Last visit was: 19 May 2026, 18:39 It is currently 19 May 2026, 18:39
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
fozzzy
Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Last visit: 17 May 2015
Posts: 573
Own Kudos:
7,031
 [4]
Given Kudos: 543
Posts: 573
Kudos: 7,031
 [4]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Zarrolou
Joined: 02 Sep 2012
Last visit: 11 Dec 2013
Posts: 841
Own Kudos:
5,192
 [1]
Given Kudos: 219
Status:Far, far away!
Location: Italy
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 3.8
Posts: 841
Kudos: 5,192
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
fozzzy
Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Last visit: 17 May 2015
Posts: 573
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 543
Posts: 573
Kudos: 7,031
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Zarrolou
Joined: 02 Sep 2012
Last visit: 11 Dec 2013
Posts: 841
Own Kudos:
5,192
 [1]
Given Kudos: 219
Status:Far, far away!
Location: Italy
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 3.8
Posts: 841
Kudos: 5,192
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
fozzzy
Zarrolou

\(\frac{-x^3}{1+x}>0\)


We can write another step \(\frac{X^3}{1+x} < 0\)

We also know X^2 will always be positive so the question becomes

Is \(\frac{x}{1+x} < 0\)

I usually have trouble picking numbers any tips for that?

Picking number is not easy in this question...

For example you from 1 know that x is negative.
the left side of the equation will be positive \(1-x+x^2\). The right side could be negative if the denominator is negative (x<-1) so overall you have \(-ve > +ve\) which is false.
But the D can also be positive (-1<x<0) so you are not sure of the answer with the first statement only.
With the second statement the left part will be positive, but once more this is not enough to answer without doubts the question.

When you decide to pick numbers, check always the values -1<x<1 because they usually represent a range in which the equation acts differently compared to "usual" values (2,-2 or 10 for instance).

Hope it helps.
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 May 2026
Posts: 110,698
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 106,315
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,698
Kudos: 815,795
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
fozzzy
Zarrolou

\(\frac{-x^3}{1+x}>0\)


We can write another step \(\frac{X^3}{1+x} < 0\)

We also know X^2 will always be positive so the question becomes

Is \(\frac{x}{1+x} < 0\)

I usually have trouble picking numbers any tips for that? Test values in different sectors on the time line? ---- -1----0-----1------

Generally I try to test: positive/negative/fractions (-1, 1)/zero/negative and positive extreme values. Of course specific strategy depends on a problem.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 39,108
Own Kudos:
Posts: 39,108
Kudos: 1,125
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
110698 posts
500 posts
266 posts