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?
- Replace variables with specific numbers to compare concrete values instead of working algebraically.
- When should you test negative numbers in QC?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- Simplify and factor both columns into the same form so you can directly compare what remains.
- What is a symmetric expression trap in QC?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- Read the title, axis labels, units, and legend before attempting to extract any values.
- How do you calculate percent change from a data table?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- Locate the point where the two lines cross, then read the x-axis value (category) at that intersection.