GMAT Question of the Day - Daily to your Mailbox; hard ones only

 It is currently 16 Nov 2018, 19:17

### GMAT Club Daily Prep

#### Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

## Events & Promotions

###### Events & Promotions in November
PrevNext
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
2526272829301
Open Detailed Calendar
• ### Free GMAT Strategy Webinar

November 17, 2018

November 17, 2018

07:00 AM PST

09:00 AM PST

Nov. 17, 7 AM PST. Aiming to score 760+? Attend this FREE session to learn how to Define your GMAT Strategy, Create your Study Plan and Master the Core Skills to excel on the GMAT.
• ### GMATbuster's Weekly GMAT Quant Quiz # 9

November 17, 2018

November 17, 2018

09:00 AM PST

11:00 AM PST

Join the Quiz Saturday November 17th, 9 AM PST. The Quiz will last approximately 2 hours. Make sure you are on time or you will be at a disadvantage.

# Is a>2?

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Intern
Joined: 03 Nov 2014
Posts: 2

### Show Tags

Updated on: 29 Nov 2017, 19:47
1
3
00:00

Difficulty:

45% (medium)

Question Stats:

60% (01:17) correct 40% (00:48) wrong based on 76 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

Is $$a>2$$

(1) $$\frac{1}{a} < \frac{1}{2}$$

(2) $$\sqrt{a} > \sqrt{2}$$

Few questions:
1. if a>b, can we say 1/a <1/b
2. Can we square an inequality? Both sides should be +ve or both sides should be -ve?

Originally posted by lakers617 on 29 Nov 2017, 13:03.
Last edited by Bunuel on 29 Nov 2017, 19:47, edited 1 time in total.
Edited the question and added the OA.
DS Forum Moderator
Joined: 21 Aug 2013
Posts: 1365
Location: India

### Show Tags

29 Nov 2017, 21:23
1
(1) 1/a < 1/2 or 2/a < 1
Now if 'a' is positive, we can multiply both sides by 'a' to get 2 < a
But if 'a' is negative, we will multiply both sides by 'a' to get 2 > a (sign of inequality will change)
So we cannot be sure. Eg, 'a' could take any negative value and thus 1/a < 1/2. But if 'a' is positive, all its values will be > 2.
Insufficient.

(2) √a > √2
Since its a square root sign, 'a' cannot be negative. 'a' has to be a non negative number.
So we can take square both sides to get
a > 2
Sufficient.

Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 50619

### Show Tags

29 Nov 2017, 21:47
1
1
Intern
Joined: 03 Nov 2014
Posts: 2

### Show Tags

30 Nov 2017, 06:49
Thanks a lot Bunnuel and amanvermagmat
Target Test Prep Representative
Status: Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Posts: 4170
Location: United States (CA)

### Show Tags

04 Dec 2017, 10:44
lakers617 wrote:
Is $$a>2$$

(1) $$\frac{1}{a} < \frac{1}{2}$$

(2) $$\sqrt{a} > \sqrt{2}$$

Statement One Alone:

1/a < 1/2

If a > 0, then a is indeed greater than 2. However, if a < 0, then a is less than 2. Statement one alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Statement Two Alone:

√a > √2

Squaring both sides we have: a > 2. Statement two alone is sufficient to answer the question.

_________________

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO

GMAT Quant Self-Study Course
500+ lessons 3000+ practice problems 800+ HD solutions

Re: Is a>2? &nbs [#permalink] 04 Dec 2017, 10:44
Display posts from previous: Sort by