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newbornmuse
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Is x > y ? (1) x + y < 0 (2) x - y > 0
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23 Jun 2014, 19:49
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5% (low)

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89% (00:52) correct 11% (01:07) wrong based on 163 sessions

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Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0
(2) x - y > 0

I solved this using brute force (testing numbers). Anyone have a simple algebraic or abstract solution?
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Bunuel
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Is x > y ? (1) x + y < 0 (2) x - y > 0
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24 Jun 2014, 02:38
newbornmuse
Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0
(2) x - y > 0

I solved this using brute force (testing numbers). Anyone have a simple algebraic or abstract solution?
Show more

Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0. The sum of two numbers is less than 0. No way to deduce from this which one is greater. Not sufficient.

(2) x - y > 0. Add y to both sides: x > y. Sufficient.

Answer: B.

Hope it's clear.

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newbornmuse
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Posts: 7
Is x > y ? (1) x + y < 0 (2) x - y > 0
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24 Jun 2014, 02:49
Bunuel
newbornmuse
Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0
(2) x - y > 0

I solved this using brute force (testing numbers). Anyone have a simple algebraic or abstract solution?

Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0. The sum of two numbers is less than 0. No way to deduce from this which one is greater. Not sufficient.

(2) x - y > 0. Add y to both sides: x > y. Sufficient.

Answer: B.

Hope it's clear.
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Doh! So simple... how did I miss that :oops: :stupid :) 8-) Thanks!
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medicaldevicegirl
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Is x > y ? (1) x + y < 0 (2) x - y > 0
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22 May 2023, 19:59
Bunuel
newbornmuse
Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0
(2) x - y > 0

I solved this using brute force (testing numbers). Anyone have a simple algebraic or abstract solution?

Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0. The sum of two numbers is less than 0. No way to deduce from this which one is greater. Not sufficient.

(2) x - y > 0. Add y to both sides: x > y. Sufficient.

Answer: B.

Hope it's clear.
Show more

Why can’t you add -y to both sides in statement 1?

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Bunuel
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Joined: 02 Sep 2009
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Is x > y ? (1) x + y < 0 (2) x - y > 0
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22 May 2023, 21:12
medicaldevicegirl
Bunuel
newbornmuse
Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0
(2) x - y > 0

I solved this using brute force (testing numbers). Anyone have a simple algebraic or abstract solution?

Is x > y ?

(1) x + y < 0. The sum of two numbers is less than 0. No way to deduce from this which one is greater. Not sufficient.

(2) x - y > 0. Add y to both sides: x > y. Sufficient.

Answer: B.

Hope it's clear.

Why can’t you add -y to both sides in statement 1?

Posted from my mobile device
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You can. You'd get: x > -y, which is not sufficient to determine if x > y. However, the best reasoning why (1) is not sufficient is given in the solution: you can't conclude which number is greater based solely on the fact that their sum is less than 0.

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