Last visit was: 25 Nov 2024, 11:08 It is currently 25 Nov 2024, 11:08

Close

GRE Prep 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 GRE 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
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12198 [21]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
Most Helpful Community Reply
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12198 [10]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
General Discussion
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 03 Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Own Kudos [?]: 2 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12198 [2]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
2
rsudhakar wrote:
Brent-

I understand your reasoning in your explanation, but I still don't see how x^2 could be a negative number? or exceed 25?

I can see that answer E is still technically valid even though it might not explicitly define the boundaries of x, but if the actual range is 0 <= x <= 25, this still falls within the bounds defined by E. Is this the correct reasoning?


Hi rsudhakar,

Many students will assume that E is incorrect, because x² CANNOT equal -4. However, answer choice E doesn't suggest that x² can equal -4, it only states that x² must be GREATER THAN or equal to -4.

Here's a similar example: If Joe has more than 5 shirts, which of the following can we conclude with certainty?
A) Joe owns more than 6 shirts.
NO. We can't conclude this, because it's possible that Joe owns exactly 6 shirts, and 6 is not greater than 6.

B) Joe owns more than -3 shirts.
YES. If Joe owns more than 5 shirts, then he definitely owns more than -3 shirts
Does this mean that Joe COULD own -2 shirts? No. If just means that we can be certain that he owns more than -3 shirts.

Does that help?

Cheers,
Brent
_________
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 03 Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Own Kudos [?]: 2 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
Brent-

Thanks for the prompt response! Definitely makes sense now.
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 07 Dec 2016
Posts: 1
Own Kudos [?]: 0 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
While this makes sense, it's a really nasty question. Answer E, while correct, deliberately presents a misleading boundary.
I guess like many other people, I answered D.
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 23 Jul 2019
Posts: 3
Own Kudos [?]: 6 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
I got it correct. Choice D doesn't cover when x is 0.

Choice E looks out of boundary, but, it covers everything question asks.
Intern
Intern
Joined: 06 May 2021
Posts: 43
Own Kudos [?]: 38 [0]
Given Kudos: 21
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
can be easily done using POE and cleverly using values.

First we can take X=5 ( boundary value), A and C gets eliminated

then take X=0 B & D gets eliminated

Left with option E. and voila same is the ans
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Jan 2022
Posts: 1
Own Kudos [?]: 0 [0]
Given Kudos: 9
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
GreenlightTestPrep wrote:
rsudhakar wrote:
Brent-

I understand your reasoning in your explanation, but I still don't see how x^2 could be a negative number? or exceed 25?

I can see that answer E is still technically valid even though it might not explicitly define the boundaries of x, but if the actual range is 0 <= x <= 25, this still falls within the bounds defined by E. Is this the correct reasoning?


Hi rsudhakar,

Many students will assume that E is incorrect, because x² CANNOT equal -4. However, answer choice E doesn't suggest that x² can equal -4, it only states that x² must be GREATER THAN or equal to -4.

Here's a similar example: If Joe has more than 5 shirts, which of the following can we conclude with certainty?
A) Joe owns more than 6 shirts.
NO. We can't conclude this, because it's possible that Joe owns exactly 6 shirts, and 6 is not greater than 6.

B) Joe owns more than -3 shirts.
YES. If Joe owns more than 5 shirts, then he definitely owns more than -3 shirts
Does this mean that Joe COULD own -2 shirts? No. If just means that we can be certain that he owns more than -3 shirts.

Does that help?

Cheers,
Brent
_________


Hello there,

I see your point, but from a mathematical perspective answer E keeps being troublesome for some reason. The phrasing "\( -4 \leq{x^2} \)" suggests that \(x^2\) CAN also be -4, which is not within what GRE actually tests. Complex number are not tested here... so, how comes?
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12198 [0]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
reynolds wrote:
Hello there,

I see your point, but from a mathematical perspective answer E keeps being troublesome for some reason. The phrasing "\( -4 \leq{x^2} \)" suggests that \(x^2\) CAN also be -4, which is not within what GRE actually tests. Complex number are not tested here... so, how comes?


I'm not saying \(x^2\) can equal -4. I'm just identifying what must be true about the value of \(x^2\)

Consider this analogous question: Joe, a living human, is x inches tall. If Joe is taller than 50 inchers, which of the following must be true?
A) x > -10
B) x is prime
C) x > 60
D) x is even
E) x is odd

I think we'd agree that the correct answer here is A.
Does this mean Joe could be -8 inches tall?
No, it just means that x (Joe's height in inches) must lie to the right of -10 on the number line.

Similarly, If \(-2 < x \leq {5}\), then we can be certain of that \(x^2\) is greater than or equal to \(0\).
In other words it must be the case that either \(x^2 = 0\) or \(x^2\) lies to the right of zero on the number line.
Verbal Expert
Joined: 18 Apr 2015
Posts: 30022
Own Kudos [?]: 36397 [1]
Given Kudos: 25929
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
1
Expert Reply
GreenlightTestPrep wrote:
reynolds wrote:
Hello there,

I see your point, but from a mathematical perspective answer E keeps being troublesome for some reason. The phrasing "\( -4 \leq{x^2} \)" suggests that \(x^2\) CAN also be -4, which is not within what GRE actually tests. Complex number are not tested here... so, how comes?


I'm not saying \(x^2\) can equal -4. I'm just identifying what must be true about the value of \(x^2\)

Consider this analogous question: Joe, a living human, is x inches tall. If Joe is taller than 50 inchers, which of the following must be true?
A) x > -10
B) x is prime
C) x > 60
D) x is even
E) x is odd

I think we'd agree that the correct answer here is A.
Does this mean Joe could be -8 inches tall?
No, it just means that x (Joe's height in inches) must lie to the right of -10 on the number line.

Similarly, If \(-2 < x \leq {5}\), then we can be certain of that \(x^2\) is greater than or equal to \(0\).
In other words it must be the case that either \(x^2 = 0\) or \(x^2\) lies to the right of zero on the number line.


Great point GreenlightTestPrep
Intern
Intern
Joined: 15 Aug 2022
Posts: 5
Own Kudos [?]: 2 [0]
Given Kudos: 7
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
X² Cant be equal to -4 therefore there is no solution to the question.
But the only way to get your score is to chose E or to file an appeal.
User avatar
GRE Prep Club Legend
GRE Prep Club Legend
Joined: 07 Jan 2021
Posts: 5054
Own Kudos [?]: 75 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
Hello from the GRE Prep Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GRE Prep 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.
Prep Club for GRE Bot
Re: If [m]-2 < x \leq {5}[/m], then which of the following MUST [#permalink]
Moderators:
GRE Instructor
84 posts
GRE Forum Moderator
37 posts
Moderator
1111 posts
GRE Instructor
234 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne