If u > 0 and v > 0, which is greater, \(u^v\) or \(v^u\)?

(1) u = 1
(2) v > 2
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If u > 0 and v > 0, which is greater, u^v or v^u?

(1) u = 1

Since we are not told if u and v are different numbers there are two possibilites:
a) u=v= 1 in which case u^v = v^u
b) They are different numbers in which case v^u will always be greater since u^v = 1 (1 raised to anything is 1)

(2) v > 2

It does not give us any information about u. For example u could be 3 and v could be 4 and vice versa

On combining we know u^v will always be 1 . Therefore v^u is greater. SUFFICIENT

Ans = C

Statement 1
when u = 1, u raised to any power is always 1. Also v^u is always v.

If v>1 then v^u > u^v

If v[b]<1, then v^u < u^v [/b]

Clearly not sufficient.

Statement 2

v > 2

say u = 0.5

(3)^0.5 = 1.732
(0.5)^3 = 0.125

v^u > u^v


v=4; u=-1

v^u = 4^(-1) = (1/4)
u^v = (-1)^4 =1

v^u < u^v

Not sufficient.

Combining these two.
v > 2; u = 1
when u = 1, u raised to any power is always 1. Also v^u is always v.

since v is always > 2, and u is always 1. hence

v^u is always greater than u^v

Bunuel Can you please post the OA?

Looks tricky. IMO B should be the answer.

Can anyone solve it by picking up the numbers?

Bunuel Thanks for your reply.

In statement 2:

u=1 and v=3 Then v^u is greater
u=4 and v=3 Then v^u is greater

Please tell a situation when it will not hold true.

If u > 0 and v > 0, which is greater, u^v or v^u?

(1) u = 1

Let v = 10........then 1^10 < 10^1

Let v= 1...........then 1^1 = 1^1

Insufficient

(2) v > 2

same example as above:
Let v = 10........then 1^10 < 10^1

Let v= 10...........then 10^10 = 10^10

Insufficient

Combine 1 & 2

V > 2 & u= 1..........So first example applies

Let v = 10........then 1^10 < 10^1

Sufficient

Answer: C

What is this? I did not understand it at all. Please elaborate. The method seems tactful but I am not getting the same