{"id":19360,"date":"2019-10-11T16:32:28","date_gmt":"2019-10-11T23:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/?p=19360"},"modified":"2019-10-11T16:32:28","modified_gmt":"2019-10-11T23:32:28","slug":"gre-algebra-overview-and-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-algebra-overview-and-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"GRE Algebra: Overview and Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/10\/image-gre-header-algebra.jpg\" alt=\"Student writing GRE Algebra equations on blacboard -image by magoosh\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/10\/image-gre-header-algebra.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/10\/image-gre-header-algebra-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/10\/image-gre-header-algebra-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/10\/image-gre-header-algebra-600x300.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When you hear the word <i>algebra<\/i>, what comes to mind? Do you cringe at the thought of memorizing all the rules for dealing with equations? Do you freeze up when you see unknowns like <i>x<\/i> and <i>y<\/i>?  Is <i>asymptote<\/i> a bad word to your ears? Well, this post on GRE Algebra will hopefully allay many of your fears and get you on the path to <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-math-review\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">GRE math<\/a> success!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19356  alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/09\/teachvid_fill-e1570164158808.png\" alt=\"magoosh video lesson icon with purple figure\" width=\"93\" height=\"48\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" \/> If you need a refresher on algebra, our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gre.magoosh.com\/lessons\/35-intro-to-algebra\">Intro to GRE Algebra<\/a><\/strong> video tutorial can be the place to start!<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#algebraic-operations\">Algebraic Operations and Simplifying Expressions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#exponent-rules\">Rules of Exponents and Radicals<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#one-variable-equations\">Solving Equations in One Variable<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#inequalities\">Linear\/Quadratic Inequalities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#two-variable-equations\">Solving Simultaneous Equations in Two Variables<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#word-problems\">Word Problems and Applications<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#functions\">Functions and Their Graphs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#coordinate-geometry\">Intercepts, Slope, and Other Topics in Coordinate Geometry<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We\u2019ll take a look at each topic listed above and work out a few GRE algebra practice questions along the way. Each example will be tagged as QC (quantitative comparison), MC (multiple choice), or NE (numeric entry). If you want to learn more about the question types on the GRE Math test, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/what-kind-of-math-is-on-the-gre-breakdown-of-quant-concepts-by-frequency\/\">What Kind of Math is on the GRE?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"algebraic-operations\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Algebraic Operations and Simplifying Expressions<\/h2>\n<p>Algebraic expressions involve unknowns. When you simplify an algebraic expression, you need to keep a few basic rules in mind.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adding\/subtracting: You can only combine <strong>like terms<\/strong> (same variable and exponent).<\/li>\n<li>Multiplying: Remember the <strong>distributive property<\/strong>!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><u>Example (MC)<\/u>: What is the coefficient of <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_5e32472fbdbf532cc236f89d567e98ef.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x^3y^2\" title=\"x^3y^2\"\/> in below the expression?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_981_37fe4303587832c8a9e53fa5ad6b473f.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-19px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3xy[( -4x^2y)-(7x^3y^2+x^2y)]\" title=\"3xy[( -4x^2y)-(7x^3y^2+x^2y)]\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(A) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_c0daffa9fe685542b71aa12f92655f4f.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-15\" title=\"-15\"\/><br \/>\n(B)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_34848b0f8c6ea984535fda70d068e281.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-9\" title=\"-9\"\/><br \/>\n(C) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_c85f1a850edcd03297fd1fc6f647a5f7.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-7\" title=\"-7\"\/><br \/>\n(D) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_e96dbd6205a110520d2194896ed0ea44.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-4\" title=\"-4\"\/><br \/>\n(E)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_24e607e09208f8251257587fff30cc23.