All ISEE Upper Level Quantitative Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #221 : Algebraic Concepts
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
(a) is greater.
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
(a) and (b) are equal.
(b) is greater.
(b) is greater.
Since and have different signs,
, and, subsequently,
Therefore,
This makes (b) the greater quantity.
Example Question #3 : How To Add Exponential Variables
Assume that and are not both zero. Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
(a) and (b) are equal.
(b) is greater.
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
(a) is greater.
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
Simplify the expression in (a):
Therefore, whether (a) or (b) is greater depends on the values of and , neither of which are known.
Example Question #3 : How To Add Exponential Variables
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
(b) is greater
(a) is greater
(a) and (b) are equal
It is impossible to tell from the information given
It is impossible to tell from the information given
We give at least one positive value of for which (a) is greater and at least one positive value of for which (b) is greater.
Case 1:
(a)
(b)
Case 2:
(a)
(b)
Therefore, either (a) or (b) can be greater.
Example Question #2 : Variables And Exponents
Assume all variables to be nonzero.
Simplify:
None of the answer choices are correct.
None of the answer choices are correct.
Any nonzero expression raised to the power of 0 is equal to 1. Therefore,
.
None of the given expressions are correct.
Example Question #222 : Algebraic Concepts
Simplify:
Example Question #2 : How To Find The Exponent Of Variables
Which is greater?
(a)
(b)
(a) and (b) are equal
It is impossible to tell from the information given
(a) is greater
(b) is greater
(b) is greater
If , then and
, so by transitivity, , and (b) is greater
Example Question #3 : How To Find The Exponent Of Variables
Expand:
Which is the greater quantity?
(a) The coefficient of
(b) The coefficient of
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
The two quantities are equal.
(a) is greater.
(b) is greater.
The two quantities are equal.
By the Binomial Theorem, if is expanded, the coefficient of is
.
(a) Substitute : The coerfficient of is
.
(b) Substitute : The coerfficient of is
.
The two are equal.
Example Question #223 : Algebraic Concepts
Which is greater?
(a)
(b)
(a) is greater.
(b) is greater.
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
(a) and (b) are equal.
(b) is greater.
A negative number to an odd power is negative, so the expression in (a) is negative. The expression in (b) is positive since the base is positive. (b) is greater.
Example Question #5 : How To Find The Exponent Of Variables
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
It is impossble to tell from the information given.
(a) and (b) are equal.
(b) is greater.
(a) is greater.
(a) is greater.
Simplify the expression in (a):
Since ,
,
making (a) greater.
Example Question #11 : Variables And Exponents
Expand:
Which is the greater quantity?
(a) The coefficient of
(b) The coefficient of
The two quantities are equal.
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
(a) is greater.
(b) is greater.
(b) is greater.
Using the Binomial Theorem, if is expanded, the term is
.
This makes the coefficient of .
We compare the values of this expression at for both and .
(a) If and , the coefficient is
.
This is the coefficient of .
(b) If and , the coefficient is
.
This is the coefficient of .
(b) is the greater quantity.
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