Given that |x| = 2/5 and |y| = 3/5, which of… | GMAT Sprint

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PS · Problem Solving

sub-505

Arithmetic

Given that |x| = 2/5 and |y| = 3/5, which of the following values CANNOT be the sum of x and y?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

-1

-1/5

1/5

2/5

Correct

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Explanation

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Official Explanation

Official

|x| = \frac{2}{5} \implies x = \frac{2}{5} \text{ or } x = -\frac{2}{5}

|y| = \frac{3}{5} \implies y = \frac{3}{5} \text{ or } y = -\frac{3}{5}

x + y = \frac{2}{5} + \frac{3}{5} = 1

x + y = \frac{2}{5} - \frac{3}{5} = -\frac{1}{5}

…

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Comments

TiborJan 2, 2025

thanks for posting

AndreaOct 31, 2024

Great

krishnaApr 18, 2024

appreciated!

AditiMay 26

wait why can't 2/5 be the sum? i keep getting it as an option somehow

MaryamJun 7

try all four combos of signs, none of them land on 2/5

DaryaSep 4

easy points, love these absolute value ones

AudreyJun 15

lol i overthought this and started doing algebra, should've just tested the choices

What this question tests

What it tests

Your fluency with the order of operations, fractions, decimals, and basic number sense — the foundation every quant question leans on.

Common trap

Applying the order of operations out of sequence or rounding intermediate values before the final step.