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

Redeem

Which of the following must be non-negative?

Expert replies
by BTGmoderatorDC » Sat Jan 05, 2019 5:38 am

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

0%

B

0%

C

0%

D

0%

E

0%

Stats

Difficulty

0% CorrectAvg —

0% IncorrectAvg —

Which of the following must be non-negative?

A. (a-0.9)(a-1)

B. (a+1)(a-1)

C. (a+0.9)(a+1)

D. (a-0.9)(a-0.9)

E. a(a+1)

OA D

Source: Economist GMAT
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Jan 05, 2019 5:42 am
BTGmoderatorDC wrote:Which of the following must be non-negative?

A. (a-0.9)(a-1)

B. (a+1)(a-1)

C. (a+0.9)(a+1)

D. (a-0.9)(a-0.9)

E. a(a+1)
D: (a-0.9)(a-0.9) = (a-0.9)².
The square of a value cannot be negative.

The correct answer is D.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:40 pm
BTGmoderatorDC wrote:Which of the following must be non-negative?

A. (a-0.9)(a-1)

B. (a+1)(a-1)

C. (a+0.9)(a+1)

D. (a-0.9)(a-0.9)

E. a(a+1)

OA D

Source: Economist GMAT
Since a perfect square is always non-negative, we see that (a - 0.9)(a - 0.9) = (a - 0.9)^2 is always non-negative.

Answer: D

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage
Join the discussion