If x, y, and k are positive and x is less than y, then (x+k)/(y+k) is

greater than x/y (B). We know that x is less than y and both are positive, so the ratio of the smaller to the larger is below one.

less than x/y or greater than x/y, depending on the value of k (E)

GMAT Fractions: If x, y, and k are positive and x is less…

If x, y, and k are positive and x is less than y, then \frac{x + k}{y + k} is

A. $1$
B. $greater than \frac{x}{y}$
C. $equal to \frac{x}{y}$
D. $less than \frac{x}{y}$
E. $less than \frac{x}{y} or greater than \frac{x}{y}, depending on the value of k$

inequalitiesfractions

Explanation	Calculations	Help
$We know that x is less than y and both are positive, so the ratio of the smaller to the larger is below one.$	$x < y \frac{x}{y} < 1$
$We then notice that adding the same positive amount to the numerator and denominator of a fraction below one makes the fraction larger.$	$\frac{x + k}{y + k} > \frac{x}{y}$

greater than x/y (B)