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-3\" title=\"-3\"\/><\/p>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: (A)  <\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>: First, break down the parentheses and combine like terms inside the brackets, and then distribute the <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_17106482586499d3901761f118cd3963.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3xy\" title=\"3xy\"\/> inside:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_981_1fd25e9e936a2c72d5f111e197e935bf.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-19px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3xy[ -4x^2y-7x^3y^2-x^2y]\" title=\"3xy[ -4x^2y-7x^3y^2-x^2y]\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_981_426db20b29623356429d71563a4be441.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-19px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3xy[ -5x^2y-7x^3y^2]\" title=\"3xy[ -5x^2y-7x^3y^2]\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_74e8f4b5d0248c31df39fbaca3e71219.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-15x^3y^2-21x^4y^3\" title=\"-15x^3y^2-21x^4y^3\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The first term has <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_5e32472fbdbf532cc236f89d567e98ef.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x^3y^2\" title=\"x^3y^2\"\/>, so we just identify the first coefficient <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_c0daffa9fe685542b71aa12f92655f4f.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-15\" title=\"-15\"\/> as our answer.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19356  alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/09\/teachvid_fill-e1570164158808.png\" alt=\"magoosh GRE Algebra video lesson icon with purple figure\" width=\"93\" height=\"48\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" \/><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nFor more, check out our videos on the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gre.magoosh.com\/lessons\/38-foil-method\">FOIL method<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/gre.magoosh.com\/lessons\/42-factoring-combined\"><strong>Factoring<\/strong><\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p><a name=\"exponent-rules\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Rules of Exponents and Radicals<\/h2>\n<p>There are three basic rules of exponents:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>x<sup>a<\/sup>x<sup>b<\/sup>=x<sup>a+b<\/sup><\/li>\n<li>x<sup>a<\/sup>\/x<sup>b<\/sup>=x<sup>a-b<\/sup><\/li>\n<li>(x<sup>a<\/sup>)<sup>b<\/sup>=x<sup>ab<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Together with the rule for converting radicals into exponents, every other property basically derives from these rules. For example: <sup>q<\/sup>\u221a<span style=\"text-decoration:overline\">x<sup>p<\/sup><\/span> = x<sup>p\/q<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><u>Example (MC)<\/u>: If <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_983.5_7ccbbdb9f0cb47c8d4230a5e36d55f7d.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"27(3^{4x})=3^n\" title=\"27(3^{4x})=3^n\"\/> where <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_137b8dad9acade63b507e67878d3b94b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x\" title=\"x\"\/> and <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_a45192846640be85b0edaca33c2a3d3b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"n\" title=\"n\"\/> are integers, what is <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_a45192846640be85b0edaca33c2a3d3b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"n\" title=\"n\"\/> in terms of <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_137b8dad9acade63b507e67878d3b94b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x\" title=\"x\"\/>?<\/p>\n<p>(A) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_7ac1975249ec1847a7a2f7ca1a904077.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"4x\" title=\"4x\"\/><br \/>\n(B) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_6e62b5ac0295c393375a1869dff11e74.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"4x+1\" title=\"4x+1\"\/><br \/>\n(C) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_42fb468a655151f5b014f8ca05f3f5f8.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"4x+2\" title=\"4x+2\"\/><br \/>\n(D) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_ebb6c00c25cd21f01b9fa4eda0084e81.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"4x+3\" title=\"4x+3\"\/><br \/>\n(E) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_8f2b9456589c07ae55b60f4653beb078.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"12x+3\" title=\"12x+3\"\/><\/p>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: (D)<\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>: The clue is that 27 is a power of 3.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_983.5_c250598c809d8beb1f7dac04613d54b2.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"27(3^{4x})= 3^3(3^{4x})= 3^{4x+3}\" title=\"27(3^{4x})= 3^3(3^{4x})= 3^{4x+3}\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Therefore, if <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_b47c540bc107fa89742b2808e5fed1df.