BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

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.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
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
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start 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
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Help plz!!

Post your questions about customer service issues, GMAT exam policies, and GMAT exam structure. Get an official answer from GMAC, the organization behind the GMAT test!
Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Source: — Ask the Test Maker |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
GMAT Score:800

Help plz!!

by [email protected] » Thu Apr 27, 2017 4:36 pm
Hi Hmna,

In the future, you should make sure to post your questions in the appropriate sub-Forum. The Problem Solving Forum can be found here:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/problem-solving-f6.html

This question is all about exponent rules. When comparing exponents, it helps if the numbers have the same BASE. Here, the bases are 81 and 27, so we can rewrite those bases as (3^4) and (3^3). Now the given equation can be written as...

(3^4)^P = (3^3)^Q

We're raising 'a power to a power', so we can rewrite the equation one more step...

3^(4P) = 3^(3Q)

Now we know that 4P = 3Q

The question asks for the value of P/Q....

4P = 3Q
P = 3Q/4
P/Q = 3/4

Final Answer: A

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:16 pm
One way:

(3�)ᴾ = (3³)ᴼ

3�ᴾ = 3³ᴼ

4p = 3q

p/q = 3/4
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:19 pm
Another way:

81á´¾ = 27á´¼

81á´¾/27á´¼ = 1

(27á´¾ * 3á´¾)/27á´¼ = 1

27ᴾ�ᴼ * 3ᴾ = 1

(3³)ᴾ�ᴼ * 3ᴾ = 1

3³ᴾ�³ᴼ * 3ᴾ = 3�

3p - 3q + p = 0

4p = 3q

p/q = 3/4
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:21 pm
Yet another way:

81á´¾ = 27á´¼

Try the answers. Using A we have

81³ = 27�

81 * 81 * 81 = 27 * 27 * 27 * 27

divide by 27 three times:

(81/27) * (81/27) * (81/27) = 27

3 * 3 * 3 = 27

This is true, so A is our answer!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:21 pm
One way:

(3�)ᴾ = (3³)ᴼ

3�ᴾ = 3³ᴼ

4p = 3q

p/q = 3/4
The formatting on this post is screwed up, the superscript O should be a superscript Q. (The forum gives an error glyph for the Q.)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:22 pm
81á´¾ = 27á´¼

81á´¾/27á´¼ = 1

(27á´¾ * 3á´¾)/27á´¼ = 1

27ᴾ�ᴼ * 3ᴾ = 1

(3³)ᴾ�ᴼ * 3ᴾ = 1

3³ᴾ�³ᴼ * 3ᴾ = 3�

3p - 3q + p = 0

4p = 3q

p/q = 3/4
Same issue here, those super Os should super Qs. Hope the idea is still clear, though!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:25 pm
Another way of seeing the one above, if it's easier:

81á´¾ = 27á´¼

(27 * 3)á´¾ = 27á´¼

27á´¾ * 3á´¾ = 27á´¼

27á´¾/27á´¼ = 1/3á´¾

27ᴾ�ᴼ = 3�ᴾ

3(p - q) = -p

p/q = 3/4
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:28 pm
... and of course those should be superscript Qs again. Yeesh, I give up! (Why is super Q so hated by forum text? Must be a Scrabble thing :D)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1