Question involving absolute values

Auzbee · Last edited by Auzbee on Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

If a and b are integers, and |a| > |b|, is a · |b| < a – b?

1. a less than zero
2. ab greater than equal to zero

Would love to see explanation for this one. Can this be cracked in 2 min time?

beingAndNothing · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject:

Auzbee:

I am not sure as to what exactly is the inequality, since formatting is messing up what you've written. Anyways, I would rewrite the inequality by dividing both sides by |b|.
Now a/|b| would be greater than 1 or less than -1 depending on a > 0 or a < 0. Similarly b/|b| = 1 or -1 depending upon the sign.

Auzbee · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject:

StarDust845 · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

Is the answer E?

I just put in different values for a and b and arrived at that answer. I wish there were some elegant solution to this problem.

Calista.

Auzbee · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

Can't seem to find the OA, but it is from one of the MGMAT CATs. The OA should be between C or E.

sirikesav · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:26 am Post subject:

I will go with answer C.Please let me know whether it is correct or not