Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and independent equations ensures a solution.

Is M<0?

(1) -M = |-M|
(2) M^2 = 9

In the original condition, there is 1 variable(m), which should match with the number equation. So you need 1 equation. For 1) 1 equation, for 2) 1 equation, which is likely to make D the answer. For 1), in order to make -m=|-m|, from -m>=0, m<=0, m=-1 -> yes, m=0 -> no, which is not sufficient. For 2), m=-3 -> yes, m=3 -> no, which is not sufficient. In 1) & 2), m=-3 is yes and sufficient. Therefore, the answer is C.


-> For cases where we need 1 more equation, such as original conditions with “1 variable”, or “2 variables and 1 equation”, or “3 variables and 2 equations”, we have 1 equation each in both 1) and 2). Therefore, there is 59 % chance that D is the answer, while A or B has 38% chance and C or E has 3% chance. Since D is most likely to be the answer using 1) and 2) separately according to DS definition. Obviously there may be cases where the answer is A, B, C or E.
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Bunuel,

in statement 1, how can M be zero ? That is the part I am confused about

-0 = 0 and |-0| = |0| = 0, so if M = 0, then -M = 0 = |-M|.
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Hello Bunuel,

I have a queston regarding this. In the question stem on the LHS of statement 1 it is - m. My assumption was that the minus was disconnected and therefore it could be -(-m), making statement A correct. Can you never make that assumption?