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# Inequalities trick

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Manager
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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26 Jul 2012, 06:59
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Thankyou Karishma.

Further, say if the same expression was (x+2)(1-x)/(x-4)(x-7) and still the question was for what values of x is the expression positive, then ... make it x-1 and with the same roots, have the rightmost as -ve. Then we look for the +ve intervals and check for those intervals if the expression is positive. for examples, in this case, -2<x<1 and 4<x<7 both depict positive interval but only first range satisfies the condition. Please confirm

However, if for the same equation as mentioned, say the expression was (x+2)(x-1)/(x-4)(x-7) >0 and then we were asked to give the range where this is valid, then we would also multiply the -ve sign and make is <0 and then make the range after extreme right root -ve and provide all the intervals where it is negative. Please confirm

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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26 Jul 2012, 08:47
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:

When you have (x-a)^2(x-b) < 0, the squared term is ignored because it is always positive and hence doesn't affect the sign of the entire left side. For the left hand side to be negative i.e. < 0, (x - b) should be negative i.e. x - b < 0 or x < b.
.

IMHO, it should be x<b and also x is not equal to a .
so, one shouldn't totally ignore the squared term. We can ignore it, if the expression is <=0
correct me, if I am wrong

my question is -
do we always have a sequence of + and - from rightmost to the left side. I mean is it possible to have + and then + again ?
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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26 Jul 2012, 20:57
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@pavanpuneet and Lalab

Each of these scenarios is explained and all of your questions are answered in detail in my last few posts. Check these out:

http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2012/06 ... e-factors/
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2012/07 ... ns-part-i/
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2012/07 ... s-part-ii/
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Kudos [?]: 18450 [0], given: 237 Intern Joined: 11 Apr 2012 Posts: 38 Kudos [?]: 87 [0], given: 93 Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink] ### Show Tags 18 Oct 2012, 00:49 gurpreetsingh wrote: ulm wrote: in addition: if we have smth like (x-a)^2(x-b) we don't need to change a sign when jump over "a". yes even powers wont contribute to the inequality sign. But be wary of the root value of x=a Hi Gurpreet, Could you elaborate what exactly you meant here in highlighted text ? Even I have a doubt as to how this can be applied for powers of the same term . like the example mentioned in the post above. Kudos [?]: 87 [0], given: 93 CEO Status: Nothing comes easy: neither do I want. Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 2750 Kudos [?]: 1950 [1], given: 235 Location: Malaysia Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship Schools: ISB '15 (M) GMAT 1: 670 Q49 V31 GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35 Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink] ### Show Tags 18 Oct 2012, 04:17 1 This post received KUDOS 1 This post was BOOKMARKED GMATBaumgartner wrote: gurpreetsingh wrote: ulm wrote: in addition: if we have smth like (x-a)^2(x-b) we don't need to change a sign when jump over "a". yes even powers wont contribute to the inequality sign. But be wary of the root value of x=a Hi Gurpreet, Could you elaborate what exactly you meant here in highlighted text ? Even I have a doubt as to how this can be applied for powers of the same term . like the example mentioned in the post above. If the powers are even then the inequality won't be affected. eg if u have to find the range of values of x satisfying (x-a)^2 *(x-b)(x-c) >0 just use (x-b)*(x-c) >0 because x-a raised to the power 2 will not affect the inequality sign. But just make sure x=a is taken care off , as it would make the inequality zero. _________________ Fight for your dreams :For all those who fear from Verbal- lets give it a fight Money Saved is the Money Earned Jo Bole So Nihaal , Sat Shri Akaal Support GMAT Club by putting a GMAT Club badge on your blog/Facebook GMAT Club Premium Membership - big benefits and savings Gmat test review : http://gmatclub.com/forum/670-to-710-a-long-journey-without-destination-still-happy-141642.html Kudos [?]: 1950 [1], given: 235 Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7862 Kudos [?]: 18450 [1], given: 237 Location: Pune, India Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink] ### Show Tags 18 Oct 2012, 09:27 1 This post received KUDOS Expert's post GMATBaumgartner wrote: Hi Gurpreet, Could you elaborate what exactly you meant here in highlighted text ? Even I have a doubt as to how this can be applied for powers of the same term . like the example mentioned in the post above. In addition, you can check out this post: http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2012/07 ... s-part-ii/ I have discussed how to handle powers in it. _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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20 Nov 2012, 07:35
Kudos. Very good post.
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 04:21
This is a great method but using this I am not getting an expected answer! Can Karishma and other please help me find where I am wrong?

