Factoring Problem

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student22: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 216; Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:26 am; Thanked: 16 times

Factoring Problem

by student22 » Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:50 pm

I'm almost embarrassed to be posting this since I'm sure the solution is very easy, but for some reason I can't factor this:

I uploaded a screenshot to make it easier to understand. I solved it using picking numbers, but for some reason the factoring stumped me.

OA:D

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:50 pm

harshavardhanc: Legendary Member; Posts: 526; Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:47 pm; Location: India; Thanked: 68 times; GMAT Score:680

by harshavardhanc » Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:08 pm

student22 wrote:I'm almost embarrassed to be posting this since I'm sure the solution is very easy, but for some reason I can't factor this:

I uploaded a screenshot to make it easier to understand. I solved it using picking numbers, but for some reason the factoring stumped me.

OA:D

-x+2 can be re-written as - 1*(x-2). Now take (x-2) common from the numerator and remove it from the picture!

Regards,
Harsha

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student22: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 216; Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:26 am; Thanked: 16 times

by student22 » Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:22 pm

Awesome, thanks!

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to rewrite that second part.

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pops: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 148; Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:06 pm; Thanked: 7 times

by pops » Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:42 pm

before trying anything one quick way to find the answer is putting x=1... if not all it will help eliminate most of the answers, then try x=0 or -1
in this case x=1 eliminate all except D