Statement 1:
2x - 2y = 1
x - y = 1/2
x = y + 1/2
This tells us that x is a little bigger than y. It does not tell us about the sign of x or y. Insufficient.
Statement 2:
x/y > 1
This tells us that x/y is positive, which means that x and y have the same sign. It does not tell us about the sign of x or y. Insufficient.
Combined:
I like to look for opportunities to use algebra when combining two statements.
If we plug x = y + 1/2 (from Statement 1) into Statement 2, we get
(y + 1/2)/y > 1
y/y + (1/2)/y > 1
1 + (1/2)/y > 1
(1/2)/y > 0
Since (1/2)/y is positive, y must also be positive, or else (1/2)/y would be negative.
If y is positive, and x = y + 1/2, then x must also be positive. So, both are positive. Sufficient.
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Featured Course
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
x and y
Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency |
-
gmatboost
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 312
- Location: New York City
- Thanked: 130 times
- GMAT Score:780
Greg Michnikov, Founder of GMAT Boost
GMAT Boost offers 250+ challenging GMAT Math practice questions, each with a thorough video explanation, and 100+ GMAT Math video tips, each 90 seconds or less.
It's a total of 20+ hours of expert instruction for an introductory price of just $10.
View sample questions and tips without signing up, or sign up now for full access.
Also, check out the most useful GMAT Math blog on the internet here.
GMAT Boost offers 250+ challenging GMAT Math practice questions, each with a thorough video explanation, and 100+ GMAT Math video tips, each 90 seconds or less.
It's a total of 20+ hours of expert instruction for an introductory price of just $10.
View sample questions and tips without signing up, or sign up now for full access.
Also, check out the most useful GMAT Math blog on the internet here.
