If x>0, y>0, and |x| > |y|, which of the following must be true?\nOptions:\n(A) x > y\n(B) y^2 > x^2\n(C) x^3 > y^2\n(D) –x < y\n(E) x < –y Stream of consciousness first, then make a decision:
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Correct Answer: (E)\nLet’s go through each answer choice: (A) can never be true, since no negative is greater than a positive. (B) doesn’t have to be true – consider what would happen if x = -2 and y = 1. (C) can never be true, as x^3 must be negative, and y^2 must be positive. (D) can never be true, since if x < 0, -x is the same thing as |x|, and |x| > y. (E) can be manipulated by multiplying both sides by -1, which gives us –x > y. Remember that x < 0, so –x = |x|, and y is positive, so |y| = y. Thus x > y is the same statement as |x| > |y|, and (A) must be true.
Thus, the answer is (A).
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