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# If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
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If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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23 Feb 2016, 02:54
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25% (medium)

Question Stats:

72% (01:47) correct 28% (00:52) wrong based on 223 sessions

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If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?

(1) |b| = |d|
(2) b = -d

Kudos for correct solution.

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Posts: 6797
Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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23 Feb 2016, 09:59
Bunuel wrote:
If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?

(1) |b| = |d|
(2) b = -d

Kudos for correct solution.

Hi,
Since it is dealing with modulus, lets see what info we get from the Q..

Quote:
If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?

|a|=|c| means that irreespective of sign of b and d, the answer will be YES, if b and d have SAME NUMERIC VALUE..
lets see the choices..
(1) |b| = |d|
same numeric value..
suff

(2) b = -d
same numeric value..
suff
D

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1) Absolute modulus : http://gmatclub.com/forum/absolute-modulus-a-better-understanding-210849.html#p1622372
2)Combination of similar and dissimilar things : http://gmatclub.com/forum/topic215915.html
3) effects of arithmetic operations : https://gmatclub.com/forum/effects-of-arithmetic-operations-on-fractions-269413.html

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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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23 Feb 2016, 10:11
Bunuel wrote:
If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?

(1) |b| = |d|
(2) b = -d

Kudos for correct solution.

Statement 1:
|b| = |d|
This implies that either b = d or b = -d [Though, we will also get -b = -d and -b = d, we can ignore them as they are equivalent to b = d and b = -d]
First consider, b = d
replacing b = a and d = c, we get a = c.
Hence, |a| = |c|
Now, consider, b = -d
Again, replacing b = a and d = c, we get a = -c
Hence, |a| = |c|
Therefore, in either case we are able to answer the question is |a| = |c| = 0? with a definitive 'yes'.
Hence, statement 1 is sufficient. Options B, C and E are ruled out.

Statement 2:
b = -d
Again, replacing b = a and d = c, we get a = -c
Hence, |a| = |c|
Therefore, we are able to answer the question is |a| = |c| = 0? with a definitive 'yes'.
Hence, statement 2 is also sufficient. Option A is also ruled out.

The correct answer, therefore, is D
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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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23 Feb 2016, 18:57
2
Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and independent equations ensures a solution.

If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?

(1) |b| = |d|
(2) b = -d

When you modify the original condition and the question, they become |a|=|c|?--> |b|=|d|?--> b=-d or d?, which makes 1)=2). Also, each of them is yes, which is sufficient.
Therefore, the answer is D.

 Once we modify the original condition and the question according to the variable approach method 1, we can solve approximately 30% of DS questions.
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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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10 May 2016, 14:20
From the question it is clear that we have to check if numerical values of a and c are equal (signs will not matter)
Statement 1 says |b| = |d| . It clearly shows that |a| = |c| as a = b and c = d so sufficient
Statement 2 says b = -d. It clearly tells that numerical value of b and d is same which in turn says |a| = |c| so sufficient
Correct answer - D
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If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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19 Nov 2017, 04:46
chetan2u Bunuel VeritasPrepKarishma niks18

I am really confused about opening modulus in both sides of equality
in spite of going through chetan2u signature

I could get away by simply substituting a and c for b and d resp to establish suff for St 1
but St 2 was confusing.

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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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19 Nov 2017, 23:49
2
chetan2u Bunuel VeritasPrepKarishma niks18

I am really confused about opening modulus in both sides of equality
in spite of going through chetan2u signature

I could get away by simply substituting a and c for b and d resp to establish suff for St 1
but St 2 was confusing.

mod is always positive, so if $$x<0$$ i.e negative then $$|x| =-x$$

for eg. if $$x=-3$$ then $$|-3|=-(-3)=3$$

so for Statement 2: $$b=-d$$ is simply $$|b|=|-d|$$, apply mod on both sides

which in turn is $$|b|=|d|$$, now substitute the value of $$b$$ & $$d$$ to get $$|a|=|c|$$

Alternatively, we are asked is $$|a|=|c|$$, square both sides to remove mod. so the question becomes Is $$a^2=c^2$$?

