ISEE Upper Level Quantitative : How to subtract variables
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All ISEE Upper Level Quantitative Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Variables
Simplify:
Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Variables
Simplify:
Example Question #872 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning
(A)
(B)
It is impossible to determine which is greater from the information given
(A) is greater
(A) and (B) are equal
(B) is greater
(B) is greater
So by the multiplication property of inequality, when each is multiplied by the negative number 
Also,
so by the addition property of inequality,
or
This makes (B) greater.
Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Variables
Assume you know the values of all four variables in the expression
In which order do you perform the operations in order to evaluate the expression?
Multiply, divide, subtract
Subtract, divide, multiply
Divide, multiply, subtract
Multiply, divide, subtract
Subtract, multiply, divide
Divide, multiply, subtract
Multiplication and division take precedence over subtraction in the order of operations, so these two operations are performed first. The two must be performed from left to right, so the division is worked first, followed by the multiplication. The subtraction is last.
Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Variables
Consider the expression:
Which of the following expressions must be equal in value to the above expression?
I)
II)
III)
III only
I and III only
I only
I and II only
I, II, and III
I and III only
The order of operations is as follows:
Exponents
Multiplication and division (left to right)
Addition and subtraction (left to right)
The expression
is therefore evaluated by multiplying, then dividing, then adding. The net result is that the product 
If we examine (I), we see that, since the multiplication is in parentheses, it is worked first. The division is worked second, then the addition. The order of operations has not changed, so the expressions are equivalent.
If we examine (II), we see that the order of operations has changed so that the addition is worked first. We see through example that the expressions can have different values:
If we examine (III), we see that, since the division is in parentheses, it is worked first. The multiplication is worked second, then the addition. The upshot is the same as in the main expression, however - the product 
The correct response is (I) and (III)
Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Variables
When evaluating the expression
assuming you know the values of all five variables, what is the third operation that must be performed?
The middle subtraction
The rightmost addition
The leftmost addition
The rightmost subtraction
The leftmost subtraction
The leftmost subtraction
In the order of operations, any operations in parentheses must be performed first - there are two, the leftmost addition and the middle subtraction. What remains are the leftmost subtraction, the rightmost subtraction, and the rightmost addition. Since additions and subtractions are performed from left to right, the next, or third, operation performed is the leftmost subtraction.
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All ISEE Upper Level Quantitative Resources
