BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

130-point score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

A seemingly easy question that's very hard

Expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

by parallel_chase » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:36 pm
lets solve this separately
49+49 =98

49+49^2 = 49 (1+49) = 49*50

98/(49*50) = 2/50 =1/25

Hope this helps.
Join the discussion

by vishubn » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:37 pm
(49 + 49)/ (49+49^2)
-->49(1+1)/49(1+49)

now we end up with 2/50 => 1/25

the whole idea is to factorize

vishu
Join the discussion

by Stockmoose16 » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:39 pm
vishubn wrote:(49 + 49)/ (49+49^2)
-->49(1+1)/49(1+49)

now we end up with 2/50 => 1/25

the whole idea is to factorize

vishu
Why wouldn't it be:

49+49 / 49 + (49*49)

Since 49^2 = 49*49, you'd have to multiply that out first (by PEMDAS)... why is this wrong?
Join the discussion

by Stockmoose16 » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:48 pm
vishubn wrote:(49 + 49)/ (49+49^2)
-->49(1+1)/49(1+49)

now we end up with 2/50 => 1/25

the whole idea is to factorize

vishu
In the denominator, why would you factorize (49+49^2) into 49 (1+49)? Wouldn't it be 49 (1+1^2)

That would mean the equation would be:

49 (1+1) /49 (1+1^2)

that would then be: 49 *2 / 49 *2 = 1

Why is this wrong? Ugh, this is so frustrating.
Join the discussion

by parallel_chase » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:56 pm
Dude, keep it cool. Dont worry you'll get it.
In the denominator, why would you factorize (49+49^2) into 49 (1+49)? Wouldn't it be 49 (1+1^2)
first of all what is (49+49^2) = 49 + 49*49

Now you take 49 common 49 (1+49) = 49*50

Let me know if you still have any doubts.
Last edited by parallel_chase on Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Join the discussion

by vishubn » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:56 pm
why wouldi do that 49(1+1^2) is again 49 ( 1+1) .. when we multiply it back we get (49+49) and not (49+49^2)
coz eg (3+3^2) is equal to 3 (1+3)=12 and not 3 (1+1^2)= 3(2) =6


i hope it helps

Vishu
Join the discussion

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:05 pm
Stockmoose16 wrote:
Why wouldn't it be:

49+49 / 49 + (49*49)

Since 49^2 = 49*49, you'd have to multiply that out first (by PEMDAS)... why is this wrong?
That's fine... but you still do the same thing next:

2*49/(1*49 + 49*49)

Then factoring out a 49 in the denominator:

2*49/(1+49)*49

2*49/50*49

We can "cancel out" a 49 on the top and bottom to get:

2/50 = 1/25

Here's another way you can think of it... what if the original had been:

(x + x)/(x + x^2)

we'd then have:

2x/x(1+x)

or

2/(1+x)

Now sub in x=49 and you'll see that the exact same mathelogic applies!
Image

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course
Join the discussion