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3^{4x+3} = 3^n\" title=\"3^{4x+3} = 3^n\"\/>, then <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_a45192846640be85b0edaca33c2a3d3b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"n\" title=\"n\"\/> must be equal to <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_ebb6c00c25cd21f01b9fa4eda0084e81.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"4x+3\" title=\"4x+3\"\/>. For more on GRE exponents, review our <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-exponents-basics-practice\/\">Exponents Basics and Practice<\/a> post.<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"one-variable-equations\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Solving Equations in One Variable<\/h2>\n<p>On the GRE, you may need to solve for an unknown in an equation with multiple variables.<\/p>\n<p><u>Example (MC)<\/u>: Solve <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_2196d7f6429c6bcf08cdaef6dd4a8e02.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3ab-2b+5a=7b^2\" title=\"3ab-2b+5a=7b^2\"\/> for <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_ed20a959d410ccd843d9e1dfcee04228.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"a\" title=\"a\"\/> in terms of <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_2afd410e2e5b23dad6f18513b2f72d0d.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"b\" title=\"b\"\/>.<\/p>\n<p>(A)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_b902b3e082026681a8b0a7fe2617a349.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"{7b^2-2b}\/{3b+5}\" title=\"{7b^2-2b}\/{3b+5}\"\/><br \/>\n(B)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_867170ae2f80148054605d41348b6ec3.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"{7b^2+2b}\/{3b-5}\" title=\"{7b^2+2b}\/{3b-5}\"\/><br \/>\n(C)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_977_b45e25fbc35de4707a53e4704bcbae7e.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-23px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"{3b-5}\/{7b^2+2b}\" title=\"{3b-5}\/{7b^2+2b}\"\/><br \/>\n(D)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_977_905f3ea9a647f276425faea3230f86dd.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-23px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"{3b+5}\/{7b^2+2b}\" title=\"{3b+5}\/{7b^2+2b}\"\/><br \/>\n(E)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_dacae8e915acb82401eafd5ee617e55a.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"{7b^2+2b}\/{3b+5}\" title=\"{7b^2+2b}\/{3b+5}\"\/><\/p>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: (E)<\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>: Group, factor, and divide!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_dcccb27f864d9a6d491035b25fbadcda.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3ab+5a=7b^2+2b\" title=\"3ab+5a=7b^2+2b\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_15b5ef03789409efc31f74a763af79df.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"a(3b+5)=7b^2+2b\" title=\"a(3b+5)=7b^2+2b\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_e2990beeb1f659daec7a483aae16d484.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"a = {7b^2+2b}\/{3b+5}\" title=\"a = {7b^2+2b}\/{3b+5}\"\/><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"inequalities\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Linear\/Quadratic Inequalities<\/h2>\n<p>Inequalities are used in mathematics to set up relationships of comparison. You\u2019ll know you\u2019re dealing with an inequality if you see one of these symbols: <      >      \u2264       \u2265<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-math-inequalities\/\">GRE math inequalities<\/a> are typically of the <i>linear<\/i> variety, and so are easy to solve within a few steps. If a quadratic or another kind of expression shows up, then the analysis becomes trickier.<\/p>\n<p><u>Example (QC)<\/u> :<br \/>\n<center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_013856e76a05f3b5120998b331d5b1fe.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x<1\" title=\"x<1\"\/><\/center><\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%\">\n<tr>\n<th><center>Quantity A<\/center><\/th>\n<th><center>Quantity B<\/center><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_01bba82ed3cee75aeb5b7d60c0ebcb86.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x^2+2x-3\" title=\"x^2+2x-3\"\/><center><\/td>\n<td><center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_d2490f048dc3b77a457e3e450ab4eb38.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"0\" title=\"0\"\/><center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.<\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>: QC problems are actually inequalities in disguise! Set up the inequality involving the two quantities to test whether Quantity A > Quantity B, and make your decision based on the answer.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>x<sup>2<\/sup>+2x-3>0<br \/>\n(x-1)(x+3)>0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The roots <strong><em>x = 1, -3<\/em><\/strong> are where the sign can change. <\/p>\n<p>Plugging in sample points, you can see that the expression is positive for <strong><em>x < -3<\/em><\/strong> and <strong><em>x > 1<\/em><\/strong> and it\u2019s negative for <strong><em>-3 < x < 1<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>For example, <em><strong>x = -2<\/strong><\/em>, which is less than <em><strong>1<\/strong><\/em>, will yield a negative result (<em><strong>-3<\/strong><\/em>), whereas <em><strong>x = -4<\/strong><\/em>, which is also less than <em><strong>1<\/strong><\/em>, will yield a positive result (<em><strong>21<\/strong><\/em>). <\/p>\n<p>Therefore, with only the given information, <strong><em>x<1<\/em><\/strong> we cannot determine whether the quantity is positive or negative.