boomgoesthegmat wrote:If the operation @ is defined by x @ y = sqrt(xy) for all positive numbers x and y, then (5 @ 45) @ 60 =
A) 30
B) 60
C) 90
D) 30sqrt(15)
E) 60sqrt(15)
We are given that the operation @ is defined by x@y = √(xy) for all positive numbers.
We are next given that (5@45)@60. Following PEMDAS rules, we want to begin with the operation inside the parentheses. According to the operation, x will be replaced with 5, and y will be replaced with 45. Thus, we have:
5@45 = √(5 *45) = √225 = 15
We have determined that (5@45) = 15, so we substitute 15 for (5@45) to obtain 15@60.
According to the operation, x will now be replaced with 15 and y will now be replaced with 60. Thus we have:
15@60 = √(15*60) = √900 = 30
Answer: A
Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews