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Bunuel
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GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V42
GRE 1: Q169 V168
GRE 2: Q170 V170
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Bunuel
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zhanbo
(1) Only
If x=-3 and y=3, x^y<0
If x=-2 and y=2, x^y>0
Insufficient.

(2) Only
When k=0, y=1
If x=-1, x^y<0
If x=1, x^y>0
Insufficient

(1)and(2)Together
For any k of a non-zero integer, y is a positive odd integer.
x is a negative number
So x^y is always negative
Sufficient.

The answer is (C).
­
how does statement one qualify that X is negative and Y is positive ? it could also be that -y=x in which case it does not deem x^y as negative?
­
\(y = - x\) implies that \(y + x =0\). Since both of them are non-zero, then their sum of be 0, one of them must be negative and another positive.
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Bunuel

cats

zhanbo
(1) Only
If x=-3 and y=3, x^y<0
If x=-2 and y=2, x^y>0
Insufficient.

(2) Only
When k=0, y=1
If x=-1, x^y<0
If x=1, x^y>0
Insufficient

(1)and(2)Together
For any k of a non-zero integer, y is a positive odd integer.
x is a negative number
So x^y is always negative
Sufficient.

The answer is (C).
­
how does statement one qualify that X is negative and Y is positive ? it could also be that -y=x in which case it does not deem x^y as negative?
­
\(y = - x\) implies that \(y + x =0\). Since both of them are non-zero, then their sum of be 0, one of them must be negative and another positive.
­I see, and if of the two it is Y that is negative then the answer is a positive fraction, not negative. Given this possibility doesnt it mean the answer should be E ? 
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­I see, and if of the two it is Y that is negative then the answer is a positive fraction, not negative. Given this possibility doesnt it mean the answer should be E ? 
­
y cannot be negative because it equals the square of a number: \(y = (2k + 1)^2\). Moreover, since 2k + 1 is odd, then y must be the square of an odd number, so a positive odd number itself.
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ah that makes sense thank you !
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