It is currently 25 Jun 2017, 19:41

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Events & Promotions

Events & Promotions in June
Open Detailed Calendar

Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) +

Author Message
TAGS:

Hide Tags

Intern
Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Posts: 47
Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

21 Mar 2011, 22:52
1
This post was
BOOKMARKED
00:00

Difficulty:

95% (hard)

Question Stats:

33% (02:40) correct 67% (02:04) wrong based on 52 sessions

HideShow timer Statistics

Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

OPEN DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION IS HERE: is-a-positive-x-2-2x-a-is-positive-for-all-x-ax-2-1-is-97302.html
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA
Manager
Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 177
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

21 Mar 2011, 23:23
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

x^2 - 2x + A >0
x^2-2x +1 +A-1>0
(X-1)^2 -1 >-A
A>1-(X-1)^2 (flip the sign)
if x is 1/2 A is positive no ...
if x is 5 , A>-15 so A could be either positive or negative

2
A x^2 +1>0
Ax^2>-1
A=-1/2 ,x=1 -1/2>-1 true
A=1 X=2 4>-1 true..
A could be negative eg (-1/2) or positive ... Insufficient..

1+2, Insufficient
E

Am I missing sth
Manager
Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 90
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 01:45
SVP
Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 1663
Location: United States (IN)
Concentration: Strategy, Technology
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 02:21
I picked numbers and got E, basically the goal is to prove that the expression is +ve for both -ve and +ve values for A.

(1) is not sufficient

3^2 - 2*3 + 1/2 = +ve

3^2 - 2*3 - 1/2 = +ve

A can be +ve or -ve

(2)

Ax^2 is +ve and 1 is +ve

-1/2 * (1/2)^2 + 1 is +ve

1/2 * (-1/2)^2 + 1 is +ve

So (2) is not sufficient

From(1) and (2)

(-1/2)^2 - 2 * -1/2 - 1/2 is +ve

(-1/2)^2 - 2 * -1/2 + 1/2 is +ve

_________________

Formula of Life -> Achievement/Potential = k * Happiness (where k is a constant)

GMAT Club Premium Membership - big benefits and savings

Manager
Joined: 14 Feb 2011
Posts: 194
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 02:58
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

We need to answer the question "Is A positive?"

Statement 1 says $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive for all x. Hence A can only take values that make the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ positive for all x.

Now, the term $$x^2-2x$$ will be always positive for all x greater than 2. Also, it will always be positive for all x less than zero and it will be zero in case x=0. So for all x greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to zero, A can be negative or positive and still the expression can be positive overall depending on magnitude of a and A. So, this does not give us a condition on A.

Lets see when x lies between 0 and 2. In such a case, for both x =0 and x=2, the expression $$x^2-2x$$ is zero and hence A needs to be positive. Between x=0 and x=2, the expression remains negative with minimum value of -1 at x=1. Hence, A needs to be greater than +1 to ensure that $$x^2-2x+A$$ is greater than zero for all x when x lies between 0 and 2.

So, we have seen that for all x, the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive if and only if A is greater than 1 always. Hence we can answer the question "Is A positive?" in affirmative and hence sufficient.

Statement 2 says that $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive for all x. Clearly, $$x^2$$ is always positive. So, if A is always positive than $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive. However, $$A*x^2+1$$is always positive also when A=0. Hence, Statement 2) will hold when A is 0 or positive and hence we cannot answer for sure the question "Is A positive?". Hence, insufficient.

Director
Joined: 01 Feb 2011
Posts: 755
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 19:30
1. sufficient, as A can only be +ve to satisfy the given condition.
2. Not sufficient as we could have A>0 or A=0

Director
Joined: 01 Feb 2011
Posts: 755
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 19:40
I agree with beyondgmatscore. A has to be positive to satisfy the expression for all values of x.

beyondgmatscore wrote:
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

We need to answer the question "Is A positive?"

Statement 1 says $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive for all x. Hence A can only take values that make the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ positive for all x.

Now, the term $$x^2-2x$$ will be always positive for all x greater than 2. Also, it will always be positive for all x less than zero and it will be zero in case x=0. So for all x greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to zero, A can be negative or positive and still the expression can be positive overall depending on magnitude of a and A. So, this does not give us a condition on A.

Lets see when x lies between 0 and 2. In such a case, for both x =0 and x=2, the expression $$x^2-2x$$ is zero and hence A needs to be positive. Between x=0 and x=2, the expression remains negative with minimum value of -1 at x=1. Hence, A needs to be greater than +1 to ensure that $$x^2-2x+A$$ is greater than zero for all x when x lies between 0 and 2.

So, we have seen that for all x, the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive if and only if A is greater than 1 always. Hence we can answer the question "Is A positive?" in affirmative and hence sufficient.

