Define Smallest

[DartGene]

In context of the GMAT, if a question asks you to find the "smallest possible value", does that always mean lowest/least possible value (i.e. most negative)?

Or could it be interpreted as closest to 0? Assuming negative numbers can be defined as large (in magnitude/absolute value).

Is -100 "smaller" than 0.25? Is it "smaller" than -0.25? Or is it just "lower/lesser"?

[Ben Ku]

On the GMAT, the problems will be worded in a way such that it's clear what they're looking for. Smaller usually refers to the size of an object, rather than the value of a number. So the problem would typically ask for the least value, which would be the number furthest left on the number line.