If x≠0, is |x| < 1?

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 2276
Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2017 6:10 am
Followed by:3 members

If x≠0, is |x| < 1?

by VJesus12 » Mon May 28, 2018 1:36 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

If x≠0, is |x| < 1?

(1) x^2 < 1
(2) |x| < 1/x

The OA is the option D.

Why is sufficient the second statement? How can I prove it? Can someone help me? Thanks.
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

Legendary Member
Posts: 2898
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:49 pm
Thanked: 6 times
Followed by:5 members

by Vincen » Mon May 28, 2018 2:47 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

VJesus12 wrote:If x≠0, is |x| < 1?

(1) x^2 < 1
(2) |x| < 1/x

The OA is the option D.

Why is sufficient the second statement? How can I prove it? Can someone help me? Thanks.
Hello Vjesus12.

Let's see your question.
(1) x^2 < 1
This statement implies that $$\sqrt{x}<\sqrt{1}\ \ \ \Leftrightarrow\ \ \ \left|x\right|<1.\ $$ Hence, this statement is sufficient.
(2) |x| < 1/x
Since x≠0, then |x|>0.

Now, if 0 < |x| < 1/x, then it implies that x must be positive.

If x>0, then |x|=x. Therefore, $$\left|x\right|<\frac{1}{x}\ \ \Rightarrow\ \ x<\frac{1}{x}\ \ \ \Rightarrow\ \ x\cdot x<1\ \ \ \Rightarrow\ \ \ x^2<1.$$ This last expression is the same as the first statement, therefore, |x|<1. This statement is also sufficient..

Therefore, the correct answer for this DS question is the option D.

I hope it helps.