Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Probability
Discrete probability is when a finite number of outcomes are possible from an experiment. It is calculated by dividing the number possibilities that would be considered to make the event occur by the total number of possible outcomes. For example, take rolling a dice. If the event we are interested in were an even number,
we would divide as follows: 63 and the probability of throwing an even number is 0.5.
Tip
If multiple events do occur, simply multiply the fractions to work out the probability of all events occurring.
Algebra
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Use factoring and combination of like terms to simplify expressions.
Solving linear equations with one unknown
Isolate the unknown on one side of the equation, remembering to always perform all operations on both sides of the equation.
Solving two linear equations with two unknowns
Use one unknown in one equation to calculate the value of an unknown in the other equation.
Solving equations by factoring
First, add or subtract expressions so that all expressions are on one side of the equation, with 0 on the other, then factor the other side into a product of expressions.
Solving quadratic equations
Recognize the standard form of a quadratic equation: ax 2 +bx+c=0, and understand how to solve by factoring.
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04/30/02
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Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Exponents
An exponent x indicates that a number should be multiplied by itself x times. For example: 2 3 denotes 2 x 2 x 2 = 8
Be familiar with the rules of exponents, for example: (a x )(a y ) = a ( x+y )
(a x )(b x ) = (ab) x
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Inequalities
Be familiar with the symbols used in inequalities: >, <, γ, µ, [.
Solve inequalities with one unknown in the same way as equations: isolate the unknown on one side of the inequality.
Remember that multiplying or dividing an inequality by a negative number REVERSES the order of the inequality; e.g., 10 > 5 but if both are multiplied by -2, -20<-10.
Functions
Written as: g(x) = 2x + 1.
Here the 'g of x' is defined as 2x + 1
Domain of a function: the set of all allowable inputs to the function - can only consist of positive integers and 0.
© 2002 All Rights Reserved – BrainBuzz.com
04/30/02
14