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Quantity Comparison

Quantitative Aptitude / DI · Advanced Quant / Data

Useful for: IBPS Banking

Overview

Quantity comparison asks you to compute two quantities and state which is larger or whether they are equal.

Key points

Compute each quantity independently.
Use approximation when the difference is obvious.
If a quantity can take several values, check all of them.
Typical topics: percentage, interest, averages, probability, mensuration.
Equality must be exact.

Explanation

Keep fractions instead of decimals for exact comparison.
For variable quantities, test the extremes.
Do not compute more precisely than needed.
Note units carefully.

Step by step

Translate the data or statement into numbers.
Compute step by step with the right formula.
Compare with options; check reasonableness.

Examples

Quantity I: 20% of 150 = 30; Quantity II: 25% of 120 = 30 → equal.
Quantity I: SI on ₹1,000 at 10% for 2 years = ₹200; Quantity II: CI = ₹210 → I < II.
Quantity I: average of 10, 20, 30 = 20; Quantity II: median of 5, 25, 40 = 25 → I < II.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Rounding when values are close.
Trap: Ignoring multiple possible values.
Trap: Unit mismatch.

Quick revision

Compute separately.
Exact for equality.
Check all cases.

Practice MCQs

Q1: 20% of 50, Q2: √100. Relation —
1. Q1 = Q2
2. cannot be determined
3. Q1 > Q2
4. Q1 < Q2
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Answer: (a) Q1 = Q2. Both are 10.
Q1: SI on ₹1,000 at 10% for 2 years, Q2: ₹150. Relation —
1. Q1 < Q2
2. Q1 = Q2
3. cannot be determined
4. Q1 > Q2
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Answer: (d) Q1 > Q2. SI = 200 > 150.
Q1: average of 10, 20, 30; Q2: 20. Relation —
1. cannot be determined
2. Q1 > Q2
3. Q1 < Q2
4. Q1 = Q2
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Answer: (d) Q1 = Q2. Average = 20.
Q1: probability of a head with a fair coin; Q2: 0.4. Relation —
1. Q1 = Q2
2. cannot be determined
3. Q1 > Q2
4. Q1 < Q2
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Answer: (c) Q1 > Q2. 0.5 > 0.4.
Q1: x where x² = 25; Q2: 4. Relation —
1. Q1 = Q2
2. cannot be determined
3. Q1 > Q2
4. Q1 < Q2
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Answer: (b) cannot be determined. x = ±5: 5 > 4 but −5 < 4.
In quantity comparison, each quantity should be —
1. ignored
2. computed independently
3. guessed
4. combined
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Answer: (b) computed independently. Compute separately.
If a quantity can take several values, you must —
1. check all values
2. pick the first
3. pick the largest
4. ignore it
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Answer: (a) check all values. Possible relations change.
Q1: area of a square with side 4; Q2: area of a rectangle 8 × 2. Relation —
1. Q1 > Q2
2. Q1 < Q2
3. Q1 = Q2
4. cannot be determined
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Answer: (c) Q1 = Q2. Both 16.
"Equal" is chosen only when the quantities are —
1. approximately equal
2. close
3. similar
4. exactly equal
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Answer: (d) exactly equal. Exact equality.
Q1: 15% of 200; Q2: 25% of 100. Relation —
1. cannot be determined
2. Q1 > Q2
3. Q1 < Q2
4. Q1 = Q2
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Answer: (b) Q1 > Q2. 30 > 25.