Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

For a finite sequence of non zero numbers

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 222
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 4:04 pmFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 3 times
by venmic » Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:32 pm
For a finite sequence of non zero numbers, the number of variations in the sign is defined as the number of pairs of consecutive terms of the sequence for which the product of the two consecutive terms is negative. What is the number of variations in sign for the sequence 1,-3,2,5,-4,-6?

1)1
2)2
3)3
4)4
5)5

3


Why is (1, -3) considerd a set
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pmFollowed by: 523 members
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:04 pm
venmic wrote:For a finite sequence of non zero numbers, the number of variations in the sign is defined as the number of pairs of consecutive terms of the sequence for which the product of the two consecutive terms is negative. What is the number of variations in sign for the sequence 1,-3,2,5,-4,-6?

1)1
2)2
3)3
4)4
5)5

3


Why is (1, -3) considerd a set

We get a negative integer when one term is positive and the other is negative.

1 * -3 = -3
-3 * 2 = -6
5 * -4 = -20

Therefore, required number of variations = 3

The correct answer is [spoiler](3)[/spoiler].
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:03 pm

by Ibrohim » Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:32 pm
Thank you very much for the solution. I had the same problem and still do. Could someone please explain why 1 and -3 are consecutive terms while 5 and -6 are not? Actually how do we identify the pair of consecutive terms.
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 406
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:36 amFollowed by: 4 members
Location: Syracuse, NY
Thanked: 23 times
GMAT Score:740

by tomada » Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:18 pm
In a sequence of 'N' numbers, the set of consecutive terms = (1st term and 2nd term), (2nd term and 3rd term), ……, ( Nth-1 term, Nth term)
I'm really old, but I'll never be too old to become more educated.
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:03 pm

by Ibrohim » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:57 pm
Thank you tomada. I meant pair of consecutive terms in this specific case. Having looked at the problem for nth time I understood the what it was asking for. Actually, easy problem with hard level clothing.
Top
Join the discussion