Directions· Comparison Questions
In the following problems there are two values, one in column A and the other in column B, followed by four answers. Choose the right answer.
There is only ONE correct answer to each question.
Compare: Column A — x² + y²; Column B — x² − y².
- The value in column A is greater.
- The value in column B is greater.
- The two values are equal.
- The information provided is not sufficient to decide.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The information provided is not sufficient to decide.
Why
y² ≥ 0 always, so column A ≥ column B, with equality only when y = 0 — since y isn't specified, the relationship can't be determined for certain.