GRE Quant Absolute Value Questions

GRE GRE Quant Problem Solving
1

Looking to get some clarity with two questions related to absolute numbers.

  1. When picking numbers for this question, I used x = -2. So, w = 4. Wouldn’t the “negative sign” in the given statement x = - /w/ render the 4 into a -4? I’m confusing concepts here but I can’t seem to pinpoint which one.

image

For this question, I’m trying to disprove answer choice “b” but since the number range would be between -5 and 3, I’m not sure why I would want to use a number outside this range to disprove it, i.e., using a number like -100?

image

Appreciate your help!

Thanks.

2

for the first one, if x is -2 w is +/- 2. It’s easier to pick a w because of this. The abs. value acts like parentheses. See if that helps.

for the 2nd, if you want to disprove a choice, a number outside the range must work, but it’s more effective to test a number just outside the range as opposed to way outside.

That is some funky notation in the choices but I guess <= is “less than or equal to”.

3

Got it, thanks!