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Bunuel
Is z + z < z ?

(1) -4z > 4z
(2) z^3 < z^2

Question: Is \(z + z < z ?\)

or Is \(2z - z < 0 ?\)

or Is \(z < 0 ?\)

St 1:\(- 4z > 4z\)

or \(8z < 0\)

or \(z < 0\) Sufficient

St 2 : \(z^3 < z^2\)

or \(z^3 - z^2 < 0\)

or \(z^2 ( z - 1) < 0\)

\(z^2 > 0\) for \(z < 0\) or \(z > 0\)

\(z - 1 < 0\)

\(z < 1\)

Therefore combined range is \(z < 0\) or \(0 < z < 1.\) Not sufficient

(A)
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1. -4z>4z => z is +ve hence 2z>z ---->S
2. z^3 <z^2 => z is -ve or 0<z<1
if z is -ve => 2z<z ---->S
but if z is -ve or 0<z<1 =>2z>z ---->NS Thus 2. is NS

Hence I would go for option A.
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Bunuel
Is z + z < z ?

(1) -4z > 4z
(2) z^3 < z^2

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.

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

The question is modified as follows.
2z < z ?
⇔ z < 0 ?

Condition 1)
-4z > 4z
⇔ 0 > 8z
⇔ 0 > z
It is same as the question.
Condition 1) is sufficient.

Condition 2)
z^3 < z^2
⇔ z^3 - z^2 < 0
⇔ z^2(z-1) < 0
⇔ z - 1 < 0 since z^2 > 0
⇔ z < 1
Since the range of the question does not include that of the condition 2), the condition 2) is not sufficient.

Therefore, the answer is A.
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Bunuel
Is z + z < z ?

(1) -4z > 4z
(2) z^3 < z^2


Rephrase the question:

Is z <0??

(1) -4z > 4z

8z < 0....Z must be negative...........Answer is always Yes.

Sufficient

(2) z^3 < z^2

Let x = 1/2 ............1/8 < 1/4 ..........Answer is NO
Let x =-1/2 .......... -1/8 < 1/4 ..........Answer is Yes

Insufficient

Answer: A
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My 2 cents on this:

Question stem can be broken down as follows:

is z+z< z? ---> is 2z<z? ---> is 2z-z<0? --->is z<0?

St1: -4z<4z --> -4z-4z<0 --> -8z<0 --> z<0. Sufficient.

St2: z^3 < z2 --> z^3-z^2<0 --> z^2(z-1) < 0 --> We know that z^2 can never be less than 0 and so we are only getting z<1 which is insufficient to answer whether z<0 or not. It could be. It could not be as well. Insufficient.

A
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