The integer a is less than −1, and the integer d is greater than 1. If

Question

The integer a is less than −1, and the integer d is greater than 1. If −1 < b < 0 and 0 < c < 1, then which of the following must be the greatest negative number?

A. b − a
B. b − c
C. b − d
D. c − a
E. a − c

fireagablast · Answer

a<-1 d>1 -1 small negative - large positive = large negative (-0.5 - 5 = -5.5) E) a-c --> large negative - small positive = large negative (-5 - 0.5 = -5.5)

jawediqbal94 · Answer

Is this answer correct?

gasoline · Answer

The clue: the greatest number is the smallest number without the negative sign.
Greatest negative number will be the closest number to integer 0.

On the number line a lies between (-infinity) and (-1).
D lies between (+1) and (+infinity). 
B is placed between (-1) and 0. 
C is placed between 0 and (+1).

Option A:b − a 
b-a will result in a positive value since b will always be -ve and -(a) will be positive.

Option B:b − c
b-c will result in a negative number which is close to the number 0. The subtraction will not result in number 0 as b is negative and -c will also be negative. This is a possible candidate.

Option C:b − d
b-d will result in a negative number. This number is definitely smaller than -1. b is smaller than -1 and d is greater than +1.

Option D:c − a
c − a will result in a positive value.

Option E: a − c
a-c will also result in a large negative number, but it will be smaller than the number which will form by option B.

Hence, the answer should be B.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

We can let a = -2, b = -0.5, c = 0.5 and d = 2. Thus we have:

A. b - a = -0.5 - (-2) = 1.5

B. b - c = -0.5 - 0.5 = -1

C. b - d = -0.5 - 2 = -2.5

D. c - a = 0.5 - (-2) = 2.5

E. a - c = -2 - 0.5 = -2.5

Answer: B

Papist · Answer

Since the question says that the correct answer  must  be the greatest negative number, you can use any test values that fall within the limits in the question.

Let a = -2, b = -(1/2), c = (1/2), and d = 2

A) 1.5
B) -1
C) -2.5
D) 2.5
E) -2.5

The greatest negative number is -1, so the answer is (B)

KarishmaB · Answer

'Greatest negative number' means 'negative number with the smallest absolute value'.

--------- (a) ---------- -1 ---- (b) ---- 0 ---- (c) --- 1 ---------- (d) ----------

A. b − a 
Not negative
B. b − c 
Negative value with small absolute value
C. b − d
Negative value with large absolute value
D. c − a
Not negative
E. a − c
Negative value with large absolute value

Answer (B)

vando · Answer

- Fastest solution is to choose SMART numbers
- Alternative: We know a < -1 < b < 0 < c <1 < d. The Ques is about "the greatest NEGA spread"
Hence, D is out
Now, note that GREATEST NEGA = the absolute value of the spread is the SMALLEST, not the largest !!!
Ex: -2 < -1
Obviously, a and d can run indefinitely, making the absolute value of the spread extremely LARGE
Eliminate any ans with a and d = Choose B.

bumpbot · Answer

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.

The integer a is less than −1, and the integer d is greater than 1. If

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

The integer a is less than −1, and the integer d is greater than 1. If

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards