\frac{p+5+p^3\left(-p-5\right)}{-p-5}=

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VJesus12: Legendary Member; Posts: 2276; Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2017 6:10 amFollowed by: 3 members

by VJesus12 » Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:58 am

$$\frac{p+5+p^3\left(-p-5\right)}{-p-5}=$$ A. p+5+p^3
B. P^3+5
C. p^3
D. p^3-1
E. p^3-5

The OA is D.

Experts, can you help me here. I don't have it clear.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:58 am

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Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:07 am

VJesus12 wrote:$$\frac{p+5+p^3\left(-p-5\right)}{-p-5}=$$ A. p+5+p^3
B. P^3+5
C. p^3
D. p^3-1
E. p^3-5

The OA is D.

Experts, can you help me here. I don't have it clear.

Let's just focus on the NUMERATOR for a second.
Given: p + 5 + pÂ³(-p - 5)
Factor -1 from the first part to get: -1(-p - 5) + pÂ³(-p - 5)
So, we now have: -1(-p - 5) + pÂ³(-p - 5)
Combine terms to get: (-1 + pÂ³)(-p - 5)
Rearrange terms to get: (pÂ³ - 1)(-p - 5)

Now replace ORIGINAL numerator with (pÂ³ -1)(-p - 5)
We get: (pÂ³ - 1)(-p - 5)/(-p - 5)
Simplify to get: (pÂ³ - 1)
Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:18 am

VJesus12 wrote:$$\frac{p+5+p^3\left(-p-5\right)}{-p-5}=$$ A. p+5+p^3
B. P^3+5
C. p^3
D. p^3-1
E. p^3-5

We're looking for an expression that is equivalent to the original expression.
So if we evaluate the original expression for a particular value of p, then the equivalent expression should also yield the same value when we plug in the same value of p.
Let's test p = 1

Take: [p + 5 + pÂ³(-p - 5)]/[-p - 5]
Replace p with 1 to get: [1 + 5 + 1Â³(-1 - 5)]/[-1 - 5]
Evaluate to get: 0/-6, which equals 0

So, when p = 1, the original express evaluates to be 0
Now let's plug p = 1 into the answer choices....
A. 1 + 5 + 1^3 = 7. No good, we want 0. ELIMINATE.
B. 1^3 + 5 = 6. No good, we want 0. ELIMINATE.
C. 1^3 = 1. No good, we want 0. ELIMINATE.
D. 1^3 - 1 = 0. Great - KEEP
E. 1^3 - 5 = -4. No good, we want 0. ELIMINATE.

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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EconomistGMATTutor: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 555; Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 4:18 pmFollowed by: 12 members; Thanked: 180 times

by EconomistGMATTutor » Sat Dec 02, 2017 1:56 pm

$$\frac{p+5+p^3\left(-p-5\right)}{-p-5}=$$ A. p+5+p^3
B. P^3+5
C. p^3
D. p^3-1
E. p^3-5

Hi VJesus12,
Let's take a look at your question.

$$\frac{p+5+p^3\left(-p-5\right)}{-p-5}$$

Factoring out negative sign from the binomial (-p-5) in the numerator as well as in the denominator.
$$=\frac{p+5-p^3\left(p+5\right)}{-\left(p+5\right)}$$
$$=\frac{\left(p+5\right)-p^3\left(p+5\right)}{-\left(p+5\right)}$$
Factor out (p+5) from the numerator
$$=\frac{\left(p+5\right)\left(1-p^3\right)}{-\left(p+5\right)}$$
$$=\frac{\left(1-p^3\right)}{-1}$$
$$=-\left(1-p^3\right)$$
$$=p^3-1$$

Hence, Option D is correct.

Hope it helps.
I am available if you'd like any follow up.

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