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Hard Data Question: 9^x + 9^-x = b?

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by abcdefg » Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:21 am
This is from OG Review 11th edition p. 290, #142.

If X is an integer, is 9^x + 9^-x = b?
2) x> 0 = b.

The book says that the second condition "x > 0 = b" is not sufficient because it gives no information about the relationship between x and b.

However I see it as this: "9^b + 1/(9^b) = b". This equation can't happen so it does answer the question posed. Thus the second condition is sufficient.

Anyone know what's up? Thanks!
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by rajshree.misra » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:07 am
I agree with you. Anyone else with a different idea?
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Re: Hard Data Question: 9^x + 9^-x = b?

by Ian Stewart » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:46 am
abcdefg wrote:
2) x> 0 = b.

The book says that the second condition "x > 0 = b" is not sufficient because it gives no information about the relationship between x and b.
That's not what the book says; Statement 2 of that question simply reads 'x > 0'.
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by abcdefg » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:22 pm
hmmm really? I'm looking at the page right now and it's showing me "x > 0 = b". I have OG 11th edition published in 2005. p. 290.

This isnt the first time where something like this has happened in my book. i wonder what's going on. Thanks for the info!
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by Ian Stewart » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:14 pm
Perhaps you have one of the early printings of OG11, which had a few typos. If you search google for Official Guide corrections, there's an official pdf file that lists the errors. I don't recall seeing the one from this question on that list, however.
For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

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by dmateer25 » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:42 pm
I have the same edition. It does indeed say x > 0 = b.

I don't see it in the corrections I printed out either.
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