Target question: Is x > y?Is x > y?
1) x = y + 2
2) x/2 = y - 1
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Target question: Is x > y?Is x > y?
1) x = y + 2
2) x/2 = y - 1
Statement 1: x = y + 2
Since this tells us that x and y+2 are equal, let's take the target question, and replace x with y + 2 to get: Is y + 2 > y?
The answer is a resounding YES!! y + 2 is TWO GREATER THAN y
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: x/2 = y - 1
To get a better idea of what this equation is telling us, let's eliminate the fraction by multiplying both sides by 2.
We get: x = 2y - 2
There are several values of x and y that satisfy statement 2. Here are two:
Case a: x = 4 and y = 3. In this case x > y
Case b: x = 0 and y = 1. In this case x < y
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer: A
Cheers,
Brent
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Target question: Is x > y?Is x > y?
1) x = y + 2
2) x/2 = y - 1
Statement 1: x = y + 2
Since this tells us that x and y+2 are equal, let's take the target question, and replace x with y + 2 to get: Is y + 2 > y?
The answer is a resounding YES!! y + 2 is TWO GREATER THAN y
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: x/2 = y - 1
To get a better idea of what this equation is telling us, let's eliminate the fraction by multiplying both sides by 2.
We get: x = 2y - 2
There are several values of x and y that satisfy statement 2. Here are two:
Case a: x = 4 and y = 3. In this case x > y
Case b: x = 0 and y = 1. In this case x < y
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer: A
Cheers,
Brent
[email protected] wrote:Hi Setarhrrr,
You seem comfortable with the idea that Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT (since X = Y + 2, but definition X would have to be bigger than Y). With Fact 2, you can TEST VALUES, but you have to be thorough with your thinking...
2) X/2 = Y - 1
IF....
X = 4 and Y = 3, then the answer to the question is YES.
X = 2 and Y = 2, then the answer to the question is NO.
Fact 2 is INSUFFICIENT
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Be careful. You aren't looking at the entire equation.Setarehrrr wrote:[for statement 2] if x=6 than y=3 than subtract 2.... so x will always be bigger.
A similar problem is discussed here.Setarehrrr wrote:Can someone help me the answer is A but I thought it is D because I would get a bigger number for X if I plug it in...
Thank you
We need to consider that x can take up negative value as well. Let say x = -3, y = -1 In this case x<yBrent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Target question: Is x > y?Is x > y?
1) x = y + 2
2) x/2 = y - 1
Statement 1: x = y + 2
Since this tells us that x and y+2 are equal, let's take the target question, and replace x with y + 2 to get: Is y + 2 > y?
The answer is a resounding YES!! y + 2 is TWO GREATER THAN y
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: x/2 = y - 1
To get a better idea of what this equation is telling us, let's eliminate the fraction by multiplying both sides by 2.
We get: x = 2y - 2
There are several values of x and y that satisfy statement 2. Here are two:
Case a: x = 4 and y = 3. In this case x > y
Case b: x = 0 and y = 1. In this case x < y
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer: A
Cheers,
Brent
Mannit wrote:x = -3, y = -1 is not a solution to the equation x = y + 2Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Target question: Is x > y?Is x > y?
1) x = y + 2
2) x/2 = y - 1
We need to consider that x can take up negative value as well. Let say x = -3, y = -1 In this case x<y
if x=5 then y=3 i.e x>y thus statement 1 is insufficient.
If we plug x = -3 and y = -1 into the equation we get: -3 = -1 + 2
Evaluate to get: -3 = 1
Doesn't work.
Cheers,
Brent