<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"two-variable-equations\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Solving Simultaneous Equations in Two Variables<\/h2>\n<p>When there are multiple equations in more than one variable, things can get tricky! There are a couple of trusted techniques to remember, such as <strong>substitution<\/strong> or <strong>elimination<\/strong>, which you can read about in Systems of Equations on the GRE.<\/p>\n<p><u>Example (QC)<\/u> :<br \/>\n<center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_e5ccb6087841b47e635fd0bff566515b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"2x-3y=-4\" title=\"2x-3y=-4\"\/><\/center><br \/>\n<center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_f2c5ab90f34ca42f9bda7fba16897d7f.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x+y=13\" title=\"x+y=13\"\/><\/center><\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%\">\n<tr>\n<th><center>Quantity A<\/center><\/th>\n<th><center>Quantity B<\/center><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><center>The ratio <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_8465f7638b43753bd94e06d8bde32a0a.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"a\/b\" title=\"a\/b\"\/> where <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_25494ac6d3c95826497a80aed70f3484.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"(a,b)\" title=\"(a,b)\"\/> is a solution to the system.<br \/>\n<center><\/td>\n<td><center><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_7f6ffaa6bb0b408017b62254211691b5.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"1\" title=\"1\"\/><center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: Quantity A is larger.<\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>: Solve the system\u2014we\u2019ll use substitution for this one. The second equation can be rearranged to: <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_3e32cd9401ba5a643802e2e60e8461e6.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x=13-y\" title=\"x=13-y\"\/>. Substitute that into the first equation and solve.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_25cb83d5fd4b57abc563f00c6e47718a.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"2(13-y)-3y=-4\" title=\"2(13-y)-3y=-4\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_90a27d4ef4f8069503c4bab2163a9cd3.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"26-2y-3y=-4\" title=\"26-2y-3y=-4\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_e426782547574dbdb4b3832bc65ab206.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"-5y=-4-26=-30\" title=\"-5y=-4-26=-30\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_9ae287aa87b40d1556db3da1c1136d34.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"y={-30}\/{-5}=6\" title=\"y={-30}\/{-5}=6\"\/><br \/>\nThen find <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_137b8dad9acade63b507e67878d3b94b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x\" title=\"x\"\/> by back-substituting: <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_7770b9319233d078d60947f6ffbfa385.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x=13-6=7\" title=\"x=13-6=7\"\/>. Thus, <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_3e36746ce36ee410290579b4a126afd5.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"(a,b)=(7,6)\" title=\"(a,b)=(7,6)\"\/>, and so <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/10\/Screen-Shot-2019-10-11-at-7.36.06-PM-e1570837194878.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"42\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19390\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"word-problems\"><\/a><br \/>\n<a name=\"word-problems\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Word Problems and Applications<\/h2>\n<p>The dreaded word problems! What makes these questions so difficult? It\u2019s probably because each word problem seems completely different from the next. Your task is to come up with an algebraic method for working out the solution, rather than just solving an equation that was given to you. Some problems require formulas that need to be memorized before test day.<\/p>\n<p><u>Example (Numerical Entry)<\/u>: Terry wants to invest $2000. What annual simple interest rate would be required in order for Terry to have a balance of $3140 by the end of three years?<\/p>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: 19%<\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>:  Set up the simple interest formula, plug in, and solve for the unknown rate.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_0bb24d9c53dacb30cfc4203ff420f79b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"A=P(1+rt)\" title=\"A=P(1+rt)\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_388759a53a0f57d8cb58deaf3afb5f12.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3140=2000(1+3r)\" title=\"3140=2000(1+3r)\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_e148824d72fdb3b8baf1860f6540c68d.