What is the value of the integer k?

Question

(1) k + 3 > 0
(2) k^4 <= 0

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

What is the value of the integer k?

(1)  k+3>0  -->  k>-3 , not sufficient to determine single numerical value of  k . Not sufficient.

(2)  k^4\leq{0} , as a number in even power is never negative  k^4  cannot be less than zero, thus  k^4=0  -->  k=0 . Sufficient.

Answer: B.

ludwigfraboulet · Answer

The answer is B

1st statement non sufficient, from this statement we just know k < -3

2nd statement sufficient because from this statement, k must be 0 to have an integer k which k^4< or = 0

Therefore the answer is B

tuhinkanti · Answer

An even power can never be negative. Therefore statement B is sufficient.

rboots · Answer

Without looking at the answer...

1) k + 3 > 0 ...This simply means k > -2, but this doesn't indicate a specific value. #1 alone is insufficient. 
2) k^4 <= 0 ...This indicates that k^4 is less than or equal to 0. It's impossible for any real number with an even exponent to result in a negative value, so k = 0. #2 alone is sufficient.

Answer: B

shinbhu · Answer

1. k+3>0 -> k>-3. Clearly insuff. 2. K^4 <= 0. Any even root is always positive, so < 0 is not possible. Only true if k=0. Suff. B.

sisorayi01 · Answer

im confused with this question. Why would:

1) The question state something that is in fact FALSE (k^4<0, k^4=0). Aren't the statements supposed to be "true" in order to determine the answer? I have a hard time understanding why they would "present" false information to solve the problem.. i just havent really seen this before.

2) The question asks, what is the value of k? Not, what is the value of k^2. K can be -2, -1, 0, 1, 2.

Thanks!

Bunuel · Answer

Statements cannot be false.  On the GMAT, two data sufficiency statements always provide TRUE information and these statements NEVER contradict each other or the stem.

The second statement says that  k^4\leq{0} , not k^4 < 0. Which means that k = 0. Please re-read my solution above.

stonecold · Answer

X^even = always positive so k=0 and statement 2 is sufficient
hence A

LogicGuru1 · Answer

What is the value of the integer k?

(1) k + 3 > 0
k > -3 
k can anything from -3 to positive infinity; k ={-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,4,5,....99...13456.... infinity}
INSUFFICIENT

(2)  k^4   <= 0 
Raising any number to an even power removes the possibility of getting a negative number in the output.
so the expression become  k^4=0 
therefore k is also 0
SUFFICIENT

ANSWER IS B

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What is the value of the integer k?

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