BlueDragon2010 wrote:If v and w are different integers, does v = 0?

1) vw = v²
2) w = 2

Target question: Does v = 0?

Given: v and w are different integers

Statement 1: vw = v²
Set equal to zero: v² - vw = 0
Factor to get: v(v - w) = 0
Since this product equals 0, there are two possibilities:
case a: v = 0
case b: v - w = 0 (in other words v = w)
HOWEVER, case b is impossible, because we're told that v and w are different integers
So, we can rule out case b, which means it MUST BE THE CASE that v = 0
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: w = 2
There's no information about v, which means we can't determine whether or not v = 0
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer = A

Cheers,
Brent

Hi BlueDragon2010,

Both Brent and Patrick have properly explained this DS question, so I won't rehash that here.

It is worth noting that DS questions are designed to test you on a number of "skills" beyond math skills. Your thoroughness is often tested on DS questions (meaning your ability to see ALL of the possibilities and not just the obvious one). As such, it's important to consider the number 0 when dealing with DS questions. This prompt is literally TELLING you to think about 0, since the question is asking "does v = 0?" Keep that idea in mind any time you're dealing with DS.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich