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

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

If b is an even integer is b < 0 ?

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 2898
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:49 pmFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 6 times
by Vincen » Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:13 pm
If b is an even integer is b < 0 ?

(1) b^2 - 4b + 4 < 16
(2) b^2 > 9

The OA is A.

I know the option (2) alone is not sufficient, but I could not determine if the statement (1) is sufficient. Can any expert help me here.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Data Sufficiency |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Sep 15, 2017 7:36 pm
Vincen wrote:If b is an even integer is b < 0 ?

(1) b^2 - 4b + 4 < 16
(2) b^2 > 9

The OA is A.

I know the option (2) alone is not sufficient, but I could not determine if the statement (1) is sufficient. Can any expert help me here.
Statement 1: b² - 4b + 4 < 16
Rephrased:
(b-2)² < 16.
If b=-2, then (b-2)² = (-2-2)² = (-4)² = 16.
If b=-4, then (b-2)² = (-4-2)² = (-6)² = 36.
If b=-6, then (b-2)² = (-6-2)² = (-8)² = 64.
Notice the PATTERN.
When b=-2, (b-2)² = 16.
As b becomes more negative, (b-2)² becomes BIGGER.
Implication:
There is no negative even value for b such that (b-2)² < 16.
Since b cannot be negative, the answer to the question stem is NO.
SUFFICIENT.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 712
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:39 amFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 14 times

by Mo2men » Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:45 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:
Vincen wrote:If b is an even integer is b < 0 ?

(1) b^2 - 4b + 4 < 16
(2) b^2 > 9

The OA is A.

I know the option (2) alone is not sufficient, but I could not determine if the statement (1) is sufficient. Can any expert help me here.
Statement 1: b² - 4b + 4 < 16
Rephrased:
(b-2)² < 16.
If b=-2, then (b-2)² = (-2-2)² = (-4)² = 16.
If b=-4, then (b-2)² = (-4-2)² = (-6)² = 36.
If b=-6, then (b-2)² = (-6-2)² = (-8)² = 64.
Notice the PATTERN.
When b=-2, (b-2)² = 16.
As b becomes more negative, (b-2)² becomes BIGGER.
Implication:
There is no negative even value for b such that (b-2)² < 16.
Since b cannot be negative, the answer to the question stem is NO.
SUFFICIENT.
Dear Mitch,

For statement 1:

If b = 0 ..........then 4 < 16

If b = 2...........then 0 < 16

If b = 4............then 4 <16

How come A is sufficient?????
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 712
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:39 amFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 14 times

by Mo2men » Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:49 am
Mo2men wrote:
GMATGuruNY wrote:
Vincen wrote:If b is an even integer is b < 0 ?

(1) b^2 - 4b + 4 < 16
(2) b^2 > 9

The OA is A.

I know the option (2) alone is not sufficient, but I could not determine if the statement (1) is sufficient. Can any expert help me here.
Statement 1: b² - 4b + 4 < 16
Rephrased:
(b-2)² < 16.
If b=-2, then (b-2)² = (-2-2)² = (-4)² = 16.
If b=-4, then (b-2)² = (-4-2)² = (-6)² = 36.
If b=-6, then (b-2)² = (-6-2)² = (-8)² = 64.
Notice the PATTERN.
When b=-2, (b-2)² = 16.
As b becomes more negative, (b-2)² becomes BIGGER.
Implication:
There is no negative even value for b such that (b-2)² < 16.
Since b cannot be negative, the answer to the question stem is NO.
SUFFICIENT.
Dear Mitch,

For statement 1:

If b = 0 ..........then 4 < 16

If b = 2...........then 0 < 16

If b = 4............then 4 <16

How come A is sufficient?????
Sorry Mitch, I did not read your post thoroughly. :):)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1