If \(x\neq{0}\) and \(\frac{x}{|x|}<x\), which of the following must be true?

(A) \(x>1\)

(B) \(x>-1\)

(C) \(|x|<1\)

(D) \(|x|>1\)

(E) \(-1<x<0\)


Notice that we are asked to find which of the options MUST be true, not COULD be true.

Let's see what ranges does \(\frac{x}{|x|}< x\) give for \(x\). Two cases:

If \(x<0\) then \(|x|=-x\), hence in this case we would have: \(\frac{x}{-x}<x\) --> \(-1<x\). But remember that we consider the range \(x<0\), so \(-1<x<0\);

If \(x>0\) then \(|x|=x\), hence in this case we would have: \(\frac{x}{x}<x\) --> \(1<x\).

So, \(\frac{x}{|x|}< x\) means that \(-1<x<0\) or \(x>1\).

Only option which is ALWAYS true is B. ANY \(x\) from the range \(-1<x<0\) or \(x>1\) will definitely be more the \(-1\).

Answer: B.

As for other options:

A. \(x>1\). Not necessarily true since \(x\) could be -0.5;

C. \(|x|<1\) --> \(-1<x<1\). Not necessarily true since \(x\) could be 2;

D. \(|x|>1\) --> \(x<-1\) or \(x>1\). Not necessarily true since \(x\) could be -0.5;

E. \(-1<x<0\). Not necessarily true since \(x\) could be 2.
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The question above is exactly as it appears in CAT.

Also, notice that x=0.9, does not satisfy x/|x|<x, thus x cannot take this value.
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Consider following:
If \(x=5\), then which of the following must be true about \(x\):
A. x=3
B. x^2=10
C. x<4
D. |x|=1
E. x>-10

Answer is E (x>-10), because as x=5 then it's more than -10.

Or:
If \(-1<x<10\), then which of the following must be true about \(x\):
A. x=3
B. x^2=10
C. x<4
D. |x|=1
E. x<120

Again answer is E, because ANY \(x\) from \(-1<x<10\) will be less than 120 so it's always true about the number from this range to say that it's less than 120.

The same with original question:

If \(-1<x<0\) or \(x>1\), then which of the following must be true about \(x\):
A. \(x>1\)
B. \(x>-1\)
C. \(|x|<1\)
D. \(|x|>1\)
E. \(-1<x<0\)

As \(-1<x<0\) or \(x>1\) then ANY \(x\) from these ranges would satisfy \(x>-1\). So B is always true.

\(x\) could be for example -1/2, -3/4, or 10 but no matter what \(x\) actually is, it's IN ANY CASE more than -1. So we can say about \(x\) that it's more than -1.

Hope it's clear.
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\(\frac{x}{|x|}<x\)

Test the values for x.

(1) x = 0 ==> No! Since it is given that x is not 0
(2) x = -1 ==> -1 < -1 ==> No!
(3) x = 1 ==> 1 < 1 ==> No!
(4) x = -2 ==> -1 < -2 ==> No!
(5) x = \(\frac{-1}{4}\) ==> -1 < \(\frac{-1}{4}\) ===> Yes!
(5) x = 2 ==> 1 < 2 ==> Yes!

Our range: -1 < x < 0 or x > 1

What must always be true in that range? x > -1 always

Answer: B

Appreciate if someone could point out where I am going wrong here.


x / |x| < x

Since x is non zero, dividing by x on both sides


1 / |x| < 1

Taking reciprocal,

|x| > 1

Then I just jumped into Choice D. Didn't even look at the others.

Await your valued views.

But your dividing my the same number x on both sides, whether its positive or negative,
implying both sides will simultaneously be negative together or positive together which doesnt change the sign.

Right or not?

Never multiply (or reduce) an inequality by variable (or by an expression with variable) if you don't know its sign.

So you cannot divide both parts of inequality x / |x| < x by x as you don't know the sign of this unknown: if x>0 you should write 1/|x|<1 BUT if x<0 you should write 1/|x|>1.

Hope it helps.
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A 'must be true' question! They are absolutely straight forward if you get the fundamental but they can drive you crazy if you don't.

"My answer after solving inequality is -1<x<0 or x>1" Perfect. That is the range of x for which the inequality works. So tell me, what values can x take?
-1/2, -1/3, -2/3, 1.4, 2, 500, 123498 etc...
Now the question is "which of the following must be true?"

(A) \(x>1\)
Are all these values greater than 1? No.

(B) \(x>-1\)
Are all these values greater than -1? Yes. The answer. Note that you dont have to establish that all value greater than -1 should work for the inequality. You only have to establish that all values which work for the inequality must satisfy this condition.

(C) \(|x|<1\)
Not true for all values of x.

(D) \(|x|>1\)
Not true for all values of x.

(E) \(-1<x<0\)
Not true for all values of x.
x can take values 1.4, 2, 500 etc

I wrote a post on this beautiful question sometime back:
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2012/07 ... -and-sets/
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I think the answer is absolutely correct. Firstly the question asks for a "MUST be true" option. Both the ranges for x, as rightly calculated above are :
x>1 OR -1<x<0. However, none of the options subscribe to MUST be true type.It is so because x could be 2 OR x could be -0.5 However, the option B, where x>-1 will always be true, irrespective of the two ranges.
Any value lying in the range -1<x<0 IS always in tandem with x>-1 AND any value for x>1 WILL also have x>-1.
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The question at NO point of time has asked "to find the rage in which all values of x would satisfy the inequality x / |x| < x", It just says which of the following MUST be TRUE. You don't assume that the given options encompass all the valid ranges. You find the valid ranges, then look for a common thread which binds them together and MUST BE TRUE, irrespective of the range(s).
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