ISEE Upper Level Quantitative : How to add exponential variables

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Quantitative

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 :How To Add Exponential Variables

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

The expression cannot be simplified further

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Group and combine like terms:

Example Question #2 :Variables And Exponents

Which is the greater quantity?

(a)

(b)

Possible Answers:

(a) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(b) is greater.

(a) and (b) are equal.

Correct answer:

(b) is greater.

Explanation:

Sinceandhave different signs,

, and, subsequently,

Therefore,

This makes (b) the greater quantity.

Example Question #3 :Variables And Exponents

Assume thatandare not both zero. Which is the greater quantity?

(a)

(b)

Possible Answers:

(b) is greater.

(a) is greater.

(a) and (b) are equal.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

Correct answer:

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

Explanation:

Simplify the expression in (a):

Therefore, whether (a) or (b) is greater depends on the values ofand, neither of which are known.

Example Question #4 :Variables And Exponents

Which is the greater quantity?

(a)

(b)

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to tell from the information given

(b) is greater

(a) is greater

(a) and (b) are equal

Correct answer:

It is impossible to tell from the information given

Explanation:

We give at least one positive value offor which (a) is greater and at least one positive value offor which (b) is greater.

Case 1:

(a)

(b)

Case 2:

(a)

(b)

Therefore, either (a) or (b) can be greater.

Example Question #5 :Variables And Exponents

Assume all variables to be nonzero.

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

None of the answer choices are correct.

Correct answer:

None of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

Any nonzero expression raised to the power of 0 is equal to 1. Therefore,

.

None of the given expressions are correct.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors