Algebra QS BUT I don't get it .Yelp !

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by GMATGuruNY » Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:09 am
candygal79 wrote:Which of the following variables cannot be equal to 0 if (v+w) (x-y-z) (x+y+z)z = 3?

A )v
B )w
C )x
D )y
E )z
Since the product is NONZERO, each of the four factors -- v+w, x-y-z, x+y+z, and z -- must be NONZERO.
Thus:
v+w ≠ 0
x-y-z ≠ 0
x+y+z ≠ 0
z ≠ 0.

Since z cannot be equal to 0, the correct answer is E.
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by [email protected] » Thu Mar 13, 2014 4:22 pm
Hi candygal79,

One of the Number Properties that you'll face on the GMAT is "anything multiplied by 0 will = 0." You will likely see this concept in some algebra questions and in some DS; here it's presented in a PS question.

The prompt asks which variable CANNOT equal 0, then shows you 4 "terms" that are multiplied together and = 3.

If Z = 0, then the other three terms could be anything....and when multiplied together the result would be 0. BUT that can't be the case since the result is 3. Thus, Z is the one variable that CANNOT equal 0

Final Answer: E

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