PMA Entrance Exam flashcards

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

Percent change formula

Percent change equals the difference between new and old value divided by the old value, times 100. A positive result is an increase; a negative result is a decrease.

Pythagorean theorem

In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides: a squared plus b squared equals c squared.

Perpendicular slope relationship

Two lines are perpendicular when the product of their slopes equals negative one. Equivalently, the second slope is the negative reciprocal of the first.

Mean-sum relationship

The mean of n numbers equals their sum divided by n. Rearranged, the sum equals the mean multiplied by n, which recovers a missing value.

Distance-rate-time formula

Distance equals rate multiplied by time. For objects approaching each other, add their speeds; for objects separating, add speeds too; for chasing, subtract.

Subject-verb agreement rule

A verb agrees with its subject in number. Interrupting phrases such as of pens or along with the manager do not change whether the subject is singular or plural.

Semicolon use

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction. It cannot be followed by and, but, or so when joining clauses.

Dangling modifier

An introductory modifying phrase must describe the subject of the main clause that follows it. Otherwise the modifier appears to describe the wrong noun.

Comparative versus superlative

Use the comparative form for two items and the superlative for three or more. Never double-mark, as in more better or most fastest.

Its versus it's

Its shows possession, as in the dog wagged its tail. It's is a contraction of it is or it has. The apostrophe marks omitted letters, not ownership.

Newton's second law

Force equals mass times acceleration. Weight is a specific force equal to mass times gravitational acceleration, so weight changes with gravity while mass does not.

Photosynthesis equation

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

Atomic number meaning

The atomic number equals the number of protons in a nucleus and uniquely identifies the element. Mass number equals protons plus neutrons.

Series versus parallel circuits

In series circuits, current is identical through every component and resistances add. In parallel circuits, voltage is identical across branches and current divides.

pH scale

The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. Values below 7 are acidic, above 7 are basic, and 7 is neutral. Each unit represents a tenfold change.

Kinetic and potential energy

Kinetic energy equals one half mass times velocity squared. Gravitational potential energy equals mass times gravity times height. Total mechanical energy is conserved absent friction.

Main idea identification

The main idea is the author's central claim, broader than any single detail. It is frequently stated in the opening or closing sentence of the passage.

Valid inference standard

A correct inference follows necessarily from stated evidence without outside knowledge. Choices requiring unstated assumptions or real-world facts are incorrect.

Cause-and-effect signal words

Words such as because, therefore, consequently, and as a result mark causal relationships. They tell you which statement is the effect of another.

Extreme language trap

Answer choices using always, never, or all are usually wrong when the passage hedges with often, may, or some. Match the strength of the claim.

Vocabulary in context method

Substitute each candidate word into the original sentence and check whether the passage's meaning survives. The common dictionary meaning is often not the intended one.

Analogy relationship sentence

Express the first pair as a full sentence, such as a scalpel is a tool used by a surgeon, then test each option against that same sentence.

Syllogism direction rule

All A are B and all B are C implies all A are C. However, all A are B never implies all B are A; the converse is invalid reasoning.

Letter series method

Convert letters to positions, then compute differences between consecutive terms. Look for constant steps, increasing steps, or separate patterns in odd and even positions.

Degree analogy pattern

Degree analogies relate words by intensity, as warm is to hot as cool is to cold. Both pairs must move in the same direction along the scale.

Odd-one-out strategy

Identify the property shared by all but one item, such as category, function, or number of syllables. The outlier breaks that shared property.

Rotation versus reflection

Rotation turns a figure while preserving its orientation and handedness. Reflection produces a mirror image, reversing orientation, so check for flipped details.

Matrix rule testing

In figure matrices, test rows and columns independently. The governing rule usually holds along both axes, so a choice must satisfy both.

Paper folding unfolding

For punch-hole items, reverse each fold in order and mirror the hole across every fold line. The number of holes doubles with each unfolding step.

Cube net opposite faces

On a cube net, faces separated by exactly one face in a straight line end up opposite each other. Opposite faces never share an edge or corner.

Element counting technique

Count sides, dots, intersections, or enclosed regions across a series. The rule is often arithmetic, such as increasing by one or two each step.