The Official SAT Question of the Day™

Read the following SAT test question, then click on a button to select your answer.

If 3 < x < 7 and 4 < y < 7, which of the following best describes the range of values of x – y?

A. –4 < x – y < 3
B. 0 < x – y < 4
C. 3 < x – y < 4
D. 3 < x – y < 7
E. 4 < x – y < 7

Answer is A

Here's Why:

To find the range of values that best describes the range of x – y, you must compute the upper and lower bounds. Small values of x – y occur when x is small and y is large. Since x must be greater than 3 and y must be less than 7, the lower bound for x – y is 3 – 7, or –4. Similarly, large values of x – y occur when x is large and y is small, so x – y must be less than 7 – 4, or 3. Therefore, the answer that best describes the range of values of x – y is –4 < x – y < 3.


Difficulty: Medium
Question Type: Standard Multiple Choice

(Mathematics)