Statement 2 says that $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive for all x. Clearly, $$x^2$$ is always positive. So, if A is always positive than $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive. However, $$A*x^2+1$$is always positive also when A=0. Hence, Statement 2) will hold when A is 0 or positive and hence we cannot answer for sure the question "Is A positive?". Hence, insufficient.

Manager
Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 177
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 20:30
beyondgmatscore wrote:
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

We need to answer the question "Is A positive?"

Statement 1 says $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive for all x. Hence A can only take values that make the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ positive for all x.

Now, the term $$x^2-2x$$ will be always positive for all x greater than 2. Also, it will always be positive for all x less than zero and it will be zero in case x=0. So for all x greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to zero, A can be negative or positive and still the expression can be positive overall depending on magnitude of a and A. So, this does not give us a condition on A.

Lets see when x lies between 0 and 2. In such a case, for both x =0 and x=2, the expression $$x^2-2x$$ is zero and hence A needs to be positive. Between x=0 and x=2, the expression remains negative with minimum value of -1 at x=1. Hence, A needs to be greater than +1 to ensure that $$x^2-2x+A$$ is greater than zero for all x when x lies between 0 and 2.

So, we have seen that for all x, the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive if and only if A is greater than 1 always. Hence we can answer the question "Is A positive?" in affirmative and hence sufficient.

Statement 2 says that $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive for all x. Clearly, $$x^2$$ is always positive. So, if A is always positive than $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive. However, $$A*x^2+1$$is always positive also when A=0. Hence, Statement 2) will hold when A is 0 or positive and hence we cannot answer for sure the question "Is A positive?". Hence, insufficient.

Assume x =5
x^2 - 2x=> 25-10 =15
for x^2 - 2x + A to be positive A can be either positive no or negative no
if A= -1 (Statement A is still valid x^2 - 2x + A>0)
if A=1 (Statement A is still valid x^2 - 2x + A>0)
A can be either positive no or negative no ..So How could you say A>0 ....Am I missing something ?
Director
Status: Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. It's a dare. Impossible is nothing.
Affiliations: University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 900
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 20:42
I think the designer would have rephrased the question as- if I make x=0 then will the "A" stand the test of being positive.

Posted from my mobile device
Manager
Joined: 14 Feb 2011
Posts: 194
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

22 Mar 2011, 22:34
Onell wrote:
beyondgmatscore wrote:
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

We need to answer the question "Is A positive?"

Statement 1 says $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive for all x. Hence A can only take values that make the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ positive for all x.

Now, the term $$x^2-2x$$ will be always positive for all x greater than 2. Also, it will always be positive for all x less than zero and it will be zero in case x=0. So for all x greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to zero, A can be negative or positive and still the expression can be positive overall depending on magnitude of a and A. So, this does not give us a condition on A.

Lets see when x lies between 0 and 2. In such a case, for both x =0 and x=2, the expression $$x^2-2x$$ is zero and hence A needs to be positive. Between x=0 and x=2, the expression remains negative with minimum value of -1 at x=1. Hence, A needs to be greater than +1 to ensure that $$x^2-2x+A$$ is greater than zero for all x when x lies between 0 and 2.

So, we have seen that for all x, the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive if and only if A is greater than 1 always. Hence we can answer the question "Is A positive?" in affirmative and hence sufficient.

Statement 2 says that $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive for all x. Clearly, $$x^2$$ is always positive. So, if A is always positive than $$A*x^2+1$$ is always positive. However, $$A*x^2+1$$is always positive also when A=0. Hence, Statement 2) will hold when A is 0 or positive and hence we cannot answer for sure the question "Is A positive?". Hence, insufficient.

Assume x =5
x^2 - 2x=> 25-10 =15
for x^2 - 2x + A to be positive A can be either positive no or negative no
if A= -1 (Statement A is still valid x^2 - 2x + A>0)
if A=1 (Statement A is still valid x^2 - 2x + A>0)
A can be either positive no or negative no ..So How could you say A>0 ....Am I missing something ?

Onell - you are right in deducing that for x=5 A can be either positive or negative. In fact, if you see my response, I have reached a similar conclusion as well. However, we need the value of A for which the expression $$x^2 - 2x + A$$is positive for ALL x. As I explained earlier, for x between 0 and 2, this can be true only if A is greater than 1. So, $$x^2 - 2x + A$$ is positive for ALL x only when A is greater than 1. For some x, it can be positive even when A is negative, but it is positive for ALL x if and only if A is greater than +1.

