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Re: |x|=|2y|, what is the value of x-2y?

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Hello, I am a bit confused regarding absolute value.

If |x|=|2y|, then why why aren't x and 2y both positive? If the abs. value of something (i.e. it's positive value) is equal to something else, doesn't that imply that they are both positive? For example, if x=|2y| doesn't that mean that x is positive?

Also, for #2, xy both have the same signs. If x and y are negative, why would |x|=|2y| become -x = -2y? I get that it's equal to |x|=|2y| but why even take that step? |-x| = |-2y| will always be positive, right?

Bunuel wrote:
|x|=|2y|, what is the value of x-2y?

First of all |x|=|2y| means that either x=2y or x=-2y.

(1) x+2y = 6. Now, the second case is not possible since if x=-2y then from this statement we would have that -2y+2y=6 --> 0=6, which obviously is not true. So, we have that x=2y, in this case x-2y=2y-2y=0. Sufficient.

(2) xy>0 --> x and y are either both positive or both negative, in any case |x|=|2y| becomes x=2y (if x and y are both negative then |x|=|2y| becomes -x=-2y which is the same as x=2y). Now, if x=2y then x-2y=2y-2y=0. Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it's clear.

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