2 exprs from 4 can be selected in 4P2 = 12 ways
now only possibities where the product is of the form
x- (by)^2
are (x+y)(x-y) & (x-y)(x+y) = 2 possibilties
so reqd P = 2/12 =1/6
Hope this is clear
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
gmatprep..urgent help needed
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
2 expresion picked from another 4 = 4!/[(4-2)!*2!] = 6
The only expresion that results in a x^2-(by)^2 form is (x+y)*(x-y), there is no way to say that (x-y)*(x+y) is another way since multiplication is a conmutative operation.
The only expresion that results in a x^2-(by)^2 form is (x+y)*(x-y), there is no way to say that (x-y)*(x+y) is another way since multiplication is a conmutative operation.
Well both will do here even if u use Combinations, then also u will get the same result.
Regards
Samir
Samir
Hey Samir
Sorry but this is not clear to me.
4P2 = 12 ways but 4C2 = 6
Now you have said that possibities where the product is of the form
x- (by)^2
are (x+y)(x-y) & (x-y)(x+y) = 2 possibilties
so reqd P = 2/12 =1/6
If you use combination then the ans would be 2/6 = 1/3 instead of 1/6
Aorry for the repeated question. As always thanks in advance for your help
Sorry but this is not clear to me.
4P2 = 12 ways but 4C2 = 6
Now you have said that possibities where the product is of the form
x- (by)^2
are (x+y)(x-y) & (x-y)(x+y) = 2 possibilties
so reqd P = 2/12 =1/6
If you use combination then the ans would be 2/6 = 1/3 instead of 1/6
Aorry for the repeated question. As always thanks in advance for your help
If we use Combinations then favorable outcome will be only
(x+y)(x-y) = 1 outcome as order would not be important, we can use it here coz multiplication works both ways
so it will be 1/4C2 = 1/6
(x+y)(x-y) = 1 outcome as order would not be important, we can use it here coz multiplication works both ways
so it will be 1/4C2 = 1/6
Regards
Samir
Samir
I figured this out today as well (semi-guessed, but got it right). Anyway, I apologize for probably stupid question, but what does this mean??? What are P and C in these:
4P2 = 12 ways but 4C2 = 6
4P2 = 12 ways but 4C2 = 6
Yuri, it is short-form notation for PERMUTATION and COMBINATION calculations.yuri wrote:I figured this out today as well (semi-guessed, but got it right). Anyway, I apologize for probably stupid question, but what does this mean??? What are P and C in these:
4P2 = 12 ways but 4C2 = 6
For example: 4C2 = "Four choose 2" = 4!/(2!2!)