Does this clarify your doubt now?
Intern
Joined: 30 Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

07 Apr 2011, 09:57
The first statement can be solved with some calculus. Differentiating x^2 - 2x + A yields 2x - 2. If we assume 2x - 2 = 0 and x = 1, we know that the quadratic curve is at its minimum (lowest value possible) when x = 1.

Therefore, substituting x = 1 into x^2 - 2x + A, we get -1 + A. This is the lowest value possible and since -1 + A > 0 (always positive), A > 1 and always positive.

So it's sufficient.

I'm inclined to say the second statement is true as well. If A < 0, the quadratic curve will have a maximum, which means it will definitely go negative, hence contradicting the statement ("(A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x "). The only way to make it always positive is if A > 0.

So I personally think the answer should be D.

I don't have any software to plot graphs right now, but if anyone fancies plotting quadratic graphs they might be able to show this.
Manager
Joined: 14 Feb 2011
Posts: 194
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

07 Apr 2011, 22:54
1
KUDOS
oster wrote:
The first statement can be solved with some calculus. Differentiating x^2 - 2x + A yields 2x - 2. If we assume 2x - 2 = 0 and x = 1, we know that the quadratic curve is at its minimum (lowest value possible) when x = 1.

Therefore, substituting x = 1 into x^2 - 2x + A, we get -1 + A. This is the lowest value possible and since -1 + A > 0 (always positive), A > 1 and always positive.

So it's sufficient.

I'm inclined to say the second statement is true as well. If A < 0, the quadratic curve will have a maximum, which means it will definitely go negative, hence contradicting the statement ("(A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x "). The only way to make it always positive is if A > 0.

So I personally think the answer should be D.

I don't have any software to plot graphs right now, but if anyone fancies plotting quadratic graphs they might be able to show this.

Your reasoning for the second statement is incorrect. The only way to make it always positive is if A > 0 OR A = 0. As, at A=0, the value of expression is 1 - always positive. So, A can be zero or positive and hence insufficient.
Intern
Joined: 30 Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

08 Apr 2011, 02:52
beyondgmatscore wrote:

Your reasoning for the second statement is incorrect. The only way to make it always positive is if A > 0 OR A = 0. As, at A=0, the value of expression is 1 - always positive. So, A can be zero or positive and hence insufficient.

Ah yes, I overlooked that. Thanks!
GMAT Tutor
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 1179
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

08 Apr 2011, 07:28
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

I've posted about this question a couple of times. Many people solve this backwards and arrive at the wrong answer (those test takers relying on 'number picking' strategies almost always answer this question incorrectly). The important word in each of the two statements is 'all'. In Statement 1, x^2 - 2x + A is positive not just for some value of x; it must be positive for EVERY value of x. In particular, it's positive when x=0, so substituting x=0, we learn instantly that A is positive and Statement 1 is sufficient.

Statement 2 is also almost sufficient. It is only insufficient because of a technicality: it's possible that A=0.

_________________

GMAT Tutor in Toronto

If you are looking for online GMAT math tutoring, or if you are interested in buying my advanced Quant books and problem sets, please contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

Manager
Joined: 27 Aug 2014
Posts: 102
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GPA: 3.9
WE: Analyst (Energy and Utilities)
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

26 Nov 2014, 15:22
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

from statement 1:
$$x^2-2x+A > 0$$, adding and subtracting 1,$$x^2-2x+1+A-1 > 0$$, this reduces to $$(x-1)^2+A-1 > 0$$, the least value of $$(x-1)^2$$ is 0, substitute this value in the expression to get the least value of A. 0 + A -1 > , this implies A>1 so sufficient
From statement 2: A can take any value for the expression to be positive, NSF

Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 39673
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) + [#permalink]

Show Tags

27 Nov 2014, 03:08
asmit123 wrote:
Is A positive?

1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x
2. (A*x^2) + 1 is +ve for all x

OPEN DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION IS HERE: is-a-positive-x-2-2x-a-is-positive-for-all-x-ax-2-1-is-97302.html
_________________
Re: Is A positive? 1. x^2 - 2x + A is +ve for all x 2. (A*x^2) +   [#permalink] 27 Nov 2014, 03:08
Similar topics Replies Last post
Similar
Topics:
15 Is 1+x+x^2+x^3+....+x^10 positive? 15 18 Jun 2016, 12:30
106 Is A positive? x^2-2x+A is positive for all x Ax^2+1 is 62 11 Dec 2016, 07:43
38 In the sequence of positive numbers x1, x2, x3, ..., what 28 16 Jul 2016, 01:44
1 Whether x and y both positive? (1) 2x - 2y =1 (2) x/y > 1 8 23 Aug 2013, 03:05
2 In the sequence of positive numbers x_1 , x_2 , x_3 ,... 4 21 Mar 2011, 20:00
Display posts from previous: Sort by