Last visit was: 21 Apr 2026, 09:01 It is currently 21 Apr 2026, 09:01
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
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
19,999
 [3]
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 19,999
 [3]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
pushpitkc
Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Last visit: 19 Feb 2025
Posts: 2,800
Own Kudos:
6,235
 [3]
Given Kudos: 47
Location: India
GPA: 3.12
Posts: 2,800
Kudos: 6,235
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 19,999
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
ydmuley
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 19 Mar 2014
Last visit: 01 Dec 2019
Posts: 807
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 199
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
GPA: 3.5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MathRevolution
If -1<x<0, which of the following lists\(x^{-2}, x^{-1}, x, x^2, 1\) in an ascending order?

A. \(x^{-1}, x, x^2, 1, x^{-2}\)
B. \(x^{-2}, x, x^2, 1, x^{-1}\)
C. \(x^{-1}, x^2, x, 1, x^{-2}\)
D. \(x^{-1}, x, x^2, x^{-2}, 1\)
E. \(x, x^{-1}, x^2, 1, x^{-2}\)


-1<x<0

We want to organize values of these terms \(x^{-2}, x^{-1}, x, x^2, 1\) in ascending order (Smaller to Larger)

Lets assume, \(x = - 1/2\)

Let's first find values of each of these terms

\(x^{-2} = {-1/2}^{-2} = {2/1}^{2} = {2}^2 = 4\)

\(x^{-1} = {-1/2}^{-1} = {-2}^{1} = {-2}\)

\(x = {-1/2}\)

\(x^2 = {-1/2}^2 = {1/4}\)

\(1\)

Based on above values, we can arrange the numbers in ascending order ==> \({-2}, {-1/2}, {1/4}, {4}\)

\(x^{-1}, x, x^2, 1, x^{-2}\)

Hence, Answer is A
User avatar
ABHISHEKRYU
Joined: 01 Aug 2017
Last visit: 15 Jun 2018
Posts: 18
Own Kudos:
33
 [2]
Given Kudos: 54
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GPA: 3.33
WE:Asset Management (Accounting)
Posts: 18
Kudos: 33
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If -1<x<0, Which of the following lists x^-2, x^-1, x, x^2, and 1 in an ascending order?

A) x^-1, x, x^2, 1, and x^-2
(B) x^-2, x, x^2, 1, and x^-1
(C) x^-1, x^2, x, 1, and x^-2
(D) x^-1, x, x^2, x^-2, and 1
(E) x, x^-1, x^2, 1, and x^-2
User avatar
Amankatyal
Joined: 16 Dec 2012
Last visit: 12 Feb 2019
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
32
 [1]
Given Kudos: 65
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35
Posts: 13
Kudos: 32
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Answer is Option (A) !!
Let’s assume x to be any number btw the limits. I am assuming here x as -0.5 ..... which qualifies the given boundary !!
Now,
X^-1 = -2
X = - 0.5
X^2 = 0.25
1
X^-2 = 4

:)



Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,729
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,798
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,729
Kudos: 810,408
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ABHISHEKRYU
If -1<x<0, Which of the following lists x^-2, x^-1, x, x^2, and 1 in an ascending order?

A) x^-1, x, x^2, 1, and x^-2
(B) x^-2, x, x^2, 1, and x^-1
(C) x^-1, x^2, x, 1, and x^-2
(D) x^-1, x, x^2, x^-2, and 1
(E) x, x^-1, x^2, 1, and x^-2

Merging topics. Please refer to the discussion above.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,944
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,944
Kudos: 1,117
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
109729 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts