Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 22:00 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 22:00
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
Sub 505 Level|   Functions and Custom Characters|                           
avatar
musabber
Joined: 27 Jan 2010
Last visit: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1
Own Kudos:
107
 [106]
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 1
Kudos: 107
 [106]
14
Kudos
Add Kudos
91
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
 [38]
17
Kudos
Add Kudos
21
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
778,392
 [6]
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
 [6]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
avatar
lordspace
Joined: 03 Apr 2010
Last visit: 29 Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Own Kudos:
7
 [1]
Given Kudos: 6
Posts: 14
Kudos: 7
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi all,

this is from OG 12 q.100/p.281

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?
(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x
(2) 0 < x < 1

The answer mentions that this [x] = 0 is equivalent to 0 ≤ x < 1.

I have hard time understanding it.

What would be [x] = 5 ?

5 <= x < 6 ???
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
778,392
 [4]
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
 [4]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
lordspace
Hi all,

this is from OG 12 q.100/p.281

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?
(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x
(2) 0 < x < 1

The answer mentions that this [x] = 0 is equivalent to 0 ≤ x < 1.

I have hard time understanding it.

What would be [x] = 5 ?

5 <= x < 6 ???

Merging similar topics. Please refer to the solution above.

As for your question:
If \([x]=5\) then yes, \(5\leq{x}<6\), as ANY \(x\) from this range if round down to the integer gives 5. The same way if \([x]=0\) then \(0\leq{x}<1\), as ANY \(x\) from this range if round down to the integer gives 0.

Hope it's clear.
avatar
lordspace
Joined: 03 Apr 2010
Last visit: 29 Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 6
Posts: 14
Kudos: 7
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks Bunuel for the answer & merging my question with other questions.
I understand the the lower limit but find it hard to grasp the upper limit.
can the upper limit always be x+1 for [x] ?
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
778,392
 [2]
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
lordspace
Thanks Bunuel for the answer & merging my question with other questions.
I understand the the lower limit but find it hard to grasp the upper limit.
can the upper limit always be x+1 for [x] ?

No upper limit is not x+1 for [x]. For example if [x]=5 then x<6 because if it's more than or equal to 6 then 5 won't be the greatest integer less than or equal to x.

More examples:

[5]=5;
[5.3]=5;
[5.9]=5;
[6]=6;
[-0.1]=-1;
...

Hope it's clear.
User avatar
subhashghosh
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Last visit: 25 Jun 2024
Posts: 896
Own Kudos:
1,279
 [3]
Given Kudos: 43
Location: United States (IN)
Concentration: Strategy, Technology
Products:
Posts: 896
Kudos: 1,279
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
(1)

3x = 2

=> x = 2/3 ~ 0.67

So [x] = 0

Sufficient

(2)

x = 0.5, 0.9

So [x] = 0

Sufficient

Answer - D
User avatar
DmitryFarber
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 22 Mar 2011
Last visit: 08 Nov 2025
Posts: 3,020
Own Kudos:
8,564
 [4]
Given Kudos: 57
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 745 Q86 V90 DI85
Posts: 3,020
Kudos: 8,564
 [4]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I've seen this exact formula used before. Basically, they are just telling you that the brackets mean to round down to the nearest integer. The solution above is correct. Both statements indicate that x is a fraction between 0 and 1, and would therefore round down to 0.
User avatar
mbaiseasy
Joined: 13 Aug 2012
Last visit: 29 Dec 2013
Posts: 322
Own Kudos:
2,049
 [1]
Given Kudos: 11
Concentration: Marketing, Finance
GPA: 3.23
Posts: 322
Kudos: 2,049
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
What value of x would give [x]=0?
According to the rule given in the problem: [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x.
\(0<= x < 1\) will give us [x] = 0.

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x
3x = 2
x = 2/3 which satisfies 0 <= x < 1 Thus SUFFICIENT.

(2) 0 < x < 1 SUFFICIENT.

Answer: D
User avatar
NoHalfMeasures
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 29 Oct 2013
Last visit: 11 Jul 2023
Posts: 220
Own Kudos:
2,480
 [1]
Given Kudos: 204
Concentration: Finance
GPA: 3.7
WE:Corporate Finance (Retail Banking)
Posts: 220
Kudos: 2,480
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Why bother solve statement-1? From st-1 we can tell that we will get the exact value of 'x' for sure and that's all we need to answer the question one way or the other. So sufficient. Is my logic right mods?
User avatar
JeffTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 04 Mar 2011
Last visit: 05 Jan 2024
Posts: 2,977
Own Kudos:
8,394
 [4]
Given Kudos: 1,646
Status:Head GMAT Instructor
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,977
Kudos: 8,394
 [4]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
musabber
If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

(2) 0 < x < 1


Solution:

We need to determine whether [x] = 0 where [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x. If the rule is hard to follow, let’s use a few examples.

