If z^2 – 4z > 5, which of the following is always true? z^2 - 4z > 5
z^2 - 4z - 5 > 0
(z - 5)(z + 1) > 0
So
z < -1 or
z > 5.
Now check the options:
(A) z > 5
This is not always true because z could be less than -1. For example, consider z = -100.
(B) z < 5
This is not always true because z could be greater than 5. For example, consider z = 100.
(C) z > -1
This is not always true because z could be less than -1. For example, consider z = -100.
(D) z < 1
This is not always true because z could be greater than 5. For example, consider z = 100.
Answer: E.
shubh8
If this question was a "Could be true" question, would A be the only right answer? For example, in D, z
can definitely be less than 1, i.e. -1.000001 onwards. Same could be said for the other answer choices. Just wondering about this!
No. If it were a “could be true” question, A would not be the only right answer.
From the inequality,
z < -1 or
z > 5.
So:
(A) z > 5. This could be true. For example, consider z = 100 > 5.
(B) z < 5. This could be true. For example, consider z = -100 < 5.
(C) z > -1. This could be true. For example, consider z = 100 > -1.
(D) z < 1. This could be true. For example, consider z = -100 < 1.
So A, B, C, and D could all be true. The original wording “always true” is what makes E correct.