It is currently 27 Jun 2017, 17:23

### 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

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

# Events & Promotions

###### Events & Promotions in June
Open Detailed Calendar

# is x+y > 0?

Author Message
Intern
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Singapore

### Show Tags

22 Jan 2006, 23:14
00:00

Difficulty:

(N/A)

Question Stats:

0% (00:00) correct 0% (00:00) wrong based on 0 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

This topic is locked. If you want to discuss this question please re-post it in the respective forum.

Hi guyz,

came across this qn. in one of the diagnostic tests:

is x+y > 0?

(I) xÂ² - yÂ² > 1
(II) x/y + 1 > 0

My reasoning:

(I) xÂ² - yÂ² > 1
---> (x+y)(x-y) > 1
---> not sufficient.

(II) x/y + 1 > 0
---> x/y > -1
---> x > -y (<<< here, i'm assuming that y!= 0, is this ok?)
---> x+y > 0
---> SUFFICIENT!

So, the ans should be (B).

However, the test claims that the ans is (E)!!!
Here's their reasoning:

From statement I xÂ² - yÂ² > 1
This can be written as (x + y)(x - y) > 1
There is no other available information to determine if (x + y) is greater than or less than 0.
Thus statement 1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

From statement 2, x/y + 1 > 0 or (x + y)/y > 0.
This will be true when either both x + y > 0 and y > 0 or x + y < 0 and y < 0.
Since there is no other available information, this statement alone is also not sufficient to answer the question.

Combining the two statements also we do not get any definite information about, x, y or x + y.
Thus the two statements together are also not sufficient to answer the question.
Therefore, we cannot say for sure whether x + y> 0.

Hence (E) is the correct answer.

i'm stumped!!

Director
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 718

### Show Tags

23 Jan 2006, 00:00
sandy007 wrote:
Hi guyz,

came across this qn. in one of the diagnostic tests:

is x+y > 0?

(I) xÂ² - yÂ² > 1
(II) x/y + 1 > 0

My reasoning:

(I) xÂ² - yÂ² > 1
---> (x+y)(x-y) > 1
---> not sufficient.

(II) x/y + 1 > 0
---> x/y > -1
---> x > -y (<<< here, i'm assuming that y!= 0, is this ok?)
---> x+y > 0
---> SUFFICIENT!

II) x/y + 1 > 0
---> x/y > -1
---> x > -y (<<< here, i'm assuming that y!= 0, is this ok?)
No you can't assume that Y=0, Y can be -1 or -2
---> x+y > 0 Let's take X=0 hence -1>0 wrong hence
---> INSUFFICIENT!
_________________

IE IMBA 2010

Manager
Joined: 02 Oct 2005
Posts: 53

### Show Tags

23 Jan 2006, 00:10
The OA and OE are correct. x/y+1>0, does not automatically mean that x+y>0. for instance,
assume x=2, y=-3, then x/y+1=1/3 > 0 but x+y=-1<0.

So basically if y>0, then x=y>0 and if y<0 then x+y<0.

Hope this helps.
Intern
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Singapore

### Show Tags

23 Jan 2006, 00:49
Quote:
The OA and OE are correct. x/y+1>0, does not automatically mean that x+y>0. for instance,
assume x=2, y=-3, then x/y+1=1/3 > 0 but x+y=-1<0.

So basically if y>0, then x=y>0 and if y<0 then x+y<0.

sure does help...tks a lot, whateva! so i guess the ans is indeed E.

however, if i do not substitute values, and simplify the algebric eqn like i did earlier, i do get x+y > 0. So does that mean that my simplification is not correct? If yes, where did i go wrong?
CEO
Joined: 20 Nov 2005
Posts: 2894
Schools: Completed at SAID BUSINESS SCHOOL, OXFORD - Class of 2008

### Show Tags

23 Jan 2006, 02:56
sandy007 wrote:
Quote:
The OA and OE are correct. x/y+1>0, does not automatically mean that x+y>0. for instance,
assume x=2, y=-3, then x/y+1=1/3 > 0 but x+y=-1<0.

So basically if y>0, then x=y>0 and if y<0 then x+y<0.

sure does help...tks a lot, whateva! so i guess the ans is indeed E.

however, if i do not substitute values, and simplify the algebric eqn like i did earlier, i do get x+y > 0. So does that mean that my simplification is not correct? If yes, where did i go wrong?

Never do a multiplication by a variable in inequalities if that variable can be either +ve or -ve. You can do multiplications if that variable can be +ve only.

Like x/y > -1 doesn't necessarily mean x > -y.

You can do additions in inequalities without any fear.
_________________

SAID BUSINESS SCHOOL, OXFORD - MBA CLASS OF 2008

VP
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 1017

### Show Tags

23 Jan 2006, 14:17
just a nitpick, you can do a multipication as long as you know the sign of the multiplier ( in this case y). If you are sure that y is negative, then multiply and "flip" the sign.

ps_dahiya wrote:
sandy007 wrote:
Quote:
The OA and OE are correct. x/y+1>0, does not automatically mean that x+y>0. for instance,
assume x=2, y=-3, then x/y+1=1/3 > 0 but x+y=-1<0.

So basically if y>0, then x=y>0 and if y<0 then x+y<0.

sure does help...tks a lot, whateva! so i guess the ans is indeed E.

however, if i do not substitute values, and simplify the algebric eqn like i did earlier, i do get x+y > 0. So does that mean that my simplification is not correct? If yes, where did i go wrong?

Never do a multiplication by a variable in inequalities if that variable can be either +ve or -ve. You can do multiplications if that variable can be +ve only.

Like x/y > -1 doesn't necessarily mean x > -y.

You can do additions in inequalities without any fear.
Senior Manager
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Chennai,India

### Show Tags

23 Jan 2006, 23:11
ps_dahiya wrote:
sandy007 wrote:
Quote:
The OA and OE are correct. x/y+1>0, does not automatically mean that x+y>0. for instance,
assume x=2, y=-3, then x/y+1=1/3 > 0 but x+y=-1<0.

So basically if y>0, then x=y>0 and if y<0 then x+y<0.

sure does help...tks a lot, whateva! so i guess the ans is indeed E.

however, if i do not substitute values, and simplify the algebric eqn like i did earlier, i do get x+y > 0. So does that mean that my simplification is not correct? If yes, where did i go wrong?

Never do a multiplication by a variable in inequalities if that variable can be either +ve or -ve. You can do multiplications if that variable can be +ve only.

Like x/y > -1 doesn't necessarily mean x > -y.

You can do additions in inequalities without any fear.

Thnks Sandy and Dhiya ! Now i know a few tips on inequalities! ( I hate these )
_________________

vazlkaiye porkalam vazltuthan parkanum.... porkalam maralam porkalthan maruma

23 Jan 2006, 23:11
Display posts from previous: Sort by