ISEE Upper Level Quantitative : Numbers and Operations

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Exponents

Two quantities are given - one in Column A and the other in Column B. Compare the quantities in the two columns.

Assume, in both columns, that .

Column A                    Column B

                          

Possible Answers:

The quantity in Column A is greater.

The quantity in Column B is greater.

There is no way to determine the relationship between the columns.

The quantities in both columns are equal.

Correct answer:

There is no way to determine the relationship between the columns.

Explanation:

Column A gives simplifies to give us , and Column B simplifies to give us . At first glance, Column B is greater, as it would be for all answers greater than 1. However, if , the two columns are equal. Furthermore, if  is negative, or a fraction, Column A is greater. Thus, since we could arrive at all three answers by using different numbers, we cannot determine the answer conclusively.

Example Question #2 : How To Multiply Exponents

Which of the following expressions is equivalent to 

 ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the difference of squares pattern as follows:

Example Question #3 : How To Multiply Exponents

Column A                  Column B

                  

Possible Answers:

The quantity in Column A is greater.

The quantities in both columns are equal.

No relationship between the columns can be determined.

The quantity in Column B is greater.

Correct answer:

The quantity in Column A is greater.

Explanation:

Anything raised to zero is equal to 1. Therefore, Column A has to be greater because 1 is greater than 0.

Example Question #6 : Exponents

44,000,000 can be written in scientific notation as  for some .

Which is the greater quantity?

(A) 

(B) 8

Possible Answers:

(B) is greater

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

(A) and (B) are equal

(A) is greater

Correct answer:

(B) is greater

Explanation:

To write 44,000,000 in scientifc notation, write the implied decimal point after the final "0", then move it left until it is after the first nonzero digit (the first "4").

This requires a displacement of seven places, so  

, and (B) is greater.

Example Question #11 : Exponential Operations

Give the result:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For any two numbers 

We can solve this problem most easily by taking advantage of this pattern, setting 

:

Example Question #471 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Raise  to the fourth power and give the result in scientific notation.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the properties of exponents to raise the number to the fourth power:

This is not in scientific notation, so adjust:

Example Question #472 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Give the result:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For any two numbers 

We can solve this problem most easily by taking advantage of this pattern, setting 

:

Example Question #111 : Numbers And Operations

Give the cube of   in scientific notation.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is not in scientific notation, so adjust:

Example Question #111 : Numbers And Operations

Which expression is equal to 65,000?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is equal to 

Move the decimal one place to the right for each number of the exponent with a base ten.

For example, ,  , etc.

 

Example Question #471 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Evaluate .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

By the Power of a Product Principle, 

Also, by the Power of a Power Principle, 

Combining these ideas,

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