Statement 2: $$b=-d$$, substitute the value of $$b$$ & $$d$$ to get $$a=-c$$. Now square both sides to get $$a^2=c^2$$. Sufficient
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If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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20 Nov 2017, 00:02
Hi niks18

Quote:
mod is always positive, so if $$x<0$$ i.e negative then $$|x| =-x$$

for eg. if $$x=-3$$ then $$|-3|=-(-3)=3$$

how did you use above knowledge to infer below :

Quote:
$$|b|=|-d|$$, apply mod on both sides

which in turn is $$|b|=|d|$$,

To be more specific, $$|b|=|d|$$, note that we do not know whether b or d is less than zero
but all we know is that b and d have opposite signs. Let me know if I missed anything.
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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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20 Nov 2017, 01:19
1
Hi niks18

Quote:
mod is always positive, so if $$x<0$$ i.e negative then $$|x| =-x$$

for eg. if $$x=-3$$ then $$|-3|=-(-3)=3$$

how did you use above knowledge to infer below :

Quote:
$$|b|=|-d|$$, apply mod on both sides

which in turn is $$|b|=|d|$$,

To be more specific, $$|b|=|d|$$, note that we do not know whether b or d is less than zero
but all we know is that b and d have opposite signs. Let me know if I missed anything.

As I mentioned mod is always positive, because it represents the distance from the 0-point in the number line and distance cannot be negative.
so irrespective of the value of b or d; |-d|=|d|

let b=2 then b=-d will result in d=-2

So |2|=2 and |-2|=-(-2)=2=|2| so we have |b|=|-d| =>|b|=|d|
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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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20 Nov 2017, 06:42
niks18

Crystal clear now. +1 Kudos
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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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09 Mar 2018, 00:46
niks18 wrote:
chetan2u Bunuel VeritasPrepKarishma niks18

I am really confused about opening modulus in both sides of equality
in spite of going through chetan2u signature

I could get away by simply substituting a and c for b and d resp to establish suff for St 1
but St 2 was confusing.

mod is always positive, so if $$x<0$$ i.e negative then $$|x| =-x$$

for eg. if $$x=-3$$ then $$|-3|=-(-3)=3$$

so for Statement 2: $$b=-d$$ is simply $$|b|=|-d|$$, apply mod on both sides

which in turn is $$|b|=|d|$$, now substitute the value of $$b$$ & $$d$$ to get $$|a|=|c|$$

Alternatively, we are asked is $$|a|=|c|$$, square both sides to remove mod. so the question becomes Is $$a^2=c^2$$?

Statement 2: $$b=-d$$, substitute the value of $$b$$ & $$d$$ to get $$a=-c$$. Now square both sides to get $$a^2=c^2$$. Sufficient

Hey niks18,

Red part marked above is inconsistent as to my understanding absolute values are always non-negative rather than always positive.

QZ
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Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|?  [#permalink]

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09 Mar 2018, 11:56
QZ wrote:
niks18 wrote:
chetan2u Bunuel VeritasPrepKarishma niks18

I am really confused about opening modulus in both sides of equality
in spite of going through chetan2u signature

I could get away by simply substituting a and c for b and d resp to establish suff for St 1
but St 2 was confusing.

mod is always positive, so if $$x<0$$ i.e negative then $$|x| =-x$$

for eg. if $$x=-3$$ then $$|-3|=-(-3)=3$$

so for Statement 2: $$b=-d$$ is simply $$|b|=|-d|$$, apply mod on both sides

which in turn is $$|b|=|d|$$, now substitute the value of $$b$$ & $$d$$ to get $$|a|=|c|$$

Alternatively, we are asked is $$|a|=|c|$$, square both sides to remove mod. so the question becomes Is $$a^2=c^2$$?

Statement 2: $$b=-d$$, substitute the value of $$b$$ & $$d$$ to get $$a=-c$$. Now square both sides to get $$a^2=c^2$$. Sufficient

Hey niks18,

Red part marked above is inconsistent as to my understanding absolute values are always non-negative rather than always positive.

QZ

Hi QZ

You are right that mod is "Always Non negative" i.e. either positive or 0. I think either I missed mentioning 0 or I might had wrote that statement in the context of the question. Anyways thanks for highlighting.
Re: If a = b, and c = d, is |a| = |c|? &nbs [#permalink] 09 Mar 2018, 11:56
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