Is x squared > x?

[Guest]

Hi,

This is a question from the Y/N Data Sufficiency Online Lab.

The question is below:

Is x squared > x?

1) x squared > 1
2) x > -1

Using the the CLA method, the instructor did not use any fractions to test out the statements. However, my first inclination was to use fractions to test out the statements as the only time x squared is less than x is when x is between 0 and 1. Am I thinking about this correctly?

Thank you!

[UPA]

Hi, This is a question from the Y/N Data Sufficiency Online Lab.

The question is below: Is x^2 > x?

1) x squared > 1
2) x > -1

Using the the CLA method, the instructor did not use any fractions to test out the statements. However, my first inclination was to use fractions to test out the statements as the only time x squared is less than x is when x is between 0 and 1. Am I thinking about this correctly?

Thank you!

1. x is not a fraction. so x could be >1 or <-1. suff...
2. x > -1 means x could be -ve/+ve fraction or 0 or 1 or >1. insuffff....

A

[StaceyKoprince]

Sure - if you're allowed to test fractions on a problem, that's definitely something you should think about! On this one, you can't test fractions for statement 1, but you can for statement 2.

Generally, people usually start with easier numbers (positive integers, negative integers, zero) and only go to annoying numbers, such as fractions, if they have to. But that doesn't mean you always have to do the same - if you think you can "shortcut" the problem by trying something like a fraction, because you see the "trick" to the problem, go for it!