Data Sufficiency

[ReineB340]

If a cannot equal bc, what is the value of (a+bc)/(a-bc)

(1) abc=32
(2) a+b+c = 12

Why are neither of these statements sufficient? I got that Statement 1 is sufficient

[StaceyKoprince]

Hi, welcome to the forums!

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I'll give you a quick answer, but in order not to have to erase the problem / delete this post the next time we check, we need to know the source.)

The question asks for the value of (a + bc) / (a – bc).

Statement 1 indicates that abc = 32. There are many possible combinations of values that could make this statement true. For example:
Case 1: a = 1, b = 1, c = 32
Case 2: a = 32, b = 1, c = 1

If you plug both of those cases into the question, you don't get the same value. Don't do the full math, though—estimate.
Case 1: (1 + 32) / (1 – 32) = something positive / something negative = negative
Case 2: (32 + 1) / (32 – 1) = something pos / something pos = positive

A negative value can't equal a positive value, so the two values can't be the same. Therefore, this statement is not sufficient to answer the question.