BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Three numbers on the number line

Expert replies
by gander123 » Thu Dec 27, 2012 6:43 am
Hey guys,

Here comes the problem:

QDS08429 Official Prep Software pack:

" <-----a------b------->

If a,b and c are three numbers on the number line shown above, is c between a and b?

(1) b < 0

(2) a - b > c

Correct answer: E

Official Answer explanation:

Determine if c lies between a and b on the number line.

(1) It is given that b < 0, but nothing is known about a and c; NOT Sufficient.

(2) Given that a - b > c, it is possible that c lies between a and b (for example, a = 0, b = -2, and c = -1) and it is possible that c does not lie between a and b (for example, a = 0, b = -2, and c = 1). NOT Sufficient.

Given both (1) and (2) together, the examples given in (2) above show that both statements together are not NOT sufficient to determine if c lies between a and b."

Thats why I think the answer explanation is seriously flawed:

Statement one: fully agree with.

Statement two: From my point of view, a point b right to a point a on the number line cannot be smaller than that point a. However, since b = -2 is smaller than a = 0 the authors of the test seem to disagree with my standpoint (see the boldfaced portions of the official answer explanation). Do I need enlightenment ?!

Nevertheless, since the reasoning seems fine, I would suggest picking the following values:

Statement 2: c can lie between a and b for the values a = - 4 , b = -2 and c = -3, then a - b = -2 > - 3 and c lies between a and b. On the other hand c can lie outside range a and b for the values a = -2 b = -1 c = -3, then a-b = -1 > - 3 and c does not lie between a and b.

Since both the values introduced in Statement two also satisfy the constraint in (1) E would still be the appropriate answer choice.

What do you guys come up with ?

Kind regards,

Tobi
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:24 am
gander123 wrote:Hey guys,

Here comes the problem:

QDS08429 Official Prep Software pack:

" <-----a------b------->

If a,b and c are three numbers on the number line shown above, is c between a and b?

(1) b < 0

(2) a - b > c

Correct answer: E

Official Answer explanation:

Determine if c lies between a and b on the number line.

(1) It is given that b < 0, but nothing is known about a and c; NOT Sufficient.

(2) Given that a - b > c, it is possible that c lies between a and b (for example, a = 0, b = -2, and c = -1) and it is possible that c does not lie between a and b (for example, a = 0, b = -2, and c = 1). NOT Sufficient.

Given both (1) and (2) together, the examples given in (2) above show that both statements together are not NOT sufficient to determine if c lies between a and b."

Thats why I think the answer explanation is seriously flawed:

Statement one: fully agree with.

Statement two: From my point of view, a point b right to a point a on the number line cannot be smaller than that point a. However, since b = -2 is smaller than a = 0 the authors of the test seem to disagree with my standpoint (see the boldfaced portions of the official answer explanation). Do I need enlightenment ?!

Nevertheless, since the reasoning seems fine, I would suggest picking the following values:

Statement 2: c can lie between a and b for the values a = - 4 , b = -2 and c = -3, then a - b = -2 > - 3 and c lies between a and b. On the other hand c can lie outside range a and b for the values a = -2 b = -1 c = -3, then a-b = -1 > - 3 and c does not lie between a and b.

Since both the values introduced in Statement two also satisfy the constraint in (1) E would still be the appropriate answer choice.

What do you guys come up with ?

Kind regards,

Tobi
You're absolutely correct, Tobi (unless you've transcribed the question incorrectly :-)).
In the number line diagram, we're told that a < b, but both examples in the solution (e.g., a = 0, b = -2, and c = -1) break that given condition.

Having said that, the correct answer is still E. Here's my solution:

Target question: is c between a and b?

Statement 1: b < 0
No information about c, so statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: a - b > c
There are several sets of numbers that meet this condition. Here are two:
Case a: a = -3, b = -1 and c = -2.5 in which case c is between a and b
Case b: a = -3, b = -1 and c = -5 in which case c is not between a and b
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined:
There are still several sets of numbers that meet this condition. Here are two:
Case a: a = -3, b = -1 and c = -2.5 in which case c is between a and b
Case b: a = -3, b = -1 and c = -5 in which case c is not between a and b
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer = E

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by gander123 » Thu Dec 27, 2012 8:50 am
Hey Brent,

this was the second time that the two of us recognized a mistake in the prep software answer explanations... We're getting good at it. Honestly, the solutions need some revision... It was only a minor mistake, sure, but I wouldn't have posted the problem to receive positive feedback, had the explanations been 100 per cent correct...

Thanks anyway....

Cheers,

Tobi
Join the discussion