Intro to Quantitative Section

Question 1

What do Quantitative Comparison (QC) questions ask you to do?

Answer 1

They present you with two quantities – Quantity A and Quantity B – and you must determine the relationship.

Question 2

What are the important things to consider with QC questions?

Answer 2

• You only need to determine the relationship
• You want to do as little calculation as possible
• Avoid the Black Swan trap
• Record all important info given (i.e., don’t neglect the stem)

Question 3

What are the ways of approaching QC questions?

Answer 3

1. Restate & simplify your stem info
   (x^2 = 49? x is 7 or -7)
2. Use the Inequality Technique
   (We can always use a > or < between A or B)
3. Substitute given info into the quantities if necessary
   (If x=2y, and comparing (A) x and (B) y, you can set as 2y > y and solve)
4. Simplify first, then test strategic numbers
   (e.g., FOIL (x+y)^2 and (x-y)^2 before comparing)

Question 4

What are the 5 types of strategic numbers we can test QC questions with?

Answer 4

1. Positive integers
2. Positive proper fractions
3. Zero
4. Negative proper fractions
5. Negative integers

Question 5

True or false:
If Quantity A and Quantity B are unique values, we will never have an answer of D, “the relationship cannot be determined”

Answer 5

True.
There is always a relationship between two unique values.