Expert: Bobby Soltani - 1/17/2005

Question
Please help me to solve the GRE question!

3X = 4y
XY is not equal to 0

Which is greater, Colum A or Colum B?

Colum A
The ratio of X to Y

Colum B
The ratio of Y to X

Answer
Hi JJ,

The ratio of X to Y can be expressed as X/Y and the ratio of Y to X can be expressed as Y/X.  Let's find both and see which is bigger.

3X = 4Y
divide both sides by Y
3X/Y = 4
divide both sides by 3
X/Y = 4/3
Now, let's find Y/X
3X = 4Y
divide both sides by X
3 = 4Y/X
divide both sides by 4
3/4 = Y/X
or
Y/X = 3/4
We can see that 4/3 > 3/4
1.33 > 0.75

So, ratio of X to Y is greater than the ratio of Y to X.