IMO: (A)
On seeing first statement, we come to know that 3 units of x is proportional to 4 units of y and 5 units of z. So, clearly x is greater among x, y and z.
So, statement (1) is alone sufficient.
On rephrasing statement (2),
xyz > y^2
xz > y
The above condition satisfy at many values of x, y and z.
For example, both x and z could be negative and y may be positive but still the product of xz could be greater than y.
So, its ambiguous and can't deduce any specific answer.
Hence IMO: (A)
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DS question
Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency |
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codesnooker
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simplyjat
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The answer should be C
1. x:y:z=3:4:5
This statement tell us about the magnitude of x, y and z but nothing about the sign. If all are positive numbers z is greatest, if all the negative z is smallest. INSUFFICIENT
2. xyz - y^2 is a positive integer
Do not oversimplify this! Y^2 is always positive. If we have (something) - positive = positive, then we know that something is positive and bigger in magnitude than what is subtracted. INSUFFICIENT
Combine the two, we know that z has the biggest magnitude and all the numbers are positive, thus Z is greatest.
1. x:y:z=3:4:5
This statement tell us about the magnitude of x, y and z but nothing about the sign. If all are positive numbers z is greatest, if all the negative z is smallest. INSUFFICIENT
2. xyz - y^2 is a positive integer
Do not oversimplify this! Y^2 is always positive. If we have (something) - positive = positive, then we know that something is positive and bigger in magnitude than what is subtracted. INSUFFICIENT
Combine the two, we know that z has the biggest magnitude and all the numbers are positive, thus Z is greatest.
simplyjat
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codesnooker
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I agree that I forget about the importance of sign. 
Definitely the answer is C.
Though the real answer doesn't matter in the DS question, but still I would like to know that are you sure about your point mentioned above?
I think the x should be greatest if all the numbers are positive and z should be greatest if all the numbers are negative because 3 units of x are proportionate to 5 units of z.
Let me know your comment.
Definitely the answer is C.simplyjat wrote:The answer should be C
If all are positive numbers z is greatest, if all the negative z is smallest. INSUFFICIENT
Though the real answer doesn't matter in the DS question, but still I would like to know that are you sure about your point mentioned above?
I think the x should be greatest if all the numbers are positive and z should be greatest if all the numbers are negative because 3 units of x are proportionate to 5 units of z.
Let me know your comment.
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simplyjat
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 423
- Location: Hyderabad, India
- Thanked: 36 times
- GMAT Score:770
Yeah I am sure about what I mentioned in the previous post...
For example, lets take three numbers x=25 y=75 z=125.
x:y = 25:75 = 1:3
y:z = 75:125 = 3:5
x:z = 25:125 = 1:5
so we get x:y:z = 1:3:5 and we know that 125 (z) is the greatest and one having the highest proportion...
To remember this concept you have to look at proportions link this
x:y:z = 1:3:5 means that
x = 1*a
y = 3*a
z = 5*a
where a is a common term (25 in above example)
For example, lets take three numbers x=25 y=75 z=125.
x:y = 25:75 = 1:3
y:z = 75:125 = 3:5
x:z = 25:125 = 1:5
so we get x:y:z = 1:3:5 and we know that 125 (z) is the greatest and one having the highest proportion...
To remember this concept you have to look at proportions link this
x:y:z = 1:3:5 means that
x = 1*a
y = 3*a
z = 5*a
where a is a common term (25 in above example)
simplyjat
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codesnooker
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- GMAT Score:580
Had it been a ps problem the negativity factr could be avoided.
But not in a ds q.
So c is the answer.
But not in a ds q.
So c is the answer.
