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If |x – y| = 5, what is the value of x?

Expert replies
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by [email protected] » Sat Mar 31, 2018 12:01 pm
Hi M7MBA,

We're told that |X - Y| = 5. We're asked for the value of X. This question can be solved with a bit of Arithmetic and TESTing VALUES.

1) Y = 5

With the information in Fact 1, we have the equation |X - 5| = 5. This equation has TWO solutions: 10 and 0
|10 - 5| = 5
|0 - 5| = |-5| = 5
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT

2) X > 0

With Fact 2, we know that X is POSITIVE, but that does not limit the number of possible solutions (since Y can be anything).
Fact 2 is INSUFFICIENT

Combined, we know...
Y = 5 and X = 10 or 0
X > 0

The ONLY solution that 'fits' both Facts is X=10

Final Answer: C

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
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