ISEE Upper Level Quantitative : Algebraic Concepts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Quantitative

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It cannot be determined which of (a) and (b) is greater

(a) is the greater quantity 

(a) and (b) are equal

(b) is the greater quantity 

Correct answer:

It cannot be determined which of (a) and (b) is greater

Explanation:

From these two scenarios, it can be seen that either (a) or (b) can be the greater.

Case 1: . Then .

Case 2: 

Therefore, it cannot be determined which is greater.

 

Example Question #142 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Define .

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is the greater quantity

It cannot be determined which of (a) and (b) is greater

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal

Explanation:

Also, 

Therefore, .

 

Example Question #143 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Define .

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(a) and (b) are equal

It cannot be determined which of (a) and (b) is greater

(a) is the greater quantity

(b) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

It cannot be determined which of (a) and (b) is greater

Explanation:

Either

or 

 

Since 

it is not clear whether  or  is the greater.

 

Example Question #144 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Function 4

Above is the graph of a function  and . Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It cannot be determined which of (a) and (b) is greater

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

It cannot be determined which of (a) and (b) is greater

Explanation:

Examine this diagram:

Function x

As indicated by the blue circle in the diagram, the only point on the graph of the function with domain element 4 is , so , and .

As indicated by the red circles in the diagram, there are three points on the graph of the function with range element 4 - namely, , and . Therefore, . It is unclear whether  or  without further information.

Example Question #821 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(a) and (b) are equal

(b) is the greater quantity

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

Explanation:

By the Zero Product Principle, either , in which case , or , in which case .

 

By the Zero Product Principle, either , in which case , or , in which case .

 

Both  and  are equal to either  or 7, but it is unclear which is which, or whether both are even the same. Therefore, it cannot be determined which, if either, is the greater.

Example Question #141 : Equations

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is the greater quantity

(b) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

Explanation:

 

Either 

,

in which case ,

or 

,

in which case .

It is therefore unclear which is the greater,  or 

 

Example Question #822 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is the greater quantity

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

Correct answer:

(a) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

, so either:

, which is false, or

 

, so either

, which is false, or

 

 and , so 

 

Example Question #143 : Equations

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) is the greater quantity

(a) and (b) are equal

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

Correct answer:

(b) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

Example Question #823 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(b) is the greater quantity

(a) is the greater quantity

(a) and (b) are equal

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

Correct answer:

(a) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

The quadratic trinomial fits the perfect square pattern:

 

The quadratic trinomial also fits the perfect square pattern:

 

Therefore,  .

Example Question #824 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given

(a) is the greater quantity

(a) and (b) are equal

(b) is the greater quantity

Correct answer:

(b) is the greater quantity

Explanation:

, so

 

, so

 

 and , so .

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