Radical Pair

This topic has expert replies
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 29
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:57 pm
Thanked: 1 times

Radical Pair

by kv_ajay » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:12 am
If (xy)^1/2 = xy what is value of x+y

(1) x = -1/2
(2) y is not equal to zero

OA is C

but explanation starts by squaring both sides of equation. I think we do not need do that. Just substituting right side from xy to (xy)^1/2 * (xy)^1/2 would be sufficient. Then we can say that (xy)^1/2 = 1 and y can not be 0. So A is sufficient.

Is there something i am doing wrong here..
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:24 am

Re: Radical Pair

by vish150783 » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:28 am
kv_ajay wrote:If (xy)^1/2 = xy what is value of x+y

(1) x = -1/2
(2) y is not equal to zero

OA is C

but explanation starts by squaring both sides of equation. I think we do not need do that. Just substituting right side from xy to (xy)^1/2 * (xy)^1/2 would be sufficient. Then we can say that (xy)^1/2 = 1 and y can not be 0. So A is sufficient.

Is there something i am doing wrong here..
Not sure but i think if u assume xy = 0 then you cant cancel zero on either side. But you could square zeros on both sides.

Legendary Member
Posts: 829
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:09 pm
Location: INDIA
Thanked: 84 times
Followed by:3 members

Re: Radical Pair

by sudhir3127 » Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:12 am
kv_ajay wrote:If (xy)^1/2 = xy what is value of x+y

(1) x = -1/2
(2) y is not equal to zero

OA is C

but explanation starts by squaring both sides of equation. I think we do not need do that. Just substituting right side from xy to (xy)^1/2 * (xy)^1/2 would be sufficient. Then we can say that (xy)^1/2 = 1 and y can not be 0. So A is sufficient.

Is there something i am doing wrong here..
I go with C

Sqrt XY = XY

squarring on both sides
XY = xy*XY

dividing both sides by XY
XY/XY = XY*XY/XY

Now if either X or Y = 0 its will be in " indeterminate" form

Statement 1 gives u X

Statement Y says its non zero

solve the above equation

x= -1/2 Y = -2

u will get X+Y

hope this helps...