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# If x and y are positive, is 4x > 3y?

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Manager
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 117
If x and y are positive, is 4x > 3y?  [#permalink]

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26 Aug 2010, 09:07
1
6
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Difficulty:

55% (hard)

Question Stats:

63% (02:01) correct 37% (01:54) wrong based on 223 sessions

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If x and y are positive, is 4x > 3y?

(1) x > y - x
(2) x/y < 1
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 8690
Location: Pune, India
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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14 Dec 2010, 18:48
8
2
ajit257 wrote:
if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y ?

(1) x > y - x
(2) x/y < 1

Can someone provide good pointers into handling such question. I also have a doubt about the ans. thanks

Since x and y are positive, you can multiply/divide the inequality by them. Now, another thing is that it is hard to wrap your head around a question if it has more than one variables. So try to get the variables together so that you can consider them a single variable.
is 4x > 3y ?
I can change this to: is x/y > 3/4?

Stmnt 1: x > y - x
2x > y
x/y > 1/2
So we know that x/y is greater than 1/2 but we do not know whether it is greater than 3/4. Not sufficient.

Stmnt 2: x/y < 1
So we know that x/y is less than 1 but we still do not know whether x/y is greater than or less than 3/4. Not sufficient.

Using both statements, we know x/y is greater than 1/2 and less than 1 but we still do not know whether it is greater than or less than 3/4. Not sufficient.

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Karishma
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor

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26 Aug 2010, 09:29
2
I found this easy to make X alone on each equation:

So we need to determine, is x>3y/4?

1) Simplifies to x>y/2. Not sufficient
2) Simplifies to x<y. Not sufficient

Combined: Simplifies to y/2<x<y. Not sufficient.

Ans: E
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 51301

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26 Aug 2010, 09:58
udaymathapati wrote:
If x and y are positive, is 4x > 3y?
(1) x > y - x
(2) x/y < 1

Given: $$x>0$$ and $$y>0$$. Question: is $$4x>3y$$?

(1) $$x>y-x$$ --> $$2x>y$$ --> $$4x>2y$$, not sufficient to say whether $$4x$$ is more than $$3y$$.

(2) $$\frac{x}{y}<1$$ --> as $$y>0$$ we can cross multiply --> $$x<y$$ --> $$4x<4y$$, not sufficient to say whether $$4x$$ is more than $$3y$$.

(1)+(2) We know that $$4x$$ is more than $$2y$$ but less than $$4y$$ --> $$2y<4x<4y$$, but from this we can not find the relationship between $$4x$$ and $$3y$$ (we have $$2y---3y---4y$$, $$4x$$ is somewhere between endpoints but we can not say whether it's between $$2y$$ and $$3y$$, equal to $$3y$$ or between $$3y$$ and $$4y$$). Not sufficient.

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Manager
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 69

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03 Sep 2010, 06:22
1
udaymathapati wrote:
If x and y are positive, is 4x > 3y?
(1) x > y - x
(2) x/y < 1

from the stem: $$x/y>3/4$$?
1) $$2x>y$$
$$x/y > 1/2$$
not sufficient as $$x/y$$ could be greater or smaller than $$3/4$$
2) $$x/y < 1$$
not sufficient for the same reason
both:
$$1/2 < x/y < 1$$
still not sufficient for the same reason
Manager
Joined: 28 Aug 2010
Posts: 176
If x and y are positive is 4x > 3y ? (1) x > y - x (2)  [#permalink]

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14 Dec 2010, 17:22
1
If x and y are positive is 4x > 3y ?

(1) x > y - x
(2) x/y < 1

Can someone provide good pointers into handling such question. I also have a doubt about the ans. thanks
Senior Manager
Status: Bring the Rain
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 351
Location: United States (MD)
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
Schools: Michigan (Ross) - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V39
GPA: 3.13
WE: Corporate Finance (Aerospace and Defense)
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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14 Dec 2010, 18:53
1
This is how I would have done it:

Question: is 4x>3y
Or is (x/y)>(3/4)?

Stmt1 -- Given x>y-x
Hence, 2x>y or (x/y)>(1/2) --INSUFF

Stmt 2 -- Given (x/y)<1 --INSUFF

Together 1/2<x/y<1 INSUFF

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Joined: 28 Aug 2010
Posts: 176
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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17 Dec 2010, 08:11
Karishma,
Thanks! I do have a small doubt though...when should you solve such questions using algebraic approach and when should you take the intuitive approach. I always get caught up in this dilemma.
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Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 8690
Location: Pune, India
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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17 Dec 2010, 18:36
3
ajit257 wrote:
Karishma,
Thanks! I do have a small doubt though...when should you solve such questions using algebraic approach and when should you take the intuitive approach. I always get caught up in this dilemma.

