BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Is x negative?

Expert replies
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by pepeprepa » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:25 pm
I say E
Join the discussion

by mehravikas » Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:47 am
pepeprepa wrote:I say E
I thought the same, but the answer is 'C'. I am not able to understand how the answer can be 'C'.
Join the discussion

Re: Is x negative?

by axat » Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:25 pm
mehravikas wrote:Is x negative?

1. n^3 (1 - x^2) < 0
2. x^2 - 1 < 0
I belive there is a typo. Maybe the first equation is as follows:

1. x^3 (1 - x^2) < 0

But even then the answer is not C. It's A.

From Equation 1:
x^3 (1 - x^2)

= x^3 - x^5 < 0
= x^3 < x^5

Thus x can't be negative or a fraction of the form p/q where p<q. SUFFICIENT.

From Equation 2:
x^2 - 1 < 0
= x^2 < 1

Thus x can either be negative or a fraction of the form p/q where p<q.
INSUFFICIENT.


I hope this helps.

Cheers.
Join the discussion

Re: Is x negative?

by mehravikas » Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:32 pm
I think you are right.
axat wrote:
mehravikas wrote:Is x negative?

1. n^3 (1 - x^2) < 0
2. x^2 - 1 < 0
I belive there is a typo. Maybe the first equation is as follows:

1. x^3 (1 - x^2) < 0

But even then the answer is not C. It's A.

From Equation 1:
x^3 (1 - x^2)

= x^3 - x^5 < 0
= x^3 < x^5

Thus x can't be negative or a fraction of the form p/q where p<q. SUFFICIENT.

From Equation 2:
x^2 - 1 < 0
= x^2 < 1

Thus x can either be negative or a fraction of the form p/q where p<q.
INSUFFICIENT.


I hope this helps.

Cheers.
Join the discussion

Re: Is x negative?

by jackcrystal » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:08 pm
mehravikas wrote:Is x negative?

1. n^3 (1 - x^2) < 0
2. x^2 - 1 < 0

I think its C.

x^2 - 1 < 0
x^2 < 1

then, in [1] (1-x^2) is positive. Thus x^3 is responsible for negative value.

Ans. C
Join the discussion

Re: Is x negative?

by mehravikas » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:12 pm
How can you say that in statement 1, 1 - x^2 is positive?
jackcrystal wrote:
mehravikas wrote:Is x negative?

1. n^3 (1 - x^2) < 0
2. x^2 - 1 < 0

I think its C.

x^2 - 1 < 0
x^2 < 1

then, in [1] (1-x^2) is positive. Thus x^3 is responsible for negative value.

Ans. C
Join the discussion