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MGMAT : Inequality question is incorrect !!
aliensoybean
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Source: MGMAT CAT 5 number 12.

If x is not equal to 0, is |x| less than 1?

(1) x/|x| < x

(2) |x| > x

OA is C, my answer is E.

It looks like this one has gotten quite a few attention, but I still don't know how it is resolved.

Here is how I understand it.

Rephrasing the question, is -1<x<1 (not including 0)

1. Two scenarios result depending on whether X is positive or negative
a. if X is positive then...
X/X<X
1<X

b. if x is negative then...
-X/X<-X
-1<-X
1>X

okay, from this statement, if you were to graph on a number link would be 1<X , X<1
INSUFFICIENT

2. This tells me that X is a negative, could be a negative number or negative fraction. INSUFFICIENT


3. Together, since statement 2 tells me that X is negative, then, the following scenario is accurate:
-X/X<-X
-1<-X
1>X

Okay, X is less than 1, but is it -1<x<1 ? There is no way of telling. Hence it is E. Not C.

Please help if you think my reasoning in incorrect
Re: MGMAT : Inequality question is incorrect !!
shaji
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aliensoybean wrote:
Source: MGMAT CAT 5 number 12.

If x is not equal to 0, is |x| less than 1?

(1) x/|x| < x

(2) |x| > x

OA is C, my answer is E.

It looks like this one has gotten quite a few attention, but I still don't know how it is resolved.

Here is how I understand it.

Rephrasing the question, is -1<x<1 (not including 0)

1. Two scenarios result depending on whether X is positive or negative
a. if X is positive then...
X/X<X
1<X

b. if x is negative then...
-X/X<-X
-1<-X
1>X

okay, from this statement, if you were to graph on a number link would be 1<X , X<1
INSUFFICIENT

2. This tells me that X is a negative, could be a negative number or negative fraction. INSUFFICIENT


3. Together, since statement 2 tells me that X is negative, then, the following scenario is accurate:
-X/X<-X
-1<-X
1>X

Okay, X is less than 1, but is it -1<x<1 ? There is no way of telling. Hence it is E. Not C.

Please help if you think my reasoning in incorrect


See response in MGMAT CAT
Stacey Koprince
MGMAT STAFF

Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 2456
Location: San Francisco
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See this thread: http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/absolute-value-ds-t2085.html

There's an error in your math. :)
MGMAT : Inequality question is incorrect !!
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