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Bunuel
If \(x < y\), and \(y(y − 2x) =2 − x^2\), what is the value of \(x − y\)?


(A) \(−2\)

(B) \(−\sqrt{2}\)

(C) \(−1\)

(D) \(1\)

(E) \(\sqrt{2}\)


x<y or x-y<0, so our answer has to be negative. You can eliminate the positive values.


\(y(y − 2x) =2 − x^2\)

\(y^2− 2xy=2 − x^2\)

\(x^2-2xy+y^2=2\)

\((x-y)^2=2\)

\(x-y=\sqrt{2}=-\sqrt{2}\)

But x-y<0, so answer is B
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Bunuel
If \(x < y\), and \(y(y − 2x) =2 − x^2\), what is the value of \(x − y\)?


(A) \(−2\)

(B) \(−\sqrt{2}\)

(C) \(−1\)

(D) \(1\)

(E) \(\sqrt{2}\)

\(y(y − 2x) =2 − x^2\)
\(y^2 - 2xy = 2 - x^2\)
\(x^2 - y^2 -2xy = 2\)
\((x-y)^2 = 2\)
Taking square roots both sides
\(|x-y| = \sqrt{2}\)
\(x - y = -\sqrt{2}\) (As, y < x)
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Asked: If \(x < y\), and \(y(y − 2x) =2 − x^2\), what is the value of \(x − y\)?

\(y(y − 2x) =2 − x^2\)
\(y^2 - 2xy =2 − x^2\)
\(x^2 + y^2 - 2xy =2\)
\((x-y)^2 =2\)
\(x-y =-\sqrt{2}\); since x<y

IMO B
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Why are we taking the answer as - sqrt 2. It could also be +ve. Please help me know the reason behind it.
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shikha_0203
Why are we taking the answer as - sqrt 2. It could also be +ve. Please help me know the reason behind it.

This is explained. You just have to read the solutions carefully:

\((x-y)^2=2\).

Since x < y (x - y < 0), then \(x-y=-\sqrt{2}\).
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