If mn ≠0, is m > n?
(1) 1/m < 1/n
(2) m^2 > n^2
Source : Manhattan Prep
OA=E
If mn ≠0, is m > n? (1) 1/m < 1/n (2) m^2 > n^2
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Something weird occurred.
Last edited by Brent@GMATPrepNow on Mon May 22, 2017 7:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Target question: Is m > n?hazelnut01 wrote:If mn ≠0, is m > n?
(1) 1/m < 1/n
(2) m² > n²
Given: mn ≠0
Statement 1: 1/m < 1/n
This statement doesn't FEEL sufficient, so I'll TEST some values.
There are several values of m and n that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
Case a: m = 2 and n = 1. In this case m > n
Case b: m = -3 and n = 1. In this case m < n
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Aside: For more on this idea of plugging in values when a statement doesn't feel sufficient, read my article: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/dat ... lug-values
Statement 2: m² > n²
Before I start choosing numbers to test, I'll see if I can REUSE my numbers from statement 1.
Yes I can! Those same values satisfy the conditions in statement 2.
Case a: m = 2 and n = 1. In this case m > n
Case b: m = -3 and n = 1. In this case m < n
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Statements 1 and 2 combined
IMPORTANT: Notice that I was able to use the same counter-examples to show that each statement ALONE is not sufficient. So, the same counter-examples will satisfy the two statements COMBINED.
In other words,
Case a: m = 2 and n = 1. In this case m > n
Case b: m = -3 and n = 1. In this case m < n
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer: E
Cheers,
Brent
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You can do algebra with some logical reasoning mixed in.Bullzi wrote:Hello,
Is there an algebraic way of solving this question? I didn't think of testing values, started with algebra, but got stuck midway not able to reach a logical conclusion
Thanks,
Bullzi
If we're given an inequality, and we take the reciprocal of both sides, the inequality sign will flip, provided that both sides are positive or both sides are negative. If other words, if A > B, and A and B are both positive (or both negative), then 1/A < 1/B. However, one side is positive and one side is negative, the inequality sign will not flip when we take the reciprocal. (This makes sense, as the reciprocal of a negative will remain negative.)
Using that property, here's one way to evaluate statement 1.
If m and n are both positive, or both negative, then when we take the reciprocal of 1/m > 1/n, we'll get m > n, or a YES to the original question. However, if m is negative and n is positive, the reciprocal would give us m < n, or a NO. Not sufficient.
Statement 2. If we take the square root of both sides of m² > n² , we'll get |m| > |n|. All this tells us is that the distance from m to 0 is greater than the distance from n to 0. But it doesn't tell us if we're dealing with positive or negative values. If m and n are positive, yes, m will be greater. But if m is negative and n is positive, then clearly m will be not be greater.
Together: Same problem. If m is negative and n is positive, then, m < n, and we get a NO. If both are positive, then m > n and we get a YES. Not sufficient. So the answer is E.
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Question stem, rephrased:Bullzi wrote:Hello,
Is there an algebraic way of solving this question? I didn't think of testing values, started with algebra, but got stuck midway not able to reach a logical conclusion
Thanks,
Bullzi
Is m-n > 0?
Statement 1: 1/m < 1/n
1/m - 1/n < 0
(n-m)/mn < 0
(m-n)/mn > 0.
Case 1: mn>0
Here, the inequality in blue will be satisfied only if m-n>0, with the result that the answer to the question stem is YES.
Case 2: mn<0
Here, the inequality in blue will be satisfied only if m-n<0, with the result that the answer to the question stem is NO.
INSUFFICIENT.
Statement 2: m² > n²
m² - n² > 0
(m+n)(m-n) > 0.
Case 1: m+n > 0
Here, the inequality in red will be satisfied only if m-n > 0, with the result that the answer to the question stem is YES.
Case 2: m+n<0
Here, the inequality in red will be satisfied only if m-n<0, with the result that the answer to the question stem is NO.
INSUFFICIENT.
Statements combined:
(m-n)/mn > 0.
(m+n)(m-n) > 0.
Case 1: mn>0 and m+n>0
Here, the two colored inequalities will be satisfied only if m-n>0, with the result that the answer to the question stem is YES.
Case 2: mn<0 and m+n<0
Here, the two colored inequalities will be satisfied only if m-n<0, with the result that the answer to the question stem is NO.
INSUFFICIENT.
The correct answer is E.
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Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
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