nehs wrote:1.A certain list consists of several different integers. Is the product of al lthe integers positive?

1.Product of greatest and smallest integer in the list is positive
2.There are an even number of integers in the list

IMO C.

a) tells you that the smallest and greatest integers' product is positive. This could hold true in 2 scenarios:
both a and b are positive
or both a and b are negative.
If both are positive, then the product of all integers is positive
BUT, if both are negative, then the product of all integers will be positive depending on whether the number of integers in the list is even or odd.
(Odd number of negative integers will return a negative product)
So, Insufficient.

b) tells you nothing about the integers in the list being positive or negative.
Insufficient.

Together, b fills in the missing piece in a above. Hence, sufficient.

beatthegmatinsept wrote:

nehs wrote:1.A certain list consists of several different integers. Is the product of al lthe integers positive?

1.Product of greatest and smallest integer in the list is positive
2.There are an even number of integers in the list

IMO C.

a) tells you that the smallest and greatest integers' product is positive. This could hold true in 2 scenarios:
both a and b are positive
or both a and b are negative.
If both are positive, then the product of all integers is positive
BUT, if both are negative, then the product of all integers will be positive depending on whether the number of integers in the list is even or odd.
(Odd number of negative integers will return a negative product)
So, Insufficient.

b) tells you nothing about the integers in the list being positive or negative.
Insufficient.

Together, b fills in the missing piece in a above. Hence, sufficient.

That's right
However, I fail to understand how the information on greatest and smallest integers helps here. I thought we needed information to know if these integers are consecutive etc.

nehs wrote: That's right
However, I fail to understand how the information on greatest and smallest integers helps here. I thought we needed information to know if these integers are consecutive etc.

We don't care if they are consecutive or not.. All that we need to know is if they are positive or negative, and a gives you that.
Remember, its not asking you for Median or Mean here (where knowing more about the integers would be helpful).

beatthegmatinsept wrote: We don't care if they are consecutive or not.. All that we need to know is if they are positive or negative, and a gives you that.
Remember, its not asking you for Median or Mean here (where knowing more about the integers would be helpful).

Oh,yes - got it. Thanks again

Looks like I am making silly mistakes without using common sense!!!
Need to concentrate a little more during the actual test.