Practice GMAT Data Sufficiency Question

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If n and k are integers and (-2)n5 > 0, is k37 < 0?
  1. (nk)z > 0, where z is an integer that is not divisible by two
  2. k < n
Correct Answer: D
  1. It is important to begin by simplifying the question.
    Since k is raised to an odd power, k37 will always be less than 0 if k is less than 0. Likewise, k37 will always be greater than 0 if k is greater than 0.
    So, the question can be simplified to: is k < 0?
    k(odd integer) < 0 if k < 0
    k(odd integer) > 0 if k > 0
  2. The question can be simplified even more. Since (-2)(negative number) > 0 and (-2)(positive number) < 0, you know n5 is a negative number. This means that n < 0. If n were greater than 0, the statement (-2)n5 > 0 would never be true.
  3. Summarizing in algebra:
    (-2)(negative number) > 0
    (-2)(positive number) < 0
    (-2)(n5) > 0
    n5 < 0
    Therefore: n < 0
  4. The fully simplified question is: "if n and k are integers and n < 0, is k < 0?"
  5. Evaluate Statement (1) alone.
    1. By saying that "z is an integer that is not divisible by 2," Statement (1) is saying that z is an odd integer. So, any base raised to z will keep its sign (i.e., whether the expression is positive or negative will not change since the base is raised to an odd exponent).
      z/2 = not integer if z is odd
      z/2 = integer if z is even
    2. Remember that (nk)z = (nz)(kz). So, Statement (1) says that (nz)(kz) > 0. It is important to know that there are two ways that a product of two numbers can be greater than zero:
      Case 1: (negative number)(negative number) > 0
      Case 2: (positive number)(positive number) > 0
    3. Since you know that n < 0, we are dealing with Case 1 and Statement (1) can be simplified even further:
      (negative number)(k(odd exponent)) > 0.
    4. Since k will not change its sign when raised to an odd exponent, the equation can be simplified even further:
      (negative number)(k) > 0. k must be a negative number. Otherwise, this inequality will not be true.
    5. To summarize in algebra:
      (nk)z > 0
      (nk)z = (nz)(kz)
      (nz)(kz) > 0
      (negative number)(negative number) > 0
      or (positive number)(positive number) > 0
      (negative number)(k(odd exponent)) > 0
      (negative number)(k) > 0
      k is negative
    6. Since k is a negative number, k37 < 0. Statement (1) is SUFFICIENT.
  6. Evaluate Statement (2) alone.
    1. Statement (2) says that k is less than n. Since you know that n is less than 0, Statement (2) says that k is less than a negative number. Only a negative number is less than another negative number. So, k must also be a negative number. Consequently, k37 will always be less than 0 since (negative)odd < 0. Statement (2) is SUFFICIENT.
    2. Summarizing in algebra:
      k < n < 0
  7. Since Statement (1) alone is SUFFICIENT and Statement (2) alone is SUFFICIENT, answer D is correct.

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