First of all, one method is not better than the other. They both have their pros and cons. I like logical approach for most questions since it helps in finding the answer very quickly. On the other hand, using the algebraic approach, you don't need to think very much. Just make equations and solve. Also the probability that you will overlook something is less using algebraic approach. Ideally, you need to be comfortable with both. Different questions demand a different approach but during the exam, pick the one which comes first to mind and with which you are comfortable. For inequality questions, I prefer to use algebra since using logic too takes time.. It isn't as intuitive as in the case of arithmetic... Numbers between 0 and 1 behave in a different manner and those between 1 and infinity behave in a different manner. Similarly negative number follow their own rules too.... So if I can see simple straight forward algebra, I use it for inequalities. Else you have to use logic, plug in number etc....
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Karishma
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor

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Joined: 15 Jul 2010
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Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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27 Dec 2010, 23:32
Hi,
Can anyone plz explain the above question using graphical method.

Thanks
Animesh
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Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 8690
Location: Pune, India
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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28 Dec 2010, 08:53
2
animeshsen wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone plz explain the above question using graphical method.

Thanks
Animesh

Look at the diagrams below.
Attachment:

Ques5.jpg [ 43.99 KiB | Viewed 8964 times ]

The first one shows the region asked in the question stem: is 4x > 3y? or is 4x - 3y > 0? (The Green region in the first diagram. If you have a doubt on how the regions were drawn, let me know. I will guide you to the related blog.)
The second and third show the statements 1 and 2 respectively
1. x > y - x or 2x - y > 0 (shown by the Red region)
2. x/y < 1 or x - y < 0 (shown by the Blue region)
Since Red and Blue regions have points that are not in Green region, a point satisfying 2x - y > 0 or x - y < 0 doesn't necessarily satisfy 4x - 3y > 0. So each alone is not sufficient.
Look at the last diagram now. Using both 1 and 2 together, we get the points that satisfy both inequalities: 2x - y > 0 and x - y < 0. (Region where Red and Blue overlap) Even here, some points will lie in Green region, some will not. Hence, even together, the statements are not enough. Answer (E).

I intend to take this question in detail on the Veritas Blog. If interested, go to http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/ and search for "Quarter Wit Quarter Wisdom" in the upcoming days.
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Karishma
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor

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Posts: 2
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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28 Dec 2010, 23:33
Thanks Karishma,
The explanation is really nice and what exactly I wanted.... Can you please tell me more about solving inequalities using graphs(some links..etc)

thanks
Animesh
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 8690
Location: Pune, India
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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29 Dec 2010, 19:18
1
1
animeshsen wrote:
Thanks Karishma,
The explanation is really nice and what exactly I wanted.... Can you please tell me more about solving inequalities using graphs(some links..etc)

thanks
Animesh

Check out a couple of questions on gmat club where I have given graphical solutions:
http://gmatclub.com/forum/is-the-line-s-intercept-with-axis-x-greater-than-r-94505.html#p810874
http://gmatclub.com/forum/2-sums-with-modulus-and-inequality-both-103746.html#p808305
[url]
ps-triple-modul-1185.html#p807380[/url]
though the mod questions are higher level...

Also, as I mentioned before, check out Veritas blog:
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2010/12/quarter-wit-quarter-wisdom-bagging-the-graphs/
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2010/12/quarter-wit-quarter-wisdom-bagging-the-graphs-part-ii/
I will put up a part 3 discussing this question by the end of the week...

In addition, try solving questions using graphs and if you get stuck, pm me... Also, I think shrouded1 here uses graphs frequently too so you can check some of his/her solutions as well..
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Karishma
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor

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GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V37
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Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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29 Dec 2010, 19:25
I'm finding that the best way to get better at these problems is to see heaps and heaps of problems

I still get caught up with silly mistakes - I've really gotta start getting into some sample questions to start getting a feel for all of the different types of questions, and develop a logical system to approach all questions.
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Kudos always appreciated if my post helped you

Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 51301
Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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30 Dec 2010, 03:23
You can also check the following topic: "Graphic approach to problems with inequalities" by Walker - graphic-approach-to-problems-with-inequalities-68037.html
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Re: if x and y are positive is 4x > 3y  [#permalink]

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03 Jan 2011, 10:29
1
animeshsen wrote:
Wow Karishma,
Thanks so much....And thanks for the explanation too...
Kudos to you..
Animesh

The post with the detailed solution is up:
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2011/01/quarter-wit-quarter-wisdom-bagging-the-graphs-part-iii/
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Karishma
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor

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Re: If x and y are positive, is 4x > 3y?  [#permalink]

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05 Jul 2018, 02:58
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