Re: If x, y and b are non-zero integers such that x > y, is bx^2 by^2 >
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26 May 2022, 21:46
The answer must be Option B.
We can rephrase the target question as follows:
is bx2- by2>0
is b(x+y)(x-y)>0?
Now statement I says b>0, no information about x and y, thus data is clearly insufficient. No need to think twice on this. Options reduced to BCE
Statement II says b3(|x|-|y|)>0. Now, there are two ways to expand this:
Either
b3>0 and |x|-|y|>0 -CASE I
OR
b3<0 and |x|-|y|<0-CASE II
Now some logic will come in play.
CASE I
b3>0 means b >0 and |x|-|y|>0 means x2-y2>0 (squaring both the sides and taking terms on one side). Now plug this in the original question stem, the data is sufficient. (+VE X +VE GIVES +VE VALUE)
Similarly,
CASE II
b3<0 means b <0 and |x|-|y|<0 means x2-y2<0 (squaring both the sides and taking terms on one side). Now plug this in the original question stem, the data is sufficient. (-VE X -VE GIVES -VE VALUE)
In either case, the answer to the original question stem is DEFINITE YES.
Thus, statement II alone is sufficient.
Thank You
Vighnesh