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3140\/2000=1+3r\" title=\"3140\/2000=1+3r\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_3d7c581de997cf2c780915d6026ab07c.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"1.57=1+3r\" title=\"1.57=1+3r\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_56069e28ef213520993226b586f1ee85.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"3r=0.57\" title=\"3r=0.57\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_c372950372e6fd2c8c9264f5fa55e34a.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"r=0.57\/3=0.19\" title=\"r=0.57\/3=0.19\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19356  alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/09\/teachvid_fill-e1570164158808.png\" alt=\"magoosh GRE video lesson icon with purple figure\" width=\"93\" height=\"48\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" \/> For more explanation, try these helpful videos on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gre.magoosh.com\/lessons\/70-intro-to-word-problems\">Word Problems<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/gre.magoosh.com\/lessons\/72-assigning-variables\"><strong>Assigning Variables<\/strong><\/a>. And for some helpful hints on specific kinds of word problems, you might enjoy <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-work-rate-problems\/\">GRE Work Rate Problems<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/distance-rate-time-formula-memorization-shortcut\/\">Distance Rate Time Formula Memorization Shortcut<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"functions\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Functions and Their Graphs<\/h2>\n<p>What is a function? <strong>It\u2019s just a rule that tells you what to do with numbers.<\/strong> For example, the function <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_991.5_b4f55be7aa5be476a0f78d426b334be8.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-8.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"f(x)= x^2\" title=\"f(x)= x^2\"\/>tells you to square any input (even if the input has variables).  So  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_ca397ca1fd59082d2f381e7bcf6ea293.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"f(x-3)= (x-3)^2= x^2-6x+9\" title=\"f(x-3)= (x-3)^2= x^2-6x+9\"\/>.<\/p>\n<p>Functions can be graphed by plotting all of the <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_0fe462a510cf621e3bb69ac1058bfbfc.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"(x, y)\" title=\"(x, y)\"\/> points where <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_991_5b0b35d5bb106720e16ba255d85d33f9.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"y=f(x)\" title=\"y=f(x)\"\/>.<\/p>\n<p><u>Example (MC)<\/u>: If the graph of the function <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_991.5_7c0622f3b3aa5d17bada95300fbd827c.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-8.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"g(x)=ax^3+1\" title=\"g(x)=ax^3+1\"\/>  goes through the point <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_424ae0a482e812495d178ee73bda4b8b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"(2, 49)\" title=\"(2, 49)\"\/>, what is the value of <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_ed20a959d410ccd843d9e1dfcee04228.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"a\" title=\"a\"\/>?<\/p>\n<p>(A) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_b9228e0962a78b84f3d5d92f4faa000b.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"4\" title=\"4\"\/><br \/>\n(B) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_f76a89f0cb91bc419542ce9fa43902dc.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"6\" title=\"6\"\/><br \/>\n(C) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_19bc916108fc6938f52cb96f7e087941.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"7\" title=\"7\"\/><br \/>\n(D) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_81e74d678581a3bb7a720b019f4f1a93.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"8\" title=\"8\"\/><br \/>\n(E) <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_f33ba15effa5c10e873bf3842afb46a6.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"10\" title=\"10\"\/><\/p>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: (B)<\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>:  Simply plug <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_1b017fe7bf9bf03b420c6a82762c4dc3.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"x=2\" title=\"x=2\"\/> into the function:  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_6ffee172456c0ab239a96f741d83f441.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"g(2)=a2^3+1=    8a+1\" title=\"g(2)=a2^3+1=    8a+1\"\/>.  We know <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_91026d3406d2f85367c94f4ced2ef126.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"y=49\" title=\"y=49\"\/>, so set equal and solve!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_cfb8b6387bf1c5f7f8b0b6b29cc177f9.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"8a+1=49\" title=\"8a+1=49\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_bb9edef80e9f0f64c8e56822e5dc0363.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"8a=48\" title=\"8a=48\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993_b7d8a89324c7ac207425e53846e38945.