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Is x > y ?

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Is x > y ?

by Vincen » Tue Dec 26, 2017 5:11 am
Is x > y ?

(1) x^2 = 4
(2) y^3 = -8

The OA is E.

Using both statements together is not sufficient to get an answer? Why? Experts, can you help me here? Please.
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Dec 27, 2017 7:05 am
Vincen wrote:Is x > y ?

(1) x² = 4
(2) y³ = -8

The OA is E
Target question: Is x > y ?

Statement 1: x² = 4
No information about y.
NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: y³ = -8
No information about x.
NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined
Statement 1 tells us that x = 2 or x = -2
Statement 2 tells us that y = -2
There are two sets of x and y values of x that satisfy BOTH statements:
Case a: x = 2 and y = -2, in which case, the answer to the target question is YES, x is greater than y
Case b: x = -2 and y = -2, in which case, the answer to the target question is NO, x is not greater than y
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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