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Bunuel
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Ans B

Explanation :

(1) a*x^4 + a*|y| < 0

x^4+ |y| < 0
x^4 < -|y|

Assuming
x=2, y =1 -----> 16<-1 (not possible)
x=-1,y=-2 ------> 1<-2 (not possible)
x=1,y=2 -----> 1<-2 (not possible)
x=-2,y=-1 -----> 16<-1 (not possible)

or

Another way to look at this is

x^4<-|y|

on the left side of the equation the value will always be +ve
on the right side the value will always be -ve
Hence, this inequality will always be false no matter what we do.

Therefore this statement is not sufficient

(2) a*x^3 > a*y^3

x^3>y^3 (eliminating a on both sides)

The above mentioned equation is possible only when x>y

Therefore 2nd statement is sufficient.
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Quote:
Is x > y?

(1) a*x^4 + a*|y| < 0
(2) a*x^3 > a*y^3

My attempt:

1.) a*x^4 + a*|y| < 0
==> a(x^4+|y|)<0
==> We know, x^4+|y| will always be positive.
==>So, a < 0. Still we have nothing about x and y.
So, Insufficient.

(2) a*x^3 > a*y^3
==> The result we get from this inequality depends on the value of a.

if a>0,
x^3>y^3
==> x>y.

But if a<0,
y^3>x^3
==> x<y.
So, Insufficient.

Now, combining both 1 and 2, we get, a < 0, and so x < y. So x is not greater than y.

Hence (C).
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benjaminmishra
Ans B

Explanation :

(1) a*x^4 + a*|y| < 0

x^4+ |y| < 0
x^4 < -|y|

Assuming
x=2, y =1 -----> 16<-1 (not possible)
x=-1,y=-2 ------> 1<-2 (not possible)
x=1,y=2 -----> 1<-2 (not possible)
x=-2,y=-1 -----> 16<-1 (not possible)

or

Another way to look at this is

x^4<-|y|

on the left side of the equation the value will always be +ve
on the right side the value will always be -ve
Hence, this inequality will always be false no matter what we do.

Therefore this statement is not sufficient

(2) a*x^3 > a*y^3

x^3>y^3 (eliminating a on both sides)

The above mentioned equation is possible only when x>y

Therefore 2nd statement is sufficient.


Hi benjaminmishra,

Just a minor suggestion on your analysis. You have eliminated a from both sides of the inequality without taking into consideration its sign. You may want to have a re-look at this step of your solution.

Hope it helps :)

Regards
Harsh
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benjaminmishra
Ans B

Explanation :

(1) a*x^4 + a*|y| < 0

x^4+ |y| < 0
x^4 < -|y|

Assuming
x=2, y =1 -----> 16<-1 (not possible)
x=-1,y=-2 ------> 1<-2 (not possible)
x=1,y=2 -----> 1<-2 (not possible)
x=-2,y=-1 -----> 16<-1 (not possible)

or

Another way to look at this is

x^4<-|y|

on the left side of the equation the value will always be +ve
on the right side the value will always be -ve
Hence, this inequality will always be false no matter what we do.

Therefore this statement is not sufficient

(2) a*x^3 > a*y^3

x^3>y^3 (eliminating a on both sides)

The above mentioned equation is possible only when x>y

Therefore 2nd statement is sufficient.


Hi benjaminmishra

Just a minor suggestion on your analysis. You have eliminated a from both sides of the inequality without taking into consideration its sign. You may want to have a re-look at this step of your solution.

Hope it helps :)

Regards
Harsh


Hi Harsh,

Thanks for the suggestion ... taking a second look at Jackal's explanation makes a little more sense.

Guess I was in a hurry to arrive at an answer :)
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If x^3 > y^3, is it necessary that x > y? The question does not say anything about x, y being integers.
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My option Answer C.

The question looked simple, but it is very important to quantify all the variable -a, x and y.

From Option A;

you can only say a= negative. we cannot determine X or Y.

From Option B.

Three primary solutions

1. if A>0; Then X> Y

If

2. If A<0 and X<0 Then X<Y

If A>0 and X>0 Then Y can be + or -.


Option B difficult to say.


Both options together, you can say A=-Ve, then X>Y.


I used a full A4 paper to solve this question. God bless me on the real GMAT.

Bunuel
Is x > y?

(1) a*x^4 + a*|y| < 0
(2) a*x^3 > a*y^3
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Tina1785
If x^3 > y^3, is it necessary that x > y? The question does not say anything about x, y being integers.

Hello Tina1785

This is a nice query and I think all of us should be clear in our minds about this. I am pasting one handwritten note it might be helpful.
Let us look at two broad cases

\(Case I\): \(x^3<y^3\)

\(Case II\): \(x^2<y^2\)

These cases if you notice are the ones which confuse us. So let's look at it closer.
Also let us assume only non zero real numbers between \(-1\) and \(+1\). For numbers not in this range the solution also follows the same approach.

\(Case I\): \(x^3<y^3\)
In this case no matter what the variable \(x\) or \(y\) is. They will never cross the \(0\) line because as you guessed it right the sign is the reason. Look at the left side of the attached picture. If \(x<y\) then no matter what \(x^3<y^3\) will hold true.

\(Case II\): \(x^2<y^2\)
This is the case which creates confusion in our minds and rightly so. The sign changes when we square the variable and moreover the combined change in absolute value and sign may change the relationship between \(x\) and \(y\) in any way. Look at the right side of the attached diagram. In the first you see a clean inverse relationship, in the second same relationship but in the last two you will see that the absolute value matters.

Conclusion:
Don't be worried when the \(variables\) are raised to an \(odd\) \(power\) but be very careful when they are raised to \(even\) \(power\).


p.s. the bottom left diagram has 0.009 it is supposed to be 0.027
Attachments

IMG_20150531_073948549_HDR.jpg
IMG_20150531_073948549_HDR.jpg [ 1.16 MiB | Viewed 6570 times ]

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Thanks Jackal for taking the time to post the reply. It was helpful.
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