If x ≠-y, is (x - y)/(x + y) > 0?
1) x > 0
2) y < 0
NOTE: If we have a feeling that the statements might not be sufficient, we can start TESTING VALUES.
Target question: Is (x - y)/(x + y) > 0?
Statement 1: x > 0
There are several values of x and y that satisfy this condition. Here are two:
Case a: x = 2 and y = -1, in which case
(x - y)/(x + y) is GREATER THAN 0
Case b: x = 2 and y = -3, in which case
(x - y)/(x + y) is LESS THAN 0
Since we cannot answer the
target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: y < 0
There are several values of x and y that satisfy this condition. Here are two:
Case a: x = 2 and y = -1, in which case
(x - y)/(x + y) is GREATER THAN 0
Case b: x = 2 and y = -3, in which case
(x - y)/(x + y) is LESS THAN 0
Since we cannot answer the
target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Statements 1 and 2 combined
There are several values of x and y that satisfy BOTH conditions. Here are two:
Case a: x = 2 and y = -1, in which case
(x - y)/(x + y) is GREATER THAN 0
Case b: x = 2 and y = -3, in which case
(x - y)/(x + y) is LESS THAN 0
Since we cannot answer the
target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer =
E
Cheers,
Brent
