GRE Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

What is the value of t if:  3x2 + tx - 21 = (3x - 3)(x + 7)?

Possible Answers:
21
-3
24
18
-18
Correct answer: 18
Explanation:

Use the foil method:  (3x - 3) (x + 7) = 3x2 +21x - 3x - 21 = 3x2 +18x -21 so t = 18.

Example Question #1 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

Expand the following equation:

\displaystyle (x^3 - 3)(x + 7)

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle x^2 + 14x - 21

\displaystyle x^4 - 4x - 21

\displaystyle x^2 + 4x + 21

\displaystyle x^4 + 7x^3 -3x - 21

\displaystyle x^2 - 21

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x^4 + 7x^3 -3x - 21

Explanation:

use FOIL to factor the expression.

First: (x3)(x) = x4

Outside (x3)(7) = 7x3

Inside (–3)(x) = –3x  (Don't forget the negatives!)

Last (3)(7) = –21

Example Question #1 : Algebra

Quantitative Comparison

Quantity A: \displaystyle 2^2 + 3^2

Quantity B: \displaystyle (2 + 3)^2

Possible Answers:

The two quantities are equal.

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer:

Quantity B is greater.

Explanation:

Quantity A: 22 + 32 = 4 + 9 = 13

Quantity B: (2 + 3)2 = 52 = 25, so Quantity B is greater.

We can also think of this in more general terms.  x2 + y2 does not generally equal (x + y)2.

Example Question #2 : Algebra

\displaystyle (x + 3y)(x - 3y) = 8

Quantity A: \displaystyle x^2 - 9y^2

Quantity B: \displaystyle 16

Possible Answers:

Quantity B is greater.

Quantity A is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

The two quantities are equal.

Correct answer:

Quantity B is greater.

Explanation:

The difference of squares formula says (x + a)(x - a) = x2 - a2.

Thus, Quantity A equals 8.

Therefore, Quantity B is greater. 

Example Question #3 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

\displaystyle x< 0

\displaystyle y< 0

 

Quantity A: \displaystyle (x+y)^2

Quantity B: \displaystyle x^2+4xy+y^2

Possible Answers:

The relationship cannot be determined.

The two quantities are equal.

Quantity B is greater.

Quantity A is greater.

Correct answer:

Quantity B is greater.

Explanation:

To approach this problem, consider the two quantities

Quantity A: \displaystyle (x+y)^2

Quantity B: \displaystyle x^2+4xy+y^2

They are in different forms, so expand quantity A:

Quantity A: \displaystyle x^2+2xy+y^2

Quantity B: \displaystyle x^2+4xy+y^2

Now, for the purpose of comparison, subtract shared terms from each quantity:

Quantity A*: \displaystyle 0

Quantity B*: \displaystyle 2xy

Both \displaystyle x and \displaystyle y are negative, non-zero values. Since \displaystyle 2xy is a product of two negative values, it must be positive. Quantity B must be greater than Quantity A.

Example Question #4 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

Expand the function:

\displaystyle (xy^3+x^2y)(xy-x^3y^2)

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle -x^5y^3-x^4y^5-x^3y^2+x^2y^4

\displaystyle -x^5y^3-x^4y^5-x^3y^2-x^2y^4

\displaystyle x^5y^3-x^4y^5+x^3y^2+x^2y^4

\displaystyle x^5y^3+x^4y^5+x^3y^2+x^2y^4

\displaystyle -x^5y^3-x^4y^5+x^3y^2+x^2y^4

Correct answer:

\displaystyle -x^5y^3-x^4y^5+x^3y^2+x^2y^4

Explanation:

Use the method of FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last) and add exponents for like bases:

\displaystyle (xy^3+x^2y)(xy-x^3y^2)

\displaystyle xy^3(xy)-xy^3(x^3y^2)+x^2y(xy)-x^2y(x^3y^2)

\displaystyle x^2y^4-x^4y^5+x^3y^2-x^5y^3

\displaystyle -x^5y^3-x^4y^5+x^3y^2+x^2y^4

Example Question #4 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

\displaystyle x< 0

\displaystyle y>0

Quantity A: \displaystyle (x+y)^3

Quantity B: \displaystyle x^3+y^3

Possible Answers:

The relationship cannot be determined.

Quantity B is greater.

Quantity A is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined.

