Last Updated on May 9, 2023
GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE DS
Solution:
We are given a formula in which min(x, y) and max(x, y) denote the minimum and the maximum of x and y, respectively.
We must determine the value of min(10, w).
Statement One Alone:
w = max(20, z) for some integer z.
We are given that w = max(20, z) for some integer z.
Let’s consider possible values for z: If z is less than 20, then w = 20. If z = 20, then w is still 20. If z is greater than 20, then w is that greater value. In any case, we see that w is at least equal to 20, and possibly more.
Since w = the maximum value in the parentheses, we know that w is at least equal to 20, and possibly greater than 20. Thus, we can determine that min(10,w) must equal 10. Statement one alone is sufficient to answer the question. We can eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.
Statement Two Alone:
w = max(10, w)
We are given that w = max(10, w). Since w = the maximum value in the parentheses, we know that w is at least equal to 10. Thus, we can determine that min(10,w) must equal 10. Statement two alone is also sufficient to answer the question.
Answer: D
