Did not really like the solutions I read, so here is mine.
We know mv < pv < 0, so this means we know mv < 0 (aka negative) AND pv < 0 (aka negative).
(1) m < p
Let us say m = -5 and p = -1
Then -5v < -1v < 0 is only true if v is positive
Say v = 1, then -5 < -1 < 0 TRUESay v = -1, then 5 < 1 < 0 FALSE
Well, what if m = 1 and p = 5, it is still true m < p
Then 1v < 5v < 0
If v is negative, say v = -1 then
-1 < -5 < 0 FALSE so that is not possible
If v is positive, save v = 1 then
1 < 5 < 0 also FALSE
Let us say m = -1 and p = 3, again m < p
Then -1v < 3v < 0
if v is negative, say v = -1 then
1< -3 < 0 FALSE, not possible
if v is positive, say v = 1 then
-1 < 3 < 0 FALSE not positive
So I just proved to you that if m < p, v MUST be positive
(2) m < 0
Remember when I said mv < 0 (aka negative)?
if mv MUST be negative, and m is negative, then that means v MUST be positive since (-)(+) is (-)
So both are sufficient. This is more theory-based than using formulas. It is helpful to know both ways!!