Comparison Math Problems

1. x + y = 15 
x – y = 24
Column A – (y)
Column B – (-5)
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
2. Column A -The average (arithmetic mean) of v,w,y,x, and z 
Column B – 70

Circle divided into various sections

  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
3. The shaded are in the below figure is 65% of the are of the entire circle, what is the value of d?
Column A – d 
Column B – 126 degrees

Circle partly shaded black. The white part is d degrees.

  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
4. Column A – The area of a circle with the radius of 3 
Column B – The area of a semi-circle with the radius of 4
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
5. Sarah volunteered from 9:27 A.M. until 12:45 P.M. 
Jan volunteered from 9:15 A.M. until 12:32 P.M.
Column A – The amount of time Sarah volunteered. 
Column B – The amount of time Jan volunteered.
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
6. If 34% of 360 equals 7.5% of h, what is h
Column A – h 
Column B – 1634
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
7. Column A – The fraction of 76 hours of a week 
Column B – The fraction of 10 hours in a day
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
8. Column A – (x-y) 
Column B – 0

quadrant graph with line going through points (2, 2) and (x, y)

  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
9. Column A – 500% of 6 
Column B – 600% of 5
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
10. If n>0, 
Column A – 24/25 of n 
Column B – 95% of n
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater
11. 5 is 2/3% of n 
Column A – n 
Column B – 15
  1. if the quantity in Column A is greater 
  2. if the quantity in Column B is greater 
  3. if the two quantities are equal 
  4. if it is impossible to determine which quantity is greater

 

Answers & Explanations

1. A: Solving the system of equations gives y = -4.5. Since -4.5 is greater than -5, the quantity in Column A is greater.

2. A: The average may be represented as (360°)/5, which equals 72°. Since 72° is greater than 70°, the quantity in Column A is greater.

3. C: The shaded area comprises a total angle measure that may be represented as 0.65(360°), or 234°. Thus, the non-shaded area, which represents the value of d, is equal to the difference of 360° and 234°, or 126°. This value is the same value given for Column B.

4. A: The area of a circle with a radius of 3 is equal to 9p. The area of a semi-circle with a radius of 4 is equal to half of 16p, namely 8p. Thus, the quantity in Column A is greater.

5. A: The amount of time Sarah volunteered was 3 hours, 18 minutes. The amount of time Jan volunteered was 3 hours, 17 minutes. Thus, Sarah’s quantity was greater.

6. B: The problem may be modeled as 0.34(360) = 0.075h. Solving for h gives h = 1632, which is less than 1634. Thus, the quantity in Column B is greater.

7. A: The fraction of 76 hours in a week may be represented by the ratio, 76/168, which is approximately 45%. The fraction of 10 hours in a day may be represented by the ratio, 10/24, which is approximately 42%. Thus, the quantity in Column A is greater.

8. C: Since the values of x and y are the same, the difference will equal 0. Thus, the quantities in Columns A and B are equal.

9. C: The value for Column A may be written as 5(6). The value for Column B may be written as 6(5). Both expressions equal 30, thus the quantities for Columns A and B are equal.

10. A: The quantity, given for Column A, may be written as 0.96n, which is greater than 0.95n. Thus, the quantity for Column A is greater.

11. B: The problem may be modeled as 5 = 0.667n, where n ˜ 7.5. Since 15 is greater than 7.5, the quantity in Column B is greater.