General Q? Can variables represent the same #?

[effang]

This is just a general question. When the GMAT gives you variables, without specific constraints, that means that X, Y, Z, can be any and all numbers.

Does that mean X not equal to Y not equal to Z?

I am a little disturbed, because sometimes the GMAT will go ahead and explicitly state that X, Y, Z, are different variables, and sometimes they won't (but still means they are different).

Basically, if I see X, Y, Z, do I assume they can be all the same (don't have to be), or they are of all properties EXCEPT that they can't be the same 3 numbers.

Thanks

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

This is just a general question. When the GMAT gives you variables, without specific constraints, that means that X, Y, Z, can be any and all numbers.

Does that mean X not equal to Y not equal to Z?

I am a little disturbed, because sometimes the GMAT will go ahead and explicitly state that X, Y, Z, are different variables, and sometimes they won't (but still means they are different).

Basically, if I see X, Y, Z, do I assume they can be all the same (don't have to be), or they are of all properties EXCEPT that they can't be the same 3 numbers.

Thanks

Good question. A lot of students come to believe that two variables (say x and y) cannot be equal. This, however, is not the case.

If you're given some variables (w, x, y, etc.), then it's possible some or all of those numbers could be equal (unless you're told otherwise)

Cheers,
Brent