If x is a number such that -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, which of

Oldest

Best Reply

Author

Message

TAGS:

Intern

Joined: 19 Nov 2004

Posts: 45

Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 0

If x is a number such that -2 â‰¤ x â‰¤ 2, which of [#permalink]

19 Dec 2004, 18:39

00:00

Question Stats:

0% (00:00) correct

0% (00:00) wrong

based on 0 sessions

9. If x is a number such that -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, which of the following has the largest possible absolute value?

0 3x - 1
0 x^2 + 1
0 3 – x
0 x – 3
0 x^2 – x

I would like to know a shortcut on getting the answer to this question

Manager

Joined: 26 Dec 2003

Posts: 238

Location: India

Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 0

[#permalink]

19 Dec 2004, 22:37

I think there is no other way except to playing with answer choices

GMAT Instructor

Joined: 07 Jul 2003

Posts: 773

Location: New York NY 10024

Schools: Haas, MFE; Anderson, MBA; USC, MSEE

Followers: 5

Kudos [?]: 9 [0], given: 0

Re: PS # 9: Largest possible absolute value/range of inequal [#permalink]

20 Dec 2004, 17:07

cpcalanoc wrote:

9. If x is a number such that -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, which of the following has the largest possible absolute value?

0 3x - 1
0 x^2 + 1
0 3 â€“ x
0 x â€“ 3
0 x^2 â€“ x

I would like to know a shortcut on getting the answer to this question

This can be answered quickly using logic and knowledge of the "rules" of the GMAT.

First, E is the only tricky answers, so lets leave this for last.

Okay, since the interval is symmetric, and answers C and D are simply negatives of one another, they both have the same max value. Since there is only one answer we can immediately eliminate both choices.

A is a simple linear function that is monotonically increasing so we can quickly plugin 2 to get 5 as the max value. B is a simple function of x^2 so we simply plug in the greatest absolute value in the interval which is either 2 or -2 and we get 5 again. Once again, since there is only one answer, we can eliminate both A and B.

Hence, by POE, we can quickly narrow the choices down to E without the burden of figuring out what the maximum value of this function is in the interval.

Best,
_________________

Best,

AkamaiBrah
Former Senior Instructor, Manhattan GMAT and VeritasPrep
Vice President, Midtown NYC Investment Bank, Structured Finance IT
MFE, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Class of 2005
MBA, Anderson School of Management, UCLA, Class of 1993

GMAT Club Legend

Joined: 15 Dec 2003

Posts: 4441

Followers: 10

Kudos [?]: 81 [0], given: 0

[#permalink]

20 Dec 2004, 18:45

Wow, it's good to see you back rakesh and always an honor to read your posts Akamai

_________________

Best Regards,

Paul

Senior Manager

Joined: 19 Sep 2004

Posts: 392

Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 1 [0], given: 0

[#permalink]

20 Dec 2004, 18:52

Hi!
I am sorry to say that I don't agree with AKamai's answer E.

In my opinion the answer should be A.

Because the question asks for ABSOULUTE value. So irrespective of
-ve/ +ve we just need to find the greatest integer.

So for the Option A if we plug inn -2 we get 3*(-2)-1 =-7 ans the absolute value is 7 so A should be the answer.

Am I missing something ..?
Do let me know ..please

Thanks
Saurabh Malpani

GMAT Club Legend

Joined: 15 Dec 2003

Posts: 4441

Followers: 10

Kudos [?]: 81 [0], given: 0

[#permalink]

20 Dec 2004, 19:16

I agree with you saurabh, answer should be A. I just read akamai's post without reading the actual question

"absolute" in front of "value" changes the whole meaning of the question

_________________

Best Regards,

Paul

Manager

Joined: 26 Dec 2003

Posts: 238

Location: India

Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 0

[#permalink]

20 Dec 2004, 19:45

Good day Paul! Nice to hear from u. How r u doing! yeah I agree with u and saurabh and the answer should be A as irrespective of +ve or -ve, it should be the highest number

GMAT Instructor

Joined: 07 Jul 2003

Posts: 773

Location: New York NY 10024

Schools: Haas, MFE; Anderson, MBA; USC, MSEE

Followers: 5

Kudos [?]: 9 [0], given: 0

[#permalink]

20 Dec 2004, 20:23

Paul wrote:

I agree with you saurabh, answer should be A. I just read akamai's post without reading the actual question

"absolute" in front of "value" changes the whole meaning of the question

Oops. My bad. Tried to answer quickly during a rare moment of free time.

:oops:

_________________

[#permalink] 20 Dec 2004, 20:23

		Similar topics	Author	Replies	Last post
Similar Topics:		Is x^2 + 2ax + (3+a^2) > x ? (1) a > 2 (2) x ≤	OlegC	3	10 Aug 2004, 05:45
		If x is a positive integer and x ≤ 30, what is the	Bhai	2	28 Dec 2005, 09:07
	1	If x is a number such that -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, which of	Himalayan	4	12 Jan 2007, 23:44
	1	Is x a negative number? (1) x2 is a positive number. (2) x	prinits	12	31 May 2009, 07:23
		Is x a negative number? (1) x^2 is a positive number. (2) x	hogann	6	10 Oct 2009, 15:01

If x is a number such that -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, which of

Main navigation

GMAT Resources

Partners

MBA Resources

GMAT ® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council ® (GMAC ®). GMAT Club's website has not been reviewed or endorsed by GMAC.

GMAT Courses

Admissions Consulting

If x is a number such that -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, which of

If x is a number such that -2 ≤ x ≤ 2, which of

Main navigation

GMAT Resources

Partners

MBA Resources