Is Y > 0 ?

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Is Y > 0 ?

by ST » Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:27 am
If x < 0, Is y > 0 ?

1) x/y < 0
2) y-x > 0

Can someone explain this problem?

ST
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by relic » Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:03 am
If x < 0, Is y > 0 ?

1) x/y < 0
2) y-x > 0

Well, we know x is negative from the question itself, and we're asked if y is positive. So we'll need some relationship between x and y that helps us determine y's signage.

Statement one says that the quotient of x/y will be negative. This can only happen when a positive number and a negative number are the terms. We already know x is negative, therefore y must be the positive term. This statement alone is sufficient.

Statement two can be rewritten y > x, but this leaves open the possibilities that y is a greater negative number than x ( -1 > -2) or that y is zero or that y is positive. So this statement is insufficient.

The correct answer is A
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thank you

by ST » Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:10 am
thank you

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by vittalgmat » Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:22 pm
Stmt 1 says that x /y is -ve number.
This can only happen if either x or y is negative (but not both).
we know x is -ve. So y is +ve.
Sufficient.


stmt 2: y -x > 0
=> y > x.
Now x is -ve. All that the stmt 2 says is that y is greater than x.
y could be -ve or +ve as long as y > x.
so insufficient.


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