Explanation:

Begin by expanding Quantity A:

\displaystyle (x+y)^3

\displaystyle x^3+3x^2y+3xy^2+y^3

Now in order to compare this to Quantity B:

\displaystyle x^3+y^3

A good method would be to subtract shared terms from each Quantity; in this case, both quantities have an \displaystyle x^3 and \displaystyle y^3 term. Removing them gives:

Quantity A' : \displaystyle 3x^2y+3xy^2

Quantity B' : \displaystyle 0

The question now is the sign of Quantity A'; if it's always positive, Quantity A is greater. If it's always negative, Quantity B is greater. If it is zero, the two are the same.

We only know that

\displaystyle x< 0

\displaystyle y>0

If \displaystyle x=-1;y=1, then Quantity A' would be zero.

If \displaystyle x=-2;y=1, then Quantity A' would be positive.

Since values of x and y can be chosen to vary the relationship, th relationship cannot be determined.

Example Question #5 : Algebra

\displaystyle x< 0

\displaystyle y>|x|

 

Quantity A: \displaystyle (x+y)^3

Quantity B: \displaystyle x^3+y^3

Possible Answers:

The two quantities are equal.

Quantity B is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined.

Quantity A is greater.

Correct answer:

Quantity B is greater.

Explanation:

Begin by expanding Quantity A:

\displaystyle (x+y)^3

\displaystyle x^3+3x^2y+3xy^2+y^3

Now in order to compare this to Quantity B:

\displaystyle x^3+y^3

A good method would be to subtract shared terms from each Quantity; in this case, both quantities have an \displaystyle x^3 and \displaystyle y^3 term. Removing them gives:

Quantity A' : \displaystyle 3x^2y+3xy^2

Quantity B' : \displaystyle 0

The question now is the sign of Quantity A'; if it's always positive, Quantity A is greater. If it's always negative, Quantity B is greater. If it is zero, the two are the same.

We  know that

\displaystyle x< 0

\displaystyle y>|x|

Now compare \displaystyle 3x^2y and \displaystyle 3xy^2

Looking at absolute values so that we're only considering positive terms:

\displaystyle |3xy|

\displaystyle y>|x|

From this it follows that by multiplying \displaystyle |3xy| across the inequality :

\displaystyle |3xy^2|>|3x^2y|

From this we can determine that the magnitude of \displaystyle |3xy^2| is greater. However, since this is the product of one negative number and two positive numbers, \displaystyle 3xy^2 is negative, and the sum of \displaystyle 3xy^2 and \displaystyle 3x^2y must in turn be negative, and so Quantity A' must be negative!

From this we can say that Quantity B is greater.

Example Question #2 : Exponents And The Distributive Property

Quantity A: \displaystyle \frac{x^2+5x-14}{x-2}

Quantity B: \displaystyle x+7

Possible Answers:

The two quantities are equal.

Quantity B is greater.

Quantity A is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined.

Explanation:

This problem is deceptive. Looking at Quantity A, one may think to factor and reduce it as follows:

\displaystyle \frac{x^2+5x-14}{x-2}

\displaystyle \frac{(x+7)(x-2)}{x-2}

\displaystyle x+7

Which is identical to Quantity B.

However, we cannot ignore that \displaystyle x-2 in the original fraction! We are given no conditions as to the value of \displaystyle x. If \displaystyle x=2, then Quantity A would be undefined. Since we're not given the condition \displaystyle x \neq 2, we cannot ignore this possibility.

The relationship cannot be established.

Example Question #3 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

Solve the following expression, \displaystyle (x-2)^{2}.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle x^{2}-4x+4

\displaystyle x^{2}-2

\displaystyle x^{2}+4

\displaystyle x^{2}+4x+4

\displaystyle x^{2}-4x-4

Correct answer:

\displaystyle x^{2}-4x+4

Explanation:

You must FOIL the expression which means to multiply the first terms together followed by the outer terms, then the inner terms and lastly, the last terms.

The expression written out looks like 

\displaystyle (x-2)(x-2).  

You multiple both First terms to get \displaystyle x^{2}.  

Then the outer terms are multiplied \displaystyle (x*-2=-2x).

Then you multiple the inner terms together \displaystyle (-2*x=-2x).  

Finally you multiply the last terms of each \displaystyle (-2*-2=4).  

This gives you \displaystyle x^{2}-2x-2x+4 or \displaystyle x^{2}-4x+4.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GRE prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors