Can RATIO be negative?

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Ramp: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:56 am

by Ramp » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:56 pm

Consider two points on xy plane A(2,-1) and B(2,1) . Can I say the ratio of x to y coordinates for A and B is same.

Thanks

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:56 pm

Feep: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 69; Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:15 pm; Thanked: 17 times; GMAT Score:780

by Feep » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:05 am

This doesn't make mathematical sense. Ratios are used to relate amounts or quantities. X and Y are relative coordinates in space; the numbers don't MEAN anything in that context.

Negative ratios can technically exist, though I don't see much use for them. Debt/Earning ratios, maybe.

Is there a GMAT question attached to this?

I tutor GMAT/GRE level mathematics privately in the Los Angeles region, as well as via Skype for a discounted rate. Send me a message if you're interested.

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franciskyle: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 32; Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:56 pm; Location: Whitler, BC, Canada

by franciskyle » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:52 am

The absolute value for the ratios is the same, but the ratios themselves are not.

Put it into English to better understand:

A:

I have two for every one that you do not have

B:

I have two for every one that you have

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Ramp: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:56 am

by Ramp » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:37 pm

Thanks for response. Yeah there was a question in Mnahattan CAT stating ratio of cooridnates of two points is same.

Thanks

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Ramp: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:56 am

by Ramp » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:38 pm

Thanks for response. Yeah there was a question in Mnahattan CAT stating ratio of cooridnates of two points is same.

Thanks

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