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Reciprocal of n
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Let n = -1/20.If n denotes a number to the left of 0 on the number line such that the square of n is less than 1/100, then the reciprocal of n must be
A. less than -10
B. between -1 and -1/10
C. between -1/10 and 0
D. between 0 and -1/10
E. greater than 10
This works because (-1/20)² = 1/400, which is less than 1/100.
In this case, the reciprocal of n = -20.
Only answer choice A is viable:
-20 is less than -10.
The correct answer is A.
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As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
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Hi binaras,
GMAT questions often include a number of details/rules that you have to follow to get to the correct answer. If you have trouble understanding how everything "works", it often helps to break down the prompt into 'pieces' and work through each piece one at a time (taking notes, doing calculations, etc.).
Here, we're told that N is a number to the LEFT of 0 on the number line....
So, N is NEGATIVE
Next, we're told that the SQUARE of N is LESS than 1/100
So, N^2 < 1/100
Conceptually, this might seem a little tricky, so I'm going to list some examples for comparison (and we can "hone in" on what N could be...):
(-1)^2 = 1
(-1/2)^2 = 1/4
(-1/10)^2 = 1/100
Notice the pattern here....as the denominator gets bigger, the value of N^2 gets smaller. This tells us that N falls into a range of possible values:
-1/10 < N < 0
Finally, we're asked for the RECIPROCAL of N....
In real simple terms, 'reciprocal' means "flip the fraction over." For example, the reciprocal of 2 is 1/2; the reciprocal of 3/5 is 5/3, etc.
Given the range of possible values for N, the RECIPROCAL of N must be.....
-10 > N > -infinity
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
GMAT questions often include a number of details/rules that you have to follow to get to the correct answer. If you have trouble understanding how everything "works", it often helps to break down the prompt into 'pieces' and work through each piece one at a time (taking notes, doing calculations, etc.).
Here, we're told that N is a number to the LEFT of 0 on the number line....
So, N is NEGATIVE
Next, we're told that the SQUARE of N is LESS than 1/100
So, N^2 < 1/100
Conceptually, this might seem a little tricky, so I'm going to list some examples for comparison (and we can "hone in" on what N could be...):
(-1)^2 = 1
(-1/2)^2 = 1/4
(-1/10)^2 = 1/100
Notice the pattern here....as the denominator gets bigger, the value of N^2 gets smaller. This tells us that N falls into a range of possible values:
-1/10 < N < 0
Finally, we're asked for the RECIPROCAL of N....
In real simple terms, 'reciprocal' means "flip the fraction over." For example, the reciprocal of 2 is 1/2; the reciprocal of 3/5 is 5/3, etc.
Given the range of possible values for N, the RECIPROCAL of N must be.....
-10 > N > -infinity
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
