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# Is x<y?

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Intern
Joined: 02 Jun 2017
Posts: 1

Kudos [?]: 1 [0], given: 3

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01 Oct 2017, 13:13
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Question Stats:

17% (00:13) correct 83% (00:50) wrong based on 24 sessions

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Is x<y?

1 $$\sqrt{x} < y$$
2 $$x^2 < y$$
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Kudos [?]: 1 [0], given: 3

Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 04 Dec 2015
Posts: 402

Kudos [?]: 239 [0], given: 56

GMAT 1: 790 Q51 V49
GRE 1: 340 Q170 V170

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01 Oct 2017, 13:42
sahil5695 wrote:
Is x<y?

1 $$\sqrt{x} < y$$
2 $$x^2 < y$$

Interesting problem! Since there are only two variables, and the math looks like it's simplified already, I'm going to start by testing cases.

Statement 1:
If $$\sqrt{x} < y$$, we could have a very small x and a very large y: for instance, x = 1 and y = 100. In that case, x < y, so the answer to the question is yes.

On the other hand, we could have a situation where $$\sqrt{x}$$ is smaller than y, but x itself is actually bigger than y. You could do this by picking an x that's only a little bit bigger than y. Then, when you take the square root, it gets much smaller. For instance, x = 4 and y = 3. In that case, x > y, so the answer to the question is no.

We got both 'yes' and 'no' answers to the question, so the statement is insufficient. Cross off A and D.

Statement 2:
Our first case will work here as well. x = 1 and y = 100. So, x < y, so the answer to the question is yes.

Now we need to think of a situation where $$x^2$$ is smaller than y, but where x is actually bigger than y. That means x would have to be bigger than $$x^2$$. That only happens when x is a fraction. Let's say that x = 1/2, so $$x^2$$ = 1/4. Then we need to choose a value of y that's bigger than 1/4, but smaller than 1/2. Let's say x = 1/2 and y = 1/3. That fits the statement, and x > y, so the answer is no.

We got both 'yes' and 'no' answers to the question, so the statement is insufficient. Cross off B.

Both statements together:

The problem here is that you can't get a 'no' answer if both statements are true.

If statement 2 is true, the only way to get a 'no' answer is if x and y are fractions.

If statement 1 is true, the only way to get a 'no' answer is if x is bigger than $$\sqrt{x}$$. That doesn't happen if x is a fraction.

So, there's no way to get a 'no' answer from both statements at the same time. The answer must be 'yes'. So, the right answer is C.
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Chelsey Cooley | Manhattan Prep Instructor | Seattle and Online

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Kudos [?]: 239 [0], given: 56

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