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Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):


\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B

Bunuel but for x=-4 and -3 the inequality do not hold true if we take x<2 as an option

The question essentially boils down to: if x < -5 or -2 < x < 2, which of the following statements must be true?

Option B, which says x < 2, must be true since whatever x is, and remember it can only be less than -5 or between -2 and 2, it must be less than 2. Check it yourself:

<------------(-5)----(-2)------(2)------------>

x is located within the green zone, and any x from that region will undoubtedly be less than 2.

This question belongs to one of the most challenging subgroups of Must/Could be true questions, and many people get them wrong. To better understand the underlying concept, practice other Trickiest Inequality Questions Type: Confusing Ranges.

I hope this helps.
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If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)

This is a quality question IMO. Which is why it had me scratching my head for 2.5mins after solving it in 2.5mins before marking and moving on! I had arrived at both ranges but moved on to not waste any more time. Ahhh the frustration.

Benuel - can you advise me on how to decide between plug and play and solve the inequality for range? In which case is one better than the other?
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Hello Bunuel,
Thankyou for the official explanation and in general for the wonderful support you provide.

I feel that many (including myself) misinterpret this Question - specially since its not clear which the superset is, the OPTION or the Question Stem.

The way I understood it, the question names a range for 'x', and then asks, which of the following options is COMPLETELY ENGULFED by the aforementioned range.
"If XYZ is true, then what MUST BE TRUE?"
We are asked, what FOLLOWS CONSEQUENTIALLY if the Inequality in the Question Stem is true.

In other words, what fits completely in the Superset below?
<------------(-5)----(-2)------(2)------------>

The way you answer it, the question should be -
"Which OPTION MUST BE TRUE, so that this INEQUALITY COULD BE valid?"

What do you think?
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Hello Bunuel,
Thankyou for the official explanation and in general for the wonderful support you provide.

I feel that many (including myself) misinterpret this Question - specially since its not clear which the superset is, the OPTION or the Question Stem.

The way I understood it, the question names a range for 'x', and then asks, which of the following options is COMPLETELY ENGULFED by the aforementioned range.
"If XYZ is true, then what MUST BE TRUE?"
We are asked, what FOLLOWS CONSEQUENTIALLY if the Inequality in the Question Stem is true.

In other words, what fits completely in the Superset below?
<------------(-5)----(-2)------(2)------------>

The way you answer it, the question should be -
"Which OPTION MUST BE TRUE, so that this INEQUALITY COULD BE valid?"

What do you think?

Firstly, I understand this question is a tricky one - it's among the more challenging types and it can take some time to fully understand. Don't worry, you're not alone!

The wording and solution of the question are spot on, I assure you. To further help, I've expanded on the solution in this post. If you're still finding it tough to understand, I strongly recommend practicing with similar logic-based questions from this helpful collection: Trickiest Inequality Questions Type: Confusing Ranges.

Hope this clears things up for you!
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Answer process is right but choice of answer is wrong? 

Following your explanations for rejection of "wrong answers", same can be said for B. Since x is either in x<-5 or -2<x<2 

Answer B is also WRONG. X<2 includes numbers such as -3 and -4 which are not part of the valid range...
Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B
­
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unicornilove
Answer process is right but choice of answer is wrong? 

Following your explanations for rejection of "wrong answers", same can be said for B. Since x is either in x<-5 or -2<x<2 

Answer B is also WRONG. X<2 includes numbers such as -3 and -4 which are not part of the valid range...
Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B­
 
Please review the discussion above more carefully and follow the links to the similar questions. We know that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). Given these conditions, the statement \(x < 2\) holds true for ANY x within the ranges of \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). So, if you pick ANY x from the ranges \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\), it would be correct to say that this value of x is less than 2.


 
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I don’t quite agree with the solution. For must be true Option C should be correct.
Option B says, x<2
What is x = -3 04 -4 or -5. For all of these cases the equation does not hold true.
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Aakash7

Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B

I don’t quite agree with the solution. For must be true Option C should be correct.
Option B says, x<2
What is x = -3 04 -4 or -5. For all of these cases the equation does not hold true.

You're missing a point. We know that x < -5 or -2 < x < 2, so x cannot be -3, -4, or -5. Again, for ANY value of x from these possible ranges (x < -5 or -2 < x < 2), x will be less than 2.

Please re-read and study carefully the discussion above and follow the links to similar problems for practice.
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Thanks Bunuel! I did some “must be true” type questions from your 250 questions and got some clarity on selecting the correct option.
What I understood is- The correct option should cover the complete range of values, doesn’t matter if the option is little extended. But an option that covers partial range of values is not correct.

Please let me know if my understanding is right.
Also, could you please share link to some must be true type questions for better conceptual clarity and practice?

Regards,
Aakash7

Bunuel
Aakash7

Bunuel
Official Solution:

If \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\), then which of the following must be true?

A. \(x > 2\)
B. \(x < 2\)
C. \(-2 < x < 2\)
D. \(-5 < x < 2\)
E. \(x < -5\)


\((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(|x| - 2\) and \(x + 5\) must have the opposite signs.

CASE 1: \(|x| - 2 > 0\) and \(x + 5 < 0\):

\(|x| - 2 > 0\) means that \(x < -2\) or \(x > 2\);

\(x + 5 < 0\) means that \(x < -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(x< -5\).

CASE 2: \(|x| - 2 < 0\) and \(x + 5 > 0\):

\(|x| - 2 < 0\) means that \(-2 < x < 2\);

\(x + 5 > 0\) means that \(x > -5\).

Intersection of these ranges is \(-2 < x < 2\).

So, we have that \((|x| - 2)(x + 5) < 0\) means that \(x < -5\) or \(-2 < x < 2\). ANY \(x\) from these possible ranges will for sure be less than 2 (option B).

To explaining other options:

\(x > 2\) (A) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.

\(-2 < x < 2\) (C) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(-5 < x < 2\) (D) is not true because \(x\) could say be -10.

\(x < -5\) (E) is not true because \(x\) could say be 0.


Answer: B

I don’t quite agree with the solution. For must be true Option C should be correct.
Option B says, x<2
What is x = -3 04 -4 or -5. For all of these cases the equation does not hold true.

You're missing a point. We know that x < -5 or -2 < x < 2, so x cannot be -3, -4, or -5. Again, for ANY value of x from these possible ranges (x < -5 or -2 < x < 2), x will be less than 2.

Please re-read and study carefully the discussion above and follow the links to similar problems for practice.
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[quote="Aakash7"]Thanks Bunuel! I did some “must be true” type questions from your 250 questions and got some clarity on selecting the correct option.
What I understood is- The correct option should cover the complete range of values, doesn’t matter if the option is little extended. But an option that covers partial range of values is not correct.

Please let me know if my understanding is right.
Also, could you please share link to some must be true type questions for better conceptual clarity and practice?

Regards,
Aakash7


Must or could be true questions.

Trickiest Inequality Questions Type: Confusing Ranges.
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