Absolute values

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:07 am
Thanked: 2 times

Absolute values

by beater » Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:05 pm
If x, y, and z are nonzero numbers, is (x)(y + z) > 0?

(1) |x + y| = |x| + |y|

(2) |z + y| = |y| + |z|

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2134
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pm
Thanked: 237 times
Followed by:25 members
GMAT Score:730

Re: Absolute values

by logitech » Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:13 pm
beater wrote:If x, y, and z are nonzero numbers, is (x)(y + z) > 0?

(1) |x + y| = |x| + |y|

(2) |z + y| = |y| + |z|
St1) Tells us that X and Y have same signs

X,Y > 0 or X,Y<0 because if they have different signs |x + y| = |x| + |y| won't be correct.

(x)(y + z) > 0? we dont know anything about Z - INSUF

ST2) Z and Y same signs, no info for X INSUF

ST1+2)

now we know X,Y and Z have same signs!

Either they are both NEGATIVE or POSITIVE

(x)(y + z) will be greater than 0

-4 (-5+(-2) ) = 28

4 (5+2) = 28

So choose C
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 546
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: New Delhi , India
Thanked: 13 times

by ronniecoleman » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:18 am
IMO C
Admission champion, Hauz khaz
011-27565856

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2134
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pm
Thanked: 237 times
Followed by:25 members
GMAT Score:730

by logitech » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:25 am
ronniecoleman wrote:IMO C
Roonie..seems like you could not quit your IMO habit yet ? :)
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 546
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: New Delhi , India
Thanked: 13 times

by ronniecoleman » Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:25 am
logitech wrote:
ronniecoleman wrote:IMO C
Roonie..seems like you could not quit your IMO habit yet ? :)
I am trying to.....


(1) |x + y| = |x| + |y| --- x and y have to be of same sign

(2) |z + y| = |y| + |z| z and y have to be of same sign

so x , y , z are of same sign

hence together (x)(y + z) > 0
Admission champion, Hauz khaz
011-27565856

Legendary Member
Posts: 2467
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pm
Thanked: 331 times
Followed by:11 members

by cramya » Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:09 am
Good solution Logitech!