Questions about the world of GMAT Math from other sources and general math related questions.
golfrules12
 
 

MGMAT Absolute...

by golfrules12 Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:58 am

What is x?

(1) |x| < 2

(2) |x| = 3x - 2

OA is not E.
Guest
 
 

by Guest Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:55 pm

What is OA? Is it C?
shaji
 
 

Re: MGMAT Absolute...

by shaji Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:44 am

The correct answer is B. since the equation has one and only feasible solution; which is x=1.

golfrules12@hotmail.com Wrote:What is x?

(1) |x| < 2

(2) |x| = 3x - 2

OA is not E.
Guest
 
 

by Guest Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:46 pm

Can you explain?
RonPurewal
Students
 
Posts: 19744
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:23 am
 

by RonPurewal Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:56 am

Part 1 is most definitely insufficient, because it allows x to take on any value between -2 and 2. (Note that non-integer values are acceptable; this condition does NOT restrict x to the integer values -1, 0, 1.)

Part 2: Absolute value equations are solved by splitting them into 2 sub-equations: one with the absolute-value bars removed, and one with the bars removed and the expression from the bars replaced by its opposite. Also, you have to CHECK solutions to absolute-value equations.
The first equation is x = 3x - 2; solution = 1. Check: yes, valid
The second equation is -x = 3x - 2; solution = 1/2. Check: not valid (the original equation becomes 1/2 = 3/2 - 2, which is not true).
Therefore, part 2 can be rephrased as "x = 1."

Answer = B