Problem Solving

Hi All,

The given Number line shows us a set of numbers from -3 to +1, NOT inclusive. We can TEST VALUES against the 5 answer choices to find the answer that includes JUST that range of numbers...

To start, both Answer A and Answer E include an open-ended range of values, so neither of those is correct.

With X=0, we can eliminate Answer D.

Answer B and C both include all of the values in the Number Line range, but Answer C includes some additional values (such as X = 1.5), that are NOT in the range defined by the Number Line. Eliminate Answer C.

Final Answer: B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

swerve wrote:

The number line above represents which of the following inequalities?

A. x < 1
B. -6 < 2x < 2
C. -9 < 3x < 6
D. 1 < 2x < 3
E. x > -3

We can also solve the question by testing the answer choices
Here's what I mean:

The diagram tells us that x= 0 is a solution to the inequality.
When we check the answer choices, we see that answer choice D (1 < 2x < 3) does NOT have x = 0 as a solution.
When we let x = 0, the inequality becomes 1 < 2(0) < 3. In other words, 1 < 0 < 3
No good! ELIMINATE D

The diagram also tells us that x= 1.5 is NOT a solution to the inequality.
When we check the answer choices, we see that answer choices C and E say that x = 1.5 IS a solution.
C. -9 < 3x < 6. Replace x with 1.5 to get: -9 < 4.5 < 6. Works! Since answer C says that x COULD equal 1.5, we can eliminate answer choice C
E. x > -3. Replace x with 1.5 to get: 1.5 > -3. Works! Since answer E says that x COULD equal 1.5, we can eliminate answer choice E.

We're down to answer choices A and B
The diagram tells us that x= -5 is NOT a solution to the inequality.
When we check the answer choices, we see that answer choice A say that x = -5 IS a solution.
A. x < 1. Replace x with -5 to get: -5 < 1. Works! Since answer A says that x COULD equal -5, we can eliminate answer choice A

By the process of elimination, we're left with...

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent