We must recognize that if x and y are both between 0 and 1, then they must be fractions (decimals). To determine their relationships, we can substitute values for x and y. Let's have and (because y must be greater than x).

If x and y are both between 0 and 1, then xy is also between 0 and 1 (though smaller than either x or y individually).

The value of (xy)2 will be less than (xy), since squaring any number between 0 and 1 gives a smaller result.

Finally, is largest, since dividing a larger number by a smaller one gives a result greater than 1.

Note that the substituted values for x and y were purely hypothetical; any values that satisfy the given inequality could be used.

In this question, simply take the percentage of each group that owns a minivan and compare the values. For minivans we look at the middle row which we recognize as a percent that must be converted to a decimal. Acknowledge that there's a different number of people between the groups A and B:

Group B: 0.15(5000) = 750

Group A: 0.22(3500) = 770

750 – 770 = –20; thus, group B has 20 fewer people who own minivans than group A.

Set the equation up as

Solve for , which equals

or

Therefore the percent sales tax is:

0.7 * 0.7 = 0.49

Trick: do the numbers without the decimals (7*7)

49; move the decimal of the answer the total number of spaces per each number (one for each 0.7)

0.49