If x is an integer > 1...

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If x is an integer > 1...

by lsampaioemel » Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:42 pm
If x is an integer > 1, is x equal to the 12th power of an integer?

1) x is equal to the 3rd power of an integer
2) x is equal to the 4th power of an integer

I can see how this problem makes sense but I dont have a good technique of solving it. Does anyone think they can help me out?

Thanks!
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by puneetkhurana2000 » Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:48 pm
Statement 1) x is equal to the 3rd power of an integer

Case 1
64 = 4^3
So, x = 64, is not equal to the 12th power of an integer.

Case 2
64^4 = (4^3)^4
So, x = 64^4, is equal to the 12th power of an integer(4).

Not Sufficient!!!

Statement 2) x is equal to the 4th power of an integer

Case 1
16 = 2^4
So, x = 16, is not equal to the 12th power of an integer.

Case 2
16^3 = (2^4)^3
So, x = 16^3, is equal to the 12th power of an integer(2).

Not Sufficient!!!

Together we have x = a^3 and x = b^4

Further we have x^4 = (a^3)^4....(1)
and x^3 = (b^4)^3....(2)

Dividing (1) by (2), we get x = (a/b)^12. where a/b must be an integer.

Sufficient!!!

Answer C.

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by GMATGuruNY » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:02 pm
If X is an integer greater than 1, is X equal to the 12th power of an integer ?

(1) X is equal to the 3rd Power of an integer

(2) X is equal to the 4th Power of an integer.

Statement 1: x = a³, where a is an integer

If a=2, then x = 2³, which is not the 12th power of an integer.
If a=2^4, then x = (2^4)³ = 2^12, which is the 12th power of an integer.
INSUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: x = b^4, where b is an integer
If b=2, then x = 2^4, which is not the 12th power of an integer.
If b=2³, then x = (2³)^4 = 2^12, which is the 12th power of an integer.
INSUFFICIENT.

Statements 1 and 2 combined:

Since x = a³ and x = b^4, we get:
a³ = b^4
a³ = (b³)b
b = (a/b)³.
Since b is an integer, (a/b)³ is an integer.
Since a/b = integer/integer -- the definition of a rational number -- it is not possible that a/b is equal to an irrational value such as ³√2.
Thus, in order for (a/b)³ to be an integer, a/b must be an integer, implying that b is the CUBE OF AN INTEGER.
Thus, x = b^4 = (integer³)^4 = integer^12.
SUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is C.
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