Quant Comparision

[eagle]

x > 0
COLUMN A COLUMN B
16x (4x)^2

[kfree]

eagle, the question is a little messed up because we can't have two blanks on this forum.

But I think you meant:
A: 16x
B: (4x)^2

The answer is (D)
to verify, (4x)^2 = 16x^2
thus, the comparison is x & x^2.
if x<1, say x = 0.5, A>B
if x>1, say x = 2, B>A

So, the questions that compares x & x^2 is a give away, (D).

In my opinion, if I work on comparison problems and I can't find a direct relationship between the two, I would guess (D). Then verify my guess by putting numbers into variables. It is simpler to do so and takes less brain power.

[eagle]

Too good solution man! I had a problem because I did not consider any values of x between 0 and 1 at all!
Obviously you are right- Answer is D.
When is your GRE?

[kfree]

10/25 when is yours?

[kfree]

I just remembered,
this kind of problem is annoying. Sometimes my head is dizzy and I can't think clearly. I have a simple rule that I use to help me answer this type of questions. I bring in the following numbers: (-2, -0.5, 0.5, 2).

[eagle]

mine's close too- 10/17.Thanks for the tip- it is much needed.

[kfree]

glad to be able to help.
Good luck on your exam.

BTW, what is your major? Mine's EE.

[kfree]

Here is a tricky one
x<0
A: 16x
B: (4x)^2

[vario]

Originally posted by kfree

Here is a tricky one
x<0
A: 16x
B: (4x)^2

It should be B, since B is always positive, while A is negative.

[kfree]

Yep!

I placed it here because this problem is a variant of the original post by eagle.