Distance between x and y is greater than the distance between x and z. Does z lie between x and y on the number line??
1) xyz < 0
2) xy < 0
OA is C
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
DS
This topic has expert replies
-
GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
When no order is specified, consider different -- especially NON-ALPHABETIC -- orderings of the given points.On the number line, the distance between x and y is greater than the distance between x and z. Does z lie between x and y on the number line?
a) xyz < 0
b) xy < 0
The following case satisfies all of the constraints in the problem:
y=-10..............................0..................z=9.....x=10
Here, z lies between x and y.
The following case satisfies all of the constraints in the problem:
y=-10..............................0..............................x=10....z=11
Here, z does NOT lie between x and y.
Thus, the two statements combined are INSUFFICIENT.
The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Hi Mitch
Thank you, but what do you mean by non alphabetic numbering?
Also when I started off with this question, I stated thinking of multiple possibilities like negative z, positive x, positive y etc.
In the middle of all the possible permutations, combinations I got lost and ended up wildly guessing.
Any thoughts on whats the best way to approach these questions - by assigning signages? Looking at values? Start with all positive values?
Thanks very much!
Thank you, but what do you mean by non alphabetic numbering?
Also when I started off with this question, I stated thinking of multiple possibilities like negative z, positive x, positive y etc.
In the middle of all the possible permutations, combinations I got lost and ended up wildly guessing.
Any thoughts on whats the best way to approach these questions - by assigning signages? Looking at values? Start with all positive values?
Thanks very much!
-
GMATinsight
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 1100
- Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 11:34 pm
- Location: New Delhi, India
- Thanked: 205 times
- Followed by:24 members
Question : Does z lie between x and y on the number line??Nijo wrote:Distance between x and y is greater than the distance between x and z. Does z lie between x and y on the number line??
1) xyz < 0
2) xy < 0
OA is C
Statement 1) xyz < 0
Inference 1: Exactly one of x,y and z is Negative
If y is Negative, x and z are positive and x>z which will also validate that distance xy > Distance xz
then z lies between y and x
Inference 2: All of x, y and z are Negative
such that y<x<z such that Distance y=-10, x=-2, z=-1 then z DOESN'T lie between y and x
INSUFFICIENT
Statement 2) xy < 0
No information about z therefore
INSUFFICIENT
Combining the two statement
Exactly one of x,y and z is Negative
If y is Negative, x and z are positive and x>z which will also validate that distance xy > Distance xz then z lies between y and x
and If y is Negative, x and z are positive and x<z [y=-10, x=2, z=3] then z DOESN'T lie between y and x
INSUFFICIENT
Answer: Option E
"GMATinsight"Bhoopendra Singh & Sushma Jha
Most Comprehensive and Affordable Video Course 2000+ CONCEPT Videos and Video Solutions
Whatsapp/Mobile: +91-9999687183 l [email protected]
Contact for One-on-One FREE ONLINE DEMO Class Call/e-mail
Most Efficient and affordable One-On-One Private tutoring fee - US$40-50 per hour
Most Comprehensive and Affordable Video Course 2000+ CONCEPT Videos and Video Solutions
Whatsapp/Mobile: +91-9999687183 l [email protected]
Contact for One-on-One FREE ONLINE DEMO Class Call/e-mail
Most Efficient and affordable One-On-One Private tutoring fee - US$40-50 per hour
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
[email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi Nijo,
When Mitch mentioned "non-alphabetic ordering", he meant that when you have multiple variables (e.g. X, Y and Z), they're not necessarily in order from least to greatest (maybe X is the smallest of the 3, but maybe it's NOT. It could be the biggest of the 3 or it could be the second biggest). Unless a prompt gives you the specific restriction that one variable is smaller than another, you don't have to follow the "order" of the variables.
In this question, there are almost no restrictions, which should get you thinking that the situation is probably INSUFFICIENT. You don't even have to come up with that many examples to prove it.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
When Mitch mentioned "non-alphabetic ordering", he meant that when you have multiple variables (e.g. X, Y and Z), they're not necessarily in order from least to greatest (maybe X is the smallest of the 3, but maybe it's NOT. It could be the biggest of the 3 or it could be the second biggest). Unless a prompt gives you the specific restriction that one variable is smaller than another, you don't have to follow the "order" of the variables.
In this question, there are almost no restrictions, which should get you thinking that the situation is probably INSUFFICIENT. You don't even have to come up with that many examples to prove it.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
