Is |x|+|x−1|=1?

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Is |x|+|x−1|=1?

by Vincen » Tue Dec 26, 2017 5:24 am
Is |x|+|x−1|=1 ?

(1) x ≥ 0
(2) x ≤ 1

The OA is the option C.

How can I use both statements to get an answer? I don't know how to solve this DS question. Experts, I ask for your help.
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by GMATGuruNY » Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:23 am
Vincen wrote:Is |x|+|x−1|=1 ?

(1) x ≥ 0
(2) x ≤ 1
|a| = the DISTANCE between a and 0.
|a-b| = the DISTANCE between a and b.

Thus:
|x| = the distance between x and 0.
|x-1| = the distance between x and 1.
|x| + |x-1| = (distance between x and 0) + (distance between x and 1).

Question stem rephrased:
Is the sum of the two distances equal to 1?

The distance between 0 and 1 is 1.
Implication:
If x is not beyond either of these two endpoints -- in other words, if x is between 0 and 1, inclusive -- then the sum of the two distances will be EQUAL TO 1:
0 <--- |x| ---> x <---|x-1|---> 1
Here, |x| + |x-1| = the distance between 0 and 1 = 1.

By extension, if x is BEYOND either endpoint -- if x is to the left of 0 or to the right of 1 -- then the sum of the two distances will be GREATER THAN 1.

Question stem, rephrased:
Is x between 0 and 1, inclusive?

Statement 1: x ≥0
If x=1/2, then x is between 0 and 1, inclusive.
If x=2, then x is NOT between 0 and 1, inclusive.
INSUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: x ≤ 1
If x=1/2, then x is between 0 and 1, inclusive.
If x=-1, then x is NOT between 0 and 1, inclusive.
INSUFFICIENT.

Statements combined:
0 ≤ x ≤ 1.
Thus, x is between 0 and 1, inclusive.
SUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is C.
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