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the solutions would require that of the given three factors (x, x-1, x+1) only if 1 or 3 of them are <0 then only the solution to x(x-1)(x+1) <0 i.e x >0 and x+1>0 and x-1 <0 or x>0 and x-1>0 and x+1<0 or x+1>0 and x-1>0 and x< 0 or x<0 and x+1<0 and x-1<0
Now on solving
1: x >0 and x+1>0 and x-1 <0 we get x>0 and x>-1 and x<1 hence 0<x<1 is the solution range
2: x>0 and x-1>0 and x+1<0 we get x>0 and x>1 and x<-1 no possible solution range
3. x+1>0 and x-1>0 and x< 0 we get x>-1 and x>1 and x<0 no possible solution range
4. x<0 and x+1<0 and x-1<0 we get x<0 and x<-1 and x<1 hence the solution range is x<-1
therefore the solutions to x(x+1) (x-1) <0 are 0<x<1 or x<-1
another way to solve is to use the no. line x(x-1)(x+1)<0
the solution of x(x-1) (x+1)=0 are x=-1,0,1
plotting these on no. line we get 4 regions
x<-1 , -1<x<0, 0<x<1 , and x>1
now for given exp: x(x-1) (x+1) we substitute for x values within the given range and check if it satisfies our criteria
we have to study the sign of each term. 1)the first one is -ve if x<0 2) the second is -ve if x<1 3)the third is -ve if x<-1 Write down on a line those numbers and the sign that the equation has. now you have to intersect those interval and find the overall sign of the equation. for instance x<-1: all are negative s\(o -*-*-=-\) so in this interval its negative. for -1<x<0 : \(-*+*-=+\) so in this interval is positive and so on... take a look at the image
Could someone please explain how to get from the marked 1. to 2.?
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Nothing new to add. Just another way of arriving at the solution.
x(x-1)(x+1)<0.
A product of three factors can only be negative if
1. All three of them are negative --> x<0 , x<1 , x<-1. Now, if x<-1, then automatically, the other two conditions are also fulfilled. Thus, one solution is at x<-1.
2.Any two of the factors are positive and only one is negative --> Say x>0 AND x>1 AND x<-1. Is this possible simultaneously? NO. Now consider x>1 AND x>-1 AND x<0. Again not possible. Finally consider x>0 AND x>-1 AND x<1. This is possible if x>0 AND x<1. Thus, the second solution is for 0<x<1.
But again this method is only for clearing the concept involved. The normal method to these problems is discussed above.
Archived Topic
Hi there,
Archived GMAT Club Tests question - no more replies possible.