Integers a and b are such that a - b > 0. Is |a| > |b| ?
(1) ab > 0
(2) a + b = 12
The OA is B.
Why is B the answer?
(1) ab > 0
(2) a + b = 12
The OA is B.
Why is B the answer?
Given that a - b > 0 => a > b.Vincen wrote:Integers a and b are such that a - b > 0. Is |a| > |b| ?
(1) ab > 0
(2) a + b = 12
The OA is B.
Why is B the answer?
We have to determine whether |a| > |b|.
Statement 1: ab > 0
=> Either a and b both are positive or both are negative.
Case 1: Say a = 3 and b = 2 (a > b), then |3| > |2|. The answer is Yes.
Case 2: Say a = -2 and b = -3 (a > b), then |-2| < |-3| => 2 < 3. The answer is No.
Insufficient.
Statement 2: a + b = 12
Had a = b, then a = b = 6. But we know that a > b, thus a > 6 and b < 6. This means that |a| > |b|. Sufficient.
If you try to increase the value of |b| so that it may be greater than |a|, it is not possible.
Say b = -10, thus |b| = 10.
From a + b = 12, we get a +(-10) = 12 => a - 10 = 12 => a = 22.
Thus, |a| > |b|. The answer is Yes.
The correct answer: B
Hope this helps!
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-Jay
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