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Bunuel
If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

A. x > 2
B. x < 2
C. -2 < x < 2
D. -5 < x < 2
E. x < -5


(|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0

(I) Make use of choices.

a) If x=0, (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0...... => (0 - 2)(0 + 5) < 0....-10<0...YES
So the range should be containing 0..
Eliminate A and E

a) If x=-10, (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0...... => (10 - 2)(-10 + 5) < 0....-40<0...YES
So the range should be containing -10..
Eliminate C and D

B

(II) Algebraic way
\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\)
If (|x| - 2)>0 or |x|>2, that is x<-2 and x>2, then (x + 5) < 0 or x<-5.....Common range x<-5
If (|x| - 2)<0 or |x|<2, that is -2<x<2, then (x + 5) > 0 or x>-5.....Common range -2<x<2

Combined range...x<-5 and -2<x<2
Look at the choices that contain both these ranges....x<2

B


NOTE : Do not get confused that -5<x<-2 does not satisfy the inequality, we are looking at what must be true and NOT the range of x.
Even if it was x<100, it would be correct as an answer as it would contain both the ranges x<-5 and -2<x<2
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Bunuel
If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

A. x > 2
B. x < 2
C. -2 < x < 2
D. -5 < x < 2
E. x < -5


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

Given: (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0

Case 1: when (|x| - 2) is negative and (x + 5) is positive

i.e. (|x| - 2) < 0 if -2 < x < +2 and x > -5

i.e. -2 < x < +2


Case 2: when (|x| - 2) is Positive and (x + 5) is Negative

i.e. (|x| - 2) > 0 if x < -2 or x > 2 and (x + 5) < 0 i.e. x < -5

x < -5


Looking at case 1 and 2 both we know that x is definitely less than 2

Answer: Option B
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If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

If x is positive:

(x-2)(x+5)<0
=> x belongs to (-5,2)
but x is positive so x belongs to (0,2)

If x is negative:

(x+2)(x+5)>0
=> x belongs to (-infi,-5) U (-2,infi)
but x is negative, so x belongs to (-infi,-5) U (-2,0)

If x is 0:

(-2)(5)= -10 which is <0. So, Zero is included.

Therefore, final range is X belongs to (-infi,-5) U (-2,2)

So answer options C and E work.
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If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

A. x > 2
B. x < 2
C. -2 < x < 2
D. -5 < x < 2
E. x < -5

If x is positive:

(x-2)(x+5)<0
=> x belongs to (-5,2)
but x is positive so x belongs to (0,2)

If x is negative:

(x+2)(x+5)>0
=> x belongs to (-infi,-5) U (-2,infi)
but x is negative, so x belongs to (-infi,-5) U (-2,0)

If x is 0:

(-2)(5)= -10 which is <0. So, Zero is included.

Therefore, final range is X belongs to (-infi,-5) U (-2,2)

So answer options C and E work.

shaguns09
Let me try to address the confusion here. Personally, the question does not seem to be a very good quality question, though I would give merit to what it is testing us on.

It tests us on the basic understanding of what would ALWAYS be true, and NOT the range of X.

X does not satisfy the equation at various points, but it will definitely never be greater than 2. This is the reasoning behind the correct answer.

The question is absolutely correct and the answer is B only.

(|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0 is true when x < -5 or -2 < x < 2. ANY x from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

-2 < x < 2 (C) is not true because x could say be -10.
x < -5 (D) is not true because x could say be 0.

To understand the underline concept better practice other Trickiest Inequality Questions Type: Confusing Ranges.
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Bunuel
If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

(A) x > 2
(B) x < 2
(C) -2 < x < 2
(D) -5 < x < 2
(E) x < -5

STRATEGY: Upon reading any GMAT Problem Solving question, we should always ask, Can I use the answer choices to my advantage?
In this case, we can easily test x-values that satisfy the given inequality.
Now let's give ourselves up to 20 seconds to identify a faster approach.
In this case, we can also attempt to solve the inequality, but the absolute value part of the inequality looks tricky. So, I'm pretty sure testing values is going to be a lot faster and much easier


Let's find an x-value that satisfies the inequality (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0.
x = 0 is an obvious solution, which means x = 0 must also be a solution to the correct answer choice.

