Welcome! Check out our free B-School Guides to learn how you compare with other applicants.
Login or Register
 

value of y

This topic has 1 expert reply and 3 member replies
pappueshwar Really wants to Beat The GMAT! Default Avatar
Joined
01 Oct 2010
Posted:
234 messages
Followed by:
4 members
Thanked:
5 times
Target GMAT Score:
680
value of y Post Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:09 am
Elapsed Time: 00:00
  • Lap #[LAPCOUNT] ([LAPTIME])
    (y+3)(y-1) - (y-2)(y-1) = r (y-1), what is the value of y ?

    1) r^2=25
    2) r=5

    OA IS E

    IMO B... why is B incorrect

    Need free GMAT or MBA advice from an expert? Register for Beat The GMAT now and post your question in these forums!
    rajatvmittal Really wants to Beat The GMAT! Default Avatar
    Joined
    11 Feb 2012
    Posted:
    101 messages
    Thanked:
    2 times
    Target GMAT Score:
    720+
    Post Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:27 am
    You must have reached this stage by solving the equation: 5(y-1)=r(y-1)

    Further,
    5(y-1)-r(y-1)=0
    (5-r)(y-1)=0 (A)
    either(5-r)=0 or (y-1)=0

    We need to calculate the value of y. If r is 5 as in option 2, then 5-r would be zero. If (5-r) is zero then irrespective of the value of y, the result of multiplication will be zero. I.e if r =5 then y could be 100 or 1 million. Not sufficient.
    In option 1, r may be 5 or -5, then equation A would result in following
    if r = 5, then y may be infinite numbers
    if r = -5 then y must be 1.
    Hence not sufficient.

    pappueshwar Really wants to Beat The GMAT! Default Avatar
    Joined
    01 Oct 2010
    Posted:
    234 messages
    Followed by:
    4 members
    Thanked:
    5 times
    Target GMAT Score:
    680
    Post Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:44 am
    thanks..

    realized that after posting the question Smile

    killer1387 GMAT Destroyer! Default Avatar
    Joined
    03 Apr 2011
    Posted:
    583 messages
    Followed by:
    4 members
    Thanked:
    52 times
    Post Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:48 am
    pappueshwar wrote:
    (y+3)(y-1) - (y-2)(y-1) = r (y-1), what is the value of y ?

    1) r^2=25
    2) r=5

    OA IS E

    IMO B... why is B incorrect
    5(y-1)=r(y-1)
    1) r=+5

    for r=5 => infinite y

    for r=-5
    5y-5=-5y+5
    10y=10
    y=1

    Insufficient

    2) r=5
    y=infinite values

    from 1&2

    r=5
    hence y=infinite values

    hence E is correct.

    GMAT/MBA Expert

    tpr-becky GMAT Instructor
    Joined
    21 Apr 2010
    Posted:
    509 messages
    Followed by:
    69 members
    Thanked:
    175 times
    GMAT Score:
    750
    Post Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:03 pm
    Yes, the key to this question, beyond the math, is to be sure to answer what the test is asking - most people get hung up solving for what they think they should solve for (r) - even though the test asks for the value of y. It is a good practice to always re-read the final question.

    _________________
    Becky
    Master GMAT Instructor
    The Princeton Review
    Irvine, CA

    Free GMAT Practice Test How can you improve your test score if you don't know your baseline score? Take a free online practice exam. Get started on achieving your dream score today! Sign up now.

    Best Conversation Starters

    1 varun289 42 topics
    2 greenwich 25 topics
    3 guerrero 20 topics
    4 sana.noor 19 topics
    5 killerdrummer 19 topics
    See More Top Beat The GMAT Members...

    Most Active Experts

    1 image description Brent@GMATPrepNow

    GMAT Prep Now Teacher

    196 posts
    2 image description GMATGuruNY

    The Princeton Review Teacher

    143 posts
    3 image description Anju@Gurome

    Gurome

    121 posts
    4 image description Jim@StratusPrep

    Stratus Prep

    86 posts
    5 image description David@VeritasPrep

    Veritas Prep

    41 posts
    See More Top Beat The GMAT Experts