a=x+y and b=x-y. If a^2=b^2, what is the value of y?

Question

a=x+y  and  b=x-y . If  a^2=b^2 , what is the value of y?

(1)  \sqrt{x}+\sqrt{y}>0

(2)  \sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}>0

M Advanced Quant, Chapter 9 (Workout Sets), Problem 73.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

a=x+y  and  b=x-y . If  a^2=b^2 , what is the value of y?

Given that  (x+y)^2=(x-y)^2  -->  x^2+2xy+y^2=x^2-2xy+y^2  -->  4xy=0  --> either  x=0  or  y=0 .

(1)  \sqrt{x}+\sqrt{y}>0 . It's possible that  x=0  and  y  is any positive number, as well as, it's possible that  y=0  and  x  is any positive number. Not sufficient.

(2)  \sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}>0 .  x  cannot be 0, since in this case we'd have that  \sqrt{y}<0  (which is wrong, since square root of a number is greater than or equal to 0), thus must be true that  y=0 . Sufficient.

Answer: B.

Hope it's clear.

Shashank1149 · Answer

Hello Bunuel

But square root of 4 is +/-2 correct? And -2 < 0
Can u please explain why u said square root of integer cannot b less than 0?

https://gmatclub.com/static/posted_from.png     Posted from    GMAT ToolKit

Bunuel · Answer

Square root function cannot give negative result  -->  \sqrt{some \ expression}\geq{0} , for example  \sqrt{x^2}\geq{0}  -->  \sqrt{4}=2  (not +2 and -2).  In contrast, the equation  x^2=25  has TWO solutions, +5 and -5,  because both 5^2 and (-5)^2 equal to 25.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi All,

This DS question is rooted in Classic Quadratics and Radical rules. There's a heavy "logic" component to this prompt, and you'll have to do a certain amount of math to get to the solution...

We're given a number of facts to work with:
1) A = X+Y
2) B = X-Y
3) A^2 = B^2

We're asked for the value of Y.

Before dealing with the two Facts, I'm going to take a moment to simplify the information in the prompt.

A^2 = (X+Y)^2 = X^2 + 2XY + Y^2
B^2 = (X-Y)^2 = X^2 - 2XY + Y^2

A^2 = B^2.....so......

X^2 + 2XY + Y^2 = X^2 - 2XY + Y^2

If we cancel out the terms, we're left with...
2XY = -2XY

There are only 3 ways for this equation to exist....
X = 0 OR Y = 0 OR BOTH = 0

This is an important restriction that will impact the answer to this question.

Fact 1: √X + √Y > 0

Since radicals are either POSITIVE or ZERO, either X or Y could = 0 (but not both).
IF....X=1, Y=0 the answer to the question is 0
IF....X=0, Y=1 the answer to the question is 1
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT

Fact 2: √X − √Y > 0

Here, the DIFFERENCE is > 0, so the only way for that difference to be POSITIVE, given ALL of the restrictions we've already discussed, is for the X to be POSITIVE and the Y to be 0. Here, the answer to the question is ALWAYS 0.
Fact 2 is SUFFICIENT.

Final Answer:  B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Mo2men · Answer

Hi Rich,
Nice explanation and powerful 'TESt It' methodology. I reached the same result: X = 0 OR Y = 0 OR BOTH = 0 but I was afraid that I'm mistaken because of zeros in the result so I applied 'Testing it' in the equation but it got so complicated with many variables and situations.

However, I want to ask about Fact 2. If I choose X=0 & Y= 9 for easy roots example. So The result will be the following:
√X − √Y > 0 then Fact 2: √0 − √9 > 0------> .... √9 will be either 3 or -3. If it is 3, then 0-3>0 so not satisfying the condition but if Y=-3, then 0- (-3)= 3>0 so it is OK with condition. Therefore, Y will always any positive number. So Fact 2 should be insufficient as there many values for Y.

What is wrong in the above?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Mo2men,

There are a couple of issues here:

First, √9 has just ONE solution: +3

The equation X^2 = 9 has TWO solutions: +3 and -3.... but we have to work with what we were given and we were given RADICALS, so there is no negative option.

Second, knowing that the radical has just one solution, X = 0 is NOT an option in Fact 2, since we need the result of the calculation to be > 0. By extension, Y MUST = 0.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

MathRevolution · Answer

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.

a^2 = b^2 
 ⇔ (x+y)^2 = (x-y)^2 
 ⇔ x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = x^2 - 2xy + y^2 
 ⇔ 2xy = -2xy 
 ⇔ 4xy = 0 
 ⇔ x = 0  or  y = 0

Condition 1)
 x = 1, y = 0  or  x = 0, y = 1 
Since we don't have a unique solution, condition 1) is not sufficient.

Condition 2)
 \sqrt{x} - \sqrt{y} > 0 
 ⇔ \sqrt{x} > \sqrt{y} 
 ⇔ x > y ≥ 0 
With the original condition, we have  y = 0 .
Condition 2) is sufficient.

Therefore, B is the answer.

manan90 · Answer

here also as per maths rules, we can't have power to zero. Means 0^1, 0^0.5, 0^3...etc are not possible. And hence, we can't say y=0 from (B). So, correct answer should be (E)

Bunuel · Answer

That's not true.

Zero to any positive power equals zero. For example, 0^3 = 0*0*0 = 0.

Zero to any negative power is undefined. For example, 0^(-5) = 1/0^5 = 1/0, which is undefined because we cannot divided by zero.

bumpbot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

a=x+y and b=x-y. If a^2=b^2, what is the value of y?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Data Sufficiency (DS) Questions

a=x+y and b=x-y. If a^2=b^2, what is the value of y?

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards