Data Sufficient Geometry Question - advice to tackle - The Beat The GMAT Forum

Data Sufficient Geometry Question - advice to tackle

Expert replies

Orla M: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 19; Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:16 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by Orla M » Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:45 am

Am seeking your help with the following, thanks!

I am given two parallel lines as in the image I have attached. PS being parallel to QR. The question asks whether the line segment PQ is smaller in length than the line segment SR. Two angles are given and I see that y is also at angle PSR by deduction. The given statements are:

1) x > y
2) x + y > 90

Answer is A. Just not sure how to get there.

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency | Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:45 am

pemdas: Legendary Member; Posts: 1084; Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:33 pmFollowed by: 21 members; Thanked: 158 times

by pemdas » Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:28 am

Orla M wrote:Am seeking your help with the following, thanks!

I am given two parallel lines as in the image I have attached. PS being parallel to QR. The question asks whether the line segment PQ is smaller in length than the line segment SR. Two angles are given and I see that y is also at angle PSR by deduction. The given statements are:

1) x > y
2) x + y > 90

Answer is A. Just not sure how to get there.

what's the source of this q.. The answer isn't A here. The angle x may be greater than angle y and we may end with different lengths of PQ.

Success doesn't come overnight!

Like this post

Orla M: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 19; Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:16 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by Orla M » Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:18 am

It's one of the GMAC practice tests. Here is camera shot showing that Answer A is the correct answer - solution 1 being sufficient.

Like this post

pemdas: Legendary Member; Posts: 1084; Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:33 pmFollowed by: 21 members; Thanked: 158 times

by pemdas » Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:26 am

nice, you have a constraint here that x<90. Then answer is A. You missed some info interpreting q.

Orla M wrote:It's one of the GMAC practice tests. Here is camera shot showing that Answer A is the correct answer - solution 1 being sufficient.

Success doesn't come overnight!

Like this post

Orla M: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 19; Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:16 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by Orla M » Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:41 am

OK,

So the logic would be that if both angles are less than 90 and we are given info that x>y, then we can determine that the line segment PQ is shorter than SR. However, if we only have info in answer B that basically tells us what both add up to but not which angle is greater among the two, it's impossible to tell if one is smaller than the other?

Would appreciate your explanation on this.

Thanks.

Like this post

pemdas: Legendary Member; Posts: 1084; Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:33 pmFollowed by: 21 members; Thanked: 158 times

by pemdas » Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:28 am

yes your logic is sound. One angle, x, is greater than another angle y to tell us that PQ has less inclination and less length than the other line segment. To help your thinking, imagine PQ as geometrically posed line segment in right triangle being a hypotenuse or placed on the space and starting from one point to reach another point, the line segment with an angle (inclination) set at the horizontal base.

Orla M wrote:OK,

So the logic would be that if both angles are less than 90 and we are given info that x>y, then we can determine that the line segment PQ is shorter than SR. However, if we only have info in answer B that basically tells us what both add up to but not which angle is greater among the two, it's impossible to tell if one is smaller than the other?

Would appreciate your explanation on this.

Thanks.

Success doesn't come overnight!

Like this post

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:54 am

Statement 1: x>y
EXAGGERATE the difference between x and y:

The figure above shows that PQ<SR.
SUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: x+y>90
If x>y, then PQ<SR, as shown in the figure above.
If x<y, then PQ>SR:

INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is A.

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].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review