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Yes vs No method to DS

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by Oneva » Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:49 pm
Hi here was a question from one of my practice books:

If x and y are prime numbers, is y(x-3) odd?

1.) x>10
2.) y<3

The answer is D.

I understand how to get the answer but my question is the book's method. The book states that for any non value ds question such as the one above, the question can also be solved by disproving the choices. So in order for y(x-3) to be odd both y and (x-3) have to be odd. In the choices it is proven that neither can be simultaneously odd.

Is this a correct method? I was not sure if this was an accurate strategy to use because it seems from practice that it is more likely that the question requires the proof rather than disproof. If someone could please clarify that would be awesome thanks.
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by anshumishra » Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:15 pm
Oneva wrote:Hi here was a question from one of my practice books:

If x and y are prime numbers, is y(x-3) odd?

1.) x>10
2.) y<3

The answer is D.

I understand how to get the answer but my question is the book's method. The book states that for any non value ds question such as the one above, the question can also be solved by disproving the choices. So in order for y(x-3) to be odd both y and (x-3) have to be odd. In the choices it is proven that neither can be simultaneously odd.

Is this a correct method? I was not sure if this was an accurate strategy to use because it seems from practice that it is more likely that the question requires the proof rather than disproof. If someone could please clarify that would be awesome thanks.
x,y -> prime
Is y*(x-3) = odd ?

Statement 1:
x>10
so, x is odd => x-3 = even
now, y*(x-3) = y*even = even => sufficient

Statement 2:
y< 3
=> y = 2
So, y*(x-3) = even*(x-3) = even => sufficient

Hence, D
Thanks
Anshu

(Every mistake is a lesson learned )
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by anshumishra » Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:31 pm
Oneva wrote: I understand how to get the answer but my question is the book's method. The book states that for any non value ds question such as the one above, the question can also be solved by disproving the choices. So in order for y(x-3) to be odd both y and (x-3) have to be odd. In the choices it is proven that neither can be simultaneously odd.

Is this a correct method? I was not sure if this was an accurate strategy to use because it seems from practice that it is more likely that the question requires the proof rather than disproof. If someone could please clarify that would be awesome thanks.
It is more about what you feel comfortable with? Make sure that in yes/no question, you have to absolutely prove or disprove the thing asked about.
So, here if we can prove that y*(x-3) is either odd or even in ANY CASE (based on the info given in statement 1 or 2 or combined), then we have sufficient information.
Thanks
Anshu

(Every mistake is a lesson learned )
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by GMATGuruNY » Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:32 am
Oneva wrote:Hi here was a question from one of my practice books:

If x and y are prime numbers, is y(x-3) odd?

1.) x>10
2.) y<3

The answer is D.

I understand how to get the answer but my question is the book's method. The book states that for any non value ds question such as the one above, the question can also be solved by disproving the choices. So in order for y(x-3) to be odd both y and (x-3) have to be odd. In the choices it is proven that neither can be simultaneously odd.

Is this a correct method? I was not sure if this was an accurate strategy to use because it seems from practice that it is more likely that the question requires the proof rather than disproof. If someone could please clarify that would be awesome thanks.
I would rephrase the question:

Are both y and x-3 odd?

Statement 1:
Tells us that x is odd, since the only even prime number is 2.
Thus, x-3 = odd - 3 = even, so the the answer to the question above -- are both y and x-3 odd? -- is no.
Sufficient.

Statement 2:
Tell us that y=2, so the answer to the question above -- are both y and x-3 odd? -- is no.
Sufficient.

The correct answer is D.

I think that we could run into trouble if we try to disprove the statements. The situation really is reversed: given the information in the statements, can we get a definitive answer to the question being asked?
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