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M26-11

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47110

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16 Sep 2014, 01:24
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Difficulty:

55% (hard)

Question Stats:

63% (01:08) correct 37% (01:30) wrong based on 63 sessions

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If $$x$$ is a negative integer and $$3 \lt x^2 \lt 36$$, then what is the value of twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ minus the minimum possible value of $$x$$?

A. $$-12$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$-3$$
D. $$1$$
E. $$6$$

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Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47110

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16 Sep 2014, 01:25
Official Solution:

If $$x$$ is a negative integer and $$3 \lt x^2 \lt 36$$, then what is the value of twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ minus the minimum possible value of $$x$$?

A. $$-12$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$-3$$
D. $$1$$
E. $$6$$

Since given that $$x$$ is a negative integer, then $$x$$ can be -2, -3, -4, or -5.

Twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ is $$2*(-2)=-4$$.

The minimum possible value of $$x$$ is $$-5$$.

Thus the answer is $$-4-(-5)=1$$.

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03 May 2015, 17:43
1
Bunuel wrote:
If $$x$$ is a negative integer and $$3 \lt x^2 \lt 36$$, then what is the value of twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ minus the minimum possible value of $$x$$?

A. $$-12$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$-3$$
D. $$1$$
E. $$6$$

I got this right but there can be 2 ways to read the questions -
what is the value of twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ minus the minimum possible value of $$x$$?

Does this mean twice*maximum - minimum (which looks to be the intended explanation) OR
twice* (maximum - minimum) . Unfortunately, both of these are in choices - (1 and 6).
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Joined: 07 May 2012
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31 Aug 2015, 16:44
I did 2 (max - min). Ended up with 6 as the answer (incorrect answer) :(
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Location: United States (IL)
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GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V30
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31 Oct 2015, 21:32
1
2
pay attention to where the "twice" is.
if twice was before amount of - then 2 (max-min)
but since twice is after the amount, it clearly only refers to the maximum only
SC :D
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Joined: 06 Sep 2016
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23 Nov 2016, 17:32
question is worded very vaguely. please make the question more specific.
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47110

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24 Nov 2016, 01:07
womsuko wrote:
question is worded very vaguely. please make the question more specific.

Can you please tell me which part is ambiguous? For me the question is clear.
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25 Nov 2016, 03:55
Bunuel wrote:
Official Solution:

If $$x$$ is a negative integer and $$3 \lt x^2 \lt 36$$, then what is the value of twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ minus the minimum possible value of $$x$$?

A. $$-12$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$-3$$
D. $$1$$
E. $$6$$

Since given that $$x$$ is a negative integer, then $$x$$ can be -2, -3, -4, or -5.

Twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ is $$2*(-2)=-4$$.

The minimum possible value of $$x$$ is $$-5$$.

Thus the answer is $$-4-(-5)=1$$.

Dear Bunuel,

I suggest if you can include an answer choice -8. It is a trap as some would solve: -5*2 +2 = -8.

thanks
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Joined: 16 May 2017
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13 Aug 2017, 04:41
Dear Experts why -1 was not taken as maximum value .only -2 was considered..kindly explain
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47110

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13 Aug 2017, 07:07
alphastallion wrote:
Dear Experts why -1 was not taken as maximum value .only -2 was considered..kindly explain

Because -1 does not satisfy 3 < x^2 < 36.
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03 Oct 2017, 16:16
Bunuel wrote:
womsuko wrote:
question is worded very vaguely. please make the question more specific.

Can you please tell me which part is ambiguous? For me the question is clear.

Ambiguous because the phrase suggests that "twice" is an operational adjective describing 1 noun: "the maximum possible value of x minus the minimum possible value of x." In other words, 2(a-b).

Intended meaning can be clarified by rephrasing question as "...what is the difference between twice the maximum possible value of x and the minimum possible value of x" or "...by what amount does the maximum possible value of x exceed the minimum possible value of x" or any other rewording to make it clear that "twice" is an adjective referring solely to the first noun "max{x}".
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03 Oct 2017, 16:32
Bunuel wrote:
If $$x$$ is a negative integer and $$3 \lt x^2 \lt 36$$, then what is the value of twice the maximum possible value of $$x$$ minus the minimum possible value of $$x$$?

A. $$-12$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$-3$$
D. $$1$$
E. $$6$$

Brute force with organization will help in this question

$$3 \lt x^2 \lt 36$$
$$3 \lt -2^2 \lt 36$$
$$3 \lt -3^2 \lt 36$$
$$3 \lt -4^2 \lt 36$$
$$3 \lt -5^2 \lt 36$$

$$Max Value = -2$$ & $$Min Value = -5$$

$$Twice Max Value - Min Value = 2 (-2) - (-5) = -4 + 5 = 1$$

Intern
Joined: 25 Sep 2017
Posts: 15
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Nonprofit
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21 May 2018, 13:46
I think this is a poor-quality question and I don't agree with the explanation.
Question is ambiguous.
twice max-min could be considered as 2(max-min) or 2max -min
Re M26-11   [#permalink] 21 May 2018, 13:46
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