ShmoopTube

Where Monty Python meets your 10th grade teacher.

Search Thousands of Shmoop Videos

CAHSEE Math 2.1 Mathematical Reasoning 192 Views


Share It!


Description:

CAHSEE Math Mathematical Reasoning Drill 2, Problem 1. Which of the following expressions has a negative value?

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:03

And here's your shmoop du jour...

00:05

Given the fact that the numbers, represented by variables a and b, are both positive,

00:09

with a greater than b…which of the following expressions has a negative value?

00:16

Here are the potential answers…

00:20

Okay, so what is this question asking?

00:22

It’s really more of a conceptual question than an intricate algebra problem…

00:27

…they just want to make sure we can read and interpret what they’re saying.

00:30

So hopefully it isn’t all Greek to us. Let’s think about this logically.

00:35

We’ve got two numbers, represented by a and b… and they’re both positive.

00:39

a is bigger than b. So by adding, subtracting or multiplying them, we want to wind up with

00:44

a negative number.

00:46

Well, it should be obvious that addition and multiplication are out.

00:49

Adding or multiplying two positive numbers never gets us a negative result.

00:53

We’re now down to just B or C.

00:55

Well, what’s going to get us a negative number?

00:58

Taking a big number and subtracting a smaller number from it?

01:02

Or taking a small number and subtracting a bigger number from it?

01:06

We definitely want to subtract the bigger number… and since we’re told a is bigger…

01:10

…we’re going to want to take b minus a.

01:12

The answer is C.

01:14

As in, “Catty.”

Up Next

CAHSEE Math 5.3 Algebra and Functions
2032 Views

CAHSEE Math: Algebra and Functions Drill 5, Problem 3. Solve the equation.

Related Videos

Simplifying Radicals
9737 Views

We don't like knocking people down to size, but we do like simplifying radicals. Join us?

Arithmetic Math
2248 Views

If fleeing criminals always fled the scene of the crime at perfect right angles, it would be much easier to determine their whereabouts. Fortunatel...

Basics of Game Theory
882 Views

Okay, so this probably isn't going to help you master Pokemon Go, but game theory can be applied to all sorts of situations. Even stomping your old...