GRE Math : How to evaluate algebraic expressions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

Quantitative Comparison

0 < x < 1

 

A

---

(2x + 5)/(x2)

 

B

---

5x

Possible Answers:

The two quantities are equal

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Quantity A is greater

Quantity B is greater

Correct answer:

Quantity A is greater

Explanation:

Since A is a fraction with an exponential term in the denominator, its maximum value is when x is at a minimum. In B, the maximum value is when x approaches its maximum. Therefore, we can check whether there is overlap between the two quantities: No matter how close to either 0 or 1 x reaches, A will always be greater than B. (In fact, the minimum value for A is ~7, while the maximum value of B is ~5)

Be sure to keep your value of x consistent when plugging between the two fractions! The question asks for when they have the same x-value, not for when they are solved independently.

Example Question #2 : Evaluating Expressions

If x = -4 and y = 7, what is the value of 3x-5y?

Possible Answers:
-45
-23
23
47
-47
Correct answer: -47
Explanation:

Substitute the values into equation:  3(-4) - 5(7) = -12 - 35 = -47.

Example Question #1 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

Quantitative Comparison

Quantity A: x

Quantity B: 2x

Possible Answers:

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

The two quantities are equal.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation:

For a quantitative comparison question such as this one, it is best to first plug in the numbers 0, 1, and –1. Plugging in 0 gets the same answer for both columns. Plugging in 1 makes Quantity B bigger. Plugging in –1 makes Quantity A bigger. Therefore the answer cannot be determined.

Example Question #1 : How To Evaluate Algebraic Expressions

A store sells 17 coffee mugs for $169. Some of the mugs are $12 each and some are $7 each. How many $7 coffee mugs were sold?

Possible Answers:

10

7

8

6

9

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

The answer is 7. 

Write two independent equations that represent the problem. 

x + y = 17 and 12x + 7y = 169

If we solve the first equation for x, we get x = 17 – y and we can plug this into the second equation. 

12(17 – y) + 7y = 169

204 – 12y + 7y =169

–5y = –35

y = 7

Example Question #1 : Evaluating Expressions

Kim has 22 coins made up of quarters, nickles, and dimes that total $2.45. Kim has twice as many nickles as quarters. How many dimes does she have?

Possible Answers:

Cannot be determined

12

10

7

5

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

The answer is 7.

Let us first write down three equations that represent the problem:

n + d + q = 22          

2q = n          

5n + 10d + 25q = 245

Lets plug the second equation into the first and third equations: 

(2q) + d + q = 22                        

5(2q) + 10d + 25q = 245

Solve the first equation for d and plug into the last equation:

d = 22 – 3q                              

10q + 10(22 – 3q) + 25q = 245

Solve for q.

220 – 30q + 25q + 10q = 245

5q = 25

q = 5

Therefore, n = 10 and d = 7

Example Question #1 : Evaluating Expressions

In the equation ax + b = 32, x is a constant. If a = 3 when b = 2, what is a when b = 12?

Possible Answers:

13

10

2

7

3

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

The answer is 2.

First solve for the constant x:

3x + 2 = 32

x = 10

Now plug in x = 10 and b = 12:

a(10) + 12 = 32

a = 2

Example Question #7 : Evaluating Expressions

A specialty socket wrench, typically priced at $29.99, is on sale for 30% off. An additional 45% is discounted at the register. What is the final sale price of the wrench? 

Possible Answers:

$11.55

$22.49

$7.50

$4.05

$4.95

Correct answer:

$11.55

Explanation:

The answer is $11.55

The original cost is $29.99 but we are going to discount 30%, meaning we will only pay 70%. The new prices is 29.99 x 0.70 = $20.99.

The new price is then dicounted an additional 45%, meaning we will only pay 55% of the new price. The final price is 20.99 x 0.55 = $11.55.

Example Question #1 : Evaluating Expressions

Quantitative Comparison

x is an integer.

Quantity A: (x + 1)2

Quantity B: (x – 1)2

Possible Answers:

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

The two quantities are equal.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation:

When picking numbers, we should always try to plug in the numbers 0, 1, and –1 first.

First try 0:

(0 + 1)2 = 1

(0 – 1)2 = 1

Here the two quantities are equal.

Now try 1:

(1 + 1)2 = 4

(1 – 1)2 = 0.  

Here Quantity A is greater.

Therefore the relationship cannot be determined.

Example Question #9 : Evaluating Expressions

Barry's workout today consists of 10 squats every minute on the minute and 6 situps every other minute for 1 hour.  How many squats and situps does Barry do in total?

Possible Answers:

800

1200

1000

960

780

Correct answer:

780

Explanation:

squats: 10 squats * 60 minutes = 600 squats

situps: 6 situps * 30 minutes = 180 situps 

total = 600 + 180 = 780

Example Question #10 : Evaluating Expressions

Let  and  be integers such that  and .

Quantity A                    Quantity B

                                0

Possible Answers:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Quantity A is greater

Quantity B is greater

Quantity A and Quantity B are equal

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Explanation:

The quantity  produces a minimum of  and a maximum of 4, which are less than and greater than 0, respectively. Therefore, the answer cannot be determined from the information given. 

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