Consider the question. If x<0, y<0, and |x| > |y|, which of the following must be true?
Options:
(A) x > y
(B) y^2 > x^2
(C) x^3 > y^2
(D) x < y
(E) x < y
If the answer is '(D)'; explain the reasoning:
Correct Answer: (E)
Let'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 (D) must be true.