On the number line, if the number k is to the left...

[tesparza]

On the number line, if the number k is to the left of the number t, is the product kt to the right of t?

(1) t < 0

(2) k < 1

Answer is A

I'm having trouble figuring out the best approach for this question. I especially had trouble figuring out exactly what the statement is asking. Is there an easier way to rephrase this problem?

Thanks

[jalaj.chhalotre]

On the number line, if the number k is to the left of the number t, is the product kt to the right of t?

(1) t < 0

(2) k < 1

Answer is A

I'm having trouble figuring out the best approach for this question. I especially had trouble figuring out exactly what the statement is asking. Is there an easier way to rephrase this problem?

Thanks

Draw number line, place k and t as mentioned in question.
A --> ____k____t______0__
as k and t both are left of zero, (negative) their product will be positive.

B --> multiple possibilities.
as on below number lines (i am drawing only 3, u can try more by moving t around 0 and 1)
____k__0__t________ kt negative so on left of t
____k__ t___0_____ kt positive so on right of t
_0__k___1___t________ kt is positive but k<1 so kt<t therefore kt on left of t
So the answer A.
Hope this helps!

[RonPurewal]

On the number line, if the number k is to the left of the number t, is the product kt to the right of t?

(1) t < 0

(2) k < 1

Answer is A

I'm having trouble figuring out the best approach for this question. I especially had trouble figuring out exactly what the statement is asking. Is there an easier way to rephrase this problem?

Thanks

Draw number line, place k and t as mentioned in question.
A --> ____k____t______0__
as k and t both are left of zero, (negative) their product will be positive.

B --> multiple possibilities.
as on below number lines (i am drawing only 3, u can try more by moving t around 0 and 1)
____k__0__t________ kt negative so on left of t
____k__ t___0_____ kt positive so on right of t
_0__k___1___t________ kt is positive but k<1 so kt<t therefore kt on left of t
So the answer A.
Hope this helps!

this is a nice solution.

--

to the original poster:
yes, there's an easy rephrase:

On the number line, if the number k is to the left of the number t,

this just means k < t.

is the product kt to the right of t?

this means "is kt > t ?"

hope that helps -- once you've done this rephrase, you should be able to understand the impressively comprehensive solution posted by the poster above.