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Simple Question Explanation Please

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Simple Question Explanation Please

by pelz0023 » Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:18 am
From OG11

Which of the following values of x has the greatest absolute value.

A -2
B -1
C 0
D 1
E 2

This is a simple question, with the OG answer being A - however I'm having trouble understanding how since the greatest absolute value is the number furthest from 0 on the number line, how is E (2) not equal distance from 0 as A (-2)?
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by Ian Stewart » Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:06 pm
The OG question provides a picture of a number line with five labeled points; the answer choices are not as you've written them. In early printings of OG-11, there was an error in the diagram, and you must have that printing. In the correct diagram, the rightmost point is less than 2, which is why -2 is the right answer. There were a few other errors in that early printing of OG-11, and if you do a google search, you should be able to find the pdf document GMAC released which has a list of corrections.
For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

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by pelz0023 » Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:11 am
Ian - thank you for the explanation. I was unaware of the error in the initial printing of the OG11.
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