Last visit was: 12 Dec 2024, 12:53 It is currently 12 Dec 2024, 12:53
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: 12 Dec 2024
Posts: 97,848
Own Kudos:
685,374
 []
Given Kudos: 88,255
Products:
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 97,848
Kudos: 685,374
 []
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
IanStewart
User avatar
GMAT Tutor
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Last visit: 09 Dec 2024
Posts: 4,126
Own Kudos:
9,913
 []
Given Kudos: 97
 Q51  V47
Expert reply
Posts: 4,126
Kudos: 9,913
 []
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,114
Own Kudos:
17,801
 []
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,114
Kudos: 17,801
 []
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
Andrewcoleman
Joined: 22 Jan 2020
Last visit: 18 Oct 2021
Posts: 66
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 303
GMAT 1: 730 Q43 V42
GMAT 1: 730 Q43 V42
Posts: 66
Kudos: 15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
Bunuel
Is \(\frac{x}{y} > 0\)?


(1) \(\frac{x}{x + y} > 0\)

(2) \(\frac{y}{x + y} > 0\)

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 \(\frac{x}{y} > 0\) is equivalent to \(xy > 0\) by multiplying both sides by the square of \(y\).

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)
Condition 1) \(\frac{ x }{ {x+y}} > 0\) is equivalent to \(x(x+y) > 0\) by multiplying both sides by the square of \(x+y\), which means \(x\) and \(x+y\) have same signs.
Condition 2) \(\frac{ y }{ {x+y}} > 0\) is equivalent to \(y(x+y) > 0\) by multiplying both sides by the square of \(x+y\), which means \(x\) and \(x+y\) have same signs.
Thus \(x\) and \(y\) have same signs and we have \(xy > 0\).

Since both conditions together yield a unique solution, they are sufficient.

Since this question is an inequality question (one of the key question areas), CMT (Common Mistake Type) 4(A) of the VA (Variable Approach) method tells us that we should also check answers A and B.

Condition 1)

\((1,1)\) and \((2,-1)\) are possible pairs of \((x,y)\).
If \(x=1\) and \(y=1\), then \(\frac{x}{y} = 1 > 0\) and the answer is 'yes'.
If \(x=2\) and \(y=-1\), then \(\frac{x}{y} = -2 < 0\) and the answer is 'no'.

Since condition 1) does not yield a unique solution, it is not sufficient.

Condition 2)

\((1,1)\) and \((2,-1)\) are possible pairs of \((x,y)\).
If \(x=1\) and \(y=1\), then \(\frac{x}{y} = 1 > 0\) and the answer is 'yes'.
If \(x=-1\) and \(y=2\), then \(\frac{x}{y} = -2 < 0\) and the answer is 'no'.

Since condition 2) does not yield a unique solution, it is not sufficient.

Therefore, C 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.


Hi MathRevolution !


I have been employing the variable approach method! I am still learning about it. Why does the stem have 0 equations instead of the one that is there?

I want to learn more about the VA method and am going to sign up for your course

Thanks!
User avatar
TestPrepUnlimited
Joined: 17 Sep 2014
Last visit: 30 Jun 2022
Posts: 1,239
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 6
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V45
GRE 1: Q170 V167
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V45
GRE 1: Q170 V167
Posts: 1,239
Kudos: 1,015
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Is \(\frac{x}{y} > 0\)?


(1) \(\frac{x}{x + y} > 0\)

(2) \(\frac{y}{x + y} > 0\)

The question is asking if x and y have the same sign. We can check this by plugging in numbers.

Statement 1:
We can have both x and y positive for the same signs, or x = 5 and y = -1 for example for opposite signs so insufficient.

Statement 2:
We can have both x and y positive for the same signs, or y = 5 and x = -1 for example for opposite signs so insufficient.

Combined:
Now let's note x + y is on both equations. If x + y is positive we get x > 0 and y > 0. If x + y is negative we get x < 0 and y < 0. In either case, x and y have the same sign so combined this is sufficient.
User avatar
Papist
Joined: 23 Mar 2020
Last visit: 07 Jun 2021
Posts: 76
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Posts: 76
Kudos: 35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Is \(\frac{x}{y} > 0\)?


(1) \(\frac{x}{x + y} > 0\)

(2) \(\frac{y}{x + y} > 0\)

I realized this question is actually pretty easy after wasting ~3 minutes plugging in test values. :x

In order for this to be true, x and y must either both be positive or both be negative.

S1: Multiply both sides of the equation by the denominator and you get a new equation of x>0. However, we have no information about y. NOT SUFFICIENT.

S2: Multiply both sides of the equation by the denominator and you get a new equation of y>0. However, we have no information about x. NOT SUFFICIENT.

S1+S2: We know that both x and y are positive, so the question will always be true. SUFFICIENT.

ANSWER: C
User avatar
kungfury42
Joined: 07 Jan 2022
Last visit: 31 May 2023
Posts: 583
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 725
Schools: NUS '25 (A)
GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V38
GPA: 4
Products:
Schools: NUS '25 (A)
GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V38
Posts: 583
Kudos: 466
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Is \(\frac{x}{y} > 0\)?


(1) \(\frac{x}{x + y} > 0\)

(2) \(\frac{y}{x + y} > 0\)


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

One of the more challenging problems I've done in a while :)

Statement 1: \(\frac{x}{x+y}>0\)

Simple knowledge of numbers tells us that if a number is positive its reciprocal too must be positive

Since, \(\frac{x}{x+y}>0\) therefore, \(\frac{x+y}{x}>0\)

\(\frac{x+y}{x}>0\) is equivalent to saying \(1+\frac{y}{x}>0\) or \(\frac{y}{x}>-1\)

Now since \(\frac{y}{x}>-1\) it can be both negative or positive in value. For ex: \(\frac{y}{x}\) can be both \(-0.5\) and \(5\)

If \(\frac{y}{x}=-0.5\) then \(\frac{x}{y}=-2\)

If \(\frac{y}{x}=5\) then \(\frac{x}{y}=\frac{1}{5}\)

Clearly, we cannot tell whether \(\frac{x}{y}>0\)

Statement 2: \(\frac{y}{x+y}>0\)

Using a similar analysis as above we will arrive at \(\frac{x}{y}>-1\) and we again would not be able to tell whether \(\frac{x}{y}>0\)

Clearly, even statement 2 by itself is insufficient.

Combining the two statements we get

\(\frac{y}{x}>-1\) and \(\frac{x}{y}>-1\)

Now we know that for both of these statements to co-exist, neither of \(\frac{x}{y}\) or \(\frac{y}{x}\) can lie between \(-1\) and \(0\) because any number that lies between \(-1\) and \(0\) has its reciprocal \(<-1\) but here we know that both the numbers are reciprocal of each other and both are \(>-1\)

Hence, we can safely say that using both the statements together \(\frac{x}{y}>0\) and option C is our answer.
Moderator:
Math Expert
97848 posts