TANCET 2008 Quant - Number Property Comparisons
Number Properties Question 17
If x, y, z are chosen from the three numbers, -3,
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_1.jpg)
and 2, what is the largest possible value of the expression
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_2.jpg)
z
2?
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_3.jpg)
- 16
- 24
- 36
- 54
Correct Answer : 36. Choice (4)
Explanatory Answer
One of the numbers is negative. The expression
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_2.jpg)
z
2 will be maximized when the values are positive.
Therefore, z has to be (-3) as any number, positive or negative when squared will be a positive number.
One of x or y has to be 2 and the other
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_1.jpg)
.
As y is in the denominator of the expression, if y takes the value of
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_1.jpg)
the value of
![1/y](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_4.jpg)
will become 2 thereby maximizing the expression.
So, x = 2, y =
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_1.jpg)
and z = -3.
The largest value of the expression is
![](images/tancet_2008_number_property_17_5.jpg)
= 36
Level of difficulty : Moderate
More Questions Answers on Number Theory
CAT, XAT, TANCET Practice Questions and Answers : Listed Topicwise