# What is Quantitative Comparison (QC)?

Quantitative Comparison is a type of question that appears in the GRE quant section. In this type of question, the test taker has to compare two quantities A and B and determine a relationship between which of the two is larger. Four answer options are presented to the test taker. One of A or B could be larger, both A and B could be equal or a comparison may not be possible.

## What topics are tested as GRE Quantitative Comparison (QC)?

The GRE quantitative comparison question can appear from any of the 20 odd math topics tested in the GRE quant section. It could be from algebra, numbers, integers, number line, rates, ratio, percents, fraction, mixtures, simple and compound interest, permutation combination, probability, geometry, coordinate geometry, and set theory. Wizako's GRE question bank for QC comprises questions from many of the topics. The topic from which the question in the questionbank appeared is mentioned alongside the question.

1. #### GRE Quantitative Comparison in Number Properties

N is the smallest positive integer that has 7 factors.

Column A Column B
Number of factors of √N Number of factors of (N - 2)
1. Column A is greater
2. Column B is greater
3. The two columns are equal
4. Cannot be determined
Approach to solve this GRE Number Properties QC question

Step 1: Find the interger N
Step 2: Evaluate Column A. Compute the number of factors of √N
Step 3: Evaluate Column B. Compute the number of factors of (N - 2)
Step 4: Compare values in step 2 and step 3 to find the answer to this GRE quantitative comparison question

2. #### GRE Quantitative Comparison in Probability

Quantity A Quantity B
The probability that a word selected from the set of all rearrangements of the letters of the word "Math" results in "Math" The probability that a word selected from the set of all rearrangements of the letters of the word "Good" results in "Good"
1. Quantity A is greater
2. Quantity B is greater
3. The two quantities are equal
4. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given
Approach to solve this GRE Probability QC Question

Step 1: Quantity A : Compute the number of ways the letters of the word MATH can be rearranged. That will be denominator to compute the probability for quantity A.
Step 2: The numerator is 1 because in only one of the different rearrangements will we get the same word MATH. Compute the probability using information obtained in steps 1 and 2 for quantity A
Step 3: Quantity B : Compute the number of ways the letters of the word GOOD can be rearranged. That will be denominator to compute the probability for quantity B.
Step 4: The numerator is 1 because in only one of the different rearrangements will we get the same word Good. Compute the probability using information obtained in steps 1 and 2 for quantity B
Step 5: Compare results obtained for both quantities and determine the answer.

3. #### Quantitative Comparison in Coordinate Geometry

Quantity A Quantity B
Length of the segment of the line 4x + 3y = 12 intercepted between the coordinate axes. Length of the median to side BC of triangle whose coordinates are A(4, 4), B(10, 4) and C(4, 12)

1. Quantity A is greater
2. Quantity B is greater
3. The two quantities are equal
4. Cannot be determined
Approach to solve this GRE Quantitative Comparison Question

Step 1: Quantity A: Compute the length of the line segment joining the x and y intercepts of 4x + 3y = 12.
Step 2: Quantity B: Compute the coordinates of the mid point D.
Step 3: Quantity B: Compute the length of the median AD.
Step 4: The Comparison: Compare the length of the line segment joining x and y intercepts of 4x + 3y = 12 and the median AD of the triangle given in Quantity B.

4. #### GRE Quantitative Comparison in Rates

P and Q take 4 hours to complete a task. P, Q, and R take 2 hours to complete the task.

Quantity A Quantity B
Time taken by P alone to complete the task. Time taken by R alone to complete the task.
1. Quantity A is greater
2. Quantity B is greater
3. The two quantities are equal
4. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given
Approach to solve this GRE Rates QC Question

Question Stem: Let P, Q, and R take P hours, Q hours, R hours when they work independently.
Step 1: So, P will complete $$frac{1}{P}$ of the task in an hour. Q will complete $\frac{1}{Q}$ of the task and R will complete $\frac{1}{R}$ of the task in an hour. Step 2: Frame equation when P and Q work together. Frame equation when all 3 work together. Step 3: Solve the two equations to compute the value of R. This is the answer for Quantity B. Step 4: Understand what range of values P can take by comparing time taken by R and time taken by P and Q. Step 5: Compare two quantities and arrive at the answer. #### GRE Online Course - QuantTry it free! Register in 2 easy steps and Start learning in 5 minutes! #### Already have an Account? ##### Where is Wizako located? Wizako - GMAT, GRE, SAT Prep An Ascent Education Initiative 14B/1 Dr Thirumurthy Nagar 1st Street Nungambakkam Chennai 600 034. India ##### How to reach Wizako? Phone:$91) 44 4500 8484
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