If it is true that -6 =

Question

If it is true that -6 =< n =<10, which of the following must be true?

A) n < 8
B) n = -6
C) n > -8
D) -10 < n < 7
E) None of the above

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

If it is true that -6 =< n =<10, which of the following must be true?

A. n < 8
B. n = -6
C. n > -8
D. -10 < n < 7
E. None of the above

The stem says that \(-6\leq{n}\leq{10}\). This info is given to be true. The question asks which of the following MUST be true?

A. \(n<8\) --> n can be 9, hence this might be wrong.
B. \(n=-6\) --> we don't know the exact value of n, we just know that n is in the range \(-6\leq{n}\leq{10}\). Hence this might be wrong.
C. \(n>-8\) --> ANY value of n from the range \(-6\leq{n}\leq{10}\) is more than -8, hence this info is ALWAYS true. Correct answer.
D. \(-10<n<7\) --> n can be 8, hence this might be wrong.
E. None.

Answer: C.

bschool83 · Answer

agdimple333 and zuberahmed,

What if n = -5, 0, or 5? Then answer choice B (n = –6) will fall apart.

–6 <= n <= 10 means all values between and equal to -6 and 10.

Answer choice C, n > –8 holds true for all available values of n. Hence answer is C.

KarishmaB · Answer

Focus on the question's wording:
If it is true that –6 <= n <= 10, which of the following must be true?

'must be true' implies that no matter what value n takes (out of the given range), 'which of the following will definitely hold?'
We have to find that option that will remain true. It is different from 'which of the following CAN be true?' i.e. which of the following is possible...
Given -6 <= n <= 10

n = -6 is possible. But it will not hold for all possible values of n i.e. if n = 5, then n is not equal to -6. So 'n = -6' is not a 'must be true' condition.

On the other hand, n > -8 will always be true.
If n = -6, then n > -8
If n = 0, then n > -8
If n = 4, then n > -8
If n = 10, then n > -8
Hope you got the point. No matter which value n takes out of the available values, n > -8 will always be true. For every value of n, n will be more than -8.
Therefore, answer will be C.

GMAT loves to lay this trap. Be very careful. Make sure you understand exactly what the question is asking.

Sam1 · Answer

Thank you for the explanation. I have a question if it says n>-8 could it also mean that n could anywhere between-8 and infinity. However the stem sayd that n is less than 10. Hence I got a little confused. Could you please clarify?

Bunuel · Answer

The stem says that  -6\leq{n}\leq{10} . Any value of n from this range (any value of n possible) is greater than -8. Thus C is always true.

Hope it's clear.

gmatPreper001 · Answer

But if we are taking n>-8, then n can be -7, thus it won't be greater than -6?
then howcome 'C' is the option

Bunuel · Answer

It is the other way around. We are given that  -6 ≤ n ≤ 10 . Every possible value of n from this range is greater than -8. Thus, C is always true.

This question belongs to a type of question that tends to be very confusing for many. Therefore, I recommend practicing similar questions from the following collection:  Trickiest Inequality Questions Type: Confusing Ranges .

Hope it's clear.

If it is true that -6 =< n =<10, which of the

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