GMAT Prep Ques 11 - See screenshot

[charu_mahajan]

I am able to evaluate that I and III could be correct. I cannot understand the reason for II.

How (I) could be true
---------------------
x > y^2 > z^4
x=20
y=2
z=1
20 > 4 > 1

x > y > z - OK

How (III) could be true
-----------------------

x > y^2 > z^4

x=20
y=-2
z=1

20 > 4 > 1

x> z > y - OK

Kindly explain how II could be true.

[charu_mahajan]

OA E

[Mike@Magoosh]

Dear charu_mahajan,

Hi, there. I'm happy to help with this.

Consider the choices

x = 1/4

y = 1/3

z = 1/2

Then it's true that x > y^2 > z^4 ----- because (1/4) > (1/9) > (1/16)

And it's also true that z > y > x

Does that make sense?

If no specifications are given for the values of variables, then those variables could be ANY kind of number --- positive or negative, whole or fractions, etc.

Does that make sense?

Here's a post about some of the less well known numbers:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-math- ... -decimals/

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Mike

[charu_mahajan]

Thanks a lot Mike