Does x = y?

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 431
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:32 am
Thanked: 16 times
Followed by:1 members

Does x = y?

by kanha81 » Tue May 26, 2009 4:32 pm
Does x = y?
(1) |x| = |y|
(2) x^2 = y^2

OA is [spoiler][E][/spoiler]. Please explain.
Want to Beat GMAT.
Always do what you're afraid to do. Whoooop GMAT
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 103
Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 9:47 am
Thanked: 19 times

by raleigh » Tue May 26, 2009 4:51 pm
(1) Consider x = 1, y = 1. |1| = |1| and 1 = 1 so x=y.

Now consider x = 1, y=-1. |1| = |-1| but 1 does not equal -1.

Insufficient.

(2) Again, consider x = 1, y = 1. 1^2 = 1^ and 1 = 1.

Now consider x = 1, y = -1. 1^2 = (-1)^2 but 1 does not equal -1.

Insufficient.

(1)+(2) Apply the same cases that were used in (1) and (2) and you'll get the same outcome. So the answer is E.