Understanding Numbers and Operations

Arithmetic is the backbone of quantitative reasoning. You'll use it to manipulate numbers, compare values, and make quick calculations.

Key Concepts

• Types of numbers: integers, fractions, decimals, and percents.
• Order of operations (PEMDAS): Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.
• Absolute value and basic number properties.

Real-World Relevance

Whether splitting a bill, converting currencies, or tracking discounts, arithmetic skills are essential for daily life.

Quick Tips

• Always follow the order of operations.
• Convert fractions to decimals for easier comparisons.
• Percent changes often appear in GRE questions—practice converting between decimals and percents.

Practice Problems

Try calculating the sale price of an item after a 20% discount or add up a grocery list to stay within budget.