Last visit was: 24 Nov 2024, 20:10 It is currently 24 Nov 2024, 20:10

Close

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

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GRE score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Close

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel
Verbal Expert
Joined: 18 Apr 2015
Posts: 30018
Own Kudos [?]: 36379 [3]
Given Kudos: 25928
Send PM
avatar
Manager
Manager
Joined: 02 Jan 2018
Posts: 66
Own Kudos [?]: 39 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 18 May 2016
Posts: 35
Own Kudos [?]: 35 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 24 Jan 2018
Posts: 31
Own Kudos [?]: 9 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
B
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 17 Feb 2018
Posts: 31
Own Kudos [?]: 42 [2]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
2
if x=i i^2=-1 4-(-1)=5
why the answer isn't D
Verbal Expert
Joined: 18 Apr 2015
Posts: 30018
Own Kudos [?]: 36379 [2]
Given Kudos: 25928
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
1
Expert Reply
1
Bookmarks
It is impossible.

\(x^2 - 4 = (x-2)(x+2)\).

The roots are ONLY \(x=2\) and \(x=-2\)

B is always bigger than A.

Hope this helps.

regards
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12197 [0]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
2
Carcass wrote:

This question is part of GREPrepClub - The Questions Vault Project




Quantity A
Quantity B
\(4 - x^2\)
\(5\)


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.

Kudos for right answer and explanation


We can solve this question using matching operations

Given:
Quantity A: 4 - x²
Quantity B: 5

Add x² to both quantities to get:
Quantity A: 4
Quantity B: 5 + x²

Subtract 5 from both quantities to get:
Quantity A: -1
Quantity B: x²

IMPORTANT: x² is greater than or equal to zero for all values of x
So, Quantity B is definitely greater than -1

Answer: B

RELATED VIDEO FROM OUR COURSE
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12197 [0]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
1
hugebigmac wrote:
if x=i i^2=-1 4-(-1)=5
why the answer isn't D


ASIDE (for others wondering how i^2 = -1): i represents a complex number (aka imaginary number) such that i^2 = -1)

Good idea, hugebigmac, but all questions on the GRE are restricted to real numbers.

Cheers,
Brent
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 24 Feb 2018
Posts: 15
Own Kudos [?]: 2 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
B
avatar
Manager
Manager
Joined: 29 Nov 2017
Posts: 190
Own Kudos [?]: 135 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: United States
GRE 1: Q142 V146
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
Carcass wrote:
It is impossible.

\(x^2 - 4 = (x-2)(x+2)\).

The roots are ONLY \(x=2\) and \(x=-2\)

B is always bigger than A.

Hope this helps.

regards



Dear Carcass, how do we know x has + and - 2 as roots. I need more clarity of topic of roots.
avatar
Manager
Manager
Joined: 29 Nov 2017
Posts: 190
Own Kudos [?]: 135 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: United States
GRE 1: Q142 V146
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
I have tried plugging in the values of x = 0,1,2,-2 and 1/5 all in all B is greater in every case..

Hence answer is B
Verbal Expert
Joined: 18 Apr 2015
Posts: 30018
Own Kudos [?]: 36379 [0]
Given Kudos: 25928
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
Expert Reply
IshanGre wrote:
Carcass wrote:
It is impossible.

\(x^2 - 4 = (x-2)(x+2)\).

The roots are ONLY \(x=2\) and \(x=-2\)

B is always bigger than A.

Hope this helps.

regards



Dear Carcass, how do we know x has + and - 2 as roots. I need more clarity of topic of roots.




Hope this helps.

Regards
Manager
Manager
Joined: 10 Feb 2023
Posts: 76
Own Kudos [?]: 13 [0]
Given Kudos: 172
Send PM
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
Hi Brent GreenlightTestPrep, If I subtract 4 from both sides, I ended up A: -x^2 B: 1 . Depends on x vaule, A can be the same (if x=1) or bigger than B (if x=2). Therefore is D. Where is my understanding going wrong here? Thanks Brent
Prep Club for GRE Bot
Re: 4 - x^2 [#permalink]
Moderators:
GRE Instructor
84 posts
GRE Forum Moderator
37 posts
Moderator
1111 posts
GRE Instructor
234 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne