1. Is x4 + y4 > z4?

(1) x2 + y2 > z2 (2) x + y > z

It's obvious that you can get a YES answer to the question; all you have to do is take ridiculously
big numbers for x and y, and a small number for z. for instance, x = y = 100, z = 0, satisfy both
statements, and clearly give a YES answer. 
So, you're trying for a NO answer. Try to make Z as big as possible while still satisfying the
criteria (i.e., less than x2 + y2). Let's let x = y = 3 
then to satisfy both statements, we need z2 less than 18, and z less than 6. We'll take z = 4,
which is pushing the limit of the first one. In this case, then, x4 + y4 = 81 + 81 = 162, but z4 =
256, giving a NO answer. Insufficient  Answer = e

2. If x is positive which of the following could be correct ordering of 1/x, 2x, x 2? 
I. x2 < 2x < 1/x II. x2 < 1/x < 2x  III. 2x < x2 < 1/x 
A. None  B. I Only  C. III Only  D. I and II only E. I, II & III 

I. x2 < 2x … cancel x from both sides (only because it is positive), we have x < 2
2x < 1/x or 2x2 < 1 or x2 < 1/2 or x < 1/√2 or x < 0.707
Combining, we have x < 2 and x < 0.7 … the common solution is x < 0.7 so statement I is
possible.

II. x2 < 1/x or x3 < 1 or x < 1

1/x < 2x or 2x2 > 1 or x2 > 1/2 or x > 1/√2 or x > 0.707
Combining, we have 0.707 < x < 1 … so statement II is possible.

III. 2x < x2 … cancel x from both sides (only because x is positive) so we have x > 2.
x2 < 1/x or x3 < 1 or x < 1.
Combining: x > 2 and x < 1 … these 2 can’t be true together … so statement III is impossible.
Ans. D

3. If x > y2 > z4, which of the following statements could be true?

I. x > y > z II. z > y > x III. x > z > y
A. I only B. I and II only C. I and III only D. II and III only E. I, II,
and III

If x > y2 we may have x > y or x < y both as valid.

5 > 4 … so 5 > 22 and 5 > 2 … this shows that if x > y2, x > y is possible.

1/3 > 1/4 … so 1/3 > (1/2)2 but 1/3 < 1/2 … this shows that if x > y2, x < y is also possible.

For statement I
Imagine: x = 100, y = 5, z = 1 so x > y2 > z4 and x > y > z (possible)

For statement II
Imagine: x = 1/4, y = 1/3, z = 1/2 so x > y2 > z4 and z > y > x (possible)

For statement III

Imagine: x = 1/2, y = 1/4, z = 1/3 so x > y2 > z4 and x > z > y (possible)

Ans. E
4. Is M + Z > 0  (1) M – 3Z > 0  (2) 4Z – M > 0 

Each statement alone is not sufficient.

Combining… add the two statements…
(1) + (2), we can know that z > 0, then, m > 3z so m > 0.
Together, m + z > 0 Answer is C

5. If k is not equal to 0, 1, or –1, is 1/k > 0?

(1) 1 / (k – 1) > 0  (2) 1 / (k + 1) > 0 

(1) tells that (k – 1) must be positive so (k – 1) > 0 so k > 1 … so 1/k > 0 always … sufficient.
(2) tells that (k + 1) must be positive so (k + 1) > 0 so k > -1 … k can be -1/2 or 2 … so 1/k can
be positive or negative. Ans. A

6. The numbers x and y are not integers. The value of x is closest to which integer? 
(1) 4 is the integer that is closest to x + y  (2) 1 is the integer that is closest to x – y 

This question deals with rounding-off.

3.5 ≤ x + y < 4.5 
0.5 ≤ x – y < 1.5 
_____________________ 

4 ≤ 2x < 6 

therefore 
2 ≤ x < 3 
But x could be 2.1 and the nearest integer will be 2
x could also be 2.9 and the nearest integer will be 3. NS
Ans. E

7. Are x and y both positive  (1) 2x – 2y = 1  (2) x/y >1

Statement (1) can be rephrased: x - y = ½. We only know that x > y, since the difference is
positive. (1) alone is insufficient.
Statement (2) has two options.
If x and y are both positive, then x must be larger than y, so x > y > 0.
If x and y are both negative, then x is more negative than y, so x < y < 0.
Because we don't know whether they are both positive or both negative, (2) alone is insufficient.
From (1), we know that x >y. The only option in (2) for this to be true is if they are both
positive. (1) and (2) together are sufficient. (C) is the answer.

