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Easy

by pbanavara » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:07 pm
If both x and y are nonzero numbers, what is the value of y/x?
(1) x = 6
(2) y2 = x2

Why is b not the answer ? OA is E ..

Thanks,
Pradeep
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |
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Re: Easy

by logitech » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:11 pm
pbanavara wrote:If both x and y are nonzero numbers, what is the value of y/x?
(1) x = 6
(2) y2 = x2

Why is b not the answer ? OA is E ..

Thanks,
Pradeep
Because, even tough their squares are equal to each other, Y and X can have opposite signs.

For example, X=+6 and Y=-6 in this case y/x = -1

or maybe they Y is positive too,m then you will have y/x= +1

Since you get two different answers, E is the correct answer.
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by cramya » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:12 pm
Stmt I)

No value for y INSUFF

Stmt II

y ^ 2 = x ^ 2

(The take away when u see this is y= x or y = -x ) This changes the sign of y/x can be positive or negative

INSUFF

Toegther still INSUFF

E)

Eg:

x = 6 y cab be 6 or -6

x^2 = y ^ 2 = 36

If y =-6 then y/x = -1 If y = 6 then y/x=1 (Anytime a choice leads to 2 possible answer and a single value is asked for in the question its always INSUFF

Hope this helps!
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by pbanavara » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:17 pm
cramya wrote:Stmt I)

No value for y INSUFF

Stmt II

y ^ 2 = x ^ 2

(The take away when u see this is y= x or y = -x ) This changes the sign of y/x can be positive or negative

INSUFF

Toegther still INSUFF

E)

Eg:

x = 6 y cab be 6 or -6

x^2 = y ^ 2 = 36

If y =-6 then y/x = -1 If y = 6 then y/x=1 (Anytime a choice leads to 2 possible answer and a single value is asked for in the question its always INSUFF

Hope this helps!
Well I thought about this y=-x or -y=x but ignored as I was not completely convinced - so it's indeed important to take this into consideration.

Thanks
pradeep
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by cramya » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:56 pm
Well I thought about this y=-x or -y=x but ignored as I was not completely convinced
I have done that same mistake too before. No problem.

Good luck!
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