Saturday, October 09, 2010

|x+2|=|y+2| what is the value of x+y


 |x+2|=|y+2| what is the value of x+y?
(1) xy<0
(2) x>2 y<2










Question stem :
Note: Since the equations is symmetrical, there will only be two distinct cases. However, for the sake of explanation, I have illustrated all 4.
(a) When both x and y are greater than - 2 ; x + 2 = y + 2 ; x = y
(b) When both x and y are less than - 2 ; - x - 2 = - y - 2 ; x = y
(c) When x is less than -2 and y is greater than -2 ; - x - 2 = y + 2 ; x + y = - 4
(d) When x is greater than -2 and y is less than -2 ; x + 2 = - y - 2 ; x + y = - 4

St. (1) : xy < 0
This implies that one is negative and the other is positive. Therefore, in order for xy to be less than 0, x cannot be equal to y. Thus in order to satisfy the question stem, it can only be cases (c) and (d).
Thus Sufficient.

St. (2) : x > 2 ; y < 2
Again, this implies that x and y cannot be equal. Thus, in order to satisfy the question stem it can only be cases (c) and (d).
Thus Sufficient.

Answer : D

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