GMATprep: of the following, which is greatest?

Expert replies

nhai2003: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 75; Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:30 pm

by nhai2003 » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:41 pm

of the following, which is greatest?
A. (1/5)^-2 ( I thought (1/5^-2 = 1/1/5^2 = 1x5^2/2 = 25????)
B. (1/3)^-2
C. 3^-2
D. 5^-2
E. 2^3

I thought D
but OA
A

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:41 pm

ssmiles08: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 472; Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:54 pm; Thanked: 56 times

by ssmiles08 » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:54 pm

anytime you have a negative power like the question above...you take the reciprocal of the number.

so (A) has (1/5)^-2 = 5^2

similarly the case with B. it becomes 3^2.

C, and D become fractions b/c of the negative powers.

E = 8, but is still less than A which is 25.

(A)

Like this post

nhai2003: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 75; Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:30 pm

by nhai2003 » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:10 pm

sorry I mistook "greatest" with "smallest".
Now I understand why.
Thanks Ssmile!

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review