Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 14:06 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 14:06
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: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,355
Own Kudos:
778,062
 [8]
Given Kudos: 99,964
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,355
Kudos: 778,062
 [8]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
7
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,739
Own Kudos:
35,331
 [10]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,739
Kudos: 35,331
 [10]
7
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
gmatophobia
User avatar
Quant Chat Moderator
Joined: 22 Dec 2016
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 3,170
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1,861
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Leadership
Posts: 3,170
Kudos: 10,413
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
BrushMyQuant
Joined: 05 Apr 2011
Last visit: 21 Oct 2025
Posts: 2,284
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 100
Status:Tutor - BrushMyQuant
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Marketing
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
GPA: 3
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
Posts: 2,284
Kudos: 2,552
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
We need to find which of the following inequalities is equivalent to |m + 2| < 3

Let's solve the problem using two methods

Method 1: Substitution

We will values in each option choice and plug in the question and check if it satisfies the question or not. ( Idea is to take such values which can prove the question wrong)

(A) m < 5

Lets take m = 4 (which falls in this range of m < 5) and substitute in the equation |m + 2| < 3
=> |4 + 2| < 3
=> |6| < 3
=> 6 < 3 which is FALSE

(B) m < 1

Lets take m = -10 (which falls in this range of m < 1) and substitute in the equation |m + 2| < 3
=> |-10 + 2| < 3
=> |-8| < 3
=> 8 < 3 which is FALSE

(D) m > -1

Lets take m = 10 (which falls in this range of m > -1) and substitute in the equation |m + 2| < 3
=> |10 + 2| < 3
=> |12| < 3
=> 12 < 3 which is FALSE

(E) -5 < m < 1

Lets take m = 0 (which falls in this range of -5 < m < 1) and substitute in the equation |m + 2| < 3
=> |0 + 2| < 3
=> |2| < 3
=> 2 < 3 which is TRUE

So, Answer will be E

Method 2: Algebra

Now, we know that |A| < B can be opened as (Watch this video to know about the Basics of Absolute Value)
-B < A < B provided A is non negative

Assuming m+2 is non negative
-3 < m+2 < 3
Subtracting 2 from all the sides we get
-3-2 < m < 3-2
=> -5 < m < 1

So, Answer will be E
Hope it helps!

Playlist on Solved Problems on Absolute Values here

Watch the following video to learn How to Solve Absolute Value Problems

User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,586
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,586
Kudos: 1,079
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
Math Expert
105355 posts
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts