Data Sufficiency

NandishSS wrote:What is the value of x?

1) |x| = 4
2) x² = 16

Target question: What is the value of x?

Statement 1: |x| = 4
When we solve the equation, we find that EITHER x = 4 OR x = -4
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: x² = 16
When we solve the equation, we find that EITHER x = 4 OR x = -4
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined
Statement 1 told us that EITHER x = 4 OR x = -4
Statement 2 told us that EITHER x = 4 OR x = -4
So, when we COMBINE the statements, we find that told us that EITHER x = 4 OR x = -4

Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer = E

Cheers,
Brent

NandishSS wrote:What is the value of x?
1) |x|=4
2)x^2=16

OA:E

We need to determine the value of x.

Statement One Alone:

|x| = 4

Using the information in statement one, we know that x = 4 or x = -4, since both |4| and |-4| are equal to 4. However, since we do not have a unique value for x, statement one alone is not sufficient. Eliminate answer choices A and D.

Statement Two Alone:

x^2 = 16

Using the information in statement two, we know that x = 4 or x = -4 since both 4^2 and (-4)^2 are equal to 16. However, since we do not have a unique value for x, statement two alone is not sufficient. Eliminate answer choice B.

Statements One and Two Together:

Statements one and two provide the same information: x is either 4 or -4. Since we do not have a unique value for x, the two statements together are still not sufficient.

Answer: E