Is x > y ?

[Vincen]

Is x > y ?

(1) x^2 = 4
(2) y^3 = -8

The OA is E.

Using both statements together is not sufficient to get an answer? Why? Experts, can you help me here? Please.

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Is x > y ?

(1) x² = 4
(2) y³ = -8

The OA is E

Target question: Is x > y ?

Statement 1: x² = 4
No information about y.
NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: y³ = -8
No information about x.
NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined
Statement 1 tells us that x = 2 or x = -2
Statement 2 tells us that y = -2
There are two sets of x and y values of x that satisfy BOTH statements:
Case a: x = 2 and y = -2, in which case, the answer to the target question is YES, x is greater than y
Case b: x = -2 and y = -2, in which case, the answer to the target question is NO, x is not greater than y
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent