Question

The following question given below has a problem and two statements I & II. Decide if the information given in the statement is sufficient for answering the problem.

Line L passes through points R(0,-5) and 5 (4,0) (see figure above). Point P with coordinates (x, y) is a point on line L. Is xy > 0?
(1) x > 4
(2) y > -5

• A. Data in statement I alone is sufficient.
• B. Data in statement II alone is sufficient.
• C. Data in both statements together is sufficient.
• D. Data in both statements together is not sufficient.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Data in statement I alone is sufficient.

First, note that this is a Yes/No Data Sufficiency question.

Line L passes through three quadrants:

1.Quadrant I, where x and y are both positive, so xy > 0 and the answer is yes.

2.Quadrant III, where x and y are both negative, so xy > 0 and the answer is yes.

3.Quadrant IV, where x is positive and y is negative, so xy < 0 and the answer is no.

If you can determine what quadrant point P is in, you will have sufficient information to answer the question. Also, if you know that point P is in either Quadrant I or Quadrant III, that would also be sufficient.

(1) SUFFICIENT: If x> 4, then point P is in Quadrant I, so xy > 0 and the answer is "yes."

(2) INSUFFICIENT: If y > -5, then point P could be in either Quadrant I (xy> 0) or Quadrant IV (xy< 0).

The correct answer is (A).