Is a^3 > 20?
(1) a^4 > 80
(2) a^5 > 200
answer
B.
Here's another question that is looking for a yes or no answer. Statement (1) allows for both
positive and negative values of a, so it is not sufficient, and we can cross off A and D.
Statement (2), on the other hand, tells us that a is positive and must be a value of at least 3.
If a > 3, then the answer to the question stem must always be yes. Therefore, statement (2) is suffi-
cient, and our answer is B.
My question is on statement 2
how can we assume that the value at least 3? it could be a fraction too like 2.9
clarification required on ds question
This topic has expert replies
-
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2010 5:54 am
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Mike@Magoosh
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:18 pm
- Location: Berkeley, CA
- Thanked: 387 times
- Followed by:140 members
Dear manasgoswami1,manasgoswami1 wrote:Is a^3 > 20?
(1) a^4 > 80
(2) a^5 > 200
answer
B.
Here's another question that is looking for a yes or no answer. Statement (1) allows for both
positive and negative values of a, so it is not sufficient, and we can cross off A and D.
Statement (2), on the other hand, tells us that a is positive and must be a value of at least 3.
If a > 3, then the answer to the question stem must always be yes. Therefore, statement (2) is suffi-
cient, and our answer is B.
My question is on statement 2
how can we assume that the value at least 3? it could be a fraction too like 2.9
I'm happy to help.
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/smile.png)
You are 100% right. Since no restriction is given, a could be anywhere on the continuous infinity of the number line. On a real GMAT problem, it would be a big mistake to assume, without justification, that a variable must have an integer value. See:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/number-sense-for-the-gmat/
Given that, if we are given a^5 > 200, how do we know that a^3 > 20? I don't believe there's anyway to do this without a calculator, which of course is not accessible on the GMAT Quant section.
With a calculator, it turns out: the fifth root of 200 is approximately 2.885399812, and that number cubed is more than 20, so (B) really is sufficient.
I don't know where you found this question, but it appears not to be a good GMAT question. Don't assume every question you find is a high-quality question.
Mike
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/smile.png)
Magoosh GMAT Instructor
https://gmat.magoosh.com/
https://gmat.magoosh.com/
-
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2010 5:54 am