Announcement, 11/3/08: Welcome Test Prep New York experts!

Average Arithmetic Question


 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Beat The GMAT Forum Index -> GMAT Math -> Problem Solving
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Aaring23
Just gettin' started!


Joined: 15 Apr 2008
Posts: 10

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 0 times in 0 posts


PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:20 pm    Post subject: Average Arithmetic Question Reply with quote

Hey guy's I was wondering if someone could help me out with this problem. Here is the problem.

Which of the following is equal to the average (arithmetic mean) of (x + 2)^2 and (x - 2)^2.

Answer is X^2 + 4.



Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Back to top


View user's profile Send private message
Sunny22uk
Really wants to Beat The GMAT!


Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 144

Thanks given: 13
Thanked 7 times in 7 posts


Target GMAT Score: 800

PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the formula used here was (a+b)^2= A^2 + B^2 +2ab
and (a-b)^2= A^2 + B^2 -2ab
You can expand the equation, you will get the answer
in this case a will be x and b will be 2
Hope this helps
Cheers


Last edited by Sunny22uk on Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:05 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top


View user's profile Send private message
Sunny22uk
Really wants to Beat The GMAT!


Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 144

Thanks given: 13
Thanked 7 times in 7 posts


Target GMAT Score: 800

PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Btw The formula for AM= Sum of terms/ Number of terms
Back to top


View user's profile Send private message
Thanked by: jimmytwoshoes
netigen
GMAT Destroyer!


Joined: 18 Feb 2008
Posts: 633

Thanks given: 3
Thanked 23 times in 23 posts


PostPosted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is not correct
(a-b)^2 = (a+b)(a-b)
This is correct
(a-b)^2= (a-b)(a-b)

Sunny22uk wrote:
1)the formula used here was (a+b)^2= A^2 + B^2 +2ab
and (a-b)^2= A^2 + B^2 -2ab
You can expand the equation, you will get the answer
2) the second option is to write (a+b)^2 as (a+B)(a+b) and write (a-b)^2= (a+b)(a-b),take (a+b) common and solve the equation.
in this case a will be x and b will be 2
Hope this helps
Cheers
Back to top


View user's profile Send private message
Sunny22uk
Really wants to Beat The GMAT!


Joined: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 144

Thanks given: 13
Thanked 7 times in 7 posts


Target GMAT Score: 800

PostPosted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry for the error, post modified, thnaks for letting me know Smile
Back to top


View user's profile Send private message
half2005
Just gettin' started!


Joined: 25 Apr 2008
Posts: 1

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 0 times in 0 posts


PostPosted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:03 am    Post subject: better suggestion Reply with quote

Hi,

I suggest that every time you post a question, you try posting all of the answers given to you. This way we will have a better solutions (shortcuts) for you.
In thisp roblem you will be getting x^2 + 4x +4 + x^2 -2x + 4 = 2x^2 + 8 and then divide this answer by 2 to get (2x^2 +Cool/2 = 2x^2/2 + 8/2 = x^2 + 4.

MO
www.pacificmath.com
Back to top


View user's profile Send private message
resilient
GMAT Destroyer!


Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 789

Thanks given: 21
Thanked 5 times in 5 posts

Location: Southern California, USA
Target GMAT Score: 710

PostPosted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:01 am    Post subject: average Reply with quote

when expanding these two, are we dividing by 4 or 2. THe reason why I ask this is when expanded it can become 4. Curious!
_________________
Appetite for 700 and I scraped my plate!
Back to top


View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Beat The GMAT Forum Index -> GMAT Math -> Problem Solving All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



"GMAT" and other GMAC™ trademarks are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council™. The Graduate Management Admission Council™ does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content on this website. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author or those of the members of this website. Copyright © 2008 BTG Test Prep, LLC. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group.