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akhil911
A set contains the following 5 numbers: \(a^2, a^5, a, \frac{a}{2}, \frac{a}{5}\). Is the range of the set equal to \(a^2 - a^5\)?

(1) a is negative
a=-1 then range could be a^2 -a^5
However when a=-1/2 we are not arriving at a different conclusion therefore out

(2) \(a^5 < a\)
Cannot be determined since we can argue both ways

When 1 and 2 is combined we get definitively get the range

THerefore IMO C
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noTh1ng
Can anyone else give it a try? To be honest I still don't really understand it, even with the already posted solutions...

It took me long to solve but this is how I eventually got to the right answer:

Range = Greatest less the smallest (number in the sequence)
Even before I look at the statements, I can see that I have an EVEN exponent a^2 and an ODD one a^5 . . . I already know they need to tell me whether a is negative or positive. (Requirement 1)

And then, I can also see that I have fractions in the sequence a/2 and a/5 . . . I already know they need to tell me whether a is FRACTION or an INTEGER (Requirement 2)

By "pushing the question" as Chris advised, I know that the statement/s are only sufficient if they give me both of my requirements

Now looking at the statements:

S1: only tells me a is NEGATIVE, only meets one of my requirements. Therefore I/S (insufficient)
S2: only tells me a^5 is less than a. The rules tell me that this can be the case if a is NEGATIVE or if a is a FRACTION. Again, doesn't completely meet my requirements. Therefore I/S

Together: I know a is NEGATIVE. This means that a^5 will ALWAYS be the smallest number in the sequence. And since all the other numbers in the sequence will be negative, a^2 will always be the only POSITIVE one and therefore the LARGEST. With this information I can find the range.

Hope that helps.
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Official Explanation: This problem is testing basic number properties relating to positive and negative integers/fractions. Essentially, the question is asking if you can determine whether each statement definitely proves what the smallest and largest numbers are in the set. In statement (1) you learn that a is negative. This means that a2 is definitively positive and thus the greatest number (all others will be negative), but you do not know if a5 is the smallest. If a < -1 then you know that a5 is the smallest and the range is indeed a2–a5. However, if a is a negative number such that -1 < a < 0 (in other words a negative proper fraction) then a will always be the smallest number and the range would be a2–a. Statement (1) is not sufficient. In the second statement, if a5<a then a is either a < -1 or it is a positive fraction between 0 and 1. Since these would lead to different ranges, statement (2) is also not sufficient. Together, you are sure that a < -1 and the range will always be a2–a5. Answer is (C).
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