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Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:42 am
stephny wrote:(2^3-1)(2^3+1)(2^6+1)(2^12+1)
Use the identify for the DIFFERENCE OF TWO SQUARES:
(a-b)(a+b) = a²-b².

(2³-1)(2³+1)(2�+1)(2¹²+1)

= (2�-1)(2�+1)(2¹²+1)

= (2¹²-1)(2¹²+1)

= 2²�-1.
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by [email protected] » Sat Jan 18, 2014 4:32 pm
Hi stephny,

Mitch has showcased one of the hidden Algebra patterns that you could see on Test Day: Classic Quadratics. If you find yourself looking at a question and thinking "it will take forever to do all of this math", then there's likely to be a more elegant/faster way of solving the problem.

Another thing to consider is that you would have 5 answer choices to look at (which you did not provide); the formatting of the answer choices might give you an idea of what the "pattern" is behind the question. They might also give you a way to quickly estimate (and eliminate) answers since they're either too big, too small, or simply not possible.

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Rich
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