GRE Practice Questions — All Questions

If 2(x - 3) = 10, what is the value of x?

• a.5
• b.6
• c.8✓
• d.10

Divide both sides by 2: x - 3 = 5. Add 3: x = 8. Check: 2(8 - 3) = 2(5) = 10.

What is 15% of 240?

• a.24
• b.36✓
• c.40
• d.48

15% = 0.15, and 0.15 x 240 = 36. Alternatively, 10% of 240 is 24 and 5% is 12; 24 + 12 = 36.

If x/4 = 9/12, what is the value of x?

• a.3✓
• b.4
• c.6
• d.9

9/12 simplifies to 3/4, so x/4 = 3/4, which means x = 3. Cross-multiplying gives 12x = 36, so x = 3.

The equation x squared minus 5x plus 6 equals 0 has two solutions. What is the greater solution?

• a.1
• b.2
• c.2.5
• d.3✓

Factor: (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3. The greater solution is 3.

A number increased by 40% equals 70. What is the number?

• a.42
• b.50✓
• c.56
• d.60

Let the number be x. Then 1.40x = 70, so x = 70 / 1.40 = 50. Check: 50 + 40% of 50 = 50 + 20 = 70.

If a = 3 and b = -2, what is the value of a squared minus 2ab?

• a.-3
• b.3
• c.21✓
• d.15

a squared = 9. 2ab = 2(3)(-2) = -12. So a squared - 2ab = 9 - (-12) = 9 + 12 = 21.