GMAT Set 11

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GMAT Set 11

by Abhijit K » Wed Feb 25, 2015 2:48 am
If a and b are positive, is (a^-1 + b^-1)^-1 less than (a^-1b^-1)^-1?

(1) a = 2b

(2) a + b > 1

Shouldn't the answer be E?

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by GMATGuruNY » Wed Feb 25, 2015 5:56 am
Abhijit K wrote:If a and b are positive, is (a^-1 + b^-1)^-1 less than (a^-1b^-1)^-1?

(1) a = 2b

(2) a + b > 1
Note the following:
x¯¹ = 1/x.

Question:
Is 1 / (1/a + 1/b) < 1 / (1/ab)?

Since a and b are positive, the question stem can be rephrased as follows:

1 / [(a+b)/ab] < ab

ab/(a+b) < ab

1/(a+b) < 1

1 < a+b.

Question stem, rephrased:
Is a+b > 1?

Statement 1: a=2b
If b=1 and a=2, then a+b > 1.
If b=0.1 and a=0.2, then a+b < 1.
INSUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: a+b > 1
SUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is B.
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