Vincen wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:18 pm
Number line.jpg
Of the four numbers represented on the number line above, is \(r\) closest to zero?
(1) \(q = -s\)
(2) \(-t < q\)
Answer:
A
Source: GMAT Paper Tests
Target question: Is r closest to zero?
Statement 1: q = -s
This tells us that q and s are on opposite sides of zero (i.e., one is positive and one is negative) AND it tells us that
q and s are the same distance from zero.
So, we get something like this: q.....
0.....s
Since r is
between points q and s,
r must be the closest point to zero
Since we can answer the
target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: -t < q
There are several sets of values that satisfy this condition. Here are two:
Case a: q = -1, r = 0, s = 1 and t = 2, in which case
r IS the closest to zero
Case b: q = 0, r = 1, s = 2 and t = 3, in which case
r is NOT the closest to zero
Since we cannot answer the
target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer: A
Cheers,
Brent
