Is t/3 > w/5 ?

You dont need positive or negative numbers for statement 2, since 5t>3w, you divide both sides by 3 and 5, which are positive numbers, you will get the inequality in the question stem.

so i got with B

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.

Since we have 2 variables (t and w) and 0 equations, C is most likely to be the answer and so we should consider 1) & 2) first.

Conditions 1) and 2):
5t > 3w
⇔ t/3 > w/5
They are sufficient.

Since this is an inequaltiy question (one of the key question areas), we should also consider choices A and B by CMT 4(A).

Condition 1)
t = 3, w = 4 ⇒ t/3 = 1, w/5 = 4/5 and t/3 > w/5 : Yes
t = 3, w = 5 ⇒ t/3 = 1, w/5 = 1 and t/3 = w/5 : No
The condition is not sufficient.

Condition 2)
5t > 3w
⇔ t/3 > w/5
The condition 2) only is sufficient.

Therefore, B is the answer.

Normally, in problems which require 2 or more additional equations, such as those in which the original conditions include 2 variables, or 3 variables and 1 equation, or 4 variables and 2 equations, each of conditions 1) and 2) provide an additional equation. In these problems, the two key possibilities are that C is the answer (with probability 70%), and E is the answer (with probability 25%). Thus, there is only a 5% chance that A, B or D is the answer. This occurs in common mistake types 3 and 4. Since C (both conditions together are sufficient) is the most likely answer, we save time by first checking whether conditions 1) and 2) are sufficient, when taken together. Obviously, there may be cases in which the answer is A, B, D or E, but if conditions 1) and 2) are NOT sufficient when taken together, the answer must be E.

Bunuel

This question is from GMAT prep EP2. Please change the source tag

Thanks

________________________
Edited the tags. Thank you.

Hi Bunuel, would you kindly reference any similar questions to this?

Check questions on inequalities below:
DS Questions
PS Questions

IMO B
Mutiplying st 2 inequality on both sides by 15 we get the question hence B

Posted from my mobile device

Pleeeaaase why is is statement 2 Sufficient. is there a special rule or something. Spent this last 20 minutes just thinking of ways it can be true and still came out blank. Please Help!

We can not cross multiply inequalities.

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