Which is the greatest among x,y and z ?
1. x:y:z=3:4:5
2. xyz-y^2 is a positive integer
Solution:
1. x:y:z=3:4:5
This statement tell us about the magnitude of x, y and z but nothing about the sign. If all are positive numbers z is greatest, if all the negative z is smallest. INSUFFICIENT
2. xyz - y^2 is a positive integer
Do not oversimplify this! Y^2 is always positive. If we have (something) - positive = positive, then we know that something is positive and bigger in magnitude than what is subtracted. INSUFFICIENT
Combine the two, we know that z has the biggest magnitude and all the numbers are positive, thus Z is greatest.
The answer is (C).
Remember:
1. Do not forget to consider the impact of negative factor on the given equation.
2. In any relation like aX:bY:cZ, the value of variable (X, Y, Z) would be greater for which factor is greatest (a, b, c). This is only when all the factors are positive.
For example, X:3Y:5Z means Z is greatest in case X, Y and Z are positive in nature.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
OG-11 CR [Benchmarking, identifying the exception]
One way to judge the performance of a company is to compare it with other companies. This technique, commonly called “benchmarking,” permits the manager of a company to discover better industrial practices and can provide a justification for the adoption of good practices.
Any of the following, if true, is a valid reason for benchmarking the performance of a company against companies with which it is not in competition rather than against competitors EXCEPT:
(A) Comparisons with competitors are most likely to focus on practices that the manager making the comparisons already employs.
(B) Getting “inside” information about the unique practices of competitors is particularly difficult.
(C) Since companies that compete with each other are likely to have comparable levels of efficiency, only benchmarking against noncompetitors is likely to reveal practices that would aid in beating competitors.
(D) Managers are generally more receptive to new ideas that they find outside their own industry.
(E) Much of the success of good companies is due to their adoption of practices that take advantage of the special circumstances of their products or markets.
Solution:
The question asked is ambiguous in nature. So read it carefully. Once you what is demanded then its easier to solve most of the questions. It actually asked to identify the statement which states that benchmarking to be done or done with the competitors rather than non competitors.
Statement (A): Against doing the comparison with competitors.
Statement (B): Again trying to say that benchmarking with competitors is extremely difficult.
Statement (C): Asking to do benchmarking with non competitors.
Statement (D): Asking to adopt idea outside their industry (i.e. non competitors).
Statement (E): Saying that success is employed by studying their products or market. (It means that benchmarking to be done with competitors). So this is correct statement which is exception to the requirement.
Any of the following, if true, is a valid reason for benchmarking the performance of a company against companies with which it is not in competition rather than against competitors EXCEPT:
(A) Comparisons with competitors are most likely to focus on practices that the manager making the comparisons already employs.
(B) Getting “inside” information about the unique practices of competitors is particularly difficult.
(C) Since companies that compete with each other are likely to have comparable levels of efficiency, only benchmarking against noncompetitors is likely to reveal practices that would aid in beating competitors.
(D) Managers are generally more receptive to new ideas that they find outside their own industry.
(E) Much of the success of good companies is due to their adoption of practices that take advantage of the special circumstances of their products or markets.
Solution:
The question asked is ambiguous in nature. So read it carefully. Once you what is demanded then its easier to solve most of the questions. It actually asked to identify the statement which states that benchmarking to be done or done with the competitors rather than non competitors.
Statement (A): Against doing the comparison with competitors.
Statement (B): Again trying to say that benchmarking with competitors is extremely difficult.
Statement (C): Asking to do benchmarking with non competitors.
Statement (D): Asking to adopt idea outside their industry (i.e. non competitors).
Statement (E): Saying that success is employed by studying their products or market. (It means that benchmarking to be done with competitors). So this is correct statement which is exception to the requirement.
CR: A more than B type question [OG 10, Q 46]
Kale has more nutritional value than spinach. But since collard greens have more nutritional value than lettuce, if follows that kale has more nutritional value than lettuce.
