All ISEE Upper Level Quantitative Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Variables And Exponents
Simplify:
The expression cannot be simplified further
Group and combine like terms :
Example Question #2 : Variables And Exponents
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 : Variables And Exponents
Assume that and are not both zero. Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
(a) and (b) are equal.
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
(a) is greater.
(b) 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)
(a) and (b) are equal
It is impossible to tell from the information given
(a) is greater
(b) is greater
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 #1 : 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 #4 : Variables And Exponents
Simplify:
Example Question #4 : Variables And Exponents
Which is greater?
(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
If , then and
, so by transitivity, , and (b) is greater
Example Question #5 : Variables And Exponents
Expand:
Which is the greater quantity?
(a) The coefficient of
(b) The coefficient of
(a) is greater.
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
The two quantities are equal.
(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 #2 : How To Find The Exponent Of Variables
Which is greater?
(a)
(b)
It is impossible to tell from the information given.
(a) is greater.
(b) is greater.
(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 #4 : How To Find The Exponent Of Variables
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
It is impossble to tell from the information given.
(b) is greater.
(a) is greater.
(a) and (b) are equal.
(a) is greater.
Simplify the expression in (a):
Since ,
,
making (a) greater.