Tough one - Math experts pls help with a simpler soln.

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by Anju@Gurome » Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:31 pm
himu wrote:If a and b are integers, and |a| > |b|, is a · |b| < a - b?

(1) a < 0

(2) ab 0
I think statement 2 is ab ≥ 0.

(1) a < 0
If a = -1, b = 0, then a · |b| = 0 and a - b = -1. Here, a · |b| > a - b.
If a = -1, b = -2, then a · |b| = -1 * 2 = -2 and a - b = 1. Here, a · |b| < a - b.
No definite answer; NOT sufficient.

(2) ab ≥ 0
We can take same examples as in statement 1, as they satisfy the given conditions here also.
If a = -1, b = 0, then a · |b| = 0 and a - b = -1. Here, a · |b| > a - b.
If a = -1, b = -2, then a · |b| = -1 * 2 = -2 and a - b = 1. Here, a · |b| < a - b.
No definite answer; NOT sufficient.

Combining (1) and (2), we do not get any new information, since the same examples given above satisfy both statements.

The correct answer is E.
Anju Agarwal
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