👋 Hello, my friends at GRE Prep Club!

If you have been studying for the GRE for any length of time, you have likely heard the term “smart numbers.” It is one of the most practical and efficient math strategies available to test takers. At its core, the smart numbers technique is about using simple, manageable numbers to make complex calculations easier to follow. Rather than getting bogged down by abstract variables or cumbersome fractions, you assign convenient numerical values that preserve the logic of the problem while streamlining the math.

This technique is particularly useful on GRE Quant problems that involve relationships or percentages but do not depend on specific quantities. These are the types of questions that include variables or ratios and ask you to compare results or determine proportional changes. By substituting real numbers, you can turn abstract expressions into concrete, solvable equations and reach the correct answer more efficiently.

Let’s take an example. Suppose a problem asks what percent the final price of an item is of the original price if the original price was first increased by 20 percent and then decreased by 40 percent. You could work through the algebraic expressions, but using smart numbers makes the process much faster. Assign a simple number, such as 100, for the original price.

An increase of 20 percent means the new price is 100 × 1.2 = 120.
A subsequent decrease of 40 percent means the new price is 120 × 0.6 = 72.

Thus, the final price is 72 percent of the original. By choosing an easy number to work with, you bypass unnecessary complexity and arrive at the correct answer quickly and confidently.

The power of the smart numbers technique lies in its flexibility. You can apply it in a wide range of scenarios, including ratio questions, percent change problems, and those involving multiple quantities that share a proportional relationship. The key is to select numbers that make the math clean and manageable. For instance, when working with fractions, picking numbers that are easily divisible often helps. When percentages are involved, 100 is usually a safe and convenient choice.

However, it is equally important to know when not to use smart numbers. Some GRE Quant problems rely on absolute values or specific quantities that cannot be simplified without altering the logic of the question. In such cases, assigning numbers could lead to incorrect conclusions. A good rule of thumb is to use this technique only when the problem deals with relationships, proportions, or relative comparisons rather than fixed values.

Smart numbers are a tool to make your reasoning more efficient, not a shortcut to avoid understanding the underlying math. Used correctly, they allow you to focus on problem-solving strategy instead of getting lost in arithmetic details. Over time, you will begin to recognize which problems lend themselves to this approach and how to apply it seamlessly.

In short, the smart numbers method is about simplifying intelligently. It helps you work faster, think more clearly, and build confidence on test day. Like most effective strategies, it takes a bit of practice, but once you internalize it, you will wonder how you ever solved GRE Quant problems without it.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep