{7x}{7}=\frac{14}{7}

\dpi{100} \small x=2

Example Question #32 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

If   and , then what is the value of  ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the expression we want just involves z and x, but not y, we start by solving  for y .

Then we can plug that expression in for y in the first equation.

Multiply everything by 12 to get rid of fractions.

Example Question #33 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

If , what is  in terms of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use inverse operations to isolate x. Working from the outermost part on the left side, we first divide both sides by 5.

To isolate the x term, subtract y from both sides.

Finally, isolating just x, divide both sides by 3.

Example Question #81 : Algebra

If , then, in terms of ,

Possible Answers:

Cannot be determined

Correct answer:

Explanation:

You can solve this problem by plugging in random values or by simply solving for k. To solve for k, put the s values on one side and the k values on the other side of the equation. First, subtract 4s from both sides. This gives 4s – 6k = –2k. Next, add 6k to both sides. This leaves you with 4s = 4k, which simplifies to s=k. The answer is therefore s.

Example Question #82 : Algebra

The sum of two consecutive odd integers is 32. What is the value of the next consecutive odd integer?

 

Possible Answers:

Cannot be determined

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Let  be the smallest of the two consecutive odd integers. Thus, 

and it follows that .

We have that 15 and 17 are the consecutive odd integers whose sum is 32, so the next odd integer is 19. 

Example Question #35 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

John has $50 for soda and he must buy both diet and regular sodas.  His total order must have at exactly two times as many cans of diet soda as cans of regular soda.  What is the greatest number of cans of diet soda John can buy if regular soda is $0.50 per can and diet soda is $0.75 per can?

Possible Answers:

51

25

75

None of the other answers

50

Correct answer:

50

Explanation:

From our data, we can come up with the following two equations:

0.50R + 0.75D = 50

2R = D

 

Replace the D value in the second equation into the first one:

0.5R + 0.75 * 2R = 50

0.5R + 1.5R = 50; 2R = 50; R = 25

However, note that the question asks for the number of diet cans, so this will have to be doubled to 50.

Example Question #31 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Quantity A

Quantity B

Possible Answers:

The quantities are equal.

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer:

The quantities are equal.

Explanation:

In order to solve for y, place x in terms of y in the first equation and then substitute that for x in the second equation.

The first equation would yield:

Substituting into the second equation, we get:

Simplify: 

Example Question #1 : Algebra

If 6x = 42 and xk = 2, what is the value of k?

Possible Answers:

1/6

7

1/7

2/7

5

Correct answer:

2/7

Explanation:

Solve the first equation for x by dividing both sides of the equation by 6; the result is 7. Solve the second equation for k by dividing both sides of the equation by x, which we now know is 7. The result is 2/7.

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