Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 07:03 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 07:03
Close
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
Your Progress

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
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,778
Own Kudos:
810,781
 [3]
Given Kudos: 105,853
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,778
Kudos: 810,781
 [3]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,778
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,853
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,778
Kudos: 810,781
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
PKN
Joined: 01 Oct 2017
Last visit: 11 Oct 2025
Posts: 809
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 41
Status:Learning stage
WE:Supply Chain Management (Energy)
Posts: 809
Kudos: 1,636
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
CrackverbalGMAT
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Oct 2013
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 4,846
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 226
Affiliations: CrackVerbal
Location: India
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 4,846
Kudos: 9,181
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although this is an easy question on Inequalities, there’s a trap answer which you need to be wary of. Since this is a ‘Must Be’ type of a question, any statement that is false once need not be considered as part of the answer.

Let us now look at the inequalities given.
a\(b^2\) > 0. \(b^2\) is always non-negative. However, in this inequality, since b cannot be equal to zero, \(b^2\) is definitely positive. But, \(b^2\) being positive does not make b positive. b can still be positive OR negative.
We can also say conclusively that a is positive.

If a and b are both positive, statement I is true.

But, if a is positive and b is negative, statement I is false. This is the case that is sometimes easy to miss and mark the answer as E, which is the trap answer.

a*c <0. This means that c is negative, since a is positive (as discussed already).

Statement II is definitely true since \(b^2\) is positive and c is negative.

Statement III is definitely true since a is positive and \(c^2\) is positive.

So, we can say statement II and III must be true. The correct answer option is D.

Hope this helps!
User avatar
RenanBragion
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 01 Jun 2020
Last visit: 14 Oct 2025
Posts: 130
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 12
Location: Brazil
GMAT 1: 760 Q48 V46
Products:
GMAT 1: 760 Q48 V46
Posts: 130
Kudos: 14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think this is a high-quality question and I agree with explanation.
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,778
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,853
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,778
Kudos: 810,781
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I have edited the question and the solution by adding more details to enhance its clarity. I hope it is now easier to understand.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109778 posts
Founder
43154 posts