Can someone explain this step
(1) Suppose if 1/x > 1/y:
(1/x $ 1/y) = 1/x + 1/y = (x+y)/(xy).
(1/y $ 1/x) = 1/x - 1/y = (y-x)/(xy). . Why does the sign change here? We are given that, for A>B A$B = A+B. So how does the sign change when we flip the quantities around the operator $

Thanks

All answers are positive real numbers, right? So there is no need to worry about adding/subtracting negative numbers. Also all answers can be converted to integer numbers since the formula to solve is made of inverse number of reals which are actually integer numbers i.e. 1 / (1/4) is 4 and 1 / (1/5) is 5 right?

Next, the formula to solve is (bracket_1) +/- (bracket_2) where either bracket is a combination of adding/subtracting 2 integer numbers and given to you in answers A,B,C,D and E. Think about all possible combinations of bracket_1 and bracket_2 in terms of sign. Given that you have two brackets and two possible signs (2^2) = 4 X 2 cases = 8 cases. However eliminate the ones where both bracket_1 and bracket_2 are equal, i.e. A>B and A>B or A<B and A<B since, from the answers provided and formula written in the question, no two real numbers can be the same, right?

This means that you are left with only 4 possible cases:

Bracket_1 +/- Bracket_2
+ + - = (A>B) + (A<B) = A+B+B-A = 2B
- + + = (A<B) + (A>B) = B-A+A+B = 2B
+ - - = (A>B) - (A<B) = A+B-B+A = 2A
- - + = (A<B) - (A>B) = B-A-A-B = -2A

Next the question ask you for greatest. Notice than from the cases above 2A and 2B can be greater than any other combination, correct? However 2B is duplicated twice so which one do you choose? It has to be 2A since each question can only have one possible answer. Besides try few cases from the answers provided and see what happens.

I hope it helps....

LUGO