8. If 500 is the multiple of 100 that is closest to X and 400 is the multiple of 100 closest to Y, then
which multiple of 100 closest to X + Y? 
(1) X < 500  (2) Y < 400 

This problem involves rounding-off.

"500 is the multiple of 100 that is closest to X"

this means that, of all multiples of 100, 500 comes closest to x. 
in other words, 500 is closer to x than is 100, 200, 300, 400, or 600, 700, 800, ... 
if you think about this for a sec, you'll realize that it means x has to be strictly between 450 and
550. 
 Since the numbers don't have to be integers, you have 
1. 450 < x < 550
2. 350 < y < 450

So 800 < x + y < 1000 …

if x + y = 810, our answer will be 800.
if x + y = 860, our answer will be 900.
if x + y = 960, our answer will be 1000.
NS
Ans. E

9. Is 1 / p > r/(r2 + 2)  (1) p = r  (2) r > 0 

(1) imagine p = r = 2

1 / p > r/(r2 + 2) becomes 1/2 > 2 / (4 + 2) or 1/2 > 1/3 … YES

Imagine p = r = -2

1 / p > r/(r2 + 2) becomes -1/2 > -2 / (4 + 2) or -1/2 > -1/3 … NOOO

NS.

(2) doesn’t talk about p … NS

Combining: p = r and both p and r are positive.

The question becomes: “Is 1/p > p / (p2 + 2) … we can cross multiply here (all values positive)
 p2 + 2 > p2 or 2 > 0, which is always true.
Ans. C

10. Is X + Y < 1? (1) X < 8 / 9  (2) Y < 1 / 8

Combining (1) and (2) x + y < 73/72 … x + y can be 72.5 / 72 … > 1 or can be 71 / 72 … < 1.
NS. Ans. E

11. Is x – y + 1 greater than x + y – 1?  (1) x > 0  (2) y < 0 

Q. Is x – y + 1 > x + y – 1 or is y < 1?
(1) NS
(2) Sufficient … if y < 0, y will surely be less than 1.
Ans. B

12. Is z the median of any 3 positive integers x, y and z?  (1) x < y + z  (2) y = z 

this is the same as asking: is z equal to the middle number of the three numbers? 

statement (1) 
this statement tells nothing about the order of the three numbers. it could be true regardless of
 the order of the 3 numbers, and, more to the point, regardless of the position of z in the ordered
list. 
examples: 
x = 1, y = 2, z = 3: z is not the median 
x = 1, y = 3, z = 2: z is the median 
insufficient 

statement (2) 
if y and z are equal, there are three possibilities: 
––– they are the two largest #s in the list. in this case, both of them equal the median of the
list. 
––– they are the two smallest #s in the list. in this case, both of them equal the median of the
list. 
––– all three numbers in the list are the same. in this case, all of them equal the median. 
in any of these cases, z is the median. 
sufficient 

answer = b

13. On the number line, the distance between x and y is greater than the distance between x and z.
Does z lie between x and y on the number line? 
(1) xyz < 0  (2) xy < 0 

___-1________0_________1________2______________
x z y

z lies between x and y.

OR

___-1________0_________1________2______________
y x z

z doesn’t lie between x and y.

Ans. E

14. One kilogram of a certain coffee brand consists of x kilograms of Type I coffee and y kilograms of
Type II coffee. The cost of the brand is C dollars per kilogram, where C = 6.5x + 8.5y. Is x <
0.8? 
(1) y ≥ 0.15  (2) C ≥ 7.30

"one kilogram of a certain coffee blend consists of X kilogram of type I and Y kilogram of type II"
means that X+Y=1
Combined C=6.5X+8.5Y, we get:
X=(8.5-C)/2, Y=(C-6.5)/2
Combined C≥7.3, X≤(8.5-C)/2≤1.2/2≤0.6
Answer is B

15. If mv < pv < 0, is v > 0?  (1) m < p  (2) m < 0 

mv < pv < 0 … so m and p are of the same sign and v is of an opposite sign.
 Imagine if v is negative, then m and p are both positive and m has to be greater than p.
v = -1, m = 3, p = 2 works …

Imagine if v is positive, then m and p are both negative and m has to be less than p.
v = 1, m = -3, p = -2 works …

(1) gives m < p, so v has to be positive.

