36) For a finite set of nonzero numbers, the number of varia

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varun289: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 298; Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 6:42 am; Location: New delhi; Thanked: 10 times; Followed by:7 members; GMAT Score:590

36) For a finite set of nonzero numbers, the number of varia

by varun289 » Sun May 05, 2013 7:57 pm

36) For a finite set of nonzero numbers, the number of variations in sign is defined as the number of pairs of consecutive terms of the sequence for which the product of the consecutive terms is negative. What is the number of variations in sign for the sequence 1, -3, 2, 5, -4, -6?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency | Sun May 05, 2013 7:57 pm

hemant_rajput: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 447; Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:13 am; Thanked: 46 times; Followed by:13 members; GMAT Score:700

by hemant_rajput » Sun May 05, 2013 8:33 pm

varun289 wrote:36) For a finite set of nonzero numbers, the number of variations in sign is defined as the number of pairs of consecutive terms of the sequence for which the product of the consecutive terms is negative. What is the number of variations in sign for the sequence 1, -3, 2, 5, -4, -6?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5

IMO C

only 3 pair are there sequence which meets the criteria of being consecutive and their product is negative.

1 , -3
-3 , 2
5 , -4

I'm no expert, just trying to work on my skills. If I've made any mistakes please bear with me.