# A Guide to the GRE/The Two Types of GRE Math Questions

## The Two Types of GRE Math Questions

There are two types of GRE math questions: quantity comparison, and ordinary problem solving.

### Quantity Comparison

A quantity comparison question will give two quantities and ask the test taker to compare them. For example:

1. Ashley's pet cockatoo eats ${\displaystyle {\tfrac {7}{4}}}$ as much bird food as her pet parakeet. Ashley has no other pets.

Quantity A: the percentage of total bird food eaten by Ashley's cockatoo
Quantity B: 65%

(A) Quantity A is greater.
(B) Quantity B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

### Problem Solving

A problem solving question asks a "normal" multiple choice or open-ended question which requires mathematical reasoning to solve.

11. Vivie's pet cockatoo eats as much bird food as her pet parakeet. Vivie has no other pets. What fraction of the total bird food is eaten by Vivie's cockatoo?

(A)${\displaystyle {\tfrac {7}{4}}}$
(B)${\displaystyle {\tfrac {4}{7}}}$
(C)${\displaystyle {\tfrac {11}{4}}}$
(D)${\displaystyle {\tfrac {11}{7}}}$
(E)${\displaystyle {\tfrac {7}{11}}}$