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Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Thu May 12, 2016 2:07 am
If xy + z = x(y + z), which of the following must be true:

1. x = 0 and z = 0
2. x = 1 and y = 1
3. y = 1 and z = 0
4. x = 1 or y = 0
5. x = 1 or z = 0
xy + z = x(y +z)

xy + z = xy + xz

z = xz

z - xz = 0

z(1 - x) = 0.

For the resulting equation to be valid, either z=0 or x=1.

The correct answer is E.

A is incorrect because if z=0, then x can be ANY VALUE.
Thus, it does NOT have to be true that z=0 AND x=0.
For example, it is possible that z=0 and x=1.

B and C are incorrect because -- when the equation is simplified -- it no longer includes y.
The implication is that y can be ANY VALUE.
Thus, it does NOT have to be true that y=1.
For example:
It is possible that x=1 and y=2, proving that B does not have to be true.
It is possible that z=0 and y=2, proving that C does not have to be true.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu May 12, 2016 9:38 am
If xy+z = x(y+z) which of the following must be true?

A. x = 0 and Z = 0
B. x = 1 and y = 1
B. y = 1 and z = 0
D. x = 1 or y = 0
E. x = 1 or Z = 0
The key word here is must.
So, for example, consider answer choice A. While it's possible that x = 0 and z = 0, it need not be the case.
For example, x=1, y=1 and z=1 is a solution to the equation. So, this eliminates A.

The solution . . .
Given: xy+z = x(y+z)
Expand: xy+z = xy + xz
Subtract xy from both sides: z = xz
Rearrange: xz - z = 0
Factor: z(x-1) = 0

This tells us that z = 0 or x = 1
Answer: E

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by [email protected] » Thu May 12, 2016 9:49 am
Hi eitijian,

There's a discussion of this questions here:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/must-be-true-qs-t278003.html

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
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by OptimusPrep » Thu May 12, 2016 8:05 pm
eitijan wrote:Could not get why options A,B,C are incorrect when all are satisfying LHS = RHS.

OA E
The key word MUST means we need to find the solution that will always satisfy the equation.
Hence we need to solve xy+z = x(y+z) as

xz - z = 0
z(x-1) = 0
Hence z = 0 or x = 1 will always satisfy the equation
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by Matt@VeritasPrep » Fri May 13, 2016 3:01 pm
The algebra described in the other solutions is probably best, but if you're still stuck, you can always try the answers to see what happens.

For instance, if x = 1, we have

1*y + z = 1*(y + z)

or y + z = y + z, which is true, so x = 1 is a solution.

If z = 0, we have

xy + 0 = x*(y + 0)

or xy = xy, which is also true, so z = 0 is a solution.

Since x = 1 and z = 0 both work independently, E is the only possible answer.
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