Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Absolute value

Expert replies
by gmatusa2010 » Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:06 pm
How do you evaluate absolute value when there's no value? (All variables) I keep seeing it pop up in MGMAT materials, but they way OA solves them is making massive charts. I don't think this is efficient, can somebody chime in on how they handle this? I'll throw out a couple of examples. Also, are there signals as to when what kinds of numbers are best to test if it comes down to it?

1) |X-Y|>|X+Y|
2) |X-Y|>|Y-X|
3) |X-Y|> |X|
4) |X-Y|>|X|/|Y|

(These are totally made up, although the have appear in pieces peppered in MGMAT, the actually problem does not require solving them, they were mere red herring.)

I usually do number line method but can that be done with all variables?
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by gmatusa2010 » Mon Dec 13, 2010 12:48 am
Ok, so I just did them out number line way. Can experts please evaluate my method. I know MGMAT is harder than the real thing but is this too time consuming to be real gmat? It took me over 2 mintues to just evaluate 1 expression. Is there an intuitive way to do this? What about algebraic?

1) |X-Y|>|X+Y| : Translation Distance between X and Y greater than Distance between X and -Y?

Since X changes sign here, I will fix X and move Y around. X is positive so I will just assign 2.

a) If Y = 1, then -Y= -1, Thus distance between X and Y is less than distance between X and -Y. Meaning: |X+Y|>|X-Y| when Y<X but greater than 0.
b) If Y= -1, then -Y =1, the reverse is true. Meaning |X+Y|<|X-Y| when Y<X and less than 0
c) If Y=3, then -Y=3, Thus distance between X and Y is less than distance between X and -Y. Meaning: |X+Y|>|X-Y| when Y>X
d) If Y=2, then –Y=-2, thus distance between X and –Y is greater than the distance between X and Y. Meaning |X+Y|>|X-Y| when X=Y
e) If Y=0, the distance is the same.

Conclusion: |X-Y|>|X+Y| only when 0<X<Y

I did the same analysis for the others.
Join the discussion