Now plug x = 0 into each answer choice to get:
(A) 0 > 2. Not true. Eliminate.
(B) 0 < 2. True. KEEP.
(C) -2 < 0 < 2. True. KEEP.
(D) -5 < 0 < 2. True. KEEP.
(E) 0 < -5. Not true. Eliminate.

Now let's find another x-value that satisfies the inequality (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0.
I can see that x = -10 is a solution, since we get (|-10| - 2)((-10) + 5) < 0, which simplifies to be (8)(-5) < 0, which is true.

Now plug x = -10 into the three remaining answer choices:
(B) -10 < 2. True. KEEP.
(C) -2 < -10 < 2. Not true. Eliminate.
(D) -5 < -10 < 2. Not true. Eliminate.

By the process of elimination, the correct answer is B.
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Bunuel
If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

A. x > 2
B. x < 2
C. -2 < x < 2
D. -5 < x < 2
E. x < -5


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

M37-58


Bunuel

Let's take x= -2 (which should satisfy the equation as per the option B)

(|x| - 2)(x + 5)
= (|-2| - 2)(-2 + 5)
= (2 - 2)(3)
= 0*3 = 0

It doesn't satisfy the equation.
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Bunuel
If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

A. x > 2
B. x < 2
C. -2 < x < 2
D. -5 < x < 2
E. x < -5


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

M37-58


Bunuel

Let's take x= -2 (which should satisfy the equation as per the option B)

(|x| - 2)(x + 5)
= (|-2| - 2)(-2 + 5)
= (2 - 2)(3)
= 0*3 = 0

It doesn't satisfy the equation.

You have to work the other way.

Fit a value in the equation and if that value fits in, the option should contain that.
Here, a value is in the option but does not fit in equation. It is ok as we are not looking at RANGE of x but what MUST be true.
So, a x<100 in option will also be an answer.
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jinghao
Is B really the answer?
If we insert X=-4, the result will be 2*1=2>0

Case 1: (|x|-2)>0 and x+5<0
→x<-5
Case 2: (|x|-2)<0 and x+5>0
→-2<x<2

X can be x<-5 or -2<x<2

So actually both C and E stand...

Posted from my mobile device
-4 and even -3 will not hold. But as I wrote above we are not looking for the EXACT range of x, but what is true of x?
Even if it was given x<10, it would be true as all possible answers to the inequality will fall in this range
­It says must be true, based on that I think E should be the answer, because no matter what the value, E will always be true. Even though we are missing out on some values such as 0 and -1. For must be true cases, E is correct I believe.­
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chetan2u
jinghao
Is B really the answer?
If we insert X=-4, the result will be 2*1=2>0

Case 1: (|x|-2)>0 and x+5<0
→x<-5
Case 2: (|x|-2)<0 and x+5>0
→-2<x<2

X can be x<-5 or -2<x<2

So actually both C and E stand...

Posted from my mobile device
-4 and even -3 will not hold. But as I wrote above we are not looking for the EXACT range of x, but what is true of x?
Even if it was given x<10, it would be true as all possible answers to the inequality will fall in this range
­It says must be true, based on that I think E should be the answer, because no matter what the value, E will always be true. Even though we are missing out on some values such as 0 and -1. For must be true cases, E is correct I believe.­

If X can be between -2 and 2, how can it always be true that X<-5 ?
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Nikhil55
­It says must be true, based on that I think E should be the answer, because no matter what the value, E will always be true. Even though we are missing out on some values such as 0 and -1. For must be true cases, E is correct I believe.­
­
We have that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

\(x < -5\), option (E), is not true because \(x\) could say be 0 and if it's 0 then it's not less than -5.

