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Interget Power DS (GMATPrep)

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Bhupisuhag Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
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Interget Power DS (GMATPrep) Post Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:24 am
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  • Lap #[LAPCOUNT] ([LAPTIME])
    If X is an integer greater than 1, is X equal to the 12th power of an integer ?

    (1) X is equal to the 3rd Power of an integer

    (2) X is equal to the 4th Power of an integer.

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    Post Sat Jun 23, 2012 4:08 pm
    Bhupisuhag wrote:
    If X is an integer greater than 1, is X equal to the 12th power of an integer ?

    (1) X is equal to the 3rd Power of an integer

    (2) X is equal to the 4th Power of an integer.

    Statement 1: x = a³, where a is an integer

    If a=2, then x = 2³, which is not the 12th power of an integer.
    If a=2^4, then x = (2^4)³ = 2^12, which is the 12th power of an integer.
    INSUFFICIENT.

    Statement 2: x = b^4, where b is an integer
    If b=2, then x = 2^4, which is not the 12th power of an integer.
    If b=2³, then x = (2³)^4 = 2^12, which is the 12th power of an integer.
    INSUFFICIENT.

    Statements 1 and 2 combined:

    Since x = a³ and x = b^4, we get:
    a³ = b^4
    a³ = (b³)b
    b = (a/b)³.
    Since b is an integer, (a/b)³ is an integer.
    Since a/b = integer/integer -- the definition of a rational number -- it is not possible that a/b is equal to an irrational value such as ³√2.
    Thus, in order for (a/b)³ to be an integer, a/b must be an integer, implying that b is the CUBE OF AN INTEGER.
    Thus, x = b^4 = (integer³)^4 = integer^12.
    SUFFICIENT.

    The correct answer is C.

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    sandeep_thaparianz Rising GMAT Star Default Avatar
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    Post Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:55 am
    Great explanation above OA is C

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