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-7px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"a=6\" title=\"a=6\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, functions are given using <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/strange-symbols-in-gre-math-operations\/\">strange symbols<\/a>, so just be aware!<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"coordinate-geometry\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Intercepts, Slope, and Other Topics in Coordinate Geometry<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19356  alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/files\/2019\/09\/teachvid_fill-e1570164158808.png\" alt=\"magoosh GRE algebra video lesson icon with purple figure\" width=\"93\" height=\"48\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" \/> There\u2019s a lot to know about coordinate geometry, but here\u2019s the absolute #1 one tip: <strong>Know your slope-intercept form for lines <i>(y=mx+b)<\/i><\/strong>. Here\u2019s a great video about <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gre.magoosh.com\/lessons\/67-slope-intercept-form\">Slope-Intercept Form<\/a><\/strong>!<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><u>Example (NE)<\/u>: What is the <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_f15df4ceab77f403bc3fed686a8c8edf.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"y\" title=\"y\"\/>-coordinate where the line through <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_57d9b90fb00399e3b99c6c30b21eb214.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"(13, -7)\" title=\"(13, -7)\"\/> and <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_990.5_7a5ada904b9fc7160af5e633ce96bb5c.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-9.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"(-7, 5)\" title=\"(-7, 5)\"\/> crosses the <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_f15df4ceab77f403bc3fed686a8c8edf.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"y\" title=\"y\"\/>-axis?<\/p>\n<p><u>Answer<\/u>: <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_b77b6afe7dc45d7388a203530ce63b24.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"4\/5\" title=\"4\/5\"\/><\/p>\n<p><u>Explanation<\/u>:  Start by finding the slope.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_455335eda733e52756c08ae24d9efdd4.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"m= {y2-y1}\/{x2-x1}={5-(-7)}\/{-7-13}=12\/-20=-{3\/5}\" title=\"m= {y2-y1}\/{x2-x1}={5-(-7)}\/{-7-13}=12\/-20=-{3\/5}\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Then use the slope-intercept form, with one of the points plugged in to solve for the unknown <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_993.5_2afd410e2e5b23dad6f18513b2f72d0d.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-6.5px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"b\" title=\"b\"\/>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_53f45fea2a27712eacb19560cd5a4b50.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"y=-{3\/5}x+b\" title=\"y=-{3\/5}x+b\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_c60e50248276d5607b6677f72cafdb88.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"5=-{3\/5}(-7)+b\" title=\"5=-{3\/5}(-7)+b\"\/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpmathpub\/phpmathpublisher\/img\/math_984_214b6db37b34e5128b8f45342dc5e8ed.png\" style=\"vertical-align:-16px; display: inline-block ;\" alt=\"b= 5-{21\/5} = 4\/5\" title=\"b= 5-{21\/5} = 4\/5\"\/> <\/p>\n<h2>What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n<p>Now that you\u2019ve seen the GRE Algebra overview, you should check out the other math content areas for the GRE test:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-arithmetic-overview-and-practice\/\">GRE Arithmetic: Overview and Practice<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-geometry-formulas\/\">GRE Geometry Formulas<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-data-interpretation-practice\/\">GRE Data Interpretation Practice Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Then try your hand at solving some more <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-math-practice-questions\/\">GRE Math Practice Questions<\/a> to help prepare for GRE test day!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you hear the word algebra, what comes to mind? Do you cringe at the thought of memorizing all the rules for dealing with equations? Do you freeze up when you see unknowns like x and y? Is asymptote a bad word to your ears? Well, this post on GRE Algebra will hopefully allay many [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":223,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,25],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[12283],"class_list":["post-19360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-algebra","category-math"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.7 (Yoast SEO v21.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>GRE Algebra: Overview and Practice - Magoosh Blog \u2014 GRE\u00ae Test<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Studying for GRE Math but find yourself rusty on algebra? 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