Problem Solving

Is ln a X where 0<a<1 negative?

First off, you won't have logarithms in the GMAT.

Secondly: the notation "ln" means that the base (that little "a" written down there) is the irrational number "e" (between 2 and 3). "ln" is called a natural logarithm. The notation should be "log" instead of "ln".

Thirdly, to answer your question, it depends. If X is between 0 and 1, then the logarithm is positive. If X is greater than 1, then the logarithm is negative. It's basically "the reverse" for the case when a is greater than 1.

Thanks Danaj