Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

OG2016 PS If (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:54 pm
by lionsshare » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:42 pm
If (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x, what is the value of x^2 + 3x -4 ?

(A) -4
(B) -1
(C) 0
(D) 1
(E) 2

OA: C

Anyone, please share the solution for this problem. Thanks.
Last edited by lionsshare on Mon Aug 28, 2017 1:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16206
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:56 pm
lionsshare wrote:If (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x, what is the value of x² + 3x - 4 ?

(A) -4
(B) -1
(C) 0
(D) 1
(E) 2

OA: C
Given: (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x
Eliminate the fraction by multiplying both sides by (2 + x) to get: (4 - x) = (x)(2 + x)
Expand: 4 - x = 2x + x²
Add x to both sides: 4 = x² + 3x
Subtract 4 from both sides: 0 = x² + 3x - 4

PERFECT! The question asks us to find the value of x² + 3x - 4, and we just showed that the expression equals 0

Answer: C
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3008
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:19 amFollowed by: 34 members
Location: Grand Central / New York
Thanked: 470 times

by Jay@ManhattanReview » Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:49 pm
lionsshare wrote:If (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x, what is the value of x^2 + 3x -4 ?

(A) -4
(B) -1
(C) 0
(D) 1
(E) 2

OA: C

Anyone, please share the solution for this problem. Thanks.
We are given that (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x. And we have to reach x^2 + 3x -4 from the given expression.

Let's manipulated the given expression.

(4 - x)/(2 + x) = x

(4 - x) = x*(2 + x); cross-multiplying (2 + x)

4 – x = 2x + x^2; opening the parenthesis

x^2 + 3x – 4 = 0

The value of the asked expression is 0.

The correct answer: C

Hope this helps!

Download free ebook: Manhattan Review GMAT Quantitative Question Bank Guide

-Jay
_________________
Manhattan Review GMAT Prep

Locations: New York | Barcelona | Manila | Melbourne | and many more...

Schedule your free consultation with an experienced GMAT Prep Advisor! Click here.
Top
Join the discussion
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2629
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Wed Aug 30, 2017 5:56 pm
(4 - x) / (2 + x) = x

multiply both sides by (2 + x):

4 - x = x * (2 + x), or

4 - x = x² + 2x

add x to both sides:

4 = x² + 3x

subtract 4 from both sides:

0 = x² + 3x - 4

so x² + 3x - 4 = 0, and we're done
Top
Join the discussion
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2629
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Wed Aug 30, 2017 5:57 pm
By the way, in case anyone out there is scratching his/her head at this answer: REMEMBER THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T ASKING US TO SOLVE FOR X :)

The GMAC can be so mean ...
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1462
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:34 amFollowed by: 22 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 39 times

by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Sat Sep 02, 2017 6:27 am
lionsshare wrote:If (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x, what is the value of x^2 + 3x -4 ?

(A) -4
(B) -1
(C) 0
(D) 1
(E) 2

OA: C
We can simplify the given equation:

(4 - x)/(2 + x) = x

4 - x = 2x + x^2

0 = x^2 + 3x - 4

Answer:C

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2017 10:46 am

OG2016 PS If (4 - x)/(2 + x) = x

by saminazahid2002 » Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:03 am
(4 - x)/(2 + x) = x

Multiplying both sides by (2+x)
(4 - x) = x(2+x)
4 - x = 2x + x² (Distributive property)
4 - x + x= 2x + x² + x (Adding x on both sides)
4 = 2x + x² + x
4 = 2x + x + x² (Combining Like Terms)
4 = 3x + x²
4 - 4 = 3x + x² - 4 (Subtracting 4 on both sides)
0 = x² + 3x - 4
x² + 3x - 4 = 0

Therefore, x² + 3x - 4 is equal to zero, hence, Option C is correct.
Top
Join the discussion