Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 14:07 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 14:07
Close
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
Your Progress

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
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,356
 [16]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
15
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
lacktutor
Joined: 25 Jul 2018
Last visit: 23 Oct 2023
Posts: 659
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 69
Posts: 659
Kudos: 1,396
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
minustark
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
Last visit: 01 Apr 2021
Posts: 469
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 52
Status:Student
Location: United States
Concentration: Accounting, Finance
GMAT 1: 650 Q45 V35
GPA: 3.9
WE:Education (Accounting)
Products:
GMAT 1: 650 Q45 V35
Posts: 469
Kudos: 398
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
QuantMadeEasy
Joined: 28 Feb 2014
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 502
Own Kudos:
785
 [1]
Given Kudos: 78
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, International Business
GPA: 3.97
WE:Engineering (Education)
Posts: 502
Kudos: 785
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Is \(x - x^2 > y - y^2\) ?


(1) \(x > y\)

(2) \(x^2 > y^2\)

x - x^2 > y - y^2
x - y > x^2 - y^2
x - y > (x - y) (x + y)
(x - y) ( x + y -1) < 0

(1) x > y
x - y >0; ( x + y -1) can be positive or negative. Insufficient

(2) x^2 > y^2; taking square root on both the sides
|x| > |y|; signs of x and y are unknown. Insufficient

(1)+(2) still signs of x and y are unknown. Insufficient

E is correct.
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,070
Own Kudos:
19,392
 [2]
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,070
Kudos: 19,392
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Is \(x - x^2 > y - y^2\) ?


(1) \(x > y\)

(2) \(x^2 > y^2\)


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions


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.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.

The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.

The question is equivalent to (x-y)(x+y-1) < 0 for the followings.

\(x - x^2 > y - y^2\)
\(⇔ 0 > x^2 - y^2 - x + y\)
\(⇔ x^2 - y^2 - x + y < 0\)
\(⇔ (x+y)(x-y) - (x-y) < 0\)
\(⇔ (x-y)(x+y-1) < 0\)

Since we have 2 variables (x and y) and 0 equations, C is most likely the answer. So, we should consider conditions 1) & 2) together first. After comparing the number of variables and the number of equations, we can save time by considering conditions 1) & 2) together first.

Conditions 1) & 2)

If \(x = 2, y = 1\), then \((x-y)(x+y+1) = 1 \cdot 2 = 2 > 0\) and the answer is 'no'.
If \(x = 2, y = -1.5\), then \((x-y)(x+y-1) = 3.5 \cdot (-0.5) < 0\) and the answer is 'yes'.

Since both conditions together do not yield a unique solution, they are not sufficient.

Therefore, E is the answer.

Normally, in problems which require 2 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.
User avatar
goaltop30mba
Joined: 04 Dec 2015
Last visit: 18 Oct 2025
Posts: 188
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 407
Posts: 188
Kudos: 68
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel please help ! Is there any approach other than putting variables?

Posted from my mobile device

egmat chiranjeev please help!
User avatar
GMATinsight
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 6,839
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 128
Status:GMAT/GRE Tutor l Admission Consultant l On-Demand Course creator
Location: India
GMAT: QUANT+DI EXPERT
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
WE:Education (Education)
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
Posts: 6,839
Kudos: 16,354
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Is \(x - x^2 > y - y^2\) ?


(1) \(x > y\)

(2) \(x^2 > y^2\)


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

INSEADIESE

Question: Is \(x - x^2 > y - y^2\)?
Question: Is \(x - y > x^2 - y^2\)?

Even after combining the two statements

Case 1: x = 1/2 and y = 1/3 i.e. \(x - y > x^2 - y^2\)

Case 2: x = 3 and y = 2 i.e. \(x - y < x^2 - y^2\)

NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: Option E
avatar
Vishalcv
Joined: 10 Dec 2020
Last visit: 21 Apr 2022
Posts: 69
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 279
Concentration: Technology, Statistics
WE:Analyst (Computer Software)
Products:
Posts: 69
Kudos: 16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
Bunuel
Is \(x - x^2 > y - y^2\) ?


(1) \(x > y\)

(2) \(x^2 > y^2\)


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions


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.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.



The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.

The question is equivalent to (x-y)(x+y-1) < 0 for the followings.

\(x - x^2 > y - y^2\)
\(⇔ 0 > x^2 - y^2 - x + y\)
\(⇔ x^2 - y^2 - x + y < 0\)
\(⇔ (x+y)(x-y) - (x-y) < 0\)
\(⇔ (x-y)(x+y-1) < 0\)

Since we have 2 variables (x and y) and 0 equations, C is most likely the answer. So, we should consider conditions 1) & 2) together first. After comparing the number of variables and the number of equations, we can save time by considering conditions 1) & 2) together first.

Conditions 1) & 2)

If \(x = 2, y = 1\), then \((x-y)(x+y+1) = 1 \cdot 2 = 2 > 0\) and the answer is 'no'.
If \(x = 2, y = -1.5\), then \((x-y)(x+y-1) = 3.5 \cdot (-0.5) < 0\) and the answer is 'yes'.

Since both conditions together do not yield a unique solution, they are not sufficient.

Therefore, E is the answer.

Normally, in problems which require 2 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.

can't we modify the equation to x+y<1 ?

x-y>x^2-y^2
x-y > (x-y)(x+y)
1>x+y
User avatar
MBAB123
Joined: 05 Jul 2020
Last visit: 30 Jul 2023
Posts: 563
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 151
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V38
WE:Accounting (Accounting)
Products:
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V38
Posts: 563
Kudos: 318
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Vishalcv
MathRevolution
Bunuel
Is \(x - x^2 > y - y^2\) ?


(1) \(x > y\)

(2) \(x^2 > y^2\)


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions


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.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.



The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.

The question is equivalent to (x-y)(x+y-1) < 0 for the followings.

\(x - x^2 > y - y^2\)
\(⇔ 0 > x^2 - y^2 - x + y\)
\(⇔ x^2 - y^2 - x + y < 0\)
\(⇔ (x+y)(x-y) - (x-y) < 0\)
\(⇔ (x-y)(x+y-1) < 0\)

Since we have 2 variables (x and y) and 0 equations, C is most likely the answer. So, we should consider conditions 1) & 2) together first. After comparing the number of variables and the number of equations, we can save time by considering conditions 1) & 2) together first.

Conditions 1) & 2)

If \(x = 2, y = 1\), then \((x-y)(x+y+1) = 1 \cdot 2 = 2 > 0\) and the answer is 'no'.
If \(x = 2, y = -1.5\), then \((x-y)(x+y-1) = 3.5 \cdot (-0.5) < 0\) and the answer is 'yes'.

Since both conditions together do not yield a unique solution, they are not sufficient.

Therefore, E is the answer.

Normally, in problems which require 2 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.

can't we modify the equation to x+y<1 ?

x-y>x^2-y^2
x-y > (x-y)(x+y)
1>x+y

Hey Vishalcv, you can't simply cancel out (x-y) here as by doing so you will ignoring a lot of possible solutions. eg - if x=4 and Y=10, the equation holds true, but does that mean x+y <1? No.
avatar
Thekingmaker
Joined: 28 Nov 2020
Last visit: 16 Jun 2021
Posts: 112
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 96
Posts: 112
Kudos: 38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
fractions were my first choice 1/2 and 1/4 it's shows greater however when you add 1 and 0 it becomes equal even after eliminating negative , identifying zero is the key hence clearly insuff both statements IMO E
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,587
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,587
Kudos: 1,079
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
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.
Moderators:
Math Expert
105390 posts
496 posts