Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 04:05 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 04:05
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: 109,774
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: 109,774
Kudos: 810,744
 [23]
Kudos
Add Kudos
23
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Kinshook
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Jun 2019
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 5,985
Own Kudos:
5,858
 [9]
Given Kudos: 163
Location: India
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
WE:Engineering (Transportation)
Products:
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Posts: 5,985
Kudos: 5,858
 [9]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
6
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
NitishJain
User avatar
IESE School Moderator
Joined: 11 Feb 2019
Last visit: 05 Jan 2025
Posts: 266
Own Kudos:
203
 [1]
Given Kudos: 53
Posts: 266
Kudos: 203
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
ScottTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 22,278
Own Kudos:
26,529
 [1]
Given Kudos: 302
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 22,278
Kudos: 26,529
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If x is an integer such that \(\frac{x^5(x + 2)^3(x - 3)^5}{(x + 4)} \leq 0\), what is the probability that \(x^2 -2x - 8 = 0\)?


A. 1/7

B. 1/6

C. 1/4

D. 2/7

E. 1/3


Solution:

We see that if x = 0, -2, or 3, the expression on the left hand side of the inequality will be 0 and thus satisfying the inequality. If x = -4, the denominator of the expression is 0. Since we can’t divide by 0, x can’t be -4. If x < -4, all the factors (x^5, (x + 2)^3, (x - 3)^5 and (x + 4)) are negative. However, the expression will be positive, so it won’t satisfy the inequality. Similarly, if x > 3, all the factors are positive and the expression will be positive.

Now, let’s determine what happens if x is an integer between -4 and 3 (not including 0 and -2).

If x = -3, x^5, (x + 2)^3 and (x - 3)^5 are negative, but (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is negative. Thus, x = -3 is a solution for the inequality.

If x = -1, x^5 and (x - 3)^5 are negative, but (x + 2)^3 and (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is positive. Thus, x = -1 is NOT a solution for the inequality.

If x = 1, (x - 3)^5 is negative, but x^5, (x + 2)^3 and (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is negative. Thus, x = 1 is a solution for the inequality.

If x = 2, (x - 3)^5 is negative, but x^5, (x + 2)^3 and (x + 4) is positive. So the expression is negative. Thus, x = 2 is a solution for the inequality.

Therefore, the integer solutions for the inequality are -3, -2, 0, 1, 2 and 3 (i.e., 6 such integers). Now let’s check the integer solutions of the equation by solving it.

(x - 4)(x + 2) = 0

x = 4 or x = -2

Since only -2 is a solution of the inequality, we see that the desired probability is 1/6.

Answer: B

User avatar
harry11brar
Joined: 25 Aug 2021
Last visit: 05 Sep 2024
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Location: India
GPA: 2.8
WE:Military Officer (Aerospace and Defense)
Posts: 4
Kudos: 5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
can someone pls explain why is x greater than -4 not greater than or equal to -4, as is the case with other critical points used in wavy method
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,774
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: 109,774
Kudos: 810,744
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
harry11brar
can someone pls explain why is x greater than -4 not greater than or equal to -4, as is the case with other critical points used in wavy method

x cannot be -4 because if it were, the denominator would turn into zero, and dividing by zero is not allowed.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,956
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,956
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109774 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts