An "incorrectly formed equation" using Mathematica Solve

Question

First time using stackOverflow. :)

I am trying to use math to solve some simple polynomial equations (say, one variable) with variable constraints, for example |x| < 1.

When I try something like:

Solve[x^2 == 4 && x^2 < 1, x]

I get the message that "x> 0 is not a well-formed equation."

The maths solution page even offers this syntax from the second to the last, so I'm pretty confused. (If relevant, I have version 7.) Any help would be appreciated.

Thank!

Answer 1

In Mma v 8:

{Solve[x^2 == 4 && x^2 < 1, x],
 Solve[x^2 == 4 && (-1 < x < 1), x]} 

(* 
->{{},{}}
*)

Answer 2

Solve (M7). Reduce :

In[2]:= Reduce[x^2 == 4 && x^2 < 1, x]

Out[2]= False

Solve:

In[4]:= Solve[x^2 == 4 && x^4 == 16, x]

Out[4]= {{x -> -2}, {x -> 2}}