[12.53] = 12, since 12 is the greatest integer less than or equal to 12.53.

[-1/2] = -1, since -1 is the greatest integer less than or equal to -1/2.

[1/2] = 0, since 0 is the greatest integer less than or equal to 1/2.

Using this last example, we know that if x is a positive fraction between zero and one, or is zero itself, the answer will be yes.

Statement One Alone:

5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

Let’s first simplify the equation.

5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

3x = 2

x = 2/3

Since 0 is the greatest integer less than or equal to 2/3, we see that [2/3] = 0.

Statement one alone is sufficient to answer the question. We can eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.

Statement Two Alone:

0 < x < 1

Because 0 < x < 1, x is a number between 0 and 1 (but, of course, not including 0 nor 1). Thus, the greatest integer less than or equal to such a number will always be zero. Statement two alone is also sufficient to answer the question.

The answer is D.
User avatar
cuhmoon
Joined: 30 Jun 2015
Last visit: 24 Jun 2019
Posts: 36
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 90
Location: Malaysia
Schools: Babson '20
GPA: 3.6
Schools: Babson '20
Posts: 36
Kudos: 49
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Great explanation.

For [x]=0, the inequality is -1<x<=0 but what if the question states [x] = 5.. What will the inequality be in that case?

will it still be -1<x<=0 ?? Please explain


Bunuel
musabber
hello GMAT guy!!

well i m confused about a certain problem [ 100th data sufficieny on OG 12th ed] here they define x as a integer but in the explanation they solve it as if x is is a fraction not an integer...can any one have better explanation...

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?[data suff prob number 100 from OG 12th edition]

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

(2) 0 < x < 1

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

Here \(x\) is not said to be an integer. Stem defines some function, represented by the symbol \([]\), as the function which rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ...

Q: is \([x]=0\)? Or is \(0\leq{x}<1\)?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x --> \(x=\frac{2}{3}\) --> \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\). Sufficient.

(2) 0 < x < 1 --> any \(x\) from this range will round down to 0, so \([x]=0\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it helps.
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
778,392
 [1]
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
cuhmoon
Great explanation.

For [x]=0, the inequality is -1<x<=0 but what if the question states [x] = 5.. What will the inequality be in that case?

will it still be -1<x<=0 ?? Please explain


Bunuel
musabber
hello GMAT guy!!

well i m confused about a certain problem [ 100th data sufficieny on OG 12th ed] here they define x as a integer but in the explanation they solve it as if x is is a fraction not an integer...can any one have better explanation...

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?[data suff prob number 100 from OG 12th edition]

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

(2) 0 < x < 1

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

Here \(x\) is not said to be an integer. Stem defines some function, represented by the symbol \([]\), as the function which rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ...

Q: is \([x]=0\)? Or is \(0\leq{x}<1\)?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x --> \(x=\frac{2}{3}\) --> \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\). Sufficient.

(2) 0 < x < 1 --> any \(x\) from this range will round down to 0, so \([x]=0\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it helps.

[x] = 5 would mean that \(5\leq{x}<6\). Any number from that range when rounded down to the integer gives 5.
avatar
reemel3bd
Joined: 09 Sep 2014
Last visit: 05 Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 13
Posts: 3
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
musabber
hello GMAT guy!!

well i m confused about a certain problem [ 100th data sufficieny on OG 12th ed] here they define x as a integer but in the explanation they solve it as if x is is a fraction not an integer...can any one have better explanation...

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?[data suff prob number 100 from OG 12th edition]

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

(2) 0 < x < 1

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

Here \(x\) is not said to be an integer. Stem defines some function, represented by the symbol \([]\), as the function which rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ...

Q: is \([x]=0\)? Or is \(0\leq{x}<1\)?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x --> \(x=\frac{2}{3}\) --> \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\). Sufficient.

(2) 0 < x < 1 --> any \(x\) from this range will round down to 0, so \([x]=0\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it helps.


Hello.. I wanted to ask why is 2/3 rounded to zero and not to 1 ?? O.667 so since 6 is greater than 4, shouldn't it be rounded up?
Thanks for your help..
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
reemel3bd
Bunuel
musabber
hello GMAT guy!!

well i m confused about a certain problem [ 100th data sufficieny on OG 12th ed] here they define x as a integer but in the explanation they solve it as if x is is a fraction not an integer...can any one have better explanation...

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?[data suff prob number 100 from OG 12th edition]

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

(2) 0 < x < 1

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

Here \(x\) is not said to be an integer. Stem defines some function, represented by the symbol \([]\), as the function which rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ...

