A certain right triangle has sides of length x, y, and z, where x < y

(1/2)xy=1
=> xy=2

Also, y>x
Therefore, y cannot be less than 1
Therefore (A)

So I was stuck on this for a bit but then it hit me.

We know x * y = 4

And x < y

Options B C D E all give y constraints that are less than 2 AND if Y is less then two we will never be able to find an X value LESS than y that will allow us to multiply to a product of 4.

Therefore,

The only possible constraint would be y > radical2

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Concept:
For any two positive, real numbers, it will always be true that the Arithmetic Mean of those two numbers will be greater than or equal to the Geometric Mean of those two numbers.

the A.M. will equal the G.M. when the two positive values are the SAME. Since we are told that X < Y, it must be the case that the A.M. exceeds the G.M. for these two positive values

We are given that: x < y < z

A.M. of (x ; y) > G.M. of (x ; y)

and since the hypotenuse is the longest side for any right triangle, the Legs of the right triangle must be: x and y

The Area = (1/2) (x) (y) = 1
Or

xy = 2

A.M. > G.M.

(x + y) / 2 > sqrt(x * y)

x + y > 2 * sqrt(xy)

We know that xy = 2 from the given information about the area of the right triangle.

x + y > 2 * sqrt(2)

And we can use the area formula again to substitute for the variable — x

x*y = 2
So: x = (2/y)

(2/y) + y > 2 * sqrt(2)

(2 + y^2) / y > 2 * sqrt(2)

—can multiply both side by positive Y and we get the quadratic:

(y)^2 — 2 * sqrt(y) + 2 > 0

—-factoring the quadratic we get:

(y - sqrt(2))^2 > 0

or

y - sqrt(2) > 0

y > sqrt(2)

*A*

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It’s a right Angle triangle to the largest Side is the hypotenuse which is Z, base and height can be x and y
So 1/2 base* hieght = area
1/2 x*y =1
X*y = 2

Let assume x,y to root 2
Root 2 * root 2 = 2
But since y>x
Y needs to greater than root 2
And x needs to be some value less than root 2
Hence option A is right

BrentGMATPrepNow
For what Bunuel mentions above "2<y^2--> 2√<y2<y ."
Don't you need to flip the sign when taking the square root (or consider alternative versions)?

BrentGMATPrepNow
Thank you for your reply! To follow-up, I was confused as to what happens with the number of cases/sign changes when you have a variable that you take a square root of within in inequality.

Don't we have to consider the positive and negative versions of root(2) because we took the square root?

Hi Brent,

How did you come to the conclusion that Y=2?Can you please explain it for me?

As all the experts have already pointed we can get to xy=2 and then substitute x for y in the initial inequality.

One more way of looking *at this is a number properties logic. When we multiply 2 numbers we can either have the x*x or x*y. For ex - 16 = 4*4 or 8*2. Notice that in the case of the latter either x>y or y>x.
Similarly, In this question, we cannot have x=y (which is root2*root2)as it is already stated in the question that x<y<z.
Therefore it must be true that y>root 2 because if both numbers are not equal then one number must be greater than the other such that neither of them are root 2. (please refer the example I have mentioned above). Hence, the range is y>root.

I hope this helps.

We know XY=2 (From Area of triangle).
Now one possible value for Y can be 2 when X=1 . (also X<Y)
If we see only option which allows Y to have value above 2 is a.
None of the option allow value of 2 hence they are incorrect.