The problem is (x - 2)(x + 1)/x(x+2) <= 0
The graph will be +++ -2 ------ -1 +++++ 0 ------- 2 ++++++
So the answer will be 0 < x <= 2 and -2 < x < -1

But in Arun Sharma book, the answer given is -2 < x <= 2

Can you help?

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 04:31
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GMATGURU1 wrote:
This is a great method but using this I am not getting an expected answer! Can Karishma and other please help me find where I am wrong?

The problem is (x - 2)(x + 1)/x(x+2) <= 0
The graph will be +++ -2 ------ -1 +++++ 0 ------- 2 ++++++
So the answer will be 0 < x <= 2 and -2 < x < -1

But in Arun Sharma book, the answer given is -2 < x <= 2

Can you help?

Solution set for $$\frac{(x - 2)(x + 1)}{x(x+2)}\leq{0}$$ is $$-2<x\leq{-1}$$ and $$0<x\leq{2}$$. So, you've done everything right, except < sign for the second range, which should be <=.
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 04:45
Bunuel wrote:
GMATGURU1 wrote:
This is a great method but using this I am not getting an expected answer! Can Karishma and other please help me find where I am wrong?

The problem is (x - 2)(x + 1)/x(x+2) <= 0
The graph will be +++ -2 ------ -1 +++++ 0 ------- 2 ++++++
So the answer will be 0 < x <= 2 and -2 < x < -1

But in Arun Sharma book, the answer given is -2 < x <= 2

Can you help?

Solution set for $$\frac{(x - 2)(x + 1)}{x(x+2)}\leq{0}$$ is $$-2<x\leq{-1}$$ and $$0<x\leq{2}$$. So, you've done everything right, except < sign for the second range, which should be <=.

Yes even I think so that I am correct but in that book (famous Arun Sharma book for CAT), he writes the following...

case 1) Numerator positive and denominator negative: This occurs only between -2 < x < -1
case 2) Numerator negative and denominator positive: Numerator is negative when (x - 2) and (x + 1) take opposite signs. This can be got for ...
case a) x - 2 < 0 and x + 1 > 0 i.e. x < 2 and x >- 1
case b) x - 2 > 0 and x + 1 < 0 i.e. x > 2 and x < -1. --- Cannot happen

Hence answer is -2 < x <= 2.

-------------------------------------

The point I want to make here is, using our curve savy method we are getting a different answer. Using our answer x is not coming between 0 and -1. but the answer given in the book take the full range of -2 < x <= 2

So do we need any more tweaks in out curve method?

Thanks!

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 05:01
GMATGURU1 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
GMATGURU1 wrote:
This is a great method but using this I am not getting an expected answer! Can Karishma and other please help me find where I am wrong?

The problem is (x - 2)(x + 1)/x(x+2) <= 0
The graph will be +++ -2 ------ -1 +++++ 0 ------- 2 ++++++
So the answer will be 0 < x <= 2 and -2 < x < -1

But in Arun Sharma book, the answer given is -2 < x <= 2

Can you help?

Solution set for $$\frac{(x - 2)(x + 1)}{x(x+2)}\leq{0}$$ is $$-2<x\leq{-1}$$ and $$0<x\leq{2}$$. So, you've done everything right, except < sign for the second range, which should be <=.

Yes even I think so that I am correct but in that book (famous Arun Sharma book for CAT), he writes the following...

case 1) Numerator positive and denominator negative: This occurs only between -2 < x < -1
case 2) Numerator negative and denominator positive: Numerator is negative when (x - 2) and (x + 1) take opposite signs. This can be got for ...
case a) x - 2 < 0 and x + 1 > 0 i.e. x < 2 and x >- 1
case b) x - 2 > 0 and x + 1 < 0 i.e. x > 2 and x < -1. --- Cannot happen

Hence answer is -2 < x <= 2.

