If x and y are real numbers, what is the value of x + y? (1) x = 5 (2) y = 3 — GMAT

If $x$ and $y$ are real numbers, what is the value of $x + y$ ?

(1) $x = 5$
(2) $y = 3$

A
Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.
B
Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.
BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.Answer
D
EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
E
Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.

Neither statement alone provides values for both

x

and

y

. Evaluating each statement independently shows that one variable remains unknown in each case. When combined, Statement (1) gives

x = 5

and Statement (2) gives

y = 3

, allowing us to uniquely calculate

x + y = 8

. Thus, both statements together are sufficient.

Evaluate Statement (1) independently

x = 5

, but

y

is unknown, so

x + y

cannot be uniquely determined.

Statement (1) alone is not sufficient.

Evaluate Statement (2) independently

y = 3

, but

x

is unknown, so

x + y

cannot be uniquely determined.

Statement (2) alone is not sufficient. No information from Statement (1) can be carried over during independent evaluation.

Combine Statement (1) and Statement (2)

x = 5

and

y = 3

, yielding

x + y = 5 + 3 = 8

Combining both statements provides a single unique numerical answer.

Statement Independence Evaluation and Statement Combination

Question