Geometry in Word Problems

The GRE embeds geometry in real-world scenarios.

Perimeter as fencing: "A rectangular garden requires 60 feet of fencing. If the length is twice the width, find the dimensions."

2L + 2W = 60, L = 2W. So 2(2W) + 2W = 60, 6W = 60, W = 10, L = 20.

Area as coverage: "How many 2x2 tiles cover a 10x12 floor?"

Floor area = 120. Tile area = 4. Tiles needed = 30.

Volume as capacity: "A cylindrical tank with radius 3 and height 10. How many cubic units of water?"

V = pi(3)2(10) = 90 pi

Inscribed shapes: A square inscribed in a circle — the diagonal of the square equals the diameter of the circle. A circle inscribed in a square — the diameter equals the side length.

Strategy: Always draw the picture. Label every measurement. Write the formula. Plug in.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Geometry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometry