In which one of the following choices must p be greater than q?

Question

(A)  0.9^p = 0.9^q

(B)  0.9^p = 0.9^{2q}

(C)  0.9^p > 0.9^q

(D)  9^p < 9^q

(E)  9^p > 9^q

I need an explanation on this tricky problem.

A) p=q so is not the answer

B) p=2q is not sufficient to answer to our question, because p and q can be negatice or positive; hence q > p or p > q.

C) p>q but in this case we can have for instance 2 > 3 that is false. But if we have for example -1/2 > -1/3 or -2 > -3 are true. So is unclear if p > q.

For D ) and E ) I have applied the similar reasoning.

Thanks GMAT club.

KarishmaB · Accepted Answer

This question is tricky. You might end up losing lots of valuable time trying to plug in numbers in each option and getting lost mid-way. The trick is to use exponents theory. I like to use number plugging only where it is apparent that it is useful (e.g. in options A and B above to rule them out in 10 sec) or where I can't think of anything else. The specific theory which helps in dealing with this and similar questions: If the base is positive, no matter what power you give to it, it will not become negative. e.g. 5^n must be positive no matter what the value of n is. The reason is that 5^n is just 5 multiplied by itself n number of times, whatever n is. So this number can never be negative. Also, If n is positive, 5^n > 1 If n = 0, 5^n = 1 If n is negative, 0 < 5^n < 1 Another thing, the positive base, a, can lie between one of two ranges - 'between 0 and 1' and 'greater than 1'. We saw what happens if the base is greater than 1 above (in 5^n example) Let's see what happens when the base lies between 0 and 1: If n is positive, a^n < 1 If n = 0, a^n = 1 If n is negative, a^n > 1 These relations hold the other way around too. If a is between 0 and 1, and a^n > 1, n must be negative etc. Plug in values to understand them. Now look at this question: In these three options, each term is positive so we can take the term on the right to left hand side so that we have to deal with a single base. (C) 0.9^p > 0.9^q (0.9)^{p-q} > 1 Here, p-q must be negative i.e. p-q < 0 or p 9^q 9^{p-q} > 1 So p-q > 0 (from green above) or p > q

Bunuel · Answer

In which one of the following choices must p be greater than q?

(A) \(0.9^p = 0.9^q\)

(B) \(0.9^p = 0.9^{2q}\)

(C) \(0.9^p > 0.9^q\)

(D) \(9^p < 9^q\)

(E) \(9^p > 9^q\)

Show Spoiler

I need an explanation on this tricky problem.

A) p=q so is not the answer

B) p=2q is not sufficient to answer to our question, because p and q can be negatice or positive; hence q > p or p > q.

C) p>q but in this case we can have for instance 2 > 3 that is false. But if we have for example -1/2 > -1/3 or -2 > -3 are true. So is unclear if p > q.

For D ) and E ) I have applied the similar reasoning.

Thanks GMAT club.

Show Answer

Official Answer

E

Carcass · Answer

Bunuel thanks for the explanation very clear. This was a tricky problem and sometimes I have the propensity to over calculate: I'm wrong ??' do you have a suggestion ?? of course I guess to have idea in which direction I have to go but is not enough to beat problems at high level.....

devinawilliam83 · Answer

if x^2 >x^3 : we write x^2-x^3 >0 ie we subtract and dont divide
in this case we are dividinge is that right?

Bunuel · Answer

If its given that x^20 then we can reduce by it and write x>1; But if its given that x>x^3 then since we don't know the sign of x then we can not reduce by it and should rewrite: x(x^2-1)<0 --> (x+1)x(x-1)<0 --> x<-1 or 0x2-4x-94661.html#p731476 inequalities-trick-91482.html data-suff-inequalities-109078.html range-for-variable-x-in-a-given-inequality-109468.html?hilit=extreme#p873535 everything-is-less-than-zero-108884.html?hilit=extreme#p868863 As for 9^p<9^q . Since 9^q is positive for any value of q we can divide by it and write 9^{p-q}<1 --> p-q<0 . Hope it helps.

