If x>0, what is the sum of the roots of the equation x^sq

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GMATH practice exercise (Quant Class 12)

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Answer: [spoiler]_____(E)__[/spoiler]
Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
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fskilnik@GMATH wrote:GMATH practice exercise (Quant Class 12)

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$$x > 0\,\,,\,\,\,\,{x^{\sqrt x }} = {x^2}\,\,\,\left( * \right)$$
$$?\,\,:\,\,{\rm{sum}}\,\,{\rm{of}}\,\,{\rm{roots}}$$

$$x = 1\,\,\,\,\,\mathop \Rightarrow \limits^{{\rm{inspection}}} \,\,\,\,\left\{ \matrix{
\,\,{x^{\sqrt x }} = {1^{\sqrt 1 }} = 1 \hfill \cr
\,\,{x^2} = {1^2} = 1 \hfill \cr} \right.\,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,{\rm{first}}\,\,{\rm{root}}$$

$$0 < x < 1\,\,\,{\rm{or}}\,\,\,x > 1\,\,\,:\,\,\,\,\,$$
$$\left( * \right)\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,{x^{\sqrt x \, - \,2}} = 1 = {x^0}\,\,\,\,\,\mathop \Rightarrow \limits^{{\rm{base}}\,\, \ne \,\,0,1, - 1} \,\,\,\,\,\sqrt x - 2 = 0\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,x = 4\,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,{\rm{second}}\,\,{\rm{root}}$$

$$? = 1 + 4$$

The correct answer is (E).


We follow the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.

Regards,
Fabio.
Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
English-speakers :: https://www.gmath.net
Portuguese-speakers :: https://www.gmath.com.br