Question

1. If the product of the integers a,b, and c is 1, then what is the difference between the largest and the smallest possible values of a^2*b^3*c^4?
a. -2 b. -1 c. 1 d. 2

2. Hats are purchased at the rate of $33 per dozen. If they are sold at a closeout sale for $2.50 each, the percent loss on the cost price is:
a. 3 b. 3 1/3 c. 9 1/11 d. 10

Answer 1

For question 1, the largest value would be 1 and the smallest value would be -1. A, B, and C are either all 1 or two is negative and one is positive, either way the number is 1 and it's opposite. 1^2 is 1, 1^3 is 1, 1^4 is 1. The product is 1. -1^2 is -1, -1^3 is -1, -1^4 is -1. The product is -1. Now the difference. 1 - (-1), which is 1 + 1, the answer is [D) 2]