Q: is \([x]=0\)? Or is \(0\leq{x}<1\)?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x --> \(x=\frac{2}{3}\) --> \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\). Sufficient.

(2) 0 < x < 1 --> any \(x\) from this range will round down to 0, so \([x]=0\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it helps.


Hello.. I wanted to ask why is 2/3 rounded to zero and not to 1 ?? O.667 so since 6 is greater than 4, shouldn't it be rounded up?
Thanks for your help..

0.667 rounded to the nearest integer is indeed 1. But the function we have does not simply rounds number. Given function, represented by the symbol \([]\), rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ... So, \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\).

Check other Rounding Functions Questions in our Special Questions Directory.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
musabber
hello GMAT guy!!

well i m confused about a certain problem [ 100th data sufficieny on OG 12th ed] here they define x as a integer but in the explanation they solve it as if x is is a fraction not an integer...can any one have better explanation...

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?[data suff prob number 100 from OG 12th edition]

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

(2) 0 < x < 1

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

Here \(x\) is not said to be an integer. Stem defines some function, represented by the symbol \([]\), as the function which rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ...

Q: is \([x]=0\)? Or is \(0\leq{x}<1\)?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x --> \(x=\frac{2}{3}\) --> \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\). Sufficient.

(2) 0 < x < 1 --> any \(x\) from this range will round down to 0, so \([x]=0\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it helps.
Hello Bunuel
Thanks for the nice explanation.
Here i need to add one more thing. As we still don't know what is going on in both statements (Can we refrain our eyes from statements for some moments?) we should rephrase the question stem ( \([x]=0\) ?) as \(-1 <x≤ 0\) too. Am I missing anything?
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Asad
Bunuel
musabber
hello GMAT guy!!

well i m confused about a certain problem [ 100th data sufficieny on OG 12th ed] here they define x as a integer but in the explanation they solve it as if x is is a fraction not an integer...can any one have better explanation...

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?[data suff prob number 100 from OG 12th edition]

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x

(2) 0 < x < 1

If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

Here \(x\) is not said to be an integer. Stem defines some function, represented by the symbol \([]\), as the function which rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ...

Q: is \([x]=0\)? Or is \(0\leq{x}<1\)?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x --> \(x=\frac{2}{3}\) --> \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\). Sufficient.

(2) 0 < x < 1 --> any \(x\) from this range will round down to 0, so \([x]=0\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it helps.
Hello Bunuel
Thanks for the nice explanation.
Here i need to add one more thing. As we still don't know what is going on in both statements (Can we refrain our eyes from statements for some moments?) we should rephrase the question stem ( \([x]=0\) ?) as \(-1 <x≤ 0\) too. Am I missing anything?

No. If \(-1 <x< 0\), then the greatest integer less than or equal to x, will be -1, not 0. For example, if x = -1/2, then the greatest integer less than or equal to -1/2 is -1.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Asad
Bunuel


If [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0 ?

Here \(x\) is not said to be an integer. Stem defines some function, represented by the symbol \([]\), as the function which rounds down any number to an integer value:

\([3.4]=3\), \([2]=2\), \([-7.5]=-8\), ...

Q: is \([x]=0\)? Or is \(0\leq{x}<1\)?

(1) 5x + 1 = 3 + 2x --> \(x=\frac{2}{3}\) --> \([\frac{2}{3}]=0\). Sufficient.

(2) 0 < x < 1 --> any \(x\) from this range will round down to 0, so \([x]=0\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hope it helps.
Hello Bunuel
Thanks for the nice explanation.
Here i need to add one more thing. As we still don't know what is going on in both statements (Can we refrain our eyes from statements for some moments?) we should rephrase the question stem ( \([x]=0\) ?) as -1 <x≤ 0 too. Am I missing anything?

No. If \(-1 <x< 0\), then the greatest integer less than or equal to x, will be -1, not 0. For example, if x = -1/2, then the greatest integer less than or equal to -1/2 is -1.
Thanks for the response Bunuel
I am talking when the scenario is -1 <x≤ 0 (not -1 <x< 0). So, what if the value of x=0? Shouldn't it be the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0?
Thanks_-
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,392
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Asad

Thanks for the response Bunuel
I am talking when the scenario is -1 <x≤ 0 (not -1 <x< 0). So, what if the value of x=0? Shouldn't it be the greatest integer less than or equal to x, is [x] = 0?
Thanks_-

If x = 0, then then the greatest integer less than or equal to 0 is 0 itself. So, \(0\leq{x}<1\) in the solution above is correct.
 1   2   
Moderators:
Math Expert
105390 posts
496 posts