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Bunuel
If x and y are integers, is xy greater than 0?

(1) x^2 is greater than 0.
(2) y^3 < –9

Before we start solving, remember,
-ve number raised to an even power will be positive
-ve number raised to an odd power will be negative

Is xy > 0?

Statement 1: x^2 is greater than 0
Here x > 0 or x < 0
and no information about y.
Insufficient

Statement 2: y^3 < –9
Hence y will be -ve
and no information about x.
Insufficient

Combining both statements:
x > 0 or x < 0 and y < 0
Hence nothing can be said about xy.
Insufficient

Option E
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If x and y are integers, is xy greater than 0?

(1) x^2 is greater than 0.
(2) y^3 < –9

There are 2 variables (x,y) in the original condition. In order to match the number of variables to the number of equations, we need 2 more equations. Since the condition 1) and the condition 2) each has 1 equation, there is high chance that C is the correct answer.
Using both the condition 1) and the condition 2), from x^2>0, we get x=/0. So, when x=-1 and y=-3, the answer is yes. When x=1 and y=-3, the answer is no. Therefore, the condition is not sufficient and the correct answer choice is E.

l For cases where we need 2 more equations, such as original conditions with “2 variables”, or “3 variables and 1 equation”, or “4 variables and 2 equations”, we have 1 equation each in both 1) and 2). Therefore, there is 70% chance that C is the answer, while E has 25% chance. These two are the majority. In case of common mistake type 3,4, the answer may be from A, B or D but there is only 5% chance. Since C is most likely to be the answer using 1) and 2) separately according to DS definition (It saves us time). Obviously there may be cases where the answer is A, B, D or E.
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Bunuel
If x and y are integers, is xy greater than 0?

(1) x^2 is greater than 0.
(2) y^3 < –9


1 tells us nothing about x, whether it is +ve or -ve => NOT Sufficient
2. tells that y<= -3, since (-2)^3 = -8 and y^3 < -8. But no information on X => NOT Sufficient
Using 1 & 2 together we still can't say anything about sign of X*Y

Hence E
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