GRE QUANTITATIVE QUICK NOTES & FORMULAS
An Ultimate High-Density Cheat Sheet mapping the Complete ETS Review Syllabus
1. Arithmetic
1.1 Integers (Multiplication, Division, Negative Numbers, Absolute Value, Factors, Multiples)
Integers = {..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...}. 0 is even, neither positive nor negative. Primes = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ...}. 2 is the only even
prime. 1 is neither prime nor composite.
Division Algorithm: c = qd + r, where 0 ≤ r < d. Remainder r is always ≥ 0.
Absolute Value: |x| = x if x ≥ 0; |x| = -x if x < 0. |x + y| ≤ |x| + |y|.
GCD & LCM: GCD × LCM = a × b.
EXAMPLE
Find remainder of -26 ≤ 4. ⇒ -26 = 4(-7) + 2. Remainder is 2.
1.2 Fractions
Rational numbers take the form a/b where b ≠ 0.
Operations: (a/b) ± (c/d) = (ad ± bc)/bd | (a/b) × (c/d) = ac/bd | (a/b) / (c/d) = ad/bc.
1.3 Exponents and Roots (Radicals & Scientific Notation)
Rules: xa × xb = xa+b | xa/xb = xa-b | (xa)b = xab | x-n = 1/xn | x0 = 1.
Radicals: √a × √b = √ab | √a/√b = √a/b. If x2 = a, then x = ±√a, but √a denotes the principal positive root only.
Scientific Notation: a × 10n where 1 ≤ |a| < 10.
EXAMPLE
Simplify (23 × 2-1)2 ⇒ (23-1)2 = (22)2 = 24 = 16.
1.4 & 1.5 Decimals & Real Numbers (Rational/Irrational, Properties, Inequalities)
Real numbers contain all rational (terminating/repeating decimals) and irrational (non-terminating, non-repeating
decimals like √2, π) numbers.
Properties: a(b+c) = ab + ac. If a < b and c < 0, then ac > bc (signs flip).
Density Property: Between any two real numbers, there is another real number.
1.6 Ratio & Proportion (Units and Rates)
Proportion: If a/b = c/d, then ad = bc.
Rate Formula: Quantity = Rate × Time. Combined work: Rcombined = R1 + R2.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Quick Reference Sheets 1
1.7 Percent
Formula: Part = (Percent / 100) × Whole.
Percent Change: [(New - Old) / Old] × 100. Always divide by the original value.
EXAMPLE
Price rises from $80 to $100. % Change = [(100 - 80) / 80] × 100 = 25%.
2. Algebra
2.1 & 2.2 Algebraic Expressions & Rules of Exponents
Identities: (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 | (a - b)2 = a2 - 2ab + b2 | a2 - b2 = (a - b)(a + b).
2.3 Solving Linear Equations (One-variable & Systems)
Isolate variables for single variables. For systems, use elimination or substitution.
System Solutions: A system can have 1 unique solution, infinitely many (identical lines), or 0 solutions (parallel
lines).
2.4 Solving Quadratic Equations
Standard Form: ax2 + bx + c = 0.
Quadratic Formula: x = [-b ± √(b2 - 4ac)] / 2a.
Discriminant (D = b2 - 4ac): D > 0 ⇒ 2 real roots; D = 0 ⇒ 1 real root; D < 0 ⇒ no real roots.
2.5 & 2.6 Solving Linear Inequalities & Functions
Flip the inequality sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative number. Functions map one unique output f(x) for
every input x.
2.7 Applications (Word Problems)
Combined Work Time: Ttogether = (t1 × t2) / (t1 + t2).
Interest: Simple: I = Prt. Compound: A = P(1 + r/n)nt.
2.8 & 2.9 Coordinate Geometry & Graphs of Functions
Line Equation: y = mx + b (slope m, y-intercept b). Slope m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1).
Parallel: m1 = m2. Perpendicular: m1 × m2 = -1.
Distance Formula: d = √[(x2 - x1)2 + (y2 - y1)2].
Shifts: f(x) + c (up), f(x) - c (down), f(x + c) (left), f(x - c) (right).
3. Geometry
3.1 Lines and Angles
Vertical angles are equal. Supplementary angles sum to 180º. Parallel lines cut by a transversal form equal
corresponding and alternate interior angles.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Quick Reference Sheets 2
3.2 & 3.3 Polygons & Triangles
Sum of Interior Angles: (n - 2) × 180º.
Triangle Inequality: |a - b| < c < a + b (Third side must be between the difference and sum of the other two).
Area: Area = ½ × base × height.
Right Triangles: a2 + b2 = c2.
• 45º-45º-90º: ratio 1 : 1 : √2 | • 30º-60º-90º: ratio 1 : √3 : 2.
3.4, 3.5 & 3.6 Quadrilaterals, Circles, & 3D Figures
Trapezoid Area: ½(b1 + b2)h.
Circle: Circumference = 2πr | Area = πr2.
Arc Length: (θ/360) × 2πr | Sector Area: (θ/360) × πr2.
Rectangular Solid: Volume = lwh | Surface Area = 2(lw + lh + wh).
Cylinder: Volume = πr2h | Surface Area = 2πr2 + 2πrh.
4. Data Analysis
4.1 Graphical Methods (Histograms, Scatter Plots, Boxplots)
Pie charts model relative frequencies (degrees = Percent × 3.6). Scatter plots verify correlation via line of best fit.
Boxplots mark Min, Q1, Median (Q2), Q3, Max.
4.2 Numerical Methods (Central Tendency & Dispersion)
Mean: ∑xi / n. Weighted Mean: ∑wixi / ∑wi.
Median: Middle value when ordered. Mode: Most frequent value.
Range: Max - Min | Interquartile Range (IQR): Q3 - Q1.
Standard Deviation (σ): √[ ∑(xi - μ)2 / n ].
Note: Adding constant k to a set changes mean by +k, leaves σ unchanged. Multiplying by k scales both mean and σ
by k.
4.3 Counting Methods (Combinatorics & Sets)
Multiplication Principle: Total ways = n1 × n2 × ... × nk.
Permutations (Order Matters): nPk = n! / (n - k)!.
Combinations (Order Doesn't Matter): nCk = n! / [k!(n - k)!].
Inclusion-Exclusion: |A ∪ B| = |A| + |B| - |A ∩ B|.
4.4 & 4.5 Probability, Random Variables & Distributions
Basic Rules: 0 ≤ P(A) ≤ 1 | P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A and B).
Independent Events: P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B).
Conditional Probability: P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B|A).
Expected Value: E(X) = ∑xiP(xi).
Normal Distribution (68-95-99.7 Rule):
• μ ± 1σ ≈ 68% | • μ ± 2σ ≈ 95% | • μ ± 3σ ≈ 99.7%.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Quick Reference Sheets 3
EXAMPLE
A normal distribution has mean 50 and SD 5. What % of items fall between 45 and 55? This interval is exactly μ ± 1σ,
so approximately 68%.
4.6 Data Interpretation Strategies
Read graph titles, scales, axis legends, and explicit footnotes carefully. Do not confuse absolute count changes with
percentage changes.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Quick Reference Sheets 4