Time SUCKER- Could be TRUE

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Time SUCKER- Could be TRUE

by kanha81 » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:29 am
Apologies, if this question has already been discussed.

If x>y>z^2, then which of the following could be true?
x>y>z
[II] z>y>x
[III] x>z>y

[A] I only
I and II only
[C] II and III only
[D] I and III only
[E] I, II, and III

What is a quick method to find the answer? I spent considerable amount of time on this question.
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by jakesing » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:13 am
Is the answer D?

Just evaluate each one - doesn't take much time.

It tells you x>y>z^2

I. x>y>z. Since z is going to be smaller than z^2 every time (except with fractions), this could definitely be true. Think of a quick example. If x=100, y=99 and z=3. WORKS

II. z>y>x. The stem tells you x>y, so this could not be true. DOESNT WORK

III. x>z>y. Similar logic to I. Think of fractions. If y=1/3 and z=1/2, then z>y but z^2 (which = 1/4) is < y. WORKS

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by cata1yst » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:27 am
jakesing wrote:Is the answer D?

Just evaluate each one - doesn't take much time.

It tells you x>y>z^2

I. x>y>z. Since z is going to be smaller than z^2 every time (except with fractions), this could definitely be true. Think of a quick example. If x=100, y=99 and z=3. WORKS

II. z>y>x. The stem tells you x>y, so this could not be true. DOESNT WORK

III. x>z>y. Similar logic to I. Think of fractions. If y=1/3 and z=1/2, then z>y but z^2 (which = 1/4) is < y. WORKS

Agree.

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by kanha81 » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:59 pm
jakesing wrote:Is the answer D?
cata1yst wrote: Agree.
That's not the right answer!
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by tkherrmann » Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:31 pm
Statement 1 can be true. e.g., x=1, y = 1/2, z = 1/4

Statement 3 can be true. e.g., x =1, y = 1/3, z = 1/2

Statement 2 can also be read to say x < y, but we're given that x > y. So I'm not sure how D is wrong... This is interesting! Would love to know the answer! Where'd I make a mistake?

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by Sid_Backlash » Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:21 pm
i think the actual question is..

x > y^2 > z^4

in such a case.. all 3 hold true..