Algebra

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Algebra

by treker » Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:33 am
If x, y, and n are positive integers, is (x/y)^n greater than 1,000 ?
(1) x = y^3 and n > y.
(2) x > 5y and n > x.
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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Re: Algebra

by Ian Stewart » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:22 am
treker wrote:If x, y, and n are positive integers, is (x/y)^n greater than 1,000 ?
(1) x = y^3 and n > y.
(2) x > 5y and n > x.
Statement 1 is not sufficient, since we might have x = y = 1, and n = 2.

From Statement 2, we know that n > x > 5y. First, since y is at least 1, from this we know that n > 5. And since x > 5y, we also know that x/y > 5. So (x/y)^n > 5^5 = 3125, so (x/y)^n is certainly greater than 1000. The answer is B.
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