BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATBootcamp Starts Sep 21
Chris Peckover, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE BOOTCAMP

Live Online Bootcamp Class with Top GMAT Expert Chris Peckover

Sep 21 to Oct 9, 2026

Schedule
Mon to Fri · 7:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
Live classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class
  • 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included
View bootcamp & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Equation

Expert replies
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by DanaJ » Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:11 pm
You already know that xy = -6, so in order for you to find the value of xy (x + y), you'd need x + y OR some other value regarding x and y.

1. You know that x - y = 5, so you could rewrite this as x = y + 5. Remember that you also already know that xy = -6, so you can replace x to get:

y (y + 5) = -6
y^2 + 5y = -6
y^2 + 5y + 6 = 0

You may notice that the above equation could be written as (y + 3)(y + 2) = 0. In order for the product to be 0, at least one of the parentheses must be equal to 0. This means you have two cases:

a. y = -2 ---> x = y + 5 = 3
b. y = -3 ---> x = y + 5 = 2

You have two different pairs for x and y, which means that xy (x + y) cannot have an unique value.

So 1 is insufficient.

2 is slightly ambiguous, but I'll assume it means that only y is raised to the power of two. So you know now that x*(y^2) = 18 and since you know that xy = -6, it's easy to determine y: it will be 18/(-6) = -3. x can also be easily determined from the fact that xy = -6 - x will be 2. Knowing unique values for x and y means you can find xy (x + y) easily.

So 2 is sufficient.

The answer is B.
Join the discussion