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If n is a positive integer and y ≠ 0, what is the value of \(\frac{x^n}{y^n}\)

(1) -x = y

(2) n is a prime number

remember, remember 2 is a prime number :wink:
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1) x^n/y^n, If x=-y
then, x^n/y^n = (-1)^n ................. two possible answers depending upon whether n is odd or even.

2) n is prime ................... Insufficient.

Combining 1 & 2 also not helps because 2 is even prime and others are odd primes so insufficient data







mvictor
my question is, why it is not A but E?

this is how I thought:

-x = y

we can rewrite
\(\frac{x^n}{y^n}\)
or-1*(\(\frac{x^n}{x^n}\)).............. you need to write it as (-1)^n
according to PEMDAS, we have Exponents before division, therefore \(\frac{x^n}{y^n}\) = 1, and since we multiply with -1 then the answer is -1.

I know that \(\frac{x^n}{y^n}\) = (\(\frac{x}{y})^n\)
and in this case, the result depends solely on whether n is odd or even.
but why my method is not a good one to use? maybe someone can explain?
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Hi All,

This DS question can be solved by TESTing Values:

We're told that N is a POSITIVE INTEGER and Y cannot be 0. We're asked for the value of (X^N)/(Y^N)

Fact 1: -X = Y

This tells us that X and Y will be OPPOSITE values

IF...
X = -1
Y = 1
N = 1
(-1)^2/(1)^2 = -1/1 = -1

X = -2
Y = 2
N = 2
(-2)^2/(2)^2 = 4/4 = 1
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT

Fact 2: N is prime

This tells us nothing about the values of X and Y.
Fact 2 is INSUFFICIENT

Combined, we know that...
X and Y are OPPOSITE values
N is a prime

IF...
X = -2
Y = 2
N = 2
(-2)^2/(2)^2 = 4/4 = 1

X = -2
Y = 2
N = 3
(-2)^3/(2)^3 = -8/8 = -1
Combined, INSUFFICIENT

Final Answer:
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Rich
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stmt1 is interesting. i found a way to conclude that stmt1 is not sufficient. see attachment.

\((-1)^n\) = where the result depends on whether n is even or odd.

stmt2 is not sufficient because it can be any prime number: 2,3,5,7,11...

combined is not sufficient because 2(even) and 3(odd) give me different solutions.
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