GMAT Question of the Day – Data Sufficiency – Absolute Value/Algebra

x and y are integers. If x > |y| is x > 2?

[spoiler]D.[/spoiler]

GMAT Question of the Day Solution

GMAT absolute value questions generally focus on the polarity of the variables. Think of what happens when things are positive and when things are negative. In this case we know that x will be positive because of the given information. Now we have to decide whether x will be greater than 2. The first statement proves that x will in fact be greater than two. The second leaves open many possibilities. If you struggled with the exponents/roots in the first statement it’s time to review your exponent rules.