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What's a 0

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
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What's a 0

by Bullzi » Mon Jun 01, 2015 6:19 am
Hello!

I am just getting started with my prep, so, please pardon if this is a stupid question. I understand that 0 is neither positive nor negative. Do all math questions explicitly identify 0 as being/not being a probable answer choice? In other words, how do I make out if 0 is one among the probable answers for any given question that goes, lets say, 'If X and Y are positive integers..', should 0 be considered as a probable value of X and Y..?

Thanks!
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by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Mon Jun 01, 2015 6:26 am
'If X and Y are positive integers..', should 0 be considered as a probable value of X and Y..?
Nope. 0 is neither positive nor negative, so it would not be considered as a possibility for variables that we're told have positive values.

Do know that 0 is considered EVEN, so if you were told that x and y were EVEN numbers, 0 would certainly have been in play. (Or if you'd been told that x and y were nonnegative numbers.)
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by Bullzi » Mon Jun 01, 2015 6:44 am
Thanks David for the quick clarification..
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Jun 01, 2015 6:57 am
Here's a practice question that highlights the difference between positive and non-negative: https://www.beatthegmat.com/non-negative ... 79206.html

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by [email protected] » Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:00 am
Hi Bullzi,

Here are the essential Number Property rules that you need to know about 0 for Test Day:

1) 0 is a "null value", meaning that it is NOT positive NOR negative.
2) 0 is EVEN
3) 0 is a multiple of ALL integers
4) Dividing by 0 is a concept that is NOT tested on the GMAT
5) The product of any value and 0 is 0
6) 0 is a value to consider on many DS questions

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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:17 am
Also:
- zero + k = k
- x^0 = 1
- A Coke Zero has no calories

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