(2) gives m is negative so v has to be positive.
Ans. D

16. Is x > y? (1) x2 > y (2) √x < y

The question asks whether x is greater than y. The question is already in its most basic form, so
there is no need to rephrase it; we can go straight to the statements.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: The fact that x2 is greater than y does not tell us whether x is greater than y.
For example, if x = 3 and y = 4, then x2 = 9, which is greater than y although x itself is less than
y. But if x = 5 and y = 4, then x2 = 25, which is greater than y and x itself is also greater than y.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: We can square both sides to obtain x < y2. As we saw in the examples above,
it is possible for this statement to be true whether y is less than or greater than x (just substitute
x for y and vice-versa in the examples above).

(1) AND (2) INSUFFICIENT: Taking the statements together, we know that x < y2 and y < x2, but
we do not know whether x > y. For example, if x = 3 and y = 4, both of these inequalities hold
(3 < 16 and 4 < 9) and x < y. But if x = 4 and y = 3, both of these inequalities still hold (4 < 9
and 3 < 16) but now x > y.

The correct answer is E.

17. If n is a nonzero integer, is xn < 1? (1) x > 1 (2) n > 0

The question asks whether xn is less than 1. In order to answer this, we need to know not only
whether x is less than 1, but also whether n is positive or negative since it is the combination of
the two conditions that determines whether xn is less than 1.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: If x = 2 and n = 2, xn = 22 = 4. If x = 2 and n = -2, xn = 2(-2) = 1/(22) = 1/4.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: If x = 2 and n = 2, xn = 22 = 4. If x = 1/2 and n = 2, xn = (1/2)2 = 1/4.

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: Taken together, the statements tell us that x is greater than 1 and n is
positive. Therefore, for any value of x and for any value of n, xn will be greater than 1 and we
can answer definitively "no" to the question.

The correct answer is C.

18. If x is an integer, is 3x less than 500? (1) 4x–1 < 4x – 120 (2) x2 = 36

Since 35 = 243 and 36 = 729, 3x will be less than 500 only if the integer x is less than 6. So, we
can rephrase the question as follows:  "Is x < 6?"
 (1) INSUFFICIENT:  We can solve the inequality for x.
4x–1 < 4x – 120
4x–1 – 4x < -120
4x(4-1) – 4x < -120
4x(1/4) – 4x < -120
4x[(1/4) – 1] < -120
4x(-3/4) < -120
4x > 160

Since 43 = 64 and 44 = 256, x must be greater than 3.  However, this is not enough to determine
if x < 6. 

(2) INSUFFICIENT:  If x2 = 36, then x = 6 or -6.  Again, this is not enough to determine if x < 6.

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT:  Statement (1) tells us that x > 3 and statement (2) tells us that x = 6
or -6.  Therefore, we can conclude that x = 6.  This is sufficient to answer the question "Is x <
6?" (Recall that the answer "no" is sufficient.)

The correct answer is C

19. Is x > 1010 ? (1) x > 234 (2) x = 235

(1) SUFFICIENT: Statement (1) tells us that x > 234, so we want to prove that 234 > 1010. We'll
prove this by manipulating the expression 234. 
234 = (24)(230)
234 = 16(210)3

Now 210 = 1024, and 1024 is greater than 103. Therefore:

234 > 16(103)3
234 > 16(109) 
234 > 1.6(1010).

Since 234 > 1.6(1010) and 1.6(1010) > 1010, then 234 > 1010. 

(2) SUFFICIENT: Statement (2) tells us that that x = 235, so we need to determine if 235 > 1010.
Statement (1) showed that 234 > 1010, therefore 235 > 1010. 

The correct answer is D.

20. Is XY>0? 1). X–Y>–2 2). X–2Y<–6

X-2Y < -6 => -X + 2Y > 6

Combined X - Y > -2, we know Y > 4
X - Y > -2 => -2X + 2Y < 4
Combined X - 2Y < -6, we know -X < -2 => X > 2
Therefore, XY > 0
Answer is C

21. If x and y are integers and xy does not equal 0, is xy < 0?

(1) y = x4 – x3 (2) –12y2 – y2x + x2y2 > 0
 Question: Do x and y have the opposite signs?

(1) INSUFFICIENT:  We can factor the right side of the equation y = x4 – x3 as follows:
y = x4 – x3

y = x3(x – 1) … remember x can’t be equal to 1 … which will make y = 0.

When x is negative, y will be positive. xy will be negative.

When x is positive integer (it can’t be 1 … it has to be > 1), y will be positive. xy will be positive.

