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If x and y are integers and xy = 4, what is the value of y?

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If x and y are integers and xy = 4, what is the value of y?

by gmattesttaker2 » Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:18 pm
Hello,

Can you please assist with this:

If x and y are integers and xy = 4, what is the value of y?
(1) x = y - 3
(2) x = 1

OA: B

However, I am getting D


xy = 4
=> 1.4 = 4
or 2.2 = 4
or 4.1 = 4

1) x = y - 3 => x + 3 = y

Hence, x = 1. So y = 4

Hence, suff.


2) x = 1

Suff.

Hence, D


Thanks,
Sri
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by GMATGuruNY » Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:41 pm
gmattesttaker2 wrote:Hello,

Can you please assist with this:

If x and y are integers and xy = 4, what is the value of y?
(1) x = y - 3
(2) x = 1
Given that x and y are integers and that xy=4, the following cases are possible:
x=1, y=4
x=-1, y=-4
x=2, y=2
x=-2, y=-2
x=4, y=1
x=-4, y=-1.

Statement 1: x = y-3
In other words, x is 3 less than y.
Of the six cases listed above, two are such that x is 3 less than y:
x=1, y=4
x=-4, y=-1.
Since it's possible that y=4 or that y=-1, INSUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: x=1
Of the six cases listed above, only one includes x=1:
x=1, y=4.
Thus, y=4.
SUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is B.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Feb 14, 2014 8:33 am
gmattesttaker2 wrote:Hello,

Can you please assist with this:

If x and y are integers and xy = 4, what is the value of y?
(1) x = y - 3
(2) x = 1

OA: B

However, I am getting D


xy = 4
=> 1.4 = 4
or 2.2 = 4
or 4.1 = 4

1) x = y - 3 => x + 3 = y

Hence, x = 1. So y = 4

Hence, suff.


2) x = 1

Suff.

Hence, D


Thanks,
Sri
Hey Sri,

I think you read the question as "If x and y are positive integers . . .," in which case the answer would, indeed, be D

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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