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
Vote for Target Test Prep, Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
NEWSWEEK READERS’ CHOICE 2026

BIG NEWS! Target Test Prep has been nominated, and they’d love your vote!

TTP has worked incredibly hard to build the best test prep experience possible, and winning Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep would mean a lot to them. If TTP has helped you, they’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. You can vote once each day through September 9.

Vote for TTP
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
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
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.

715+ 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.

Exponents question from OG 11

Expert replies
by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:46 am
If x is an integer, is 9^(x) + 9 ^(-x) = b?

(1) 3^(x) + 3^(-x) = sqrt(b +2)

(2) x> 0 = b

OA A







My question is if x is greater than 0 and b = 0 what possible positive number can x equal for the statement in the stem to equal zero? How is statement (2) insufficient?
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by thephoenix » Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:41 am
clearly with S2) we are no where

s1)3^x+3^-x=sqrt(b+2)
square bth side

(3^x+3^-x)^2=b+2
3^2x+3^-2x+2=b+2
9^x+9^-x=b
hence suff

hence A
Join the discussion

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:43 am
thephoenix wrote:clearly with S2) we are no where

s1)3^x+3^-x=sqrt(b+2)
square bth side

(3^x+3^-x)^2=b+2
3^2x+3^-2x+2=b+2
9^x+9^-x=b
hence suff

hence A
That's what the official guide says. I understand that it doesn't allow you to manipulate the problem in anyway, but conceptually how can b = 0 and x be positive and the condition in the prompt not be true? What possible number could x be to make that statement false?
Join the discussion

by thephoenix » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:15 am
osirus0830 wrote:If x is an integer, is 9^(x) + 9 ^(-x) = b?

(1) 3^(x) + 3^(-x) = sqrt(b +2)

(2) x> 0 = b

OA A

My question is if x is greater than 0 and b = 0 what possible positive number can x equal for the statement in the stem to equal zero? How is statement (2) insufficient?
in the prev one i missed your query

you have given s2) wrong act in OG 11 its q no 142
s2) IS JUST X>0

WITH YOUR VERSION OF S2) I GUESS THE ANS SUD BE D
but then all mathematician wud have gone crazy to solve that bcoz either the exp
9^2x=-1 is false or this world is false(i hope which is not)

so let us stick to original i.e with only x>2 its insuff to prove anything
Join the discussion

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:20 am
thephoenix wrote:
osirus0830 wrote:If x is an integer, is 9^(x) + 9 ^(-x) = b?

(1) 3^(x) + 3^(-x) = sqrt(b +2)

(2) x> 0 = b

OA A

My question is if x is greater than 0 and b = 0 what possible positive number can x equal for the statement in the stem to equal zero? How is statement (2) insufficient?
in the prev one i missed your query

you have given s2) wrong act in OG 11 its q no 142
s2) IS JUST X>0

WITH YOUR VERSION OF S2) I GUESS THE ANS SUD BE D
but then all mathematician wud have gone crazy to solve that bcoz either the exp
9^2x=-1 is false or this world is false(i hope which is not)

so let us stick to original i.e with only x>2 its insuff to prove anything
Ah, thanks
Join the discussion