If y 0 and y -1, which is greater, x/y or x/(y + 1) ?

Question

If y ≠ 0 and y ≠ -1, which is greater, x/y or x/(y + 1) ?

(1) x ≠ 0.
(2) x > y.

fluke · Answer

If y≠0 and y≠-1, which is greater, x/y or x/(y+1)?
(1) x≠0
(2) x > y

Sol:

(1) x!=0 doesn't tell us anything.

x=10
y=1

\frac{x}{y}=10 
 \frac{x}{y+1}=\frac{10}{2}=5 
 \frac{x}{y}>\frac{x}{y+1}

x=-10
y=-2

\frac{x}{y}=\frac{-10}{-2}=5 
 \frac{x}{y+1}=\frac{-10}{-1}=10 
 \frac{x}{y}<\frac{x}{y+1}

(2) It tells us that x and y have same sign

x > y

x/y > 1 (same sign)
Use sample set from statement 1.
Not sufficient.

Combining both;
Use sample set from statement 1.
Not Sufficient.

Ans: "E"

bellcurve · Answer

So the bottom line is that we need to know the sign of both x and y, to answer the question. And neither provides that.

Bunuel · Answer

Just signs won't be enough. \frac{x}{y(y+1)}>0 holds true if: A. x>0 and y>0 or y<-1 ; B. x<0 and -1MSP4919ebfi83e60e30b700002i4ed3dd94aec949.gif

Bunuel · Answer

If y is not equal to 0 and y is not equal to 1, which is greater, x/y or x/(y+1)

Is  \frac{x}{y}>\frac{x}{y+1} ? --> is  \frac{x}{y}-\frac{x}{y+1}>0 ? --> is  \frac{xy+x-xy}{y(y+1)}>0 ? --> is  \frac{x}{y(y+1)}>0 ?

(1) x ≠ 0. Not sufficient.
(2) x > y. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) Still not sufficient, for example: if x>0>(y=-1/2) answer is NO but if x>y>0 answer is YES.

Answer: E.

bumpbot · Answer

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If y 0 and y -1, which is greater, x/y or x/(y + 1) ?

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