GRE Prep Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Sep 28Live Online Class with Top GRE Expert Mike Butville
08:00 PM EDT
-10:00 PM EDT
Top scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful GRE course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP GRE OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Mon/Wed Sept. 28, 2026 - Dec. 9, 2026, 8:00pm-10:00pm EST
given a < 0
[#permalink]
02 Jul 2017, 15:29
02 Jul 2017, 15:29
Expert Reply
2
Bookmarks
00:00
Question Stats:
79% (00:16) correct
20% (00:23) wrong based on 131 sessions
Hide Show timer Statistics
a < 0
A. Quantity A is greater.
B. Quantity B is greater.
C. The two quantities are equal.
D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Quantity A |
Quantity B |
a² |
2a |
A. Quantity A is greater.
B. Quantity B is greater.
C. The two quantities are equal.
D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Drill 1
Question: 1
Page: 352
Question: 1
Page: 352
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Given Kudos: 136
Re: given a < 0
[#permalink]
08 Jul 2017, 05:56
08 Jul 2017, 05:56
sandy wrote:
a < 0
A. Quantity A is greater.
B. Quantity B is greater.
C. The two quantities are equal.
D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Quantity A |
Quantity B |
a^2 |
2a |
A. Quantity A is greater.
B. Quantity B is greater.
C. The two quantities are equal.
D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Drill 1
Question: 1
Page: 352
Question: 1
Page: 352
Given:
QUANTITY A: a²
QUANTITY B: 2a
Since a is negative, we know that a² = (negative)(negative) = some POSITIVE number
Since a is negative, we know that 2a = (2)(negative) = some NEGATIVE number
So, we get:
QUANTITY A: some POSITIVE number
QUANTITY B: some NEGATIVE number
Answer: A
RELATED VIDEO
Re: given a < 0
[#permalink]
22 Apr 2018, 14:04
22 Apr 2018, 14:04
Expert Reply
Explanation
Try Plugging In.
If a = –3, then Quantity A is \((-3)^2 = 9\) and Quantity B is \(2(-3) = -6\).
Notice that Quantity A must always be positive because anything raised to an even power is positive. Quantity B must be negative because a positive times a negative is always negative.
Thus, Quantity A must always be greater.
Try Plugging In.
If a = –3, then Quantity A is \((-3)^2 = 9\) and Quantity B is \(2(-3) = -6\).
Notice that Quantity A must always be positive because anything raised to an even power is positive. Quantity B must be negative because a positive times a negative is always negative.
Thus, Quantity A must always be greater.