NS

(2) INSUFFICIENT:  Let's factor the left side of the given inequality:

-12y2 – y2x + x2y2 > 0

y2(-12 – x + x2) > 0
y2(x2 – x – 12) > 0
y2(x + 3)(x – 4) > 0

The expression y2 will obviously be positive, but it tells us nothing about the sign of y; it could be
positive or negative. 

NS

(1) AND (2) INSUFFICIENT: 

y2(x + 3)(x – 4) > 0 or (x + 3)(x – 4) > 0 or [(x – (-3)][(x – 4)] > 0.  x > 4 OR x < -3.  This is
obviously not enough to determine the sign of x. 
The correct answer is E. 

22. If r + s > 2t, is r > t ? (1) t > s (2) r > s

(1) SUFFICIENT: We can combine the given inequality r + s > 2t with the first statement by
adding the two inequalities:
           
       r + s > 2t
            t > s __
  r + s + t > 2t + s
            r > t
 
(2) SUFFICIENT: We can combine the given inequality r + s > 2t with the second statement by
adding the two inequalities:
 
    r + s > 2t
         r > s __
  2r + s > 2t + s
       2r > 2t
         r > t
 
The correct answer is D.
23. If p < q and p < r, is (p)(q)(r) < p? (1) pq < 0 (2) pr < 0

The question tells us that p < q and p < r and then asks whether the product pqr is less than p.
Statement (1) INSUFFICIENT: We learn from this statement that either p or q is negative, but
since we know from the question that p < q, p must be negative. To determine whether pqr < p,
let's test values for p, q, and r. Our test values must meet only 2 conditions: p must be negative
and q must be positive.

P Q r pqr Is pqr < p?

-2 5 10 -100 YES
-2 5 -10 100 NO

Statement (2) INSUFFICIENT: We learn from this statement that either p or r is negative, but
since we know from the question that p < r, p must be negative. To determine whether pqr < p,
let's test values for p, q, and r. Our test values must meet only 2 conditions: p must be negative
and r must be positive.

p q R pqr Is pqr < p?

-2 -10 5 100 NO
-2 10 5 -100 YES

If we look at both statements together, we know that p is negative and that both q and r are
positive. To determine whether pqr < p, let's test values for p, q, and r. Our test values must
meet 3 conditions: p must be negative, q must be positive, and r must be positive.

p q R pqr Is pqr < p?

-2 10 5 -100 YES
-2 7 4 -56 YES

At first glance, it may appear that we will always get a "YES" answer. But don't forget to test out
fractional (decimal) values as well. The problem never specifies that p, q, and r must be integers.

p q r pqr Is pqr < p?

-2 .3 .4 -.24 NO

Even with both statements, we cannot answer the question definitively. The correct answer is E.

24. Is 5n < 0.04? (1) (1/5)n > 25 (2) n3 < n2

In problems involving variables in the exponent, it is helpful to rewrite an equation or inequality

in exponential terms, and it is especially helpful, if possible, to rewrite them with exponential
terms that have the same base.

0.04 = 1/25 = 5-2

We can rewrite the question in the following way: "Is 5 n < 5-2 ?"

The only way 5n could be less than 5-2 would be if n is less than -2. We can rephrase the
question: "Is n < - 2"?
 (1) SUFFICIENT:  Let's simplify (or rephrase) the inequality given in this statement. 

(1/5)n > 25
(1/5)n > 52
    5-n > 52
     -n > 2
      n < -2       (recall that the inequality sign flips when dividing by a negative number)

This is sufficient to answer our rephrased question.

(2) INSUFFICIENT:  n3 will be smaller than n2 if n is either a negative number or a fraction
between 0 and 1. We cannot tell if n is smaller than -2. 

The correct answer is A.

25. Is p2q > pq2? (1) pq < 0 p<0

The question can first be rewritten as “Is p(pq) > q(pq)?”

 
If pq is positive, we can divide both sides of the inequality by pq and the question then becomes:
“Is p > q?”
If pq is negative, we can divide both sides of the inequality by pq and change the direction of the
inequality sign and the question becomes: “Is p < q?”

Since Statement 2 is less complex than Statement 1, begin with Statement 2 and a BD/ACE grid.
 
(1) INSUFFICIENT: Knowing that pq < 0 means that the question becomes “Is p < q?” We know
that p and q have opposite signs, but we don’t know which one is positive and which one is
negative so we can’t answer the question “Is p < q?”
 
(2) INSUFFICIENT: We know nothing about q or its sign.
 
