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

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

algebra

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:19 pm
Thanked: 5 times
by vscid » Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:23 pm
If x^3y^4 = 5000, what is the value of y?

1] y is positive
2] x is an integer

-------------------------
Please give explanations.
The GMAT is indeed adaptable. Whenever I answer RC, it proficiently 'adapts' itself to mark my 'right' answer 'wrong'.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Data Sufficiency |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2134
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pmFollowed by: 25 members
Thanked: 237 times
GMAT Score:730

Re: algebra

by logitech » Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:37 pm
vscid wrote:If x^3y^4 = 5000, what is the value of y?

1] y is positive
2] x is an integer

-------------------------
Please give explanations.
5000 = 5^4 2^3

x^3y^4 = 5^4 2^3

( I might be missing something here with integers but ) y^4=5^4

since 5^4 = (-5)^4 we need to know the sign of the Y to answer the question.

Statement 1 gives us this information, but statement 2 does not; therefore I choose A
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 2467
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pmFollowed by: 11 members
Thanked: 331 times

by cramya » Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:50 pm
Stmt I

5000 = 5^4*2^3

Stmt I

y is posItive (doesnt say integer) but can only be 5 and not -5

SUFF

Stmt II

x is an integer

y could be -5 or 5

INSUFF

Choose A)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:55 pm
Thanked: 4 times

by 720dreaming » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:15 pm
Used the same method as above, same answer. However, I was not sure about A:

How can we be sure that both X and Y are integers?

If we know that X is an Integer I think its safe to assume that Y is also...and vice versa. But, in A, we don't know that...

For now, I suppose we can just assume that the GMAT is not THAT cruel!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 940
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:22 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 55 times

by iamcste » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:17 pm
I feel more toward C

How can one assume that X can only be an integer

It could be any value

I may be incorrect But want to know how have you guys ensured that X can only be 2 and not any other value or a a decimal

Or is it an incomplete solution
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 2467
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pmFollowed by: 11 members
Thanked: 331 times

by cramya » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:25 pm
How can one assume that X can only be an integer
Good question; thought about it since no info was given. But 8 can only be 1 number's cube and that is 2. I am not sure if any other number cubed would be 8.

If it is then I may be missing something.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2134
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pmFollowed by: 25 members
Thanked: 237 times
GMAT Score:730

by logitech » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:30 pm
cramya wrote:
How can one assume that X can only be an integer
Good question; thought about it since no info was given. But 8 can only be 1 number's cube and that is 2. I am not sure if any other number cubed would be 8.

If it is then I may be missing something.
that was the same FLY in my SOUP! :)
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:19 pm
Thanked: 5 times

by vscid » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:45 pm
Put y = 5 ^1/4. or better yet, x = 10.
The GMAT is indeed adaptable. Whenever I answer RC, it proficiently 'adapts' itself to mark my 'right' answer 'wrong'.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 940
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:22 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 55 times

by iamcste » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:48 pm
vscid wrote:Put y = 5 ^1/4. or better yet, x = 10.

:P
hence DS is always a fun...
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 940
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:22 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 55 times

by iamcste » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:49 pm
IMO E

qtn doesnt specifiy whether Y is an integer.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:55 pm
Thanked: 4 times

by 720dreaming » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:53 pm
Yep, If X is 10, it throws off everything. Looks like E.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 2467
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pmFollowed by: 11 members
Thanked: 331 times

by cramya » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:55 pm
I think we have gone through every choice from A TO E with the exception of B :D

Iamcaste E should be it.



Vsicd,

Pretty good one.
If u could post the official ans that would be great
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2134
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pmFollowed by: 25 members
Thanked: 237 times
GMAT Score:730

by logitech » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:01 pm
We can not discriminate. B IT IS THAN!! :)
LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:19 pm
Thanked: 5 times

by vscid » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:16 pm
logitech wrote:We can not discriminate. B IT IS THAN!! :)
B? how come you got B now? :shock:
The GMAT is indeed adaptable. Whenever I answer RC, it proficiently 'adapts' itself to mark my 'right' answer 'wrong'.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:19 pm
Thanked: 5 times

by vscid » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:27 pm
By the way, on a scale of 1 to 10, how much would you guys rate this question (with regards to GMAT difficulty level), 10 being most difficult?
The GMAT is indeed adaptable. Whenever I answer RC, it proficiently 'adapts' itself to mark my 'right' answer 'wrong'.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply