(x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3
(x+2)^2 / [(x-2)*(x+2) ] = 3
x is not equal to -2 (otherwise we will get 0/0)
thus (x+2)/(x-2)=3
solving, x=4
IMO A
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Featured Course
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
(Algebra) Simple question but I am confused.
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button 
Contact me about long distance tutoring!
[email protected]
Cans!!
Contact me about long distance tutoring!
[email protected]
Cans!!
-
smackmartine
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 516
- Thanked: 112 times
-
phanideepak
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 77
- Location: Hyderabad
- Thanked: 10 times
- GMAT Score:730
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
Anurag@Gurome
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 3835
- Location: Milpitas, CA
- Thanked: 1854 times
- GMAT Score:770
(x² + 4x + 4) = (x + 2)²Rezinka wrote:Q
If (x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3 ; then x =
A. 4
B. 2
C. 0
D. -2
E. -4
(x² - 4) = (x - 2)(x + 2)
So, (x² + 4x + 4)/(x² - 4) = (x + 2)²/(x - 2)(x + 2) = (x + 2)/(x - 2)
So, (x + 2)/(x - 2) = 3
x = 2 = 3x - 6
8 = 2x
x = 4
The correct answer is A.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)
Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)
Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Yeah.. I had done the same thing. Made a stupid mistake. Silly me!
Actually, I missed that x^2 should not be 4 and not x. So eliminated option A.
Actually, I missed that x^2 should not be 4 and not x. So eliminated option A.
Also try plugging in the ACs. Often the quickest and simplest method.
Can rule out B & D straightaway (as would otherwise be dividing by 0 which is not allowed).
x=0, means the fraction results in -1 (not 3 as needed), so C is out.
Then just plug in 4 or -4 and decide between them. All the numbers are fairly low, so can probably even do the math in your head.
Can rule out B & D straightaway (as would otherwise be dividing by 0 which is not allowed).
x=0, means the fraction results in -1 (not 3 as needed), so C is out.
Then just plug in 4 or -4 and decide between them. All the numbers are fairly low, so can probably even do the math in your head.
-
[email protected]
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 934
- Location: AAMCHI MUMBAI LOCAL
- Thanked: 63 times
OA iS A...
IT IS TIME TO BEAT THE GMAT
LEARNING, APPLICATION AND TIMING IS THE FACT OF GMAT AND LIFE AS WELL... KEEP PLAYING!!!
Whenever you feel that my post really helped you to learn something new, please press on the 'THANK' button.
LEARNING, APPLICATION AND TIMING IS THE FACT OF GMAT AND LIFE AS WELL... KEEP PLAYING!!!
Whenever you feel that my post really helped you to learn something new, please press on the 'THANK' button.
-
[email protected]
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 934
- Location: AAMCHI MUMBAI LOCAL
- Thanked: 63 times
OA iS A...
IT IS TIME TO BEAT THE GMAT
LEARNING, APPLICATION AND TIMING IS THE FACT OF GMAT AND LIFE AS WELL... KEEP PLAYING!!!
Whenever you feel that my post really helped you to learn something new, please press on the 'THANK' button.
LEARNING, APPLICATION AND TIMING IS THE FACT OF GMAT AND LIFE AS WELL... KEEP PLAYING!!!
Whenever you feel that my post really helped you to learn something new, please press on the 'THANK' button.
What if you solved this way?Rezinka wrote:Q
If (x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3 ; then x =
A. 4
B. 2
C. 0
D. -2
E. -4
(x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3
x^2 +4x+4 = 3x^2 -12
2x^2 -4x-16=0
x^2 -2x-8=0
(x-4) (x+2)=0
x= 4 or x = -2
how can you choose then? I guess because -2 can't be in the denominator so it's out.
-
smackmartine
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 516
- Thanked: 112 times
You need not have to stop at this point. In fact you should substitute each value of x into the orignal equation to check its validity.MBA.Aspirant wrote:Rezinka wrote:Q
If (x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3 ; then x =
A. 4
B. 2
C. 0
D. -2
E. -4
What if you solved this way?
(x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3
x^2 +4x+4 = 3x^2 -12
2x^2 -4x-16=0
x^2 -2x-8=0
(x-4) (x+2)=0
x= 4 or x = -2
how can you choose then? I guess because -2 can't be in the denominator so it's out.
at x= -2 ,
((-2)^2 + 4x + 4) / ((-2)^2 - 4) = 3 , is undefined as denominator becomes zero. This means x=-2 is not a valid value. Only at x=4 LHS = RHS (left hand side = right hand side)
