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mikepamlyla
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 4:42 pm
Here is a problem that I am having a tough time figuring out what the question is asking.
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For all z, [z] denotes the least integer greater than or equal to z. Is [x] = 0?
(1) -1 < x < -0.1
(2) [x + 0.5] = 1
Target question: Is [x] = 0?
Given: For all z, [z] denotes the least integer greater than or equal to z.
So, for example, [1.3] = 2, since 2 is the smallest INTEGER that's greater than 1.3
Likewise, [8.8] = 9, since 9 is the smallest INTEGER that's greater than 8.8
[-3.5] = -3, since -3 is the smallest INTEGER that's greater than -3.5
[-0.9] = 0, since 0 is the smallest INTEGER that's greater than -0.9
Statement 1: -1 < x < -0.1
If -1 < x < -0.1, then [x] must equal 0, since 0 will be the always be smallest INTEGER that's greater than x
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: [x + 0.5] = 1
If [something] = 1, then 0 < something < 1
So, if [x + 0.5] = 1 then 0 < x + 0.5 < 1
Solve, to get -0.5 < x < 0.5
There are several values of x that satisfy this condition. Here are two:
Case a: x = -0.3, in which case [x] = 0
Case b: x = 0.3, in which case [x] = 1
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer = A
Cheers,
Brent
