Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
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.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
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 Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart 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

Help me solve this GMAT Quant Question (GMATPrep) #6

Expert replies
by EricImasogie » Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:07 pm
Is this one merely a plug and chug question ? whats the shortcut for this one? (answer is 'D' btw)


Image
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:10 pm
For which of the following functions f is f(x)=f(1-x) for all x?

A) f(x) = 1-x
B) f(x) = 1-x²
C) f(x) = x² - (1-x)²
D) f(x) = x²(1-x)²
E) f(x) = x/(1-x)
Let's use the INPUT-OUTPUT approach (aka plug and chug).
So, let's use a "nice" value for x.
How about x = 0?

So, we can reword the question as, For which of the following functions is f(0)=f(1-0)
In other words, we're looking for a function such that f(0) = f(1)

A) f(x)=1-x
f(0)=1-0 = 1
f(1)=1-1 = 0
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate A

B) f(x) = 1 - x²
f(0) = 1 - 0² = 1
f(1) = 1 - 1² = 0
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate B

C) f(x) = x² - (1-x)²
f(0) = 0² - (1-0)² = -1
f(1) = 1² - (1-1)² = 1
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate C

D) f(x) = x²(1-x)²
f(0) = 0^2(1-0)^2 = 0
f(1) = 1^2(1-1)^2 = 0
Since f(0) equals f(1), keep D for now

E) f(x) = x/(1-x)
f(0) = 0/(1-0) = 0
f(1) = 1/(1-1) = undefined
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate E

Since only D satisfies the condition that f(x)=f(1-x) when x=0, the correct answer is D

Here's a similar question: https://www.beatthegmat.com/number-systems-t270738.html

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by [email protected] » Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:44 pm
Hi EricImasogie,

This question comes up every few months in the Forums. Here's a recent discussion about how to approach it and the inherent math behind the logic:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/function-pro ... 81275.html

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Join the discussion

by Mathsbuddy » Fri Dec 19, 2014 4:34 am
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:
For which of the following functions f is f(x)=f(1-x) for all x?

A) f(x) = 1-x
B) f(x) = 1-x²
C) f(x) = x² - (1-x)²
D) f(x) = x²(1-x)²
E) f(x) = x/(1-x)
Let's use the INPUT-OUTPUT approach (aka plug and chug).
So, let's use a "nice" value for x.
How about x = 0?

So, we can reword the question as, For which of the following functions is f(0)=f(1-0)
In other words, we're looking for a function such that f(0) = f(1)

A) f(x)=1-x
f(0)=1-0 = 1
f(1)=1-1 = 0
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate A

B) f(x) = 1 - x²
f(0) = 1 - 0² = 1
f(1) = 1 - 1² = 0
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate B

C) f(x) = x² - (1-x)²
f(0) = 0² - (1-0)² = -1
f(1) = 1² - (1-1)² = 1
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate C

D) f(x) = x²(1-x)²
f(0) = 0^2(1-0)^2 = 0
f(1) = 1^2(1-1)^2 = 0
Since f(0) equals f(1), keep D for now

E) f(x) = x/(1-x)
f(0) = 0/(1-0) = 0
f(1) = 1/(1-1) = undefined
Since f(0) doesn't equal f(1), eliminate E

Since only D satisfies the condition that f(x)=f(1-x) when x=0, the correct answer is D

Here's a similar question: https://www.beatthegmat.com/number-systems-t270738.html

Cheers,
Brent
Using D) f(x) = x²(1-x)²
If x = -1:
f(-1) = 1²(2)² = 4

Using f(x)=f(1-x)
If x = -1
f(1-x) = f(2) = 16

Therefore surely D cannot be correct for all values of x?
Join the discussion

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Dec 19, 2014 7:46 am
Mathsbuddy wrote: Using D) f(x) = x²(1-x)²
If x = -1:
f(-1) = 1²(2)² = 4

Using f(x)=f(1-x)
If x = -1
f(1-x) = f(2) = 16

Therefore surely D cannot be correct for all values of x?
f(1-x) = f(2) = (2)²(-1)² = 4

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:59 am
Here's another way to show that D is the correct answer:

Given: f(x) = x²(1-x)²

Now compare f(x) and f(1-x)

f(x) = x²(1-x)² = x²(1-x)²

f(1-x) = (1-x)²[1-(1-x)]²
= (1-x)² x²

Since x²(1-x)² = (1-x)² x², we can be certain that f(x) = f(1-x) for all values of x

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:20 pm
This must be the most frequently asked OG/GMATPrep problem!

Plugging and chugging is one way. Another is noticing that 1 - (1 - x) = x, so D works perfectly. If we plug in x, we get

f(x) = x²(1-x)²

If we plug in (1 - x), we get

f(1-x) = (1-x)²(1-(1-x))² = (1-x)²x²

So f(x) = f(1-x), as they're just the same thing presented in a different order.
Join the discussion