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If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero,

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Bunuel
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If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero, [#permalink] New post   08 Dec 2016, 14:06
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If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero, what is the value of a/b?

(1) b^a = 1/4
(2) a = –2
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C
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Re: If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero, [#permalink] New post   08 Dec 2016, 19:56
Bunuel wrote:
If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero, what is the value of a/b?

(1) b^a = 1/4
(2) a = –2



(1) if a=-1 & b=4 then a/b=-1/4
if a=-2 & b= 2 then a/b=-1-------2 possibilities ....not suff

(2) no info of value b-----Not suff..

Combining if a=-2 then b must be 2 for satisfying option (1) thus
a/b = -2/2 = -1

Ans C
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Re: If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero, [#permalink] New post   08 Dec 2016, 22:53
Given, a < 0 and b > 0.

Option 1: b^a = 1/4, We can get two values of a and two values of b to satisfy this equation.
b = 4 and a = -1... With this a/b = -1/4
b = 2 and a = -2... with this a/b = -2/2 = -1
Not Sufficient as two separate values for a/b

Option 2: a = –2 . No information about value of b. Not sufficient.

Taking both the option, a/b = -1...Sufficient. Answer is C.
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Re: If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero, [#permalink] New post   09 Dec 2016, 00:45
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Option C)

Given: a<0 and b>0; then a/b = ?

S1. \(b^a\) = \(\frac{1}{4}\)
Assume a = -1 & b = 4
: b^a = \(4^{-1} = \frac{1}{4}\)
a/b = \(\frac{-1}{4}\)

Assume a = -2 & b = 2
: b^a = \(2^{-2}\) = \(\frac{1}{4}\)
a/b = \(\frac{-2}{2}\) = -1

Not Sufficient

S2. a = -2
b = unknown

Not Sufficient

S1 + S2
: b^a = \(b^{-2}\) = \(\frac{1}{(b^2)}\) = \(\frac{1}{4}\)
: b = 2
\(\frac{a}{b}\) = \(\frac{-2}{2}\) = -1

Sufficient
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Re: If a is a number less than zero and b is a number greater than zero, [#permalink]
09 Dec 2016, 00:45
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Bunuel
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