Question 18.

The number of distinct pairs of integers (m, n) satisfying |1+mn| < |m+n| < 5 is

A
B
C
D

Question Explanation

Text Explanation

Let us break this up into 2 inequations [ Let us assume x as m and y as n ]

| 1 + mn | < | m + n |

| m + n | < 5

Looking at these expressions, we can clearly tell that the graphs will be symmetrical about the origin.

Let us try out with the first quadrant and extend the results to the other quadrants.

We will also consider the +X and +Y axes along with the quadrant.

So, the first inequality becomes,

1 + mn < m + n

1 + mn - m - n < 0

1 - m + mn - n < 0

(1-m) + n(m-1) < 0

(1-m)(1-n) < 0

(m - 1)(n - 1) < 0

Let us try to plot the graph.

If we consider only mn < 0, then we get 

But, we have (m - 1)(n - 1) < 0, so we need to shift the graphs by one unit towards positive x and positive y.

So, we have,

So, if we look for only integer values, we get

(0,2), (0,3),.......

(0,-2), (0, -3),......

(2,0), (3,0), ......

(-2,0), (-3,0), .......

Now, let us consider the other inequation as well, in which |x + y| < 5

Since one of the values is always zero, the modulus of the other value is less than or equal to 4.

Hence, we get 

(0,2), (0,3), (0,4)

(0,-2), (0, -3), (0, -4)

(2,0), (3,0), (4,0)

(-2,0), (-3,0), (-4,0)

Hence, a total of 12 values.

Video Explanation
XAT 2026 Full Course - Enroll Now for Best XAT Preparation
CAT LRDI 100 Recorded Course - Master Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
HOME
XAT Sankalp Sale
Quant Revision Book
More
YoutubeWhatsapp