-------------------------------------

The point I want to make here is, using our curve savy method we are getting a different answer. Using our answer x is not coming between 0 and -1. but the answer given in the book take the full range of -2 < x <= 2

So do we need any more tweaks in out curve method?

Thanks!

I'm not familiar with that source but with this particular question it's wrong.

The numerator is positive and the denominator is negative: $$-2<x\leq{-1}$$;
The numerator is negative and the denominator positive: $$0<x\leq{2}$$ (the source didn't consider the case when the denominator is positive).

Jut to check, try x=-1/2 to see that for this value the inequality does not hold true.

Hope it's clear.
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 05:36
@ Bunuel

Thanks! Yes I put -1/2 and it gives a positive value, so its wrong.

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 05:39
Going ahead in this inequalities area of GMAT, can some one has the problem numbers of inequalities in OG 11 and OG 12?

Cheers,
Danny

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 06:20
GMATGURU1 wrote:
Going ahead in this inequalities area of GMAT, can some one has the problem numbers of inequalities in OG 11 and OG 12?

Cheers,
Danny

I got the list, here it is:

Problem solving OG 12: 12th Edition: 161, 173
QR 2nd Edition: 156
DS: 12th Edition: 97, 153, 162, D38
Quantitative Review: 66, 67, 85, 114 OR 2nd Edition: 68, 69, 89, 120

Thanks,
Danny

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 06:25
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GMATGURU1 wrote:
Going ahead in this inequalities area of GMAT, can some one has the problem numbers of inequalities in OG 11 and OG 12?

Cheers,
Danny

Search for hundreds of question with solutions by tags: viewforumtags.php

DS questions on inequalities: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=184
PS questions on inequalities: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=189
Hardest DS inequality questions with detailed solutions: inequality-and-absolute-value-questions-from-my-collection-86939.html

Hope it helps.
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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02 Dec 2012, 06:37
Bunuel wrote:
GMATGURU1 wrote:
Going ahead in this inequalities area of GMAT, can some one has the problem numbers of inequalities in OG 11 and OG 12?

Cheers,
Danny

Search for hundreds of question with solutions by tags: viewforumtags.php

DS questions on inequalities: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=184
PS questions on inequalities: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=189
Hardest DS inequality questions with detailed solutions: inequality-and-absolute-value-questions-from-my-collection-86939.html

Hope it helps.

Wow!!! Thanks a lot!!!

Regards,
Danny

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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05 Dec 2012, 09:24
Wow, G-Club continues to amaze me. Some great tips and tricks indeed.

Appreciate if Someone can give a REAL GMAT problem where this concept is used.
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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20 Dec 2012, 04:18
Excellent post. Till now we have all seen problems in the format f(x) < 0 where f(x) is written in its factors for (x-a)(x-b)...

what if we have something like f(x) < k "k is a constant"
(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) < k
How do we solve these kind of questions?

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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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20 Dec 2012, 06:53
maddyboiler wrote:
Excellent post. Till now we have all seen problems in the format f(x) < 0 where f(x) is written in its factors for (x-a)(x-b)...

what if we have something like f(x) < k "k is a constant"
(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) < k
How do we solve these kind of questions?

Then u can not use this formula. You have to manipulate with values and as per the question.
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Re: Inequalities trick [#permalink]

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20 Dec 2012, 20:00
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maddyboiler wrote:
Excellent post. Till now we have all seen problems in the format f(x) < 0 where f(x) is written in its factors for (x-a)(x-b)...

what if we have something like f(x) < k "k is a constant"
(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) < k
How do we solve these kind of questions?

The entire concept is based on positive/negative factors which means <0 or >0 is a must. If the question is not in this format, you need to bring it to this format by taking the constant to the left hand side.

e.g.
(x + 2)(x + 3) < 2
x^2 + 5x + 6 - 2 < 0
x^2 + 5x + 4 < 0
(x+4)(x+1) < 0

Now use the concept.
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Re: Inequalities trick   [#permalink] 20 Dec 2012, 20:00

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