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Naina1605
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Bunuel
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Naina1605
Thank you Bunuel for your reply. I have understood your explanation.

But I am still confused about 1 thing. If the ratio of x and y = say -1/-2 then, will u not cancel out the negative signs to make the ratio positive before determining the values of x and y? In other words can the ratio of x and y remain -1/-2 and not 1/2 (by cancelling out the negative signs)...

hope you have understood my query. Any comments will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure I understand your question.

If you are asking whether (-1)/(-2) equals to 1/2, then the answer is yes: (-1)/(-2)=1/2. Consider this: we are told that the ratio of x to y is 1/2 (or which is the same (-1)/(-2)) then x and y can be: 1 and 2, -1 and -2, 2 and 4, -2 and -4, ... basically any two numbers which when divided result 1/2.

For more on Number Theory check this: math-number-theory-88376.html

Hope it helps.
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Naina1605
Thank you Bunuel for your reply. I have understood your explanation.

But I am still confused about 1 thing. If the ratio of x and y = say -1/-2 then, will u not cancel out the negative signs to make the ratio positive before determining the values of x and y? In other words can the ratio of x and y remain -1/-2 and not 1/2 (by cancelling out the negative signs)...

hope you have understood my query. Any comments will be helpful. Thanks in advance.


We are asked about x and y (x < y) not the fraction itself. So, the fraction 1/2 might equal -1/-2, but x and y don't equal to -x and -y.
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Naina1605
Is x < y ?

(1) The ratio of x to y is 7/9.
(2) xy>0

OA is E.

My question is, if x and y are both negative then wont the minus signs cancel out? If this holds true then, the ratio will always be positive and statement (1) will be sufficient.

Anyone?? Thanks in advance.

Question: Is y>x?

(1) x/y = 7/9

9x = 7y

Now question can be translated to 9y>9x
Is 9y>7y? Is y>0?

Insuff, we don't know the sign of y

2) xy>0

We only know that signs are the same but it could be either y>x or x>y

(1) and (2) together

Signs are the same, but we still don't know whether x,y>0 or x,y<0

E

Hope it helps

Cheers!
J :)
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i got 2 examples.
x=-1
y=-9/7
x>y

and
x=7
y=9
x<y

each statement alone works with both of the examples.
together - same.

answer is E.
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