Consider two cases:
x=30 and y=-15;
x=15 and y=-15;

Both examples satisfy the statements and give different answers to the question whether x<20. Not sufficient.

Answer: E.
_________________

but if we solve it like this:
subtract
x+y < 20
y < 20

x+y-y<0
x<0

then x will be certainly less than 20...

Why is this approach flawed ?

Hi All,

I have a question regarding a data sufficiency problem.

Is x less than 20?

1) x + y < 20
2) y is less than 20


My question refers to 1.). In this case, since it says x + y, can we plug in a negative number in for y even with a + sign in front of it?

ex. if x=25, y=-8,
25 + (-8) = 17
we do not know if x<20, therefore INSUFFICIENT

I am sure this question is pretty basic to most, but it is these small details that seem to throw me off while solving DS problems. Any advice would be very helpful.

BTW - This question is from the CAT on GMATPrep software.

Thanks,
Mike

For people like me who like equations (especially under time pressure of the GMAT)

For C=>

Just add 1 + 2 (same sign) to get:
x + 2y < 40
x < 40 - 2y

Its then clear x can be any number - depending on y - and less/more than 20... So E.

Further (not needed but why not), the range of x would be:
x > 2y -40
x > 2(20) -40 ( y < 20, so max y ~ 20)
x > 0

Is x less than 20 ?
(1) The sum of x and y is less than 20.
(2) y is less than 20.



Solution:

Answer should be E. Here it is how:

1: x+y < 20 ---> tells us nothing about y or x. say x=24, y= -10 then x < 20 No. Say x = 17 y =1 then x <20 Yes. --- > Insufficient.
2: y <20 , nothing is told about x. ----> clearly insufficient.

Combined.
x+y < 20 and y <20. Again, use the example given in statement 1. If x=24, y= -10 then x < 20 No. If x = 17, y =1 then x <20 Yes.

Hence answer should be E.

Please give kudos if this helps!

(1) The sum of x and y is less than 20.
x+y<20 ; infinite possible values of x ; NOT SUFFICIENT

(2) y is less than 20
Doesn't even talk about x; NOT SUFFICIENT

MERGING
x+less than 20<20
Case 1 ) Y is negative
x+(-30)<20 ==> x<50 {{{ Is x less than 20? = NO}}}

Case 1 ) Y is Positive
x+14<20 ==> x<6 {{{Is x less than 20? =YES}}}

NOT SUFFICIENT

ANSWER SHOULD BE E
_________________

Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________