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505-555 (Easy)|   Absolute Values|                  
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Bunuel
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General Discussion
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A.

(1) If \(y > 0\), then \(x = 1\) [ positive number divided by its absolute value is 1 ]
If \(y < 0\), then \(x = -1\) [ negative number divided by its absolute value is -1 ]
In both cases, value of \(x\) is either 1 or -1, so \(|x| = 1\). SUFFICIENT.

(2) \(|x| = -x\)
This is true for all x less than or equal to 0. NOT SUFFICIENT.
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Bunuel
If \(y ≠ 0\), is \(|x| = 1\) ?


(1) \(x = \frac{y}{|y|}\)

(2) \(|x| = -x\)


NEW question from GMAT® Quantitative Review 2019


(DS05986)

From statement 1) x |y| = y

the only possible way for both sides to be equal if x = 0 or 1 or -1, however y cannot be zero.

so x is 1 or -1, sufficient.

From statement 2) |x| = -x

x can be 0 or -1

Two different answers.

Insufficient.

Answer choice A
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Bunuel
If \(y ≠ 0\), is \(|x| = 1\) ?


(1) \(x = \frac{y}{|y|}\)

(2) \(|x| = -x\)


NEW question from GMAT® Quantitative Review 2019


(DS05986)

From statement 1) x |y| = y

the only possible way for both sides to be equal if x = 0 or 1 or -1, however y cannot be zero.

so x is 1 or -1, sufficient.

From statement 2) |x| = -x

x can be 0 or -1

Two different answers.

Insufficient.

Answer choice A

For statement 2, x could be negative anything or zero. x = -5, -x=5, |x| = 5
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Bunuel
If \(y ≠ 0\), is \(|x| = 1\) ?


(1) \(x = \frac{y}{|y|}\)

(2) \(|x| = -x\)


\(|x|\) means \(x\) will take positive value only.

(1) \(x=1, \ if \ y>0, \ x=-1 \ if \ y<0,\) but ultimately \(x=1 \ as \ x=|x|\); Sufficient.

(2) It could be numerous values less than 0. Insufficient.

The answer is \(A\)
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If y≠0, is |x|=1?


(1) x=y/|y|
y = 1 YES
y = -1 YES
y = 2 YES
y = -2 YES

ad infinitum for any real integer.

Sufficient.

(2) |x|=−x
x = -1 YES
x = 0 NO
Insufficient.

Answer is A.
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Hi,

Can someone please explain what does the sign |...| means? (e.g |x|)

Thank you !
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BrentGMATPrepNow please help

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