We can also work backwards from the answer choices here, to see which one works:
A. If a=1/2, then (1/4)*b has to be greater than 1, which means b has to be greater than 4. But b has to be less than 2, so this doesn't work.
B. If a=1/4, then (1/16)*b has to be greater than 1, which means b has to be greater than 16. But b has to be less than 2, so this doesn't work.
C. a^2 here would be the same as in A. Doesn't work.
D. If a=-2, then (4)*b has to be greater than 1, then b has to be greater than 1/4. b can be any number between 1/4 and 2. This works!
E. If a=2/3, then (4/9)*b has to be greater than 1, so b has to be greater than 9/4. 9/4 is greater than 2, so this doesn't work.
Ceilidh Erickson
EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
