Strategies for GRE quantitative comparison questions and reading data interpretation charts and tables, distinct from the general math concepts deck.
40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the Pick a Number strategy in QC?
Show answer
Replace variables with specific numbers to compare concrete values instead of working algebraically.- When should you test negative numbers in QC?
Show answer
Always, unless the problem explicitly states the values are positive, since many expressions behave differently with negatives.- Why is zero a critical test value in QC?
Show answer
Zero changes the behavior of many expressions and inequalities, so it often reveals when the relationship cannot be determined.- What should you test when an expression contains fractions or division in QC?
Show answer
Test numbers between 0 and 1 (decimals), numbers greater than 1, and mixed signs, since fractions amplify or shrink values differently.- What does answer D mean in QC?
Show answer
The relationship between the quantities cannot be determined from the information given.- How do you recognize when the answer to a QC question is D?
Show answer
When your test cases produce different answers (one column larger sometimes, the other column larger other times), the relationship cannot be determined.- What algebraic technique should you use before comparing in QC?
Show answer
Simplify and factor both columns into the same form so you can directly compare what remains.- What is a symmetric expression trap in QC?
Show answer
An expression that looks impossible to determine (like x^2 in both columns) but actually one is always larger when you test because of the given constraints.- When should you check variable constraints in QC?
Show answer
At the start, before picking numbers, so you only test values that fit the problem's stated conditions.- How should you handle inequalities as constraints in QC?
Show answer
Test values at the boundaries (near the limits) and away from the boundaries to see if the inequality restricts the relationship.- What is the first step when you see a graph in a data interpretation question?
Show answer
Read the title, axis labels, units, and legend before attempting to extract any values.- How do you calculate percent change from a data table?
Show answer
Percent change = (new value - old value) / old value, then multiply by 100 for percent.- What should you do when a data interpretation question requires an average from a table?
Show answer
Add all the values in the specified set, then divide by the count of values.- When should you estimate a value from a graph instead of calculating exactly?
Show answer
When the question asks you to approximate, when precision does not affect the answer choice, or when exact reading from the graph is impossible.- How do you find the intersection of two data series on a line graph?
Show answer
Locate the point where the two lines cross, then read the x-axis value (category) at that intersection.
FlashKeepers