AP ICET key terms

A question format where you decide whether the two given statements supply enough information to answer the question, without actually computing the final value. The answer choices describe combinations of sufficiency rather than numbers.

The two labelled pieces of information in a data sufficiency item. You test each alone, then together, to judge whether the question can be answered uniquely; often one statement alone suffices while the other does not.

A single definite answer that follows necessarily from the given information. In sufficiency problems, multiple possible values mean the data is insufficient even if one value seems likely.

A format asking whether quantity A is greater than, less than, or equal to quantity B. You compare relative sizes rather than computing exact values, and can often simplify both sides by the same operation.

A sequence of numbers or letters with a hidden rule; you identify the pattern of differences, ratios, or alternating sub-series and supply the missing term. Checking consecutive differences first is usually the fastest approach.

A puzzle where words or letters are replaced by a rule-based code, and you must decode a new word or encode one. Common rules shift letters by a fixed count, reverse order, or swap positions.

A reasoning problem describing family links in words or symbols, asking how two people are related. Drawing a small family tree with gender and generation marked prevents most errors.

A logic problem giving two or more premises using quantifiers such as all, some, and no, and asking which conclusion necessarily follows. Only conclusions true in every possible arrangement of the premises are valid.

Using overlapping circles to represent sets and their relationships, so you can test whether a conclusion about all, some, or none holds. It converts verbal premises into a picture that reveals valid and invalid inferences.

A puzzle placing people in rows, circles, or facing directions under constraints such as adjacency and left-right order. Fixing one anchor person and drawing the layout incrementally is the standard solving method.

A problem tracking movement by compass directions and distances, asking for final position, net displacement, or facing direction. Sketching each turn on paper and applying Pythagoras for diagonals avoids sign mistakes.

A pair of words with a specific relationship, matched to another pair sharing the same relationship. The link may be cause-effect, part-whole, synonym, worker-tool, or degree, so name the relation explicitly before choosing.

A set of items where all but one share a common property; you identify the exception. The shared feature may be category, spelling pattern, number property, or function, so test each candidate criterion.

A comparison of two quantities by division, and an equation stating two ratios are equal. Problems typically ask to divide an amount in a given ratio or scale a recipe-like relationship.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred, used to compare quantities and express change. Successive percentage changes do not simply add; a rise of a% then a fall of a% leaves a net decrease.

The comparison of selling price with cost price to find gain or loss, usually as a percentage of cost price. Marked price and discount apply to the list price before profit is computed.

A reduction from the marked price, often quoted as a percentage. Two successive discounts of a% and b% equal a single discount of a + b − ab/100, not a + b.

Simple interest is computed only on the principal each period; compound interest is computed on principal plus accumulated interest. For the same rate and time beyond one period, compound interest exceeds simple interest.

The relationship that distance equals speed multiplied by time. Problems extend to relative speed for trains moving in the same or opposite directions and to average speed, which is total distance over total time.

Problems on a boat moving with or against a current. Downstream speed is boat speed plus stream speed; upstream speed is boat speed minus stream speed, so the two are averaged to recover still-water speed.

Problems where workers or pipes complete a task at rates that combine additively. Using one day's work as a fraction of the whole, and taking the reciprocal for combined time, simplifies most questions.

A work-rate problem where inlet pipes fill a tank and outlet pipes empty it. Fill rates are positive and drain rates negative; the net rate per hour gives the total time to fill or empty.

The sum of values divided by their count. The key shortcut is that a new average shifts by the difference between the new value and the old average, divided by the new count.

An average where each value counts in proportion to an assigned weight, computed as the sum of value times weight divided by total weight. It is used for mixed groups and mixture problems.

A method finding the ratio in which two ingredients of different prices or concentrations must be mixed to obtain a target value. The ratio is the difference between target and each ingredient, taken crosswise.

Permutations count ordered arrangements; combinations count selections where order does not matter. Choosing between them depends on whether rearranging the same items produces a different outcome.

The likelihood of an event, computed as favourable outcomes divided by total equally likely outcomes. For independent events, multiply probabilities; for either-or events, add and subtract the overlap.

Rules for unions, intersections, and complements of sets, often applied through the formula n(A∪B) = n(A) + n(B) − n(A∩B). These ideas underlie Venn reasoning and counting problems.

In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Common triples such as 3-4-5 and 5-12-13 allow quick distance calculations in direction problems.

Measurement of lengths, areas, and volumes of standard shapes such as circles, triangles, cylinders, and spheres. Knowing the formulas for area and volume, plus unit conversions, is essential.

Grouping numbers as natural, whole, integer, rational, irrational, prime, or composite. Recognising properties such as divisibility and primality supports simplification and odd-one-out questions.

Answering questions about a given passage by locating stated facts and inferring implied meaning. Correct options restate the passage's logic, while wrong options exaggerate, reverse, or import outside knowledge.

A conclusion that follows necessarily from what the passage states, even though it is not written directly. An inference must be supported by the text alone, not by personal opinion or general knowledge.

The central point the author develops across the whole passage, not a supporting detail. The correct main-idea option covers the entire text at the right level of generality.

A fixed expression whose meaning differs from the literal words, such as 'to bite the bullet'. Questions ask you to choose the phrase that fits a sentence's meaning and grammar.

Replacing a descriptive phrase with a single precise word, such as 'a person who loves books' becoming 'bibliophile'. Accuracy depends on knowing common Latin and Greek roots and standard vocabulary.

A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another. In exams the correct answer often matches the shade of meaning in the given context rather than the most common sense.

A word expressing the opposite meaning of another, such as 'scarce' for 'abundant'. Choose the option that is opposite in the specific sense intended, not merely unrelated.

Hardware is the physical equipment such as processor, memory, and input devices; software is the set of programs and instructions that direct it. Both are required for any computing task to run.

System software that manages hardware resources, files, and running programs, and provides a user interface. Examples include Windows, Linux, and macOS; it acts as an intermediary between applications and hardware.

Storage used for data and instructions. RAM is volatile working memory, ROM is permanent, and secondary storage such as disks retains data without power; the hierarchy trades speed against capacity and cost.

The fundamental identity that assets equal liabilities plus owner's equity. Every transaction keeps it balanced by changing at least two components, which is why it underpins the double-entry system.

A bookkeeping method where each transaction is recorded as equal debits and credits in at least two accounts. It provides built-in arithmetic checks and supports preparation of financial statements.

A financial statement listing assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific date, showing the entity's financial position. It follows the accounting equation and differs from the income statement, which covers a period.

A business owned by two or more persons who share profits and losses per an agreement. In the absence of a deed, profits and losses are shared equally while interest on capital is typically not allowed.