ISEE Quantitative Comparisons Question 134: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 134
9.
- A. The quantity in Column A is greater.
- B. The quantity in Column B is greater.
- C. The two quantities are equal.
- D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The answer is A
Column A is simplified, but you can distribute in Column B. Doing so yields 16x - 16. No matter the value of x, 16x - 1 will be larger than 16x - 16.
Plug in for x, starting with an easy number. If x = 2, then the expression in Column A = (16)(2) - 1 = 31, and the expression in Column B = 16(2 - 1) = 16. Because the value in Column B is not always greater than the value in Column A, eliminate choice (B). Because the two columns are not always equal, eliminate choice (C). Next, try 0: the expression in Column A = (16)(1) - 1 = -1, and the expression in Column B = 16(0 - 1) =(16)(-1) = -16. The value in Column A is still greater. Now, try a negative number, such as -2: the expression in Column A = (16)(-2) - 1 = -33, and the expression in Column B = 16(-2 - 1) =(16)(-3) = -48. The value in Column A is still greater. If you want to have absolute certainty, you can plug in a larger number