Carcass wrote:
\(\frac{m}{p} > \frac{n}{p}\)
Quantity A |
Quantity B |
m |
n |
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.
Many students will see \(\frac{m}{p} > \frac{n}{p}\) and conclude (incorrectly) that \(m > n\).
However, this is true ONLY IF p is POSITIVE.
If p is NEGATIVE, we have a different story.
Let's
test some valuescase i:\(p = 1\), \(m = 2\) and \(n = 1\)
This satisfies the condition that \(\frac{m}{p} > \frac{n}{p}\), which becomes\(\frac{2}{1} > \frac{1}{1}\), which is true.
We get:
Quantity A: 2
Quantity B: 1
So,
Quantity A is greatercase ii:\(p = -1\), \(m = 1\) and \(n = 2\)
This satisfies the condition that \(\frac{m}{p} > \frac{n}{p}\), which becomes\(\frac{1}{-1} > \frac{2}{-1}\), which is true.
We get:
Quantity A: 1
Quantity B: 2
So,
Quantity B is greaterAnswer: D
Cheers,
Brent