Check other similar questions from Trickiest Inequality Questions Type: Confusing Ranges (part of our Special Questions Directory).

Hope it helps.­
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Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B

But B says x<2, meaning x could be -2 as well. If x is -2, then |x| gives 2 as the output making (|x| - 2) as zero. Now zero X (x+5) can’t be < 0. Then why is B correct and not C? C definitely rules out any of the brackets to become zero.

Please explain.

Posted from my mobile device
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Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B
But B says x<2, meaning x could be -2 as well. If x is -2, then |x| gives 2 as the output making (|x| - 2) as zero. Now zero X (x+5) can’t be < 0. Then why is B correct and not C? C definitely rules out any of the brackets to become zero.

Please explain.

Posted from my mobile device
­x cannot be -2, becasue we know that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). -2 is not in these ranges.

We have that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

\(-2 < x < 2\), option (C), is not true because \(x\) could say be -10 and if it's -10 then it's not less than -5.

Check other similar questions from Trickiest Inequality Questions Type: Confusing Ranges (part of our Special Questions Directory).

Hope it helps.­
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Bunuel
If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

A. x > 2
B. x < 2
C. -2 < x < 2
D. -5 < x < 2
E. x < -5


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

M37-58

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Fun Question which has a quick and easy solution!

Note that it is a "must be true" kind of question. It is not "complete range"; it is not "could be true"; it is "must be true." (Link given below)

Given: (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0

When we want to remove the absolute value sign, there are two cases: x >= 0 or x < 0 (link given below)

Case 1: x >= 0
(x - 2)(x + 5) < 0
means -5 < x < 2 (Wavy line method link given below)
Since x is positive, 0 <= x < 2 
Hence x is certainly less than 2 in all these cases.

Now, do we need to consider Case 2 at all in which x < 0? No. Whatever solutions we get will in every case be less than 2 since x will be negative. 
Hence x less than 2 will ALWAYS be true for all valid values of x. 

Answer (B)

Post on difference between must be true, complete range and could be true: https://anaprep.com/algebra-must-be-true-could-be-true-complete-range-questions/
Post on why there are two cases with absolute value sign: 
https://anaprep.com/algebra-the-why-beh ... questions/
Video on wavy line method: 
https://youtu.be/PWsUOe77__E

­
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B encompasses C, D, E

So the answer is either A or B

We can clearly see that B is the right choice. On the real GMAT I don't think the answer choices will be overlapping in this way, but it makes for a very easy and quick solution here
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we have 3 critical points here 2,-2,-5 since the overall inequality is less than <0 then x<2 satisfy the inequality
Bunuel
If (|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0, then which of the following must be true?

A. x > 2
B. x < 2
C. -2 < x < 2
D. -5 < x < 2
E. x < -5


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

M37-58

Experience a GMAT Club Test Questions
Yes, you've landed on a GMAT Club Tests question
Craving more? Unlock our full suite of GMAT Club Tests here
Want to experience more? Get a taste of our tests with our free trial today
Rise to the challenge with GMAT Club Tests. Happy practicing!
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Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B
Regarding Option C, how can we take x to be -10 if the range is decided between -2 and +2?
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Ishaan30
Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B
Regarding Option C, how can we take x to be -10 if the range is decided between -2 and +2?

You’re missing the point. We found that x < -5 or -2 < x < 2. So x can be any value from these ranges, including -10. That’s exactly why option C (-2 < x < 2) is not correct. If x is -10 (which satisfies x < -5), it falls outside the range in C, so C is not always true.

So, it works the other way: you take the possible values of x from the solution set (x < -5 or -2 < x < 2) and check whether the ranges in the answer choices always hold. If not, then that option is not valid.

Please read the full discussion above and follow the links to similar questions to better understand the concept.
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