If a and b are negative numbers, is b > a ?

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

BTGModeratorVI wrote:
Mon Dec 28, 2020 8:33 am
If a and b are negative numbers, is b > a ?

(1) a/b > 1
(2) b/a < 1

Answer: D
Source: official guide
Given: a and b are NEGATIVE numbers

IMPORTANT CONCEPT: If we divide both sides of an inequality by a NEGATIVE value, we must REVERSE the direction of the inequality sign.

Target question: Is b > a ?

Statement 1: a/b > 1
Multiply both sides of the inequality by b to get: a < b (notice that we REVERSED the direction of the inequality sign)
The answer to the target question is YES, it is true that b > a
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: b/a < 1
Multiply both sides of the inequality by a to get: b > a (notice that we REVERSED the direction of the inequality sign)
The answer to the target question is YES, it is true that b > a
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image