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Is z gt avg

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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by VP_Jim » Sat May 24, 2008 9:25 pm
Let's plug in some values.

For statement 1, let's say x=8. That would make the average of x and 10 = 9. For z to be closer to 10 than it is to x, z would have to be greater than 9, so also greater than the average of x and 10. The same thing would happen if you plugged in x=6. The average of x and 10 is now 8. z would have to be greater than 8 to be closer to 10 than to x. This is always going to be the case, since z will always have to be at least a tiny bit above the average in order to be closer to 10 than to x. So, this is sufficient.

For statement 2, let's again say that x=8. z would then be 40, which is well over 9, the average of x and 10.

Now let's say that x=.0000001 (or, as close to zero as possible). That would make the average of x and 10 = 5 (plus a tiny, tiny bit). z would then be .0000005, which is less than the average of x and 10. So, not sufficient, since we said "yes" and "no" to this statement.

I'm going to say the correct choice is A.
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
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by aatech » Sun May 25, 2008 5:56 pm
The OA is A

Thanks
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