If xy is not equal to zero, what is the ratio of x to y?

[BTGmoderatorDC]

If xy is not equal to zero, what is the ratio of x to y?

1. 3x = 4y

2. x = 4

OA A

Source: Princeton Review

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

If xy is not equal to zero, what is the ratio of x to y?

1. 3x = 4y
2. x = 4

NOTE: We can write the ratio x:y as a fraction x/y

Target question: What is the value of x/y ?

Statement 1: 3x = 4y
Divide both sides by y to get: 3x/y = 4
Divide both sides by 3 to get: x/y = 4/3
So, the answer to the target question is x/y = 4/3
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: x = 4
With no information about y, we cannot determine the value of x/y
Statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent