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SOLUTION: You want to not only get this question right, but to do so quickly.

With your calculator, you can of course get a value for both columns. But

before diving into the calculations, look to see whether you can make a quick

comparison. You should notice that 0.98 > 0.92 and that 576 > 574. Since

both values in Quantity A are greater than both values in Quantity B, the

product of the two values in Quantity A must be greater. Thus the answer

is A.

QUANTITY A QUANTITY B

A B C D

SOLUTION: Your first step should be to look at both columns. Since Quantity B

is^12 , you should look to see whether adding and subtracting the fractions in

Column A will make the ultimate value greater than or less than^12. Again,

you can do the calculations here, but a better use of time is to look at the

different fractions being added in pairs.^13 is greater than^14 , so subtracting

1

3 from a number and then adding

1

4 will result in a value smaller than the

original number.^15 is greater than^16 , so subtracting^15 from a number and then

adding^16 will also result in a number smaller than the original value. Thus

the cumulative result of the operations in Quantity A will be a value less than

1

2 , and the correct answer is Choice B.

It is important to note that you were able to arrive at this answer without

actually calculating the value of Quantity A. This is a point essential to

Quantitative Comparison questions. If you look at a column and find

yourself intimidated by all the calculations you think you should do, take

a step back and determine whether you can arrive at the relationship

without doing all the math. In many cases, you will be able to do so.

Strategy: Make the Columns Comparable

An extension of the preceding principle is the following: if the columns do not

appear comparable, manipulate one or both columns to make the comparison

simpler. Look at the following question:

QUANTITY A QUANTITY B

A B C D

As it stands, it would not be possible to draw a comparison between the two

quantities in a reasonable amount of time. So instead of attempting to calculate,

you should attempt to manipulate one or both columns to make the comparison

easier. It is important to keep in mind that when manipulating the columns, you

are not changing their values. You are simply rewriting them to make the question

simpler. In this case, you should manipulate the value in Quantity B to have a

base of 2:

1

2 −

1

3 +

1

4 −

1

5 +

1

6

1

2

250 820

CHAPTER 8 ■ QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON STRATEGIES 165

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