-
mitzwillrockgmat
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 10:20 pm
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- GMAT Score:1100
which is the smallest value of x for which (12/x +36)((4-x^2)=0
a. -3
b. -2
c. -1/2
d. -1/4
e. 2
to approach this, i saw that the product of the two numbers had to equal to 0. hence, one of the numbers is 0. i considered the 2nd number, 4-x^2 first as its simpler. to make this zero, x can be + or - 2. hence, b or e is the answer.
now how do i decide between these two??
12/x = -36 & substituting both 2 and -2 doesn't help!
12/2 => 6 = -36 while 12/-2 => -6 =-36
WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?????
a. -3
b. -2
c. -1/2
d. -1/4
e. 2
to approach this, i saw that the product of the two numbers had to equal to 0. hence, one of the numbers is 0. i considered the 2nd number, 4-x^2 first as its simpler. to make this zero, x can be + or - 2. hence, b or e is the answer.
now how do i decide between these two??
12/x = -36 & substituting both 2 and -2 doesn't help!
12/2 => 6 = -36 while 12/-2 => -6 =-36
WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?????