(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: From statement (1), we know we are dealing with the question “Is p
<  q?,” and that p and q have opposite signs. Statement (2) tells us that p is negative, which
means that q is positive. Therefore p is in fact less than q.
The correct answer is C.

26. Is m > n ? (1) n – m + 2 > 0 (2) n – m – 2 > 0

We can rephrase the question: "Is m – n > 0?" 

(1) INSUFFICIENT:  If we solve this inequality for m – n, we get m – n < 2.  This does not
answer the question "Is m – n > 0?".
(2) SUFFICIENT:  If we solve this inequality for m – n, we get m – n < -2.  This answers the
question "Is m – n > 0?" with an absolute NO.

The correct answer is B.

27. Is 3p > 2q ? (1) q = 2p (2) q > 0

 Since Statement 2 is less complex than Statement 1, begin with Statement 2 and a BD/ACE grid.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: We can substitute 2p for q in the inequality in the question: 

3p > 22p. This can be simplified to 3p > (22)p  or 3p > 4p. 

If p > 0, 3p < 4p  (for example 32 < 42 and 30.5 < 40.5)
If p < 0, 3p > 4p  (for example 3-1 > 4-1)
Since we don't know whether p is positive or negative, we cannot tell whether 3p is greater
than 4p.
(2)  INSUFFICIENT: This tells us nothing about p.
(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: If q > 0, then p is also greater than zero since p = 2q. If p > 0, then
3p < 4p. The answer to the question is a definite NO.
The correct answer is C.

28. Is mp greater than m? (1) m > p > 0 (2) p is less than 1

To begin, list all of the scenarios in which mp would be greater than m. There are only 2
scenarios in which this would occur.
Scenario 1: m is positive and p is greater than 1 (since a fractional or negative p will shrink m).
Scenario 2: m is negative and p is less than 1 -- in other words, p can be a positive fraction, 0 or
any negative number.  A negative value for p will make the product positive, 0 will make it 0 and
a positive fraction will make a negative m greater).

NOTE: These scenarios could have been derived algebraically by solving the inequality mp > m: 
mp – m > 0
m(p – 1) > 0
Which means either m > 0 and p > 1  OR m < 0 and p < 1.
(1) INSUFFICIENT: This eliminates the second scenario, but doesn't guarantee the first scenario.
If m = 100 and p = .5, then mp = 50, which is NOT greater than m. On the other hand, if m
= 100 and p = 2, then mp = 200, which IS greater than m.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: This eliminates the first scenario since p is less than 1, but it doesn't

guarantee the second scenario. m has to be negative for this to always be true. If m = –100 and
p = –2, then mp = 200, which IS greater than m. But if m = 100 and p = .5, then mp = 50,
which is NOT greater than m.

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT:  Looking at statements (1) and (2) together, we know that m is
positive and that p is less than 1. This contradicts the first and second scenarios, thereby
ensuring that mp will NEVER be greater than m. Thus, both statements together are sufficient to
answer the question. Note that the answer to the question is "No" -- which is a definite, and
therefore sufficient, answer to a "Yes/No" question in Data Sufficiency.
The correct answer is C.

29. Is 2X–3Y< X2? 1). 2X–3Y=–2 2). X>2 and Y>0

SQUARE is never negative… square ≥ 0 always.

Given equation can be written as, Is x2 - 2x + 3y > 0?

i. 2x-3y = -2

The given equation becomes x2 - (2x - 3y) = x^2 + 2, which is always > 0 … (SUFF)
ii. x > 2 and y > 0

Given equation can be written as x(x - 2) + 3y, which is also always > 0, if x > 2 and y > 0.

sufficient

answer D.

30.

Company Z has part time and full time employees in both divisions X and Y (the only two
divisions in the company). We want to know if the ratio of FT:PT is higher in X or in the company
as a whole. 

(1) FT:PT for div Y is < FT:PT for the whole company 

FT:PT for the whole company will be a weighted average of the ratios for divisions X and Y. If the
ratio for division Y is below that weighted average, then the ratio for division X must be above
the weighted average (since the average of two groups is always somewhere between the
groups). 

Therefore, statement (1) gives us a definite "yes" answer: sufficient. 

(2) More than 50% of the FTs work in X, more than 50% of the PTs work in Y. 

If more than 50% of the FTs work in X, and fewer than 50% of the PTs work in X (since more
than 50% of the PTs work in Y), then X has a relatively higher proportion of FT to PT than the
entire company. 

Therefore, statement (2) gives us a definite "yes" answer: sufficient. 

Each statement is sufficient alone: choose (d).