Function Topics Tested

[kdavid]

I understand from reading here that functions are covered on the GRE.

 

My question is which of the following topics are covered:

 

Evaluating functions

Domain and range

Function inverses

Relationships and valid functions

Graphing functions

Direct and inverse variation

 

In other words, will knowing the simple f(x), etc. suffice, or do I need to know how to evaluate and graph inverses, etc., as well?

 

Thanks!

[Brent@GreenlightGRE]

There's a blurry line between what the ETS puts in its syllabus and what appears on the test. 

 

 

It's safe to say that, if it isn't in the syllabus then it's not tested. However, I wouldn't suggest that a topic's inclusion in the syllabus necessarily means that it is tested. Or at least the majority of people won't see it.  

 

Functions are covered in Section 2.6 (on pages 24 and 25) of the ETS syllabus. 

 

As you'll see, you don't need to know how to find the inverse of a function, and you don't need to know anything about direct and inverse proportions (although these concepts may be indirectly tested within other concepts such as ratios).

 

The revised GRE curriculum does seem to suggest that they'll be testing some kinds of graphs (as well as certain transformations even), but I doubt that most people will see such questions.

You might see a transformation question if you're hovering in the 167+ range, but even this seems unlikely.

 

I'd stick with evaluating functions, and perhaps identifying the domain of a function (but not the range). 

 

Cheers, 

Brent - Greenlight GRE

[kdavid]

Thanks for your reply, Brent!