KarishmaB · Answer

If the variable is given to be non zero, you can divide in an equation and if you also know the sign of the variable, you can divide in an inequality too. (and adjust the inequality according to the sign of the variable) e.g. x^3 = x . What values can x take? x can be 0 so we don't divide. x^3 - x = 0 x(x^2 - 1) = 0 x = 0, 1, -1 Here, if you forget about 0 and divide by x, you get x^2 = 1 so x = +1 or -1. You lose out one solution: x = 0 But in case you have x^3 = x . What values can x take if x is non zero? Now you can divide and you will get x = 1 or -1 Similarly, say you have an inequality: x^2 > x^3 If you divide by x^2 thinking it's non negative, you get the range x < 1 which is incorrect since you have to specify that 'x cannot be 0'. It holds for every value less than 1 other than 0. x^2 > x^3 does not hold for x = 0. So instead, you can choose to solve in two ways: 1. Take cases and use division: x^2 > x^3 If x eq 0 , we can divide. We get x < 1. If x = 0, the inequality does not hold. Hence, x eq 0 Answer: x < 1, x eq 0 2. Subtract: x^3 - x^2 < 0 x^2 (x - 1) < 0 One of the terms must be negative and the other positive. Since x^2 cannot be negative, x - 1 must be negative (so x < 1) and x^2 must be positive so x eq 0 Answer: x < 1, x eq 0 Either way, you will get the same answer (obviously!) In this question, as Bunuel said, 9^q must be positive. It cannot take value 0 or negative for any value of q so there are no complications at all. You can easily divide.

Bunuel · Answer

One little thing Karishma.

If its given that  x^2<x^3   then it's clear that  x
eq{0}  thus  x^2>0  and you can safely reduce by it and write  x>1 .

KarishmaB · Answer

Sure Bunuel, I understand that one can see that when x^2>x^3 , x cannot be 0. But since here, you get x < 1, a range that includes x = 0, we need to specify that x can take any value less than 1 except 0. The point I am making here is that if you only reduce it and write 'x<1', it's not correct. I think you got a typo 'x > 1' above.

Bunuel · Answer

Actually I do have a typo but not the one you pointed above: in 4 posts above I considered x^2x^3) which when reduced gives x>1. So, it should read: if its given that x^20 and you can safely reduce by it and write x>1 .

destroyerofgmat · Answer

Awesome post VeritasPrepKarishma and Bunuel! Thanks!

MarcvR · Answer

Thanks for merging the topics Bunuel. I am new to this forum and still need to find my way around here!

About the question: even when I read the whole explanation it still does not makes sense to me.. I am having a real hard time mastering the maths section for the G-mat. My background in maths is far from average sadly. But from what I have learned so far I would say that when M = -4 and N = 2 the expression is still right but M is not bigger than N. Please help me on this one!

IanStewart · Answer

No, that is not correct. If M = -4, then 9^M = 9^(-4) = 1/9^4, which is a positive number extremely close to zero. It is certainly less than 9^2 = 81.

In general, the bigger you make x, the larger the value of 9^x will be. This is true whenever your base is greater than 1. So if 9^y > 9^z, then y > z, and vice versa.

MarcvR · Answer

Wait I am making a huge mistake here..
 -2^3  doesnt equal  2^-3  of course.

So when an exponent is negative the result will go towards zero and can be written as a fraction right?

You are right Ianstewart! Thanks for the quick answer. I am still having a real hard time mastering the math section! But I will get there!

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

In which one of the following choices must p be greater than q?

(A) 0.9^p = 0.9^q
(B) 0.9^p = 0.9^2q
(C) 0.9^p > 0.9^q
(D) 9^p < 9^q
 (E) 9^p > 9^q

Since the bases are equal, p and q must be the same for A and B. Those choices can be eliminated.
At this point I would substitute values for p and q in choices C and D, keeping mind to also try positive and negative values for p and q. You will find that p has to be less than q for the inequalities in C and D to hold true.

mvictor · Answer

i solved in slightly more than 1 minute...do not forget to take into consideration p=q=0.
1. p=q=0 - out
2. p=q=0 - out
3. p<q - not satisfying the condition. out.
4. p<q - not satisfying the condition. out
5. p>q - good.

answer must be E.

Krabhay · Answer

Only option ‘e’ necessarily requires p > q to be true.
Hence, e is the answer.

bumpbot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

In which one of the following choices must p be greater than q?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

In which one of the following choices must p be greater than q?

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards