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.

solving for x, distribution of x...need help please

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 40
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:08 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 1 times
by zander21 » Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:07 pm
solve for x:

x(x- (5x+6/x) ) = 0.

the solution says to distribute the multiplication of x. note, when you cancel the x in the denominator, the quantity 5x+6 is implicitly enclosed in parentheses.

x^2 - (5x+6) = 0
x^2 - 5x - 6 = 0 and then of course this is easy it's 6 or -1

BUT I can't figure out how to get rid of the two x's in the original parentheses...how do I distribute the multiplication of x? The source is page 91 (solution on 94) of MGMAT strategy guide Number Properties.

Any help would be appreciated thanks!!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:57 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 1 times

by samyukta » Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:24 pm
x(x- (5x+6/x) ) = 0.




Should have been written as : x(x- {(5x+6)/x)} ) = 0.

Now x *(x ^2 -5x -6)/ x = 0

we can simplify it to (x ^2 -5x -6) = 0 which gives soln as x = 6 or -1 basic quadriatic eqn.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 40
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:08 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 1 times

by zander21 » Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:34 pm
samyukta wrote:x(x- (5x+6/x) ) = 0.




Should have been written as : x(x- {(5x+6)/x)} ) = 0.

Now x *(x ^2 -5x -6)/ x = 0

we can simplify it to (x ^2 -5x -6) = 0 which gives soln as x = 6 or -1 basic quadriatic eqn.
"Now x *(x ^2 -5x -6)/ x = 0" - How do you get rid of the x outside the parentheses?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:43 am

by suyashgupta0562 » Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:06 pm
Hey,

If we solve the expression in the inner parentheses (5x+6/x) first then we get (5x^2+6)/x taking x as the LCM

Then we subtract the above expression from x.

x-(5x^2+6)/x = (x^2-5x^2-6)/x

Multiplying this with x now, the x in the denominator cancels out giving us (x^2-5x^2-6) =0

Which simplifies to -4x^2 - 6 = 0

x^2 = -6/4 which would make x imaginary.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:23 am
Thanked: 6 times

by rooster » Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:29 pm
parleybaldwin wrote:
samyukta wrote:x(x- (5x+6/x) ) = 0.




Should have been written as : x(x- {(5x+6)/x)} ) = 0.

Now x *(x ^2 -5x -6)/ x = 0

we can simplify it to (x ^2 -5x -6) = 0 which gives soln as x = 6 or -1 basic quadriatic eqn.
"Now x *(x ^2 -5x -6)/ x = 0" - How do you get rid of the x outside the parentheses?
the X above is divisible by the X below, so you can cancel out the two. leaving you with x^2-5x-6=0

(x-6)(x+1)=0
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:17 am
Thanked: 8 times
GMAT Score:730

by Amiable Scholar » Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:58 am
parleybaldwin wrote:
samyukta wrote:x(x- (5x+6/x) ) = 0.




Should have been written as : x(x- {(5x+6)/x)} ) = 0.

Now x *(x ^2 -5x -6)/ x = 0

we can simplify it to (x ^2 -5x -6) = 0 which gives soln as x = 6 or -1 basic quadriatic eqn.
"Now x *(x ^2 -5x -6)/ x = 0" - How do you get rid of the x outside the parentheses?
x(x- {(5x+6)/x})= 0
=> either x = 0 or x- {(5x+6)/x} =0
x= 0 not possible because x is in denominator in second expression
so
x- {(5x+6)/x} = 0 only ...
if that solves your query of removing external x :)
Amiable Scholar

Start Believing in your potential
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1