Math Rules for Gmat: Word problems The product of k consecutive integers is always divisible by k factorial (K!

) For any set of consecutive integers with an ODD number of items, the sum of all the integers is ALWAYS a multiple of the number of items. For any set of consecutive integers with an EVEN number of items, the sum of all the items is NEVER a multiple of the number of items. The average of an odd number of consecutive integers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) will always be an integer (3). This is because the middle number will be a single integer. On the other hand, the average of an even number of consecutive integers (1, 2, 3, 4) will never be an integer (2.5), because there is no true middle number. The sum of the elements in the set equals the arithmetic mean (average) number in the set times the number of items in the set. Problem - How many integers are there from 14 to 765, inclusive? Just remember: for consecutive integers, the formula is (Last - First + 1). 765 - 14, plus 1, yields 752.

Functions Inverse proportionality means that the two quantities change by reciprocal factors. Cutting the input in half will actually double the output. Tripling the input will cut the output to one-third of its original value k. Inverse proportionality relationships are of the form y = , where x is the input value and y is the output value, k is called the proportionality constant. This equation can also be written as xy = k, which means that the product of the output and input values is always constant. When it is directly proportional shold be written as x/y = k
linear growth (or decay) that is, they grow at a constant rate. Such quantities are determined by the linear function: y = mx + b