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

Redeem

If a – b > a + b, where a and b are integers, which of the following must be true?

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 1223
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2020 2:23 pm
Followed by:1 members

If a – b > a + b, where a and b are integers, which of the following must be true?

by BTGModeratorVI » Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:33 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

If a – b > a + b, where a and b are integers, which of the following must be true?

I. a < 0
II. b < 0
III. ab < 0

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and II
D) I and III
E) II and III

Answer: B
Source: Manhattan prep
Top
Source: — Problem Solving |
Legendary Member
Posts: 2499
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:04 pm
Followed by:6 members

Re: If a – b > a + b, where a and b are integers, which of the following must be true?

by swerve » Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:41 pm
BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑
Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:33 am
 If a – b > a + b, where a and b are integers, which of the following must be true?

I. a < 0
II. b < 0
III. ab < 0

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and II
D) I and III
E) II and III

Answer: B
Source: Manhattan prep
Simplify the inequality:
a – b > a + b
b<0

We know for certain that II is true.

We don't have info about the value of a. Hence, I cannot be derived.

For III ab can be positive or negative depending on the value of a. Since we don't know about a, III cannot be inferred.

Hence, B is the answer.
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 8087
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 43 times
Followed by:29 members

Re: If a – b > a + b, where a and b are integers, which of the following must be true?

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:36 pm
BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑
Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:33 am
 If a – b > a + b, where a and b are integers, which of the following must be true?

I. a < 0
II. b < 0
III. ab < 0

A) I only
B) II only
C) I and II
D) I and III
E) II and III

Answer: B
Source: Manhattan prep
Simplifying, we have:

- b > b

0 > 2b

0 > b

Since there are no restrictions on a, it can take any value. Thus, we see that a < 0 need not be true (since a can be positive or zero) and ab < 0 need not be true either (since a can be negative or zero). Thus, only statement II must be true.

Answer: B

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1