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Re: a < b and a < 0
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01 Dec 2023, 17:30
Key point is that b could be either a negative or a positive number.
Case 1: b is a positive number
E.g., b = 1. Given that a < -b, say a = -2. Plug it into the columns A and B.
12=1 and (−2)2=4
So when b is positive, b2>a2.
Case 2: b is a negative number
E.g., b = -1 so a < 1. However, we must still satisfy the rule that a < 0. Let's say a = -2.
(−2)2=4 and (−1)2=1.
Thus, a2>b2.
Since there are values of a and b that satisfy both the rules but have differing inequalities, the answer is D.