can a ratio have a negative number

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ddddddddddd: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:35 am

by ddddddddddd » Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:40 am

If there are two values: x and y, and the relationship between them is x=-2y,
can the ratio of those two values be expressed as -2:1. (x:y)

Is it technically incorrect?

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:40 am

amit2k9: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 461; Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 9:09 amFollowed by: 3 members; Location: pune; Thanked: 36 times

by amit2k9 » Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:52 am

the ratio will be x = -2y meaning x/y = -2/1 or x:y :: -2:1.

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ddddddddddd: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:35 am

by ddddddddddd » Mon Jul 04, 2011 6:11 am

I was asking if having a ratio with a negative number is correct or not.

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Ian Stewart: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2623; Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 amFollowed by: 355 members; Location: Montreal; Thanked: 1090 times; GMAT Score:780

by Ian Stewart » Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:44 am

You will never have a ratio involving a negative quantity on the GMAT.

For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

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squ: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 2:44 pm

by squ » Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:28 am

Sorry for bumping this but found it relevant.

If x and y are integers, what is the ratio of 3y to x?

(2) 4x2 = 9y2

according to the explanation the statement is insufficient since x/y can be + or -. I marked it as sufficient since I thought you are only concerned about the proportions of the numbers and not their exact values.

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