Hi VJesus12,
We're told that (A^2)(B^2)(C^3) = 4500. We're asked if B+C = 7. This is a YES/NO question. This question really tests the 'thoroughness' of your thinking - and it's likely that many Test Takers would get this question wrong because they wouldn't consider all of the possible options.
To start, it would help to 'break down' 4500 into pieces...
4500 = (9)(500) =
(3^2)(5)(100) =
(3^2)(5)(2^2)(5^2) =
(2^2)(3^2)(5^3)
Based on the starting equation, we know that C MUST be +5. However, there are more than just these two possible values for A and B. Since we're SQUARING terms, A and B could be (2 or -2) and (3 or -3). In addition, this question is NOT forcing us to deal with Prime Numbers, so there is another option besides "2 and 3" to consider.... "1 and 6" is another possible pairing of values for A and B....
(1^2)(6^2)(5^3)
...meaning that we would have to also consider that the values could be (1 or -1) and (6 or -6):
(1) A, B and C are POSITIVE integers
IF....
A=2, B=3, C=5 then the answer to the question is NO
A=3, B=2, C=5 then the answer to the question is YES
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT
2) A > B
A=3, B=2, C=5 then the answer to the question is YES
A=6, B=1, C=5 then the answer to the question is NO
Fact 2 is INSUFFICIENT
Combined, we already have two groups of values that fit both Facts and produce different answers to the given question:
A=3, B=2, C=5 then the answer to the question is YES
A=6, B=1, C=5 then the answer to the question is NO
Combined, INSUFFICIENT
Final Answer: E
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
