Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:If -2 < x < 5, then which of the following MUST be true?
A) -1 < x² < 16
B) 4 < x² < 25
C) 0 < x² < 16
D) 0 < x² < 25
E) -4 < x² < 36
Answer: E
Here's one approach:
If -2 < x
< 5, then it's possible that x = 5, in which case x² = 25
In other words, it's
possible that x² = 25
When we check the answer choices, we see that...
Answer choice A says that x² < 16. In other words, it says that x² cannot equal 25. ELIMINATE A
Answer choice C says that x²
< 16. In other words, it says that x² cannot equal 25. ELIMINATE C
Also, if -2 < x
< 5, then it's possible that x = 0, in which case x² = 0
In other words, it's
possible that x² = 0
When we check the remaining answer choices, we see that...
Answer choice B says that 4 < x². In other words, it says that x² cannot equal 0. ELIMINATE B
Answer choice D says that 0 < x². In other words, it says that x² cannot equal 0. ELIMINATE D
We're left with 1 answer choice...
E
Cheers,
Brent