If x and y are integers and x<y, what is the value of x+y?

The question has very simple fundamentals but it is still tricky, mainly because it gives you a part of the information in the question stem. We often forget to consider that when we are busy analyzing the statements.

x and y are integers
x < y
Question: (x + y) = ?

(1) x^y = 4
This can happen in a number of ways:
x= 2, y = 2
x = -2, y = 2
x = 4, y = 1
But in only one case, x < y. x must be -2 and y must be 2.
x + y = 0
Sufficient

(2) |x| = |y|
This can happen in two ways:
x = y (x and y have same sign and absolute value)
or x = -y (x and y have opposite signs and same absolute value)
Since x < y, x must be negative and y must be positive. (they both cannot be positive since their absolute value is the same but x < y)
In that case x = -y
x+y = -y+y = 0
Sufficient

Answer D

Case 1....x^y = 4....Take y = 2, x = -2...x+y = 0......You cant take y=x=2 as y>x.
You cant take x = 4, y = 1 again y>x
Sum = 0

Sufficient.

Case 2 .... |x| = |y| only possible when x is -ve as y>x....so again sum = 0

Sufficient.

Answer D

Should be D fellas

Statement 2: 4 and -4

Let us know the OA please

Cheers
Kudos Rain!

J

I really like this question, though i missed the right answer.
the kind of question testing the concepts. does not require any heavy calculation.

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