Could anyone help me in answering the below Data Sufficiency question from GMATPrep software:
Are x and y both positive?
1. 2x - 2y = 1
2. x/y > 1
Are x and y both positive?
1. 2x - 2y = 1
2. x/y > 1
Statement 1: 2x-2y = 1.Are X and Y both positive ?
(1) 2x - 2y = 1
(2) x / y > 1
2(x-y) = 1.
x-y = 1/2.
x = y + 1/2.
It's possible that y=1/2 and x=1.
It's possible that y=0 and x=1/2.
Since in the first case x and y are both positive and in the second case x and y are not both positive, insufficient.
Statement 2: x/y > 1.
It's possible that x=2 and y=1, since 2/1 > 1.
It's possible that x=-2 and y=-1, since (-2)/(-1) > 1.
Since in the first case x and y are both positive and in the second case x and y are not both positive, insufficient.
Statements 1 and 2 combined:
Statement 1: x = y + 1/2.
Statement 2: x/y > 1.
Substituting for x in the inequality:
(y + 1/2)/y > 1.
1 + 1/(2y) > 1.
1/(2y) > 0.
Thus, y>0.
Since y>0 and x = y + 1/2, we know that x>1/2.
Sufficient.
The correct answer is C.
First take-away:
The approach above combined two techniques: algebra and plugging in values.
Many DS questions are best solved using a combination of these two techniques.
Second take-away:
Given an equation with 2 variables (such as x = y + 1/2) and an inequality with the same 2 variables (such as x/y > 1), use the equation to substitute for one of the variables in the inequality.
I will also take care of the suggestion given by you for such kind of DS questions..!!
