What is root(x^2•y^2) if x < 0 and y > 0?

hey,

Can you please explain why it is negative? I thought when the two number are enclosed within an absolute value bracket, it becomes positive.

WOW!!! Thank you for that explanation. I definitely get it now.

Hi Nai222,

Since your post was from over a year ago, you might not still be around to read this. This question can be solved by TESTing VALUES:

We're told X < 0 and Y > 0

Let's TEST:
X = -2
Y = +2

So, we'd have \sqrt{(4)(4)} = +4

Using those values in the answers, we get...

Answer A: -(-2)(2) = +4 This IS a match

Answer B: (-2)(2) = -4 NOT a match

Answer C: - |(-2)(2)| = -4 NOT a match

Answer D: |2|(-2) = -4 NOT a match

Answer E: No solution. NOT a match

Final Answer:

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

for |xy| we have 4 options

xy, x-y, -xy, -x-y

A

We must remember here that x>0 => √x^2 = x else if x is negative => -x

How is mod of -x equal to -x? Shouldnt it be x?

sinhap07 , I assume you refer to

For me, the rule can be counterintuitive. I've seen a few ways to think about the rule. Maybe they will help.

If x is negative, then |x| = -x

Possible ways to think about the rule:

1. "The negative of a negative is positive."

Think of the negative sign as signifying "opposite."

That is, the negative sign functions as "the negative of a negative number." And the negative of a negative number is positive. See Bunuel above in bold.

Let x = -3. Per |x| = -x:

|-3| = 3, and +3 is the opposite of -3, thus +3 = -(-3)

2. OR think: "The negative sign on RHS means (-1) multiplied by a negative number \(x\)," thus

|x| = -x
|x| = (-1)(x)
|x| = (-1)(negative #)
|x| = a positive number

3. OR think (similar to #1): "in this rule there is a hidden minus sign."

With a number, the "two negatives" are easy to see

|-3| = 3
|-3| = -(-3)

BUT: |x| = -(x) = -x

With variable \(x\), it is easy to forget that there ARE two negative signs.

With the variable, there is only one minus sign on RHS... because the negative variable \(x\) already "contains" a minus sign.

We just don't (can't) write the minus sign twice with the variable.

|-3| = -(-3) = 3
|x| = -(x) = -x

Those two equations are functionally equivalent.

4. Summary - use any negative number, substituted for x, to see that, if x < 0 , then |x| = -x. Reasons:

|-3| = 3, where +3 is the opposite of -3 [+3 = -(-3)]; RHS is the negative of a negative number

|-3| = 3 = (-1)(-3)

|-3| = -(-3) = 3

The absolute value IS positive (or nonnegative). The sign of a negative variable can obscure that fact.

Hope that helps.

To add:

|-x| = |x|. One way to think about it is that |-x| is the distance between -x and 0 on the number line. Similarly, |x| is the distance between x and 0 on the number line. Obviously -x and x are the same distance from 0. For example, -3 and 3 are the same distance from 0; 2 and -2, are the same distance from 0...

Next, when x is 0 or negative, the rule says that |x| = -x. The absolute value cannot be negative and this rule is not violated here. For example, say x = -10, then |-10| = -(-10) = 10 = positive or generally when x is negative |x| = -x = -negative = positive. Or using the distance concept again |-10| is the distance from -10 to 0, which is 10.

Hope it helps.

If x<0, then x = (-)
if y > 0, then y = (+)
root x^2y^2 = (+), for, given the exponent is even, the power of (-) is (+)

B) xy = (-)(+) = (-) therefore insufficient
C) (-)(+) = (-)
D)(+)(-) = (-)

A) (-)(-) = (+)

Therefore, the answer is A-xy

Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.