ACET (Philippines University Entrance Tests) flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Subject-verb agreement

A verb must match its subject in number. Phrases between subject and verb, such as 'along with the managers', do not change whether the verb is singular or plural.

Comma splice

An error joining two independent clauses with only a comma. Correct it with a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or by splitting into separate sentences.

Dangling modifier

An introductory phrase that fails to modify the subject of the main clause. The implied actor of the phrase must be the sentence's actual subject.

Parallel structure

Items joined by 'and', 'or', or in a comparison must share grammatical form, such as all gerunds, all infinitives, or all nouns.

Affect versus effect

'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence. 'Effect' is normally a noun meaning a result or outcome.

Inference question rule

The correct inference answer must be necessarily true from the passage alone. Answers requiring outside knowledge or mere plausibility are wrong.

Pronoun case after than

Use the subjective pronoun when it acts as the subject of an implied verb, as in 'She runs faster than I [do].'

Main idea scope

A main-idea answer must cover the entire passage. Options that are too narrow or too broad are typical distractors.

Quadratic formula

For ax^2 + bx + c = 0, x equals negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac, all divided by 2a.

Discriminant

The value b^2 - 4ac in a quadratic. Positive gives two real roots, zero gives one repeated root, negative gives no real roots.

Slope formula

Slope equals the change in y divided by the change in x between two points: (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1).

Perpendicular slopes

Two lines are perpendicular when the product of their slopes equals negative one, meaning the slopes are negative reciprocals.

Percent change

Percent change equals the difference between new and old values divided by the old value, multiplied by 100.

Circle area and circumference

Area of a circle is pi times the radius squared. Circumference is two times pi times the radius.

Pythagorean theorem

In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides: a^2 + b^2 = c^2.

Arithmetic sequence term

The nth term of an arithmetic sequence equals the first term plus (n minus 1) times the common difference.

Geometric sequence term

The nth term of a geometric sequence equals the first term multiplied by the common ratio raised to the power n minus 1.

Mean of evenly spaced set

For an evenly spaced set of numbers, the mean and median both equal the average of the first and last terms.

Independent event probability

For independent events, the probability both occur equals the product of their individual probabilities.

Newton's second law

Force equals mass times acceleration. The net force and resulting acceleration point in the same direction.

Kinetic energy

Kinetic energy equals one half times mass times velocity squared. Doubling velocity quadruples kinetic energy.

Ohm's law

Voltage equals current times resistance, written V = IR. It relates the three quantities in a simple circuit.

Series versus parallel circuits

In series, current is the same everywhere and resistances add. In parallel, voltage is equal across branches and currents split.

Photosynthesis equation

Six carbon dioxide molecules plus six water molecules plus light produce one glucose molecule and six oxygen molecules, inside chloroplasts.

DNA base pairing

In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine. RNA uses uracil in place of thymine.

pH scale

A pH below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 is basic. Each unit is a tenfold change in hydrogen-ion concentration.

Density and floating

Density equals mass divided by volume. An object floats in a fluid when its density is lower than the fluid's density.

Rotation counting rule

A figure rotating 90 degrees per step returns to its original orientation after four steps, so patterns repeat every four frames.

Alternating figure sequences

When figures alternate rules, odd-positioned figures follow one pattern and even-positioned figures follow a separate pattern.

Reflection versus rotation

A reflected figure cannot be turned into its mirror image by rotation unless the shape itself is symmetric.

Positional shift rule

Elements often move a fixed number of places per step, such as one position clockwise, wrapping around at the edge.

Odd-one-out strategy

Identify a property shared by all but one figure, such as symmetry, number of sides, or whether the shape is closed.

Number-series figure checks

Test differences between figures first, then ratios, then alternating sub-sequences before assuming a complex combined rule.