Consider the statement "Either −2≤ 𝑥 ≤−1 or 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤2" The negation of this…

2016

Consider the statement 

"Either −2≤ 𝑥 ≤−1 or 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤2"

The negation of this statement is 

  1. A.

    x < -2 or 2 < x  or -1 < x <1

  2. B.

    x < -2 or 2 < x

  3. C.

    -1 < x < 1

  4. D.

    x ≤ -2 or 2 ≤ x or  -1 < x <1

Attempted by 186 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Negate the statement using De Morgan's law:

  • Write the original statement as A or B where A is "-2 ≤ x ≤ -1" and B is "1 ≤ x ≤ 2".

  • Negate: not(A or B) = (not A) and (not B) by De Morgan's law.

  • Find not A: the negation of -2 ≤ x ≤ -1 is x < -2 or x > -1.

  • Find not B: the negation of 1 ≤ x ≤ 2 is x < 1 or x > 2.

  • Intersect (not A) and (not B): (x < -2 or x > -1) and (x < 1 or x > 2).

  • Combine the cases to get the complement of the two closed intervals: x < -2, or -1 < x < 1, or x > 2.

Final answer: x < -2 or -1 < x < 1 or x > 2. (Endpoints -2, -1, 1, 2 are excluded because they were included in the original statement.)

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