GmatFear
I ran into this problem while studying and I'm quite confused as to why you double the second statement once you combine the two. I understand how to get here a+b<c+d but do not understand why you double "b" and "d". This seems random to me and looks like it's only done to match the target question. Couldn't I double "a" and "c" also if I wanted to?
The explanation in the
MGMAT book isn't helping me because it just tells you to double "b" and "d" or multiply them by 2 once you combine them but why??? Is there a rule or guideline to follow?
If you have an equation, can you multiply it by 2 on both sides without changing it? Sure.
x = 5
2x = 10
When you have an inequality, you can multiply it by a positive number on both sides without changing it.
x < 5
2x < 10
No matter what x is, if x is less than 5, 2x will be less than 10.
The question stem deals with 2B and 2D. So given that B < D, it implies that 2B must be less than 2D i.e. 2B < 2D. This helps us arrive at our answer. We can manipulate equations/inequalities to help us arrive at the answer.
You could double A and C too (2A < 2C) but that wouldn't help you get to the answer. You manipulate equations/inequalities (without changing them) to get what you want.