# GMAT Algebra Practice - Inequalities

Concept: Inequality in algebraic expression. Basic number systems.

This GMAT quant practice question is a problem solving question from Inequalities. Concept: Inequality of algebraic expressions.

#### Question: What is the smallest integer that satisfies the inequality $$frac{x - 3}{x^2 - 8x - 20}\\$ > 0? 1. -2 2. 10 3. 3 4. -1 5. 0 #### Explanatory Answer Video explanation will be added soon Let us factorize the denominator and rewrite the expression as $\frac{x - 3}{$x - 10$(x + 2)}$ > 0 Approach: Equate each of the terms of the expression to zero to identify the values of x in which the inequality holds good. The values that are relevant to us are x = 3, x = 10 and x = -2. Let us arrange these values in ascending order: -2, 3 and 10. The quickest way to solve inequalities questions after arriving at these values is verifying whether the inequality holds good at the following intervals. Interval 1: x < -2. Pick a value in that range and check whether the inequality holds good. Let us take x = -10. When x = -10, the value of $\frac{x - 3}{$x - 10$(x + 2)}$ is $\frac{-10 - 3}{$-10 - 10$(-10 + 2)}$. The value of the expression in this interval is negative; the inequality DOES NOT hold good in this interval. Interval 2: -2 < x < 3. Let us take x = 0. When x = 0, $\frac{x - 3}{$x - 10$(x + 2)}$ = $\frac{0 - 3}{$0 - 10$(0 + 2)}$\$ > 0; the inequality holds good in this interval.

We found that the inequality holds good in the interval -2 < x < 3
The least integer value that x can take in the interval -2 < x < 3 is x = -1.
So, the correct answer is -1.

Remember: We have to find out the least integer value. And we have arrived at -1.
Do, not waste time computing the entire range of values of x that satisfy the inequality.

Note: In any inequality question, when the question asks us to determine the intervals in which the inequality holds good, we have to eliminate values of x that will result in the denominator becoming zero.

Choice D is the correct answer.

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