Last visit was: 12 Dec 2024, 09:28 It is currently 12 Dec 2024, 09:28
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: 575
Own Kudos:
6,330
 [1]
Given Kudos: 543
Posts: 575
Kudos: 6,330
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 12 Dec 2024
Posts: 97,846
Own Kudos:
685,328
 [4]
Given Kudos: 88,255
Products:
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 97,846
Kudos: 685,328
 [4]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
Viven
Joined: 05 Jul 2013
Last visit: 08 Aug 2013
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
1
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 3
Kudos: 1
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
EMPOWERgmatRichC
User avatar
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Last visit: 31 Dec 2023
Posts: 21,807
Own Kudos:
12,056
 [2]
Given Kudos: 450
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Posts: 21,807
Kudos: 12,056
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi All,

This question is packed full of Number Properties, which you can use to answer the question.

We're told that (A^5)(B^3)(C^6) < 0. This tells us a few things:

1) NONE of the variables can equal 0 (since the product is LESS than 0)
2) C could be positive or negative.
3) Between A and B, one is positive while the other is negative.

The question asks if (A)(B)(C) is < 0. This is a YES/NO question.

Since we know that A and B will give us one positive and one negative, (A)(B) MUST be negative. Thus, the question 'hinges' on C....
IF....C = postive, then the product of (A)(B)(C) is negative and the answer to the question is YES.
IF....C = negative, then the product of (A)(B)(C) is positive and the answer to the question is NO.

Fact 1: B < 0

This tells us that A MUST be positive, but it tells us nothing about C.
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT

Fact 2: C > 0

This provides the essential piece of information that we need. We now know that the answer to the question is ALWAYS YES.
Fact 2 is SUFFICIENT.

Final Answer:
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
User avatar
yezz
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Last visit: 26 Apr 2022
Posts: 842
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 49
Posts: 842
Kudos: 1,598
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
fozzzy
If \(a^5b^3c^6 < 0\), is abc < 0?

(1) b < 0
(2) c > 0

Any alternative solutions?

from stem
a and b has different signs and thus if c is +ve is the deciding factor whether abc<0

from 1

irrelevant

from 2

c is +Ve thus abc<0 ... suff

b
Moderator:
Math Expert
97846 posts