Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Practice Test

What is the strategy for analyzing whether two variables m and n are consecutive?

1. Set m to be 2n

2. Set m=n and n=m

3. Set up equations m=n+1 or m=n-1

4. Check if m equals n

The correct answer is: Set up equations m=n+1 or m=n-1

To determine whether two variables, m and n, are consecutive, the most effective approach is to set up equations that reflect the definition of consecutive integers. Consecutive integers differ by one unit; therefore, if one integer is represented by m and the other by n, they can be related through simple equations. Specifically, the equations m = n + 1 or m = n - 1 clearly indicate that either m is one more than n or m is one less than n. This captures the essence of what it means for two integers to be consecutive—there is an integer gap of exactly one between them. This technique allows you to directly ascertain their relationship and elegantly demonstrates whether they are indeed consecutive integers. By using these equations, you are explicitly testing for the condition that defines consecutive numbers, which is the primary goal of the analysis. This method is straightforward and effective, making it the best strategy for this purpose.