Any of the following, if introduced into the argument as an additional premise, makes the argument above logically correct EXCEPT:
A. Collard greens have more nutritional value than kale
B. Spinach has more nutritional value than lettuce
C. Spinach has more nutritional value than collard greens
D. Spinach and collard greens have the same nutritional value
E. Kale and collard greens have the same nutritional value
Solution:
The above question states that K > S and C > L which leads that K > L
We need to identify the statement which state K < L.
On checking statements
Statement A, C > K and C > L (but it doest not mean that K > L. Therefore Kale may or may not has more nutritional value as compare to lettuce.)
Statement B, S > L and as K > S therefore, K > L
Statement C, S > C and as K > S therefore, K > L
Statement D, S > C and as K > S therefore, K > L
Statement E, K = C and as C > L therefore, K > L
Hence statement (A) is the desired answer.
Any of the following, if introduced into the argument as an additional premise, makes the argument above logically correct EXCEPT:
A. Collard greens have more nutritional value than kale
B. Spinach has more nutritional value than lettuce
C. Spinach has more nutritional value than collard greens
D. Spinach and collard greens have the same nutritional value
E. Kale and collard greens have the same nutritional value
Solution:
The above question states that K > S and C > L which leads that K > L
We need to identify the statement which state K < L.
On checking statements
Statement A, C > K and C > L (but it doest not mean that K > L. Therefore Kale may or may not has more nutritional value as compare to lettuce.)
Statement B, S > L and as K > S therefore, K > L
Statement C, S > C and as K > S therefore, K > L
Statement D, S > C and as K > S therefore, K > L
Statement E, K = C and as C > L therefore, K > L
Hence statement (A) is the desired answer.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
DS: Odds/Evens problem
If m, p, and t are positive integers and m < p < t, is the product mpt an even integer?
(1) t – p = p – m
(2) t – m = 16
Solution:
"For a product of integers to be even, at least one of those integers needs to be even. So the question is asking: is either one of m, p, or t even ? "
That is exactly what we look for.
(1)
t - p = p - m
t = 2p - m
-don't know if p is even or odd, but 2p is even.
-don't know if m is even or odd
t = 2p - even = even
t = 2p - odd = odd
N/S
(2)
t - m = 16
t = 16 +m
-don't know if m is even or odd
t = 16 + odd = odd
t = 16 = even = even
N/S
(1) and (2)
t = 2p - m
t = 16 + m
2p - m = 16 + m
16 = 2(p - m)
8 = p - m
-don't know whether p or m are even or odd.
N/S
(1) t – p = p – m
(2) t – m = 16
Solution:
"For a product of integers to be even, at least one of those integers needs to be even. So the question is asking: is either one of m, p, or t even ? "
That is exactly what we look for.
(1)
t - p = p - m
t = 2p - m
-don't know if p is even or odd, but 2p is even.
-don't know if m is even or odd
t = 2p - even = even
t = 2p - odd = odd
N/S
(2)
t - m = 16
t = 16 +m
-don't know if m is even or odd
t = 16 + odd = odd
t = 16 = even = even
N/S
(1) and (2)
t = 2p - m
t = 16 + m
2p - m = 16 + m
16 = 2(p - m)
8 = p - m
-don't know whether p or m are even or odd.
N/S
DS [Algebra]
If b, c, and d are constants and x^2 + bx + c = (x + d)^2 for all values of x, what is the value
of c?
(A) d = 3
(B) b = 6
Solution:
Resolving the equation produces
bx +c = 2dx + d^2 for all values of x.
Point to remember:
Here we can equate co-efficient of x and constants.
i.e. b = 2dx and c = d^2
Now the question is pretty easy to solve, and both the statements alone are sufficient to deduce the correct answer.
of c?
(A) d = 3
(B) b = 6
Solution:
Resolving the equation produces
bx +c = 2dx + d^2 for all values of x.
Point to remember:
Here we can equate co-efficient of x and constants.
i.e. b = 2dx and c = d^2
Now the question is pretty easy to solve, and both the statements alone are sufficient to deduce the correct answer.
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