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\(x^2\) will always be positive. Thus, eliminate options B, C, E.

x is negative thus \(\frac{1}{x}\) will yield a negative result. Cancel D.

Only option we left with is A .

This is our answer.
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HKD1710
If \(x < 0\), which of the following is NOT necessarily true?

(A) \(x^2 + x^3 < 0\)
(B) \(x^5 < x^2\)
(C) \(x^2 > 0\)
(D) \(1/x < 0\)
(E) \(1/x^2 > 0\)

D- 1/x will also yield a negative result so why its not true? Am I missing something?
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Farina
HKD1710
If \(x < 0\), which of the following is NOT necessarily true?

(A) \(x^2 + x^3 < 0\)
(B) \(x^5 < x^2\)
(C) \(x^2 > 0\)
(D) \(1/x < 0\)
(E) \(1/x^2 > 0\)

D- 1/x will also yield a negative result so why its not true? Am I missing something?

The question asks: If \(x < 0\), which of the following is NOT necessarily true?

So, all options but one are ALWAYS true and we should find that one, which is NOT always true.
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HKD1710
If \(x < 0\), which of the following is NOT necessarily true?

(A) \(x^2 + x^3 < 0\)
(B) \(x^5 < x^2\)
(C) \(x^2 > 0\)
(D) \(1/x < 0\)
(E) \(1/x^2 > 0\)

D- 1/x will also yield a negative result so why its not true? Am I missing something?

The question asks: If \(x < 0\), which of the following is NOT necessarily true?

So, all options but one are ALWAYS true and we should find that one, which is NOT always true.

Yeah so I was missing something. Thank you Bunuel for your help as usual :)
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Take values
As, x<0 ; let x=-1
Now, option A -> 1-1= 0 and not greater than 0
Check other options, they are true.

So, option A.
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Another way to do this: in option A, we can divide both by sides by x^2 without worrying about whether to reverse the inequality, because x^2 cannot be negative. Then A becomes 1 + x < 0, or x < -1. If we know x < 0, we can't be sure x < -1 (maybe x = -1/2), so A does not need to be true.
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HKD1710
If \(x < 0\), which of the following is NOT necessarily true?

(A) \(x^2 + x^3 < 0\)
(B) \(x^5 < x^2\)
(C) \(x^2 > 0\)
(D) \(1/x < 0\)
(E) \(1/x^2 > 0\)

(B) \(x^2\) is always positive, while \(x^5\) is negative for \(x<0\), therefore, \(x^2>x^5\) is correct

(C) As discussed above, \(x^2\) is always positive, therefore \(x^2>0\) is correct

(D) Since \(x<0\), therefore \(1/x\) will also be \(< 0\), correct

(E) As discussed in B, if \(x^2>0\) then \(1/x^2\) will also be \(> 0\), correct

Hence, we arrive at A by POE.
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HKD1710
If \(x < 0\), which of the following is NOT necessarily true?

(A) \(x^2 + x^3 < 0\)
(B) \(x^5 < x^2\)
(C) \(x^2 > 0\)
(D) \(1/x < 0\)
(E) \(1/x^2 > 0\)


A) A bunch of ways to show this isn't necessarily true, but even if you can't spot any of those, process of elimination on the other answer choices is pretty easy.
B) \(- < +\) Always true. Eliminate.
C) \(+ > 0\) Always true. Eliminate.
D) \(- < 0\) Always true. Eliminate.
E) \(+ > 0\) Always true. Eliminate.

Answer choice A.
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