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Is x > y ? (1) (x - y)(x - y) > 0 (2) y > 0

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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:40 am
ziyuenlau wrote:Is x > y ?

(1) (x - y)(x - y) > 0
(2) y > 0

Statement 1:

(x - y)² > 0.
This inequality is true for all values x and y such that x≠y.

Both statements are satisfied by x=2 and y=1 (in which case the answer to the question stem is YES) or by x=-2 and y=1 (in which case the answer to the question stem is NO).
Thus, the two statements combined are INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is E.
Last edited by GMATGuruNY on Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by aji12 » Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:49 pm
Mitch
Ins't statement 1 - (x-y)^2?
GMATGuruNY wrote:
ziyuenlau wrote:Is x > y ?

(1) (x - y)(x - y) > 0
(2) y > 0
Statement 1:
x² - y² > 0
x² > y²

Both statements are satisfied by x=2 and y=1 (in which case the answer to the question stem is YES) or by x=-2 and y=1 (in which case the answer to the question stem is NO).
Thus, the two statements combined are INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is E.
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by GMATGuruNY » Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:20 pm
aji12 wrote:Mitch
Ins't statement 1 - (x-y)^2?
Good catch.
I've edited my response accordingly.
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].
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