(x - y)(y - x + 1) = ?

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Re: (x - y)(y - x + 1) = ?

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sun Jul 26, 2020 1:10 pm

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BTGModeratorVI wrote:
Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:33 am
(x − y)(y − x + 1) = ?

(1) x − y = 2
(2) y − x + 1 = −1

Answer: D
Source: Economist GMAT
Target question: What is the value of (x − y)(y − x + 1)?

Statement 1: x−y = 2
Great. We already have half of the expression of (x − y)(y − x + 1)
Take x−y = 2 and multiply both sides by -1 to get: -x+y = -2
Rewrite as: y - x = -2
Add 1 to both sides: y - x + 1 = -1
So, (x − y)(y − x + 1) = (2)(-1) = -2
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: y−x+1=−1
Once again, we're given half of the expression of (x − y)(y − x + 1)
Take y−x+1=−1 subtract 1 from both sides to get: y−x=−2
Multiply both sides by -1 to get: -y+x = 2
Rewrite as: x - y = 2
So, (x − y)(y − x + 1) = (2)(-1) = -2
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer: D

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Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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