Is a positive?


(1) a^6 < a
\(a-a^6>0.......a(1-a^5)>0\)
So two cases
a) a>0, then 1-a^5>0 or 1>a^5 so 0<a<1
b) a<0, then 1-a^5<0 or a^5>1 or a>1........NOT possible
So a>0 as it cannot be 0 or <0
Sufficient

(2) a^5 < a
\(a-a^5>0.......a(1-a^4)>0\)
So two cases
a) a>0, then 1-a^4>0 or 1>a^4 so 0<a<1
b) a<0, then 1-a^4<0 or a^4>1......\(a^2>1\).....thus either a>1 or a<-1.......so a<-1
So a>0 or a<0
Instead

A
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1) Absolute modulus : http://gmatclub.com/forum/absolute-modulus-a-better-understanding-210849.html#p1622372
2)Combination of similar and dissimilar things : http://gmatclub.com/forum/topic215915.html
3) effects of arithmetic operations : https://gmatclub.com/forum/effects-of-arithmetic-operations-on-fractions-269413.html


GMAT online Tutor

Hello,

I am confused. According to me it should be E. Lets forget the algebra for a while and lets substitute a = 0.5 or a = -0.5

Statement 1

a^6 < a. For either of the values of a (0.5 or -0.5), the answer will be 0.015625 which is lesser than a.

Statement 2

a^5 < a. For 0.5, the answer will be 0.03125 and for -0.5 the answer is -0.03125. The answer is still lesser than a.

If 1 + 2, then also the answer is either +ve or -ve. I am confused as to how the answer is A? Please clarify

Ohhhhhh silly mistake. Thank you so much!!!!

\(A\,\,\mathop > \limits^? \,\,0\)

\(\left( 1 \right)\,\,\underline {{A^6} < A}\)

\(\left. \begin{gathered}
A = 0\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,0 = \underline {{A^6} < A} = 0\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,{\text{impossible}}\,\,\,\, \hfill \\
A < 0\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,0 < \underline {{A^6} < A} < 0\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,{\text{impossible}} \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right\}\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\left\langle {{\text{YES}}} \right\rangle\)


\(\left( 2 \right)\,{A^5} < A\,\,\,\left\{ \begin{gathered}
\,Take\,\,A = \frac{1}{2}\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\left\langle {{\text{YES}}} \right\rangle \,\,\,\, \hfill \\
Take\,\,A = - 2\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\left\langle {{\text{NO}}} \right\rangle \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right.\,\,\)

The above follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.
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Fabio Skilnik :: http://www.GMATH.net (Math for the GMAT)
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