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Incorrect Answer and Explanation on GMAT Focus?

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by yeah_well_the dude abides » Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:41 am
I think I correctly attached the screenshot, if not, here's the problem:

Is it true that x>0?

(1) x^2=2x
(2) x^3=3x

for statement 1:

x(x-2) = 0

therefore, x = 0, 2 ---- INSUFFICIENT

statement 2:

x(x^2-3)=0 (THIS IS WHERE GMAT FOCUS IS WRONG -- they have, x^2(x-3) -- this factored would be x^3-3x^2 = 0, WRONG)

I obviously could be wrong, but from statement 2 I conclude that x = 0 or is a positive number --- INSUFFICIENT

COMBINING 1+2 =

x^2=2x
x^3=3x

I multiplied statement 1 by x, getting -- x^3=2x^2

Now, I substituted x^3 from statement 2.

3x = 2x^2

Then I did this:

3x-2x^2=0
x(3-2x)=0
x=0
x=3/2

ANSWER E -- GMATFOCUS says Answer C

What say you Beatthegmat??
Attachments
Screen Shot 2012-01-07 at 12.24.00 PM.png
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by shankar.ashwin » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:59 am
I think the explanation provided does have an error but the answer would still be C.

Statement 1

x(x-2) = 0

x=0 (or) x = 2 - Insufficient

Statement 2

x(x^2 - 3) = 0

x = 0 (or) x = + Sqrt(3) - Insufficient

Together, we have only x=0 common for both cases and hence can conclude x is not > 0 - Sufficient. C
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by yeah_well_the dude abides » Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:17 pm
Whoops. Good call, made 2 silly mistakes.

1. Both statements contained 0 as a solution, therefore when combined, x = zero. Sufficient.
2. Made combining statements 1+2 more difficult than it is.

Thanks shankar.
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