Math questions from any Manhattan Prep GMAT Computer Adaptive Test.
sachin.w
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Absolute Coordinates MGMAT CAT1

by sachin.w Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:44 am

In which quadrant of the coordinate plane does the point (x, y) lie?

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


The explanation given for 2 is

(2) SUFFICIENT: If -y does not equal |y|, then y must be positive (and -y must be negative). Since -x < -y, we know that -x is also negative, so x is also positive. The point (x, y) is therefore in the first quadrant.

I am unable to understand the following:
If -y does not equal |y|, then y must be positive (and -y must be negative).


let x=5
|-x|=x
=>
|-5|=5
=> x is positive.

let x=-5
|-x|=x
=>
|-(-5)|=5

-x=-(-5)=5

=> -x = |-x|
here x is negative..

I am getting really confused with this stuff. Please help me understand the above in quotes.

I however solved it the following way:

-x < -y < |y|

=>
x>y>-|y|

|y|>=0

so
-|y|<=0

=>
x>y>=0

hence x and y are positive and are in 1st quadrant
RonPurewal
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Re: Absolute Coordinates MGMAT CAT1

by RonPurewal Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:47 am

as far as investigating |-y| vs. y, just plug in a few numbers and see what's going on.

if y is a positive number or 0, then these will work out to the same quantity.

e.g.

if y = 4:
|-y| = |-4| = 4
y = 4
they're the same.

if y = 187:
|-y| = |-187| = 187
y = 187
they're the same.

etc. same deal for any positive number.

--


if y is a negative number, then these will NOT work out to the same quantity.

e.g.

if y = -4:
|-y| = |+4| = 4
but y = -4
they're not the same.

if y = -100:
|-y| = |+100| = 100
but y = -100
they're not the same.

etc. same deal for any negative number.

this is the best way for you to become more familiar with the vagaries of absolute values -- just experiment with concrete numbers.
if you think of these as random abstract symbols splashed all over the page, then they are going to be extremely annoying and difficult to deal with. on the other hand, if you investigate their effect on individual numbers, then they will start to make a lot more sense.
sfbay
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Re: Absolute Coordinates MGMAT CAT1

by sfbay Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:47 pm

statement 1 is also sufficient? only way to satisfy equation if both positive.

correct answer is both (D)
jlucero
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Re: Absolute Coordinates MGMAT CAT1

by jlucero Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:24 pm

That's correct. D is the answer here.
Joe Lucero
Manhattan GMAT Instructor