Hi M7MBA,
We're told that (M)(N) < (N)(P) < 0. We're asked if N is less than 1. This is a YES/NO question and can be answered with a mix of Number Properties and TESTing VALUES.
To start, since (M)(N) and (N)(P) are both less than 0, we know that one of the variables in each pair MUST be POSITIVE and the other MUST be NEGATIVE. Notice that "N" appears in both products - so there are two possible outcomes to consider (including how M relates to P):
N = POSITIVE, M = NEGATIVE and P = NEGATIVE and M < P
N = NEGATIVE, M = POSITIVE and P = POSITIVE and M > P
1) N is an integer
IF...
N is a POSITIVE integer, then the answer to the question is NO.
N is a NEGATIVE integer, then the answer to the question is YES.
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT
2) M < P
With Fact 2, we know that we're dealing with the first option (above), so N MUST be POSITIVE. However, we don't know if N is an integer or not.
IF...
N = 1, then the answer to the question is NO.
N = 1/2, then the answer to the question is YES.
Fact 2 is INSUFFICIENT
Combined, we know...
N is an integer
N is positive
Thus, N must be at least 1 and the answer to the question is ALWAYS NO.
Combined, SUFFICIENT
Final Answer: C
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
